A Study Text for
THE ORDER OF
THE DIVINE AND HOLY LITURGY
OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
The priest who is about to celebrate the divine mysteries must be reconciled with all 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 throne and stands on the solea. He makes three metanies towards the East before the holy doors.
PRAYERS BEFORE THE HOLY DOORS
Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.
Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: 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 God! Holy Mighty One! Holy 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 forever 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 forever 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.
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 forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
Then they say:
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.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
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.
Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
They bow profoundly.
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.
Then they go before the icon of Christ. With the deacon at the priest's right and bowing in worship, they say:
Before your most pure image we bow in worship, O Good One, begging forgiveness of 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. With the deacon at the priest's left and bowing in worship, they say the troparion:
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 Mother of God, then bow their heads.
Looking towards the altar, they bow their heads and say:
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 metanies before the holy doors, then bow to the two choirs, and to each other saying:
Forgive me, Father.
And responding:
Forgive me, fellow minister.
And 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 metanies 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 forever 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.
Deacon: 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 and puts it on his left shoulder saying nothing.
Then he slips the epimanikia over his hands. For the right hand he says:
Deacon: 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:
Deacon: Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.
Then going to the prothesis he arranges the holy objects each in its proper place.
VESTING OF THE PRIEST
The priest likewise vests. Taking the sticharion in his right hand, making three metanies towards the East, as above, he blesses it saying:
Priest: Blessed is our God + at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Then he puts on the sticharion saying:
Priest: 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 adorned me with jewels as a bride.
Then taking the epitrachelion, he blesses and kisses it and puts it on saying:
Priest: 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 and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Then taking the zone, he blesses it and girds himself, saying:
Priest: Blessed is God + who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless and strengthens my feet like the hart's, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
He blesses and kisses the epimanikia, then puts them on, saying for the right hand:
Priest: 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:
Priest: Your hands + have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.
Then, taking the epigonation if he has the proper ecclesiastical title, he blesses and kisses it and puts it on, saying:
Priest: 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 and righteousness. Your right hand shall lead You wonderfully, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Finally, taking the phelonion, he blesses and kisses it and puts it on, saying:
Priest: Your priests + Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and your saints shall rejoice in joy, at all times, now and always and forever 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.
THE PREPARATION OF THE OBLATIONS OR
PROTHESIS
And thus they go to the altar of offering and make three metanies before it, saying:
O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (three times).
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.
Priest: Blessed is our God + at all times, now and always and for ever hand ever. Amen.
Then 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:
Priest: In remembrance of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ (three times).
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 and says at each cutting "Let us pray to the Lord."
The directions "right" and "left" are reckoned from the point of view of the amnos.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Then he thrusts the holy lance into the right side of the seal and makes an incision saying:
Priest: As a sheep, He was led to the slaughter.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
And into the left side saying:
Priest: 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:
Priest: In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
And into the bottom saying:
Priest: And who shall declare his generation?
Deacon: Lift up, Master.
And the priest thrusting the holy lance obliquely into the right side of the bread, lifts out the amnos saying:
Priest: For his life was taken away from the earth.
And he puts it upside down on the diskos.
Deacon: Immolate, Master.
The priest immolates by cutting it crosswise and says:
Priest: 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:
Priest: 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, 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:
Priest: Blessed + is the union of your holy things, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Then the priest takes a second prosphora and says:
Priest: 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 triangular particle and places it at the right side of the Lamb near the center of it, and says:
Priest: 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 poterion and the diskos with the aer saving nothing. The celebrating bishop says the remaining prayers, thus completing the rite of preparation before the procession of the Great Entrance.
Commemorations
of the Saints
Then, taking a third prosphora he removes from it a first particle and says:
Priest: [1] 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 column.
Priest: [2] 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 particle.
Then he removes a third particle and says:
Priest: [3] 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 column.
Then he removes a fourth particle and says:
Priest: [4] 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 and of all holy pontiffs.
And he places it next to the first, thus beginning the second column.
Then he removes a fifth particle and says:
Priest: [5] Of the holy first martyr and archdeacon Stephen; of the holy great martyrs Demetrius, George and Theodore of Tyre, and of all holy martyrs.
And he places it below the first particle in the second column.
Then he removes a sixth particle and says:
Priest: [6] Of our saintly fathers the God-bearers Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onuphrius, Athanasius of Athos and of all the holy Fathers.
And he places it below the second particle in the second column, thus completing the second column.
Then he removes a seventh particle and says:
Priest: [7] 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 column.
Then he removes an eighth particle and says .
Priest: [8] Of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Ann, (the patron saint of the church, and the saint of the day) and of all the saints, through whose prayers visit us, O God.
And he places it below the first particle of the third column.
Priest: [9] Of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (if his liturgy is being celebrated. If it is that of Basil the Great, the priest remembers him: Of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia).
And he places it at the bottom of the third column, thus completing it.
Commemorations
for the Living
Then taking a fourth prosphora and removing a particle from it, he says:
Priest: Remember, Master who love mankind, all Orthodox Bishops, our most reverend Bishop N., the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ and all the clergy, 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., who
ordained me. Remember, Lord, N.
And he places it at the left of the preceding particle of the top row and so on, until this row of commemorations is completed.
Commemorations
of the Dead
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.
And he places it beneath the first particle of the top row.
Then he commemorates by name those of the dead whom he will, first the bishop who ordained him, if no longer living. For each name, he removes a particle and says:
[Remember, Lord, N., who ordained me.] Remember, Lord, N.
And he places it at the left of the preceding particle.
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 of the preceding one.
Commemorations
of the Deacon
The priest cuts a particle for the deacon, shows him, and the deacon likewise remembers whom he will of the living and the dead.
Deacon: Remember N.
Commemoration
of the Celebrating Priest
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 of commemorations.
And particles are cut for Communion for the faithful.
The
Prayer of Incense
Deacon: Bless the incense, Master. Let us pray to the Lord.
The priest, blessing the censer recites the Prayer of Incensing:
Priest: 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, the priest places it over the holy bread and says:
Priest: 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 veil for the diskos, the priest covers with it the holy bread and says:
Priest: 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 veil for the poterion, the priest covers the holy chalice and says:
Priest: 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 aer, the priest places it over both and says:
Priest: 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 from the deacon, 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 forever and ever. Amen.
Blessing
Prayer over the Holy Gifts
And they bow respectfully three times.
Deacon: For the offering of the precious gifts, let us pray to the Lord.
And the priest says the Prayer of Offering:
Priest: 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 in 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 forever and ever. Amen.
Then he makes the dismissal, saying:
Priest: Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.
Deacon: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy (three times). Give the blessing, Master.
And the apolysis:
Priest: Christ our true God (Sundays: who is risen from the dead), through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of our Father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (or Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia) and all the saints, have mercy on us for He is good and loves mankind.
Deacon: Amen.
The
Great Incensation
After the dismissal the deacon incenses the prothesis, all four sides of the holy table and the bishop's throne, saying:
Deacon: 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.
While saying psalm 50, he then moves outside the holy of holies, incensing the iconostasis, the holy icons around the nave of the church, cantor and all the people. He goes back into the sanctuary to incense the servers and priest.
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.
The deacon returns to the holy table, puts the censer in its place, and standing at the priest's right, extends his hands in prayer while the priest says:
Priest: O 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 each time a metany, 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. The deacon kisses the holy table.
Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.
With uncovered head, the priest lifting the holy Gospel book and making with it the sign of the cross, answers aloud:
Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Then the deacon intones the litany of peace:
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: For our public servants, for the government and the armed forces, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this place (or monastery), for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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:
Priest: 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 first antiphon or the first psalm of the Typica. As soon as the singing begins the deacon makes a metany 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.
Reader: It is good to give the Lord, and to sing praise to his name, O Most High.
All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us!
Reader: To proclaim your mercy in the morning, and your faithfullness throughout the night.
All: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us!
Reader: 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!
Reader: 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 metany and says aloud:
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: 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; in 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.
Reader: The Lord reigns. He is clothed in majesty; robed is the Lord and girt about strength.
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!
Reader: 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!
Reader: Your decrees are worthy of 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!
Reader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen.
All: 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, makers a metany before the holy doors.
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Priest: O You who have granted us to pray together in 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 render glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
In like manner, the singers intone the third antiphon or the Beatitudes.
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!
Reader: 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!
Reader: 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!
Reader: 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 save us sing to You: Alleluia!
After the singing of the psalm of the third antiphon, or of the Beatitudes if it is a Sunday, at the "Glory be" the priest and deacon stand before the holy doors and make three metanies. And the holy doors are opened.
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 out through the north side, candlebearers going before them, thus making the Little Entrance. And standing at the customary place, they both bow their heads.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
And the priest recites the Prayer of Entrance:
Priest: 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 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.
Then the deacon gives the holy Gospel book to the priest to kiss. The deacon in turn kisses the right hand of the priest.
After the singing of the Beatitudes or of 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:
Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand.
And the Entrance Hymn is sung. On weekdays:
Priest: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
All: O Son of God, wonderful among the saints, save us who sing to You alleluia.
On Sundays:
Priest: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
All: O Son of God who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!
On major feasts, a proper Entrance Hymn is sung.
The deacon makes a metany, 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 troparia.
The priest prays as follows.
Priest: 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 final kontakion, 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 render 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:
Deacon: And forever and ever.
All: Amen.
All: Holy God! Holy Mighty One! Holy 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 immortal One! Have mercy on us.
Holy God! Holy Mighty One! Holy immortal One! Have mercy on us.
During the singing of the thrice holy hymn, both priest and deacon recite this same hymn, and make together three metanies before the holy table.
Deacon: Give the order, Father.
And they proceed towards the throne of the bishop.
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 forever and ever. Amen.
When the Thrice-Holy Hymn is ended:
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
And the reader chants the prokimenon and its verses with the people.
Deacon: Wisdom.
And the reader reads the title of the epistle.
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
The reader intones the epistle reading. 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:
Priest: 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 render 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:
Deacon: Bless, Father, the herald of the Gospel of the holy apostle and evangelist N.
And the priest blesses him and says:
Priest: 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 him the holy Gospel book.
Deacon: Amen.
And making a metany towards the holy Gospel book, he takes it up. And going out through the holy doors, escorted by candlebearers, he proceeds. to the ambo or to the customary place.
The deacon and priest, standing before the holy table and facing the West, say aloud:
Deacon: Wisdom. Let 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!
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:
Priest: 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 doors are closed.
The deacon, standing in his usual place, intones the litany and the choirs alternate answering with great reverence.
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us all say:
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Deacon: Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Deacon: 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).
Deacon: Again, we pray for our Most Reverend Bishop N., and for his reverend clergy.
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Deacon: Again, we pray for our brothers the priests, the deacons, the monks, and for all our brethren in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy (three times).
Deacon: 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).
Deacon: 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).
Deacon: 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).
And the priest recites the Prayer of the Ecumenic Supplication:
Priest: 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 render 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.
Deacon: Let us faithful pray for the catechumens.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the Lord may have mercy on them.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He instruct them in the word of truth.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He open to them the Gospel of righteousness.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He join them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Save them, have mercy on them, help them and protect them, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Lord our God dwelling on high and watching over the lowly, who sent forth as Salvation to the human race your only-begotten Son, God, our Lord Jesus Christ: 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Deacon: All catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. All catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain.
Deacon: All we faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom.
And the priest recites the First Prayer for the Faithful:
Priest: 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom.
And the priest opens the antimension on the holy table.
And the priest recites the Second Prayer for the Faithful:
Priest: 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 render glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever 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.
All: 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 with arms raised recites the priest recites the Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn:
Priest: No one given to carnal desires 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; (and lowering his hands he continues:) 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 Aght 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 render glory to You and also to your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever 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 sung by the priest, the deacon takes the censer and puts incense into it. He goes to the priest, receives a blessing from him; the priest, while the deacon precedes him around the holy table with the candle, incenses the holy table all around, the whole sanctuary and the iconostasis while reciting Psalm 50:
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. The priest incenses the holy gifts three times; they both make three metanies, saying each time:
O God, be propitious to me a sinner and have mercy on me (three times).
Deacon: Lift up, Father.
The priest places the aer on the deacon's shoulders and says:
Priest: Lift up your hands to the holy places and bless the Lord.
Then, taking the covered diskos, 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 they make 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
The deacon and priest alternate, each one making the commemoration he pleases. If there are several priests, each makes one commemoration, the senior priest making the final one. And the choir completes the Cherubic Hymn:
All: 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 diskos from the deacon's head, he places it on the holy table.
And again the holy doors and the curtain are closed.
Then the priest, taking the veils from the holy diskos and the holy chalice, sets them aside on the holy table. He takes the aer from the deacon's shoulder, incenses it, and covers the holy things with it, saying:
Priest: The noble Joseph, taking down your spotless body from the wood and wrapping it in a clean shroud with aromatic spices, carefully laid it in a new tomb.
And taking the censer from the deacon's hand, he incenses the holy things three times and says:
Priest: Then shall they offer calves upon your altar (three times).
Then they say:
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 Himsef join with us in our celebration all the days of our life.
Deacon: Remember me, holy Master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember you in His kingdom, at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon kisses the priest's hand.
Deacon: Bless, Master.
The deacon kisses the right hand of the priest and goes out through the north door.
Standing at his usual place, he says:
Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
Deacon: 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!
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
Deacon: 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!
Deacon: That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
Deacon: 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!
Deacon: 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!
Meanwhile the priest recites the Offertory Prayer:
Priest: 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Turning to the people, the priest blesses them with his hand, saying:
Priest: Peace to all.
All: And to your spirit.
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 makes three metanies, saying each time:
Priest: I 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 diskos, then the top of the holy chalice and 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.
Deacon: [The doors, the doors.] In wisdom, let us be attentive.
And the curtain is opened.
Then the priest, lifting the aer from the gifts. holds it over them, waving it and reciting the Creed together with the people, or, if customary, the cantor. If there are several priests, all take part by holding a corner of the aer.
All: I believe in one God the 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 (and he kisses the aer, folds it and lays it aside) on the third day 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 worshipped 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.
Then turning towards the peolpe:
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 metany and goes into the sanctuary through the south door. Turning towards the people, the priest blesses them with his hand:
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
And the priest, lifting both hands, says:
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
All: We have them lifted up to the Lord.
The priest turns towards the icon of the Lord:
Priest: 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:
Priest: 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 archangels 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 asterisk from the holy diskos, makes the sign of the cross over it; he presents it to the priest to kiss then
kisses the asterisk himself and lays it aside.
All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth: 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.
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:
Priest: 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, sanctifying 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:
Priest: Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
All concelebrating priests say together the words of institution.
Both priest and deacon make a deep metany.
All: Amen.
While this is being said, the deacon holds the orarion with three fingers of the right hand and indicates to the priest the holy diskos. When the priest says "Drink of this . . ." the deacon likewise indicates the holy chalice.
Then the priest blesses the holy chalice and says:
Priest: Likewise, the chalice after He had supped, saying:
The priest bows his head and raises his right hand reverently and says aloud:
Priest: 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.
All: Amen.
Both priest and deacon make a deep metany.
All: Amen.
And the priest prays:
Priest: 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 the holy diskos 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:
Priest: 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 comes closer to the priest, and both make three metanies before the holy table.
Then the deacon, bowing his head and indicating the holy bread with the orarion, says:
Deacon: Bless the holy bread, Father.
Priest: And make this bread the precious body of your Christ.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon points to the chalice, saying:
Deacon: Bless the holy chalice, Father.
Priest: And that which is in this chalice the precious blood of your Christ.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon points to both the holy diskos and holy chalice and says:
Deacon: Bless both, Father.
Priest: Changing them by your Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen, amen, amen.
And they both bow profoundly to the floor.
Priest: So that, to those who partake of them, they may be for the cleansing of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion 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:
Priest: 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:
All: 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.
The priest continues:
Priest: 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.
Priest: 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 tranquillity 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 over your holy Churches in peace, safety, honor, health, long life, rightly dispensing the word of your truth.
And the deacon continues:
Deacon: 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.
If a bishop is celebrating together with concelebrating priests, the deacon says:
Deacon: And for the reverend priests, N., 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:
Priest: Remember, Lord, this city (or country-place, or monastery) in which we dwell, and every city and countryplace 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
The priest turns towards the people, blesses them, and says aloud:
Priest: And may the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
The deacon receives the kairon from the priest, goes out to his customary place and says:
Deacon: Now that we have remembered all the saints, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the precious gifts here offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this O Lord!
Deacon: 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!
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
Deacon: 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!
Deacon: That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord!
Deacon: 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 priest prays:
Priest: Let us pray for unity of faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, and let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord!
Priest: 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:
All: 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 in to 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Peace to all.
All: And to your spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord!
And the priest prays
Priest: 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, O 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 forever and ever.
All: Amen.
And the priest prays:
Priest: 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 metanies, saying each time:
O God, be propitious to me a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Then the deacon crosses the orarion on his chest.
When he sees the priest stretching out his hands and following the holy bread before making the elevation, he says aloud:
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
And the priest raises up the holy Lamb and says aloud:
Priest: Holy Things for the Holy.
All: One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
And the kinonikon proper to the day is sung. 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 deacon says:
Deacon: Master, break the Holy Bread.
The priest breaks it into four parts with care and reverence and says:
Priest: 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 diskos in the form of a cross.
The deacon says:
Deacon: Master fill the holy chalice.
The priest takes the upper portion, makes with it the sign of the cross over the holy table saying:
Priest: The fullness of faith of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
And he drops the particle into the chalice.
The deacon then receives the zeon, extends it to the priest and says:
Deacon: Master, bless the zeon.
Blessing the zeon, the priest says:
Priest: Blessed is the fervor of your saints, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
And 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.
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. Therefore 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 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:
Priest: 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.
After he has consumed the Holy Bread, the priest says:
Priest: Deacon, approach!
The deacon approaches, saying:
Deacon: 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 priest places the Holy Bread into the deacon's right hand. The deacon kisses the priest's hand, covers his own right hand with his left. The deacon goes to the east of the holy table, facing west, where he consumes the Bread.
The deacon then moves to the south side of the holy table, facing north.
Meanwhile, the priest takes the holy chalice with the communion cloth and says:
Priest: Behold, 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. Amen.
And he partakes three times of it. With the communion cloth he is holding, he wipes his lips and the holy chalice, which he then kisses, saying:
Priest: This has touched my lips and will remove my transgressions and wash away my sins.
The priest says to the deacon:
Priest: Deacon, approach again!
The deacon approaches, saying:
Deacon: 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 priest holds the chalice and the deacon takes three sips, wipes his mouth and the rim of the chalice with the communion cloth, kisses the chalice and the priest's hand, and steps back.
And so, the door of the holy
sanctuary is opened.
The priest covers the chalice with the communion cloth and gives it to the deacon who goes to the holy doors and proclaims:
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.
The priest makes a single metany, takes up the diskos with great care, goes to the customary place where 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:
Priest: The servant of God N. receives the precious and holy body and blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ . . .
Deacon: . . . for the remission of his (her) sins and for eternal life. Amen.
During the communion of the faithful, the choirs sing melodiously, once or several times according to the number of communicants:
All: 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 with his hand, saying:
Priest: O God, save your people and bless your inheritance.
All: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, worshipping 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:
Priest: May You be raised up above the heavens, O God, and your glory above all the earth.
Then he takes the holy diskos and paces it on the deacon's head. The deacon holds it with reverence and goes to the holy door in silence, shows the Gift to the people and goes to the prothesis when he put it down.
The priest makes a metany, takes the holy chalice, turns towards the holy doors and shows the Gift to the and facing the people, says:
Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and for ever and ever.
And he goes to the prothesis and puts down the holy chalice.
Meanwhile the people sing:
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.
The the deacon takes the kairon from the priest, goes out and stands in his customary place and says:
Deacon: 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.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: 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, he makes with it the sign of the cross over the antimension, places the book on it, and recites the Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Priest: 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 render glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever 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.
The priest leaves the sanctuary through the holy doors, stands before the bema and says the Prayer before the Ambo:
Priest: 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 the armed forces, 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 render glory and thanksgiving and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever 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 prothesis and says the following prayer:
Priest: 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 forever and ever. Amen.
The deacon goes out through the north door and, standing before the doors, says aloud:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
The priest blesses the people and says:
Priest: 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:
Priest: Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.
All: Glory be to 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, Father, in the name of the Lord.
The priest turns towards the people and makes the dismissal.
If it is Sunday:
May Christ our true God who is risen from the dead, . . .
Otherwise:
May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-spotless and all-pure Mother, (and letting the phelonion fall over his hands he continues;)
On Monday he adds:
through the supplications of the venerable and bodiless powers of heaven,
On Tuesday he adds:
through the supplications of the venerable and glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist,
On Wednesday he adds:
through the power of the divine and life-giving Cross,
On Thursday he adds:
of the holy apostles worthy of all praise, of our holy father and wonder-worker Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia,
On Friday he adds:
through the power of the divine and life-giving Cross,
And he continues:
of His holy and glorious Apostles who are worthy of all praise, of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, of Saint N. whose memory we celebrate today, of the holy and just ancestors of Christ Joachim and Ann, of Saint N., patron of this church, 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.
The priest and deacon make a final metany 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 antidoron to the people, saying to each one:
Priest: May the Lord protect your soul and your body for eternal life.
or
Priest: May the blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you.
A Study Text for
THE ORDER OF
THE DIVINE AND HOLY LITURGY
OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Diaconate Training Program
Diocese of Newton
St Gregory Seminary
May 28-June 12, 1994