Liturgical Resources

Materials Relating to the Liturgical Practices of the Church

Liturgical Life in the Church Abroad

The liturgical life of the Church is central to the human creature’s experience of divine life and love, echoing on earth, by God’s direct command, the eternal worship of heaven. Orthodoxy’s worshipping practice is amongst her most sacred inheritances from the Apostles and Saints, and she maintains her unchanging doctrine within this timeless sacramental reality. We worship as God commands, believing as God instructs us to believe, thus coming to participate ever more fully in His life and in the transfiguration of the world.

Our Diocese is particularly committed to the education amongst clergy and laity of the rich liturgical heritage particular to our Church Abroad. Through the on-line publication of our extensive Liturgical Handbook, in particular, we provide practical and pastoral instruction on a wide range of liturgical practices that the ROCOR keeps in a unique way, true to the inheritance of her forefathers and part of the character she brings to the tapestry of Russian Orthodoxy in the modern world. This she does in a spirit of sanctity and reverence for the House of God and the divine worship undertaken there, and so we provide also a special text, ‘To Serve in My Father’s House…’, which articulates the special piety to be developed by all who are called to serve in the Holy Altar, of whatever age.

The resources in this area are meant to articulate, clearly and helpfully, elements of this tradition within the context of a world in which many other traditions are seen, that we may cling all the more fervently to the unique heritage entrusted to us by our Fathers.

Random Slections From our Liturgical Handbook:

Should the clergy and servers in the Altar ‘half-bow’, or incline their heads / upper body, during the consecration of the Holy Gifts?

of the Practices of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadHandbook of Liturgical Practice of the Russian Church AbroadLiturgical Question:A custom has...

Introductory Word, by Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe

Liturgical Handbook of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadQuestion:The Orthodox Church, the mystical Body of Christ and inheritor of the faith of the...

When a Bishop celebrates with one or more Priests, but without a Deacon, how does the service proceed? Which Diaconal responsibilities are taken up by the Priests, and which by the Bishop?

of the Practices of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadHandbook of Liturgical Practice of the Russian Church AbroadLiturgical Question:While there is...

Within our Diocese, may Greek-style ryassas be worn?

Liturgical Handbook of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadQuestion: There are two basic ‘styles’ of ryassa within the Orthodox world: the so-called...

When multiple priests concelebrate the Divine Liturgy, who says the threefold Cherubic Hymn and the Prayer of the Third Hour with uplifted hands?

of the Practices of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadHandbook of Liturgical Practice of the Russian Church AbroadLiturgical Question:When multiple...

Is the monk’s epitrahil (stole) worn under the mantia, or over it?

of the Practices of the Russian Orthodox Church AbroadHandbook of Liturgical Practice of the Russian Church AbroadLiturgical Question:When a...