LITURGY OF PREPARATION

The priest who is about to celebrate the divine mystery must be reconciled with all men and have nothing against any one. As much as possible, he must have kept his heart free from all evil thoughts; he must have fasted according to ecclesiastical law.

When the time is come, the priest bows in the usual manner before the superior or, in his absence before his throne, and goes into the body (solea) of the church. He makes three reverences towards the east before the holy doors.
When the priest celebrates the Liturgy without a deacon, all the parts printed in italics are omitted.

If several priests concelebrate, only one of them performs the office of preparation, the others saying nothing of it, except prayers of offering, O God, our God.

PRAYERS BEFORE THE HOLY DOORS

O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (Three times).
Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.
Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.
HEAVENLY KING, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Deacon: Holy is God! Holy the Mighty One! Holy the Immortal One! Have mercy on us (Three times))

-- Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

-- All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon us and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.

-- Lord, have mercy. (Three times).

-- Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

OUR FATHER, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. They 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 evil.

Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

Deacon: Amen.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, Lord. Have mercy on us. At a loss for any defense, we sinners offer this prayer to You, the Master: have mercy on us.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Lord, have mercy on us, for we have put our trust in You: Rise not in anger against us, remember not our transgressions, but in the depth of your mercy look upon us even now and save us from our enemies: for You are our God and we are your people, we are all the work of your hands and we constantly call upon your name.

Priest: Now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

Deacon: Blessed Mother of God, open the portal of your deep mercy to us who put our trust in you, so that we may not be brought to confusion, but through you may be delivered from adversity, for you are the salvation of the Christian fold.

They go before the icon of Christ, and bowing in worship, they say:

Priest: Before your most pure image we bow in worship, O good One, begging forgiveness for our stumblings, Christ God: because You chose of your own free will to ascend upon the cross in the flesh in order to deliver from the enemy’s yoke those You had created. For this reason we cry out to You in thanksgiving: “You, our Savior have filled all things with joy when You came to save the world.”

And they kiss the icon of Christ. Then they go before the icon of the Mother of God and say the troparion:

Priest: Mother of God, since you became a fountain of mercy, count us worthy of your compassion; look upon a people that has sinned, show forth your power as you always do. Because we have put our trust in you, we hail you as once did Gabriel, the captain of the angels.

And they kiss the icon of the Theotokas, then bow their heads.

Priest: Lord, stretch forth your hand from your dwelling place on high, and strengthen me for your ministry now forthcoming, so that I may stand without condemnation before your awesome judgment seat and complete the unbloody sacrifice. For yours is the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Both priest and deacon make three reverences before the holy doors, then bow to the two choirs, and so they go into the sanctuary, the priest through the north door and the deacon through the south door, saying as they go:

I SHALL ENTER into your dwelling place;
before your holy temple I shall bow
in fear of You.

O Lord, be my guide in your justice
because of those who oppress me:
make my way level before your sight.

Indeed, in their mouth there is no truth;
in their heart, there is nothing but decay.

Their throat is but a gaping tomb,
while their tongue is honeyed.

Be You their judge, O God:
may they founder in their evil plots.

Cast them Out, for their crimes are countless,
and they have risen against You, Lord.

But as for those who put their trust in You,
they shall rejoice and feast forevermore

You will dwell among them,
and all who love your name shall rejoice,

For You, Lord, do bless the just
and do cover him as with a shield of grace.

Once in the sanctuary, they make three reverences before the holy table and the holy Gospel book, saying:

O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (Three times).

VESTING OF THE DEACON

The deacon, holding his liturgical vestments on the palm of his right hand. comes to the priest and, bowing his head, says:

Deacon: Bless the sticharion and the orarion, Father.

Priest: Blessed is our God + at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon kisses the right hand of the priest. Then he withdraws to another part of the sanctuary and puts on his vestments saying the Proper Prayers.

My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed me with a robe of salvation and covered me with a tunic of happiness; He has crowned me as a bridegroom and as a bride, adorned me with jewels.

And he kisses the orarion (prayer stole and puts it on his left shoulder, saying nothing. Then he slips the epimanikia (cull's) over his hands. For the right hand he says:

Your right hand, Lord, is made glorious in might; your right hand, Lord, has crushed the enemies; and in the fullness of your glory, You have routed the adversary.

And for the left:

Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.

Then, going to the prothesis (altar of offering), he arranges the holy objects, each in its proper place.

VESTING OF THE PRIEST

The priest likewise, vests. Taking In his right hand the tunic and making three reverences toward the east, as above, he blesses it:

Blessed is our God + at all times, now and always arid for ever and ever. Amen.

Then he puts it on, saying:

My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed me with a robe of salvation arid covered me with a tunic of happiness; He has crowned me as a bridegroom arid adorned me with jewels as a bride.

Then, taking the epitrachelion, (stole), he blesses and kisses it and puts it on saying:

Blessed is God + who pours out grace upon his priests: as the chrism upon the head, which ran down unto the beard, the beard of Aaron, ran down even to the hem of his garment, at all times, now arid always and for ever and ever. Amen.

Then, taking the zone (cincture), lie blesses it and girds himself. saying:

Blessed is God + who girds me with strength arid makes my way blameless arid strengthens my feet like the hart's, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

He blesses and kisses the epimanikia, then pulls them on, saying for the right hand:

Your right hand, + Lord, is made glorious in might; your right hand, Lord, has crushed the enemies; and in the fullness of your glory, You have routed the adversary.

And for the left:

Your hands + have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.

Then, taking the epigonation (genual) if he has the proper ecclesiastical title, he blesses and kisses it and puts it on, saying:

Gird your sword + at your side, Mighty One, in your splendor and beauty. String your bow; go forth, reign for the sake of truth, meekness arid righteousness. Your right hand shall lead You wonderfully, at all times, now arid always and for ever and ever. Amen.

Finally, taking the phelonion (chasuble), he blesses and kisses it and puts it on saying:

Your priests +, Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and your saints shall rejoice in joy, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

WASHING OF THE HANDS

After that priest and deacon go to the basin and wash their hands, saying:

I SHALL WASH MY HANDS in innocence, Lord,
and go around your altar;
I shall listen to the sound of your praise
and declare all your wonderful works.
Lord, I love this house, your dwelling place
and the tent where your glory abides.

Link not my souls with the lost ones,
nor my life with men of blood

They carry shame within their hands
and their right hand is filled with bribes.

As for me, I have walked in my innocence:
redeem me and have mercy on me.

My foot is set upon the rightful road:
in the assemblies, I will bless You, Lord.

CEREMONY OF PREPARATION
OF THE OBLATIONS OR PROTHESIS

And thus they go to the altar of offering and make three reverences before it, saying:

O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (Three limes).

The deacon wipes the diskos and chalices.

Priest: You have redeemed us from the curse of the law by your precious blood: by being nailed to the cross and wounded with the lance, You have become for men the fountain of immortality : glory to You, our Savior.

Deacon: Bless, Master.

Blessed is our God + at all times, now and always and for ever band ever. Amen.

The deacon, standing at the right hand of the priest and holding his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand, points to the bread. The priest takes in his left hand the prosphora, and in his right the holy lance, and blessing the bread three times over the seal. He says:

In remembrance of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ (Three times)

Then he thrusts the holy lance into the right side of the seal and makes an incision, saving:

As a sheep, He was led to the slaughter.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

And into the left side, saying:

As a spotless lamb silent before its shearer, He opens not his mouth.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Into the top of the seal, saying:

In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

And into the bottom, saying:

And who shall declare his generation?

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

And the priest, thrusting the holy lance obliquely into the right side of the bread, lifts out the amnos (lamb).

Deacon: Lift up, Master.

For his life was taken away from the earth.

And he puts it upside down on the diskos (paten).

Deacon: Immolate, Master.

The priest immolates by cutting it crosswise and says:

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is immolated for the life and salvation of the world.

Deacon: Pierce, Master.

And he turns it over, with the side bearing the cross upwards, and pierces it on the right side, below the letters I C, and says:

One of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and at once there came forth blood and water; and he who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true.

The deacon pours wine into the poterion (chalice), together with a few drops of water, and says to the priest:

Deacon: Bless this holy union, Father.

And the priest blesses it and says:

Blessed + is the union of your holy things, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

Then the priest takes a second prosphora and says:

In honor and memory of our most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, through whose prayers do You, Lord, receive this sacrifice upon your altar in heaven.

He removes a particle and places it at the right hand of the lamb, near the center of it and says:

At your right stood the Queen, clothed in an embroidered mantle of gold.

Note also that if a bishop is celebrating the Liturgy, the priest does not complete the rite of preparation, but after removing the particles of the Mother of God and those of the saints, he covers the paten and the chalice with the aer, saying nothing. The celebrating bishop says the remainder, completing the rite of preparation. The cherubic hymn is then sung before the great entrance.

Then, taking a third prosphora, he removes from it a first particle and says:

In honor and memory of the great captains of the angelic armies, Michael and Gabriel, and of all the heavenly bodiless powers.

And he places it to the left of the lamb, close to it and opposite the particle of the Mother of God, thus beginning the first row.

Of the honorable and glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist. Of the holy glorious prophets Moses and Aaron, Elias and Eliseus, David son of Jesse; of the Three Holy Youths and the prophet Daniel, and of all the holy prophets.

And he places it just below the first. Then he removes a third particle and says:

Of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles Peter and Paul and of all the holy apostles.

And he places it just below the second, thus completing the first row. Then he removes a fourth particle and says:

Of our fathers among the saints the great pontiffs and universal doctors Basil the great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas of Myra, The holy hieromartyr Josaphat, Nikita, Bishop of Novgorod and Leontius, Bishop of Rostov. Cyril and Methodius, the Teachers of the Slavs, and of all holy pontiffs.

And he places it next to the first, thus beginning the second raw. Then he removes a fifth particle and says:

Of the holy first martyr and archdeacon Stephen; of the holy great martyrs Demetrius, George and Theodore of Tyre, and of all holy martyrs. Of the holy women martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Cyriaca. Euphemia, Parasceva and Catherine, and of all holy women martyrs.

And he places it below the first of the second row. Then he removes a sixth particle and says:

Of our saintly fathers the God-bearers Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onupbrius, Athanasius of Athos, Anthony and Theodore of the Caves, Sergius of Radonets and Barlaam of Khutintk and of all the saintly fathers. Of our venerable mothers in God Pelagia, Theodosia, Anastasia, Eupraxia, Febronia, Theodulia, Euphrosyne, Mary of Egypt and of all holy and venerable mothers.

And he places it below the second of the second row, thus completing this row. Then he removes a seventh particle and says:

Of the holy wonderworkers laboring without pay Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Pantaleimon and Hermolaus, and of all the holy ones laboring without pay.

And he places it next to the fourth, thus beginning the third row. Then he removes an eighth particle and says:

Of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anne, (of the patron saint of the church or monastery, and of the saint of the day) of the holy grand duke Vladimir, the Equal of the Apostles and of all the saints, through whose prayers visit us, O God.

And he places it below the first of the third row. Having done this, he removes a ninth particle and says:

Of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.

And he places it at the bottom of the third row, thus completing it. Then, taking a fourth prosphora and removing a particle from it, he says:

Remember, Master who love mankind, all Orthodox Bishops, our Patriarch N., our Most Reverend Bishop N., the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ and all the clergy, (in monasteries, our Superior N.,) our brothers and fellow ministers, priests, deacons, and all our brethren whom in the depth of your compassion You have called to communion with You, all-good Master.

And he places it beneath the lamb, thus beginning the first of the bottom rows. Then he commemorates by name those of the living whom he will, first the bishop who ordained him. if still alive. For each name he removes a particle and says:

Remember, Lord, N.

And he places it at the left of the preceding particle of the bottom row, and so on, until this row is completed. Finally, taking a fifth prosphora and removing a particle from it. he says:

In memory and for the remission of sins of the blessed founders of this holy church (or monastery).

And he places it beneath the first particle of the preceding row. Then he commemorates by name those of the dead whom he will, first the bishop who ordained him, if no longer all i.e. For each name, he removes a particle and says:

Remember, Lord, N.

And he places it at the left of the preceding one. Then, removing another particle, he says:

Remember all our Orthodox Fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life and in communion with You, O Lord who love mankind.

And he places it at the left (if the preceding one. The deacon likewise remembers wham he will of the living and the dead. Then the priest removes a final particle and says:

Remember also, Lord, my unworthiness and pardon my transgressions, deliberate and indeliberate.

And he places it at the left of the preceding one, thus completing the final row. The priest, blessing the censer recites the Prayer of lncensing:

Deacon: Bless the incense, Master. Let us pray to the Lord.

WE OFFER YOU incense, Christ our God, for an odor of spiritual fragrance: receive it on your altar in heaven, and send down on us in return the grace of your All-Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

And having incensed the asteriskos (star cover), the priest places it over the holy bread and says:

And the star came and stood over the place where the child was.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Adorn, Master.

And having incensed the first veil, the priest covers the holy bread with it and says:

THE LORD IS KING, He has put on splendor;
the Lord has put on might and has girded Himself,
For He has strengthened the universe
so that it cannot be moved.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Veil, Master.

And having incensed the second veil. the priest covers the holy chalice and says:

Your power, O Christ, has covered the heavens and the earth is filled with your praise.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.

Having incensed the third veil, called the aer, the priest places it over both and says:

Cover us over with the cover of your wings; drive away from us every alien and enemy; make life peaceful for us. Lord, have mercy on us and on your world, and save our souls, O Good One who love mankind.

Then the priest, taking the censer, incenses the offering three times, saying:

Priest: Blessed are You, our God, who were pleased so to do. Glory to You.
Deacon: Now and always and for ever and ever. Amen. (Three times).

And he bows respectfully three times, and says:

With a view to the offering of the precious gifts, let us pray to the Lord.

BLESSING OF THE HOLY GIFTS

And the priest says the Prayer of Offering:

O GOD, OUR GOD, who sent forth the heavenly bread, food for the whole world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ as a Savior, Redeemer and Benefactor to bless and hallow us: be pleased to bless this offering and to accept it on your altar m heaven. In your goodness and love for mankind, remember both those who offer it and those for whom it is offered; hold us uncondemned in the celebration of your divine mysteries, for hallowed and glorified is your most noble and magnificent name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

Then he makes the dismissal, saying:

Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.

If it is Sunday:
Priest: He who is risen from the dead, Christ our true God...

Otherwise:
Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of our father among the saints John Chrysostorn, Archbishop of Constantinople, (If the Liturgy of Basil the Great is being celebrated, he remembers him instead: 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 the Good One and loves mankind.
Deacon: Amen.

The deacon censes the prothesis three times, then the holy table cross-wise in a circle, saying:

BEING GOD, You were present in the tomb by your body, and yet in Hades by your soul, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne, O Christ, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, filling all things but encompassed by none.

Then the deacon incenses the sanctuary, the holy icons and the whole nave, he recites Psalm 50. Then he puts back the censer in its place.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Standing before the holy table, the deacon extends his hands in prayer while the priest says:

HEAVENLY KING, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Then, making three reverences they say:

Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men (Twice).
Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise

Then the priest kisses the holy Gospel book and the holy table and the deacon kisses the holy table. They say to each other:

Deacon: It is time to sacrifice to the Lord. Master, give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is our God at all times now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Deacon: Master, pray for me.
Priest: May the Lord direct your steps to every good deed.
Deacon: Master, remember me.
Priest: May the Lord God remember you in his kingdom at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.
Deacon: Amen

LITANY OF PEACE

The deacon leaves the sanctuary through the north door and, standing in the solea before the holy doors, he makes three reverences saying with each: O Lord, you will open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise. Raising the orarion he says:

Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.
The deacon removes his kamelavkion. The priest lifting the holy Gospel book and making with it the sign of the cross, answers aloud:

BLESSED IS THE KINGDOM + of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever

All. Amen.

The deacon puts on his kamelavkion. On Pascha he goes in the south door, presents the censer for blessing and gives it to the priest. He then takes the paschal candle and stands to the right of the priest. The clergy sing Christ is risen… once, the people sing it twice. The priest, preceded by the deacon, makes the great incensation intoning the Easter verses. After they return the deacon replaces the Paschal candle and goes to his normal place.

On other Sundays of the Pascal season the deacon remains on the solea while the clergy sing Christ is risen… once.
Then the deacon intones the litany of peace

IN PEACE let us
pray to the Lord
All: Lord, have mercy.

– For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy Churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– For this holy place and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– For our most reverend Bishop N., the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ and for all the clergy, and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– For our public servants, for the government and for all who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– For this city, for every city and country, place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– For the travelers by sea, air and land, for the sick, the suffering, for those in prison, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord.

Then the Prayer of the First Antiphon

O LORD OUR GOD whose power is without compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is beyond measure and whose love for mankind is beyond word: be pleased, Master, in the depth of your compassion, to look down on us and on this holy place, and make us and those praying with us obtain the riches of your mercies and your tender pity. (Aloud:) For all glory, honor and worship, are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

And the singers intone the first antiphon or the first psalm of the typica. As soon as the singing begins, the deacon makes a reverence and, leaving his place, goes and stands before the icon of Christ, looking towards the icon of the Mother of God and holding the orarion with three fingers of the right hand.

FIRST ANTIPHON

Upon completion of the first antiphon, the deacon goes to his usual place, makes a reverence and says aloud:

– Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Prayer of the Second Antiphon:

O LORD OUR GOD, save your people and bless your inheritance, safeguard the fullness of your Church in peace, sanctify those who love the beauty of your house; m return, raise them to glory by your divine power and do not forsake us who put our hope in You, O God. (Aloud:) For yours is the dominion, and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

And in like manner, the singers intone the second antiphon or the second psalm of the typica. And the deacon does the same as with the first antiphon.

SECOND ANTIPHON

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON and Word of God, immortal as you are, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the Holy Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, and without undergoing change, You became Man; You were crucified, O Christ God, and crushed death by your death; You are One of the Holy Trinity, equal in glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit : save us!

At the words One of the Holy Trinity, the deacon bows to the icon of Christ and. returning to his customary place, makes a reverence before the holy doors.

Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

– Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord.

The deacon bows before the holy doors and enters the sanctuary through the south door.

Prayer of the Third Antiphon

O YOU WHO HAVE GRANTED US to pray together m harmony, and who promised that when two or three are gathered to call upon your name You will give what they ask do You now fulfill what your servants ask, so far as is good, granting us in this world the knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come, eternal life. (Aloud:) For You are good, O our God, and You love mankind and we send up glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

THIRD ANTIPHON

After the singing of the psalm of the third antiphon, or of the beatitudes if it is Sunday, at the Glory be, priest and deacon stand before the holy doors and make three reverences and uncover. And the holy doors are opened.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

LITTLE ENTRANCE

Then the priest, taking the holy Gospel book, gives it to the deacon who kisses his hand. The priest lets down his phelonion. And they go from the south side behind the holy table and come alit through the north side, candle bearers going before them, thus making the little entrance. And standing at the customary place, they both bow their heads.

And the priest recites the Prayer of Entrance:

MASTER AND LORD, our God, who have established in heaven the ranks and armies of angels and archangels to minister to your glory: at our entrance, make the holy angels enter also, to minister with us and with us to glorify your goodness For all glory, honor and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The prayer being finished, the deacon steps a little to the south, faces north and takes the orarion off the gospel book. Holding the gospel in his left hand he holds the orarion with three fingers of the right hand, points to the east and says to the priest:

Deacon: Bless the holy entering, Father.

Priest: Blessed is the entering + into your holy places, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon steps in front of the priest facing east. He gives the holy Gospel book to the priest to kiss. The deacon in turn kisses the right hand if the priest. Alter the singing of the beatitudes or the third antiphon, the deacon goes to the center and, standing before the priest, he raises his arms slightly, shows the holy Gospel book, making with it the sign of the cross, and says in a loud voice:

Wisdom. + Let us stand.

And the Entrance Hymn is sung. On weekdays:

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O Son of God, wonderful among the saints, save us who sing to You alleluia.

On Sundays:
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!

On major feasts, the proper Entrance Hymn is sang.

The deacon makes a reverence, and the priest behind him, and both enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the deacon places the holy Gospel book upon the holy table.

The singers intone the fitting troporia.

PRAYER OF THE THRICE-HOLY HYMN

The priest prays as follows:

GOD THE HOLY who abide in the saints, whom the seraphim praise with the thrice-holy hymn, whom the cherubim glorify, whom all the heavenly powers worship; who brought all things into being out of nothingness; who created man to your own image and likeness and adorned him with all your favors; who give wisdom and understanding to anyone asking for them; who do not turn away from the sinner but have set up penance for salvation; who have rendered us, your lowly and worthless servants, worthy to stand at this time before the glory of your holy altar and to offer You due worship and praise: do You, Master, receive from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn, and visit us in your kindness. Forgive us every transgression, deliberate and indeliberate; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our life, through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the saints who have pleased You since the world began.

When the singers come to the last troporion, the deacon holds the orarion with three fingers of the right hand, bows to the priest and says to him

Deacon: Bless the time of the thrice-holy hymn, Father.

Priest: For You are holy, + O our God, and we send up glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always,

The deacon comes close to the holy doors, and pointing to those standing without, he says in a loud voice:

And for ever and ever. 

All: Amen.

TRISAGION

HOLY is God! Holy the Mighty One! Holy the Immortal One! Have mercy on us (Three times).

– Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.
– Holy the Immortal One! Have mercy on us.
– Holy is God! Holy the Mighty One! Holy the Immortal One! Have mercy on us.

Deacon: Dynamis! or, With Strength!

During the singing of the thrice-holy hymn both priest and deacon recite this same hymn. and make together three reverences before the holy table.

PRAYERS OF THE THRONE

Deacon: Give the order, Father.
and they proceed toward the throne.
Priest: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Deacon: Bless this high throne, Father.
Priest: Blessed are You on the throne of glory of your kingdom, seated upon the cherubim, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.
Note that it is not fitting for the priest to go up on the throne: he should sit to the side of it.

EPISTLE

When the Thrice-Holy Hymn is ended:

Deacon: Let us be attentive.
And the reader announces the verses of the prokimenon.

Deacon: Wisdom.
And the reader reads the title of the epistle.

Deacon: Let us be attentive.
When the epistle is finished:

Priest. Peace to you, reader.

While the alleluia is being sung the deacon takes the censer, puts incense into it, goes to the priest, and after obtaining from him a blessing, incenses the holy table crosswise all around, the whole sanctuary, the icons of the iconostasis, the priest, both choirs and the people.

GOSPEL

Meanwhile the priest, standing before the holy table, recites the Prayer Before the Gospel:

SHINE IN OUR HEARTS, Master who love mankind, the pure light of your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the announcing of your Good News, set in us the fear of your blessed commandments, so that, trampling all carnal desires, we may begin to live according to the spirit, both willing and doing everything for your pleasure. For You are the light of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we send up glory to You and to your eternal Father and to your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon puts back the censer in its place and goes to the priest. Bowing his head to him, he takes from his hands the holy Gospel book, and holding both the orarion and the holy Gospel book with the tips of his fingers and pointing to the holy Gospel book, he says:

Bless, Father, the herald of the Gospel of the holy apostle and evangelist N.
And the priest blesses him and says

God grant + through the prayers of the holy and glorious apostle and evangelist N. that you give out the Good News with great power for the fulfillment of the Gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And he gives to him the holy Gospel book.

Deacon: Amen.

And making a reverence towards the holy Gospel book, he takes it up. And going out through the holy doors, escorted by candle bearers, he proceeds to the ambo or to the customary place.

The Deacon, standing before the holy table and facing the west, says aloud:

Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace to all.
All: And to your spirit.
Deacon: The holy Gospel according to N.

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!
The priest : Let us be attentive.
After the reading of the Gospel:

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!
The deacon then returns to the holy doors and gives the closed Gospel book to the priest, and the priest receiving it says to the deacon:

Peace to you, herald of the Gospel

He kisses the holy Gospel book, makes with it the sign of the cross over the people, and places it on the holy table.

And the holy doors are closed.

ECUMENIC PRAYER

The deacon, standing in his usual place, intones the litany and the choirs alternate answering with great reverence.

LET US ALL SAY, with our whole soul and our whole
mind, let us all say:
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Have mercy on us, O God, in your great mercy: we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Again we pray for our Most Reverend Bishop N., and for the reverend clergy, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Again we pray for our brothers the priests, the deacons, the monks and nuns, and for all our brothers in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God who live in this city (or village, or for the brethren of this holy monastery).
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Again, we pray for the blessed and ever to be remembered founders of this holy church (or monastery,) and for our Orthodox Fathers and brethren who have gone before us and who here or elsewhere have been laid to pious rest.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times).

Here, a special petition for the dead may be added in Slavic Churches.

– Again, we pray for those who bear offerings, those who do good works in this holy and most venerable church, those who toil, those who sing and all the people here present who await from You great and abundant mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy (Three times)

– Wisdom.

And the priest recites the prayer of the Ecumenic Supplication:

LORD OUR GOD, receive from your servants this insistent supplication, have mercy on us in the fullness of your mercy, and incline your compassion towards us and all your people who await from You abundant mercy. (Aloud:) For You are merciful, O God, and you love mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE CATECHUMENS

Deacon: Catechumens, pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Let us faithful pray for the catechumens.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That the Lord may have mercy on them.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That He instruct them in the word of truth.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That He open to them the Gospel of righteousness.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That He join them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Save them, have mercy on them, help them and protect them, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.

Prayer for the catechumens.
Lord our God dwelling on high and watching over the lowly, who sent forth Salvation to the human race your 0nly-begotten Son, God, our Lord Jesus Chris look upon your servants the catechumens who have bowed their heads to you, and in due time make them worthy of the bath of regeneration the remission of sins and the robe of incorruption. Join them to your holy catholic and apostolic Church and number them among your chosen flock. (Aloud:) That with us they too may glorify your most noble and magnificent name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

And the priest spreads out the iliton.

Deacon All catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. All catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain.

PRAYERS FOR THE FAITHFUL

ALL we faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Wisdom.

First Prayer for the Faithful.

WE THANK YOU, Lord God of Hosts, for having made us worthy to stand at this moment before your holy altar, and throw ourselves on your mercies for our sins and the faults of the people. Accept, O God, our entreaty; make us worthy to offer You prayers and supplications and unbloody sacrifices for all your people; and by the power of your Holy Spirit strengthen us whom You have appointed to this your ministry: so that at all times and places, without blame or offense, with the testimony of a clear conscience, we may call upon You; and that hearing us You may have mercy on us in the plenitude of your goodness. (Aloud:) For all glory, honor and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– Wisdom.

Second Prayer for the Faithful.

AGAIN AND MANY TIMES we fall down before You and pray You in your goodness and love for mankind to regard our supplications and cleanse our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant that we may stand without guilt or condemnation before your holy altar. And upon these also who pray with us, O God, bestow increase of life and faith and spiritual insight. Give them ever to minister to You in fear and love, to share without guilt or condemnation in your holy mysteries and to be made worthy of your heavenly kingdom. (Aloud:) That being ever protected by your power, we may send up glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Then the deacon goes into the sanctuary through the south door and the holy doors are opened.

LITURGY OF OFFERING

CHERUBIC HYMN

The choir begins to sing the Cherubic Hymn with piety and harmony.

WE who mystically represent the cherubim, who sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care...

While the Cherubic Hymn is being sung, the priest recites the Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn.

NO ONE GIVEN to carnal lusts and pleasures is worthy, O King of Glory, to meet or approach You or to celebrate your Liturgy for to minister unto You is great and awesome even for the very powers of heaven. Yet, because of your ineffable and boundless love for mankind, You became man without undergoing change or alteration, and became our High Priest, and as Master of all, conferred upon us the priestly function of this Liturgy and unbloody sacrifice. Indeed, You alone, O Lord our God, are Master of all in heaven and on earth, You who are seated upon the throne of the cherubim, Lord of the seraphim and King of Israel, You the Holy One who abide with the holy. It is You, then, I pray who alone are good and ready to listen. Look down upon me, your sinful and unprofitable servant; cleanse my soul and heart from evil thinking, and fit me with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that clothed with the grace of the priesthood, I may stand before this your holy table and consecrate your holy and spotless body and precious blood. Before You I come; I bow down and pray You: do not turn your face away from me, do not reject me from among your children, but make it right that these gifts be offered to You by me, your sinful and unworthy servant. For You are the One who offer and are offered, who receive and are distributed, Christ our God, and we send up glory to You and also to your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.
The priest, standing with the deacon in front of the holy table recites the Cherubic Hymn.

While the Cherubic Hymn is being song by the priest, the deacon takes the takes the candle and stands opposite the priest as the priest incenses the holy table, the iconostasis and the whole sanctuary.

O GOD, have mercy on me
in the greatness of your love;
– In the abundance of your tender mercies,
wipe out my offense.

– Wash me thoroughly from my malice
and cleanse me from my sin,
– For I am well aware of my malice
and my sin is before me always.

– It is You alone I have offended,
I have done what is evil in your sight,
– Wherefore You are just in your deeds
and triumphant in your judgment.

– Behold, I was born in iniquities
and in sins my mother conceived me,
– But You are the Lover of Truth,
You have shown me the depths and secrets of your wisdom.

– Wash me with hyssop and I shall be pure,
cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow;
– Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting
the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice

– Turn your face away from my offenses
and wipe off all my sins.
– A spotless heart create in me, O God;
renew a steadfast spirit in my breast.

– Cast me not afar from your face,
take not your blessed Spirit out of me.
– Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and let your guiding Spirit dwell in me.

– I will teach your ways to the sinners
and the wicked shall return to You.
– Deliver me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God,
and my tongue will joyfully sing your justice.

– O Lord, You shall open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
– Had You desired a sacrifice, I would have offered it,
but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings.

– Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit;
a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn.
– In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion;
may the walls of Jerusalem be restored.

– Then will You delight in just oblation,
in sacrifices and whole-burnt offerings.
– Then shall they offer calves upon your altar.

After the incensing, priest and deacon proceed to the prothesis. They make three reverences, saying each other:

O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (Three times).

Deacon: Lift up, Father.

The priest, placing the outer veil on the deacon’s shoulder, says:

Lift up your hands to the holy places and bless the Lord.

GREAT ENTRANCE

Then, taking the covered paten, he places it on the deacon's head with all attention and reverence. The priest himself takes the holy chalice in his hands. Then they both go out through the north door, preceded by candle bearers, and theymake the procession of the great entrance in the body of the church, saying:

May the Lord God remember us all in his kingdom, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
The deacon and priest alternate, each one making the commemoration he pleases. If there are several priests, each takes one commemoration with the senior priest making the final one.

And the choir completes the Cherubic Hymn

That we may welcome the King of All invisibly escorted by angel hosts. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And the priest puts down the holy chalice upon the holy table, and taking the holy paten from the deacon’s lead, he places it on tie holy table.

And again the holy doors and the curtain are closed. Then the priest taking the veils from the holy paten and the holy chalice, sets them aside on the holy table. He takes the outer veil from the deacon's shoulder, incenses it, and covers the holy things with it, saying:

THE NOBLE JOSEPH, taking down your spotless body from the wood and wrapping it in a clean shroud with aromatic spices, carefully lald it in a new tomb.
And taking the censer from the deacon's hands, he incenses the holy things three times and says (in Slavic Churches)

In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion;
may the walls of Jerusalem's defenses be restored
Then will You rejoice in just oblation,
in sacrifices and whole-burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer calves upon your altar (Three times).

OFFERTORY LITANY

Priest: Remember me, brother and fellow-celebrant.
Deacon: May the Lord remember your priesthood in his kingdom.
Priest: Pray for me, fellow-celebrant.
Deacon: The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.
Priest: May the Spirit Himself join with us in our celebration all the days of our life.
Deacon: Remember me, Master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember you in his kingdom at all time now and always and for ever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon kisses the right hand of the priest and goes out through the north door. Standing in his usual place, he says:

Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– For this holy church and those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF OUR LIFE-AITESIS

– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and with-out sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– For an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– For what is good and profitable to our souls and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– That the end of our life may be Christian, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To you, O Lord!

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Meanwhile the priest recites the Offertory Prayer:

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY who alone are holy, who accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept also the prayer of us sinners and carry it to your holy altar; make us fit to offer You spiritual gifts and sacrifices for our sins and the faults of the people. Make us worthy to find grace in your eyes, that our sacrifice may become acceptable to You, and that the good Spirit of your grace may abide with us and with the gifts here laid out and with all your people. (Aloud:) Though the mercies of your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
The priest: Peace + to all
All: And to your spirit.

THE KISS OF PEACE

The deacon: Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess.
All: The Father; the Son and the Holy Spirit, Trinity one in substance and undivided.

The priest and deacon make three reverences, saying each time:

I will love You, Lord, my strength; the Lord is my fortress, my refuge and my deliverance.

And in the following manner he kisses the holy things which are covered: first the top of the holy paten, then the top of the holy chalice and the edge of the holy table before him. If there are two priests or more, they all kiss the holy things and each other in order. The senior says: Christ is in our midst. And the one being kissed answers He both is and will always be. At the same time, the deacon bows at the place where he stands and kisses the orarion where it has a cross.

PROCLAMATION OF FAITH

The deacon: [The doors, the doors.] In wisdom, let us be attentive.
And the curtain is opened. The priest lifting the outer veil from the gifts holds it over them waving it and reciting the Creed along with the people, or, if customary, the leader. If there are several priests, all take part.

I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, Father almighty, Creator 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 of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father, by whom 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 was made man; who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; who rose again on the third clay in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is enthroned at the right hand of the Father; who will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and of whose kingdom there shall be 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 worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The priest lifts the outer veil from the holy things, kisses it and lays it aside. Then he turns to the people:

LITURGY OF SACRIFICE

ANAPHORA (CANON)

The deacon. Let us stand well, let us stand in awe, let us be attentive to offer the holy oblation in peace.
All: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
The deacon makes a reverence and goes into the sanctuary through the south door.

The priest. The grace of our Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.

And the priest, lifting both hands:
Let us lift up our hearts.
All: We have them lifted up to the Lord.
The priest turns towards the icon of the Lord:
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
All: It is fitting and right [to worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Trinity one in substance and undivided.]

PRAYER TO GOD THE FATHER

While the deacon fans the holy things with devotion, the priest prays :

IT IS FITTING AND RIGHT to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, to worship You in every place of your dominion: for You are God, beyond description, beyond understanding, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing, always the same; You and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit. Out of nothing, You brought us into being, and when we had fallen, raised us up again; and You have not ceased doing everything until You brought us to heaven and graciously gave us your future kingdom. For all these things, we thank You and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit; for all these blessings, both known and unknown, manifest and hidden, that were lavished upon us. We thank You also for this Liturgy which You are pleased to accept from our hands, though there stand before You thousands of arch-angels and myriads of angels, cherubim and seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring on their pinions; (Aloud:) Singing, proclaiming, shouting the hymn of victory and saying:

The deacon takes the star-cover from the holy paten, makes the sign of the cross over it; then he kisses the star-cover and lays it aside.

All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Hosts : heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Then the deacon comes to stand on the right side, and there, taking the fan in his hands, waves it gently with utmost care and awe over the holy gifts.

PRAYER TO GOD THE SON

And the priest prays:

WITH THESE BLESSED POWERS, O Master who love mankind, we too cry out and say: holy are You and all holy, You and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit. Holy are you and all-holy and magnificent is your glory: who so loved your world as to give your only-begotten Son, that every one who believes in Him shall not perish but may have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled all that was appointed Him to do for our sake, on the night on which He was delivered up, or rather delivered Himself up for the life of the world, taking bread in his holy, spotless and blameless hands, giving thanks and blessing, + consecrating and breaking it, gave it to his holy disciples and apostles and said:

The priest bows his head and raises his right hand reverently and says aloud:

TAKE, EAT: this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
All concelebrating priests say together the words of consecration. Both priest and deacon make a deep reverence.
All: Amen.
While this is being said, the deacon holds the prayer-stole with three fingers of the right hand and indicates to the priest the holy paten. When the priest says Drink of this, the deacon likewise indicates the holy chalice. Then the priest blesses the holy chalice and says:

– Likewise, the chalice + after He had supped, saying:

The priest bows his head and raises his right hand reverently and says aloud:

DRINK OF THIS, all of you, this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

Both priest and deacon make a deep reverence

All: Amen.

ANAMMESIS

And the priest prays:

REMEMBERING, THEREFORE, this precept of salvation and everything that was done for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again (Aloud:) We offer You your own, from what is your own, in all and for the sake of all.
While this is being said, the deacon crosses his arms, raises up the holy paten and the holy chalice and makes a devout reverence.
All: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, Lord, and we pray to You, our God.
The priest prays:

MOREOVER, WE OFFER YOU this spiritual and unbloody worship, and we ask and pray and entreat: send down your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here offered.
The deacon puts down the fan and conies closer to the priest, and both make three reverences before the holy table.

PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

EPICLESIS

Then the deacon, bowing his head and indicating the bread with the orarion, says:

Deacon: Bless the holy bread, Father.
Priest: And make this bread + the precious body of your Christ.
Deacon: Amen.
Deacon: Bless the holy chalice, Father.
Priest: And that which is in this chalice + the precious blood of your Christ.
Deacon Amen.
Deacon: Bless both, Father.
Priest: Changing them by your Holy Spirit. Amen, amen, amen.

And they both bow profoundly to the floor.

– So that, to those who partake of them, they may be for the cleansing of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the fellowship of your Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the kingdom of heaven, for intimate confidence in You, and not for judgment or condemnation.

COMMEMORATIONS

AGAIN, we offer You this spiritual worship for those resting in the faith, the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every holy soul who has run the course in the faith.

The priest takes the censer and incenses three times the holy table before him and says aloud:

– Especially for our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary.

And he hands the censer to the deacon who incenses the holy table all around, and he remembers by name those whom he will while the choir sings the Hirmos:

It is fitting and right to call you blessed, O Theotokos: you are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God Higher in honor than the Cherubim and more glorious without compare than the Seraphim, you gave birth to God the Word in virginity. You are truly Mother of God: you do we exalt.

On the feast days of the Lord and of the Mother of God and on their leave-taking, the proper stanza of the ninth ode is sung.

– For the holy prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, for the holy glorious and illustrious apostles, for holy N. whose memory we honor today and for all your saints at whose supplication do You visit us, O God.
– And remember all those who have fallen asleep before in the hope of resurrection to eternal life

And the priest remembers by name those of the dead whom he will.

– And give them rest where the light of your face keeps watch.
– Again, we pray You: remember, Lord all the Orthodox Bishops rightly dispensing the word of your truth, all the priests, the deacons in Christ and all the ranks of the clergy.
– Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy. catholic and apostolic Church, for those who lead pure and honorable lives, for our public servants, for the government and for all who protect us. O Lord. grant them peaceful rule that we too in their tranquility may lead a calm and quiet life in all virtue and honor.
(Aloud:) First. Lord, remember His Holiness N., Pope of Rome, His Beatitude our Holy Patriarch N., our Most Reverend Bishop N. preserve them as a blessing over your holy Churches in peace, safety, honor, health, long life, rightly dispensing the word of your truth.

And the deacon prays:

And for the reverend priest N. who offers these holy gifts: for the salvation and help of the people here present and for those whom each of us has in mind and for all men and women.

All: Remember all men and women.
And the priest prays:

REMEMBER. LORD, this city (or country-place, or monastery) in which we dwell, and every city and country-place and those who live in them in the faith; remember. Lord the travelers by sea, air and land, the sick, the suffering, those in prison, and their salvation. Remember, Lord, those who bring offerings and those who support your holy Churches, and those who are mindful of the poor: and upon us all send down your mercies. (Aloud:) And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and extol your most noble and magnificent name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen
The priest turns towards the people, blesses them, and says aloud:
And may the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ + be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.

The deacon receives a blessing from the priest, goes out to his customary place and says:

NOW THAT we have remembered all the saints, again and again in peace let, us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– For the precious gifts here offered and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That our God who loves mankind, having received them on his holy and mystical altar in heaven as a sweet spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
All: Lord, have mercy.
– For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
- Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace. 
All: Lord, have mercy.
– That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this O Lord!
– For an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– For what is good and profitable to our souls and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
– That the end of our life may be Christian, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
All: Grant this, O Lord!

PRAYER FOR UNITY IN FAITH

And the deacon prays:

– Let us pray for unity of faith and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord!

TO YOU, MASTER WHO LOVE MANKIND, we commend our whole life and hope. We ask You, we pray You, we entreat You: make us worthy to partake of your heavenly and awesome mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience, for the remission of sins, for indulgence towards failures, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven and intimate confidence in You, and not for judgment or condemnation. (Aloud:) And make us worthy, Master, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call You Father, O God of heaven, and to say:

THE LORD'S PRAYER

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 dally bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not in to temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

The priest. Peace + to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord!

And the priest prays:

WE THANK YOU, invisible King who in your measureless power have fashioned all things, and in the abundance of your mercy have brought all things out of nothing into being do You, Master, look down from heaven upon those who bow their heads to You, for they bow them not to flesh and blood, but to You the awesome God. Be pleased, then, Master, to distribute these offerings to all of us, for our good, according to the need of each one; sail with those on the sea, travel with the wayfarers, heal the sick, O Physician of our souls and bodies. (Aloud:) Through the grace and mercies and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

And the priest prays:

LORD JESUS CHRIST OUR GOD, give heed from your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of your kingdom, and come to make us holy, O You who are enthroned on high with the Father and yet are present here though unseen to us And accord by the might of your hand to give us a share of your spotless body and precious blood, and through us to all the people.

Then the priest, and the deacon also from where he stands, make three reverences, saying each time:

O God, be propitious to me a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Then the deacon crosses the orarion on his breast.

ELEVATION

When he sees the priest stretching out his hands and touching the holy bread before making the elevation, he says aloud:
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
And the priest raises up the holy bread and says aloud:

HOLY THINGS for the Holy.

All: One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father Amen.

KINONIKON

SUNDAY (In honor of the Resurrection)
Praise the Lord from the highest. Alleluia!

MONDAY (In honor of the angels)
You make your angels like winds, and your ministers like blazing fires. Alleluia!

TUESDAY (In honor of John the Baptist)
The just shall be remembered forever. Alleluia!

WEDNESDAY (In honor of the Mother of God)
I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia!

THURSDAY (In honor of the apostles)
Their voice has gone forth over the whole world, and their words to the limits of the universe. Alleluia!

FRIDAY (In honor of the precious cross)
O Christ God, You brought about salvation in the midst of the earth. Alleluia!

SATURDAY (In honor of the faithful departed)
O Lord, blessed are those You chose and adopted. Alleluia!

And the curtain is closed.

Then the deacon enters the holy sanctuary through the south door, stands at the right side of the priest who is holding the holy bread.

The priest breaks it into four parts with care and reverence and says:

Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not dismembered, always eaten and never expended, but making holy those who receive it.

And he places the portions on the holy paten in this manner:

The priest takes the upper portion, makes with it tile sign of the cross over the holy chalice and says:

The fullness + of faith of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And he drops it in the holy chalice. The priest blesses the zeon or warm water and says:

Blessed is the fervor + of your saints, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon pours a sufficient quantity of the warm water crosswise into the holy chalice and says:

Deacon: The fervor + of faith, full of the Holy Spirit.

LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION

COMMUNION OF THE CELEBRANTS

At this point in some Slavic churches the deacon is summoned by the priest and receives the species of bread. He receives from the holy chalice, however, after all the priests have received.

Also, if there is concelebration of several priests each priest makes a deep reverence, saying : Behold! I am approaching my King and my God'! He then takes a particle Of the holy bread and puts it in the palm of his hand and says The precious and holy and spotless body etc. before reciting privately the prayer I believe Lord. etc.

The priest bows his head and prays:

I BELIEVE, LORD, and profess that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, come to this world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. I believe also that this is really your spotless body and that this is really your precious blood Wherefore I pray to You: have mercy on me and pardon my offenses, the deliberate and the indeliberate, those committed in word and in deed whether knowingly or inadvertently; and count me worthy to share without condemnation your spotless mysteries, for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.

RECEIVE ME NOW, O Son of God, as a participant in your mystical supper : for I will not betray your mystery to your enemies, nor give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief, I confess You: remember me, Lord, in your kingdom.

And if he wishes:

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under the stained roof of my soul, but as You accepted to be laid down in a cave and a manger for dumb animals, and to enter the house of Simon the Leper, and to receive, when she approached You, the sinful woman who resembled me: deign to enter both into the manger of my senseless soul and into my rubbish-filled body (which is that) of a dead and leprous (man). And as You did not recoil when the filthy mouth of the sinful woman kissed your spotless feet, likewise, my Master and God, do not shun the sinner that I am, but in your goodness and love for mankind grant that I may become a communicant of your all-holy body and blood.

O our God, remit, forgive, excuse my transgressions by which I sinned against You, knowingly or inadvertently, in word or in deed. In your goodness and love for mankind, hold me excused for all of them. Through the prayers of your all-pure and ever-virgin Mother, grant that I may partake without condemnation of your precious and spotless body, for the healing of (my) soul and body. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

And finally:

May the reception of your holy mysteries, Lord, be for me not to judgment or condemnation, but to the healing of (my) soul and body. Amen.

Then he takes a portion of the holy bread and says:

The precious and holy body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me N., priest, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life. Amen.

And thus he partakes of the holy bread with awe and with great care.

Then the priest takes the holy chalice with the veil and says:

Now the precious and holy blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me N., priest, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life.
And he partakes three times of it. With the veil he is holding, he wipes his lips and the holy chalice, which he then kisses, saying:
This has touched my lips and will remove my transgressions and wash away my sins.

The deacon approaches on command, right hand over left and prays: Behold I approach my King and my God. Master, give me the precious and holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life, amen. The deacon kisses the priest’s right hand. For the chalice the deacon again approaches on command praying: Behold I approach my King and my God. Master, give me the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life, amen. The deacon wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice, kisses the chalice and the priest’s hand then steps back.

COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL

And so, the door of the holy sanctuary is opened. The priest makes a single reverence, takes up the chalice and paten with great care, goes to the door and lifts up the holy chalice to show it to the people:

Deacon: Approach with fear of God, with faith and with love.
All: Amen, amen. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.

And the faithful approach to receive communion. They come one by one and bow with great reverence with their arms crossed on their breast. Saying: Behold, I come to my King and my God! they receive the divine mysteries. As the priest gives communion to each one, he says:

The servant of God N. receives the precious and holy body and blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of his (her) sins and for eternal life.

During the communion of the faithful, the choirs sing melodiously, once or several times according to the number of communicants.

RECEIVE ME now, O Son of God, as a participant in your mystical supper: for I will not betray your mystery to your enemies, nor give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief, I confess You remember me, Lord, in your kingdom.

After the divine partaking, the priest blesses the people, saying:

O God, save your people and bless + your inheritance. We have seen the true light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity who has saved us.
On the feasts of the Lord, the troparion of the feast is sung instead.

Both priest and deacon return to the holy table, and the priest incenses it three times, saying:

May You be raised up above the heavens, O God, and your glory above all the earth.

Then he takes the holy paten and places it on the deacon's head. The deacon holds it with reverence and goes to the door in silence, then to the altar of offering where he puts it down. The priest makes a reverence, takes the holy chalice, turns to the door and, facing the people, says:

Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.

And he goes to the altar of offering and puts down the chalice.

All: Amen. Let our mouth be filled with your praise, O Lord, for You have counted us worthy to share your holy, immortal and spotless mysteries; keep us in sanctification that we may sing your glory, meditating on your holiness all the day. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

LITURGY OF THANKSGIVING

Then the deacon goes out and stands in his customary place and says:

Let us stand. Now that we have received the divine, holy, spotless, immortal, heavenly, life-giving, awesome mysteries of Christ, let us give worthy thanks to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.

– Now that we have asked that this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord.

Meanwhile the priest folds the antimension. Holding up the holy Gospel book he makes with it the sign of the cross over the antimension, places the book on it, and recites the Prayer of Thanksgiving:

WE THANK YOU, Master who love mankind, Benefactor of our souls, for having today made us worthy of your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our paths, establish us in your fear, guard our life, steady our footsteps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary and of all your saints. (Aloud:) For You are our sanctification, and we send up glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Let us go forth in peace.
All: In the name of the Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

Prayer before the ambo, said aloud by the priest outside the bema while the deacon indicates the icon of Christ with his orarion.

O LORD WHO BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU, and sanctify those who trust in You, save your people and bless your inheritance; safeguard the fullness of your Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of your house; in return, raise them to glory by your divine power and do not forsake us who put our hope in You. Give peace to your world, to your Churches, to your priests, to our public servants, to the government and to all who protect us, and to all your people: for every good gift and every perfect grace is from above, coming down from You, the Father of Lights; and to You we send up glory and thanksgiving and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen Blessed be the name of the Lord henceforth and for ever (Three times)
After this is completed, the priest returns to the sanctuary through the holy doors, turns towards the altar of offering and says the following prayer.

O YOU WHO ARE THE FULFILLMENT of the law and the prophets, Christ our God, who fulfilled the whole providential plan of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon faces the people from the Holy Doors and says aloud:

Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.

The priest blesses the people and says:

May the blessing + of the Lord and his mercy be upon you through his grace and love for mankind, at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Then the priest turns to the east and says:

Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

– Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Give the blessing, reverend Father.
The prayer turns toward the people and makes the dismissal.
If it is Sunday:
He who is risen from the dead, Christ our true God…

Otherwise:

Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-spotless and all-pure Mother, (and the rest according to the day) of our father among the Saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, (of the saints of the church and of the day) of the holy and just Ancestors of Christ Joachim and Anne and of all the saints, may this same Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

Priest and deacon make a final reverence and they say together:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

The priest goes out and distributes the antidorian to the people, saying to each one:

– May the Lord protect your soul and your body for eternal life.

Or:

– May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

The priest returns to the sanctuary and takes of his vestments, saying:

Now You shall dismiss your servant, 0 Lord, according to your word in peace: because my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.

HOLY IS GOD! Holy the Mighty One! Holy the Immortal one! Have mercy on us (Three times).

– Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.
– All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
– Lord, have mercy (Three times).
– Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. 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 evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

The Apolitikion of the day.

The grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe, bestowed treasures of generosity upon the world and shown us the depth of your humility. While you teach us by your words, Father John Chrysostom, pray to the Word, Christ God, that He may save our souls.

– Lord, have mercy (Twelve times).
– Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.

– Higher in honor than the Cherubim and more glorious without compare than the Seraphim, you gave birth to God the Word in virginity. You are truly Mother of God: you do we exalt.

And he makes the dismissal, and having made a reverence and giving thanks to God for everything, he goes out.