Liturgy Is a Prayer for the Whole World
I received an e-mail from my parish back in Oregon with information from Archbishop Benjamin about how to proceed in these days of quarantine as we move ever closer to the pinnacle of the entire Church year: Great and Holy Pascha. One of the most important aspects of this letter is the fact that the diocese has a plan in place; that face, in itself, is reassuring, especially in these times of ever-changing situations. However, what I would like to focus on is a spiritual reminder he gives us all.
On Behalf of All, and for All
"The Sunday Liturgies will be offered, behind locked doors, 'on behalf of all, and for all.'" That is no trite reference to Liturgy. Truly, the Holy Eucharist is consecrated for all of us. From the beginning of this quarantine, when many churches were forced to close their doors, I noticed bishops allowing monastic communities to continue services. Not only was that partially necessary because the monastic communities live at the monastery, but also, the monasteries can continue the services, praying for those they know, those they know not, and truly for the whole world.
Now, we are seeing a similar approach applied at the parish level. Abp. Benjamin's letter puts this in place, and from what I gather from an article by Fr. Paul Yerger, the same is true for the Diocese of the South under Abp. Alexander. We cannot all go to church, but a minimal crew will hold the Liturgy, not only sanctifying the place through the reception of Jesus Christ in the Holy Gifts, but also uniting us all to Christ through the Proskomedia.
Entering into the Body of Christ
There is another aspect of Divine Liturgy that must not be forgotten: the Proskomedia. Before Liturgy starts, the priest and the deacon commemorate names of the faithful, living and reposed, especially those of the local parish. With each name commemorated, a small particle of bread is pricked out of a loaf and placed on the paten, where the Mother of God and all the saints also have their piece of bread. During the Liturgy, in the Great Entrance, these gifts to God are carried to the altar table.
You are mystically on that paten, just like Christ is. Christ's portion is placed in the chalice to commune the faithful. Then, when the chalice is returned to the altar, all those particles, with everyone commemorated, are placed into the chalice, into the Body and Blood of Christ. The reposed faithful, all those commemorated during Proskomedia, all the saints, and the Mother of God, are all united into Jesus Christ. This mystery reaches far beyond merely those we see standing with us in the church building.
What is Liturgy?
Fr. Sergius, abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery, reminded us during class, "Liturgy is a prayer for the whole world." Indeed. It is a vitally important that Abp. Benjamin has come up with a plan that makes it possible to continue the regular service of the Divine Liturgy in his parishes. The parishioners are mystically united with Christ, even if they are not physically present, our reposed brothers and sisters are present and are communed, and the immense outpouring of grace which comes with every Liturgy, though we will not see this with our clouded eyes, is sanctifying that place.
On Behalf of All, and for All
"The Sunday Liturgies will be offered, behind locked doors, 'on behalf of all, and for all.'" That is no trite reference to Liturgy. Truly, the Holy Eucharist is consecrated for all of us. From the beginning of this quarantine, when many churches were forced to close their doors, I noticed bishops allowing monastic communities to continue services. Not only was that partially necessary because the monastic communities live at the monastery, but also, the monasteries can continue the services, praying for those they know, those they know not, and truly for the whole world.
Now, we are seeing a similar approach applied at the parish level. Abp. Benjamin's letter puts this in place, and from what I gather from an article by Fr. Paul Yerger, the same is true for the Diocese of the South under Abp. Alexander. We cannot all go to church, but a minimal crew will hold the Liturgy, not only sanctifying the place through the reception of Jesus Christ in the Holy Gifts, but also uniting us all to Christ through the Proskomedia.
Entering into the Body of Christ
There is another aspect of Divine Liturgy that must not be forgotten: the Proskomedia. Before Liturgy starts, the priest and the deacon commemorate names of the faithful, living and reposed, especially those of the local parish. With each name commemorated, a small particle of bread is pricked out of a loaf and placed on the paten, where the Mother of God and all the saints also have their piece of bread. During the Liturgy, in the Great Entrance, these gifts to God are carried to the altar table.
You are mystically on that paten, just like Christ is. Christ's portion is placed in the chalice to commune the faithful. Then, when the chalice is returned to the altar, all those particles, with everyone commemorated, are placed into the chalice, into the Body and Blood of Christ. The reposed faithful, all those commemorated during Proskomedia, all the saints, and the Mother of God, are all united into Jesus Christ. This mystery reaches far beyond merely those we see standing with us in the church building.
What is Liturgy?
Fr. Sergius, abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery, reminded us during class, "Liturgy is a prayer for the whole world." Indeed. It is a vitally important that Abp. Benjamin has come up with a plan that makes it possible to continue the regular service of the Divine Liturgy in his parishes. The parishioners are mystically united with Christ, even if they are not physically present, our reposed brothers and sisters are present and are communed, and the immense outpouring of grace which comes with every Liturgy, though we will not see this with our clouded eyes, is sanctifying that place.
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