Absence for a cause 'worthy of a blessing'

[Jurretta J. Heckscher]

Dear fellow Monachos participants:

This morning, as occasionally happens, I found myself unable to attend Liturgy because of illness. I know, of course, that my situation was embraced in the liturgical prayer in which we ask God to remember all those "absent from this Liturgy for a cause worthy of a blessing," and I know of course that because we are members of each other in the Body of Christ, my brothers' and sisters' participation in the Liturgy was also in a real sense my own. For all these mercies, I am grateful.

Nevertheless, my question is this: does anyone know of any particular prayers that one who is unavoidably absent from Liturgy can or should say privately in order to link themselves more deeply to the celebration of the Eucharist that they cannot physically attend?

If so, I would be grateful to know about them.

Yours in Christ,

--Jurretta

[Fr Averky]

Dear in Christ Loretta,

When there is no priest available, laity are permiteed to say the Typica, or "Obednitsa," or the more simple Slavonic-"Izobrazitilnaya."

Please go to:

http:/pages,prodigy.netfr.johnwhiteford/orologion.htm

or to

orlapubs.com/AR/R263.html

on these related sites, you will find ae entire list of Reader's services, including Typica, or the 2nd site, which will take you directly to Typica.

I pray these sites will help.

In Christ,

Fr. A.

[Fr Averky]

Sorry juretta-wrong name!

I just wanted to say, in our version of the Divine Liturgy, which came from the Greek, we have no petiton, "For those absent from this liturgy worthy of a blessing." I see nothing wrong in it, for it is quite nice, and I would like to learn its origin.

For eighty years, our church has added the words, "For the suffering Russian land its Orthodox people, both in the homeland and the diaspora, let us pray to the Lord."

Throughout history, various Churches have added I have been adding petitions for soldieers in time of war.

I like the idea of the petition you quoted, but I myself cannot include it without an act of the Synod of Bishops, but I am going to mention it. Thank you, and may you be worthy of many blessings!

[Jurretta J. Heckscher]

Dear Father Averky:

Thank you so much for this information! It is just what I was looking for. I found the link to the exact service you mention at http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/typica.htm . Others may also be glad, as I was, to find links to other pages of service texts assembled online by Father John at the same site.

I do not know the origin of the brief petition I mentioned for those absent from Liturgy, but it has always been a comfort to me to hear it, knowing that there were some in the community who could not be present and that such is sometimes my own situation. I believe the words are a usual part of the Liturgy in Orthodox Church in America parishes, and I beieve I have heard them in Greek Orthodox churches in the U.S. as well. For several years I was blessed to attend a wonderful church (Moscow Patriarchate) where the Liturgy was in Slavonic, but I am afraid I do not remember whether those words were included in the Liturgy there.

Thank you again for this information.

Yours in Christ,

--Jurretta

[Loretta]

Dear Jurretta,
I have some physical disabilities that on occasion prevent me from attending Liturgy on Sundays. Some months back I accidently walked out with a Liturgy Book in my hands and didn't realize it until I was half way home. So now if I'm unable to attend services I sit at home and read the Liturgy beginning at the same time the services are being held at my church. (Sometimes I can almost hear their voices singing!)

May God forgive me for not returning the book, but I do find solace by participating in this way though I am fifteen miles away.

Loretta

[Fr Averky]

Dear Loretta, Right person this time

I can understand your following the liturgy at home, but may I suggest that if your book contains the secret prayers of the priest-do not recite them, just the parts for choir including the petitions. Of course, read the Gospel and Epistle of the day.

In Christ,

Fr. A.

[Loretta]

No Father, I don't recite the priest's secret prayers. I do recite the choir parts including the petitions. Thanks for bringing that up though.

Loretta