Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Name	Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Type	Divine Liturgy
Denomination	Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Churches
Language	Koine Greek, Church Slavonic, and other vernacular languages
Author	Traditionally attributed to John Chrysostom
Anaphora	Byzantine Rite
Music	Byzantine music

Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is the primary eucharistic service of the Byzantine Rite, celebrated most days throughout the liturgical year within the Eastern Orthodox Church and many Eastern Catholic Churches. Its structure and prayers are traditionally attributed to the 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, though it evolved over subsequent centuries. This liturgy is renowned for its theological depth, poetic beauty, and central role in the spiritual life of Eastern Christianity.

Historical development

The liturgy's core is traditionally linked to the reforms and homilies of John Chrysostom during his tenure in Antioch and later Constantinople, though its definitive form emerged later. Its development was significantly shaped by the liturgical synthesis at the Great Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople following the Council of Chalcedon. Key figures like Sophronius of Jerusalem and John of Damascus contributed to its prayers and hymnography, particularly during the period of the Byzantine Iconoclasm. The rite was further solidified and disseminated through the missionary work of Saints Cyril and Methodius to the Slavs, who translated it into Old Church Slavonic. Final revisions and standardization are often credited to the influence of Patriarch Philotheus I of Constantinople in the 14th century.

Structure and order of service

The service is divided into three main parts: the Prothesis (Preparation of the Gifts), the Liturgy of the Catechumens, and the Liturgy of the Faithful. The Prothesis, conducted privately before the main service, involves the preparation of the eucharistic bread and wine. The Liturgy of the Catechumens begins with the Great Litany and includes scriptural readings from the Epistle and Gospel, along with hymns like the Trisagion. Following the dismissal of the catechumens, the Liturgy of the Faithful commences, featuring the Great Entrance procession, the Nicene Creed, the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer), the Epiclesis, and culminates in the reception of Holy Communion.

Theological significance

The liturgy is a profound expression of Eastern Orthodox theology, emphasizing the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the transformative mystery of the Kingdom of God. Its prayers consistently articulate themes of theosis (deification), repentance, and heavenly worship. The Anaphora addresses God the Father and includes a central Epiclesis invoking the Holy Spirit to transform the gifts. The entire service is viewed as a participation in the eternal liturgy celebrated by the angels, a concept iconographically represented in the Deesis and other church mosaics.

Musical settings and liturgical music

The liturgical text is almost entirely sung, following the traditions of Byzantine chant in its original Greek form and Znamenny chant or other styles in Church Slavonic. Renowned composers from the Russian Empire and beyond have created polyphonic settings, including Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Alexander Gretchaninov. The works of these composers, along with those from the Moscow Synodal School, are staples in the choral repertoire of Slavic churches. The music serves to elevate the text, with specific melodies for litanies, antiphons, and hymns like the Cherubic Hymn.

Usage in Eastern Christianity

This liturgy is the standard eucharistic service in all Eastern Orthodox churches adhering to the Byzantine Rite, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Greek Orthodox Church. It is also used by Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Holy See, such as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. While the normative languages are Koine Greek and Church Slavonic, it is celebrated globally in numerous vernacular languages including English, Romanian, and Arabic.

Comparison with other liturgies

Within the Byzantine Rite, it is distinguished from the longer and more solemn Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, used on ten specific days annually, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts attributed to Pope Gregory I, used on weekdays during Great Lent. Compared to the Latin Rite Mass, it features a more extensive use of hymnography, a different structure for the Eucharistic Prayer, and a distinct emphasis on the Epiclesis. It also shares structural similarities with, but differs in specific prayers and ceremonial details from, other ancient rites like the Liturgy of Saint James and the Liturgy of Saint Mark.

Category:Eastern Christian liturgy Category:Byzantine Rite Category:Eastern Orthodox liturgical practices