Divine Liturgy

Divine Liturgy (Greek: Θεία Λειτουργία, translit. Theia Leitourgia) or Holy Liturgy is the usual name used in most Eastern Christian rites for the Eucharistic service.

The Greek Catholic and Orthodox Churches see the Divine Liturgy as transcending time and the world. All believers are seen as united in worship in the Kingdom of God along with the departed saints and the angels of heaven. Everything in the liturgy is seen as symbolic, but not merely so, for it makes present the unseen reality. According to Eastern tradition and belief, the liturgy's roots go back to the adaptation of Jewish liturgy by Early Christians. The first part, termed the "Liturgy of the Catechumens", includes like a synagogue service the reading of scriptures and, in some places, perhaps a sermon/homily. The second half is based on the Last Supper and the first Eucharistic celebrations by Early Christians and it is called "Liturgy of the Faithful". Eastern Christians believe that the Eucharist is the central part of the service in which they participate, as they believe the bread and wine truly become the real Body and Blood of Christ, and that by partaking of it they jointly become the Body of Christ (that is, the Church). Each Liturgy has its differences from others, but most are very similar to each other with adaptations based on tradition, purpose, culture and theology.^[1]^[2]

The (5th century), used on most days of the year and as a vesperal liturgy on the Annunciation.

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

The (4th century), used on the five Sundays of Great Lent and on Saint Basil's feast day (January 1). On the eves of the Nativity and Theophany and on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday, it is celebrated as a vesperal liturgy. In some traditions, Saint Basil's Liturgy is also celebrated on the Exaltation of the Life-giving Cross on September 14. In all, this liturgy is used 10 times during the liturgical year.

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

The (6th century) is used during Great Lent on Wednesdays, Fridays, and a handful of other occasions, and also on the first three days of Holy Week. Nowadays it is always celebrated as a vesperal liturgy; the Liturgy of the Faithful has no Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer), the Holy Gifts having been consecrated and reserved ("presanctified") at a previous Divine Liturgy. It is traditionally attributed to St. Gregory the Dialogist, although some scholars believe it originated with Patriarch Severus of Antioch.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

The (4th century)

Liturgy of St. Basil

The , this liturgy is also known as the Liturgy of St. Cyril

Liturgy of St. Mark the Apostle

The

Liturgy of St Gregory the Theologian

(or The Hallowing of the Apostles, i.e., of the Apostles Saint Addai and Saint Mari)

Anaphora of Addai and Mari

attributed to Theodore of Mopsuestia

The Hallowing of Theodore of Mopsuestia

attributed to Nestorius

The Hallowing of Nestorius

Liturgy of the eighth book of the Apostolic Constitutions

Diataxis

Matins

, ed. (1884). The Greek liturgies: Chiefly from original authorities. With an appendix containing the Coptic ordinary canon of the mass from two manuscripts in the British Museum, edited and translated by Dr. C. Bezold. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. At the Internet Archive.

Charles Anthony, Swainson

, ed. (1838) [1720]. A collection of the Principal Liturgies: Used in the Christian church in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Particularly the Ancient, viz. the Clementine, as it stands in the book called the Apostolical Constitutions; the Liturgies of St. James, St. Mark, St. Chrysostom, St. Basil, &c. Translated into English by several hands. With a dissertation upon them. London: London : Rivington. At the Internet Archive.