Liturgy – Lesson 5 Questions

 What does “proskomedia” mean?

 Name the separate building that was used for the proskomedia service in the early Church.

 What is the “Platytera”? Why is it on the discos?

 Which of the priest’s vestments is he not wearing during the proskomedia service?

 What is the item called that is used to cut the bread. Why is it called this?

 Why is the center square of bread called the Lamb?

 Why is both water and wine poured into the chalice?

 How is the arrangement of the bread in the discos an icon?

Open discussion:

 How many liturgical items can you name that are used for the proskomedia service?

 Name a saint of each of the following categories: Angels, Prophets, Apostles, Hierarchs, Martyrs, Ascetics, Unmercenary Healers. Liturgy – Lesson 5 Answers

 Proskomedia translates to offering. The proskomedia service is celebrated by the priest before the Divine Liturgy during which the bread and wine are prepared for the Eucharist.

 The small separate building that was used in the early Church for the proskomedia service was called the skeuophylakion.

 The Platytera, which translates to “more spacious”, is an icon of the Theotokos that is usually found in the apse above the altar with the Christ child at the center. The icon is on the discos is representative of the Theotokos who herself held Christ just as the discos itself holds the Body of Christ which is used for the Eucharist.

 The priest is missing the phelonion when he serves the proskomedia service. This is only for practical reasons as it would be restrictive and might get in the way while the priest is preparing the bread and wine.

 The item used to cut the bread is called the spear. It’s called this in order to symbolize and remind us of the spear that pierced Christ’s side.

 The center square of the bread is called the Lamb because it is this piece that will become the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. Christ is referred to as the Lamb who was sacrificed on our behalf for the remission of our sins.

 Water and wine are poured into the chalice to symbolize and remind us of the blood and water that poured from Christ’s side when he was pierced by the spear on the cross.

 When the proskomedia service is complete the bread is arranged so that it is an icon of the Church around Christ. Christ is in the center of the discos and He is surrounded first by the Church in the heavenly kingdom, the saints. As the priest takes a particle of bread as he commemorates the living and the departed, he then includes the rest of the Church. It is the entire Church that is offered on the Holy Table during the Divine Liturgy.