What is the Divine Liturgy?

01Section 1

What Happens in the Divine Liturgy?

The Liturgy has two main parts: the Liturgy of the Catechumens (Scripture, sermon) and the Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharist).
The Great Entrance brings the eucharistic gifts to the altar in procession.
The Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) is the central prayer of consecration.
The faithful receive Holy Communion — the Body and Blood of Christ — in both kinds.

02Section 2

Which Liturgy Does the Church Use?

The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is used on most Sundays and weekdays.
The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is used ten times a year, including the Sundays of Lent.
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (St. Gregory the Dialogist) is celebrated on Wednesday and Friday evenings during Lent.

03Section 3

The Eucharist in Orthodox Theology

Orthodox theology affirms the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The transformation of the gifts is effected by the Holy Spirit (epiclesis), not merely by the words of institution.
The Eucharist is the supreme sacrament — all other sacraments find their meaning in relation to it.
Worthy reception requires fasting, confession, and preparation through prayer.

Next Steps

Worship & Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy, feasts, hymnography, and the sanctification of time.

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FastingTopic

Orthodox fasting is a voluntary abstinence from certain foods and activities, practiced as a spiritual discipline to subdue the passions and draw closer to God. The Orthodox Church observes extensive fasting periods throughout the year, including Great Lent, the Apostles' Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Nativity Fast.

Holy IconsTopic

Holy icons are sacred images of Christ, the Theotokos, the saints, and events from Scripture and Church history. In Orthodox theology, icons are not mere art but a confession of the Incarnation — they proclaim that God became visible in the flesh.

The SaintsTopic

Saints are those whom the Church has recognized as having attained theosis — union with God — and whose intercessions are powerful before the throne of God. They are not distant figures from the past but living members of the Body of Christ.

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Supporting pillars

What the Church holds.

What Happens in the Divine Liturgy?

Which Liturgy Does the Church Use?

The Eucharist in Orthodox Theology

Step from doctrine into prayer.