Service in the church is a service to God, which consists of appropriate rituals and prayers. It reflects the internal religious content. Temples are specifically designed for church services. Every day, public afternoon, morning and evening services are held in Orthodox churches.
Each church service consists of three types of services. Together they form a daily circle of services, starting with the evening (from the ninth hour, vespers and compline) and ending with the daytime (from the third hour, sixth hour and the Divine Liturgy). Between them there is also a morning service in the church (midnight office, matins and the first hour). It is not difficult to calculate that the entire daily circle contains nine services.
The Orthodox church service borrowed a lot from Old Testament worship. So, a new day begins not at twelve o’clock at night, but at six o’clock in the evening. Therefore, the daily cycle of worship begins with Vespers. This service in the church is significant in that it voices the main biblical events, starting from the creation of the world, the fall of Adam and Eve, the Mosaic commandments and ending with the ministry of the prophets. Orthodox parishioners thank the Lord for the day they lived.
Prayer for the coming sleep
After supper, Compline is served in churches. What is this kind of worship? This is a kind of church prayer for the coming sleep. Believers remember the descent of Christ into the underworld and the liberation of the righteous from the power of Satan.
Seven services of the daily circle
At midnight, the third service of the daily cycle takes place - the Midnight Office. This service should remind parishioners of Last Judgment and the second coming of Christ. Matins is served before sunrise. This church service is one of the longest. It is dedicated to the events of Christ's earthly life. Numerous prayers of thanksgiving and repentance are offered on it. The first hour is spent around seven o'clock in the morning. This service is short. It recalls the presence of the Messiah at the trial of the Jewish high priest Caiaphas. The third hour is served at nine o'clock in the morning. This service is dedicated to the events in the Upper Room of Zion, where the Holy Spirit descended on the companions of Christ, and in Pilate’s Praetorium, where the son of God was sentenced to death. The sixth hour is celebrated at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, and the ninth hour is served at three o'clock in the afternoon. This time is considered the moment of Christ's death on the cross. Therefore, these services are dedicated to this event.
Main worship service
The main Orthodox church service in the daily circle is the Divine Liturgy. This service provides an opportunity not only to remember moments of Sacred history, but also to unite with Christ through the sacrament of Communion, which, according to church tradition, was established by himself during the Last Supper. This service is held between the sixth and ninth hours, as a result of which it is also called mass.
How long does the church service last?
From 1-2 hours, depending on the service itself and the temple in which it is held. Today, some changes have been made to the instructions of the church charter. In parish churches, Compline is served only during Lent, and on the eve of Easter the Midnight Office is celebrated once. The ninth hour is also almost not served, and the remaining six services are combined into 3 church services s.
And communion is the reception (with proper preparation) of the holy gifts. Communion is like a fresh new shirt - you can’t put it on a dirty body. Communion is given as a reward for intensive reading of prayers.
If you decide to visit the temple on Sunday “in full”, then you should prepare in advance. The Sunday morning “strongest” service in the church is called Liturgy (when they receive communion, that is, the priest gives “the blood and body of Christ” = a piece of bread in wine). We can talk a lot about the benefits of communion, but here we will talk about how to prepare for it:
— You must fast at least Friday and Saturday: do not eat animal food, do not sin: do not drink alcohol, do not engage in “marital intimacy,” try not to swear, do not offend or be offended.
- on Saturday, read 3 canons at night (it will take about 40 minutes) (the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ, the canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, the canon to the Guardian Angel) + another 35 minutes “Following to Holy Communion.”
- in the evening you should also read prayers for the coming sleep (about 20 minutes)
- after midnight, do not eat, drink or smoke, that is, go to bed before 00-00.
We arrive at church around 7-20 (but better check the schedule).
Until then you need to:
- be strictly on an empty stomach, incl. no smoking. You can only brush your teeth, and then try not to swallow anything.
– read the morning rule (min 15-20)
—writing notes for health and peace (simple ones are possible)
— we come up and kiss the central icon.
— light candles whoever we want (I usually put 3 candles: on the main candlestick, for the saint at will and for the repose).
— We take our place in line for confession. It usually starts at 7:30 (again, check the schedule of services in your church). Let's confess.
— we take a place: men on the right side of the temple, women on the left.
— The liturgy lasts about 2 hours. All this time we listen to prayers, think “about life, what we did wrong where” and all the time we repeat “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
Liturgy takeaway
When everyone began to read the “Creed”, it means that soon there will be communion itself.
— When everyone began to read the “Our Father,” it means that communion will be held very soon.
— When the priest brings out 2 large bowls for the first time, we simply bow our heads.
- When the priest brings out small cup (it contains the sacrament) - then we bow, kneeling down.
— They can carry alms trays around the church. Donate as much money as you like there.
- Participle: First, small children receive communion, then men, then women. Only those who have prepared correctly have the right to receive communion. Don't anger God.
— When approaching communion, we cross our arms over our chests (right at the top). We approach the bowl as close as possible. We do not cross ourselves, so as not to touch the thicket. We say the name, open our mouth, eat Communion from a spoon, let ourselves be wiped, kiss the cup and let's go eat and drink.
— On a special table we take a small cup of water and a piece of prosphora. They eat and drink so that the pieces of Communion get completely inside and do not accidentally fly out with saliva or something else. It’s better to drink it first and then eat the prosphora.
— We wait until the end of the service to kiss the cross. The priest can say “Participants, listen to the words of the prayer of thanksgiving” - then let’s go listen to the prayer. If this does not happen, then at home we read “Prayers of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion.”
— we no longer kneel anywhere: neither in front of icons, nor during the rest of the service
— we wait for the end of the service and kiss the priest’s cross.
— read prayers of thanksgiving for Holy Communion
- you can go home. Immediately after communion, do not immediately smoke or drink alcohol (at least eat normally first). Do not desecrate the Sacrament.
And communion is the reception (with proper preparation) of the holy gifts. Communion is like a fresh new shirt - you can’t put it on a dirty body. Communion is given as a reward for intensive reading of prayers.
If you decide to visit the temple on Sunday “in full”, then you should prepare in advance. The Sunday morning “strongest” service in the church is called Liturgy (when they receive communion, that is, the priest gives “the blood and body of Christ” = a piece of bread in wine). We can talk a lot about the benefits of communion, but here we will talk about how to prepare for it:
— You must fast at least Friday and Saturday: do not eat animal food, do not sin: do not drink alcohol, do not engage in “marital intimacy,” try not to swear, do not offend or be offended.
- on Saturday, read 3 canons at night (it will take about 40 minutes) (the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ, the canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, the canon to the Guardian Angel) + another 35 minutes “Following to Holy Communion.”
- in the evening you should also read prayers for the coming sleep (about 20 minutes)
- after midnight, do not eat, drink or smoke, that is, go to bed before 00-00.
We arrive at church around 7-20 (but better check the schedule).
Until then you need to:
- be strictly on an empty stomach, incl. no smoking. You can only brush your teeth, and then try not to swallow anything.
– read the morning rule (min 15-20)
—writing notes for health and peace (simple ones are possible)
— we come up and kiss the central icon.
— light candles whoever we want (I usually put 3 candles: on the main candlestick, for the saint at will and for the repose).
— We take our place in line for confession. It usually starts at 7:30 (again, check the schedule of services in your church). Let's confess.
— we take a place: men on the right side of the temple, women on the left.
— The liturgy lasts about 2 hours. All this time we listen to prayers, think “about life, what we did wrong where” and all the time we repeat “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
Liturgy takeaway
When everyone began to read the “Creed”, it means that soon there will be communion itself.
— When everyone began to read the “Our Father,” it means that communion will be held very soon.
— When the priest brings out 2 large bowls for the first time, we simply bow our heads.
- When the priest brings out small cup (it contains the sacrament) - then we bow, kneeling down.
— They can carry alms trays around the church. Donate as much money as you like there.
- Participle: First, small children receive communion, then men, then women. Only those who have prepared correctly have the right to receive communion. Don't anger God.
— When approaching communion, we cross our arms over our chests (right at the top). We approach the bowl as close as possible. We do not cross ourselves, so as not to touch the thicket. We say the name, open our mouth, eat Communion from a spoon, let ourselves be wiped, kiss the cup and let's go eat and drink.
— On a special table we take a small cup of water and a piece of prosphora. They eat and drink so that the pieces of Communion get completely inside and do not accidentally fly out with saliva or something else. It’s better to drink it first and then eat the prosphora.
— We wait until the end of the service to kiss the cross. The priest can say “Participants, listen to the words of the prayer of thanksgiving” - then let’s go listen to the prayer. If this does not happen, then at home we read “Prayers of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion.”
— we no longer kneel anywhere: neither in front of icons, nor during the rest of the service
— we wait for the end of the service and kiss the priest’s cross.
— read prayers of thanksgiving for Holy Communion
- you can go home. Immediately after communion, do not immediately smoke or drink alcohol (at least eat normally first). Do not desecrate the Sacrament.
About the need to visit the temple of God
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth for our salvation, founded the Church, where he is invisibly present to this day, giving us everything we need for eternal life, and where “the powers of heaven serve invisibly,” as the hymn says. “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20), the Lord said to His disciples and to all of us who believe in Him. Therefore, those who rarely visit the temple of God lose a lot. Parents who do not care about their children attending church sin even more. Remember the words of the Savior: “Let the little children come and do not hinder them from coming to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), the Savior tells us. Spiritual food is just as necessary for the human soul as bodily food is for maintaining bodily strength. And where will a Christian hear the word of God, if not in church, where the Lord Himself invisibly instructs those gathered in His name? Whose doctrine is preached in the church? The Teaching of the Savior Himself, Who is true Wisdom, true Life, true Path, true Light, enlightening every person coming into the world.
The Church is heaven on earth; The worship performed in it is an angelic work. According to the teachings of the Church, when visiting the temple of God, Christians receive a blessing that contributes to success in all their good endeavors. “When you hear the ringing of a church bell, calling everyone to prayer, and your conscience tells you: let’s go to the house of the Lord, then put everything aside and hurry to the Church of God,” advises St. Theophan the Recluse. – Know that your Guardian Angel is calling you under the roof of the house of God; It is he, the celestial being, who reminds you of earthly heaven, in order to sanctify your soul there with the grace of Christ, in order to delight your heart with heavenly consolation, but who knows? “Perhaps he is calling there also in order to take you away from temptation, which you cannot avoid if you stay at home, or to shelter you under the shadow of the temple of God from great danger...”
What does a Christian learn in church? Heavenly wisdom, which was brought to earth by the Son of God - Jesus Christ. Here he learns the details of the Savior’s life, becomes acquainted with the lives and teachings of the saints of God, and takes part in church prayer. And the congregational prayer of believers is great power!
The prayer of one righteous person can do a lot - there are many examples of this in history, but the fervent prayer of those gathered in the house of God brings even greater fruit. When the apostles awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit according to the promise of Christ, they remained together with the Mother of God in unanimous prayer. When we gather in the temple of God, we expect that the grace of the Holy Spirit will fall on us. This is how it happens... unless we ourselves put obstacles in place. For example, a lack of openness of heart prevents parishioners from uniting in common prayer. In our time, this often happens because believers do not behave in the temple of God in the way required by the holiness and greatness of the place.
How is the temple structured and how should one behave in it?
About the structure of the temple
Temple of God in its own way appearance different from other buildings. Very often the temple of God has at its base the shape cross, for by the Cross the Savior delivered us from the power of the devil. Often it is arranged in the form ship, symbolizing that the Church, like a ship or Noah’s Ark, leads us along the sea of life to the quiet pier of the Kingdom of Heaven. Sometimes at the base lies circle– a sign of eternity or octagonal star, symbolizing that the Church, like a guiding star, shines in this world.
The temple building usually ends at the top dome depicting the sky. The dome crowns chapter, on which a cross is placed - for the glory of the Head of the Church Jesus Christ. Often, not one, but several chapters are placed on the temple: two chapters mean the two natures in Jesus Christ (Divine and human), three chapters - the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, five chapters - Jesus Christ and the four Evangelists, seven chapters - the seven sacraments and seven Ecumenical Councils, nine chapters - nine ranks of angels, etc.
Above the entrance to the temple, and sometimes next to the temple, it is built Bell tower or belfry, i.e. a tower on which bells hang, used to call believers to prayer or to announce the most important parts of the service performed in the temple.
Orthodox church By internal structure is divided into three parts: the altar, the middle temple and the vestibule. Altar symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven. IN middle part All believers stand. IN narthex In the first centuries of Christianity, there were catechumens who were just preparing for the sacrament of Baptism. Nowadays people who have sinned grievously are sometimes sent to stand in the vestibule for correction. You can also buy candles in the vestibule, submit a note for remembrance, etc. In front of the entrance to the porch there is an elevated platform called porch.
Christian churches are built with the altar facing east - towards where the sun rises, because We call the Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom the invisible Divine light shone for us, the “Sun of Truth,” who came “from the heights of the East.”
Each temple is dedicated and named in memory of one or another sacred event or saint of God. The most important part of the temple is the altar. The word “altar” itself means “exalted altar.” He usually settles on a hill. Here the clergy perform divine services and the main shrine is located - the throne on which the Lord Himself is mysteriously present and the sacrament of transubstantiation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord is performed. The throne is a specially consecrated table, dressed in two clothes: the lower one is made of white linen, and the upper one is made of expensive colored fabric. On the throne are sacred objects and only clergy can touch it.
The place behind the throne at the very eastern wall of the altar is called to the heavenly(sublime) place. To the left of the throne, in the northern part of the altar, stands another small table, also decorated on all sides with clothing. This - altar, where gifts for the sacrament of Communion are prepared.
The altar is separated from the middle church by a special partition, which is lined with icons and is called iconostasis. It has three gates. The medium ones, the largest ones, are called royal gates
, because through them the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the King of Glory, invisibly passes in the chalice with the Holy Gifts. No one is allowed to pass through these doors except clergy. Through the side doors - northern and south gate –
Usually the servants pass by.
The icon of the Savior is always placed to the right of the royal doors, and to the left is Mother of God, then - images of especially revered saints, and on the young and northern gates - images of the archangels Michael and Gabriel. To the right of the Savior, at the end of the row, there is usually a temple icon: it depicts a holiday or a saint in whose honor the temple was consecrated. Icons are also placed on the walls of the temple or lie on lecterns– special tables with an inclined lid.
The elevation in front of the iconostasis has a name salty, the middle of which - a semicircular ledge in front of the royal doors - is called pulpit. Here the deacon pronounces litanies and reads the Gospel, and the priest preaches from here. On the pulpit it is given to believers and Holy Communion. Along the edges of the salts, near the walls, they arrange choirs for readers and choirs. Near the choirs they are placed banners, or icons on silk material, looking like banners. Like church banners they are carried by believers at religious processions. There is also a table in the temple called eve or eve, with an image of the Crucifixion and rows of candlesticks. Before him, funeral services are served - requiem services. They stand in front of the lecterns candlesticks, on which believers place candles. Hanging from the ceiling chandelier with many candles, now electric, lit at solemn moments of the service.
Church services or, in popular words, church services are the main events for which churches are intended. According to Orthodox tradition, daytime, morning and evening rituals are performed daily there. And each of these services consists of 3 types of services, which are collectively combined into a daily circle:
Thus, the daily circle includes nine services.
In Orthodox services, much is borrowed from Old Testament times. For example, the beginning of a new day is considered to be not midnight, but 6 pm, which is the reason for holding vespers - the first service of the daily cycle. It recalls the main events of Sacred History Old Testament; we're talking about about the creation of the world, the fall of the first parents, the ministry of the prophets and the Mosaic legislation, and Christians give thanks to the Lord for a new day lived.
After this, according to the Church Charter, it is necessary to serve Compline - public prayers for the coming sleep, which speak of the descent of Christ into hell and the liberation of the righteous from it.
At midnight, the 3rd service is supposed to be performed - the midnight service. This service is held with the purpose of reminding of the Last Judgment and the Second Coming of the Savior.
The morning service in the Orthodox Church (Matins) is one of the longest services. It is dedicated to the events and circumstances of the Savior’s earthly life and consists of many prayers of repentance and gratitude.
The first hour is performed around 7 o'clock in the morning. This is a short service about Jesus' presence at the trial of the high priest Caiaphas.
The third hour takes place at 9 am. At this time, the events that took place in the Upper Room of Zion are remembered, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, and in Pilate’s praetorium the Savior received a death sentence.
The sixth hour is held at noon. This service is about the time of the Lord's crucifixion. The ninth hour should not be confused with it - the service about His death on the cross, which takes place at three o'clock in the afternoon.
The main divine service and the peculiar center of this daily circle is considered to be the Divine Liturgy or mass, distinctive feature which from other services is the opportunity, in addition to memories of God and the earthly life of our Savior, to unite with Him in reality, participating in the sacrament of Communion. The time of this liturgy is from 6 to 9 o’clock until noon before lunch, which is why it was given its second name.
Modern practice of worship has brought some changes to the instructions of the Charter. And today Compline is held only during Lent, and Midnight - once a year, on the eve of Easter. Even less frequently, the ninth hour passes, and the remaining 6 services of the daily circle are combined into 2 groups of 3 services.
The evening service in the church takes place in a special sequence: Christians serve Vespers, Matins and the first hour. Before the holidays and on Sundays These services are combined into one, which is called the all-night vigil, that is, it involves long night prayers until dawn, carried out in ancient times. This service lasts 2−4 hours in parishes and from 3 to 6 hours in monasteries.
Morning worship in the church differs from past times with successive services of the third, sixth hours and mass.
It is also important to note the holding of early and late liturgies in churches, where larger parish Christian. Such services are usually performed in holidays and on Sunday. Both liturgies are preceded by the reading of the hours.
There are days when there is no morning church service or liturgy. For example, on Friday of Holy Week. In the morning of this day, a short sequence of visual arts is performed. This service consists of several chants and seems to depict the liturgy; However, this service has not received the status of independent service.
Divine services also include various sacraments, rituals, reading akathists in churches, community readings of evening and morning prayers and rules for Holy Communion.
In addition, services are held in churches according to the needs of parishioners - demands. For example: Wedding, Baptism, funeral services, prayer services and others.
In each church, cathedral or temple, service hours are set differently, therefore, to obtain information about the conduct of any service, clergymen recommend finding out the schedule compiled by a specific religious institution.
And to those who doesn't know him, you can adhere to the following time periods:
All services are usually performed in a church and only by clergy, and believing parishioners participate in them by singing and praying.
Christian holidays are divided into two types: transferable and non-transitionable; They are also called the twelve holidays. To avoid missing services regarding them, it is important to know the dates.
The duration of church services on holidays differs from each other. This mainly depends on the holiday itself, the performance of the service, the duration of the sermon and the number of communicants and confessors.
If for some reason you are late or do not come to the service, no one will judge you, because it is not so important what time it will start and how long it will last, it is much more important that your arrival and participation are sincere.
If you decide to come to church on Sunday, you should prepare for this. The morning service on Sunday is the strongest, it is held for the purpose of communion. It happens like this: the priest gives you the body of Christ and his blood in a piece of bread and a sip of wine. Prepare for this The event needs at least 2 days in advance.
In order not to miss the start of the church service on Sunday, you need to come to the church early, around 7.30. Until this time, you should not eat or smoke. There is a specific procedure for visiting.
After communion, under no circumstances rush to get what you want. e, that is, get high and so on, don’t desecrate the sacrament. It is recommended to know moderation in everything and read grace-filled prayers for several days so as not to desecrate this service.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who came to earth for our sake, founded the Church, where to this day everything we need is present and invisible, which is given to us for eternal life. Where “the invisible Heavenly Powers serve for us,” they say in Orthodox chants, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them,” is written in the Gospel (chapter 18, verse 20, Gospel of Matthew), - this is what the Lord said to the apostles and everyone who believes in Him, therefore invisible presence of Christ During services in the temple, people lose if they do not come there.
More greater sin committed by parents who do not care about serving the Lord of their children. Let us remember the words of our Savior from Scripture: “Let your children go and do not hinder them from coming to Me, for for them is the Kingdom of Heaven.” The Lord also tells us: “Man shall not live by bread, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (chapter 4, verse 4 and chapter 19, verse 14, the same Gospel of Matthew).
Spiritual food is also necessary human soul, as well as bodily to maintain strength. And where will a person hear God’s word, if not in the temple? After all, there, among those who believe in him, the Lord himself dwells. After all, it is there that the teachings of the apostles and prophets are preached, who spoke and predicted by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, there is the teaching of Christ Himself, who is the true Life, Wisdom, Way and Light, which enlightens every parishioner coming into the world. The temple is heaven on our earth.
The services that take place there, according to the Lord, are the works of angels. By being taught in a church, temple, or cathedral, Christians receive God's blessing to help them succeed in good deeds and beginnings.
“You will hear the church bell ringing, calling for prayer, and your conscience will tell you that you need to go to the house of the Lord. Go and put all your business aside, if you can, and hurry to God's Church“- advises Theophan the Recluse, a saint of Orthodoxy, “Know that your guardian angel is calling you under the roof of the house of the Lord; it is he, your celestial being, who reminds you of earthly Heaven so that you can sanctify your soul there by your grace of Christ and delight your heart with heavenly consolation; and - who knows what will happen? “Perhaps he is also calling you there in order to ward off temptation from you, which cannot be avoided in any way, because if you stay at home, there will be no shelter for you under the canopy of the Lord’s house from the great danger...”
A Christian in church learns the Heavenly wisdom that the Son of God brings to earth. He learns the details of the life of his Savior, and becomes acquainted with the teachings and lives of the saints of God, and takes part in church prayer. And congregational prayer is great power! And there are examples of this in history. When the apostles were awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, they were in unanimous prayer. Therefore, in the church, in the depths of our souls, we expect that the Holy Spirit will come to us. This happens, but only if we do not create obstacles for this. For example, insufficient openness of heart can prevent parishioners from uniting believers when reading prayers.
In our time, unfortunately, this happens quite often, since believers behave incorrectly, including in church, and the reason for this is ignorance of the truth of the Lord. The Lord knows our thoughts and feelings. He will not leave those who sincerely believe in him, as well as a person in need of communion and repentance, so the doors of God’s house are always open to parishioners.
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