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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Ceremony of Preparation of the Oblations or Prothesis before the Divine Liturgy - Particle for the Theotokos

The first part of the Divine Liturgy is the Prothesis or Ceremony of Preparation of the Oblations. During the Ceremony, the priest/abouna prays and cuts the Qurban based on the nine squares on the large side of the Holy Seal or (IC|XC NIKA Stamp) impression.
The Prothesis is performed by the priest and deacon without the direct participation of the people on the "proskomide" or "table of oblation" or "Altar of Preparation" which stands in the altar area to left of the altar table.

During the Ceremony of Preparation , the priest prays and cuts the Qurban (bread) based on the nine squares on the large side of the Holy Seal or (IC|XC NIKA Stamp) impression.

One Large Triangle for The Theotokos

The one large triangle for The Theotokos is in the square to the right of the Center Square with the IC|XC NIKA Impression on the Holy Seal and to the left of the Center Square with the IC|XC NIKA Impression on the Qurban.

Ceremony of Preparation of the Oblations or Prothesis

The priest says:"In honor and memory of our most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, through whose prayers, O Lord, receive this sacrifice upon your altar in heaven."

The priest removes a particle and places it at the right hand of "The Lamb" ("The Lamb" is facing the priest so the priest puts the particle to the left of "The Lamb") and near the center of It while he says:

"At your right stood the Queen, clothed in an embroidered mantle of gold."

These words are from Psalm 44, verse 9. The Melkite Church reads this verse as a prophecy of the Theotokos.

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Thursday, September 08, 2005, 00:00:05, PDT
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