The Heavenly Banquet: Understanding the Divine Liturgy

by
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis


Father Emmanuel Hatzidakis
About the Author:
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis

Fr. Emmanuel was born in Greece on the island of Crete and is a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Fr. Emmanuel studied in Greece, Rome, and the United States. His undergraduate degree from Oberlin College is in Classics, and he has done additional graduate coursework in this field at the University of Chicago. Fr. Emmanuel has a Masters of Divinity degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA. In 2001 Fr. Emmanuel founded Orthodox Witness, a not-for-profit group dedicated to Orthodox Christian evangelism. Fr. Emmanuel recently retired from serving a parish, and is dedicating more time to writing.
E-mail Fr. Emmanuel


A book much needed, and unlike anything that has appeared in the English language on this subject, The Heavenly Banquet is more than a liturgical commentary. With an abundance of copiously documented biblical citations and rich patristic references, the Divine Liturgy is explained line by line, word by word. This book unhesitantly answers all kinds of complex liturgical, social, and theological questions.


“...a worthy contribution to Orthodox America
in this 21st Century, written for
our time, for our needs, and
for the good pasturing of the flock...”


† NATHANIEL, Archbishop of Detroit (OCA)
From his Foreword to The Heavenly Banquet

In depth, yet easy to follow, written in simple, understandable language, this book will aid Catechists and instructors who can draw from its abundant material for presentation and discussion. This work will be of great benefit to any Orthodox Christian who wants to obtain a better understanding of the Divine Liturgy. The richness and the depth of the subjects treated herein make The Heavenly Banquet a treasure.

420 pages,$40.00



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Orthodox Witness
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Response to The Heavenly Banquet


"Father Emmanuel, Congratulations and many thanks for publishing the book. It is impressive as well as useful. [...] I have shown it to a number of our clergy. I will make it available for review at our clergy conference. Certainly the Lord was with you as you worked to make sure that no one can any longer say, “I don’t get anything from the Liturgy!”
The Lord Bless!
 +Nathaniel Archbishop
"It is a very handsome edition, appealing and impressive to the eye. I am certain the reader will be edified by your work... Congratulations!"
Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas

"This superb book introduces one to the inexhaustible riches of the Divine Liturgy. Its 420 pages (large format) includes the actual text of the liturgy. Its purpose is to help us participate in the greatest of all Banquets joyfully and meaningfully: All you will ever want to know about the liturgy---and more---is offered to you in this one volume."
Light and Life Publishing

 "The book is excellent! It is becoming very popular in our parish and even beyond. We use it extensively in our Adult Class studies. It proved to be very effective and spiritually fruitful. We found it very concise, well written, and, last but not least, it is written strictly within the Eucharistic Ecclesiology perspective, which is very much relevant to building up the genuine Eucharistic community, the thing which we are trying to accomplish in our parish. Thank you so much for the great job the author, the publisher and the distributor have done. It is very much timely enterprise conducive to Eucharistic Revival and for the Unity of the Orthodoxy in the North America.”
Priest Vitaly Dudkin

"I can’t tell you how much we have all enjoyed your book and how it has been the underpinning of a growth in the minds of our parishioners towards renewing their faith and increasing their knowledge and understanding of our services. Many, many thanks!”
Fr. Patrick Gariano

"How does one describe a magnificent banquet?... You’ve actually used the text of the Liturgy (as it should be) for explanation, not merely the actions. Bear in mind that if you convince your readers to take the words seriously, you are creating a NEW liturgical community... I am INSPIRED by your book..."
Father Jim Doyle,
Chicago

"This book will truly be a blessing to many. If I were financially able, I would supply this book for every family.  I would also encourage young and old to read the book, and would urge parents to have it handy and to actually review the Divine Liturgy with their children of every age – pointing them to the mystery and blessing of our Lord’s presence!"
Edward Wolfe
(former Lutheran Pastor), Collinsville, IL


"Every Orthodox household should have The Heavenly Banquet next to their Bible."
Peggy Powell,
O’Fallon, IL

"A gem for all Orthodox Christians: a detailed commentary on the liturgy, drawing heavily on patristic and contemporary resources. The multi-layered text is fundamentally simple enough to be readily accessible to any reasonably good reader, but in the extensive footnotes delves deeply enough to offer fresh insights to almost anyone, no matter how erudite. There's also enough controversial material to stimulate (hopefully productive!) thought — from its misbegotten apologia for "modern" English to its truly interesting (and well documented) considerations of such questions as congregational participation, the silent reading of the eucharistic prayers, the kiss of peace, frequency of communion, etc. Structured to contemporary Greek practice, the variations from Slavonic practice are more likely to be illuminating than disturbing. Sturdily bound as a permanent reference work. An extensive bibliography, Scriptural reference table and index enhance its utility."
The Saint John of Kronstadt Press


"You have written a truly marvelous and inspirational book - may our Good Lord bless you for the love, dedication and hard work you have done in His name!"
Kathrine Sharos,
St. Louis, MO


"The Heavenly Banquet is such a beautiful book that we would like to order 7 more for resale in our monastery bookstore!"
Mother Olga,
St. Barbara Monastery, Santa Paula, CA

"Your Divine Liturgy book... is an excellent resource for anyone. I even use it as an apologetic source. There are so many wonderful articles regarding Mary, the Saints, and the Eucharist. I just wanted to write to tell you it is a excellent book. I highly recommend to anyone. Also it has a beautiful cover. It is now my official coffee table book. When guests come over, it is a great way to lead someone into a conversation of the Orthodox Church."
Chris Carpunky,
Granite City, IL


"Your new book looks marvelous!"
Sister Ioanna


"A new, monumental, brilliant book for personal study, reference, and adult education."
Dn Nicholas Jannakos,
Albuquerque, NM


"Oh, what an amazing jewel of a spiritual treasure The Heavenly Banquet is to all those who have been called to search for the deeper meaning of this Mystery of union of human beings with God--The Divine Liturgy ... you have accomplished what is most needed today -- to bring out and explain the meaning of that which all Orthodox faithful should have -- a clear understanding of the Divine Liturgy for the purpose of a more active participation and union with God.
Sam Miller,
Columbia, MO


"What I have read is brilliant.  There have been 4 times in 60 pages I have been moved to tears.  Unending goose bumps and a feeling of great joy as I read. I find it amazing!  Your words have put a new reality into play in my head. It has opened my mind’s eye in a most beautiful way."
Deb Youroukos,
Mount Vernon, IL


"I thoroughly enjoyed reading [your book] (from cover to cover) and will share it with others in our community. Thank you for putting it together, the web references are fantastic... Reading your explanations was the perfect next step in my learning process. May God grant you good health and continued energy in preparing such works."
Mary Pruitt



"The book is excellent! The best on the subject in terms of its usage for Adult Bible classes. Perfectly edited and published. Great Eucharistic approach. Thank you!"
Rev. Vitaly Dudkin



"Father Emmanuel, Christ is Risen! I studied with great interest the text of the Explanation of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. My warm congratulations... This work you labored testifies that you worked with great zeal and love... There are a plethora of references, extensive analysis, scientific documentation, but also beautiful introductions... You cast light on many issues..."
Father Panagiotis Christodoulou,
Cyprus



 

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Review of The Heavenly Banquet

Orthodox Witness, after a small publication, Preaching Another Christ (2002), and The Garden of the Holy Spirit (2006), makes its presence felt through a new ambitious publication: The Heavenly Banquet ("THB" or "commentary"), a 420 page explanation of the Divine Liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy is a great mystery, but this does not justify the ignorance of the people concerning what is taking place in it, what is its purpose, what are the benefits derived from it, what should our participation be, etc. In the pages of THB one will find both concise and expanded answers to these and other important questions, the end result of which is a fuller, more rewarding and more meaningful participation in the Divine Liturgy.

By reading the Introduction alone, one is introduced into the inexhaustible riches of the Divine Liturgy. But THB goes on, in its more than 300 dense pages that follow, to provide answers to a multiplicity of questions. Why do we pray for our armed forces? The question leads to a brief examination of the issue of war. The petition, For favorable weather leads to an exploration of the issue of God’s involvement in the world. Praying for the dead leads to a study on the souls, remembering the bishop leads to a brief study of the bishop’s role in the Church, calling God Father leads to an excursion on the first person of the Holy Trinity, and praying for healing leads to a study on miracles. Many other issues are addressed in a similar fashion, including suffering, grace, intercession and veneration of saints, inspiration, judgment, open communion, significance of dogma, and so on.

The commentary examines in depth certain crucial issues, such as:

The commentary returns to a few points with persistence. Active and joyful participation by the people stands out — participation through a fuller comprehension, by joining in the singing, by praying and, especially, through participation in the holy sacraments. The commentary insists that the so-called secret prayers be read out loud. Another important point stressed by the book is a joyful participation in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

THB opens new vistas, offering an eschatological perspective of the Eucharistic Mystery, and a renewed call for regular participation of the Eucharist. It contains extensive sections on how to prepare for Holy Communion, on how frequently to approach, it provides guidance on Communion fasting, and an explanation of the great mystery and what it does to those who partake of it.

The commentary does not balk at addressing difficult and controversial issues:

Follow THB and the Divine Liturgy won’t be boring to you ever again. THB will help you pray with understanding, with meaning, with fervor, with spiritual joy.