Divine Liturgy Course
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Jun 02, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (43): The Institution Narrative
In this 43rd lecture of her ongoing Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the "Institution Narrative" of the Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom. She also talks about the issue of "the moment of consecration"; its history and theology, and how the present-day rubrics of Byzantine Divine Liturgy reflect a "consecratory" understanding of more of its "moments" than one.
Apr 07, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (42): The Sanctus (Pt 2)
In this 42nd lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sr. Vassa discusses the theological reasons for, and history of, the addition of the "Sanctus-Benedictus" (Holy, holy, holy... Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord...) into Eucharistic praying of both East and West.
Apr 04, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (41): The Sanctus (Pt 1)
In this 41st lecture of our online Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa begins her discussion of the "Sanctus" (and "Post-Sanctus") of the Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom. She also covers the rubrics, at this point in the Liturgy, instructing the deacon to remove the "Asteriskon" or "Star" from the Diskos/Paten and to "fan" the Gifts with the Ripidion.
Mar 06, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (40): Anaphora, Preface & Pre-Sanctus
In this 40th video of her ongoing Divine Liturgy-course, Sr. Vassa discusses the structure and theology of the beginning of the Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom, the "Preface" and "Pre-Sanctus," which includes the themes of thanksgiving,(for) the creation of the world, the economy of salvation, and also a lead-in into the "Sanctus" or "Holy, holy, holy..."
Mar 05, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (39): "Let us give thanks to the Lord!"
In this 39th lecture of her ongoing, Divine Liturgy-course, Sr. Vassa discusses the history and meaning of the final parts of the Pre-Anaphoral Dialogue: "Let us lift up our hearts", "Let us give thanks to the Lord!", and also "It is meet and right" (including the origins of this "Axion kai dikaion" in both Jewish and pagan "acclamations"; and the origins of its extension, in Slavonic usage, to include the words, "...to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...").
Jan 23, 2019
Divine Liturgy Course (38): Anaphora, Opening Greeting
In this lecture of Sister Vassa's Divine Liturgy course, she discusses the history and meaning of the priest's/bishop's Opening Greeting at the beginning of the Anaphora, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...," the people's response to it, "And with your spirit," and also the history and liturgical theology of the priest/bishop making the sign of the cross (the priest - with his hand, and the bishop - with the dikerion & trikerion), as he says the Opening Greeting.
Sep 19, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 34: The Waving of the Aer
In this 34th lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa talks about the custom of "waving" or "shaking" the "Aer" (the large veil that covers both the Chalice and Diskos/Paten) over the Gifts, during the Creed. She discusses the way this is done today, as well as the origins and history of the practice, and its "allegorical" interpretations.
Aug 30, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 32: “The Doors! The Doors!”
In this lecture, Sister Vassa explains the curious historical evolution of the deacon's command that proceeds the Creed: "The doors! The doors! In wisdom let us be attentive. " She also discusses the drawing open of the "curtain" at this moment, in the connection with the concept of "concealment of the mysteries" from the eyes of the congregation. Finally, she addresses what what all-of-the-above means for our liturgical piety and practice today.
Aug 05, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 31: The Kiss of Peace, Pt 2
In this second of two lectures on the "Kiss of Peace," Sister Vassa discusses more of the historical development of this liturgical unit, its liturgico-theological meaning, and the reasons for its placement (in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy) shortly before the Anaphora.
May 03, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 28: Litany of Completion (Pt 2)
Liturgy of Completion (Pt 2) In this second of two videos dedicated to the "Litany of Completion" after the Great Entrance, Sister Vassa explains how it is that this litany landed in the peculiar place(s) that it did within our Divine Liturgy, according to the findings of recent liturgical scholarship.
May 03, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 27: Litany of Completion (Pt 1)
In this first of two videos dedicated to the "Litany of Completion" (Ta Plerotika) that follows the Great Entrance, Sister Vassa reviews the petitions of this litany. She also explains why the placement of this litany, which is traditionally a litany of dismissal (that usually happens at the end of services, and not in their middle), after the Great Entrance (and also before the Our Father), is a "problem" with which liturgical scholars have long grappled.
Feb 06, 2018
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 26: The Dialogue After the Great Entrance
In which Sister Vassa discusses the dialogue of the celebrants after the Great Entrance; the history of the mix-up in the distribution of roles between the priest and deacon, and the liturgical theology underlying the words (from Lk 1: 35) addressed to the celebrating priest: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you..."
Nov 09, 2017
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 23: The Great Entrance (Pt. 2)
In which Sr. Vassa covers the final part of The Great Entrance, the 3 hymns ("The Nobel Joseph" etc.) read quietly by the priest as he places the Holy Gifts upon the Altar-Table, as well as the "Christ-Burial" layer of symbolism therein.
Apr 06, 2017
Divine Liturgy Course, Lecture 18: The Ektene After the Gospel
In which Sister Vassa discusses the complicated history of the post-Gospel "Ektene," as well as the implications of its placement before, and not after, the Dismissal of the Catechumens. She also covers the priest's (silent) prayer of Fervent Supplication.
Feb 11, 2017
Liturgy Course, Lecture 17: The Third Movement of Liturgy, Offering Up
In this video Sr. Vassa reviews the structure of Part 3 of Divine Liturgy (from the post-Gospel Ektene to the Great Entrance), which she has called "Offering Up." In this video, Sister merely lists the sub-units of this liturgical unit (Ektene & Prayer of Ektene, Prayers & Dismissal of Catechumens, 2 Prayers of Faithful, Cherubic Hymn, "No one is worthy" & Great Entrance), in order to familiarize the viewers with this structure. In following videos she will cover each of these sub-units in more detail.
Apr 20, 2016
Liturgy Course, Lecture 5: Theology & Prayers of 3 Antiphons
In this episode Dr. Sr. Vassa discusses the theological meaning of the Antiphons and Psalmody at the beginning of Divine Liturgy, as well as the 3 Antiphon Prayers, read by the priest. She also shares her article, published in St. Vladimir's Thoelogical Quarterly.