Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of St. Gregory the Great: Orthodox Service Books

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was first documented by Pope Gregory I (540-604), who had been the Papal Legate to Constantinople. At one time it was supposed that he had composed the Liturgy himself, but now it is generally supposed that he simply recorded what was otherwise being practiced at Constantinople. It is a liturgical service of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is performed on the weekdays of Great Lent wherein communion is received from Gifts (the Body and Blood of Christ) that are consecrated in advance, hence its name. The joyful nature of the full Divine Liturgy is not in keeping with the somberness of Great Lent (a season of repentance, fasting, and intensified prayer when the more frequent reception of communion is desirable) thus the Presanctified is substituted.