Performing the Greek Orthodox Church Reading is a very important part of the Divine Liturgy. This is a process that is based on the New Testament, which is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Performing this reading in a way that is appropriate and proper will help keep the worshipers in a state of awe and worship.
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The Divine Liturgy is a product of historical development
Among the Orthodox Church, the Divine Liturgy has a storied past. Although it was once celebrated in the morning, the Archdiocese of Greece has made it a point to encourage it to be held in the evening following Vespers.
Aside from the usual fare, the Divine Liturgy is a highly complex and multi-faceted undertaking. The priest prepares the requisite bread and wine before the service begins and offers the liturgical bread to the congregation. This is followed by the Service of Preparation, a series of prayers, songs and sacraments which prepare the church for the upcoming Liturgy. The priest also takes the time to recite a prayer of thanksgiving for the bounties bestowed upon him.
The aforementioned Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is a weekday morning service which is not to be confused with the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Sacrifice, which is celebrated on Holy Week. The liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified sacrifice is followed by the distribution of reserved Communion to the faithful.
The New Testament is centered upon the person and work of Jesus Christ
Among the major divisions of the Christian Bible, the New Testament is centered upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and was resurrected from the dead, offering life and salvation to the world.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, a small town in Palestine. His mother Mary and father Joseph were carpenters. He was trained to be a teacher. He later performed many miracles of healing and deliverance.
His ministry is described in four Gospels. These Gospels are arranged chronologically, although they were written by anonymous authors. Each writer presents a different perspective of the person of Jesus. These Gospels also describe the life and death of Jesus.
The New Testament also includes Epistles, which contain letters of advice and exhortation. These letters address problems in local churches that have arisen after Jesus’ death. Similarly, the Acts of the Apostles details the early years of the Christian church.
Proper diction in church reading
Using the appropriate diction is important, but how does one go about it? Using a Greek lexicon that was derived from the Alexandrian era of the 6th century is the easiest way to go. The first and last letters of a Greek sentence are always capitals, and the first letter of the second and third letters are always lowercase. The proper diction is not always a matter of spelling, but rather of style. Aside from the right wording, there are a few tricks of the trade that can be learned on the fly.
A neophyte should take note that the title “The Proper Matrices” is actually a title derived from the name of the author, and not the other way around. The eponymous aptly names the title of this paper, the paper’s main body is a small book, albeit one with an unobtrusive front cover and back cover. In other words, it is an open-book ecclesiastical document.
Slavic chant melody distorts the natural rhythm of the text
Almost all Greek Orthodox readers have heard a chant that has a distorted rhythm. This is called a Slavic chant melody. It starts on a low note and ascends in a stepwise fashion. Then it ends on a high note. The melody is highly dramatic and assumes a narrative climax.
Some liturgical traditions use highly melodic chant cadences. These can be difficult for beginners to read. If the final cadence is omitted, the reader will be confused about the end of the reading. If the reader does not know how to read the end, the reading can appear to be running into a wall or dead silence.
Generally speaking, a successful chanting of a scriptural text always includes a final cadence. However, in some liturgical traditions, it is not necessary to include a final cadence.
The Divine Liturgy is a procession
During Divine Liturgy, there are many different ways to participate. Each member of the congregation has a role in the service. This includes singing, reading, listening, and gestures.
Before the Liturgy begins, the priest prepares the Holy Gifts. He also dresses in vestments, which are inspired by the vestments of the Jewish temple. He washes his hands three times, sprinkling water on the congregation.
The priest begins the Liturgy with a prayer. Then he presents the elements to the congregation. The elements include the names of those to be remembered during the Liturgy. The priest commemorates the Virgin Mary, the faithful ones, and the Saints.
The priest then goes around the church, presenting the Holy Gospel. During the Gospel reading, the priest may also give a sermon.
