THE GREAT ENTRANCE

On Sunday January 11th 2009 we entered into the second part of the Divine Liturgy called, the Liturgy of the Faithful. This part of the Divine Liturgy begins with the Great Entrance which is very solemn and educational. Let us look at this section a little more carefully.

It begins with the Cherubic hymn. Participation is built into this hymn for it is written in the second person plural and presupposes your direct participation. In actuality this is not a hymn of praise directed to God. It is in fact "instruction" given by the choir to the faithful. The Cherubic hymn tells us how we ought to participate in the Liturgy at this point of the service.

The hymn begins placing all of the congregation in the role of heavenly angels round about the throne of God. The congregation, as earthly angels are to 'sing the Thrice Holy Hymn' to the life-giving Trinity. In doing this we turn our attention for the time being from the mundane affairs which usually concern us. " Let us put away all earthly care..." we sing. And we do this, "so that we may receive the King of all."

The Lord again is about to come into our presence. Our participation is conditioned by the meaning of the Great Entrance. It is the symbolic answer to the question, "Why did Christ come into the world?" The first, in the small entrance, was that Christ came into the world to teach; the second reason Christ came into the world is now given to us by the Great Entrance- He came to die on the cross for our sins! As the Scripture say:

We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Before us symbolically Christ again is among us! He bears His cross on the way to Golgotha. When the Great Entrance takes place we are part of the crowd on the 'way of sorrows' which Christ travelled as He went to His crucifixion. What would you have felt in your heart if you were there then? Unworthiness? Wonder? Love? Gratitude? Fear? All these are appropriate responses at this moment of liturgical action. Christ is come into the world to die for you and for all people. He is before us. How would you respond? Perhaps no better way can be found than to pray with the Priest "May the Lord, our God, remember us all in His Kingdom."

Again, how can you participate in this Great entrance? While the choir sings the Cherubic hymn you can, if you wish, recite the penitential prayer which is Psalm 51. This is King David's prayer for forgiveness. If there is one psalm that we must memorize this is the one.

As the Priest confesses his own unworthiness and sins it is proper for you to do the same. It is the proper time to do self examination. "Have I spoken ill of someone?" "Have I harmed another?" "Have I failed to do what I should have done as a follower of Jesus Christ?"
When the Priest blesses you, bow your head in humility as you grant forgiveness and ask for forgiveness.

On the same Sunday we also learned that some liturgical movements and words of the Liturgy can be repeated in the home. When you sense your home say the 51st psalm as you walk from room to room and ask of the Lord to remember you in His kingdom.. When you light your kandeli ask for the light of Christ to come upon your home and those who live in it. Remember to handle liturgical items with the most care and place them in appropriate places. Keep them clean and USE THEM. Pray in front of an icon as to realize the presence of the Lord. Do your cross when ever you pass in front of an icon or the cross.

Blessed are those who walk not in the counsel of the wicked . Father Christos