Orthodox faith has as many nuances and special celebration, that know all of them is simply impossible, to understand them and the ordinary man is extremely difficult.So proskomedia: what it is and what the effect of this - and this is what I want to talk to in the article.
designation
It is said that the most important church service is poor, or the liturgy, where the sacrament of communion.For this rite must always red grape wine and bread or unleavened bread.They are prepared certainly to the beginning of the liturgy in a special way.To do this, the priest with the deacon, dressed in fancy holy garments, make it on the altar, the altar, the specific actions and read special prayers.It is possible to conclude that before the liturgy requires some preparation, which by their nature are very important.Here they are called proskomedia.It should be said that there proskomedia the repose, as well as health.
about words
also need to understand the concepts.So proskomedia: what is it?Translated from the Greek word meaning offering.However, on the basis of this it is very difficult to draw any conclusions.Indeed, in the first part of the Mass did not commit any mysterious offering to God, but made special preparations, by which the bread and wine become not ordinary and sacred.Already at the stage proskomede they can not be confused with conventional products and consumed together.
About preparation for proskomedia
dealt with the concept of "proskomedia" - what it is, and from what language it was - well worth considering self cooking wine and communion bread.As has become clear, these are products that are used by Jesus during the sacrament.It is necessary to talk about the communion bread.Translated the name means "prinosnoy gift."Where did this word?In ancient times, for the preparation of the sacred bread, people brought into the church its different varieties and types, so that you can choose the best for the church steps.It is often used in the selection, and the rest is consumed for a friendly meal, which certainly happened after the liturgy, and which were invited all those present at the Mass lay people.In the Church offers, and other products such as wine, oil, incense, and so on.. All this combines in one word - unleavened bread.Today, things are a little bit wrong.The church is not made to bear all sorts of dishes, so the communion bread called only bread, which do not bring the faithful, and bake at churches in special rooms prosforini (women from among the wives of priests and honest widow).
About bread
So proskomedia (what it is, we've already figured out) - the most important stage of preparation for the liturgy.It is said that he made this bread for sure from wheat flour (this is consumed Jews of Christ's life).Meaning it was very important: it represented the atoning death of Jesus Christ.According to the beliefs, everything can be learned in comparison: it is only by dying and becoming bread, wheat can bring many benefits.However, if she just osypletsya on the field, it does not fulfill its essential purpose.The same applies to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.The very same preparation of communion bread is considered sacred action: bread shall be white, no anointed at the stage of preparation (milk, eggs), moderately salty.He served only fresh, not musty, not solid.Another interesting fact is that the bread is made up of two halves, which symbolize the human and the divine likeness of Christ.
about wine
together with bread for the sacrament of the Eucharist should be cooked wine.It is sure to be red (representing the blood of Christ) and grape (because the wine consumed installer itself, as it is written in the Scriptures).
prosphoras
It is said that the particle in honor of all the saints, clergy, and people living and dead, are taken out of the four holy bread: Mother of God, devyatichinnoy, grace-and funeral.If we take into account mandatory prosphora Lamb, the service will take place at five units.It can also be brought prosphora other, but today, their total amount should not be less than five.Bowed three times, the priest takes his first communion bread, which is usually larger than the others, and carves out its quadrangular Lamb, saying special words and putting it on the paten.From the second prosphora priest takes a particle of God.Third prosphora - devyatichinnaya, intended for storage of nine saints: John the Baptist, the prophets, the apostles, martyrs and saints, venerated in the church or town.It is said that during the entire liturgy of the names of the dead are remembered and live quite often.And for the first time this occurs during mass.First comes proskomedia about health, then - for the repose.Once finished commemoration living and the dead, the priest almost always takes the particle and for myself, while reading special prayers.
Note
In church terminology, there is such a thing as a note on proskomedia.What is it?Before the liturgy, anyone can file a certain petition, written on a paper about the people for whom they pray priest.Not once have all seen that from a piece of bread, which gives the sacrament of the Eucharist in the priest like a slice removed.Such holes across the communion bread is as much as the names entered in the note.These crumbs are collected on the discos, during the liturgy, they are close to the Lamb (large prosphora), and after such symbolic "soul" are immersed in a cup of wine.This priest has to read a special prayer.The important would be the fact that, in a note, you can make only the names of people baptized Orthodox.There is also a simple and registered notes.About this should be specified directly in the church.However, in general, according to a simple note, the name of a person to be taken out of oblation, according to custom - also will be played at the prayer service.
Types notes
It is said that there are two kinds of notes.The first - can be ordered for the health proskomedia.Before the start of the service you need for a special piece, which often will be near the candle counter, record the names of people for health to pray.According to the same document proskomedia done for the peace.Writing down the names of people, it is important to carefully read the label and do not mix up the top leaves.If you need to order at the commemoration of oblation, you can still submit a note to the evening, simply by specifying the desired number.
about the living and the dead
Commemoration at proskomedia for the living and the dead is made by virtue of the bloodless sacrifice, prepared to proskomedia.It should be said that it is essential not only for the inhabitants of the earth, but dead people.There is a legend about his brother, who for certain sins in the church after his death was for 30 days deprived of burial and prayers.After this time, when everything was done by the laws of the Christian spirit was alive and my brother said that only now he found peace only after it has been brought bloodless sacrifice.
Preparations for proskomedia
priests and deacons should carefully prepare for this celebration, as the proskomedia.There must be done some important nuances.
- obligatory prayers in front of the altar and in front of the altar itself.
- priests should be dressed in special clothes.
- mandatory procedures washing hands with the reading of verses from Psalm 25.
itself proskomedia
various ways you can find out how the proskomedia: photos will help you in this.But better still pre know what will happen at this time.The main part consists of non-durable proskomedia at the time of action.Priests and deacons are at the altar, which placed the sacred vessels: chalice, paten, spear, Zvezditsa, pokrovtsy.By praying to perform the ritual of communion bread (the sacred bread).
End proskomedia
After proskomedia priests preparing for a solemn part - the Liturgy.However, all of this must take place according to certain rules.
- Censing holy meal and the whole church deacon.
- Reading special prayers.
- petition deacon at the priest's permission to start the next part of the liturgy.
