Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy is the communal Eucharistic service, where members of the Orthodox Church can partake in the Holy Communion, the body and blood of Christ. The most common Divine Liturgy performed is the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is performed ten times during the liturgical year.

The Divine Liturgy of Saint James is celebrated on the feast day of the Apostle Saint James, October 23rd, or on a nearby date. The clergy performs the Divine Liturgy with their face towards the people.

All-night Vigil

Service performed on the eves of Sundays and of major liturgical feasts, consisting of the three different services, that of Vespers, Matins and First Hour.

Matins

Matins is a worship service performed mainly in the morning.

Vespers

Vespers is performed in the evening. It is the first service of the Daily Cycle of the Orthodox Church. Vespers tells of the creation of the world, the first human beings falling into sin, and the start of the Savior’s work of redemption.

Panikhida

The Panikhida (memorial service for the deceased) is held either on the day of death or three, nine of forty days after death. The memorial service is also held every year on the anniversary of death and on the name day of the deceased.

General Panikhida

A memorial service for the departed. All those present may bring the names of their departed loved ones to the General Panikhida to commemorate them.

Parastas

Parastas is the Great Panikhida, a memorial service for the departed that includes the services of Vespers and Matins.

Lity

The Lity is a fervent communal prayer held on the eves of Sundays and holy days at the end of Vespers, where the whole church petitions the Saints to pray to God on our behalf. The Lity ends with the blessing of bread, wheat, wine, and oil. The Lity may also refer to the last part of the memorial service for the deceased; prayers and hymns for the departed Christian.

Jesus Prayer

A prayer service that mainly consists of reciting the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Holy Unction

The Holy Unction (anointing of the sick) is performed during the Great Lent, among other occasions. All members of the Orthodox Church may receive the Holy Unction.

Akathist

Akathist is a hymn dedicated to the Mother of God, the Savior, a Saint, a holy event, or God’s Creation. The Akathist is usually sung standing up.

Blessing the Water

A holy service performed by water, for example when baptizing a person or blessing a home. The water is sanctified by the mercy of the Holy Spirit.

Great Canon

Canon chanted in several parts during the first days of the first week of the Great Lent, guiding people towards repentance and reform. The Great Canon is chanted in its entirety on the Thursday of the fifth week of the Great Lent. The Great Canon was composed by St. Andrew of Crete, and it is also known as the Canon of Repentance.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (also called the Presanctified Liturgy) is performed only during the Great Lent. The liturgy was compiled by Saint Gregory Dialogus. During the service, the faithful are given the Holy Gifts (the Eucharist) sanctified on the previous Sunday.

Washing of the Feet

The bishop washes the feet of twelve priests to commemorate Christ washing the feet of his twelve apostles. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper (John 13:4-5).

Midnight Office

The third service of the Daily Cycle of the Orthodox Church. The Midnight Office is held around midnight, and it consists of psalms, prayers and a short Fervent Litany intoned by the priest.

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil consists of the Midnight Office, Matins and Divine Liturgy. The Acts of the Apostles are also read in the church before the Easter Vigil in many parishes.

Churching

On the fortieth day after birth, the mother and child are invited to the church for a prayer service, thus starting the child’s life of worship.

Confession

Confession refers to the performing of the sacrament of repentance, which can be done in a hospital or in a nursing home, for example, at the end of which the penitent can partake in the Holy Communion.

Procession

A procession where the participants carry a lantern, cross, banners and icons around the church or from the church to a body of water, for example.

Naming

According to Church tradition, the child is given a name on the eighth day after birth. The priest blesses the child and recites the special naming prayer.

Blessing of Homes

A prayer service where water is sprinkled to sanctify the home in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Praasniekka

Praasniekka (also known as prestolnyi or prazdnik) is the Slavic name for a church festival held in honor of the church’s patron or holy event after which the church has been named and sanctified.