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LITURGY OF PREPARATIONThe 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. 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 DOORSO God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me
(Three times). I SHALL ENTER into your dwelling place; VESTING OF THE DEACONThe deacon, holding his
liturgical vestments on the palm of his right hand. comes to the priest
and, bowing his head, says: VESTING OF THE PRIESTThe priest likewise,
vests. Taking In his right hand the tunic and making three reverences
toward the east, as above, he blesses it: WASHING OF THE HANDSAfter that priest and
deacon go to the basin and wash their hands, saying: CEREMONY OF PREPARATION
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Sunday (Ordinary) (in Slavic Churches) Reader: Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to his name. |
Weekdays (Ordinary) (Ps. 91: 2, 3, 16) Reader: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, O Most High. |
All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us! | |
2. Say to God: "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before You. | 2. To proclaim your mercy in the morning, and your faithfulness throughout the night. |
All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us! | |
3. Let all the earth worship You and sing praises to You; let it sing praises to your name, O Most High! | 3. For the Lord our God is upright, and there is no wrong in Him. |
All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us! | |
Glory be to
the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and
for ever and ever. Amen. All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us! |
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.
Sunday (Ordinary) (in Slavic Churches) Reader: Be gracious to us, O God, and bless us; let your face shine upon us, and have mercy on us. |
Weekdays (Ordinary) (Ps. 92: 1, 5) Reader: The Lord reigns. He is clothed in majesty; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: Through the prayers of your saints, O Savior, save us! |
2. That your name may be known upon earth, among all nations your salvation. | 2. For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved. |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: Through the prayers of your saints, O Savior, save us! |
3. Let the peoples praise You, O God, let all the peoples praise You. | 3. Your decrees are worthy cf trust indeed; holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: Through the prayers of your saints, O Savior, save us! |
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen. |
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.
Sunday (Ordinary) (in Slavic Churches) |
Weekdays (Ordinary) (Ps. 94: 1,2,3) |
Reader: Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us shout with joy to God our Savior. | |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: O Son of God whom we admire in your saints, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! |
2. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, and let us joyfully sing psalms to Him. | |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: O Son of God whom we admire in your saints, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! |
3. For God is a great Lord, and a great King over all the earth. | |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: O Son of God whom we admire in your saints, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! |
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen. | |
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! | All: O Son of God whom we admire in your saints, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 deacons shoulder, says:
Lift up your hands to the holy places and bless the Lord.
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 deacons
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).
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.
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!
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 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.
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:
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.]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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:
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.
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.
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:
IC | ||
NI | KA | |
XC |
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.
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 priests 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 priests hand then steps back.
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.
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.
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 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.
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