In this class we speak about the meaning of the Prokimena, the significance of the Epistle, why we chant the Alleluia before the Gospel reading. What does the incense before the gospel reading represent? What does the reading of the Gospel signify and the closing of the doors after the Gospel is read? We go over all of this and more.

What is a symbol? How does a dualistic view of symbolism affect our understanding of the symbols within the Divine Liturgy? In this class we look at Gregory Palamas’ understanding of symbolism. From there we then look at the symbols of the Little Entrance and the Thrice Holy Hymn.

In this class we go line by line through the Great Litany. What does each petition mean? What exactly are we beseeching God for in each petition?

How does the Church energize the same things that God energizes, especially within the divine liturgy? What does an offering to God mean? What and who are we offering to God? Are we just offering ourselves, or also the entire world? How do we enter into Christ’s own offering of the entire world within the Divine Liturgy? What is prayer for the whole world?

In this class we discuss how the will can begin to be healed. It is by becoming liturgical beings. What are the ways in which the divine liturgy can begin to heal our will and inspire us towards a life of virtue and union with God?

The healing of the soul begins with the transformation of the desiring power of the soul. How is the desiring power to be properly directed? How do we properly direct our desire in the context of the divine liturgy? What is natural desire vs. unnatural desire?

In this class we go over how the essence of the Divine Liturgy is love. We then look at St. Maximos the Confessor’s 4 Centuries on Love to help us sketch out what love is.