Liturgy

In this letter, I want to tell you about the Divine Liturgy, which is the main service of worship in the Orthodox Church. It is the heart of our life in Christ, where we gather as God’s people to hear His Word and to receive Holy Communion.

The Liturgy is our greatest act of worship. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). In the Liturgy, the whole Church—heaven and earth together—worships God with one voice.

The Liturgy follows the pattern of the Bible. From the beginning, Christians gathered for “the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is exactly what happens in the Liturgy: we hear the Scriptures, we pray together, and we break the bread of Communion.

The first part of the Liturgy is the Liturgy of the Word. We read from the Epistles and the Gospels, and the sermon explains the meaning. Saint Paul instructed Timothy to “give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

The second part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Communion). This is when we offer the bread and wine, which by the Holy Spirit become the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus Himself commanded us: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Saint Paul confirms: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16).

The Liturgy unites us with heaven. The book of Revelation shows the saints and angels worshipping before God’s throne with hymns, incense, and prayers (Revelation 5:8–14). In the Divine Liturgy, we join in that same heavenly worship on earth.

The Liturgy nourishes us for daily life. Through Holy Communion, Christ Himself comes to dwell in us. Jesus said: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:56). This gives us strength to live as Christians in the world.

The Divine Liturgy is the center of Orthodox life. It is where heaven and earth meet, where the Scriptures come alive, where Christ Himself is present, and where we receive the Bread of Life.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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