"Catechumens depart!"

[Ramon96]

Hello,

It is my understanding that it was common in the early centuries of the Church, that the visitors and even catechumens were dismissed from the service when the Supper [Eucharist] was to be celebrated. Is this still done today by Eastern Orthodox Church? Does the Priest/Bishop still saids "Catechumens Depart"?

Thanks

 

[ikonographics]

In the early centuries of the Church the content of the Symbol of Faith, the Lords prayer and the Mysteries were kept secret from those who were not baptized. Catechumens were allowed to participate in the first part of the Liturgy called the Liturgy of the Word so as to hear the Scripture readings and the sermon. They had to depart before the "Liturgy of the Faithful." When the Empire became Christian and there were no longer many/any catechumens the exclamation in the Liturgy "Catechumens depart" remained. "The doors! The Doors" also comes from this time when the doors were closed so no one uninitiated could attend the Liturgy of the Faithful.
Today it is almost impossible to put this into practice.

 

[Aristokles]

Hello,

It is my understanding that it was common in the early centuries of the Church, that the visitors and even catechumens were dismissed from the service when the Supper [Eucharist] was to be celebrated. Is this still done today by Eastern Orthodox Church? Does the Priest/Bishop still saids "Catechumens Depart"?

Thanks

This is still done in a few parishes (mostly ROCOR), but the deacon or sub-deacon orders "Catechumens depart!", not the priest or bishop. Nowadays where this is done catechumans and visitors are not chased totally out of the temple but merely go to the narthex from where they can still see the service.

 

[Bessie]

When I was becoming Roman Catholic they did dismiss us after the homily. We would leave the Mass and go to a room and read the readings for that day and study them etc.

My priest doesn't say "catechumen depart" because he says he doesn't like to lie in church. His feeling is that it's an insane concept in today's world where any visitor can come and stay for the entire service but a catechumen, who is genuinely seeking God and church would have to leave. He did say before I was Chrismated once, "When there are 400 of you I will kick you out."

Bessie

 

[Akathist]

"The Doors The Doors" is said by our Deacon as is "Catechumen's Depart". But we don't make them move even to the porch area. (I never heard that called the narthex in my parish but it is the area called the narthex in my old methodist church.)

It was very confusing to me at first because I didn't understand why it was left in the service if it was no longer used. The explanation I was given was that it was left because unfortunately, under persecution, it might be needed again.

The other explanation is that no one wanted to take it out because they don't like to make changes like that.

Now it helps me to focus on how far into the service we are. If I have gotten sleepy it also startles me a bit awake too. (I never thought I could get a bit sleepy standing up and singing but apparently I have adapted!) LOL

 

[Kolya]

I was told it's an integral part of the Liturgy, and it's left there to remind us of our roots. Nobody is removed or chased out at this point anymore in MP churches.

 

[Ramon96]

Thanks. I was a little worry because I am going to attend a [Antiochian] Orthodox Church soon and I was wondering what I will do if the Priest/Bishop/ or Deacon say "Catechumens depart". Thanks to hear that this is done in only a few parishes.

Second, what do you do when the other Faithful is going up to the Priest/Bishop to receive the Body and Blood of Christ [The Eucharist]? I know in the Roman Catholic Church, non-Catholics can still come up to receive a blessing from the Priest . Is this done in the Eastern Orthodox Churches or do I have to stay standing while the others receive the Mysteries?

Third, is it true that all EOC have some wine and bread for the Faithful to partake after they receive the Eucharist? I was told this is to make sure that the Eucharistic pieces doesn't stay in your mouth.

Thanks.

 

[fuerein]

Thanks. I was a little worry because I am going to attend a [Antiochian] Orthodox Church soon and I was wondering what I will do if the Priest/Bishop/ or Deacon say "Catechumens depart". Thanks to hear that this is done in only a few parishes.

Second, what do you do when the other Faithful is going up to the Priest/Bishop to receive the Body and Blood of Christ [The Eucharist]? I know in the Roman Catholic Church, non-Catholics can still come up to receive a blessing from the Priest . Is this done in the Eastern Orthodox Churches or do I have to stay standing while the others receive the Mysteries?

Third, is it true that all EOC have some wine and bread for the Faithful to partake after they receive the Eucharist? I was told this is to make sure that the Eucharistic pieces doesn't stay in your mouth.

Thanks.

When it is time for Communion it depends. If the church has pews, just let everyone else pass by so they can join the line. If there are no pews there will be a good deal of people milling about, I found it easiest to go to the very back of the church and find a place against the back wall, otherwise you end up continually moving trying to get out of the way especially if the church is even slightly full. I don't believe there is any equivalent to how you can receive a blessing from a RC priest. At least I've never seen anyone get that, everyone I've known just stands out of the way.

Not all churches have wine after the Eucharist. I've been to several where I don't recall ever seeing wine served, though my church does serve wine afterward. All the churches I've been to though did serve some bread.

 

[E.C.]

Even when the faithful do go up to commune, it is customary for the faithful to bring the little bread pieces to visitors.

If you're a visitor and there are many babushki or yai-yais nearby, you will receive quite a bit.

The best thing in that case is to accept it gracefully. The grandma folk have the largest hearts and the best cooking!

 

[-Kyriaki-]

I went up to receive a blessing a few times before I was baptised. Depends on the Priest.

For the first little while, just stand out of the way. If you are allowed to receive a blessing like that by the Priest someone will tell you after a while

 

[Ramon96]

Thanks!