The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is the form of the Eucharist or Divine Liturgy that is most commonly served in the Byzantine Churches. The full title is "the Divine Liturgy of our holy father John Chrysostom" (in Slavonic, Božéstvennaja Liturgíja vo svjatích otcá náseho Ioánna Zlatoústaho).
This Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Sundays and feast days throughout the year, except when the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is appointed instead. The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom can also be celebrated on any weekday which is not one of the "aliturgical days".
Outline of the service
The following table shows the principal parts of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. The variable parts of the service are shown in italics.
| The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom |
|---|
| Vesting and proskomedia The faithful assemble in church |
| Incensation of the church Blessing by priest: "Blessed is the Kingdom..." Litany of Peace First Antiphon or Typical Psalm Second Antiphon or Typical Psalm "O Only-begotten Son and Word of God" Third Antiphon, or the Beatitudes Troparia and kontakia appointed for the day Trisagion ("Holy God") |
|
Prokeimenon Epistle reading Alleluia Gospel reading Sermon Litany of Fervent Supplication (Litany for the Deceased) (Litany for the Catechumens) (Litany of the Faithful) |
| Great Entrance Litany over the Gifts The Symbol of Faith (Creed) |
| The Anaphora of Saint John Chrysostom |
| Prayers before Holy Communion Holy Communion Thanksgiving after Holy Communion |
| Prayer before the ambon Blessing by priest Dismissal |
For a detailed explanation of the service, see the following articles:
Preparation - Enarxis - Readings - Great Entrance - Anaphora of Saint John Chrysostom - Holy Communion - Dismissal
On certain days, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the evening, preceded by Vespers. For more information, see the article on the Vigil Divine Liturgy.
Texts and sources
The official Church Slavonic texts for the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom can be found in the Ruthenian Liturgikon or Služébnik (the principal service book for the priest and deacon) . The readings are contained in the Gospel Book and the Apostol. The Apostol also contains the prokeimena, alleluiaria, troparia, and kontakia to to be chanted during the service, and the people's parts of the Divine Liturgy.
In 2007, the Council of Hierarchs of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh published official books in English for the Divine Liturgies of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great (one book for each service for the clergy, and a third book, with music, for the people, covering both Liturgies). The people's book for the Divine Liturgies can be found on the official publications page.
The Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom in the Parish
In most parishes of the Byzantine Catholic Church, this will be the single service with which the faithful are most familiar, since it is the best-attended service on Sundays and feast-days.
Ideally, the service should be offered at most once per day in a given parish, and served as part of a complete cycle of observances, beginning with Vespers the night before, with an opportunity for the faithful to receive the Mystery of Repentence (confession of sins and absolution).
Recommended reading
- The Divine Liturgy of our father Saint John Chrysostom, according the Byzantine Rite tradition. Byzantine Leaflet Series, No. 19. (Pittsburgh: Byzantine Seminary Press, November 1980).
- Light
for Life: Part Two, The Mystery Celebrated.
(Pittsburgh: God With Us Publications, 1996).
Chapter Four covers the Divine Liturgy. - Father Basil Shereghy. The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom (Pittsburgh: Byzantine Seminary Press, 1970).
- Father Casimir Kucharek. The Byzantine Slav Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom (Combermere, Ontario: Alleluia Press, 1971).
A book-length study of the Divine Liturgy. - Nicholas Cabasilas. A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy (Crestwood, New York: Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2002).
A classic commentary by a noted 14th century Byzantine theologian.