I don’t know whether this article on the Divine Liturgy is making any sense to my readers. I thought that I would regroup and focus a little more on my understanding of the Liturgy. I’ve tried to give a little history about the Liturgy and some background information about the Liturgy.

As all of my readers probably know, the Jewish tradition called for not only a synagogue/temple service but also a Sabbath Day meal. The two customs were separate, although all truly sincere Jewish people observed both.
A majority of the early Christians were, of course, Jewish. This included the disciples and apostles. They were truly accustomed to observe both! Jesus Himself observed both. There was always also a very special meal for the feast of Passover which was different from the regular Sabbath meals.

The early Christians participated in the synagogue/temple services and then, like all good Jews, also had a special Sabbath meal. But, because Jesus said some special things at the last meal He had with His disciples – He suggested that the bread and wine that they used at the meal was truly His Body and Blood – they turned their regular Sabbath meal into a time when they remembered Jesus and His teachings in a special way. As they shared the meal, Jesus was truly present to them through this remembrance. They also continued, however, to use the worship ritual of Judaism by going to the temple/ synagogue.

The change did not happen overnight! Rather it took years for them to combine their worship of God with the special meal that they offered, remembering exactly what Jesus did during His last meal with the apostles/disciples.
During the special Sabbath meal, which eventually became the worship ritual of the Christians, people would share stories about Jesus and also talk about what they believed Jesus taught. If they received a letter from one of the Apostles or disciples who went around establishing small communities (i.e., churches), they would also read these letters. So the meal and the worship became one event.

Of course a problem arose. Wine was always served during these meals. It was a custom. People sometimes imbibed too much wine and so the special meal became less reverent. Paul was one of the apostles that recognized this and insisted that the meal be served earlier in the day and without extra wine – sharing only the wine that was prayed over to make it the Blood of Christ.

Gradually, because the service became a morning service, it took on a different feeling and meaning. It then became a symbolic meal that served as a worship ritual, much more like temple worship

Mystical Supper