The Last Supper

UNDERSTANDING THE DIVINE LITURGY

Written by:
Fr. Youstos Ghaly

As our Master, the Lord Christ, gave His Disciples His Holy Spirit and broke His Body with His Hands. He is also among us in the midst of the Church, distributing His blessings and special acts to His people through the sacrament of the priesthood. As a priest, He offered Himself among His disciples. The disciples, then took the Communion from the ACTUAL hands of the Master. (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20)

In this article I would like to explore some commonly asked questions related to the Divine Liturgy. The Communion as implemented by the Lord Christ, "......He took bread, blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him." (Luke 24: 30-31)

  1. When was the Sacrament of the Eucharist established?
    The Sacrament of the Eucharist was established when the Lord Christ sat down with His disciples following the Passover Celebration.
    1. He took bread
    2. Gave thanks
    3. Blessed it
    4. Sanctified it
    5. Broke bread
    6. Gave it
    7. Praised it and went to the Mount of Olives

  2. Compare what the Lord Christ did at the Last Supper with the order of the Divine Liturgy.
    1. Took bread--Offering of the Lamb
    2. Gave thanks--Thanks-Giving Prayer
    3. Blessed it--Institution Narrative
    4. Sanctified it--Descending of the Holy Spirit
    5. Breaking bread--Fraction
    6. Gave it--Communion
    7. Praising--Singing

  3. Explain why the Holy Bread has thirteen crosses.
    Twelve crosses for the disciples; ONE cross for the Lord Christ.

  4. What is written around the thirteen crosses?
    "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal"

  5. Why is the Holy Bread "round?"
    It has no beginning and no end

  6. The five holes in the Holy Bread are representative of what?
    The three on the right side (the two nails and the spear)
    Two on the left side (the two other nails)

  7. A deacon stands on the right side of abouna and the altar to hold the wine. Is there a reason for this?
    Yes, the most blood came from the Lord Christ's right side.

  8. Where do the forty-one "kiriye eleyson" originate from?
    Thirty nine scourges, the crown of thorns, and the servant of the high priest's slap

  9. Could there be meaning behind why Abouna and the deacons ALWAYS move anti- clockwise around the altar?
    Yes, God is above the time, He is outside of time.

  10. State the Thanks-Giving Prayer following Communion.
    "My heart is filled with joy and my tongue with rejoicing. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit finds joy in God my Saviour. I have come to You, O Lord, so that you may clothe me in purity that I may be worthy to share in Your joy.

    Let my union with You today be everlasting. Make me increase in virtue and strengthen my faith and my hope. Let my partaking of the Holy Communion be a sign for my salvation and a robe of blessings for my new birth. Let it be for the purification of my love and an everlasting joy for my soul and an answer to my prayers before Your Holy Altar.

    Here I give myself to Your mercy that I may unite with You and that You may lead me according to Your will.

    Guide my thoughts and my senses and my desires and bless them that they may be at Your command. Revive my soul, alert my conscience, disperse all images of the enemy and order the storms to calm, be with me and quiet my fears. Quench my thirst and kindle the fire of Your love in my heart and correct all my deficiencies.

    Abide with me till the end of my life on earth for You alone are my goal and pleasure; You alone, my God, forever and ever. Amen."

In the next issue we will explore more questions related to the Divine Liturgy. If you would like to ask me a particular question concerning this topic please send your question to:

MIGHTY ARROWS
PO BOX 1215
BROUSSARD, LA 70518.