|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
In the early Church, the blessing above marked the end of the Divine Liturgy. There was no need for additional thanksgiving prayers since the Eucharistic Prayer is already the
preeminent offering of gratitude to God for all of his blessings.
Nevertheless, over the course of the centuries, it seemed right for the Church to further elaborate its praise and thanksgiving to the Lord I for having given us the great sacrament of His Body and Blood. This takes the form of two hymns, Lutsak ee parooyants kots Der "We have been filled with your good things, O Lord" [50]; and Kohanamk uzken Der "We give thanks to you, O Lord" [51].
While the choir and people sing these songs, the celebrant offers another prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of all the people [51-52].
The curtain is closed during this period while the priest and deacons clean the chalice and paten, and return all the liturgical vessels to their proper places.



