Comparison of the Roman Catholic Mass with the Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy

The text of the Roman Catholic Mass was promulgated by Paul VI (1897–1978) (commonly known as the Roman rite liturgy). The text of the Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy originated with John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) (commonly known as the Byzantine rite liturgy).

I have taken the liturgical texts of these two traditions and made a comparative table. It was very interesting to find many common elements between the two. I was not able to find direct equivalents in all parts of both texts so only those I perceived to be substantial parallels have been included.

Before I provide the comparative table I would like to share a few observations from the book American Eastern Catholics by Fred J. Saato concerning thematic differences between the Roman and the Byzantine liturgies. Saato suggests that the Roman rite liturgy emphasizes the Lord's Supper as the model for the Mass with a simpler use of symbols and an emphasis on the present. He also suggests that the Roman rite uses direct prayers with little repetition and readings alternating with silence. He then suggests that the Byzantine rite liturgy has an eschatological focus stressing heaven on earth in repetition and continual singing of liturgical texts, iconography, incense and other sense related aspects. He also feels that the priest and the congregation face east showing their expectation of Christ coming again.

In light of Saato’s perspective, it seems to me that the differences between the Roman and Byzantine liturgies is not theological at the most basic level (they both see the liturgy as a proclamation of God’s Word and as a reception of Christ’s body and blood made present on the alter), but rather a divergence, to some extent, of the focal metaphors for the liturgy. To phrase it differently, the different theological emphases of these two traditions are centered more on the why and how of the liturgy (i.e., its particular form) than the what of the liturgy (i.e., its essence).

Roman Catholic Mass Text promulgated by Paul VI (Roman Rite)

Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy Text of John Chrysostom (Byzantine Rite)

Trinitarian Greeting: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. [Other forms of greeting are permitted that are not explicitly Trinitarian.] Penitential Rite: Kyrie: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. [There is no direct equivalent to the 1st Antiphon at this point in the Mass.] Gloria: [A hymn retelling the work of Christ in salvation history and as glorified with the Holy Trinity.] Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. [There is no direct equivalent to the 3rd Antiphon at this point in the Mass.]

Trinitarian Greeting: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [A form of the Penitential Rite appears later in the text before the reception of communion.] [The Great Litany uses the phrase “Lord, have mercy” at the end of each petition.] 1st Antiphon: [A hymn with a Marian theme.] 2nd Antiphon: [A hymn retelling the work of Christ in salvation history and as glorified with the Holy Trinity.] Save us, O Son of God, who rose from the dead, we sing to You, Alleluia (repeated three times). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Only begotten Son and Word of God, although immortal You humbled Yourself for our salvation, taking flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and, without change, becoming man. Christ, our God, You were crucified but conquered death by death. You are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us. 3rd Antiphon: [theme varies]

LITURGY OF THE WORD: [The procession with the Gospel book occurs later in the Mass after the 2nd reading.] [There is no direct equivalent to the Thrice Holy Hymn at this point in the Mass.] First Reading: Responsorial Psalm: 2nd Reading: [Responses to the reading of the text varies between the Roman and Byzantine rites.] Lector: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God! Alleluia: Choir or Cantor: Alleluia! All repeat: Alleluia! Choir or Cantor: [a verse is sung] All repeat: Alleluia! Gospel Reading: [The deacon or the priest can read the text.] Deacon (or Priest): The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Deacon (or Priest): A reading from the Holy Gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) All: Glory to you, Lord! After the Gospel Proclamation: Deacon (or Priest): The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Homily: Nicene Creed (or Apostles’ Creed): General Intercessions:

LITURGY OF THE WORD: Procession with the Gospel book: Thrice Holy Hymn: [There is no direct equivalent to the 1st reading at this point in the Divine Liturgy.] [There is no direct equivalent to the Responsorial Psalm at this point in the Divine Liturgy, however the lector does read verses from the Psalms here.] Epistle Reading: [Responses to the reading of the text varies between the Roman and Byzantine rites.] Deacon: Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Alleluia: People: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Gospel Reading: [Only the priest can read the text.] Priest: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be with all. People: And with your spirit. Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). Let us be attentive. All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. After the Gospel Proclamation: People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Homily: [The Nicene Creed Appears later in the liturgy of the Eucharist before the anaphora.] [There is no direct equivalent to the General Intercessions at this point in the Divine Liturgy, however the Great Litany from earlier in the text expresses similar sentiments.]

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Bringing of the Gifts to the Alter: Offertory Hymn: [There is no direct equivalent to the Litany of Petitions at this point in the Mass.] Offertory Prayer: [Prayer to God concerning the gifts.] [The sign of peace occurs later in the text after the Lord’s Prayer.] [Appears earlier in the text before the general intercessions.] Eucharistic Prayer: Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Sanctus: All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. [The Words of Institution occur earlier in the text of the Mass at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer.] Memorial Acclamation: Priest: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. or Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. or When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory. or Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the World. [The invocation of the Holy Spirit to come down upon the gifts and make them holy occurs earlier in the text of the Eucharistic Prayer before the Words of Institution (according to forms 2, 3, and 4 of the Eucharistic Prayer).]

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Bringing of the Gifts to the Alter: [Sometimes this is referred to as the great entrance.] Cherubic Hymn: Litany of Petitions: Proskomide: [Prayer to God concerning the gifts.] [The kiss of peace can be exchanged at this point.] Nicene Creed: Anaphora: Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. People: And with your spirit. Priest: Let us lift up our hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord. People: It is proper and right. Holy, Holy, Holy: People: Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to God in the highest. Words of Institution: [There is no direct equivalent to the Memorial Acclamation at this point in the Divine Liturgy, however the priest prays a prayer with similar themes.] Priest: Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming, We offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts in all and for all. Epiclesis: [A prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to come down upon the gifts an make them holy.]

Commemoration of the Saints: Doxology and Great Amen: [There is no direct equivalent to the Litany of Supplication at this point in the Mass.] The Lord’s Prayer: Sign of Peace: Breaking of the Bread: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace [A form of the Penitential Rite appears at the beginning of the Mass after the opening greeting.] Communion: Communion Hymns: Prayer After Communion: [The order of the Blessing and the Dismissal are reversed in the Roman and Byzantine Rites]. Blessing: Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. [Other forms for the Dismissal may also be used]. Dismissal: Deacon or Priest: Go in the peace of Christ. or The Mass is ended, go in peace. or Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: Thanks be to God!

Commemoration of the Saints: [There is no direct equivalent to the Doxology and Great Amen at this point in the Divine Liturgy.] Litany of Supplication: The Lord’s Prayer: [The kiss of peace customarily occurs earlier in the text before the recitation of the Nicene Creed.] Breaking of the Bread: Priest: The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken but not divided. He is forever eaten yet is never consumed, but He sanctifies those who partake of Him. Penitential Prayer: Communion: Communion Hymns: Prayer After Communion: [The order of the Blessing and the Dismissal are reversed in the Roman and Byzantine Rites]. Dismissal: Priest: Let us depart in peace. Blessing: Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us. People: Amen. Priest: May the holy Trinity protect all of you. (Distributing the antidoron, the priest says:) Priest: May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord be with you.