Aloha All!
Last Sunday, many were surprised that at the Divine Liturgy we don’t kneel but continue to stand during the Great Fast (Lent). During the Great Fast, the Divine Liturgy continues to be served on Saturdays and Sundays, but not during the weekdays. Instead of the Divine Liturgy on weekdays there is served in its place the Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts. Below answers that surprise both historically and theologically.
Surviving evidence from the 4th century suggests that, by the time of the Council of Nicaea (325), the Eucharistic liturgy was celebrated regularly on Sundays and major feasts, and in many places also on certain weekdays for martyr feasts, but not yet with the “daily Divine Liturgy” pattern that later became common. With the rise of monasticism which then made its way to the Cathedrals, the pattern of weekday Divine Liturgies emerged in the next centuries. The institutional form of monasticism began in the 4th century. The Oldest archaeologically attested monastery is found at Tall Ğanūb Qaṣr al-‘Ağūz (GQA) in Egypt and based on scientific analysis dates to the first half of the fourth century (https://mf.no/en/mf-casr/research/unveiling-worlds-oldest-known-monastery). Saint Pachomius started the first cenobitic monastery in 323 AD, also in Egypt (https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/saint-pachomius). In the early monasteries No resident clergy existed initially to avoid hierarchy; monks communed themselves from reserved Eucharist from the nearest village church or received the Eucharist from visiting village priests on Saturdays/Sundays, or during major feasts like Pascha.
Standing while praying was the common practice with Jews who prayed standing in the temple and in synagogues. It was seen as a mark of respect and honor. It is a posture of exaltation, not a penitential stance we assume because in this mystery where time and space are suspended, we are united to Christ and honor his glorification as King. In the Tradition of the East, one rises to respect the presence of a King, just as we do today if a dignitary enters a room. Standing is an ancient sign of respect and of the resurrection, and at the most sacred moments, such as the consecration.
– St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues and other liturgical homilies:
Emphasizes standing in the Eucharistic assembly as the posture of those who “have risen with Christ,” linking prayer posture to resurrection identity and royal priesthood.
– St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen (Viaomata / canonical letters):
Speak of standing in prayer as the natural posture of the Church gathered before God, distinguishing it from penitential kneeling and linking it to the “rest” Christ has given by His Resurrection.
The Divine Liturgy is always a “little Pascha!” Theologically, standing signifies our participation in the resurrection. Secondly, standing shows that we are attentive to God. And third, it shows we are ready to follow His will (Christ our Pascha 627). Kneeling was seen as a sign of penance rather than respect. Kneeling is an expression of the penitent’s contrition before God (Christ Our Pascha 630). The Eucharist is not an act of penance; therefore, one should stand. The Lord Himself said: “stand praying” (Mk. 11:25), and so the 1st Ecumenical Council decreed (1:20) that Christians in the Temples: “Standing offer Prayers to God”.
During the Great Fast, instead of weekday Divine Liturgies being served, there is the Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts. Divine Liturgies are not served on the weekday during the Great Fast to maintain its penitential character as the Liturgy’s Eucharistic joy contrasts with the Great Fast’s austerity. The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts fills this role, typically on Wednesdays and Fridays.
At the Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, the service begins as a Vespers evening service then transitions into elements of Liturgy of the Catechumens, a silent Great Entrance of the reserved Gifts, litanies, the Lord’s Prayer, and concludes with Communion. The prosphora used in the Pre-Sanctified liturgy is consecrated on the preceding Sunday during Divine Liturgy. During the Proskomedia (Prothesis/Liturgy of Preparation), the Priest prepares the lamb for that Divine Liturgy and the lambs for the prescribed number of Pre-Sanctified Liturgies during the weekday.
It is at the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy that we humble ourselves as penitents before God and ask for His help to guide us in our spiritual journey of the Great Fast and reflect on our sinful natures. This service revisits the time of the first sin with readings from Genesis. We are provided guidance on how to conduct ourselves and live our lives through Proverbs. Job presents us with challenges we may face in living a life of righteousness (the right care of others). It is In this service we humble ourselves in prayer as we are reminded of salvation history. It becomes a moment not only of remembrance but of renewal, as we acknowledge humanity’s fall and our continual journey toward repentance, restoration, and communion with God.
Yes, Divine Liturgy can be served on Saturdays during the Great Fast. Why? We remember Christ “resting in the tomb,” and we still observe Saturday as the Jewish Sabbath (seventh day) which Christ and the Apostles observed. In this way, the Church balances penitence with hope. By commemorating Christ’s “rest in the tomb” on Saturdays and honoring the Sabbath’s rest we anticipate Pascha and prepare for the eighth day – The Day of the Lord!
Peace and Grace, Tim
[FYI: Kneeling at Mass for Roman Catholics began in the 12th century with the introduction of the major elevation of the host.]
