The Divine Liturgy is the main service of the Christian Church. She crowns the entire daily circle of worship. A great sacrament takes place during the liturgy - bread and wine miraculously become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Proskomidia
The first part of the liturgy is considered the proskomedia. It is performed by the priest in the altar about half an hour before the start of the solemn part of the liturgy. At this time, certain short liturgical texts from the successive hours (the third and sixth) are read in the church. The priest in the altar at the proskomedia prepares the substance for the sacrament of the Eucharist (communion). He prepares bread and wine. This is accompanied by certain prayers with the commemoration of the ranks of the saints of the Christian Church. Also, the priest takes out particles from the prosphora (bread used in the liturgy) for the health and peace of the people.
Liturgy of the catechumens
The Liturgy begins with the priest's exclamation "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever." After that, the litany is pronounced with certain petitions, and the pictorial antiphons (102, 145 psalms, the Beatitudes - on Sundays and holidays), festive (three short antiphons dedicated to the twentieth holiday) or daily antiphons (three antiphons, performed on weekdays) are sung in chorus. At the liturgy of the catechumens, excerpts from the Apostle and the Gospel are read, notes of health and repose are commemorated. This part of the liturgy may be attended by catechumens (that is, those who are not enlightened by the light of the Christian faith). In the ancient Church, after the completion of the liturgy of the catechumens, the unbaptized left the church. Currently, this practice is not observed. The Liturgy of the catechumens ends with the words of the litany that the catechumens should leave the church, then the faithful (baptized people) are mentioned.
Liturgy of the faithful
The main part of the liturgy. On it, the transfer of holy gifts (still bread and wine) from the altar to the throne is performed while the chorus of the Cherubim song is singing. The main parts of this part of the liturgy are the Creed and the Eucharistic canon, on which the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. The Canon is usually called "The Grace of the World." The first preparatory words for the Eucharistic canon are: "Mercy of the world, sacrifice of praise." This is the announcement that a bloodless sacrifice is beginning to be offered in the temple. The Eucharistic Canon is the most important part of the entire liturgy. At the liturgy of the faithful, the hymn to the Mother of God "It is worthy" and "Our Father" are also sung. At the end of the Liturgy, believers partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
