Byzantine Divine Liturgy - 16 Images & Video from St. Mary's, Weirton WV

These words, intoned several times by the Priest, struck me while attending our first Byzantine Divine Liturgy. 

 Wisdom...be attentive!

Also noted was that the Divine Liturgy has a lot more singing and litanies than the Traditional Latin Mass.

The rich, jewel-toned iconography and gates around the altar were both beautiful and served to keep our focus on the altar.

Priest: Let us all say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say.

People: Lord, have mercy.

"Make the pure light of Your Divine knowledge shine in our hearts, O loving Master. Open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your gospel. Instill in us the fear of Your blessed commandments that we may subdue all carnal desires and follow a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all that pleases You. For You, O Christ our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, and we give glory to You, together with Your eternal Father and Your most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen."

I found this imagery to be the most dramatic, the outstretched arms of the Priest.

Ahhhh, the incensing...that made me feel at home!

"Lord, our God, accept this fervent supplication from Your servants. Take pity on us in the greatness of Your compassion. Let Your loving kindness descend upon us and upon all Your people who await Your abundant mercy."

"In the Byzantine Catholic rite, the Holy Gifts are given under both forms of bread and wine by means of a golden spoon. When approaching to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, fold your hands right over left on the breast in the form of Saint Andrew's cross...As each communicant receives the sacred species the priest says: "servant of God receives the precious and all holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins and for life everlasting."

Tilt your head fully back and open your mouth (without extending the tongue). The priest then places the precious Body and Blood of Jesus into your mouth. Do not touch the spoon with your mouth or tongue, but close the mouth only after the spoon has been withdrawn. There is no response to the words of the priest as is the practice in the Roman Catholic Church." SOURCE LINK to learn more

"We thank You, O Lord, God of hosts, that You have deemed us worthy to stand now at Your holy altar, falling before Your mer­cies for our sins and for the sins of ignorance of the people. Accept our prayers, O God, and make us worthy to offer You petitions, supplications and unbloody sacrifices for all Your people. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, enable us whom You appointed for Your ministry to call upon You always and everywhere, without condemnation and without stumbling, in the pure testimony of our con­science, so that, hearing us, You may be propitious to us in the abundance of Your goodness."

"Further, we offer You this rational worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live chaste and holy lives, for our nation under God, for our government, and for all in the military.

Grant them, O Lord, a peaceful governance so that in their tranquility we may be able to lead calm and quiet lives in all piety and dignity!"

It was good to be reminded to BE ATTENTIVE and the see the Beauty of Christ's Sacrifice in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, praying along side of friends.