Thinking about going to a Divine Liturgy

[AndreM73]

I’m studying abroad in Melk, Austria, and there is a speedy train connection from there to Vienna, where there is a small Ukrainian Catholic church: St. Barbara’s. I would like very much to participate in one of their Divine Liturgies; how should I prepare? Any advice so far as prayer books, actions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MorEphrem]

Byzantine churches are very easy in the sense that all that needs be done is imitate others. Most likely people will venerate an icon upon entrance (there are many threads pertaining to how in this forum). Aside from that you might not have anywhere to sit depending upon the interior.

Prepare as you would any other liturgy and remember not to let the externals distract you from the purpose of being there.

 

[Zekariya]

Do not genuflect or kneel on Sundays. Making the sign of the Cross and then bowing is how we show reverence on Sundays.

We make the sign of the Cross when walking past the altar. This done to show respect to the Gospel Book which is kept on the altar. Traditionally, we only reserve the Eucharist when it is needed for the sick and during Lent for the Presanctified Liturgy (similar to the West reserving the Eucharist for Good Friday). If there is no need, we don’t keep the Eucarist reserved.

It is a good idea to chose one person to copy the reverent actions. There is a lot less uniformity of what lay people do during the Divine Liturgy than the Western Mass. It can appear chaotic to visitors. That is why I suggest that you chose one individual to copy instead of copying everyone.

If you show up for the Divine Liturgy but a service is going on, don’t worry, they are celebrating the liturgical hours and/or Matins/Orthros. You are not late.

Here the Divine Liturgy in English as used by the Byzantine, Melkite Church: melkite.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LITURGY2009.pdf Most of the responses by the laity are repetitive as you can see. It is not to hard to follow the liturgy if it is sung in a language that you know.

I hope that you enjoy your experience.

 

[5Loaves]

I’m studying abroad in Melk, Austria, and there is a speedy train connection from there to Vienna, where there is a small Ukrainian Catholic church: St. Barbara’s. I would like very much to participate in one of their Divine Liturgies; how should I prepare? Any advice so far as prayer books, actions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Off topic, but since you brought up Vienna, be sure to tune into Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin’s new Coffee with Sr. Vassa series. Sister Vassa is a Russian Orthodox liturgist of the University of Vienna. Perhaps you can track her down. She has plenty of experience with Catholics East and West. You can see her here presenting at one Orientale Lumen Conference, and hear her here presenting at another OL Conference.