The ritual (i.e., sequence of actions) which is a part of the Divine Liturgy, is meant to draw us into the entire mystery of God’s incarnation as a human in the Person of Jesus and the impact that this action has upon humanity. It is designed to give us a deeper understanding of the communion that exists between us, God and others. The sequence of actions in the Liturgy is meant to lead us to the high point which is the distribution of Holy Communion, the ultimate experience of Christ’s presence with us and our union with God in Him through the Holy Spirit. This union, we must remember, only can take place and experienced in union with others who also believe.

Of course before this union can take place, we must know that human life is a sharing in Divine Life. This becomes real by saying those prayers that bring about the change of the Gifts, bread and wine, into the Body and Blood of Christ. The bread and wine represent life since they are food.

This experience becomes another focal point of our worship with the ritual enactment of offering our very lives to God as Jesus did. Our worship of God is experienced in this offering of ourselves to God in thanksgiving for everything that He has done for us. I would encourage you to reread this last paragraph again and think about it. It says something that is truly essential for worship, namely our real personal willingness to offer our very lives to God in thanksgiving.

Before I continue I would offer this one note. One of the basic understandings about the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Church is that it has to be a community experience. And although I have said this before, I repeat it again: a priest cannot serve the Divine Liturgy all by himself. There must be at least one other person present to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The power to change the gifts is given to the Church that is a group of believers who join together in prayer.

But I get ahead of myself. Let us begin at the very beginning and consider all the various actions that are performed.

What is the great and first incensation all about? It is a greeting! In the time of Jesus, the way someone was welcomed into a home was by presenting them with water to wash their hands, face and feet. Then some perfumed oil was given to take away the stench of the road. The way that we are welcomed to the Liturgy is now ceremonial. We offer incense. If you think about it in this manner, then it becomes an action which makes sense and is meaningful. We also sing at this time because we’re happy to be here.