Historical Prospective

of the Liturgy-Part IX

DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS: GENERAL HISTORY

Ipodiakonos Zoran j. Bobic

Preparation of the gifts:

General History: Table of preparation always stands on the northern side;

“proskomidia” (“to bring”) (“offerings”);

In the beginning there was no special ritual;

In the beginning it was performed by bishop (or priest-later);

Bishop: “to offer the gifts”;

Deacon: “to bring up that which was offered”;

We can exam The Council of Ancyra (A.D. 314);

We do not know at what point deacons received the offerings;

What we know offerings were made before the beginning of the service;

Pre-Nicene evidence: “Testamentum Domini” (3rd century

document);

5th and 6th century: Eastern practice differs from Western;

Preparation developed into long and complicated “proskomidia”; with symbolical anticipation of the

immolation of the Lamb of God, placing on the “diskos” of

a number of particles representing the “offerentes” of the

Church …

Only small portion could be used for the Sacrifice;

Deacons to select the bread and wine;

Mixing of wine and water was done without any

ceremonial;