Scripture in the Divine Liturgy
In the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, scripture holds a central position, intertwining with the prayers and hymns chanted by the clergy and the faithful. Through the oral recitation of passages from both the Old and New Testaments, the significance of scripture in Orthodox Christian worship is highlighted and underscored. These profound readings, complemented by the heartfelt prayers and uplifting hymns, serve as beacons that illuminate the path of faith and devotion for the congregation throughout the Divine Liturgy. The seamless integration of God's word into the liturgical experience creates a sacred atmosphere where the teachings and Parables of the Bible come alive, fostering a deeper connection to the traditions and beliefs of the Orthodox Christian faith community.
Here is a breakdown of each part of the liturgy and where it takes root in the holy scriptures:
Opening Doxology [“Blessed in the Kingdom...] Mark: 11:10; Luke: 22:29-30, Matthew: 28:19; Revelation: 7:12.
The Great Litany – Philippians: 4:6-7; Psalm 51:1 Luke: 18:13; John: 14:27; 1 Timothy: 2:1-2;
1 Hebrews: 13:7; Psalm 109:26; Luke: 1:42.
The First Antiphon – [“Bless the Lord, O my soul”]. Selected verses from Psalm 103.
The Second Antiphon – [“Praise the Lord, O my soul”]. Psalm 103.
The Hymn to Christ Incarnate – [“Only- begotten Son...,”]. John: 1:1, 3:16, 17:5, 19:18; Luke: 1:35; Hebrews: 2:14; Matthew: 8:25.
The Third Antiphon – [The Beatitudes] Matthew: 5:3-12.
The Little Entrance – [“Come let us worship..,] Psalm 95:1-6; Revelation: 7:11-12.
The Trisagion – [“Holy God, Holy Mighty...,”] Isaiah: 6:1-5; Revelation: 8:8.
Prokeimenon – Psalms 12:7,1; 28:9,1; 29:11,1; 33:22,1; 47:6,1; 76:11,1; 104:24,1; 118:14,18.
The Epistle – readings change daily, from the Epistles or Acts of the Apostles.
The Allelulia – Psalms 113:1; 135:1; 146:1; Revelation: 19: 1-6.
The Gospel – readings change daily. The Sermon – 1 Timothy: 4:13.
The Cherubic Hymn – [“Let us who mystically..”] Colossians: 3:12; Pslam 24; Revelations: 19:1-6.
The Great Entrance – Psalm 43:4; Matthew: 5: 23-24; Hebrews: 5:1.
The Peace – [“Peace be unto all...”]. John: 20: 9,21,26. 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter: 3:8; Philippians:2-2.
The Eucharistic Canon – [“Let us stand aright”] Leviticus: 3:1; Hebrews: 13:14-15; Hosea: 6:6; Psalm 49:19; Matthew: 9:13; Corinthians: 13:14; 2 Timothy: 4:22; Lamentations: 3:41.
The Eucharistic Prayer – [“Holy, Holy, Holy...” through the Consecration]. Isaiah: 6:3; Mark: 11:10; Matthew: 21:9; Corinthians: 11:23-24; Matthew: 26:26-28; John: 6:51; Luke: 22:20; Mark: 14: 23-24; Corinthians: 29: 14, 16; Romans: 21:1.
Hymn to the Theotokos – [“It is truly right...”]. Luke: 1:28, 42, 48.
The Concluding Eucharistic Prayers – 2 Maccabees: 12:44-45; 1 Timothy: 2:2; 2 Timothy: 2:15; Romans: 15:6; Titus: 2:13; Revelations:22:21
The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer - Ephesians: 5:2; Philippians: 4:18; 1 Peter: 3:15; Corinthians: 5:10; Ephesians: 4:13; Philippians: 2:1.
The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew: 6:9-13; Corinthians 29:11.
The Elevation of the Holy Gifts – [“Holy things are for the Holy.”] Leviticus: 11:44; Philippians: 2:10-11.
The Communion Hymn – [“Praise the Lord...”] Psalm 148:1.
The Eucharist – 1 Corinthians: 11:27-29; Matthew: 16:16; 1 Timothy: 1:15; Mark: 14:45; Luke: 23:42- 43; Isaiah: 6:7; 1 Timothy: 1:14; James: 4:8; Psalm 118: 26-27; Psalm: 34:8; 1 Peter: 1:19; John: 6: 32-35, 48-58; Psalm 116:13; Psalm 28:0.
Hymns after Holy Communion – [“We have received the true Light..”]. John: 1:9; Rev.: 3-14; Psalm 71:8; Chronicles: 16:9; Ephesians: 3:9.
Litany after Communion – Judges 18:6; Colossians: 3:17; Mark: 11:9.
Prayer behind the Ambo – [“O Lord, who blesses those who...”]. Genesis 12:3; Psalm 28:9, Psalm 26.8; Psalm 138:81, 1 Timothy: 2:2; James: 1:17.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore!” Psalm 113:2.
“The blessing of the Lord…”. Psalm 129:8; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
The Dismisal – 1 Timothy: 1:1.
List Compiled by V. Rev. John J. Matusiak St. Joseph Russian Orthodox Church, OCA, Wheaton, IL