Divine Liturgy Course (45): Epiclesis, Pt 1

In this 45th lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the structure and contents of the Epiclesis in the Byzantine Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom. She also covers the history and meaning of the interpolation of the Troparion of the Third Hour into this part of the Anaphora.

Divine Liturgy Course (44): Anamnesis & Offering

In this lecture of our Divine Liturgy course, Sr. Vassa discusses parts 7 and 8 of the Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom, known as Anamnesis ("Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment...") and Offering ("Your own of Your own...").

Divine Liturgy Course (43): The Institution Narrative

In this lecture of the 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (42): The Sanctus (Pt 2)

In this 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (41): The Sanctus (Pt 1)

In this lecture of the 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. 

Divine Liturgy Course (40): Anaphora, Preface & Pre-Sanctus

In this lecture of the 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..."

Divine Liturgy Course (39): "Let us give thanks to the Lord!"

In this lecture of the 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...").

Divine Liturgy Course (38): Anaphora, Opening Greeting

In this lecture of the Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (37): The Diaconal Admonition before the Anaphora

In this lecture of the Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the history and meaning of the diaconal admonition before the Anaphora, "Let us stand aright!....," and of the (perplexing) response to it, "Mercy of peace..."

Divine Liturgy Course (36): Anaphora (Overview Pt 2)

In this lecture of the Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa offers the final part of an overview of the structure and text of the Chrysostom-Anaphora, from the Epiclesis to the Concluding Doxology.

Divine Liturgy Course (35): Anaphora (Overview Pt 1)

In this lecture of the Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa offers the first part of an overview of the structure and text of the Chrysostom-Anaphora, from the Introductory Dialogue to the Epiclesis.

Divine Liturgy Course (34): The Waving of the Aer

In this 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (33): The Creed

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the history, practice, and liturgico-theological scope of praying the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed in the context of the Divine Liturgy.

Divine Liturgy Course (32): “The Doors! The Doors!”

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, 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 all-of-the-above means for our liturgical piety and practice today.

Divine Liturgy Course (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.

Divine Liturgy Course (30): The Kiss of Peace, Pt 1

In this first of two lectures on the topic, Sister Vassa describes the formulas and actions of the liturgical unit known as "The Kiss of Peace," which begins with the priest's greeting, "Peace to all."

Divine Liturgy Course (29): The Priest’s Offertory Prayer

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the "Prayer of Proscomide," a.k.a. "Offertory Prayer," read silently by the priest during the Litany of Completion, (after the Great Entrance and before the Creed).

Divine Liturgy Course (28): Litany of Completion (Pt 2)

Litany 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (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.

Divine Liturgy Course (26): The Dialogue After the Great Entrance

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, 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..."

Divine Liturgy Course (25): Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the priest's long prayer, "No one is worthy," read quietly in the sanctuary, as the choir begins to sing the Cherubic Hymn.

Divine Liturgy Course (24): The Cherubic Hymn

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the history and liturgico-theological implications of the Cherubic Hymn, sung before and after the Great Entrance.

Divine Liturgy Course (23): The Great Entrance (Pt. 2)

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (22): The Great Entrance (Pt. 1)

In this lecture of the Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa introduces the topic of the Great Entrance, describing its components and symbolism.

Divine Liturgy Course (21): The Two Prayers of the Faithful

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the two Prayers of the Faithful, read (silently) by the priest right after the Dismissal of Catechumens.

Divine Liturgy Course (20): Prayer & Dismissal of Catechumens

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the priest’s (silent) Prayer for the Catechumens, and the Dismissal of the Catechumens.

Divine Liturgy Course (19): Litany for Catechumens

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa covers the history of the Catechumenate in Constantinople, as well as the Litany for the Catechumens, and the meaning of it for both the baptized and not-yet baptized.

Divine Liturgy Course (18): The Ektene After the Gospel

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (17): The Third Movement of Liturgy, Offering Up

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister 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.

Divine Liturgy Course (16): Prayer of Gospel & Blessing of Deacon

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the Prayer of the Gospel, read (usually silently) by the priest, and the Blessing of the deacon, preceding the Gospel-reading.

Divine Liturgy Course (15): The Alleluia

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the moments immediately following the reading of the Epistle, and their origins in the public worship of the Old Testament.

Divine Liturgy Course (14): The Prokeimenon & Epistle

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the Prokeimenon & Epistle.

Divine Liturgy Course (13): Prayer of Throne & ‘Peace to All!’

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses Prayer of Throne & 'Peace to All!'

Divine Liturgy Course (12): The Trisagion Prayer

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the Prayer of the Trisagion, read silently by the priest.

Divine Liturgy Course (11): Trisagion-Hymn (Meaning)

In this lecture of her Divine Liturgy course, Sister Vassa discusses the theological meaning of the Trisagion in the Divine Liturgy of today.