THE LITURGY OF THE PRE-SANCTIFIED GIFTS

The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is a liturgical office consisting of Vespers and Holy Communion. The readings from the Old Testament scriptures tell us of God's wonderful plan for our salvation in Christ.

During the season of Great Fast, Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays are observed as a-liturgical days, days on which the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated. The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is prescribed for Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Fast. The Pre-Sanctified Gifts are eucharistic elements consecrated at the Divine Liturgy of the previous Sunday. We will celebrate the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on Pure Monday, the first day of the Great Fast at 7:00pm, on all Fridays of the Great Fast at 7:00pm, and on the evening of Great and Holy Wednesday.

Special features of the Pre-Sanctified service include profound signs of reverence and repentance, i.e., prostrations, bowing and kneeling. (Those who can't kneel or make prostrations do not have to). Another outstanding part of this Liturgy is the singing of the refrain: "Let my prayer ascend to You like incense, and the lifting up of my hands, like an evening sacrifice!" during a solemn incensing of the altar. Darker vestments are used by the priest, deacon, and servers, as a sign of repentance during the season of Great Fast.