PREPARATION FOR EASTERN ORTHODOX
DIVINE SERVICES
There are three main Orthodox services—the Divine Liturgy, Great
Vespers, and Matins—with which you should be familiar as a Religious
Program Specialist. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Sundays and all
major Orthodox feast days. It generally lasts about 1-1/2 hours—including a
sermon. The Divine Liturgy is normally celebrated in the morning. Great
Vespers are conducted on Saturday evenings and all evenings prior to the
Divine Liturgy-which is conducted the following day. A Great Vespers
service lasts approximately 30 minutes and is primarily a preparatory service,
preparing the faithful for the Divine Liturgy. Matins is also a preparatory
service and is performed either in conjunction with Vespers (then called a
vigil service) or conducted separately on Sunday morning preceding the
Divine Liturgy, Both Vespers and Matins may be celebrated on special
Orthodox occasions such as Orthodox Holy Week.
THE EASTERN ORTHODOX
SANCTUARY ARRANGEMENT
Whenever possible, you should assist the Orthodox chaplain to the degree
practicable in duplicating the arrangement found in Orthodox churches for
divine services in the sanctuary/chancel area of the military chapel. In doing
so, you must bear in mind that many of the sacred items used by the
Orthodox, because of their special religious significance, should not be
touched or handled by the RP unless otherwise directed by the chaplain
conducting the service. The Orthodox chaplain will normally arrive early at
the chapel to recite special prayers (proskomedia) prior to the Divine
Liturgy. Should a question arise concerning preparation of the sanctuary/
chancel area, you may ask the chaplain prior to that time. The chancel of a
Navy chapel which has been rigged for Orthodox worship should be as
similar in appearance, as practicable, to the Orthodox sanctuary/chancel
(see figure 3-28) described in the following paragraphs and should contain
the items described.
The Iconostasis
The iconostasis (figure 3-28) is a movable wall or screen placed in the
sanctuary/chancel area. It is used to display icons (religious paintings which
are venerated, kissed, by the people). The icons are arranged on the
iconostasis in a set pattern. The iconostasis has four doors. Two of these
doors are called the deacon doors and are placed on the right- and left-hand
sides of the iconostasis. Normally, one enters the sanctuary (chancel)
through the right deacon’s door and leaves the sanctuary by going around to
the back of the main altar and out the left deacon’s door. The two center
doors, called royal doors, are used only by the clergy. The royal doors
frequently have a curtain which is drawn at certain times, such as after a
service.
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