The sacrament of sacraments: 10 incredible facts about Holy Eucharist
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Communion of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ is the foundation and the culmination of the innermost life of the Church, and the reason for Her existence. What do we know about it?
Here are several essential or simply interesting facts about the central Sacrament of the Church, which can enhance your knowledge and spur your further learning of the basic tenets of the Orthodox faith:
1. Remembrance of the Sacrifice
When Israelites were liberated from the Egyptian captivity, each Jewish family had to slay a white lamb, the blood of which was used to mark the door posts during the tenth plague (that is, killing of the firstborns in every family) so as to guard against the Angel of Death. The lamb was later eaten at a thanksgiving meal.
That innocent lamb was the prototype of our Savior who pledged himself to a painful death for the redemption of the human race. When we celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist (Greek for “thanksgiving”) during every Liturgy, we remember the great Sacrifice that our Savior offered on the Cross for our redemption, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension.
Liturgy: The work of the people of God
Each week the Liturgy is at the heart of our spiritual life as a parish, but what do we mean when we use that word 'Liturgy?'
Liturgy is a Greek word which means 'the work of the people' - not just of the priest, the deacon, the altar servers, the readers and choir, but the work of the whole people of God. This Liturgy is YOUR spiritual work in which YOU are called to play an ACTIVE part, not just to be a passive onlooker. YOU are a vital part of the Liturgy and must play an active part.
How?
You should endeavour to be in church before the beginning of the Liturgy, so that you can make your offering: presenting one or more prosphora (small liturgical loaves) with lists of the Orthodox Christians, living and departed, whom you wish to be commemorated. You might offer a bottle of altar wine, charcoal, incense or beeswax candles: all offerings through which you enter, participate and offer YOURSELF in the Liturgy.
Excursion to Troodos mountains
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Dear ESC members,
Come and join us to the excursion that we'll be held on the 14th of October, departure time 10.40am from Agia Sophia temple, Strovolos.
We will visit Trooditissa monastery, then we will head on to Platania pic nic place (there is a playground for children too) to have our lunch.
Make sure you bring finger food to share. Our last destination will be Agios Nikolaos monastery at Orounta,
hoping that we will arrive on time to participate in the verspers service too.
We will drive our own cars in convoy.
If you are interested to participate, please send a message to fr. Ioannis 99463030 or Gillian 99932761
stating your name and the number of people escorting you.
Also state if you will be taking your own car or if you will need a ride.
Hope to see you!
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"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"