| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| LENTEN TRIODION | LENTEN TRIODION – One of the basic liturgical books of the Orthodox Church, which contains hymns and prayers proper to the period of Lent and Passion Week; the Lenten Triodion begins with the fourth Sunday before Lent — the “Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee” — and concludes with Holy Saturday. There are two… Read More |
| LESSER ENTRANCE | LESSER ENTRANCE – The procession of the priest preceded by the altar boys during the singing of the Beatitudes at Divine Liturgy. The priest carries the Gospel Book. When a Bishop is serving at this point he enters the sanctuary from the cathedra where he was from the beginning of the Liturgy. |
| LESSER SAINT | LESSER SAINT – (sometimes called a “minor” or “small” saint) is not, of course, a saint who is less important, but rather one whose celebration is smaller or less than other ranks of saints. |
| LEVITICUS | LEVITICUS – The history of religion in the time of the Prophet Moses, and the Law given through him from God. Book of the Old Testament, one of the five books written by Moses. Leviticus contains extremely specific details of the laws and priestly rituals. The first 16 chapters and the last chapter make up… Read More |
| LIFE | LIFE – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 |
| LIGHT | LIGHT – 1)The Bible frequently uses light as a symbol of God and of that which is good, that which overcomes the darkness of sin and death. Candles are used in churches to symbolize the light of Christ. Christians are lights shining in the world to show the way of righteousness and salvation (Matt. 5:14;… Read More |
| LIGHT OF LIGHT | LIGHT OF LIGHT – In the creed, the words: “Light of Light” signify that when the sun rises, light appears simultaneously, together with it: so God the Father and God the Son are of ONE indivisible Divine substance. |
| LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH | LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Rev 5:5 |
| LITANY | LITANY – (Sl. Ekteniya) A form of prayer consisting of brief invocations and petitions to which the choir or congregation makes a response. |
| LITIYA | LITIYA – (Lity, litia) A word implying a fervent, prolonged prayer. It is a service of blessing of the breads joined to the Vespers on the eve of major feasts. Five breads, oil and wine are blessed. In the prayer of blessing we ask our Lord that as He blessed the five loaves and fed… Read More |
| LITTLE ENTRANCE | LITTLE ENTRANCE – A procession with the Gospel book during the first part of the Divine Liturgy, which begins during the third antiphon and concludes during the entrance hymn “Come, let us worship” |
| LITTLE ZNAMENNY CHANT | LITTLE ZNAMENNY CHANT – One of the varieties of znamenny chant, characterized by brevity of melodic development and prevalence of recitative (see also great znamenny chant) |
| LITURGICAL BOOKS | LITURGICAL BOOKS – The first place among the books used in the divine services is occupied by the books of the Gospel (Gr. Evangelion; Sl. Evangelie), the Epistle and the Psalter, which are from the Bible. The next place belongs to the following books: the Priest’s Service Book (Hieratikon or Sluzhebnik), the Horologion (Book of… Read More |
| LITURGICAL DAY | LITURGICAL DAY – A liturgical day includes the cycle of services beginning with vespers in the evening and ending with the 9th hour the following afternoon. Thus when we speak of services for Sunday, or the Resurrection service, we begin with vespers, which is served Saturday evening. Similarly, vespers for the 25th of the month… Read More |
| LITURGICS | LITURGICS – The theological field that studies the liturgies and the various services and rituals of the Church. |
| LITURGY | LITURGY – (Gr. a public duty or work) The work or public service of the people of God, which is the worship of the one true God. As a word liturgy means the common work or action of a particular group of people for the sake of all. Thus the divine liturgy of the Christian… Read More |
| LIVING BREAD, THE | LIVING BREAD, THE – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 |
| LIVING STONE | LIVING STONE – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,” 1 Pet 2:4 |
| LOGOS | LOGOS – (Gr. Word) St. John the Evangelist uses this expression for the Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Who was God from the beginning, and through Him all things were made. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (JoHN 1:1-18). This Gospel is read at Divine Liturgy… Read More |
| LORD | LORD – (an appellation or Title of Jesus) The Second Person of the Most Holy TRINITY is called “Lord” because He is as true God as God the Father. “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;” Rom 1:3 “These shall make war… Read More |
| LORD’S PRAYER | LORD’S PRAYER – The prayer “Our Father” taught by our Lord to the Apostles. In the Gospel of Matthew (6:9-13) in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches about prayer and tells how to pray: After this manner therefore pray ye . . . This form is universally used by Christians. In Luke 11:2-4 the… Read More |
| LOVE | LOVE – Charity, union, affection, friendship; unselfish concern for another’s good. The love of Christians for each other and for the world is a reflection of the love between the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. (John 11:3, 36; 1 Cor. 13; 1 John 4:8, 16.) |
| LUKE | LUKE (Gospel of St. Luke) – Although the document is internally anonymous, the authorship of this Gospel has been traditionally ascribed to the Apostle Luke, a physician who accompanied the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary travels. The Gospel is also the longest of the four canonical Gospels. The text narrates the life of… Read More |
| LXX | LXX (SEPTUAGINT) – The LXX was recognized as the authoritative Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures and was read in the synagogues and churches of the Hellenistic world. Most Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are based on the LXX, not the Hebrew. Of particular interest is Paul’s use of the LXX since, as… Read More |