February 27 – March 5 Discussion Questions
The Liturgy Of The Presanctified Gifts
- What are the rubrics for celebrating Divine Liturgy during Lent?
- How do the rubrics for the celebration of Divine Liturgy relate to the meaning and observance of a total and an ascetical fast?
- In what way does the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts express the Orthodox understanding of: (1) the presence of Christ and the Kingdom in liturgy, (2) communion, (3) the festal nature of the celebration of the Eucharist, (4) Eucharist as essential food and as strength for the lenten journey?
- Has Schmemann’s explanation of the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts been helpful as you prepare to participant in this liturgy this Lent?
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March 5, 2011 at 12:51 am
February 27 – March 5 Discussion Questions
Categories: Great Lent, Journey to Pascha
The Liturgy Of The Presanctified Gifts
1. What are the rubrics for celebrating Divine Liturgy during Lent?
Divine Liturgy is not to be celebrated Monday through Friday except for when the Feast of the Annunciation falls on one of these days. On Wednesdays and Fridays a special evening service of Communion is celebrated called the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. The fundamental liturgical principal is the
incompatiblility of of the Eucharist with fasting. The Liturgy is a celebration of His Ressurection. It is the coming and presence of Christ during the Eucharist
Celebration is the proof of His Resurrection.
2. How do the rubrics for the celebration of Divine Liturgy relate to the meaning and observance of a total and an ascetical fast?
A total fast usually lasts one day or a part of a day. It is a state of spiritual preparation and concentration on what is about to transpire. It is the
opening of ourselves to the coming joy. The Eucharist fast is always a total fast. It is a Church condition for communion, a rubric. It brings us into the great
expectation of the coming Christ’s presence in our midst. An ascetical fast connotates a long and sustained effort. It is rooted in the example of Christ Himself. Christ fasted for forty days in the wilderness before
beginning His minisrty. It is through this fast we restore our spirit to a greater awareness of God’s presence in our lives. We purify and liberate ourselves
from the flesh through the ascetical fast.
3. In what way does the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts express the Orthodox understanding of:
(1) the presence of Christ and the Kingdom in liturgy,
We know of, participate in, and and have a great anticipation of the Kingdom to come. Quote: “We foresee and foretaste its glory and blessedness but we are still on earth, and our entire earthly existence is thus a long and often painful journey toward the ultimate Lord’s Day.” This is our shared journey in the Liturgy
of Lent an the Presanctified Gifts. We share in the Eucharist of the past, present, and future Kingdom of God. It is the joy and peace in the Holy Spirit, the heavenly bread, food of immortality, truly touching heaven’s realm.
(2) communion,
Holy Communion is the fulfillment of our life’s effort, goal and joy of our Christian life. It is the meeting of man through the Christ to His Father God. It
is where we embrace our awesome God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, by whom all things were created, our Loving Father.
(3) the festal nature of the celebration of the Eucharist,
As Orthodox, we embrace the Eucharist with intense joy and celebration, it is the fulfillment of the fast. The mystery of Christ’s presence is revealed and manifested to each of us as we celebrate the Eucharist in a communal gathering of believers.
(4) Eucharist as essential food and as strength for the lenten journey?
The Eucharist is the food of our new transformed life in Christ. We partake of the world to come. It is the food of immortality. It is the food of paradise lost, of the world to come, it gives us our strength for the Paschal Journey to Lent. The food of immortality is always present in the Church. It is our chance to be with Him as He walks with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, breaking bread with Him. It is our spiritual sustenance for life itself. He becomes our daily manna.
4. Has Schmemann’s explanation of the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts been helpful as you prepare to participant in this liturgy this Lent?
As a new believer of Orthodoxy, embracing this new knowledge of the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is just one more jewel in the crown of faith for me. It
is most assuredly a wonderful journey, this “Paschal Journey to Lent”. Every line I read brings me just one step closer to the most wonderful, beautiful, loving
friend in my life, Jesus Christ my Lord. Through the fasting, the repentance, the prayers, the (watching) participation in the Eucharist and the fellowship of
believers this has become a wonderfu journey, this my first real journey to Pascha.