25
3 GENIKO LYKEIO GALATSIOU Education and culture Lifelong programme COMENIUS
3 GENIKO LYKEIO GALATSIOU
Education and culture Lifelong programme COMENIUS
We searched for hymns mentioning wine and vine
3 GENIKO LYKEIO GALATSIOU
By reading books and searching web sites westudied the role of wine in our religion.
We looked for references to wine and vine in the Old and theNew Testament
We recorded the use of wine in church rituals
We studied icons and wall paintings depicting Christ as vine.
Seeking for further information we went to the church ofSt Irene right next to our school where the priest, Father Titus,welcomed us warmly and answered gladly all our questions.
The words “ampelos” meaning vine and “oinos” meaning wine are frequently used in the Old Testament.
Wine, along with wheat and oil
are basic fruits of nature,
a blessing of God himself.
Characteristically, in the 103rd
psalm we meet the following:
Meaning:
Wine cheers the heart of man, oil makes his face shining, and bread gives strength to him.
is the symbol of joy and
happiness
In the Old Testament Noah, as a farmer planted
the first vine after the flood
The Jews used to do libations with wine in the
Temple of Solomon
Their first harvests, grapes included, were always offered to God. This
ritual remains the same to this day.
Wine makes life pleasant, under the condition of being used in moderation.
The wine abuse was not approved in the Old Testament because it limits human free will.
The story of Noah and Lott stands as a great example of it.
Israel which is characterized as God’s chosen people, is depicted as vineyard
an icon that in New Testament is used to symbolize Jesus Christ and the church.
Meaning:
Ι am the true vine, you are the branches
and my Father is the husbandman.
Abide in me, and I in you. He that abides in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
In the gospel of St. John there is:
According to the New Testament, Christ’s first public miracle
occurred during a wedding feast at Cana, where he turned water
into wine
In the parable of the good Samaritan, wine is used as a remedy for the injuries.
In the last supper Jesus Christ blesses and consecrates
the wine.
Meaning:
this is My blood, which is shed for you
and for many, for the remission of sins
Holding a cup, he thanks God and blesses the wine. Then he gives his
Apostles to drink as he says:
Jesus Christ institutes the sacrament of Holy communion
Before receiving holy Communion
we prepare ourselves spiritually,
mainly through prayer, contrition
and fasting.
At the divine liturgy we stand in line
and when each one comes forth
the priest gives us Holy Communion
on a spoon.
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION NOWDAYS
Orthodox Hymnography greets Virgin Mary:
Meaning:
Hail, the true vine,which fructified the ripe grape
Metaphorically is referring to Jesus Christ as the “ripe grape”.
During the wedding ceremony the bride and groom drink wine from a single cup, representing
their equal share in the cup of life.
Wine is also used in “Artoklasia”while distributing sweet bread in important feasts
Wine is used at the opening ceremony of a new temple while washing the altar
Wine is used in the washing of the dead people
3 GENIKO LYKEIO GALATSIOU
