Proskomedie (Prothesis)

JOHN A. MCGUCKIN

The ritual preparatory to the celebration of the divine liturgy, which is substantially the preparation of the prosphora or loaves of offering. Greek usage involves the cutting out, from a single large loaf, of a cube of bread marked on its surface with the cross-shaped ICXC NIKA cipher (“Jesus Christ Conquers”) which has been baked into it. Slavic use generally employs five smaller prosphora, the first being used for the Eucharistic Lamb (Amnos) and the others for various commemorations. The priest who celebrates the Proskomedie (it is always celebrated by one priest alone) will leave some of the final elements unfinished if it is an episcopal service, since the presiding bishop will complete the prayers just before the Great Entrance. After the central cube of bread has been cut out, with attendant prayers, using a ceremonial knife (or lance), other particles of bread are also removed to symbolize the Blessed Theotokos, and the nine orders of saints (including angels, prophets, apostles, hierarchs ascetics, and martyrs), which conclude with the saint who composed the liturgy being celebrated (St. John Chrysostom, Basil, or James). These are laid on either side of the Lamb on the diskos. Particles are then removed to commemorate the ruling bishop, “the emperor” (civil authorities), the founders of the church, and those living and dead whom the priest wishes to remember. Wine is mixed with a little water in the chalice and the ritual concludes with the incensing of the veils that are laid over the sacred vessels in readiness for the Eucharist to begin. The faithful also provide other lists of names, and offerings of prosphora breads, to commemorate their own family lists (diptychs) for the living as well as the dead. The particles are placed into the chalice after communion with an intercessory prayer: “for all those commemorated here.” In earlier times the Proskomedie was celebrated in a separate building (as at Hagia Sophia, Constantinople), but in most Orthodox churches today the northern side of the altar area is used, where a small altar of preparation (prothesis) can be found, usually adorned with iconic symbolism recalling the nativity.