Worship in Spirit and Truth

Fr. Tom has come to the point in the Liturgy where we sing the first of two Thrice-Holy hymns. This one is in the Liturgy of the Word: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."

The first procession in the Divine Liturgy is referred to as the "Little Entrance" where the Gospel Book is brought into the altar and the call to worship is proclaimed.

After his last episode, Fr. Thomas got a thoughtful letter from a listener challenging his remarks on female readers of the Apostolic writings in the Divine Liturgy. In this episode he reads the letter and answers the concerns raised.

Fr. Tom talks about how human beings are created by God for worship in spirit and in truth.

Fr. Thomas reflects on what it means to say "In peace let us pray to the Lord." What is the significance of this peace?

Just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy, the participants sing what is supposed to a very solemn "Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah." Fr. Tom explains why this is so important.

Fr. Thomas looks at the significance of using leavened bread and real wine for the Eucharist.

Just before the Apostle reading in the Divine Liturgy, verses are chanted known as the Prokeimenon. Fr. Tom explains what that is, why it is there, and how he feels it should be done.

In this important episode, Fr. Thomas shows how the Passover Exodus pre-figures the work of Christ and how that relates to our worship today.

Fr. Tom pauses in his series on the Divine Liturgy to address some questions he has received about the 8 tones used in Orthodox worship.

Is there a prescribed physical place where the liturgy is to be served or not served? Fr. Tom traces the history from the "house church" to the present day.

Fr. Thomas continues to talk about the Great Litany at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. In particular the "union of all men" and "the fear of God."

Fr. Thomas Hopko looks at Abel and Cain and why one offered acceptable worship and the other did not.

What made Noah's worship a sweet-smelling savor to God?

After 29 episodes leading up the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas begins his line by line commentary.

The West identifies seven sacraments, but how does the Orthodox Church view such things? Fr. Tom teaches on the place of the Eucharist in the sacramental life of the Church.

In this 32nd episode of the series, Fr.Tom gets to the very opening statement in the Divine Liturgy: "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

There are so many images of Christ, the Trinity, and our worship as Orthodox Christians in the Old Testament but perhaps none so powerful as the story of Abraham.

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas is now at the point of the Apostle reading. He comments on how, where, and by whom it is to be read.

How did the New Testament Church worship? Fr. Thomas shows a specific structural practice that Orthodox worship today is based on.