St. Sava on the Epiclesis: The Moment Heaven Descends

The text presents a teaching attributed to St. Sava of Serbia concerning the epiclesis in the Divine Liturgy. At the words "We hymn Thee, we bless Thee," the entire congregation, not only the clergy, is obliged to pray inwardly for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful and the offered Gifts. St. Sava specifies that each person should silently repeat three times the prayer: "Lord, Who didst send down Thy Most Holy Spirit at the third hour upon Thine Apostles, take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew us who pray to Thee!"

He insists that at this moment no soul should remain cold; all must be set ablaze with love for God. The faithful become like burning candles, censers of sweet incense, and fragrant smoke rising to heaven. This intensity is warranted because the awesome and life-giving Mystery is then accomplished: by the Holy Spirit the bread and wine are changed into the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, and God Himself appears upon the altar in the flesh.