The Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy is not a memorial service or a symbolic re-enactment. It is the real, living participation of the Church in the sacrifice of Christ — the same offering made once on Calvary, made present on every altar at every Liturgy. The bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ through the invocation of the Holy Spirit (the Epiclesis). Orthodox Christians do not merely attend the Liturgy — they participate in it, offering themselves with Christ to the Father. The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, used most Sundays, dates to the fourth century in its present form and contains prayers and actions continuous with the Apostolic worship of the first Christians. To attend the Divine Liturgy is to stand at the threshold of heaven.