This document provides historical context about elements of the liturgy including the blessing, prokeimenon, and roles of clergy members. It discusses how the blessing of "Peace be with all" can be traced back to early Christian greetings. It also explains that the prokeimenon, meaning "placed before", involves singing a short verse or two of psalms before scriptural readings and has origins in the singing of Psalms of David between biblical passages. Additionally, it outlines the development of liturgical roles like the bishop representing God's throne and presbyters representing the apostles.

1. Historical
Prospective of the Liturgy
THE BLESSING & PROKEIMENON
ipodiakonos zoran j. bobic

2. The Blessing & Prokeimenon
• Every Church have “apsidal throne” – behind the altar, facing the people;
• The seats for other then bishop are on the right & left;
• This goes back to pre-Nicene times;
• St. Ignatius:
• Bishop as enthroned as type of God;
• Presbyters as the college of Apostles;
• Deacons are entrusted with deaconship of Jesus Christ;
• Throne = symbolizes Throne of the King of Glory
• Bishop = represents that throne;

3. The Blessing & Prokeimenon
• Priest: Peace be with all.
Bible References: Saint John 14:27, Revelation 1:3
• This goes back to early Christian days;
• Comes from: “Peace be with you” = means same as above;
• This is the beginning of the Liturgy of the Catechumens;
• Greetings;
• Lections;
• Intermediate psalm's;
• Gospel;
• Dismissal;
• We response with: “And with your spirit”;

4. The Blessing & Prokeimenon
• Deacon: Wisdom. Let us attend.
Bible References: Proverbs 5:1, Proverbs 1:7
• This is also very ancient call;
• It was probably beginning of the rubric, but later it was incorporated into the liturgy;
• Chrysostom places this before the first reading;
• Evidence is from 5th century: “Liturgy of the Constantinople”;
• 8th century phase expanded “With wisdom” and the blessing “Peace be to all”;
• 9th century Syrian Liturgy:
• Deacon: Sit down and be quiet and Be quite !

5. The Blessing & Prokeimenon
• Prokeimenon = “placed before” and/or “prelude”;
• It comes before scriptural reading;
• Consist of verse or two from psalms;
• 8th century = first evidence, from St. Germanus of Constantinople (A.D. 715-729);
• Liturgy of the Catechumens = modelled from “The Sabbath Morning Service”;
• Developed after the destruction of Jerusalem;
• Prokeimenon is found in the singing of the Psalms of David (after/ between) the first
periscopes of Scripture;
• Evidence of this is found in “Apostolic Constitutions (Book II)”;

6. The Blessing & Prokeimenon
• Prokeimenon was sung from the ambo;
• The idea remained of singing from “high place”;
• Prokeimenon shortened the Psalm;
• This was done 5th or 6th century;
• Sung first by lector, then repeated by people;
• Then verse;