HOW DO WE REMEMBER CHRIST’S SACRIFICE?

One of the most popular posts, so far, was the post entitled, “Stamping Bread” (click here to read it).

There I talked about the different parts of the bread used for the Orthodox Eucharist.

I spoke about the lamb that represents Christ’s Victory, and the various pieces that represent the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary), the pieces that represent the different saints, and the pieces that represent us!

What I didn’t talk about is how, exactly, the priest prepares this offering.

• What prayers does the priest say during the preparation?
• Does Christ, or the Bible, ask us to do such a service?
• What else do the prayers say that help us understand the Eucharist better?

THE PRIEST PREPARES THE BREAD IN A SERVICE CALLED PROSKOMEDIA

Before anyone arrives the priest prepares the bread in a special service. If anyone has come early to St. Elias (while we’ve been at Hillcrest), you’ve probably seen me off to the side doing this.

The service is called, Proskomedia. This comes from a Greek word, προσκομιδή, that simply means, “offering.” Sometimes, this service is also called Prothesis from πρόϑεσις. This simply means, “setting forth.”

This service is done on a special table called the Table of Oblation. This isn’t the altar table on which the gifts will later be offered.

This table represents the cave of Bethlehem, where Christ was born.

“…for in the cave the Tree of Life has blossomed forth from the Virgin. …If we partake of it we shall live, if not, then we shall die as Adam. Christ is born, restoring the once fallen image.”

Just as Christ came forth and became human in Bethlehem, so now he comes forth and is given to us in the bread and wine.

PREPARING THE LAMB REMEMBERS CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION

Before the priest makes any cuts in the bread, he first holds up the entire loaf of bread, along with the spear (which he uses for cutting the bread), and says,

“You [Christ] have ransomed us from the curse of the law by your precious blood. Nailed to the Cross and pierced with the lance, you have poured forth immortality on mankind. Glory to you, our Redeemer.”

Now the priest says, three times,

“In remembrance of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

This, of course, recalls the biblical passage where Christ asks us to celebrate the Eucharist in remembrance of him (Luke 22:19).

Next, using the spear, the priest cuts out the lamb portion.

As he’s doing this he says (each number represents a different cut),

1. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.
2. And like a blameless lamb before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
3. In his humiliation, justice was denied him.
4. Who shall declare his generation?
5. For his life was taken up from the earth.

Does anyone recognize these words? They come from Isaiah 53 –  prophecies of the Suffering Servant, who is the one that redeems the world.

Obviously, as Christians, we know that the Suffering Servant is Jesus Christ! And, through these words we remember his saving passion.

THE PRIEST CONTINUES TO REMEMBER CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

Before the priest is finished with the lamb, he turns it upside down, and cuts it crosswise.

While he does this, he says,

1. The Lamb of God is sacrificed, who takes away the sin of the world, for the life of the world and its salvation.
2. When you were crucified, O Christ, tyranny was abolished, the enemy’s power made null; for it was neither man nor an angel, but you the Lord who saved us. Glory to you!

Now, the priest places the lamb on a special plate called the paten.

Then, he takes the lance and pierces the side of the lamb saying,

“One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear…”

Then, after piercing the side of the lamb, the priest picks up the wine and some water.

As he pours them into the chalice he says,

“…and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness; his testimony is true.”

Do these last two quotes look familiar?

They should, they are from John 19:34.

As you can see, the priest is living out and remembering Christ’s crucifixion exactly. This is, after all, what Christ asked us to do!

NOW THE PRIEST REMEMBERS EVERYONE ELSE

Now that the priest has fully prepared the lamb, and has set it on the paten, he is able to remember everyone else.

As mentioned the previous post, there’re pieces for the Theotokos, the saints, the departed among us, and the living among us.

As the priest remembers all these people, he cuts a piece from the bread, and also sets it on the paten.

Now the priest is ready to cover the gifts so that they are can be brought forth in the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

However, I want to spend some time on the prayers used for the covering of the gifts, so I’ll save that for my next post!

P.S. IN THE PROSKOMEDIA THE PRIEST REMEMBERS CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION

In the Gospel of Luke, Christ asked us to remember his saving crucifixion and resurrection through the celebration of the Eucharist,

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luk 22:19 RSV)

The Orthodox Church fulfills our Lord’s wish through the service of the Proskomedia, and then through the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

The entire service is drawn from scripture, and focused on Christ and the work he accomplishes for our salvation!

The western churches (Catholic and Protestant) have no such service (please correct me if I’m mistaken!).

Why not come early to St. Elias, this Sunday (10:30 @ 2001 Asbury Rd, Dubuque) and watch Fr. Dustin prepare the bread and participate in the biblical story of Christ’s saving action?

If you come early enough, I’d be happy to also remember your loved ones in the Proskomedia!

(Or find your nearest Orthodox Church here.)