The Sundays of the Church
Traditionally, all of the altar cloths and appointments of the altar and sanctuary are removed before the Divine Liturgy. Before the chanting of the Qadeeshat, the Priest sprinkles the altar and church walls with Holy Water, in imitation of the anointing of them with the Holy Myron (Chrism) by the Bishop on the day of the church’s dedication. Then the altar cloths and appointments are returned to their proper places in the sanctuary.
The Maronite Church begins its Liturgical Year with these SUNDAYS OF THE CHURCH because it is through the Church that we are born again and encounter Christ’s redemptive acts through the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments).
In a sense, these SUNDAYS OF THE CHURCH are both the beginning and the end of the Liturgical Year. They connect the beginnings of Christ’s saving acts, by His becoming Incarnate, to the culmination of Christ’s saving acts, that is, His Parousia (Second Coming).
It is through the Church that we receive the Incarnate Christ in the Eucharist (“We remember Your Death, we proclaim Your Resurrection”) and prepare to receive Him in His Glory (“We await Your Second Coming”). Therefore, it is most appropriate that we honor and celebrate the Church, the Bride of Christ, each year on these Sundays.
Note: If November 1st falls on a Monday or Tuesday, then there is only one SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH, entitled the Consecration of the Church. If November 1st falls on any other day, then an additional SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH is celebrated, entitled the Renewal of the Church.
