PREPARATION FOR EASTERN ORTHODOX DIVINE SERVICES

PREPARATION FOR EASTERN ORTHODOX DIVINE SERVICES There are three main Orthodox services—the Divine Liturgy, Great Vespers, and Matins—with which you should be familiar as a Religious Program Specialist. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Sundays and all major Orthodox feast days. It generally lasts about 1-1/2 hours—including a sermon. The Divine Liturgy is normally celebrated in the morning. Great Vespers are conducted on Saturday evenings and all evenings prior to the Divine Liturgy-which is conducted the following day. A Great Vespers service lasts approximately 30 minutes and is primarily a preparatory service, preparing the faithful for the Divine Liturgy. Matins is also a preparatory service and is performed either in conjunction with Vespers (then called a vigil service) or conducted separately on Sunday morning preceding the Divine Liturgy, Both Vespers and Matins may be celebrated on special Orthodox occasions such as Orthodox Holy Week. THE EASTERN ORTHODOX SANCTUARY ARRANGEMENT Whenever possible, you should assist the Orthodox chaplain to the degree practicable in duplicating the arrangement found in Orthodox churches for divine services in the sanctuary/chancel area of the military chapel. In doing so, you must bear in mind that many of the sacred items used by the Orthodox, because of their special religious significance, should not be touched or handled by the RP unless otherwise directed by the chaplain conducting the service. The Orthodox chaplain will normally arrive early at the chapel to recite special prayers (proskomedia) prior to the Divine Liturgy. Should a question arise concerning preparation of the sanctuary/ chancel area, you may ask the chaplain prior to that time. The chancel of a Navy chapel which has been rigged for Orthodox worship should be as similar in appearance, as practicable, to the Orthodox sanctuary/chancel (see figure 3-28) described in the following paragraphs and should contain the items described. The Iconostasis The iconostasis (figure 3-28) is a movable wall or screen placed in the sanctuary/chancel area. It is used to display icons (religious paintings which are venerated, kissed, by the people). The icons are arranged on the iconostasis in a set pattern. The iconostasis has four doors. Two of these doors are called the deacon doors and are placed on the right- and left-hand sides of the iconostasis. Normally, one enters the sanctuary (chancel) through the right deacon’s door and leaves the sanctuary by going around to the back of the main altar and out the left deacon’s door. The two center doors, called royal doors, are used only by the clergy. The royal doors frequently have a curtain which is drawn at certain times, such as after a service. 3-40