Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Orthodox Church.

Nikolai Gogol states in his “Meditations on the Divine Liturgy“;

“The Divine Liturgy is the eternal repetition of the great act of love accomplished for us… The effect of the Divine Liturgy is great.  It is celebrated openly and visibly before the eyes of all the world, and yet it is full of mystery.  If the worshiper follows every action reverently and diligently, his soul attains a high state, the commandments of God become possible for him.  Christ‘s yoke becomes easy and His burden light.  After leaving the temple in which he has attended the divine love-feast, he looks upon all men as his brothers.  Whether he resumes his customary tasks in business or in his family, or wherever he may be, he involuntarily preserves in his soul the high resolve of such association with people as is inspired by the love brought from heaven by the God-Man.”

The Divine Liturgy acts more strongly on the celebrant if he celebrates reverently, with fear, love, and faith, he is then purified and like a sacred vessel remains pure for the entire day.  It is said that in all the “Priests actions Christ will act and in his words Christ will speak.”

What a humbling and fearful thought, as a Priest, I speak in Christ’s Words.  I have come to love our Divine Liturgy as it has spoken to me the love Christ had for all men, especially one like me, a sinner.  Each week as I prepare and then celebrate in the temple, I wonder why me?  Then I think of the prophet Isaiah when he was asked and replied, “send me.”   Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.