From Michael Ruse:
This section will cover the parts of the Liturgy: the Prayer of Intercession, the Preparation for Communion and Communion. With the small exceptions of a trinitarian formula added to the end of the doxology and communing with a spoon, Orthodox Christians have kept ancient Church tradition trustworthily alive. That includes the eucharistic formula we hear “the holy things are for the holy,” a deep reverence and lively preparation for receiving the eucharist, communing always with both bread and wine together, communing infants and children, and the meaning of communion as becoming one with Christ. An implication could be drawn that only humans can be thankful for such a communion with the body and blood of Christ.
It is reassuring to read that Church Fathers also thought about the idea of the worthiness of people who approach the holy mysteries of the Church. From the liturgy itself, Metropolitan Hilarion shows us that all the saints, all the faithful, all the baptized in preparation, all ages, all people from different walks in life are called to holiness and called worthy by Christ. Nothing seems more inclusive and more representative in life-giving terms of the very heart of the Orthodox tradition than these parts of the divine liturgy. So, don’t miss out on this liturgical presentation this Saturday at 4:00 p.m.