OCU makes Eucharistic prayer optional, allows omission of Catechumens' Litany
The OCU "Holy Synod" has introduced several changes to its worship practices, bringing them closer to the liturgical traditions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
On December 5, 2019, the "Holy Synod" of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) decided to make the recitation of the Troparion of the Third Hour during the Eucharistic Canon optional and to allow the omission of the Litany of the Catechumens in churches where no one is preparing for baptism, according to the OCU's official website.
Specifically, the "synod" approved a proposal by the "Synodal Theological and Liturgical Commission" to introduce an alternative practice during the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great. Under the decision, clergy may omit the Troparion of the Third Hour from the Eucharistic Prayer, while retaining the existing practice of reciting it.
The OCU "synod" explained that the decision was consistent with an ancient tradition still followed in Greek-language celebrations of the Divine Liturgy.
In addition, citing "the liturgical practice of other Local Churches, particularly the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece," the OCU "synod" ruled that the Litany of the Catechumens would be mandatory only in parishes where people are preparing for baptism and undergoing catechesis.
At the same time, the "synod" decided that "where no catechumens are present, this litany may be omitted so that the liturgical prayer corresponds to the actual presence of those for whom it is offered."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a hierarch of the Phanar had prohibited priests from denying Communion to non-Orthodox Christians.
