Christian Cyclopedia

Regarded as the chief and crowning service by the E Orthodox Ch. Divided: 1. Credence, in which the eucharistic elements are prepared on the prothesis* (side table); 2. Liturgy of the Catechumens, in which the cong. by Psalms and other Bible passages, sermon, and hymns prepares for the sacramental act; 3. Liturgy of the Faithful, from which catechumens and unbaptized persons are excluded and in which the faithful receive the Lord's Supper.

Liturgical services: 1. That of James (oldest and longest) is rarely celebrated, perhaps only at Jerusalem; 2. That of Basil, shorter than that of James, used 10 times a yr., esp. in Lent; 3. That of J. Chrysostom,* still shorter, the most usual; 4. That of the Presanctified, shortest, used on Wednesday and Friday in Lent (in RCm only on Good Friday), with elements consecrated on preceding Sunday.