Comments on: Questions and Answers about the Divine Liturgy #4 – Liturgy of the Faithful

By: Of Prosphoras and Pre-Cut Pieces « Orthocath

Of Prosphoras and Pre-Cut Pieces « Orthocath — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:13:13 +0000

[...] Communion is practiced. In addition to being an aide in the breaking of the Eucharistic fast, one Orthodox priest explains: The Antidoron is given to all the people, including those that could not take Communion [...]

By: Jolynn Ruggerio

Jolynn Ruggerio — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:47:44 +0000

It’s my church, St. Haralambos Niles IL. The Iconographers are from Mt. Athos

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:12:31 +0000

Thank you kindly for your replies. I am writing about the iconography of the Communion of the Apostles (the theme). And I am interested in this picture (on the page above) as being a modern example of the iconography in the Greek Orthodox Church. But my paper concentrates on two Byzantine objects from the 6th century AD.
I just want to give proper credit to the source of this website and the picture if I decide to use it in my paper – but it is not essential to the thesis.
If you are interested in reading my paper (once it is finished) please send me an e-mail.
Sincerely, Charlotte

By: Fr. Vasile

Fr. Vasile — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:27:30 +0000

One more thing, the elevation of the Holy Lamb alone, that I refer to in my previous comment, only happens later, after the invocation of the Holy Spirit, right before Communion. The reference to it in the context of the invocation was to make a point regarding the fact the only the Holy Lamb will become the Body of Christ. Hope this helps.

By: Fr. Vasile

Fr. Vasile — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:25:10 +0000

The diskos is not elevated at this time, only the Holy Lamb at the words “Let us be attentive, the Holy Things for the Holy” (this is the current translation I use – Metr. Isaiah of Denver 2008). The Lamb is then broken into the four particles: IC, XC, NI and KA. The particle IC goes immediately in the Chalice , the particle XC is used for the communion of the priests while the Particles NI and KA go also in the chalice and are used for the communion of the faithful.
Only after the communion of the priests the other particles( of the Theotokos, saints, living and departed) are put in the chalice with their respective prayers.

By: David Brown

David Brown — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:01:12 +0000

A question about this statement: ” This is why at the words: “The Holy Gifts for the Holy people of God” the priest elevates only the Holy Lamb, not the whole Diskos.” Are not the commemorative particles still on the diskos at this point? Aren’t they thus elevated then also?

By: Serban

Serban — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:42:36 +0000

I have to rephrase: The real question is if you are interested in the theme depicted more than in that particular icon. (displayed by Fr. Vasile)

By: Serban

Serban — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:36:04 +0000

The Holy Trinity Greek Orhtodox Church in Dallas displays a similar scene in the altar. Charlotte, are you interested in having a picture of that one? (it is not the same as the one used by Fr. Vasile) The real question is if you are interested in the theme depicted more than in the icon itself. Serban

By: Fr. Vasile

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:46:49 +0000

Charlotte,
I do not remember where I took the photo from. it is one of the Greek_orthodox Churches in America but don’t remember which. Do you have any specific questions about the icon, I might be able to help

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:50:07 +0000

I would like to ask Fr. Vasile more about the Communion of the Apostles scene that can be viewed behind the altar on the picture featured on this page – article “Divine Liturgy #4″.
I would be very grateful if you would kindly let me know in which church the picture was taken?
I am a student of Art History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and I am writing a thesis paper about a Byzantine Art object from the 6th century that features a Communion of the Apostles scene.
Thank you in advance.
Charlotte