In the Coptic Orthodox Divine Liturgy there is a Fraction called "O Lamb of God" also called the "Fraction by St. Cyril".
Notice how the Christian Theology of Salvation is woven very beautifully in the Fraction? Notice how the Fraction prayer is about current participation and cooperation [union and communion] with God here and now (ie. that He's not far away "pie-in-the-sky").
Notice how the Christian Theology of Salvation is woven very beautifully in the Fraction? Notice how the Fraction prayer is about current participation and cooperation [union and communion] with God here and now (ie. that He's not far away "pie-in-the-sky").
Notice the language of 'raising', of ascent to heavenly joy, of restoration/healing of things as they should be, which is one of the blessings of Liturgical life.
This fraction is an example of how the life of the Church and the Liturgical life preserves truths of the mystery of the Cross and remains vibrant in the heart of the Body of Christ.
As we meditate on the beauty of the Fraction, here are two sobering thoughts that Fr. Alexander Schmemann mentions in one of his books concerning Liturgy and the Christian Life:
"I am convinced that the genuine revival of the Church begins with eucharistic revival, but in the fullness of this word. The tragic flaw in the history of Orthodoxy has proven to be not only the incompleteness but, I daresay, the absence of a theology of the sacraments, its reduction into western schemes and categories of thought. The Church is not an organization but the new people of God. The Church is not a religious cult but a liturgy, embracing the entire creation of God. The Church is not a doctrine about the world to come but the joyous encounter of the kingdom of God. It is the sacrament of peace, the sacrament of salvation and the sacrament of the reign of Christ."
+ Fr Alexander Schmemann, The Eucharist
"What concerns the eucharist concerns the Church, and what concerns the Church concerns the eucharist, so that any ailment in the liturgy reflects on our faith and on the whole life of the Church."
+ Fr Alexander Schmemann, The Eucharist
Let us continue to pray for lived theology in our lifelong liturgical participation in the divine life of Christ. Glory to God for all things.
The Fraction by St. Cyril (Fraction of “O Lamb of God”)
O Lamb of God, who through Your sufferings have borne the sins of the world, blot out our iniquities through Your compassion.
O only-begotten of God, who through Your Blood have cleansed the filth of the world, cleanse the filth of our souls through Your mercies.
O Christ of God, who through Your death have slain death that had slain all, by Your power raise up the deadness of our souls.
O You who receive the offerings, who have offered Yourself in place of sinners, accept our repentance, we, who are sinners.
For without favor have we come forth into Your presence, knocking on the door of Your tender mercies. So, grant us, O You who are rich in mercies, healing out of the treasures of Your remedies.
Heal, O Compassionate One, our wretched souls by the emollient ointments of Your life-giving Mysteries.
Cleanse our bodies; wash aways our iniquities; make us worthy of the coming down of Your Holy Spirit upon our souls.
Enlighten our minds that we may behold Your praiseworthiness. Purify our thoughts and mingle us with Your glory.
Your love has brought You down to our lowliness; let Your grace raise us up to Your highness.
Your compassion has compelled You and You were incarnate in our flesh; and You have manifested Your hiddeness openly.
Manifest in the souls of Your servants the glory of Your life-giving Mysteries.
At the offering of the sacrifice upon the altar, sin shall cease from our members through Your grace.
When Your glory comes down upon Your Mysteries, we lift our minds up to behold Your splendor.
At the turning of the bread and wine into Your body and Blood, our souls shall be turned unto fellowship with Your glory, and our souls shall be united to Your divinity.
Create in us, O our Lord and our God, a pure heart, and let Your Spirit dwell within us.
Renew our senses by Your power and make us worthy of Your gift.
From the cup of Your Blood, we drink; grant us a spiritual taste that we may discern the taste of Your life-giving Mysteries.
We come forth into Your presence trusting in Your mercy, and You shall dwell in us with love.
Fill us with Your fear and inflame our hearts with desire for You.
Place Your grace in us; purify our senses through Your mercy.
Grant us pure tears and cleanse us from the filth of sin.
Make us a holy temple for Your dwelling and purified vessels for receiving You, that having tasted of Your Flesh, we may be made worthy to taste Your grace, and having drunk Your Blood, we may be made worthy of the sweetness of Your love.
You have granted us to eat Your Flesh openly, make us worthy to be united to You secretly (ie. mysteriously).
You have granted us to drink of the cup of Your Blood openly, make us worthy to mingle with Your purity secretly (ie. mysteriously).
And as You are one in Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, may we be one in You and You in Us, that Your saying may be fulfilled, “That they may all be one in Us.”
So that with boldness, we may call God Your Father, a Father to us, and say in an expressive voice,
Our Father...
