I believe Fr. Timothy Hojnicki has done a "teaching Liturgy" before. In fact a number of clergy have been doing these annually or by request. Some have let people into the altar which I can't really abide, but moving the table of preparation out to the people (or elsewhere in more of a classroom environment) is great. I do an abbreviated explanation for catechumens, but if people were to ask I might do something like the below. I might even add a "all the things father has to do before he can go downstairs and bless the meal" so that people understand that it's not dawdling but good order to take the time after Liturgy to do all that is required before heading out the north door.
(OCA-DEPA) - Today at Divine Liturgy, Holy Apostles (Mechanicsburg) commenced the new Church School year with a "Teaching Liturgy," throughout which Fr. Timothy Hojnicki provided a detailed explanation of the main components of the Liturgy service. At the end of the service, a special blessing for a successful school year for our parish students -- youth and young adults -- and teachers was made and a group photo was taken. "Blessed is the Kingdom!"
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No one has ever given me a good explanation of just what is supposed to be going on in this odd rite. It does provide the priest who can't think of a good sermon a way to fill time. I know several clergy who don't do it, I suppose the eucharist still happens? One told me Fr. Schmemann said he had no idea what he was supposed to be doing, but liked doing it.
ReplyDeleteThe priest in our former parish once did the proskomedia in the nave before divine liturgy (he brought the table of preparation out of the altar). as he was setting aside particles for prayer he asked the faithful to name anyone they wanted. there was a lot of participation, very uplifting for all.
ReplyDelete"Several" clergy who don't do the proskomedia? Extremely sad to see this kind of burnout.
One of my parishes had so many names it took 3 clergy to read through them for an hour. I knew of a priest that would read through the phone book (very ukr area) once a year. There is a lot of power in the imagery of those intercessory particles being offered up with gifts on behalf of all. Schmemman was critical of the nonparticpatory, slightly redundant highly allegorical nature of the Proskomedia, but definitely knew what he was doing (read his book The Eucharist)
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting and potentially useful idea that will help people understand what happens during the Proskomedia. I've also watched a few YouTube videos designed for clergy that explains what happens during a Proskomedia for both the priest and deacon. Is there anyone who does a teaching Proskomedia with both a priest and a deacon?
ReplyDeleteEver witnessed the proskemedia for the St.James Liturgy?
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