What is a liturgy in Orthodoxy, in what sequence it is held: in a simple language

From this article you will learn what the liturgy is, and in what sequence it is held.

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Now, when a split is planned in Orthodoxy, many remembered that they are the Orthodox faith. People who consider themselves to be Orthodox Christians at least once in the church, and heard church chants. And did you think what these prayers are called? What is they sung about? If you want to know about it, read this article.

What is a liturgy, what species exist?

Liturgy The main services in the Orthodox Church are called. This is reading and singing prayers, such as “our Father”, psalms, hymns. All chants are in a certain order.

The following types of liturgy are distinguished:

Liturgy, composed by John Chrysostom
Liturgy, composed by Vasily the Great
Liturgy, composed by Grigory Dvoestrov
Liturgy, composed by Apostle Jacob
Liturgy composed by the Apostle Mark

Great composers worked on church chants, composing music on them. These are such famous musicians: D.S. Bortneansky, M.I. Glinka, P.I. Tchaikovsky, S.V. Rachmaninov.

Liturgy, composed by John Chrysostom

Liturgy arranged by John ChrysostomThey read on all days of worship, including on Saturdays and on Sundays - throughout the year, and on the rest of the holidays not listed in other liturgies.

Liturgy, composed by Vasily the Great

Liturgy, composed by Vasily the Great, read everything 10 times a year: Before the big holidays given below, and during them (if this holiday falls on Sunday, Monday).

These are such holidays:

Christmas - January 7
Cutting of the Lord - January 14
Baptism of the Lord - January 19

In addition to holidays, this liturgy is read on the following days of Great Lent (before Easter):

The first, second, third, fourth, fifth Sunday post
On Thursday, in the last week of post, called a passionate week
On Saturday at the last week of fasting

Liturgy, composed by Grigory Dvoestrov

Grigory Dvoroslov compiled his version of the liturgy back in the 6th century, and the clergy still adhere to it.

Liturgy, composed by Grigory Dvoestrov, read throughout the Great Lent, the following days:

Every Wednesday during the first 6 weeks of fasting
Every Friday during the first 6 weeks of fasting
On Thursday the 5th week of post
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of the 7th (passionate) week of fasting

In addition to the great post, this liturgy is read on the feast of the 1st and 2nd acquisition of the head of John the Baptist, if this holiday did not hit on the Saturday or Sunday day (the holiday is celebrated on March 8 - in the leap year, March 9 - in the usual year).

The liturgy, composed by Grigory Dvoestrov, is still read on the holiday of 40 martyrs of Sevastian - March 22 (if the holiday is not on Saturday or Sunday).

Liturgy, composed by Apostle Jacob

Ancient times Liturgy arranged by the apostle Jacob, read all the Orthodox churches. Then the abbreviated liturgy according to John Zlatoust and Vasily the Great were compiled, and the clergy began to use them. Now Liturgy from the Apostle Jacob it is read in a small number of churches in Russia, Elladsky and Jerusalem churches during the memory of the Apostle Jacob. These are the following days: January 8 and 17, November 5.

Liturgy composed by the Apostle Mark

Liturgy composed by the Apostle Mark, adopted for reading since 2007 in Russian Orthodox churches abroad.

In what sequence is the liturgy read?

The second part of the liturgy is the liturgy of the announced

Liturgy in Orthodoxy Read in a certain sequence.

First there is the first part of the liturgy:

The service begins input prayer In an undertone, she reads a deacon or another parishioner alternately with the singing of the choir and the parishioners themselves. At the beginning of the service, you can recall your loved ones (still alive and already dead), and ask the creator alive - health, and the dead are the kingdoms of heaven, but before the worship they need to be recorded on two leaves, and leave on the table.
At this time, the clergyman dresses in sacred clothes, washes his hands and performs proskomidia (Conducts a mixing ritual of prosphora, wine and water). Proskomidia in Orthodoxy means the memory of the earthly life of Jesus Christ from birth to martyrdom.
Then the reader reads brief prayer entitled "Watch…", and the choir sings himself. At the end of the prayer, the clergyman leaves the royal gates (they were still closed) to the temple with Kadil in order to conduct the cerebrospinal or consecration of the temple.

The second part of the liturgy is the liturgy of the announced:

The Liturgy is called so due to the fact that in the church, for the time of its reading, unbaptized parishioners and preparing for this important step can stand.
This part begins with a prayer "Blessed the kingdom ..."that the deacon reads, and the choir, then the left side, is the right (called antiphons), Psalms sing, glorifying the god of the Father, God of the Son and God of the Spirit. This prayer is called Great litany.
Then the clergyman with the deacon is performed Small entrance on an amvon with the gospel (go to the temple from the side gate), the deacon is leaving prayer "Wisdom sorry ...". For parishioners this is a sign that they need to stand directly and carefully listening prayers of the Apostle and the Gospel. This part of the prayer reminds us of how Jesus Christ came out on the sermon.
Further worship is called purely litany. During its passage, the reader reads pricks (psalms), and choir In response to him pronounces:
"Lord have mercy"
"Lord for you"
"Give, Lord"
At the end of this dialogue of the reader and choir, the choir pronounces "Amen". These words pronounced in chorus are called in response interpositions.
During pure litany, you can pray again for your loved ones.
Then read telets about the announced.
Previously, when all church laws were more strictly respected, the release of the announced (all unbaptized parishioners were to leave the church).

Communion is carried out at the end of the liturgy

The third part of the liturgy is the liturgy of the faithful:

Preparation for the adoption of God's gifts.
For the entire time of preparation, the choir sings prayer entitled "Cherubic song", begins with these words: "Indeed, cherubs are secretly forming ...".
Great entrance - transferring a priest, quietly praying, bowls (high vessel) with the gifts of God (cut into small pieces of prosphora with wine and water) from the altar (table in the altar) to the throne. The clergyman asks the Lord permission to commit him this great sacrament. Then a priest with a holy bowl, accompanied by a deacon, leave the altar to the temple. The clergyman reads a prayer, asking for the health of the patriarch, other senior church ministers and Orthodox people, and again goes to the altar.
In the church, the choir and believers read "Symbol of faith", then "Holy Association". After prayer, parishioners bow (in some temples - on their knees) and thank the Almighty for the benefits sent by him.
While the laity are praying churchman In the altar asks In prayer Gentlemen send to the temple of the Holy Spirit for the consecration of gifts (called prefation), and sending faith and blessings to Orthodox people. The priest's calling the descent of the Holy Spirit on the bowl with gifts is called epicles. The prayer of the spiritual face for all humanity is called intercession.
Then it goes assignant litany or preparation for communion: all parishioners and choir sing prayer "Our Father ...".
A deacon enters the temple, it has a special belt (orar), and exalss with it prayer "Vonme". The curtain on the royal gates closes. It symbolizes the stone that pressed the coffin with Jesus Christ.
From the altar, the priest says: "Saint - Saint". The choir, together with the parishioners, answer: “The Unified Lord Jesus Christ, the One Holy, to the glory of God to the Father”, thereby agreeing that they are not worthy to accept the sacrament in the first place.
Communion. First, the priest in the altar communes the holy gifts of church ministers.
In the temple, a choir with parishioners sing canon before the sacrament to God Father.
Then the minister of God with a bowl to parishioners in the temple, and from the royal gates, and communes everyone who has prepared (He observed the commandments of Christ, held the post, read prayers, did not offend his neighbors and did not fade). The parishioners come up one at a time, crossing their hands on the breasts, call each of their own name. The holy communion must be discouraged with a sequel that the standing minister of the church is drawn next to the priest, so that there is not a baby left in his mouth.
Then passes kissing the cross believerswho holds the priest.
After communion, the choir continues to sing "Yes, our mouths will be performed ...", "Many years", wishing the lay people of prosperity and long life.
The admiration of the word of the clergyman to the laity and the announcement of the nearest service in the church.
Having left the temple, an Orthodox person, the rest of the day should spend without screams and scolding, not offend anyone, remembering God.

So, we learned what the liturgy is, and how it takes place in the church. Now the task of every Orthodox person is to hear with his ears, and find out how all the liturgy differs among themselves.