| What we are certain of is that the Liturgy did develop -greatly - from the time of John
Chrysostom. As time went on, development slowed, but has not completely stopped. I would suppose it reached the
essentially same form as now (but not without some further development) by the time of the Diataxis of Philotheus in the 14th century. One of the reasons development froze was probably the Turkish occupation.
In Chrysostom's time, the Liturgy was probably something like this:
The bishop entered and greeted the people "Peace be to all."
The readings were then done. There was probably a reading from the Old Testament. The prokeimenon was considered a reading. There was certainly a reading from the apostle and the gospels. After each reading there was a homily.
Then there were a series of litanies dismissing the people who were unable to go to Communion (and of those unwilling to go to Communion ?) This included certainly the penitents and catechumens. Then there was a litany with intercessions for the faithful, ending with a prayer of the faithful said by the bishop.
The gifts of bread and wine were then brought in. Possibly Psalm 23 was sung at this point. (The cherubicon was introduced in the sixth century).
The bishop said a prayer of access to the holy table.
The kiss of peace was exchanged by all. (Chrysostom is quite explicit on this.)
(The Creed entered in the sixth century.)
The Bishop said the anaphora, and diptychs were read by the deacon. The people responded "Amen." (By this time, the people certainly sang the Hymn of Triumph - Holy, holy, holy - and "We praise you, we bless you ... ," which are integral parts of the text of the anaphora. They certainly did not sing the hymn to the Theotokos - 9th century.)
The Lord's Prayer was then sung in preparation for Communion (I'm not entirely certain about the order here - probably the bowing of heads was added later.)
The bishop invited people to Communion, "What is holy for the holy." (meaning: only the baptized could receive communion)
All the baptized then received communion, all received in the same way: the body of our Lord in the hands, the deacons administered the cup. (Chrysostom is quite explicit on this.)
Probably Psalm 33 was sung during Communion.
("May our mouth be filled ... was not added until the 6th century, and "We have seen the true light ... much later, 16th century, I think)
The bishop said a prayer of Thanksgiving, and the people were dismissed. (I'm not sure of the dismissal procedure - probably with antidoron.)
Does this seem simpler or shorter? Not shorter - the Liturgy of the Word received more emphasis, and quite lengthy homilies - or, if you prefer, sermons - were preached after each reading.
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