Historical prospective of the liturgy

1. Historical Prospective
of the Liturgy-Part IX
DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS: GENERAL HISTORY
Ipodiakonos Zoran j. Bobic

2. Preparation of the gifts:
General History:
 Table of preparation always stands on the northern side;
 “proskomidia” (“to bring”) (“offerings”);
 In the beginning there was no special ritual;
 In the beginning it was performed by bishop (or priest-later);
 Bishop: “to offer the gifts”;
 Deacon: “to bring up that which was offered”;
 We can exam The Council of Ancyra (A.D. 314);
 We do not know at what point deacons received the offerings;
 What we know offerings were made before the beginning of the service;

3.  Pre-Nicene evidence: “Testamentum Domini” (3rd century
document);
 5th and 6th century: Eastern practice differs from Western;
 Preparation developed into long and complicated
“proskomidia”; with symbolical anticipation of the
immolation of the Lamb of God, placing on the “diskos” of
a number of particles representing the “offerentes” of the
Church …
 Only small portion could be used for the Sacrifice;
 Deacons to select the bread and wine;
 Mixing of wine and water was done without any
ceremonial;