DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT BASIL ON SUNDAYS

The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is celebrated on all Sundays of the Great Fast. Saint Basil (born 330 and died Jan 1, 379) is the author of one of the two great Anaphoras (Eucharistic Prayers) used in the Divine Liturgy. The other Anaphora is that of Saint John Chrysostom, which is used on all other Sundays and on weekdays. Some of the prayers of the Liturgy of St Basil are much more lengthy than the Chrysostom prayers. What is most note-worthy about the Anaphora of St Basil is the beautiful summary of the history of salvation it contains. Beginning with creation in Paradise, the anaphora recalls the saving activity of God in human history up to the second coming of Christ our Lord.