Divine Liturgy

In the Melkite Church, the Divine Office includes Vespers, Compline, Great Compline, Order of Midnight, Matins, Office of Lauds, Office of Prime, Office of Tierce, Office of Sext, and Office of None. The most used of these prayers are Vespers and Orthros (Matins and Lauds). The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom contains the most familiar prayers and hymns and is the most used in our churches, but we also utilize the Liturgy of St. Basil and the Liturgy of the Presanctified. Some of the most poetic and inspiring hymns and prayers are those of the Paraclisis (Office of Consolation) and the Acathist Hymn (Office of Praise of the Mother of God). The Melkite Church owns an indescribable wealth, it can’t be released unless it is used and braided in the very fabric of one’s life.

As a general rule, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

The Liturgy of St. Basil
This Liturgy is celebrated ten (10) times during the year as follow:

• January 1, Feast of St. Basil.
• January 5, the Paramony of the Theophany of Our Lord, if it does not fall on Saturday or Sunday. If celebrated, it is celebrated in combination with Vespers.
• January 6, the Theophany of Our Lord, if it falls on Sunday or Monday.
• December 24, the Paramony of the Nativity of Our Lord, if it does not fall on Saturday or Sunday. If celebrated, it is celebrated in combination with Vespers.
• December 25, the Nativity of Our Lord, if it falls on Sunday or Monday.
• The five (5) Sundays of Lent.
• Great and Holy Thursday in combination with Vespers.
• Great and Holy Saturday in combination with Vespers.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified

This Liturgy is celebrated only during Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. Liturgically, Lent is a period called aliturgical, which means that the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the festive tone of our celebration in honor of the Resurrection are limited to Sundays. During the week the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified is prescribed to quench our thirst with Holy Communion consecrated from the previous Sunday. In Feasts of the Third Class, February 24 and March 9, the Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated with Gospel and Epistle readings. In Feasts of the Second Class, February 2 and March 25, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated.