Encountering the Divine Liturgy Part 2: An Overview of the Structure of the Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy follows a sacred structure that leads the faithful on a spiritual journey—from preparation and purification to thanksgiving and communion with God. It is traditionally divided into three main parts: the Liturgy of the Prothesis (Preparation), the Liturgy of the Catechumens (Word), and the Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharist). Each part has its own purpose and flow, carefully designed to prepare the soul, instruct the heart through Scripture, and unite the believer to Christ in the Holy Mysteries. This orderly progression is not accidental; it mirrors the pattern of salvation history itself—God's preparation, His revelation, and finally, the full communion of the faithful with the divine life. By understanding the structure of the Divine Liturgy, we come to see it not as a series of separate rituals, but as one continuous ascent into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Προσκομιδή (Proskomide)

The Prothesis (Προσκομιδή) – The Preparation of the Gifts

Before the faithful gather and the Liturgy officially begins, the priest, in silence and reverence, prepares the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacred act, known as the Prothesis or Proskomide, is done at a side altar, hidden from view. Here, the mystery begins in quiet humility. The bread is not simply cut—it is offered, marked, veiled, and prayed over. Through this preparation, we are taught that Christ was prepared before the foundation of the world to be our offering. As catechumens, we begin our journey into the Liturgy not in noise or grandeur, but in holy stillness, where Heaven begins to stoop toward Earth.

English: Prothesis / Preparation of the Gifts

Private service before the public Liturgy begins.

Subsections:

• Offering of the Precious Gifts (Ἀναφορά τῶν Τιμίων Δώρων)
  
  

• Commemoration of the Living and Departed (Μνημόνευσις Ζώντων καὶ Κεκοιμημένων)
  
  

• Covering of the Gifts (Κάλυψις τῶν Δώρων)
  
  

• Prayer of the Prothesis (Εὐχή τῆς Προθέσεως)
  
  

Before the public celebration of the Divine Liturgy begins, the priest quietly performs a beautiful and deeply symbolic service known as the Προσκομιδή or Proskomide, the Preparation. During this rite, the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ are carefully selected, prepared, and offered on the Table of Oblation. Every action during the Proskomide is filled with profound meaning, recalling Christ’s Incarnation, His suffering, and His sacrifice for the life of the world. Although it takes place before the main part of the Liturgy, the Proskomide sets the tone for everything that follows, reminding us that the entire Divine Liturgy is an offering of love and a participation in the mystery of redemption.

Here we shall summarize the symbolism of the main items used during the Proskomide:

The Diskos (Paten) and the Bread

The diskos (or paten) is a small, round plate on which the priest places the prosphoron, the bread offered for consecration. The bread itself symbolizes Christ, the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), who offers Himself for the salvation of the world. During the Proskomide, the priest cuts out a square portion of the bread called the Lamb, which represents Christ Himself and will be consecrated during the Liturgy. The diskos also becomes a symbolic image of the world, upon which Christ, the true King, is present. Around the Lamb, particles are placed to represent the Theotokos, the ranks of saints, the living, and the departed, showing that the entire Church—both in heaven and on earth—is gathered around Christ.

The Chalice and the Wine

The chalice holds the wine that will become the Blood of Christ. Wine, a symbol of life and joy in Scripture, is mixed with a little water during the Proskomide, recalling the blood and water that flowed from Christ’s side at the Crucifixion (John 19:34). This act reminds the faithful that Christ truly took on flesh and poured out His life for the redemption of humanity.

The Spear

The spear is a small liturgical knife, often shaped like a miniature lance. It represents the spear that pierced Christ’s side during His Passion. During the Proskomide, the priest uses the spear to cut the Lamb from the bread, carefully shaping it and marking it with the seal of the cross. This action reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice was real, physical, and freely given for the life of the world.

The Star (Asterisk)

The asterisk, or star-cover, is a small, metal frame made of two arched pieces crossing each other, forming a shape like a star. It is placed over the Lamb and particles on the diskos to protect them and to symbolize the star that appeared over Bethlehem, guiding the Magi to Christ. Just as the star led the wise men to adore the newborn King, so too are we led to adore Christ present in the Holy Mysteries.

The Veils and the Aer

The bread and wine are covered with fine cloths called veils, and a larger cloth called the aer covers both the diskos and chalice together. These veils symbolize the swaddling clothes of Christ at His birth and the burial shroud at His death. The covering also points to the hidden and mysterious nature of the Divine Mysteries, which are veiled from our full comprehension but revealed in faith. During the Great Entrance later in the Liturgy, the aer will be carried in solemn procession, emphasizing the sacredness of the gifts that are being offered.

Each of these sacred objects and actions during the Proskomide is rich with layers of meaning, drawing us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s life-giving sacrifice. By contemplating them carefully, we enter more fully into the offering of the Divine Liturgy, where heaven and earth are united in praise and thanksgiving.

Through the sacred actions and symbols of the Proskomide, the Church teaches us that the Divine Liturgy is not merely a future hope but a present participation in the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection. Each item—the diskos, the chalice, the spear, the star, and the veils—draws us into the story of salvation, preparing our hearts to receive the King of Glory. Having now prepared the gifts with reverence and prayer, the Church turns to the next great movement of the Liturgy: the Liturgy of the Catechumens, where we will hear the proclamation of the Word of God and be instructed anew in the faith that leads to eternal life.