The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service in the Byzantine Catholic Church. Below is a basic structure of the Divine Liturgy for those that are seeking to familiarize themselves with the service or are planning on attending a Divine Liturgy for the first time in the near future. If visiting, we recommend to not try and follow along in a book, but be present and prayerful in experiencing the Divine Liturgy.
Structure of the Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy contains three main parts, of which the latter two are not unlike the Roman Catholic Mass: 1) the Liturgy of Preparation, 2) the Liturgy of the Catechumens (Liturgy of the Word), & 3) The Liturgy of the Faithful (Liturgy of the Eucharist).
Liturgy of Preparation: This is not visible by the faithful. The clergy prepare the gifts of bread and wine for the service (Proskomedia) and recite the vesting prayers. When applicable, a leader may be leading the people in one of the Little Hours.
Liturgy of the Catechumens: This is where, when the deacon says to the presbyter “it’s time for the Lord to act” and the priest responds “blessed is the Kingdom….,” the public celebration begins. a “Catechumen” (Greek: κατηχούμενος) is one who is preparing for initiation into the Church via Baptism &/or Chrismation and Communion. Historically, this is a place where we make prayerful requests directing ourselves to the Lord and yearn for the Heavenly Gift of the Eucharist, as well as to hear the Word of God and learn what it means to be a Christian. Its parts, in the order in which they are celebrated, are: the Great Litany, Antiphons, the Little Entrance, Troparion(s), the Thrice-Holy Hymn, the Epistle reading, the Gospel proclamation, the Homily, the Litany of Fervent Supplication, Litany of the Departed, and the Litany of the Catechumens. When the priest or deacon proclaim “the doors! the doors! in wisdom let us be attentive,” the Liturgy of the Catechumen’s has ended.
Liturgy of the Faithful: The Liturgy of the Faithful, as historically the Catechumens had left with “the doors” being shut behind them, begins with the Cherubic Hymn (In the modern era, it is not required that non-Christians leave). The Liturgy is the pinnacle of the weeks services and the setting aside of all earthly cares so as to participate in the heavenly banquet with Christ as the High Priest and One Mediator. Its parts, in the order in which they are celebrated, are: the Cherubic Hymn, the Great Entrance, the Litany of Completion, the Creed, the Anaphora (of St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil the Great), the Epiclesis, the Megalynarion, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Communion, Dismissal, and Antideron.
Other Liturgical Services: There are other liturgical services, of which are typically oriented/directed to the Divine Liturgy. First, the Divine Praises (Divine Office) are Vespers, Compline, Midnight Office, Matins the Little Hours, and Royal Hours. Non-cycle services include the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, Paraklesis, Akathist’s, and Moleben’s.