Byzantine rite

The open celebration of the liturgy of the Byzantine rite with the rank of bishop

The Byzantine rite, the Greek rite - one of the eastern liturgical rites . Used by various Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches . Usually, when they speak of “Orthodox worship,” they mean the Byzantine rite, although there are Orthodox communities using a different liturgical tradition; as well as Greek Catholics conduct services in the Byzantine rite.

The Byzantine rite developed in antiquity in the Patriarchate of Constantinople , later spreading to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and Antioch . Slavs and Romanians adopted the Byzantine rite from Constantinople .

Currently, two rites of the Divine Liturgy are practiced in the Byzantine rite: the Liturgy of John Chrysostom and the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great . In addition, on Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated . In the days of remembrance of the Apostle James, brother of the Lord , the Liturgy of the Apostle James can be performed. All services of the Byzantine rite are performed in the framework of the daily (day) circle , weekly circle and annual circle .

The performance of the liturgy according to the hierarchal rank in the Byzantine rite has a number of features (which do not change the general order ) and is particularly solemn ^[1] .