MAR 3: PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY – 6:00 PM. Note: Confession available before and after Liturgy.
On this day we commemorate Saint Nicephorus. He originally was a dignitary for the court of Empress Irene, and later was known as a pious man after joining the monastic life. He was an ardent supporter of the Holy Icons and later exiled by Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian, and later died in the year 828. He completed 3 writings against Iconoclasm. His relics were opened in 846 and moved from Prokonnis to Constantinople, then to Hagia Sophia for one day, and then transferred to the Church of the Holy Apostles, except his hands were preserved in Mount Athos.
(NOTE: PreSanctified Liturgy books are in the church).
THE HOLY LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS ACCORDING TO BYZANTINE RITE TRADITION (from the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh): https://archpitt.org/the-holy-liturgy-of-the-presanctified-gifts-according-to-byzantine-rite-tradition/
THE DIVINE LITURGY OF THE PRESANTIFIED GIFTS E-VERSION (note – this is a “draft,” but if you don’t have a book, it can guide you): PresanctifiedGifts
or you can purchase from Byzantine Seminary Press at the following: https://www.byzantineseminarypress.com/the-divine-liturgy-of-the-presanctified-gifts-peoples-version-with-music/
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated during the Great Fast, and provides the faithful with the opportunity to receive Holy Communion on those days when the Eucharistic Sacrifice is not celebrated. The word “presanctified” indicates that the “gifts” (the Body and Blood of Christ) which are distributed at the service are those consecrated at a previous Eucharist. Information about the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts from the Metropolitan Cantor Institute: https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/DivineLiturgyPresanctifiedGifts.html
