Mid-Summer Celebration: Divine Liturgy – Pontifical Service

The Orthodox Pontifical Liturgy is an ancient tradition that reflects the pastoral nature of the original Christian church. In the early church the bishop would travel from church to church with his walking stick (the staff) and his road clothes complete with bells so people knew he was coming. He enters the church where he is greeted by the congregation and subdeacons. The signs of his office are bestowed upon him, in this rite, by the Church; they are not his personal possessions nor is his office his by ‘right’. Instead, the Church calls him to sacred service and bestows upon him the dignity of the High Priesthood. It is a more elaborat