THE DIVINE LITURGY
OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Diocese of Sourozh
1999
THE ENTRANCE PRAYERS AND THE VESTING
Deacon: Master, give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen. O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life; come, and abide in us; cleanse us from all impurity, and, of thy goodness, save our souls.
Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we sinners, lacking all excuse, offer to thee as to our Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in thee have we put our trust. Do not be angry with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down upon us even now, since thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for thou art our God, and we are thy people; we are all the work of thy hands, and we call upon thy name.
Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Open to us the doors of compassion, O blessed Mother of God. Inasmuch as we have put our hope in thee, may we not go astray, but find deliverance from adversities through thee; for thou art the salvation of the Christian people.
They go in front of the icon of Christ and, kissing it, say:
We venerate thy most pure icon, gracious Lord, and ask forgiveness for our transgressions, O Christ our God. Of thy good will thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned. Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to thee: thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, for thou didst come to save the world.
They go in front of the icon of Mother of God and, kissing it, say:
As a fountain of tenderness, count us worthy of thy compassion, O Mother of God. Look upon a people who have sinned and reveal thy power as always, for putting our hope in thee, we cry aloud: Hail! as once did Gabriel, the commander of the bodiless hosts.
The priest bows his head and recites this prayer:
Priest: O Lord, stretch forth thy hand from thy holy dwelling place on high, and strengthen me for this, thy ministry which awaits me; that, standing without condemnation before thy dread throne, I may celebrate the bloodless sacrifice. For thine is the power and the glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
They turn and bow to the people, then enter the sanctuary, saying:
I will enter thy house; I will worship toward thy holy temple in the fear of thee. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make my way straight before thee. For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vanity, their throat is an open sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue. Judge them, O God, let them fall by their own counsels; because of the multitude of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against thee, O Lord. But let all those who trust in thee be glad; they shall rejoice for ever; thou shalt dwell in them, and all who love thy name shall exult in thee. For thou shalt bless the righteous, O Lord, thou hast covered us with thy favour as with a shield.
They bow three times before the holy table and kiss the holy gospel and the holy table. Then each takes his robe [sticharion] and, bowing three times towards the east, says silently:
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
The Vesting Prayers
The deacon, with his robe [sticharion] and stole [orarion] in his hands, goes to the priest and bows his head, saying:
Deacon: Master, bless the robe and stole.
The priest blesses:
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon goes to the side of the sanctuary. As he vests himself with the robe he recites this prayer:
Deacon: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with the garment of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of gladness; he has set a crown on me as on a bridegroom; and as a bride is adorned with jewels, so has he adorned me.
After kissing the stole, the deacon places it on his shoulder. As he puts on the cuffs, he recites the following:
Right: Thy right hand, O Lord, has been glorified in power. Thy right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemies. In the greatness of thy glory, hast thou crushed thine adversaries.
Left: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding and I shall learn thy commandments.
Then the deacon goes to the table of preparation, and sets the holy vessels in place for the priest.
The priest blesses his own robe:
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
He vests himself with the robe, saying:
Priest: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with the garment of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of gladness; he has set a crown on me as on a bridegroom; and as a bride is adorned with jewels, so has he adorned me.
He blesses the stole [epitrachelion] and, as he puts it on, says:
Priest: Blessed is God, who pours out his grace upon his priests, as precious ointment upon the head, that runs down the beard, the beard of Aaron, that runs down to the hem of his garment.
He blesses the girdle and, as he puts it on, says:
Priest: Blessed is God, who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless. he makes my feet like hind’s feet, and sets me secure on the heights.
As he puts on the cuffs, he recites the following:
Right: Thy right hand, O Lord, has been glorified in power. Thy right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemies. In the greatness of thy glory, hast thou crushed thine adversaries.
Left: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding and I shall learn thy commandments.
If he has been awarded the epigonation he puts it on, saying:
Priest: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Mighty One, in thy comeliness and in thy beauty. Go forth and prosper and reign, for the sake of truth and meekness and righteousness, and thy right hand shall guide thee wondrously, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
He blesses the chasuble [phelonion]and, as he vests with it, says:
Priest: Thy priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and thy saints shall rejoice with joyfulness, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
They then wash their hands, saying:
I shall wash my hands in innocence, and go about thine altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of thy praise, and tell of all thy miracles. I have loved the beauty of thy house, O Lord, and the place where thy glory dwells. Destroy not my soul with sinners, nor my life with blood-thirsty men, men in whose hands are iniquities and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; deliver me, and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground; in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.
THE LITURGY OF PREPARATION
Bowing three times before the table of preparation, the priest and deacon recite silently each time:
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Priest: Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the law by thy precious Blood. Nailed to the cross and pierced with a spear, thou hast poured immortality upon mankind, O our Saviour: Glory to thee.
Deacon: Master, give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The priest takes the first prosphora in his left hand and the spear in his right hand, and makes the sign of the cross over the seal three times, saying each time:
Priest: In remembrance of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The priest pierces the prosphora with the spear to the right of the seal and, cutting along the right side, in dialogue with the deacon, says:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter,
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Cutting the left side, the priest says:
Priest: And as a lamb without blemish before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Cutting the upper side:
Priest: In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Cutting the lower side:
Priest: Who shall declare his generation?
The deacon then points to the Holy Bread with the stole in his hand, and says:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Take up, Master.
The priest, piercing the prosphora on the bottom right side and cutting, then lifts out the Holy Bread, saying:
Priest: For his life is taken up from the earth.
The priest inverts the Holy Bread, placing the seal upon the paten, while the deacon says:
Deacon: Sacrifice, Master.
The priest cuts the Holy Bread cross-wise, taking care not to cut through the seal, and says:
Priest: Sacrificed is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, for the life and salvation of the world.
The priest inverts the Holy Bread again so that the seal is on top, while the deacon says:
Deacon: Pierce, Master.
The priest pierces the right side of the Holy Bread under the letters IC and says :
Priest: One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once, there came out blood and water. He who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true.
The deacon takes the wine and the water and says to the priest:
Bless, Master, the holy union.
The priest blesses them, saying:
Priest: Blessed is the union of thy holy things, always, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The deacon, after the priest’s blessing, pours the blessed wine and water into the chalice.
The priest takes the second prosphora into his hand and says:
Priest: In honour and memory of our most blessed Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary. Through her prayers, O Lord, accept this sacrifice at thy heavenly altar.
The priest removes a triangular particle from the prosphora and places it on the right side of the Holy Bread.
Priest: At thy right hand stood the Queen, clothed in golden robes adorned with many colours.
The priest takes the third prosphora and says:
Priest: Of the honoured and glorious prophet, forerunner and baptist, John.
The priest removes a particle and places it on the left side of the Holy Bread, making it the first particle of the first column. Removing a second particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the first, he says:
Priest: Of the holy and glorious prophets: Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, David and Jesse, the three holy children, Daniel the prophet, and of all the holy prophets.
Removing a third particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the second, he says:
Priest: Of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles Peter and Paul, of the Twelve and of the Seventy, and of all the holy apostles.
Removing a fourth particle from the same prosphora and placing it next to the first (thus making the top of a new column), he says:
Priest: Of our fathers among the saints and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius and Cyril; Nicholas of Myra in Lycia; Peter, Alexis, Jonah and Philip of Moscow; Nicetas of Novgorod; Leontius of Rostov; Stephen of Sourozh; and of all the holy hierarchs.
Removing a fifth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the fourth, he says:
Priest: Of the holy apostle, archdeacon and first martyr Stephen; of the holy great martyrs: Demetrius, George, Theodore the Recruit, Theodore Stratelates and Alban, first martyr of Britain. Of the women martyrs: Thecla, Barbara, Kyriake, Euphemia, Paraskeve and Katherine, and of all the holy martyrs.
Removing a sixth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the fifth, he says:
Priest: Of our venerable and God-bearing fathers: Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onuphrius; Athanasius of Athos, Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves; Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov and Barlaam of Khutin. Of our venerable mothers: Pelagia, Theodosia, Anastasia, Eupraxia, Febronia, Theodulia, Euphrosyne and Mary of Egypt; and of all our holy and venerable fathers and mothers.
Removing a seventh particle from the same prosphora and placing it next to the fourth (thus making the top of a third column), he says:
Priest: Of the holy wonderworkers and selfless physicians: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermolaus; and of all the holy selfless physicians.
Removing an eighth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the seventh particle, he says:
Priest: Of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint N, (to whom the church is dedicated); and of Saint(s) N [and N], whose memory we keep today; of the holy Methodius and Cyril, equal-to-the-apostles and evangelisers of the Slavs; of the holy Great Prince Vladimir, equal-to-the-apostles; and of all the saints; by their prayers visit us, O God.
Removing a ninth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the eighth, he says:
Priest: Of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. [or: of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia,]
The priest takes a particle from the fourth prosphora and, placing it at the foot of the Holy Bread, he says:
Priest: Remember, O Master who lovest mankind, his holiness Patriarch Alexis, our Metropolitan Anthony, [Bishop(s) NN,] and the whole episcopate of the Orthodox Church, the honourable order of presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, and all sacred orders; our brethren, the priests and deacons who are serving with us; and all our brothers and sisters whom thou hast called into thy communion through thy compassion, O gracious Master.
The priest then remembers any other living faithful, removing a particle from the fourth prosphora for each and placing it next to the first, saying with each name:
Priest: Remember, O Lord, N.
The priest takes a particle from the fifth prosphora and, placing it below the particles commemorating the living, he says:
Priest: In blessed memory and for the remission of sins of the most holy patriarchs, of all Orthodox and God-fearing rulers; and of the blessed founders of this holy church [or: holy monastery].
The priest then remembers any other departed faithful, removing a particle from the fifth prosphora for each and placing it next to the previous particle, saying with each name:
Priest: Remember, O Lord, N.
When he finishes remembering the departed, the priest says this prayer:
Priest: Remember all of our Orthodox fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life in thy communion, O Lord who lovest mankind.
The priest then remembers the bishop who ordained him, and concludes the remembrance:
Priest: Remember also, O Lord, my unworthiness, and forgive me all my sins both voluntary and involuntary.
The deacon presents the censer to the priest, saying:
Deacon: Master, bless the incense. Let us pray to the Lord.
The priest recites the prayer of incense:
Priest: We offer thee incense, O Christ our God, for a savour of spiritual fragrance. Having accepted it at thy heavenly altar, send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
The priest blesses the star and places it over the Holy Bread, saying:
Priest: And the star came and stood over where the young child was.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
The priest censes the first veil and places it over the paten, saying:
Priest: The Lord is King, and has put on glorious apparel; the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved. Thy throne has been prepared from of old; thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves, at the voice of many waters. Wonderful is the surging of the sea; the Lord on high is wonderful. Thy testimonies are very sure. Holiness becomes thine house, O Lord, for ever.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.
The priest censes the second veil and places it over the chalice, saying:
Priest: Thy virtue, O Christ, has covered the heavens, and the earth is full of thy praise.
The priest censes the aer and places it over both the paten and the chalice, saying:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.
Priest: Cover us with the shelter of thy wings and drive far from us every foe and adversary. Give peace to our lives, O Lord; have mercy on us and upon thy world, and save our souls; for thou art good and lovest mankind.
The priest then takes the censer and censes the Holy Gifts, saying three times:
Priest: Blessed is our God, who is thus well-pleased: Glory to thee.
After each of the above, the deacon concludes:
Deacon: Always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Both bow three times before the Holy Gifts; then the deacon says:
Deacon: For the precious gifts here set forth, let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O God, our God, who didst send the Heavenly Bread, the food of the whole world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour, Redeemer and Benefactor, to bless and sanctify us: Do thou thyself bless this offering, and accept it at thy heavenly altar. Remember those who have offered it and those for whom it has been offered, for thou art good and lovest mankind. Preserve us blameless in the celebration of thy divine mysteries. For sanctified and glorified is thy most honourable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The priest then concludes the liturgy of preparation with the dismissal:
Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.
Deacon: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy Thrice.
Master, give the blessing.
Priest: May [on Sundays and at Eastertide: he who is risen from the dead,] Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure Mother, of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, [or: of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia,] and of all the saints; have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.
Deacon: Amen.
When the priest finishes censing, he hands the censer to the deacon.
OPENING DIALOGUE
After the dismissal of the preparation service, the deacon censes the table of preparation; then he begins censing the holy table cross-wise from all sides, saying in a low voice:
In the tomb with the body, in hell with the soul as God, in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, thou fillest all things, O Christ, thyself uncircumscribed.
Then, saying the fiftieth psalm, he censes the sanctuary, the icon screen and all round the church. Going back into the sanctuary, he censes the holy table again and the priest, returns the censer to its place and stands beside the priest before the holy table. They bow three times, while saying:
Priest: O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life; come, and abide in us; cleanse us from all impurity, and, of thy goodness, save our souls.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. Twice
O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
The priest kisses the holy gospel; the deacon the holy table. The deacon then bows his head, holding his stole with three fingers of his right hand, and says:
Deacon: It is time for the Lord to act. Master, give the blessing.
The priest blesses him, saying:
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen. Pray for me, Master.
Priest: May the Lord direct thy steps.
Deacon: Remember me, holy Master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon kisses the priest's hand, bows, goes out via the north door and, standing in the usual place in front of the holy doors, bows three times and says in a low voice:
Deacon: O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS
Deacon: Master, give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Great Litany
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For his holiness, Patriarch Alexis, for our Metropolitan Anthony, for the honourable order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, her Government, and all in civil authority, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city [or town or village or holy monastery], for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For seasonable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer of the First Antiphon
Priest: O Lord our God, whose might is incomparable and whose
(in a low voice) glory is beyond all understanding, whose mercy is without
measure and whose love for mankind is beyond all telling, look down on us and on this holy house, O Master, in thy loving kindness, and bestow on us and on those who pray with us the riches of thy mercy and compassion.
(aloud) For to thee belongs all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
First Antiphon
Then is sung the first psalm of the Typika or the appointed antiphon.
Short Litany
Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer of the Second Antiphon
|
Priest: (in a low voice) |
O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house; glorify them in return by thy divine power, and forsake us not who put our hope in thee. |
(aloud) For thine is the dominion, and thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Second Antiphon
Then is sung the second psalm of the Typika or the appointed antiphon, including:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Then, on all days:
Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who, being immortal, didst accept for our salvation to be made flesh from the holy Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, and without change becamest man; and wast crucified, O Christ our God, trampling down death by death; O thou who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.
Short Litany
Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer of the Third Antiphon
Priest: (in a low voice) |
O thou who hast given us grace to make these prayers in concord and in common, and hast promised that where two or three agree in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; fulfil now the petitions of thy servants as is good for them, and grant us in the present age the knowledge of thy truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. |
(aloud) For thou, O God, art good and lovest mankind, and to thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Third Antiphon and Entrance with the Holy Gospel
Then are sung the Beatitudes or the appointed antiphon.
Deacon:
(in a low voice) Let us pray to the Lord.
Prayer of the Entrance
Priest: (in a low voice) |
O Master, Lord our God, who hast established in heaven orders and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory, grant that, together with our entrance, there may be an entrance of holy angels, ministering with us, and with us glorifying thy goodness. For to thee belongs all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. |
Deacon:
(in a low voice) Master, bless the holy entrance.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Blessed is the entrance of thy holy ones, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. |
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!
People: O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God, [on Sundays and at Eastertide: risen from the dead,] [on Feasts of the Mother of God: at the prayers of the Mother of God,] [on weekdays: wonderful in thy saints,] save us who sing unto thee: alleluia.
Then are sung troparia and kontakia as appointed.
Prayer of the Trisagion
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Holy God, who art at rest amidst the holy ones, hymned by the seraphim with the thrice-holy song, glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power, who hast brought all things from nothing into being and hast created man after thine image and likeness, adorning him with thine every gift, thou givest wisdom and understanding to those who ask, and dost not despise the sinner, but hast appointed repentance for our salvation. Thou hast counted us worthy, thy humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of thy holy altar, and offer the worship and praise which are due to thee. Do thou, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies and grant that we may worship thee in holiness all the days of our life; at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the saints, who from the beginning have been well-pleasing unto thee. |
Deacon:
(in a low voice) Master, bless the time of the thrice-holy.
Priest: For thou, our God, art holy, and to thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever,
Deacon: And to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
Deacon: Command, Master.
And, as they go towards the throne, the priest says:
Priest: Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord.
Deacon: Master, bless the throne on high.
Priest: Blessed art thou on the throne of glory of thy kingdom, who art seated upon the cherubim, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Readings from the New Testament
Deacon: Let us attend.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
Reader: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: Prokeimenon in the Nth tone:
and the reader proclaims the prokeimenon.
The people sing the words of the prokeimenon.
The reader proclaims the verse on the prokeimenon.
The people repeat the singing of the prokeimenon.
The reader proclaims the first half of the prokeimenon, or a second prokeimenon introduced with the words:
Another prokeimenon in the Nth tone:
The people sing the second half of the prokeimenon, or the words of a second prokeimenon once only.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The reading is from…
Deacon: Let us attend.
Reader: Brethren...
or other beginning as appointed, and continues with the apostle.
At the conclusion of the reading:
Priest: Peace be with thee.
Reader: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Or: Alleluia in the Nth tone:
While the alleluia and verses are being sung, the deacon censes and the priest says the
Prayer of the Gospel
Priest: (in a low voice) |
O Master, who lovest mankind, make the pure light of thy divine knowledge shine in our hearts, and open the eyes of our mind to perceive the message of thy gospel. Implant in us, also, the fear of thy blessed commandments, that, trampling down all desires of the flesh, we may follow a way of life that is spiritual, both thinking and doing all those things that are well-pleasing to thee. For thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to thee we give glory, together with thy Father who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. |
Deacon: Bless, Master, him who proclaims the gospel of the holy Apostle and Evangelist N.
Priest: May God, through the prayers of the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist N, grant thee to proclaim the word with much power, for the fulfilment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Deacon: Amen.
Wisdom. Stand aright. Let us listen to the holy gospel.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: The reading is from the holy gospel according to N.
People: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
Priest: Let us attend.
Deacon: At that time... or other beginning, and the deacon reads the gospel for the day.
Priest: Peace be with thee, who hast proclaimed the gospel.
People: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
A sermon may be preached at this point.
Litany of Fervent Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee, hear and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hear and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Three times, and so after the remaining petitions.
Here the priest unfolds the front part of the antimension on the holy table.
Deacon: Again we pray for his holiness, Patriarch Alexis, for our Metropolitan Anthony, and for all our brethren in Christ.
Again we pray for our sovereign lady, Queen Elizabeth, the royal family, her government, and all in civil authority.
Again we pray for this country, [for the country of Russia] and for all our countries and their peoples, whether dwelling therein or now scattered abroad.
Special petitions may be inserted here.
Deacon: Again we pray for our brethren, the priests and deacons, for monks and nuns, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable holy Orthodox patriarchs; for all devout Orthodox rulers; for the founders of this holy church; and for all our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, Orthodox believers, who have gone to their rest before us, and who here, and in all the world, lie asleep in the Lord.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for the servants of God, NN; and for the brothers and sisters of this holy church.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and venerable house, for those who labour in its service, for those who sing; and for the people here present who await thy great and rich mercy.
Prayer of Supplication
Priest: (in a low voice)
(aloud)
|
O Lord, our God, accept this fervent supplication from thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercy; and send down thy compassion upon us and upon all thy people, who await thy rich mercy. For thou, O God, art merciful and lovest mankind, and to thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. |
People: Amen.
Litany for the Departed
If there is to be a commemoration of the departed, the deacon or priest says this litany:
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hear and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Three times, and so after each petition.
Deacon: Again we pray for the repose of the soul[s] of the servant[s] of God, NN, who have [has] fallen asleep, and that they [he, she] may be pardoned all their [his, her] sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
That the Lord God will establish their [his, her] soul[s] where the righteous rest.
For the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of their [his, her] sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and God.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O God of spirits and all flesh, who hast trampled down death and crushed the devil, giving life to thy world; do thou, O Lord, give rest to the soul[s] of thy servant[s], who have [has] fallen asleep, in a place of light, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, whence pain, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon, O God, as thou art good and lovest mankind, every sin committed by them [him, her] in word or deed or thought, because there is no one who lives and does not sin, for thou alone art without sin; thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word is truth.
For thou art the resurrection, and the life, and the repose of thy servant[s], NN., who have [has] fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and to thee we give glory, together with thy Father who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Litany for the Catechumens
that is, those preparing for baptism
Deacon: Catechumens, pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.
Deacon: Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
Deacon: That he will instruct them in the word of truth.
That he will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness;
Here the priest completes the unfolding of the antimension on the holy table.
That he will unite them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Save them, have mercy on them, help them and keep them, O God, by thy grace.
Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer for the Catechumens
Priest: (in a low voice)
(aloud) |
O Lord our God, who dwellest on high and watchest over things below, who, for the salvation of mankind, hast sent forth thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, look upon thy servants the catechumens, who have bowed their necks to thee; and, in due time, count them worthy of the washing that brings rebirth, the remission of sins and the garment of incorruption; unite them to thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and number them with thy chosen flock. That with us they also may glorify thine all-honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. |
People: Amen.
Deacon: As many as are catechumens, depart; catechumens, depart; as many as are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain.
THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL
Deacon: As many as are the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. And after the next petition.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Wisdom.
First Prayer of the Faithful
Priest: (in a low voice) |
We thank thee, O Lord, God of the powers, who hast counted us worthy to stand even now before thy holy altar and to fall down before thy compassion for our sins and those things done in ignorance by the people. Receive our prayer, O God; make us worthy to offer thee prayers and supplications and bloodless sacrifices for all thy people. And enable us, whom thou hast appointed to this thy ministry by the power of thy Holy Spirit, to call upon thee at all times and in all places with the pure witness of our conscience, without stumbling and without blame, so that hearing us thou mayest be gracious to us in the abundance of thy goodness. |
(aloud) For to thee belongs all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.
The following four petitions are used only when a deacon serves.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Wisdom.
Second Prayer of the Faithful
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Again and many times we fall down before thee and beseech thee, who art good and lovest mankind; look upon our prayer and cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit; and grant us to stand without guilt or condemnation before thy holy altar. Bestow also on those who pray with us, O God, progress in life and faith and spiritual understanding. Grant that, always worshipping thee with fear and love, they may partake of thy holy mysteries without guilt or condemnation, and be counted worthy of thy heavenly kingdom. |
(aloud) That being always guarded by thy might, we may give glory to thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Cherubic Hymn and Great Entrance
The people begin the Cherubic Hymn to a slow and solemn melody.
People: We who in a mystery represent the cherubim, and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, let us now lay aside every care of this life.
While it is being sung, the deacon, saying in a low voice the fiftieth psalm, censes the holy table, the table of preparation, the high place, all the sanctuary and the holy doors; then, coming out through the holy doors, he censes the icon screen and the people. The priest, standing in front of the holy table, reads, in a low voice, the
Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn
Priest: No one who is bound by the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw near or minister to thee, O King of glory; for to serve thee is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, in thine inexpressible and boundless love for mankind, thou didst become man without change or alteration and didst become our High Priest; and, as Master of all, hast committed to us the sacred ministry of this liturgical sacrifice without shedding of blood.
For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over things in heaven and things on earth, who art borne on the throne of the cherubim, the Lord of the seraphim and the King of Israel; thou alone art holy, and at rest amidst the holy ones. Therefore I entreat thee, who alone art good and ready to hear: Look down upon me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart from an evil conscience. And, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, enable me who am clothed with the grace of the priesthood to stand before this, thy holy table, and celebrate the mystery of thy holy and most pure Body and thy precious Blood.
For unto thee I come with bended neck and entreat thee: Turn not away thy face from me, nor reject me from among thy children, but count me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer thee these gifts. For thou art he that offers and he that is offered, both he that receives and he that is given, O Christ our God, and to thee we give glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
After the prayer and the censing are completed, the priest and deacon say the Cherubic Hymn three times in a low voice as follows:
Priest: We, who in a mystery represent the cherubim, and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, let us now lay aside every care of this life.
Deacon: That we may receive the King of all, invisibly escorted by the hosts of angels. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
They go to the table of preparation where the priest censes the Gifts, saying:
Priest: O God, cleanse me a sinner. Thrice
Having censed the Gifts, the priest hands the censer to the deacon.
Deacon: Lift up, Master.
The priest places the aer upon the deacon’s left shoulder, saying:
Priest: Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord.
Then, taking the paten he places it with due reverence on the deacon’s head, and the priest himself takes the chalice. Passing through the north door, they process around the church in the great entrance.
The deacon and the priest pray aloud for the hierarchy and the faithful according to the accepted local usage. At the conclusion the priest says:
Priest: May the Lord God remember you and all Orthodox Christians in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
The singers complete the Cherubic Hymn.
People: Amen. That we may receive the King of all, invisibly escorted by the hosts of angels. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The deacon enters the sanctuary and, standing to the right in front of the holy table, says to the priest as he enters:
Deacon: May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his kingdom.
And the priest says to him:
Priest: May the Lord God remember thy diaconate in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Then the priest places the chalice on the holy table, takes the paten from the deacon’s head and places it to the left of the chalice, saying:
Priest: Noble Joseph, taking down thy most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, laid it in a new tomb.
Then he takes the veils from the paten and the chalice and lays them to one
In the tomb with the body, in hell with the soul as God, in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, thou fillest all things, O Christ, thyself uncircumscribed.
Priest: Truly thy tomb, O Christ, has been shown to be brighter than any royal chamber, as bringing life and more beautiful than paradise; it is the fountain of our Resurrection.
Taking the aer from the deacon’s shoulder, he wraps it about the censer and then covers the Holy Gifts with it, saying:
Noble Joseph, taking down thy most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, laid it in a new tomb.
Then, taking the censer from the deacon’s hand, he censes the Holy Gifts three times, saying:
Be favourable, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt-offerings and oblations. Then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
Then, handing back the censer and bowing his head, he says to the deacon:
Priest: Remember me, brother and fellow minister.
Deacon: May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his kingdom.
Priest: Pray for me, fellow minister.
Deacon: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.
Priest: The Spirit himself will minister together with us all the days of our life.
Deacon: Remember me, holy Master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The holy doors are closed and the curtain drawn. The deacon kisses the priest’s right hand, leaves the sanctuary through the north door and, standing in his usual place, says the
Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
And so after each of the following petitions.
Deacon: For the precious gifts here set forth, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
And so after each of the following petitions.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Those things which are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
For a Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good answer before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer of Offering
Priest: (in a low voice) |
O Lord, God Almighty, who alone art holy and dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon thee with all their heart, accept also the prayer of us sinners and bring it to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for those things done in ignorance by the people. Count us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to thee, and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest on us and on these Gifts here set forth, and on all thy people. |
(aloud) Through the compassion of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess:
People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
The priest bows three times and says:
Priest: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my firm foundation, my refuge and my deliverer.
When there is more than one priest, they exchange the kiss of peace: the senior saying:
Christ is in our midst.
and the other replying:
He is and shall be.
The deacons also, if there be more than one, do likewise.
Deacon: The doors, the doors. In wisdom let us attend.
The curtain is drawn back.
The Creed
People: I believe in One God, Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father; through him all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures.
And ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; his kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
In one holy, catholic and apostolic Church;
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The Holy Offering
Deacon: Let us stand aright; let us stand with fear; let us attend, that we may present the holy offering in peace.
People: Mercy and peace: a sacrifice of praise.
Priest: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
People: It is meet and right to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
|
Priest: (in a low voice) |
It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks to thee, and to worship thee in every place of thy dominion; for thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing and eternally the same; thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. thou it was who didst bring us from nothing into being, and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us up to heaven, and hadst granted us thy kingdom which is to come. |
For all these things we give thanks to thee, and to thine only-begotten Son and to thy Holy Spirit; for all the good things that have been done for us, whether known or unknown, whether manifest or hidden.
We thank thee also for this Liturgy which thou hast been pleased to accept from our hands, though there stand about thee thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels, the cherubim and the seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings,
(aloud) singing, crying, shouting the triumphal hymn, and saying:
People: Holy, holy holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: (in a low voice): |
With these blessed Powers, O Master, who lovest mankind, we also cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-Holy, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit; Holy art thou and all-Holy, and magnificent is thy glory; who hast so loved thy world, as to give thine only-begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life; who, when he had come and had fulfilled the whole dispensation for us, in the night in which he was given up, or rather gave himself up for the life of the world, took bread in his holy, pure and blameless hands, and, when he had given thanks and blessed and sanctified and broken it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying: |
(aloud) Take, eat; this is my Body, which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.
People: Amen.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
In the same way also, after supper, he took the cup, saying: |
(aloud) Drink from this, all of you; this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
People: Amen.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things that have come to pass for us: the Cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, and the Second and glorious Coming, |
(aloud) Offering thee thine own of thine own, on behalf of all and for all,
People: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks to thee, O Lord, and we pray to thee, our God.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Again we offer thee this reasonable worship without shedding of blood, and we ask, we pray and we implore thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here set forth. |
Priest: O Lord, who at the third hour didst send down thy most Holy Spirit upon thine apostles; take him not from us, O Good One, but renew him in us who pray unto thee.
Deacon: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Priest: O Lord, who at the third hour…
Deacon: Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Priest: O Lord, who at the third hour...
Deacon: Master, bless the holy Bread.
Priest: And make this Bread the precious Body of thy Christ.
Deacon: Amen. Master, bless the holy Cup.
Priest: And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ.
Deacon: Amen. Master, bless them both.
Priest: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen, Amen, Amen. Remember me, a sinner, holy Master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
So that for those who partake they may be for vigilance of soul, remission of sins, communion of thy Holy Spirit, fulfilment of the kingdom of heaven, freedom to speak in thy presence, and not for judgement or condemnation.
Again we offer thee this reasonable worship for those who have gone to their rest in faith, forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and every righteous spirit made perfect in faith.
(aloud) Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary.
People: It is truly meet to bless thee who didst bring forth God, ever-blessed and most pure and Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim, and incom-parably more glorious than the seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bring forth God the Word, and art indeed Mother of God, thee do we magnify.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
For the holy prophet, forerunner and baptist, John, the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, Saint(s) N(N)., whose memory we keep today, and for all thy saints, at whose prayers visit us, O God. And remember all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life, (here he may remember by name the departed whom he will: especially ... ) and give them rest where the light of thy countenance visits. |
Again we beseech thee: remember, O Lord, all Orthodox bishops, who rightly proclaim the word of thy truth, the whole order of presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, and every order of clergy.
Again we offer thee this reasonable worship for the whole world, for the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and holiness of life, for our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth and all in civil authority. Grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, so that in their tranquillity we too may live a calm and peaceful life in all godliness and holiness.
(aloud) Amongst the first, remember, O Lord, his holiness, Alexis, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our bishop, Anthony, Metropolitan of Sourozh, and grant that, for thy holy churches in peace, safety, honour, health and length of days, they may rightly proclaim the word of thy truth.
People: And each and all.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Remember, O Lord, the city [or: town or: village or: monastery] in which we dwell, and every city, town and village, and those who dwell in them by faith. Remember, O Lord, those who travel by land, air or water, the sick, the suffering, those in captivity, and their safety and salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches, and those who remember the poor, and upon us all send down thy mercies. |
(aloud) And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and praise thine all-honoured and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: And the mercies of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, shall be with all of you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Litany before the Lord's Prayer
Deacon: Having remembered all the Saints, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
And so after each of the following petitions.
Deacon: For the precious gifts here set forth and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
That our God, who loves mankind, having accepted them on his holy and immaterial altar above the heavens as a savour of spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless. let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
And so after each of the following petitions.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Deacon: Those things which are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
For a Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good answer before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
To thee, O Master, who lovest mankind, we entrust our whole life and our hope, and we ask, pray and implore thee: count us worthy to partake of thy heavenly and dread mysteries at this sacred and spiritual table with a pure conscience, for remission of sins, for forgiveness of offences, for communion in the Holy Spirit, for inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for freedom to speak in thy presence, and not for judgement or condemnation. |
(aloud) And count us worthy, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the God of heaven, as Father, and to say:
The Lord's Prayer
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
We thank thee, O King invisible, who by thy measureless power, hast created all things, and in the abundance of thy mercy hast brought them out of nothing into being. Do thou, O Master, look down from heaven on those who have bowed their heads to thee; for they have bowed them not to flesh and blood, but to thee, the dread God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself make smooth our path for good, through that which lies before us all, according to the specific need of each. Sail with those who sail, journey with those who journey, heal the sick, for thou art the physician of our souls and bodies. |
(aloud) Through the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: (in a low voice) |
Give heed, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of glory of thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high together with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us. And vouchsafe to give us by thy mighty hand thy most pure Body and thy precious Blood, and through us to all the people. |
The deacon crosses his stole over his shoulders. The priest makes three bows before the holy table, saying each time:
Priest: O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Deacon: Let us attend.
The priest elevates the Holy Bread, saying aloud:
Priest: The Holy Things for the holy.
People: One is holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Communion
The people continue with the communion hymn:
Sundays: Praise the Lord from heaven, praise him in the highest. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
On other days as appointed.
The deacon enters the sanctuary and, standing on the right of the priest, says:
Deacon:
(in a low voice) Master, divide the holy Bread.
The priest divides the Lamb into four parts, saying:
Priest: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, who being broken is not divided, being eaten is never consumed, but sanctifies those who partake thereof.
He arranges them on the paten in the form of a cross, thus:
The deacon points to the chalice with his stole, and says:
Deacon: Master, fill the holy Cup.
The priest takes the portion of the Lamb stamped with the letters IC and makes the sign of the cross with it above the holy chalice and places it therein, saying:
Priest: The fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen.
He takes the hot water and says to the priest:
Deacon: Master, bless the hot water.
The priest blesses it, saying:
Priest: Blessed is the fervour of thy Holy Things, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The deacon pours cross-wise into the chalice as much hot water as is needed, saying:
Deacon: The fervour of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Setting aside the hot water he stands to one side. The priest breaks the portion XC into pieces corresponding to the number of clergy taking part in the Liturgy and says:
Priest: Deacon, draw near.
The deacon approaches, with a reverence asking forgiveness, kisses the holy table and says:
Deacon: Behold, I draw near to Christ, our immortal King and God. Give me, Master, the precious and holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The priest gives the deacon a portion of the Holy Bread, saying:
Priest: The Deacon N, is given the precious, holy and most pure Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins and life eternal.
The deacon kisses the priest’s hand as he receives the Holy Bread, goes behind the holy table and, with bowed head, prays:
Deacon: I believe, Lord and I confess…
As the priest takes a portion of the Holy Bread for himself, he prays:
Priest: Behold, I draw near to Christ, our immortal King and God. The precious and most holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is given to me, the unworthy priest N, for the remission of my sins and life eternal.
And, with bowed head, he prays:
Priest: I believe, Lord, and I confess that thou art in truth the Christ, the Son of the living God, who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I believe also that this is indeed thy most pure Body, and that this is indeed thy precious Blood. Therefore, I pray thee: have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word, in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance; and count me worthy to partake without condemnation of thy most pure mysteries for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
Priest: Of thy mystical supper, O Son of God, today receive me as a communicant; for I will not speak of the mystery to thine enemies, nor will I give thee a kiss, like Judas; but like the thief I confess thee: Remember me, Lord, in thy kingdom.
Not for judgement or condemnation be the partaking of thy holy mysteries unto me, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.
The priest then partakes of the Holy Bread with fear and great care; and, having wiped his hand over the paten with the sponge, he takes the chalice in both hands, with the communion cloth, and drinks from it three times, saying:
The precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is given to me, the unworthy priest N, for the remission of my sins and life eternal. Amen.
He wipes his lips and the chalice with the cloth and kisses the chalice, saying:
This has touched my lips, and shall take away mine iniquities, and cleanse me from my sins.
The priest then summons the deacon, saying:
Deacon, draw near.
The deacon approaches with a bow, and says:
Deacon: Behold, I draw near to our immortal King and God. Give me, Master, the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The priest takes the chalice, with the communion cloth, and gives it to the deacon to drink three times, saying:
Priest: The servant of God, Deacon N, receives the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins and life eternal.
When the deacon has partaken, the priest says:
Priest: This has touched thy lips, and shall take away thine iniquities, and cleanse thee from thy sins.
The priest divides the portions NI and KA of the Holy Lamb and puts them into the chalice for the communion of the people; the chalice is covered with the communion cloth.
Distribution of Holy Communion
The holy doors are opened and the priest hands the chalice to the deacon, who comes out through the holy doors, holding the chalice, and says:
Deacon: With fear of God, with faith and love, draw near.
People: Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and has appeared unto us.
Priest: I believe, Lord, and I confess that thou art in truth the Christ, the Son of the living God, who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I believe also that this is indeed thy most pure Body, and that this is indeed thy precious Blood. Therefore, I pray thee: have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word, in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance; and count me worthy to partake without condemnation of thy most pure mysteries for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
Of thy mystical supper, O Son of God, today receive me as a communicant; for I will not speak of the mystery to thine enemies, nor will I give thee a kiss, like Judas; but like the thief I confess thee: Remember me, Lord, in thy kingdom.
Priest: Not for judgement or condemnation be the partaking of thy holy mysteries unto me, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.
When he has finished the communion prayer, the priest receives the chalice from the deacon, and gives communion to the people who approach, saying to each communicant:
The servant of God, N, receives the most precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.
During communion, the people sing:
People: Receive the Body of Christ; taste of the fount of immortality. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The deacon wipes the lips of each communicant. Afterwards the clergy return to the sanctuary and place the chalice on the holy table. As the deacon wipes the remaining particles from the paten into the chalice, he says, in a low voice, the following hymns of the resurrection:
Deacon: We have seen the resurrection of Christ; let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, who alone is without sin. We venerate thy cross, O Christ; and we praise and glorify thy holy resurrection. For thou art our God, we know no other save thee; we call upon thy Name. Come, all ye faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection of Christ; for, behold, through the cross joy has come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we sing the praises of his resurrection; for, having endured the cross for us, he has destroyed death by death.
Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Rejoice now and be glad, O Sion! And thou, O pure Mother of God, take delight in the resurrection of thy Son.
O Christ, great and most holy Passover! O Wisdom and Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the day without evening of thy Kingdom.
Wash away, O Lord, by thy precious Blood the sins of thy servants here remembered, through the prayers of the Mother of God and of all thy saints. Amen.
The priest blesses the people, saying:
Priest: O God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.
People: We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity; for the Trinity has saved us.
The priest covers the chalice with one veil and puts the others on the paten, together with the star, the spoon and the spear. He censes the chalice three times whilst saying, in a low voice:
Priest: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory over all the earth. Thrice
He places the paten on the deacon's head, who carries it to the table of preparation. The priest takes the chalice in his right hand, making a cross with it over the antimension, and turns holding it to face the people, saying:
Priest:
(in a low voice) Blessed is our God,
(aloud) Always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
The priest carries the chalice to the table of preparation and then censes it three times.
People: Amen. Let our mouth be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of thy glory; for thou hast counted us worthy to partake of thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries; Keep us in thy holiness, as we meditate on thy righteousness all the day long. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The deacon goes to his place for the litany; the priest returns to the holy table and folds up the antimension.
Thanksgiving and Dismissal
Deacon: Stand aright. Having received the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. And after the next petition.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Having asked that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Priest: (in a low voice) |
We thank thee, O Master, who lovest mankind, benefactor of our souls, that even on this day thou hast counted us worthy of thy heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make our path straight before us; establish us all in the fear of thee; watch over our life; make firm our steps; through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, and of all thy saints. |
The priest, having folded up the antimension, makes the sign of the cross over it with the gospel book, saying aloud:
Priest: For thou art our sanctification, and to thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us go forth in peace.
People: In the Name of the Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Prayer behind the Ambo
Priest: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: save thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house; glorify them in return by thy divine power, and forsake us not who put our hope in thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all in civil authority, and to all thy people. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from thee, the Father of lights; and to thee we give glory, thanksgiving and worship, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore. Thrice.
At the conclusion of the prayer, the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary. The priest reads the following prayer in a low voice:
Priest: O Christ our God, who art thyself the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, who hast fulfilled all the dispensation of the Father; fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then, turning to bless the people through the holy doors, the priest says aloud:
The blessing of the Lord be upon you through his grace and love towards mankind, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.
People: Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[Master, when a bishop is present] give the blessing.
Priest: May [on Sundays and at Eastertide: he who is risen from the dead,] Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure Mother, [by the power of the precious and life-giving cross, through the protection of the honoured bodiless powers of heaven, at the prayers of the honoured and glorious prophet, forerunner and baptist, John, of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles, of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs, of our venerable and God-bearing fathers and mothers,] of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, [whose Liturgy we have celebrated today,] [of Saint N (to whom the church is dedicated)], of Saint(s) NN, whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.
People: Amen.
APPENDIX
SUNDAY PROKEIMENA AND ALLELUIA VERSES
IN THE EIGHT TONES
Tone one
Prokeimenon in the first tone:
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us: as we have set our hope on thee. (Ps. 32:22)
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is due to the upright. (Ps. 32:1)
Alleluia in the first tone:
v.1. It is God who has given me vengeance: and has subdued peoples under me. (Ps. 17:48)
v.2. He makes great the salvation of his King: and shows mercy to his Anointed, to David, and to his seed for ever. (Ps. 17:51)
Tone two
Prokeimenon in the second tone:
The Lord is my strength and my song: and has become my salvation. (Ps. 117:14)
Verse: The Lord has chastened me and corrected me: but he has not given me over to death. (Ps. 117:18)
Alleluia in the second tone:
v.1. May the Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: may the name of the God of Jacob defend thee. (Ps. 19:1)
v.2. O Lord, save the King: and hear us in the day when we call upon thee. (Ps. 19:9)
Tone three
Prokeimenon in the third tone:
Sing praises, sing praises unto our God: sing praises, sing praises unto our King. (Ps. 46:6)
Verse: Clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of exaltation. (Ps. 46:1)
Alleluia in the third tone:
v.1. In thee, O Lord, have I put my hope: let me never be put to confusion. (Ps. 30:1)
v.2. Be thou my God, my protector and a house of refuge to save me. (Ps. 30:2)
Tone four
Prokeimenon in the fourth tone:
How manifold are thy works, O Lord: in wisdom hast thou made them all. (Ps. 103:24)
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord, my God, thou art exceeding great. (Ps. 103:1)
Alleluia in the fourth tone:
v.1. Go forth and prosper and reign, for the sake of truth and meekness and righteousness: and thy right hand shall guide thee wondrously. (Ps. 44:5)
v.2. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: wherefore God, even thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness more than thy companions. (Ps. 44:8)
Tone five
Prokeimenon in the fifth tone:
Thou shalt keep us, O Lord: thou shalt preserve us from this generation and for ever. (Ps. 11:7)
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is not one godly man left: for truths have decreased from among the children of men. (Ps. 11:1)
Alleluia in the fifth tone:
v.1. I shall sing of thy mercies, O Lord, for ever: with my mouth I shall proclaim thy truth from generation to generation. (Ps. 88:1)
v.2. For thou hast said: ‘Mercy shall be built up for ever.’ Thy truth shall be prepared in the heavens. (Ps. 88:2)
Tone six
Prokeimenon in the sixth tone:
O Lord, save thy people: and bless thine inheritance. (Ps. 27:10)
Verse: Unto thee, O Lord, will I cry: O my God, turn not in utter silence from me. (Ps. 27:1)
Alleluia in the sixth tone:
v.1. He who lives with the help of the most High: shall abide under the shelter of the Almighty. (Ps. 90:1)
v.2. He will say unto the Lord: ‘Thou art my help and my stronghold, my God in whom I will trust.’ (Ps. 90:2)
Tone seven
Prokeimenon in the seventh tone:
The Lord shall give strength unto his people: the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. (Ps. 28:10)
Verse: Bring unto the Lord, O sons of God: bring young rams unto the Lord. (Ps. 28:1)
Alleluia in the seventh tone:
v.1. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord: and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. (Ps. 91:1)
v.2. To tell of thy mercy in the morning: and of thy truth by night. (Ps. 91:2)
Tone eight
Prokeimenon in the eighth tone:
Make your vows to the Lord our God, and keep them: let all that are round about him, bring him gifts. (Ps. 75:11)
Verse: In Judah God is known: his name is great in Israel. (Ps. 75:1)
Alleluia in the eighth tone:
v.1. O come, let us rejoice before the Lord: let us shout aloud to God our Saviour. (Ps. 94:1)
v.2. Let us come before his face with thanksgiving: and shout aloud to him with psalms. (Ps. 94:2)