S.I.Fudel

Chapter 6

Ordinarily, during the Proskomedia, the priest gives the blessing for those on the kliros to begin reading the so-called "hours," usually the 3rd and 6th Hours, which in large part consist of Old Testament Psalms composed by the Prophet, King David. The "3rd Hour" (in Old Testament reckoning, corresponding to our 9:00 AM) takes our thoughts back to what happened to the Apostles at that hour - the Holy Spirit descended upon them, forming the Church. It was from that day and hour the Church's great journey through history began. Therefore, in the prayer of the 3rd Hour, the Church asks "O Lord, Who didst send down Thy Most Holy Spirit at the third hour upon Thine apostles: Take Him not from us O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto Thee." During the 3rd Hour, the 50th Psalm [Ps. 51 in the KJV] ("Have mercy upon me, O God…") is read. In addition to the fact that it is more comprehensible and more familiar to us than other psalms, it contains a very powerful prayer [asking God] to send the Holy Spirit down upon us, something especially needed in the Liturgy. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me." These readily understandable works express all of the Church's teaching regarding repentance, regarding every Christian soul's acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. "Create in me a clean heart…" "Fill my heart, O lord, with life eternal" (St. Isaac of Syria). "Come, into my heart, O Lord and give it to drink of the abundance of Thy joy" (Gregory of Zadonsk).

The 'sixth Hour" (in our reckoning, 12:00 Noon) brings to mind the time "those crucified with Him mocked Him." In the Sixth Hour "darkness covered all the earth" (Mark 15: 33). That is remembered in the prayer of the Sixth Hour, "O Thou who on the sixth day and in the sixth hour didst nail to the Cross Adam's daring sin in paradise, tear up also the handwriting of our sins, O Christ God, and save us." Adam's sin is "nailed to the cross." This is why after His Resurrection, Christ said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28: 18). It is the Cross that is "Christ's great weapon," "the victory that conquers the world." This is why during the Sixth Hour, the hour of suffering on the Cross, that Psalm 90 is read: "He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High... with a shield will His truth encompass thee." The hour of Christ's Passion became the hour of great defense and preservation of believing humanity.

The Sixth Hour ends with the prayer of St. Basil the Great, a teacher of the Church in the 4th Century. We will be able to understand it all if we but heed its sacred words, "…incline not our hearts unto thoughts or words of wickedness, but wound our souls with Thy love, that looking ever to Thee and guided by Thy Light, we may behold Thine unapproachable and everlasting Light, and may send up unceasing confession and thanksgiving unto Thee…."

We read in the Paterikon, "Abba Isaiah said: love is reflection on God with unceasing thanksgiving; God rejoices in joy (in as much as - S.F.), it is a sign of peace and tranquility." Thanksgiving takes place in the Liturgy in great peace and tranquility from beginning to end. The Liturgy is also known as the Eucharist, a word that means "thanksgiving. This calm, emanating from the bloodless Sacrifice, is offered on behalf of all and for all, for the entire world. The Hours have come to an end, and in the Altar, the Poskomedia has been completed. However, from the Altar we hear what seems to be a prayerful conversation between priest and deacon. With head bowed, the deacon says to the priest, "It is time to act for the Lord. Master, Bless," i.e. the time for the second part of the Liturgy has come. Bless. The priest replies, "Blessed is our God," i.e. "may God's blessings be upon it." Then the deacon asks, "Pray for me, Master," as if to say, "I accept the blessing, but [to perform] my angelic service is frightening - pray for me!" The priest encourages him by replying, "May the Lord direct thy steps." It would seem that the deacon should now go and begin, but we hear him, as if still uncertain, ask again, "Remember me, holy Master." After all, as it says in one of the liturgical prayers, "Now the Hosts of Heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of Glory enters in. Behold, the accomplished mystical sacrifice is being escorted in." And then the priest, as one possessing grace-given authority, says to him, "May the Lord God remember thee in his Kingdom." Although we are unworthy, we call upon God, and "with faith and love draw nigh."

And finally we hear the deacon in the Altar say, "Amen." The word "Amen" means 'so be it." Blessed Hieronymus calls that word the 'seal of prayers." For a moment, there is absolute silence in the church. Everything is ready for the main part of the Liturgy. But are we ready? Do we participate in that liturgical action of silence? St. Ignatius the God-bearer writes, "Whosoever has acquired Christ's word can truly hear His silence as well."

"They told of Abba Apollo, that he had a disciple named Isaac. Quite educated in all manner of good works, he descended into and achieved silence (for the Mystery - S. F.) of the Holy Eucharist, and when he would go out into the church, he would not permit anyone to approach him... When the services ended, he would hurry, as if pursued by fire, back to his cell."