Meditations on the Divine Liturgy of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church

Publication Data: Jordanville, NY: Holy Trinity Publications, 2014
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: viii + 113
Dimensions (l × w × h): 17.8 cm × 12.7 cm × 0.8 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white illustrations
ISBN: 978‒0‒88465‒343‒1

   
Updated and Revised 3rd Edition

Nikolai Gogol
Translated by L. Alexieff
Edited by Archimandrite Lazarus

“The Divine Liturgy is the eternal repetition of the great act of love accomplished for us. Suffering from the ramifications of the fall, mankind cried out from all the ends of the earth to its Creator. Those living in the darkness of idolatry and without the knowledge of God heard that order and harmony could be restored only by Him Who had ordered the worlds He had created to move in unison. From everywhere, yearning creation cried out to its Creator. Everything sent up cries of grief to the Author of its being, and these cries were more perceptibly heard on the lips of the elect and the prophets. They foretold and realized that if the Creator should Himself stand face to face with men, He would not do so otherwise than in the form of His creation, whom He had created in His own image and likeness. The Incarnation of God on earth was comprehended by all mankind only in as far their understanding of God had been purified. But no one proclaimed this truth so clearly as the prophets of God’s chosen people. Whilst even the pagans had presentiments of His Incarnation from the immaculate Virgin, nowhere was it foreseen with such palpable clarity as by the prophets.”
—“INTRODUCTION”

CONTENTS

Introduction
The Office of Preparation
The Liturgy of the Catechumens
The Liturgy of the Faithful
Conclusion
Appendix: A Short Life and Appraisal of N. V. Gogol
Notes
Subject Index
Scripture Index