Presanctified Liturgy

Come worship the Lord in the Spirit of holiness.

Pre-sanctified Liturgy — Wednesday 7:30 pm

As the penitential capstone of a total fast, the faithful gather to receive the “food of immortality.” Holy Communion, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, is the source and sustaining power of their spiritual effort. It is a divine gift which makes it possible for the faithful to know, to desire, and to strive for a “more perfect communion in the day without evening” of God’s Kingdom.

The elements of the Holy Communion served at this service were sanctified during the Eucharistic celebration on the preceding Sunday. The sections of the Liturgy that constitute the celebration, however, are omitted from the Pre-sanctified Liturgy, enabling the faithful to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, which strengthens them in their spiritual struggle, while maintaining the penitential spirit of the season.

Like all Orthodox worship, the Presanctified Liturgy follows a common pattern which allows the congregation to be totally immersed. The service consists of psalms, prayers and spiritual songs. Like all Orthodox services, the atmosphere is calm and soothing, using only human voices to return praise and thanksgiving to God. The tone and tenor of the prayers, chanting and music are deeply reverent and highly penitential, enabling and calling forth an attitude of deep repentance within the faithful.

Visitors are welcome to join the faithful in prayer and praise.

Details

The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.

We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, within the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.

All services are in the English language and are held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.

Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.

For directions to the Religious Centre click here