4.1. Introduction
The Holy rites of the Eastern Orthodox Church are divided into Divine Services and Mysteries.
According to Orthodox theology, the purpose of the Christian life is to attain mystical union with God - theosis. This union is understood as both collective and individual. All Orthodox ceremonies and the entire life of the church are arranged to guide the faithful towards theosis.
The Mysteries (also known as Sacraments) are established by the Lord Jesus Christ. The ritual prayers and actions of the minister invoke the grace of God, which invisibly manifests itself, cleanses, rejuvenates, supports, sanctifies and save us. Catechisms will often speak of the seven great mysteries: Holy Communion, baptism, Chrismation, confession, unction, matrimony and ordination.
The services of the church are conducted each day according to the church calendar. Parts of each service remain fixed, while others change depending on the observances prescribed for the specific day in the various cycles. The divine services are conducted in the church and involve both the clergy and faithful.
Worship services can only be performed by male persons duly prepared, elected and ordained for this holy ministry. The Orthodox Church has three graceful degrees of clergy: Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Deacon.
Worship is a sacred action. This creates the need for appropriate clothing. Since the early years of Christianity, the Church has established special liturgical garments for the priests. These robes symbolize the authority of the Ecclesiastical servants who pray for the grace of God, manifested in the sacred actions; they are a symbol of hierarchical ministry.
The Orthodox Church has three liturgical cycles:
- Daily cycle
- Weekly cycle
- Annual cycle
There are nine daily prayer sessions beginning at sundown. The traditional daily cycle of services is as follows:
Service |
Time |
Dedication |
Vespers |
At sunset |
Glorification of God, the Creator of the world and its Providence |
Compline |
At bedtime |
Christ's Harrowing of Hell after His death |
Midnight Office |
At midnight |
Christ's midnight prayer in Gethsemane; a reminder to be ready for the Bridegroom coming at midnight and the Last Judgment |
Matins |
Morning watches, ending at dawn |
The divine light, Christ the Savior |
Prime |
At 6 AM |
Christ's being brought before Pilate |
Terce |
At 9 AM |
The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost |
Sext |
At noon |
Christ's crucifixion |
None |
At 3 PM |
At 3 PM Christ's death |
Typica |
Follows Sext or None |
The Beatitudes |
Each day of the week has its own commemoration:
- Sunday—Resurrection of Christ
- Monday—The Holy Angels
- Tuesday—St. John the Baptist
- Wednesday— Christ's sufferings and the Cross
- Thursday—The Holy Apostles and St. Nicholas
- Friday—The Holy Cross
- Saturday—Mother Mary, all Saints and martyrs and the departed