Bishop Theodorite celebrated the first Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

On March 17, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Intercession Academic Church.

The Great Lent is a time of intense prayer, repentance and intense struggle with passions. On weekdays, the Divine Liturgy is not performed. To reinforce the strength and will of the Christians at this period, the Church provides the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, where they can join with the Savior. 

At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts a priest takes the Body and Blood of Christ prepared in advance for the Sunday Liturgy. So, on weekdays believers can receive the Holy Communion.

During the transfer of the Body and Blood of Christ from the altar to the throne, the choir chants:

«Now the Heavenly Forces are invisibly serving us, for behold, the King of Glory enters, here is the Sacrifice, mysterious, perfect and accompanied by them. Let us approach with faith and love, so that we may become partakers of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!»

On March 17, The Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy together with the academic clergy officed Matins, Hours, the Pictorial and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Intercession Academic Church.

Before the Holy Communion, Hieromonk Thaddeus (Pryadun) delivered a sermon. 

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Theodorite greeted Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov), Vice Rector for Administrative Work, on his namesake, the day of honour of St. Gerasim of Jordan.

At Great Compline, the Rector Bishop Theodorite read the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Intercession Academic Church.

At the end of the evening service, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

Background information:

Chanting at the morning service performed by a male choir under the conduct of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) and the female choir led by K.A. Alekseeva.

Chanting at the evening service performed by a male choir led by Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) and a female choir led by Hegumen Lazar (Gnativ).

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MThA Press Office