But if at the center of the Church’s life there is this self-giving Eucharistic love, then where are the Church’s boundaries, where is the periphery of this center? Here it is possible to speak of the whole of Christianity as an eternal offering of a Divine Liturgy beyond church walls … It means that we must offer the bloodless sacrifice, the sacrifice of self-surrendering love not only in a specific place, upon the altar of a particular temple; the whole world becomes the single altar of a single temple, and for this universal liturgy we must offer our hearts, like bread and wine, in order that they may be transformed into Christ’s love, that he may be born in them, that they may become “God-manly” hearts, and that He may give these hearts of ours as food for the world…”
Saint Maria Skobtsova: Essential Writings
It is customary in Orthodox Liturgies for parishioners to commemorate their loved ones, friends and even enemies during the Liturgy. This is particularly true if you have prepared the Prosphora. Recipe here.
Each week I find myself scribbling down the names of our commemorations and finally decided to print up a sheet to make it less of a mess. Maybe you could use one too? I’ve made it available here and on my sidebar.
Etiquette for commemoration during Liturgy is generally that commemorations for the Proskomedia (the first part of the Liturgy) are offered before the beginning of the Liturgy. Ask your priest what the appropriate time to arrive with your prosphora is in order to be included in that Liturgy. Some priests prefer the names to be given the night before, but definitely early in the morning. During the Proskomedia service the names will be read and particles of the Prosphora will be put into the Chalice which contains the Blood of Christ.
It is important while you are listing the names of the living and the departed to commemorate them with a clean heart and wishing them well. This in and of itself is a prayer as it is the intention of your heart. Most priest prefer not to have more than 10 names per page, although this depends on the priest. Our parish priest does not mind one bit how many names. While you are writing down the names of living and reposed, commemorate them with a clean heart, sincerely wishing them good, and striving to remember those whose names you are writing down. This already is a prayer.
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