Dear Forum Members, For some time I have seen discuused in this forum the "revised Divine Liturgy" and i have a question which no one can answer.(I attend Holy Angels in San Diego)We use the red Levkulic book,1993 edition I believe, and the one thing that is different from other rescensions which use the Byzantine Rite, both Catholic and Orthodox, is that in our pew book the communion hymn comes not after the "Holy Things for The Holy)but after the communion prayer, just before receiving communion. Does any oher eparchy do it this way or are we the odd man out? Thanks. Paul

It has to do with the fact that Msgr. Levkulic's book is set up for the priest and people to recite the communion prayer together, at the time in the liturgikon when the priest recites it to himself. So, after the common recitation of the prayer, the communion hymn is sung while the priest receives and prepares the chalice for the communion of the faithful. This is a practice that has caught on in many of our parishes, and some Orthodox ones as well. It makes good liturgical sense for this prayer to be said in common and the communion hymn then becomes a mediation on the day's theme or the holy Eucharist, in place of what some churches refer to as "the concert" during the priest's communion (especially in OCA/Russian usage churches). Rather than one quick line, the communion hymn can be repeated for emphasis or even other common communion hymns can be added at this time. A good idea, in my opinion and one which I practice myself at the liturgy.

God bless you all,

Fr. Joe

Thanks, Fr. Joe. Paul