Many Christians struggle with their own Church, viewing it as a spiritual institution limited to clergy such as bishops, priests, and deacons. Some believe simply being baptized and attending church on major holidays is sufficient, while others only turn to the Church in times of need. However, the Church is much more than just a building for occasional visits. It is a place of worship where the faithful gather for prayer and communion with God. Church prayer is powerful as it involves the whole community, continuing the redemptive mission of Christ. Through Baptism and participation in Church sacraments, Christians grow spiritually and become united with Christ and each other. Just as a branch withers when separated from the tree, a Christian who does not abide in God cannot bear spiritual fruit. The Eucharist is the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, established by the Lord Himself at the Last Supper before His Passion. During the Liturgy, God’s fulfillment of His promise to be among men accomplishes man’s fullest enlightenment. On Holy and Great Thursday, the Lord took bread, gave thanks, and said, “This is My Body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). The Eucharist is the principal sacrament of the Church, creating and transforming believers into the Body of Christ.
The Orthodox Church believes in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharistic bread and wine, which become His Body and Blood through the Descent of the Holy Spirit by the prayer of the faithful presided over by a bishop or priest. The Eucharist is a mystery that we accept through faith, not to be rationalized or intellectually explained. Doubting the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is to doubt God’s Incarnation and the Gospel preached by the Church.
Two Liturgies have been celebrated in the Orthodox Church since ancient times: those of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, both from the fourth century. The Liturgies consist of the Liturgy of the Catechumens and the Liturgy of the Faithful, including the Eucharistic Canon with the Epiclesis and the Communion of the Holy Gifts. The atmosphere during the Liturgy is mystical and rich with symbolism, focusing believers on the mystery of Christ’s life.
In the Orthodox Church, every prayer, including liturgical prayer, must come from the head into the heart, where baptismal grace resides. Concentrated individual and liturgical prayer is essential for inner peace and spiritual growth. The Divine Liturgy combines the nature of a meal and a sacrifice, requiring special preparation for the faithful to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. The Divine Liturgy symbolizes the union of our soul with the sacrificial Lamb, requiring us to appear in garments of purity. This purity is achieved through prayer, ascetic practices, good deeds, acts of love towards others, and confessing our sins to a spiritual mentor. In the Orthodox tradition, regular communion is common, often accompanied by confession to address sins. Through confession, we cleanse our metaphorical wedding attire, stained by sin, and strive for spiritual purification through prayer and asceticism. The Christian life is seen as an ascetic journey, filled with trials and temptations that can only be overcome through fasting, prayer, and self-discipline. By accepting God’s gifts through faith and leading a new life in Christ, we can strive towards righteousness and holiness. This continuous effort towards goodness and virtue is our lifelong journey towards becoming more like Christ.
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