Historical Prospective of the Liturgy-Part XII

DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOMTHE FIRST COMMEMORATION

Ipodiakonos Zoran j. Bobic

Mother of God: In honor and in memory…; It dates back to 4th century; However, at some point before 8th or 9th century, preparation

of the gifts shifted from its original position / to the beginning of the Liturgy;

11th century: saints were commemorated; The number of loaves would depend on number of the saints; Nicolas Grammaticus (1084-1111) = 4 loaves;

a) 1st was “Lamb”b) 2nd was Blessed Virginc) 3rd was St. Michael and Gabriel (+other angels)d) 4th was Precursor, Apostles, Prophets, Saints…

Uniformity: 14th century, after promulgation of the Constitution of

Philotheus; Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople (1351-1378); From 11th-14th century, number of loaves depended on number

of commemorations'; The list:

1. Mother of God2. Precursor John the Baptist3. Apostles (Slav: + Saint of the day)4. Saint of the day (Slav: + The living)5. The dead (+ Slav)

Uniformity was never achieved;

Commemoration: Mother of God came first after the “Lamb”; Today this is category of its own; The particle is placed on right side of the “Lamb”; This originated from verse 11 of Psalm 44 with distinctive

shape; Triangular shape (since 15th century); Psalm 44 is recited at Matins on feasts of Blessed Virgin; Verses 10 – 16 are applied to her as the Spouse of the Holy

Spirit; …and the Queen of Heaven;