Some liturgical changes for the OCA

If you bought the new Hieratikon, it comes with a booklet that explains all the changes from previous publications. It's a level of attention to detail and professionalism I find refreshing.

For those curious about the directives mentioned below, the changes are added here. Some might be surprised by the second one, but it has been a topic of discussion in clerical circles for some time online (usually in the weeks leading up to Lent). It's good to get clarification.

1. To remove the interpolation “Making the change by thy Holy Spirit” from the Epiclesis in the Anaphora of St. Basil. The deacon’s three-fold Amen, together with a low bow or prostration, is now to come immediately after “…shed for the life of the world.”
2. To clarify, in accordance with the ancient, universal tradition of the Church, that at the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, when the presanctified Lamb has been placed into the chalice, the wine mixed with water truly becomes the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently, priests and deacons celebrating or communing at the Presanctified Liturgy are to commune of the holy chalice in precisely the same manner and with the same words as they would at the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom or of St. Basil the Great. And a priest or deacon who must later consume the Gifts is still to partake of the chalice, as doing so in no way constitutes a breaking of the eucharistic fast.

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(OCA) - In a letter to all clergy of the Orthodox Church in America dated February 15, 2018, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon announced two decisions of the Holy Synod of Bishops with regard to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great and the reception of Holy Communion by clergy at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts were announced.

These Liturgical Instructions are available online, together with historical background information , titled “Notes on the Epiclesis in the Anaphora of Saint Basil and on the Chalice at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts,” by Dr. Vitaly Permiakov and Hieromonk Herman [Majkrzak].

Both of these decisions are reflected in the new Hieratikon recently published by Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Press with the blessing of Metropolitan Tikhon.