Books on understanding the Divine Liturgy

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I was wondering if there exist any publications explaining the Divine Liturgy: the meaning of the vestments, of gestures, theology, etc. I ask this because there’s an old Roman Catholic book (from the 30’s or 40’s) called “How to Understand the Mass”, written by a Benedictine, which tries to explain in straightforward terms what is happening at the Mass. I thought it would be interesting to read something of the sort about the DL, so as to become better acquainted with it.
 
I hope this helps.

Lit Doc 5: General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours
Author: Congregation For Divine Worship And The Discipline Of The Sacraments

ISBN: 978-1-57455-528-8
Availability: In stock.
Price: $6.95
Night Prayer: From the Liturgy of the Hours

ISBN: 978-1-57455-148-8
Availability: In stock.
Price: $4.95
 
There are actually a ton of books on the liturgy by Orthodox authors.

The ones posted so far I don’t think are what you are looking for. This one by a Finnish bishop is supposed to be a great introduction:

amazon.com/Feast-Faith-Invitation-Love-Kingdom/dp/0881410721/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291166557&sr=1-2

Apparently His Grace is a bit soft on fasting and all of the preparation that goes into getting ready for the liturgy by the laity, but I have heard from many that this is a good introduction.

I recommend getting a used copy, likely you should get the “Very Good” copy for $1.00:

amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0881410721/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1291166557&sr=1-2&condition=used
 
Although I can tell you that Byzantines see Liturgy more as community worship all throughout. We pray with the entire Church. So there are no individual prayers like in the OF where each parish would have their own “Prayers of the Faithful” and even the part, “in silence let us pray for our own personal intention.” At first I did not understand why there are many more litanies in the Divine Liturgy, but its standard and the same always. Then understanding that aspect of Eastern Worship, I appreciate it more. We can always say our individual prayers and petitions at other times, but during DL we worship with the entire Church, both on earth and in heaven.
 
ConstantineTG said:
Although I can tell you that Byzantines see Liturgy more as community worship all throughout. We pray with the entire Church. So there are no individual prayers like in the OF where each parish would have their own “Prayers of the Faithful” and even the part, “in silence let us pray for our own personal intention.” At first I did not understand why there are many more litanies in the Divine Liturgy, but its standard and the same always. Then understanding that aspect of Eastern Worship, I appreciate it more. We can always say our individual prayers and petitions at other times, but during DL we worship with the entire Church, both on earth and in heaven.
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The OF of the Roman rite is becoming stranger and stranger to me as I learn more about the other Catholic rites as well as learning more about other Latin rites as well. It just seems so “anorexic” when you compare it to the others. Even the EF, which is “simpler” compared to other non-Latin rites, has a lot more “meat on the bones”. One needs only to look at the prayers to see the Faith explicitly stated.

As for those that have sent suggestions, thank you!
 
Try the* Commentary on the Divine Liturgy* by Saint Nicholas Cabasilas. It is still available in a modern English translation (on this page as well as elsewhere).

That, and An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith by Saint John of Damascus are two ‘must haves’ in a good library for Byzantine Catholics or Orthodox, if one can get them.
 
Ora_et_Labora said:
I was wondering if there exist any publications explaining the Divine Liturgy: the meaning of the vestments, of gestures, theology, etc. I ask this because there’s an old Roman Catholic book (from the 30’s or 40’s) called “How to Understand the Mass”, written by a Benedictine, which tries to explain in straightforward terms what is happening at the Mass. I thought it would be interesting to read something of the sort about the DL, so as to become better acquainted with it.
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A couple of books I would suggest are first the “Introduction to the Liturgical Services and Their Symbolism in the Eastern Church” by Patriarch Gregorios III (Laham) of the Melkite Greek Catholics. Secondly I would highly recommend “Liturgy: Model of Prayer - Icon of Life” by Fr. Robert Taft, SJ (a Russian Greek Catholic priest and the leading expert on the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). Both books are available from Eastern Christian Publications ecpubs.com.

Also, check out Orientale Lumen Television oltv.tv. There you will find a number of video/audio series on the Divine Liturgy, including several by Fr. Robert Taft, SJ, one by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia (Greek Orthodox metropolitan in Oxford, England), and one by Fr. David Anderson (a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest and protege of Fr. Alexander Schmemann). Each of those are phenomenal and have their own merits. They also compliment each other quite well as each presentation focuses on different aspects of the Divine Liturgy.

ICXC + NIKA,
Phillip
 
hazcompat said:
I hope this helps.

Lit Doc 5: General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours
Author: Congregation For Divine Worship And The Discipline Of The Sacraments

ISBN: 978-1-57455-528-8
Availability: In stock.
Price: $6.95
Night Prayer: From the Liturgy of the Hours

ISBN: 978-1-57455-148-8
Availability: In stock.
Price: $4.95
Click to expand...
I believe that the OP was asking for books on the “Divine Liturgy”, the most usual English language name given to the Eucharistic Celebration of the 22 sui iuris Chaldean, Eastern, and Oriental Catholic Churches and most of the other Eastern Churches. I suspect that you think that the OP was asking about the Latin (Roman) Catholic Church’s Divine Office (a.k.a. Liturgy of the Hours).

Matt:)
 
Ora_et_Labora said:
The OF of the Roman rite is becoming stranger and stranger to me as I learn more about the other Catholic rites as well as learning more about other Latin rites as well. It just seems so “anorexic” when you compare it to the others. Even the EF, which is “simpler” compared to other non-Latin rites, has a lot more “meat on the bones”. One needs only to look at the prayers to see the Faith explicitly stated.

As for those that have sent suggestions, thank you!
Click to expand...
To add, one reason the Orthodox would celebrate only one Divine Liturgy per parish per day is so that everyone will worship at the same time. Of course I’ve seen Roman Catholic parishes that is full to the brim in each of the 5 or more Masses per day, so unless the RC wants to start building football arena sized parishes to accomodate all in one Mass, its not really feasible in areas with high concentrations of Roman Catholics.

Let me know if you find a good book, I’m interested too. Most of what I learned are bits and pieces I get from googling.
 
another good book is “A Manual of the Orthodox Church’s Divine Services.” It explains the services, why we celebrate them, how, when, etc. and also the vestments, their symbolic mean and more. It’s really a great book, but obviously nothing beats the real thing. 👍

In Christ,
Andrew
 
ConstantineTG said:
To add, one reason the Orthodox would celebrate only one Divine Liturgy per parish per day is so that everyone will worship at the same time. Of course I’ve seen Roman Catholic parishes that is full to the brim in each of the 5 or more Masses per day, so unless the RC wants to start building football arena sized parishes to accomodate all in one Mass, its not really feasible in areas with high concentrations of Roman Catholics.
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Sounds like it’s time for a second parish! 😃
 
wynd said:
Sounds like it’s time for a second parish! 😃
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The Philippines is a small country with approximately 70 million Roman Catholics. Parishes are close to one another. In one instance, literally side-by-side. But still most parishes are overwhelmed by the number of people, which is a good problem to have.

I’ve read that the Orthodox would have side altars for a second or third Divine Liturgy in cases of a huge congregation.
 
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