Question for Ukrainian Catholics

[goreyfan]

I’m wondering if any Ukrainian Catholics can answer a question for me. Once in a while I go to church at a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me. I noticed something last time that I had not seen before. Before Liturgy, the priest in his cassock went before various icons in the icon screen and read prayers silently before them. I assume this was in preparation for Liturgy but can anyone tell me exactly what he was doing?

 

[Padre_Ambrogio]

goreyfan:

I’m wondering if any Ukrainian Catholics can answer a question for me. Once in a while I go to church at a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me. I noticed something last time that I had not seen before. Before Liturgy, the priest in his cassock went before various icons in the icon screen and read prayers silently before them. I assume this was in preparation for Liturgy but can anyone tell me exactly what he was doing?

This could actually be answered by any Eastern Catholic or Orthodox. Let us have a glance at the “Step by Step Look at the Divine Liturgy” on byzantines.net:

Preparation for the Liturgy

Before the journey to the kingdom can begin, people must be ready. We cannot schedule encounters with God: we can only prepare for them. Therefore, the official liturgical texts of the Byzantine Churches insist:

“He who intends to celebrate the Divine Mystery should be reconciled first of all with everyone and have no animosity toward anyone. To the best of his ability, he must keep his heart clean from evil thoughts. He should abstain starting the night before and maintain a spiritual concentration until the time of the celebration.”

Prayer, fasting and reconciliation - these are the preconditions for a sincere participation in the Eucharist.

The preparation is ritualized when the priest and deacon join in prayer in front of the iconostasis before the beginning of the Liturgy. Prior to entering the holy of holies, they turn to the congregation and bow to them - seeking reconciliation and acknowledging the presence of Christ in the assembly.

The full text is at:

byzantines.net/liturgy/Liturgy%20Explanation.htm

 

[The_Vatican_Two]

I’m wondering if any Ukrainian Catholics can answer a question for me. Once in a while I go to church at a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me. I noticed something last time that I had not seen before. Before Liturgy, the priest in his cassock went before various icons in the icon screen and read prayers silently before them. I assume this was in preparation for Liturgy but can anyone tell me exactly what he was doing?

I’m sure he probably was asking the saints to intercede for his flock.

 

[bpbasilphx]

These are what are variously called the Entrance Prayers or Kairon Prayers. In some places and uses (not all) the priest says the Troparion in honor of the Saints displayed on the Iconostasis as part of this.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I forgot to mention that these Entrance Prayers are given in the Liturgikon. All Priests and Deacons must say these prayers before beginning to vest for Divine Liturgy.

 

[Diak]

I’m wondering if any Ukrainian Catholics can answer a question for me. Once in a while I go to church at a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me. I noticed something last time that I had not seen before. Before Liturgy, the priest in his cassock went before various icons in the icon screen and read prayers silently before them. I assume this was in preparation for Liturgy but can anyone tell me exactly what he was doing?

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Dear goreyfan, since you directed the question to Ukrainian Catholics I’ll also answer as a Ukrainian Greek Catholic deacon. As has been mentioned, these are the prayers appointed to be prayed by the priest and deacon upon entering the temple. These are included in the Liturgikon or the book containing the text of the Divine Liturgy for the priest and deacon. If the parish has no deacon, the priest will pray these alone. At the beginning of the *Liturgikon * it directs the priest:

He enters the church at the appointed time and in front of the holy doors makes three bows to the east together with the deacon…

and then prays the usual prayers.

As part of praying these entrance prayers, the icons on the iconostas of Christ and the Mother of God are reverenced by the priest and deacon, which is what you have described.

As has been previously mentioned, this is not only peculiar to Ukrainian Greek Catholic but is common to most usages of all Eastern Christians, even those not of the Byzantine-Constantinopolitan heritage. They may make use of different prayers and particular customs, but the act of entrance prayers when entering the Church is common to most Eastern Christians.

This customary entrance preparation is likely a direct carryover from the Temple when the priests prepared themselved with prayer before entering the Holy of Holies to perform the sacrifice.
FDRLB