Rite of Constantinople

The Byzantine Rite, also known as the Greek Rite or Constantinopolitan Rite, is the liturgical rite used by the Eastern Orthodox Church and certain Eastern Catholic Churches. It has also been employed, although less frequently, in the Anglican Communion and Lutheran denominations. (e.g., it is utilized by the Society of Eastern Rite Anglicanism, and the Ukrainian Lutheran Church). Its development began during the fourth century in Constantinople and it is now the second most-used rite in Christendom after the Roman Rite.

Byzantine Rite was originally developed and used in Greek language and later, with introduction of Eastern Orthodoxy to other ethnic groups it was translated into local languages and continued further development. Historically, most important non-Greek variants of Byzantine Rite are: Byzantine-Slavonic and Byzantine-Georgian.

The rite consists of the divine liturgies, canonical hours, forms for the administration of sacred mysteries (sacraments) and the numerous prayers, blessings and exorcisms developed by the Church of Constantinople.

Also involved are the specifics of architecture, icons, liturgical music, vestments and traditions which have evolved over the centuries in the Eastern Orthodox Church and which are associated with this rite. Traditionally, the congregation stands throughout the whole service, and an iconostasis separates the sanctuary from the nave of the church. The faithful are very active in their worship, making frequent bows and prostrations, and feeling free to move about the temple (church building) during the services. Also, traditionally, the major clergy and monks neither shave nor cut their hair or beards.

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