Before each Orthodox Christian Divine Liturgy (Holy Communion service), the priest conducts an elaborate preparatory service in the altar. Fr. David Smith demonstrates.
This is a great video. I've always wondered what went on before the start of the Divine Liturgy and the preparation of the Holy Mysteries. Thank you so much for posting this well informative video. May the Lord continue to bless you!
0:33 Preparation Proskomedia 2:12 1) The Incarnation 2) The Sacrifice 3) The Intercession 2:34 Prothesis Table *The Proskomedia Service begins with a Hymn* 3:04 3:45 Make Ready O’Bethlehem 4:58 Orthodox Christianity is a Liturgical Church ☦️⛪️ _Closer Examining The Beginning Hymn_ 5:45 5:53 6:04 “Eden hathed been opened for all.” 6:51 The Incarnation occurred so we Could Partake of Christ. 7:23 “Christ Shall Be Born.” 7:42 Reliving The Nativity. 8:08 By Sin, we distort The Image of God. *The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ* 8:30 9:08 “Thou hast redeemed us from The Curse of The Law.” 9:57 Sacrifice. 11:02 1. Nativity 2. Crucifixion ☦️ 11:25 The Spear , Jesus Christ was “pierced by the spear.” 12:16 Blessed Is Our God, Always Now and Ever, and Unto Ages of Ages. 12:42 Specially Prepared Bread 12:52 Wooden Seals pressed into the bread. 🍞 13:25 IC XC NI KA “Jesus Christ Conquers” *The Lamb* 13:46 Reliving The Crucifixion ☦️ “As a Sheep 🐑 he was led to the Slaughter.” 14:28 “For His life is taken up from The Earth.” 15:22 “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side.” 🩸 💧 *3. The Intercession* 17:25 The Theotokos 18:34 Angelic Leaders 18:52 The Holy Prophets 19:10 The Apostles 19:50 The Holy Hierarchs, (Bishops, Patriarchs, Spiritual Leaders of The Church) 20:27 Protomartyrs and Martyrs 21:07 Venerable and God-Bearing Fathers 21:44 Wonderworkers 22:19 Joachim and Anna, and The Saints of The Day 22:55 St John Chrysostom 23:26 Hierarchs/Metropolitans 23:45 Commemorations for people living today 24:45 Antidoron, helps to get The Eucharist down into the person. 25:18 The List of names to intercede for 📄 26:03 Remembering Friends Family Fellowship 27:37 Remembering peoples personal lives on The Sacrifice 28:51 You get the idea. 29:05 Lastly for The Priest himself. *The Incense Censer* 29:17 12 Bells 🔔 29:50 Blessed Censer 30:06 A Star Cover ⭐️ 30:46 Shelter us 🏠 31:33 The Lord is Pleased when we do this 🙏🏼 *Completing The Proskomedia* 31:52 32:13 Sanctified and Glorified is Thy Name 32:40 Glory… 32:55 May He 33:02 Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers… 33:08 End
The Orthodox Church calls Mary "Ever Virgin" because she was a virgin before giving birth to Jesus, during, and after giving birth. You are correct in that she was a human being like all of us - we call her pure for the same reason she is Ever-Virgin. It refers to her virginity even while giving birth and becoming a mother.
