The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

 

by Fr. Philip Seeton   

 

In our Eastern Church Divine Liturgy and the Eucharistic Sacrifice is not offered on weekdays during the Great Fast because the character of Divine Liturgy is seen as one of great rejoicing and is offered on the weekly day of Resurrection, Sunday, and for the feasts of the saints.

  

Because we continue to need spiritual nourishment and strength during the Great Fast, however, the Church gives us the ancient service of Vespers with Holy Communion, which we call the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. While there is no consecration of the Eucharistic Gifts at the Presanctified Liturgy, Holy Communion is able to be distributed from the Holy Gifts sanctified on the previous Sunday Divine Liturgy, hence the use of the word "Presanctified" for this Service.
 
Presanctified Liturgy is usually served on Wednesday and Friday evenings. By tradition we prepare for the Presanctified Liturgy by prayer throughout the day and by abstaining from eating from noon or at least for three hours.

  

As the psalms for Vespers are chanted during Presancrified Liturgy, the Holy Gifts are prepared for Communion. Next, the ancient evening hymn, "O Joyful Light' is sung and the Hebrew Scriptures of Genesis and Proverbs are read. Between these two Old Testament readings the celebrant signs the kneeling congregation with a lighted candle and incense, proclaiming: "Behold the Light of Christ. Behold the Light of the Universe," reminding us that all wisdom is given by Christ to the Church through the Scriptures and Sacramental Mysteries. Originally this blessing was specifically for Catechumens, who were to be given the fullness of the Light of Christ at Pascha.

  

The traditional evening hymn, Psalm 141, is then chanted by the priest and people, with the offering of incense. After the litanies of intercession, the Presanctified Eucharistic Gifts are solemnly brought to the altar in a silent procession. The song of the entrance calls the faithful to communion:

  

Now the powers of heaven (i.e., the angels) are serving invisibly with us, for the King of Glory enters. They escort the mystical sacrifice already accomplished. Let us with faith and love draw near that we may be partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

  

The Litany of Preparation and the Lord's Prayer follows. Those prepared to partake of Holy Communion come forward as Psalm 34: "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Alleluia" is chanted.

  

Presanctified Liturgy concludes with a prayer to God who "has brought us to these most holy days for the cleansing of passions," asking, that He will bless us "to fight the good fight, to accomplish the course of the fast, and to share in and adore the holy Resurrection" of Christ.

  

Because Sundays in our Byzantine Church are always days of Resurrection, Lenten prayers and Scriptures are reserved for weekday Services. To share in the fullness of the Great Fast we should all strive to participate in the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
 

Let us fight the good fight and run the course of the Great Fast so we might truly share in and know the Resurrection of our Lord.

 

Pictures from the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts may be found HERE.

 

© 2008 Fr. Philip Seeton. Used with permission.