Encountering the Divine Liturgy Part 3: Liturgy of the Catechumens

 

Liturgy of the Catechumens (Λειτουργία τῶν Κατηχουμένων)

English: Liturgy of the Catechumens / Pre-Gospel Service

Includes opening prayers, Psalms, and Scripture readings; open to all.

The Liturgy opens like a sunrise—with the chanting of psalms and supplications,  lifting our hearts to the Lord. This first great portion of the Divine Liturgy is called the Liturgy of the Catechumens, because in the ancient Church, this was the part of the service where those preparing for baptism were permitted to remain. It is filled with Scripture, prayers, and instruction. Here, the Word of God is proclaimed, most especially in the reading of the Holy Gospel, and the faithful are exhorted to live in purity and truth. As a catechumen, you are not a spectator—you are already participating, already being formed, already being drawn into the light of Christ.

Subsections:

1. Εἴσοδος τοῦ Λειτουργοῦ (Priestly Entrance)
   At the very beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary with reverence, offering prayers of repentance and supplication. This entrance symbolizes Christ entering into His public ministry and sets the tone for the sacred work that is about to unfold.

2. Εἰρηνικαί (Peace Petitions)
   The Liturgy begins with the Great Litany, also known as the Peace Petitions, where the Church offers up prayers for peace, salvation, the Church, the world, and all people. These petitions reflect the Church’s role as intercessor and emphasize that true worship begins with peace in our hearts and among one another.

3. Ἀντίφωνον Α΄, Β΄, Γ΄ (First, Second, and Third Antiphon)
   The Antiphons are psalm verses interspersed with refrains, traditionally sung as part of the entrance prayers. They express joy and thanksgiving, and their chanting connects us to the ancient practice of psalmody, lifting our hearts toward God.

4. Ὕμνος: Μονωδία / Τριπλῆς Ἐκφώνησις (Monody or Trisagion Hymn)
   Before the Small Entrance, the faithful sing either a monody (a single, continuous hymn) or, more commonly, the Trisagion Hymn: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us." This powerful prayer joins the voices of the earthly Church with the heavenly choirs in worshiping the Triune God.

5. Εἴσοδος τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου (Small Entrance with the Gospel Book)
   In the Small Entrance, the priest and deacon process with the Gospel Book through the church and back to the altar. This solemn act represents Christ’s coming into the world to proclaim the Good News, and it prepares the faithful for the hearing of the Holy Scriptures.

6. Τρισάγιος Ὕμνος (Thrice-Holy Hymn)
   Immediately following the Small Entrance, the Trisagion Hymn is formally chanted by the entire congregation. This ancient hymn glorifies God's holiness and leads us into a deeper sense of awe before the proclamation of His Word.

7. Ἀναγνώσεις (Readings: Epistle and Gospel)

The readings from the Holy Scriptures form the heart of the Liturgy of the Word. First, a passage from the Epistles is proclaimed, followed by a reading from the Holy Gospel. These readings are the living voice of God, teaching and strengthening the faithful.

8. Ὁμιλία (Homily / Sermon)
   After the readings, the priest delivers a homily, offering an explanation of the Scripture and its application to the lives of the faithful. The homily connects the timeless Word of God to the present realities of the Church and each believer’s journey.

9. Ἔκβασις Κατηχουμένων (Dismissal of the Catechumens)
   At this point, the catechumens—those preparing for baptism—are formally dismissed. Since they are not yet fully initiated into the mysteries of the Church, they leave before the Liturgy of the Faithful begins, highlighting the sacredness of the Eucharist and the need for proper preparation.

Having journeyed through the opening parts of the Divine Liturgy, we have prepared our minds and hearts by prayer, hymns, and the proclamation of the Word of God. The faithful, having been instructed and renewed by the Scriptures and the homily, now enter into the most sacred portion of the Liturgy: the Liturgy of the Faithful. Here, those fully united to Christ through baptism and chrismation will participate in the offering and reception of the Holy Eucharist, the true Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior.