The free, flexible liturgies of the post-apostolic period became formalized after Constantines adoption of Christianity. Liturgy developed along different lines in the East and West.

THE EAST
The Eastern church looked to Constantinople, Antioch and Alexandra. Central to worship, even today in the Orthodox Churches, are the liturgy of St Basil and in more common use, the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom. The emphasis in both is upon the unchanging mystery of the Godhead. Orthodox churches are adorned with icons to point worshippers towards the incarnational nature of faith. Through contemplating the lives of Christ and Christ's saints worshippers receive inspiration. Through participation in the sacraments they are moved to witness through acts of service.

Worship revolves around the symbolic representation of God's saving acts - the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ.

A service begins with the 'Prothesis'; the preperation of the clergy, representing the birth of the Savior. This is followed by a procession, carrying the Book  - called the 'Little Entrance' (representing the Incarnate Word in the world). Following come Readings, Psalms and Prayers (representing the ministry of Jesus on earth).

Then a second.more elaborate procession. The Bread and Wine (Representing Christ walking to the Cross); the laying of the altar (Christ laid before our enemies). The communion prayers show forth the crucifixion. Then comes the acts of consecration (the blessing over the elements) and transubstantiation (God's action upon the elements) - representing the resurrection. Then the elements are carried to the congregation, who dip the bread in the wine (representing the Holy Spirit going to the people).

Through this unchanging liturgy the gospel is proclaimed to the world. It is both the mission and the worship of the church. The only change allowed is that of the language it is celebrated in. 

THE WEST
The Western church looked to Rome. They celebrated two main rites, The Roman and the Gallican, the Roman eventually gaining ascendancy. In their earliest form the rites were balanced, simple and consistent with early church practice. Over time the theolgical content altered and elements of magic and superstition came to be a part of the public perception of the Mass.

In 1114 Transubstantiation - the belief that Christ was actually present in the Bread and Wine - became official doctrine. This led to the elevation of the priest. Only he could turn bread into body. There was a change in method - priest turned his back on ne congregation. At the moment of conscecration a bell would be rung.. The Words "This is my body… are spoken.. As the bread was broken the sacrifice of Christ was actually happening again.

Less attention was given to preaching, which fell into decline. As words were all important Latin became the standard language. The Roman service became a drama, with the congregation as spectators. Mass was held every week, sometimes more often, but the people seldom had communion. After 1215 only at Easter did they share the bread.

Masses were also said for the dead and the veneration of saints became important as of course did the doctrines surrounding Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus.

THE REFORMATION
(For a general discussion of some of the figures of the Reformation try this link:-
http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/REFORM/ )

The new theology that came through the reformation meant new patters of worship.

LUTHERAN. Martin Luthers great theme was that of reconciliation by grace, appropriated by faith. He believed the Word was the medium of the revelation. By nature he was conservative, nurtured deeply in he Catholic tradition. As his breach with Rome widened, he began to model a reformed liturgy.

His starting point was the Word, reading the scriptures and preaching in the language of the people. He saw the need for symbolism, sacraments and ritual to satisfy man. No need to abolish liturgical forms - excepting those that were contrary to the gospel.

He saw a need to reform the Mass. His doctrine of 'Consubstantiation' upheld the idea of the real presence of Christ, claiming that the body and blood of Christ co-exsisted with the elements of bread and wine (just as fire and iron co-exsist in a red hot poker).

The Lords Supper was primarily a communion with the Living Christ. In 1523 "Formula Missal" was his first work in liturgy. In it he retained features such as Latin, vestements and candles. .In 1526 came his German Mass (the Deutsche Messe)
a communion rite in his native tongue. Such a liturgy offered his people the opportunity for a truly congregational service.

A significant difference with other reformers of the time was his embracing of music. In 1524 he published a collection entitled "Spiritual Hymns" in which he states "I welcome the arts being used in the service of the Creator".

ZWINGLIAN. Ulrich Zwingli was a Swiss reformer in Zurich at the same time as Luther. Both were in agreement in theological points, but greatly different in attitude to worship and sacraments. Zwingli was far less conservative. Luther would tolerate anything not forbade by scripture, Zwingli would not tolerate anything not spoken of in scripture.

In 1519 he was appointed to the cathedral in Zurich. Traditionally a folk service was held prior to the High mass being celebrated. It featured the Lords prayer, 10 Commandments and the Creeds etc. From 1519 - 1523 Zwingli adopted this as the official service and began to develop it, with longer prayers and a great emphasis upon the sermon. He adopted a simple communion meal and got rid of the Mass totally.

His difficulty with sacramens was on philosophical grounds. Material things could not be agents of Divine Grace. God was spirit, so revealed Himself only through spiritual events, such as the preaching of the Word. He prohibited singing claiming that music was to materialistic. In his communion service bread and wine were simply symbols.

He removed all altars and communion tables and held a communion service only on 4 occasions during the year, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Patron Saint day. Elements were taken to people in their seats.

His influence on worship was profound.

1) Zwingli divorced Word and Sacrament. Preaching became enthroned, but the sacrament degenerated.
2) Zwinglian services became pulpit monologues. The congregation took no vocal part - simply sat and listened. Worship was not congregational.
3) In his desire to simplify, his appeal was only to ear and mind. The visual and emotional had no place.