presanctified

Presanctified, in liturgical usage, refers to the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, a rite used in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in some Eastern Catholic Churches during Great Lent. It is not a full Divine Liturgy; rather, it is a weekday service in which Holy Communion is distributed from gifts that have been consecrated earlier, typically at the Divine Liturgy on a previous Sunday or feast day.

The service is normally observed on weekday evenings during Lent, most commonly on Wednesdays and Fridays, though practice can vary by jurisdiction. It begins with Vespers, followed by prayers, readings, and a brief service culminating in the distribution of Communion from the presanctified gifts. Because no new Eucharistic consecration occurs during the presanctified service, participants receive Communion from elements that were prepared previously.

Structure and liturgical character emphasise penitence and preparation, aligning with the Lenten season. The presanctified gifts are typically bread and wine that have already been blessed and set apart, and the rite may include readings from Scripture, psalms, and prayers, but it does not involve a full Eucharistic celebration. In some traditions, the form of the anaphora and other details align with the Liturgy of St. Basil or the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, depending on local usage.

Origins trace to early Christian practice in Lent, providing a means for the faithful to receive the Eucharist while maintaining Lent’s fasting discipline. The Presanctified Liturgy remains a distinctive feature of liturgical life in many Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic communities during the Lenten season.