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The Divine Liturgy is a
Sacrament between God and man which originated with our Lord's Mystical Supper.
The Apostoles, obedient to the
Lord's command:
"Do this in remembrance of Me",
observed it very
regularly. Saint Paul gives a description of this service in his first Epistle
to the Corinthians (Chapter 11, verses 23-24). Before the Gospels were written,
Sacred Tradition provided the basis, the authority and the method for the
observance of the Liturgy.
Words and phrases were gradually
added to the emerging Liturgy. Some came from the Old Testament, some from the
New, More prayers and supplications were added to the original Liturgy as time
went on. However, since the beginning of the fourth century, when Saint John
Chrysostom compiled the present form of the Liturgy, we have had no substantial
variations. Throughout the centuries and the Divine Liturgy has preserved its
original features.
These
features tell us that the Divine Liturgy:
(1) Is a Remembrance of the
Life, the Cross the Resurrection and the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) Is a Sacrifice:
"This is my
body which is broken for you....This is my blood, which is shed for you and for
many others...for the remission of sins."
This service is the perfect
sacrifice offered by the Only Begotten Son of God.
(3) Is a Communion:
"Take, eat,
this is my body...Drink of it all ye, this is my blood..."
Worthily approaching the Holy
Cup we receive Christ in our hearts. We receive forgiveness of our sins and we
reconcile ourselves with God.
(4) Is Eucharist: Because
the Divine Master offered an Eucharistian, a thanksgiving to God the Father,
before He instituded the Sacrament. Whenever we receive the Holy Communion,
gratefully we recall the love of Him Who died for us.
Through the Divine Liturgy man's
humanity is united with God's Divinity. From the time of the Apostoles to the
present day the Orthodox Church has celebrated the Divine Liturgy and will
continue to do so until the consummation of the world.
The
Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is as follows:
(The People Stand)
PRIEST: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE LITANY OF PEACE
PRIEST: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us
pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy
churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear
of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan) N., for the venerable
Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us
pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and
for the Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who
dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for
peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and suffering;
for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and neccessity,
let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and
glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us
commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee O Lord.
(The Priest says quietly The Prayer of the First Antiphon:)
O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible,
whose mercy is infinite and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou
thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and this holy
house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassions.
PRIEST: (Aloud) For unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages
of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE REFRAINS OF THE
FIRST ANTIPHONE
CHOIR: Through the intercessions of theTheotokos, O Savior, save us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Through the
intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Both now and ever, and to ages of ages, Amen. Through the intercessions of the
Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
THE LITTLE
EKTENIA
PRIEST: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and
glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us
commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
(The Priest says quietly The Prayer of the Second Antiphon:)
O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance: preserve the
fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: do thou
glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who put our
trust in thee.
PRIEST: (Aloud) For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom and
the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE REFRAINS OF THE
SECOND ANTIPHON
CHOIR: O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee:
Alleluia.
O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet
didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the Theotokos and ever-virgin
Mary; and without change wast made man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our
God, and by thy death didst Death subdue; who art one of the Holy Trinity,
glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.
THE LITTLE
EKTENIA
PRIEST: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy upon us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all holy, immaculate, most
blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints,
let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
(The Priest says quietly The Prayer of the Third Antiphon:)
O thou who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common
supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered
together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, the
desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them,
granting us in this world the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come,
life everlasting.
PRIEST: (Aloud) For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee
we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and
ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE REFRAINS OF THE
THIRD ANTIPHON
(The Choir sings the Troparion of the Tone of the Day, which is used as the
Refrain of the Third Antiphon.)
THE LITTLE ENTRANCE
The Priest makes the Little Entrance with the holy Gospel. Standing before
the Holy Doors, facing the Altar, he says:
THE PRAYER OF THE LITTLE
ENTRANCE
PRIEST: (quietly) O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven
orders and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the service of thy glory: cause
that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels serving with us
and gloryifying thy goodness: for unto thee are due all glory, honor, and
worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Then the Priest blesses the Entrance, saying quietly:)
. .
PRIEST: Blessed is the Entrance of thy Saints: Always, now and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
(When the Choir has finished the Troparion, the Priest kisses the Gospel Book
and lifts it up with both hands, saying in a loud voice:)
PRIEST: Wisdom! Attend!
(The Priest enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and places the Gospel
Book on the Altar. Meanwhile the Choir sings the Entrance Hymn.)
THE ENTRANCE HYMN
CHOIR: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God, who art
risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
(Then the Choir sings the Troparia and the Kontakion of
the day.)
(While the Choir sings the Troparia, the Priest prays the Prayer of the
Trisagion)
THE
PRAYER OF THE TRISAGION
PRIEST: O holy God, who restest in thy Holy Place; who art hymned by the
Seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by
every heavenly Power; Who out of nothing hast brought all things into being; who
hast created man after thine own image and likeness and has adorned him with
thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who
despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast
vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand
before the glory of thy holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are
due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the
Hymn of the Trisagion, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every
transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and
grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the
intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints who from the beginning
of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of
ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE
TRISAGION HYMN
CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
PRIEST: Dynamis!
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
(The Priest also says the Trisagion; then he bows toward the Prothesis and
quietly says the following prayer:)
PRIEST: (quietly) Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
(Then facing the High Place he says, quietly:)
PRIEST: Blessed are thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who sittest
upon the Cherubim: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(The People Sit)
THE APOSTLE
PRIEST: Let us attend!
(The Reader recites the Prokeimenon of the Epistle)
PRIEST: Wisdom!
(The Reader announces the title of the Epistle)
PRIEST: Let us attend!
(The Reader sings the Epistle for the day. When he has finished the Priest
says to the Reader:)
PRIEST: Peace be to thee that readest.
CHOIR: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
(During the reading of the Epistle, the Priest censes the Gospel Book, and
reads quietly the prayer before the Gospel.)
THE
PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL
PRIEST: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind,
with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to
the understanding of thy Gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy
blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon
a spiritual manner of living both thinking and doing such things as are wll
pleasing unto thee: for thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O
Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is
from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit: now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(The People Stand)
THE
GOSPEL
PRIEST: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be to all.
CHOIR: And to thy spirit
PRIEST: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint N.
CHOIR: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
(The Priest sings the appointed passage from the holy Gospel; when he has
finished, the Choir sings:)
CHOIR: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
(The people sit)
(The Priest preaches the sermon.)
(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with the Gospel
Book, and places it before the Altar tabernacle; he unfolds the Antimins, makes
the sign of the Cross above it with the sponge, and says the following prayer:)
THE PRAYER OF THE
EKTENIA OF
FERVENT SUPPLICATION
(The people stand)
PRIEST: (aloud) Help us; Save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God,
by thy grace. Wisdom:
THE SECOND PRAYER
OF THE FAITHFUL
PRIEST: Again and oftentimes we fall down before thee and beseech thee, O Good
Lord who lovest mankind, that looking down upon our petition thou wilt cleanse
our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh or spirit; and grant us to
stand blameless and without condemnation before thy holy Altar. Grant also, O
God, to those who pray with us growth in life and faith and spiritual
understanding. Grant them always blamelessly to serve thee with fear and love,
and to partake without condemnation of thy Holy Mysteries, and to be accounted
worthy of thy heavenly Kingdom:
That guarded always by thy might we may ascribe glory unto thee: to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
(The Choir now sings the Cherubimic Hymn as far as the words "the King of
all"; meanwhile, the Priest reads the Prayer of the Cherubimic Hymn, and
prepares to make the Great Entrance.)
THE
CHERUBIMIC HYMN
CHOIR: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving
Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may
receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE
CHERUBIMIC HYMN
PRIEST: (quietly) No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of
the flesh is worthy to approach or draw nigh or to serve thee, O King of Glory:
for to serve thee is a great and terrible thing even to the Heavenly Powers.
Nevertheless, through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou
didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst
take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this
liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over
those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who
art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, who alone art holy and restest in
thy Holy Place.
Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down
upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my
heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me,
who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy
Table, and perform the sacred Mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and
precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee: turn
not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy servants; but vouchsafe
that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy
servant: for thou thyself are he that offers and is offered, that accepts and is
distributed, O Christ our God: and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy
Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(The Priest now says the Cherubimic Hymn, censes the Altar, the ikons, and
the people, saying Psalm 50 as he goes. He makes three low bows before the
Altar, kisses the Antimins and the Altar, turns and bows to the people, and goes
to the Prothesis Table; he censes the holy Gifts, bows, and says:)
PRIEST: (quietly) O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy
upon me. (Then he takes up the Aer and places it upon his shoulders saying:)
PRIEST: (quietly) Lift up your hands to the holy Places, and bless ye the
Lord. (The Priest takes up the Diskarion in his left hand, and the holy
Chalice in his right hand, and preceded by the Cross and the taper and
censer-bearers proceeds around the Temple, saying aloud:)
PRIEST: The Lord God remember us all in his kingdom, always: now and ever, and
unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
(In many Churches, the Priest also stands at the foot of the Altar steps and
makes remembrances in the following fashion:)
PRIEST: (aloud) Our Most Reverend Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan)
N.: the Lord God remember him in his Kingdom always; now and ever, and unto ages
of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: The President of the United States and all civil authorities, and our
Armed Forces everywhere: the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always: now
and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: The Orthodox servant (s) of God N., (NN.): that they may have
mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, and pardon and remission
of sins: the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always; now and ever,
and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: The Orthodox servant (s) of God departed this life N. (NN.): the Lord
God remember them in his Kingdom always: now and ever, and unto ages of
ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
(Then the Priest enters the Sanctuary while the Choir sings the remainder of
the Cherubimic Hymn; he places the holy Gifts on the Altar, saying quietly:)
PRIEST: The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thy spotless body from the
tree, wrapped it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing placed it in a new
tomb.
In the Grave with the body, but in Hades with the Soul, as
God; in Paradise with the Thief, and on the Throne with the Father and Spirit
wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.
As giving life, as more splendid than Paradise, and more radiant than any royal
chamber, O Christ, is shown forth thy tomb, the fountain of our resurrection.
(The Priest censes the holy Gifts thrice, saying quietly the last part of
Psalm 50:)
PRIEST: Then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
THE
EKTENIA OF THE PROTHESIS
PRIEST: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the precious Gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear
of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our deliverance from all tribulation wrath, danger, and necessity,
let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us
ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies,
let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the
Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: All things good and profitable for the souls and peace for the world,
let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and
repentence, let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a
good defense before the dread Judgement Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and
glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us
commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
THE PRAYER OF THE PROTHESIS
PRIEST: (quietly) O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy: who dost
accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon thee with their whole
heart: Accept also the prayer of us sinners, and bear it to thy holy Altar, and
enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for
the errors of the people; And make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that
our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee; and that the good spirit of thy grace
may rest upon us and upon these gifts here offered, and upon all thy people:
PRIEST: (aloud) Through the compassions of thine Only-Begotten Son, with
whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be to all.
CHOIR: And to thy spirit.
PRIEST: Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:
CHOIR: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence and undivided.
(The Priest makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the veil covering
the holy Gifts, and says quietly thrice:)
PRIEST: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firm foundation,
my refuge, and my deliverer.
PRIEST: (aloud) The Doors! The Doors! In Wisdom let us attend.
THE CREED
PEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the
Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not
made; of one essence 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;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose
kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth
from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and
glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the Resurrection of the dead,
And the Life of the world to come, Amen.
THE ANAPHORA
PRIEST: Let us stand aright; let us stand with fear; let us attend, that we may
offer the Holy Oblation in peace.
CHOIR: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and
the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
CHOIR: And with thy spirit.
PRIEST: Let us lift up our hearts.
CHOIR: We lift them up unto the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
CHOIR: It is meet and right to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity,
one in Essence, and undivided.
(The Priest turns toward the Altar and prays quietly:)
PRIEST: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to
give thanks unto thee, and to worship thee in every place of thy dominion: for
thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever
existing and eternally the same, thou and thine Only-begotten Son and thy Holy
Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being, and when
we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things
until thou hadst brought us back to heaven, and hadst endowed us with thy
kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to
thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know,
and of which we know not, and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both
manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which
thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee
thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of Angels, the Cherubim and the
Seraphim, six-winged, many eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their pinions,
PRIEST: (aloud) Singing the Triumphal Hymn, shouting, proclaiming, and
saying:
CHOIR: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy
glory; Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST: (quietly With these blessed Powers we also, O Master who lovest
mankind, cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine
Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit: holy art thou and all-holy, and
magnificent is thy glory: Who hast so loved thy world as to give thine
Only-begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life; Who when he had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation
for us, in the night in which he was betrayed,-- or rather, gave himself up for
the life of the world,--took bread in his holy and pure and blameless hands; and
when he had given thanks and blessed it, and hallowed it and broken it, he gave
it to his holy Disciples and Apostles, saying:
PRIEST: (Aloud) Take, eat: this is my Body which is broken for you, for
the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: (quietly) Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying:
(Aloud) Drink ye all of this: this is my Blood of the New Testament,
which is shed for you and for any, for the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: (quietly) Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving
commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the
Grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting
at the right hand, and the second and glorious Coming:
(The Priest takes up the Diskarion and the Chalice and elevates them over the
Antimins; he makes the sign of the Cross with them over the Antimins as he
lowers them, saying:)
(Aloud) Thine own of thine own we offer unto thee, in behalf of all, and
for all.
CHOIR: We praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we
pray unto thee, O our God.
(The Priest makes a low bow before the Altar, and continues with the Prayer
of Consecration)
PRIEST: (Quietly) Again we offer unto thee this reasonable and unbloody
service, and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: send down thy Holy
Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here spread forth:
(The Priest signs the Holy Bread with the sign of the cross, saying quietly:)
And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ; Amen.
(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Chalice, saying quietly:)
And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ; Amen.
(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over both the holy Gifts, saying
quietly:)
PRIEST: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit; Amen, Amen, Amen.
(The Priest makes a low bow before the Altar and continues the prayer quietly:)
That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto
the remission of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the
fulfillment of the kingdom of Heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto
judgment nor unto condemnation.
And again we offer unto thee this reasonable service for all those who in faith
have gone before us to their rest: Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers,
Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit made
perfect in faith:
PRIEST: (Aloud) Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and
glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary:
CHOIR: It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever blessed and
all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and
more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without stain barest
God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
(Meanwhile the Priest continues the prayer quietly)
PRIEST: (quietly) And for the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John;
the holy glorious, and all-laudable Apsotles; Saint (s) N. (NN.), whose memory
we celebrate; and all thy Saints, at whose supplications look down upon us, O
God. And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of
Resurrection unto life eternal; (especially N, NN), and grant them rest, O our
God, where the light of thy countenance shines upon them.
And again we beseech thee: be mindful, O Lord, of every Bishop of the Orthodox,
who rightly divide the word of thy truth; of all the Priesthood, the Diaconate
in Christ, and of every priestly and monastic order.
And again we offer unto thee this reasonable service, for the whole world, for
the holy catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and
holiness of life, for all civil Authorities, and our Armed Forces everywhere;
grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a
calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.
PRIEST: (Aloud) Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Metropolitan
N., whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health
and length of days, and rightly dividing the word of thy truth.
CHOIR: And of all mankind.
PRIEST: Be mindful, O Lord, of this city in which we dwell, and of every city
and countryside, and of those who in faith dwell therein. Be mindful, O Lord, of
those who travel by sea, by land, and by air; of the sick, the suffering,
captives, and their salvation. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit and
do good works in thy holy churches, and who remember the poor; and upon us all
send forth thy mercies:
PRIEST: (aloud) And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and
praise thine all-honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
(The Priest, turning towards the people, blesses them, saying:)
PRIEST: And the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you
all.
CHOIR: And with thy spirit.
THE
EKTENIA BEFORE THE
LORD'S PRAYER
(The people sit)
PRIEST: Calling to remembrance all the Saints, again and again in peace let us
pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the precious Gifts which have been offered and sanctified, let us
pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: That our God, who loveth mankind, receiving them upon his holy,
heavenly, and ideal Altar for an odor of spiritual fragrance, will send down
upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray
to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity,
let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us
ask of the Lord
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies,
let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: Pardon and remission our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the
Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: All things good and profitable for our souls, and
peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and
repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a
good defense before the dread Judgement Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
PRIEST: Asking for the unity of the Faith, and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
PRIEST: (quietly) Unto thee we commend our whole life and our hope, O
Master who lovest mankind; and we beseech thee, and pray thee, and supplicate
thee: make us worthy to partake of the heavenly and terrible Mysteries of this
sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience: unto remission of sins, unto
forgiveness of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto boldness
towards thee, and not unto judgement nor unto condemnation.
PRIEST: (aloud) And vouchsafe, O Lord, that with boldness and without
condmnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to
say:
(The People Stand.)
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PEOPLE: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST: (aloud) For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto
ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be to all.
CHOIR: And to thy spirit.
PRIEST: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
PRIEST: (quietly) We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy
measureless power hast made all things, and in the multitude of thy mercy hast
brought all things from nothing into being. Do thou thyself, O Master, look down
from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee; for they have not
bowed down unto flesh and blood, but to thee, the terrible God. Therefore, O
Master, do thou thyself distribute these gifts here spread forth, unto all of us
for good, according to the individual need of each: voyage with those who sail
by sea and air; journey with those who travel by land; heal the sick, thou who
art the physician of our souls and bodies:
PRIEST: (aloud) Through the grace and compassion and love torward man of
thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine
all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE
ELEVATION
PRIEST: (quietly)
Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place, and from
the throne of the glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who
sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and
vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and
precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.
(The Priest makes three low bows before the Altar, saying quietly:)
PRIEST: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy upon me.
(Then the Priest takes up the holy Bread in both hands and elevates it above
the Diskarion, saying aloud:)
PRIEST: Let us attend! Holy Things are for the holy.
As the Priest lowers the holy Bread, he makes with it the sign of the Cross,
above the Diskarion. Meanwhile, the Choir sings the following Hymn; the people
sit.
CHOIR: One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen. (The Choir sings the Communion Hymn of the day; on most Sundays, the
following Hymn:)
THE
COMMUNION HYMN
CHOIR: Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the Highest. Alleluia.
THE
COMMUNION
The Priest breaks the holy Bread into four parts with great reverence and
care, saying quietly:
PRIEST: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not
disunited; who is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifies those who
partake thereof.
The Priest arranges the pieces on the rim of the Diskarion in the form of a
cross. Then he takes the portion IC and makes with it the sign of the cross over
the Chalice, and places it in, saying quietly:
PRIEST: The fulness of the Cup of the Faith, of the Holy Spirit.
Then the Priest takes the warm water from the Acolyte and blesses it, saying,
quietly:
PRIEST: Blessed is the fervor of thy Saints, always: now and ever, and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
The Priest pours a sufficient quantity of the warm water into the Chalice
crosswise, saying quietly:
PRIEST: The fervor of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then the Priest says quietly the following prayers of preparation for the
Holy Communion:
PRIEST: I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son
of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this
is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and
forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed,
of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without
condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto
life everlasting. Amen.
Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a
communicant: for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will
I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee:
Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom.
Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy Mysteries, O
Lord, but unto healing of soul and body
Then the Priest makes a low bow before the Altar and says quietly:
PRIEST: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.
The Priest partakes of the particle of the holy Bread XC, saying quietly:
PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus
Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy Priest N., unto remission of my sins
and unto life everlasting.
Then the Priest takes up the Chalice with its veil, and drinks from it,
saying quietly:
PRIEST: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus
Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy Priest N., unto remission of my sins
and unto life everlasting.
The Priest wipes his lips and the Chalice with the veil, kisses the Chalice
and says quietly:
PRIEST: Lo, this hath touched my lips, and shall take away mine iniquities, and
purge away my sins.
Then the Priest divides the particles NI and KA of the holy Bread and places
them in the Chalice for the Communion of the People.
The Priest turns and elevates the Chalice before the people, saying aloud:
PRIEST: With fear of God, and faith and love, draw near.
CHOIR: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord; The Lord is God and
hath revealed himself unto us.
Then the people who wish to communicate draw near. The Priest communicates
those who have come forward, saying to each person:
PRIEST: The servant of God N. partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and
Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the remission of sins
and unto life everlasting.
Meanwhile the Choir sings the Hymn:
CHOIR: Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant: for
I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a
kiss as did Judas; but like the theif will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord,
in thy Kingdom.
When all have communicated, the Priest covers the Chalice with the veil and
blesses the people with it, saying aloud:
PRIEST: O god, save thy people and bless thine inheritance.
CHOIR: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we
have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity: for He hath saved
us.
Meanwhile the Priest wipes the remaining particles on the Diskarion into the
Chalice, saying quietly:
PRIEST: Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated, by thy
precious Blood: through the prayers of thy Saints.
Then the Priest covers the Chalice and censes it thrice,
saying quietly:
PRIEST: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the
earth. Blessed is our God.
The Priest takes the Chalice in his right hand and the Diskarion in his left
and turns torward the people; he raises both slowly, with the Chalice above the
Diskarion, saying aloud:
PRIEST: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen. Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing
of thy glory: for thou hast permitted us to partake of thy holy, divine,
immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Establish us in thy Sanctification, that all
the day long we may meditate upon thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia.
Meanwhile the Priest places the Chalice and Diskarion upon the Prothesis Table,
and returns to the Altar and folds up the Antimins.
THE
EKTENIA OF THANKSGIVING
PRIEST: Attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal,
heavenly, life-giving and terrible Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give
thanks unto the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
CHOIR: Lord have mercy.
PRIEST: Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless,
let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.
THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
PRIEST: (quietly) We give thanks unto thee, O Lord who lovest mankind,
benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that thou hast vouchsafed this day to
feed us with thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our path;
establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps: through the
prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of
all thy Saints:
(And making the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with the Gospel Book, the
Priest says:)
PRIEST: (aloud) For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we ascribe glory:
to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages
of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Let us go forth in peace.
CHOIR: In the name of the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
The Priest comes out the Holy Doors and stands before the Ikon of Christ, and
says aloud the following prayer:
THE PRAYER BEHIND THE
AMBON
PRIEST: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put
their trust in thee: save thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the
fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy House; glorify
them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope on thee.
Give peace to thy world, to thy Churches, to the priests, to all civil
authorities, to our Armed Forces, and to all thy people: for every good and
perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from thee, the Father of Lights, and
unto thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore.
(Thrice).
The Priest goes into the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and goes to the
Prothesis Table, and there quietly says the following prayer:
PRIEST: O Christ our God, who art thyself the fulfilment of the law and the
Prophets, who didst fulfil all the dispensation of the Father: fill our hearts
with joy and gladness, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Priest returns to the Altar and says aloud:
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord have mercy.
Turning and facing the people, the Priest blesses them saying:
PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his grace
and love towards man, always: now and ever and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
PRIEST: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.
CHOIR: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord,
have mercy. Father, bless.
PRIEST: May He who rose again from the dead, Christ our true God,--through the
intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, by the might
of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable
Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious
Prophet, Fore-runner and Baptist John; of the holy, glori
