Priest:Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The Great Litany and the Antiphons
Deacon:In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls,
let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For peace of the whole world, for the stability of
the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray
to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For this holy house and for those who enter it with
faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For our Archbishop (Name), our Bishop (Name),
the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ,
and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For our country, the president, and all those in public
service, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For this parish and city, for every city and country,
and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits
of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick,
the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray
to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger,
and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect
us, O God, by Your grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious
Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ
our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond
understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable;
look upon us and upon this holy house in Your compassion. Grant
to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy.
Priest:For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and
to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The First Antiphon
(The designated verses from the Psalms are sung with the hymn:)
People:By the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior,
save us (3).
Deacon:In peace let us again pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect
us, O God, by Your grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious
Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ
our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
protect the whole body of Your Church; sanctify those who love
the beauty of Your house; glorify them in return by Your divine
power; and do not forsake us who hope in You.
Priest:For Yours is the dominion, the kingdom, the power,
and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The Second Antiphon
(The designated verses from the Psalms are sung with the hymn:)
People:Save us, O Son of God, (who rose from the dead),
to You we sing: Alleluia (3). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Only begotten Son and Word of God, although immortal You
humbled Yourself for our salvation, taking flesh from the holy
Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and, without change, becoming man.
Christ, our God, You were crucified but conquered death by death.
You are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and
the Holy Spirit – save us.
Deacon:In peace let us again pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect
us, O God, by Your grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious
Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ
our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
Lord, You have given us grace to offer these common prayers
with one heart. You have promised to grant the requests of two
or three gathered in Your name. Fulfill now the petitions of Your
servants for our benefit, giving us the knowledge of Your truth
in this world, and granting us eternal life in the world to come.
Priest:For You are a good and loving God, and to You we give
glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The Third Antiphon
(The designated verses of the Psalms are sung with the Apolytikion.)
The Entrance
(While the Apolytikion is sung, the priest carrying the holy
Gospel Book comes in procession before the Beautiful Gate and
prays in a low voice:)
Priest:
Master and Lord our God, You have established in heaven the
orders and hosts of angels and archangels to minister to Your
glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us that together
we may serve and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all
glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(The priest blesses the entrance saying in a low voice:)
Blessed is the entrance of Your saints always, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(He then raises the holy Gospel Book and says:)
Priest (Deacon):Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
People:Come, let us worship and bow before Christ. Save
us, O Son of God who
rose from the dead, to You we sing: Alleluia.
(The priest enters the sanctuary. The Apolytikion is repeated
and the Troparion of the church and the Kontakion of the day are
sung.)
The Trisagion Hymn
Deacon:Let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest (in a low voice):
Holy God, You dwell among Your saints. You are praised by the
Seraphim with the thrice holy hymn and glorified by the Cherubim
and worshiped by all the heavenly powers. You have brought all
things out of nothing into being. You have created man and woman
in Your image and likeness and adorned them with all the gifts
of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the supplicant
and do not overlook the sinner but have established repentance
as the way of salvation. You have enabled us, Your lowly and unworthy
servants, to stand at this hour before the glory of Your holy
altar and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept
the thrice holy hymn also from the lips of us sinners and visit
us in Your goodness. Forgive our voluntary and involuntary transgressions,
sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship and
serve You in holiness all the days of our lives, by the intercessions
of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You
throughout the ages.
Priest:For You are holy, our God, and to You we give glory,
to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever…
Deacon:…and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have
mercy on us (3). Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Deacon:Again, fervently.
Priest (turning towards the Prothesis, the priest says
in a low voice:):
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
(Then turning towards the holy Table, he says:)
Blessed are You on the throne of glory of Your kingdom, seated
upon the Cherubim, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us.
The Readings
The Epistle
Priest:Let us be attentive.
(The Reader reads the verses from the Psalms.)
Deacon:Wisdom.Reader:The reading is from (The name
of the book of the New Testament from which the Apostolic reading
is taken).
Deacon:Let us be attentive.
(The Reader reads the designated Apostolic pericope.)
Priest:Peace be with you.
People:Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Priest (in a low voice):
Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your
divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend
the message of your Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for
Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desires,
we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things
that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light
of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with
Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good,
and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
The Holy Gospel
Priest:Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace
be with all.
People:And with your spirit.
Deacon:The reading is from the holy Gospel according to (Name).
Let us be attentive.
People:Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
(The Deacon reads the designated pericope of the holy Gospel.)
People:Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
The Homily
(Following the readings, it is customary for the priest to proclaim
the Gospel.)
Litany of Fervent Supplication
Priest:Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind,
let us say:
People:Lord, have mercy. (once)
Priest:O Lord Almighty, the God of our Fathers, we beseech
Thee, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy. (once)
Priest:Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great
goodness, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for this country, its ruler, (title
and name of the ruler), its people, civil authorities and armed
forces.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for our Most Reverend Bishop (name
of the diocesan bishop, or, if he be an archbishop or metropolitan,
mention his rank and name), and for all the Orthodox bishops.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)Priest:Furthermore
we pray for our brethren: priests, deacons, monks and all other
clergy, and for all our brethren in Christ.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for the blessed ever-memorable
and most holy Orthodox patriarchs, for devout kings and rightbelieving
queens, for the blessed founders of this holy church and for all
our Orthodox fathers, brethren, and sisters departed from this life
before us, and who rest in peace here and everywhere.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health,
salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of
the servants of God: benefactors, trustees, members and supporters
of this holy church.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
(Here special petitions for the recovery of the sick, or any
special needs for individual parishoners are offered.)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for those who bring offerings
and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church; for those
who labor in its service, for the singers and for the people here
present, who await from Thee great and abundant mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest (in a low voice):
O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Thy servants,
and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy mercies;
and send forth Thy compassion upon us and upon all Thy people,
who await the rich mercy that cometh from Thee.
Priest:For Thou art a merciful 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.
Litany for the Deceased
(This litany is offered only if there are remembrances for the
deceased.)
Priest:Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great
mercy, we beseech Thee: hear us, and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul(s)
of the servant(s) of God (name-s of the deceased), departed
from this life, and that Thou wilt pardon all his (or her or
their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:That the Lord God will establish his (or her or
their) soul(s) where the just repose.
People:Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Priest:The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the
remission of his (or her or their) sins, we ask of Christ,
or King Immortal and our God.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy. (one time)
Priest:O God of spirits, and of all flesh, Who hast trampled
down death by death, and overthrown the Devil, and hast bestowed
life upon Thy world: do Thou Thyself, O Lord, grant rest to the
soul(s) of Thy departed servant(s), (name-s of the deceased),
in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose,
whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. As the gracious
God, Who lovest mankind, pardon every transgression which he (or
she or they) has (or have) committed, whether by word,
or deed, or thought. For Thou alone art without sin, and Thy righteousness
is to all eternity, and Thy word is truth. For Thou art the Resurrection,
and the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed servant(s) (name-s
of the deceased). O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe
gory, 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.
People:Amen.
Prayer of the Catechumens
(During the litany of the catechumens, the priest unfolds on
the altar table the corporal [antimins], a cloth with a depiction
of the burial of Christ.)
Priest:Pray unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Ye faithful, pray ye for the catechumens, that the
Lord may have mercy upon them.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:That He may teach them the word of truth;
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:That He may unite them unto His Holy, Universal, and
Apostolic Church;
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Save them, have mercy upon them, preserve them, and
protect them, O God, by Thy grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
People:To Thee, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
O Lord, our God, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble
of heart; Who hast sent forth as the salvation of mankind Thine
Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; look down upon
Thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before
Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration.
Unite them to thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, and number
them with Thy chosen flock.
Priest:That they also with us may glorify Thy most honorable
and majestic Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Dismissal of the Catechumens
Priest:All ye catechumens, depart! Depart, ye catechumens!
All ye that are catechumens, depart! Let no catechumens remain!
But let us who are of the faithful, again and again, in peace pray
to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest (in a low voice):
We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of the Powers, Who hast
accounted us worthy to stand even now before Thy holy altar, and
to prostrate ourselves before Thy compassion for our sins and
errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us
worthy to offer unto Thee prayers and supplications, and bloodless
sacrifices for all Thy people. And enable us, whom Thou hast appointed
in this Thy ministry, by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly
and without offense, in the pure testimony of our conscience,
to call upon Thee at all times and in every place; that hearing
us, Thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the multitude
of Thy goodness.
Priest:Help us, save us have mercy upon us and protect us,
O god, by Thy grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest: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.People:Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
Priest (in a low voice):
Again, we bow before You and pray to You, O good and loving
God. Hear our supplication: cleanse our souls and bodies from
every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant that we may stand
before Your holy altar without blame or condemnation. Grant also,
O God, progress in life, faith, and spiritual discernment to the
faithful who pray with us, so that they may always worship You
with reverence and love, partake of Your Holy Mysteries without
blame or condemnation, and become worthy of Your heavenly kingdom.
Priest:And grant that always guarded by Your power we may
give glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The Great Entrance
People:We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the
thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all
the cares of life that we may receive the King of all…
Priest (While the Cherubic Hymn is being sung, the priest
prays in a low voice):
No one bound by worldly desires and pleasures is worthy to approach,
draw near or minister to You, the King of glory. To serve You
is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. But because
of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for us, You became man
without alteration or change. You have served as our High Priest,
and as Lord of all, and have entrusted to us the celebration of
this liturgical sacrifice without the shedding of blood. For You
alone, Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth.
You are seated on the throne of the Cherubim, the Lord of the
Seraphim and the King of Israel. You alone are holy and dwell
among Your saints. You alone are good and ready to hear. Therefore,
I implore You, look upon me, Your sinful and unworthy servant,
and cleanse my soul and heart from evil consciousness. Enable
me by the power of Your Holy Spirit so that, vested with the grace
of priesthood, I may stand before Your holy Table and celebrate
the mystery of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood.
To You I come with bowed head and pray: do not turn Your face
away from me or reject me from among Your children, but make me,
Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer to You these
gifts. For You, Christ our God, are the Offerer and the Offered,
the One who receives and is distributed, and to You we give glory,
together with Your eternal Father and Your holy, good and life
giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(The priest censes and recites in a low voice:)
Priest:
We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the thrice holy
hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all the cares
of life that we may receive the King of all…
(On Sundays)
Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the
holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Your cross,
O Christ, and we praise and glorify You holy resurrection. You
are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your
name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection
of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the
world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection.
For enduring the cross for us, he destroyed death by death. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy;
and according to the multitude of Your compassion, blot out
my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse
me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is
ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done
evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak,
and victorious when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived
in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore me. For behold, You have
loved truth; You have made known to me the secret and hidden
thing of Your wisdom. you shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and
I shall be made clean; You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted
bones may rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot
out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and
renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your
presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to
me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me with Your governing
Spirit. I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly
shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall joyfully declare
Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim
Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would give
it; You do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God
is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled
heart. Do good in Your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls
of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice
of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then
they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
(Then the Great Entrance takes place.)
Deacon:May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
(The priest enters the sanctuary, while the people sing the end
of the Cherubic Hymn.)
People:…invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
(After placing the holy gifts on the holy Table, he says:)
The Petitions
Deacon:Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:For the precious gifts here presented, let us pray
to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:For this holy house and for those who enter it with
faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger,
and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect
us, O God, by Your grace.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let
us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian
of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions,
let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:For all that is good and beneficial to our souls,
and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:For the completion of our lives in peace and repentance,
let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without
shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgment
seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious
Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let
us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ
our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
The Prayer of the Proskomide
Priest (in a low voice):
Lord, God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept a sacrifice
of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart.
Receive also the prayer of us sinners and let it reach Your holy
altar. Enable us to bring before You gifts and spiritual sacrifices
for our sins and for the transgressions of the people. Make us
worthy to find grace in Your presence so that our sacrifice may
be pleasing to You and that Your good and gracious Spirit may
abide with us, with the gifts here presented, and with all Your
people.
Priest:Through the mercies of Your only begotten Son with
whom You are blessed, together with Your all holy, good, and life
giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest:Peace be with all.
People:And with your spirit.
Deacon:Let us love one another that with one mind we may
confess:
(The Priest kisses the holy Gifts saying:)
Priest:
I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress,
and my deliverer.
(At this time it is customary for the kiss of peace to be exchanged.)
People:Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Trinity one in essence
and inseparable.
Deacon:Guard the doors. Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
The Creed
People:I believe in one God, the Father, the 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 created, of one essence with the Father,
through whom all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became
man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered
and was buried.
On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the
Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I expect the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the age to come. Amen.
The Holy Anaphora
Deacon:Let us stand well. Let us stand in awe. Let us be
attentive, that we may present the holy offering in peace.
People:Mercy and peace, a sacrifice of praise.
Priest:The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with all
of you.
People:And with your spirit.
Priest:Let us lift up our hearts.
People:We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest:Let us give thanks to the Lord.
People:It is proper and right.
Priest (in a low voice):
It is proper and right to sing to You, bless You, praise You,
thank You and worship You in all places of Your dominion; for
You are God ineffable, beyond comprehension, invisible, beyond
understanding, existing forever and always the same; You and Your
only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us into being
out of nothing, and when we fell, You raised us up again. You
did not cease doing everything until You led us to heaven and
granted us Your kingdom to come. For all these things we thank
You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit; for all things
that we know and do not know, for blessings seen and unseen that
have been bestowed upon us. We also thank You for this liturgy
which You are pleased to accept from our hands, even though You
are surrounded by thousands of Archangels and tens of thousands
of Angels, by the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed,
soaring with their wings,
Priest:Singing the victory hymn, proclaiming, crying out,
and saying:
People:Holy, holy, holy, Lord 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 to God in the highest.
Priest (in a low voice):
Together with these blessed powers, merciful Master, we also
proclaim and say: You are holy and most holy, You and Your only
begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You are holy and most holy,
and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave
Your only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should
not perish, but have eternal life. He came and fulfilled the divine
plan for us. On the night when He was delivered up, or rather
when He gave Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread
in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, gave thanks, blessed,
sanctified, broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles,
saying:
Priest:Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you
for the forgiveness of sins.
People:Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, saying:
Priest:Drink of it all of you; this is my Blood of the new
Covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness
of sins.
People:Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all
that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection
on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement
at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming,
Priest:We offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts in
all and for all.
People:We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to
You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.
Priest (in a low voice):
Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the
shedding of blood, and we ask, pray, and entreat You: send down
Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented. And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
(He blesses the holy Bread.)
Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
And that which is in this cup the precious Blood of Your Christ.
(He blesses the holy Cup.)
Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
(He blesses them both.)
Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
So that they may be to those who partake of them for vigilance
of soul, forgiveness of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fulfillment
of the kingdom of heaven, confidence before You, and not in judgment
or condemnation. Again, we offer this spiritual worship for those
who repose in the faith, forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets,
apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics,
and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith.
Priest:Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious
Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary.
People:It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever
blessed, most pure, and mother of our God. More honorable than the
Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without
corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true
Theotokos.
Priest (in a low voice):
For Saint John the prophet, forerunner, and baptist; for the
holy glorious and most honorable Apostles; for Saint(s) (Name-s),
whose memory we commemorate today; and for all Your saints, through
whose supplications, O God, bless us. Remember also all who have
fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life. (Here
the priest commemorates the names of the deceased.) And grant
them rest, our God, where the light of Your countenance shines.
Again, we ask You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly
teach the word of Your truth, all presbyters, all deacons in the
service of Christ, and every one in holy orders. We also offer
to You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy,
catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living in purity
and holiness. And for all those in public service; permit them,
Lord, to serve and govern in peace that through the faithful conduct
of their duties we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety
and holiness.
Priest:Above all, remember, Lord, our Archbishop (Name)
and our Bishop (Name): Grant that they may serve Your holy
churches in peace. Keep them safe, honorable, and healthy for many
years, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
Deacon:Remember also, Lord, those whom each of us calls to
mind and all Your people.
People:And all Your people.
Priest (in a low voice):
Remember, Lord, the city in which we live, every city and country,
and the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, Lord, the travelers,
the sick, the suffering, and the captives, granting them protection
and salvation. Remember, Lord, those who do charitable work, who
serve in Your holy churches, and who care for the poor. And send
Your mercy upon us all.
Priest:And grant that with one voice and one heart we may
glorify and praise Your most honored and majestic name, of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages
of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest:The mercy of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
be with all of you.
People:And with your spirit.
Deacon:Having remembered all the saints, let us again in
peace pray to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:For the precious Gifts offered and consecrated, let
us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:That our loving God who has received them at His holy,
heavenly, and spiritual altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance,
may in return send upon us divine grace and the gift of the Holy
Spirit, let us pray.
People:Lord have mercy.
Deacon:Having prayed for the unity of faith and for the communion
of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves, and one another, and
our whole life to Christ our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
We entrust to You, loving Master, our whole life and hope, and
we ask, pray, and entreat: make us worthy to partake of your heavenly
and awesome Mysteries from this holy and spiritual Table with
a clear conscience; for the remission of sins, forgiveness of
transgressions, communion of the Holy Spirit, inheritance of the
kingdom of heaven, confidence before You, and not in judgment
or condemnation.
Priest:And make us worthy, Master, with confidence and without
fear of condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father,
and to say:
The Lord’s Prayer
People:Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Priest:For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and
to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest:Peace be with all.
People:And with your spirit.
Deacon:Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
We give thanks to You, invisible King. By Your infinite power
You created all things and by Your great mercy You brought everything
from nothing into being. Master, look down from heaven upon those
who have bowed their heads before You; they have bowed not before
flesh and blood but before You the awesome God. Therefore, Master,
guide the course of our life for our benefit according to the
need of each of us. Sail with those who sail; travel with those
who travel; and heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.
Priest:By the grace, mercy, and love for us of Your only
begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all
holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages
of ages.
People:Amen.
Priest (in a low voice):
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, hear us from Your holy dwelling
place and from the glorious throne of Your kingdom. You are enthroned
on high with the Father and are also invisibly present among us.
Come and sanctify us, and let Your pure Body and precious Blood
be given to us by Your mighty hand and through us to all Your
people.
Deacon:Let us be attentive.
Priest:The holy Gifts for the holy people of God.
People:One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the
glory of God the Father. Amen.
Holy Communion
People:Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in
the highest. Alleluia (3).
(The Communion Hymn changes according to the Feast Day.)
Priest (After the fraction of the sacred Bread, the priest
says in a low voice):
The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken but not divided.
He is forever eaten yet is never consumed, but He sanctifies those
who partake of Him.
(Then the priest places a portion of the sacred Bread in the
Cup saying:)
The fullness of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(He then blesses the warm water saying:)
Blessed is the fervor of Your saints, now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
(Pouring the water into the Cup crosswise, he says:)
The warmth of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(The Communion Prayers are recited silently by those prepared
to receive the holy Mysteries.)
People:
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ,
the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your
pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore,
I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions,
voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown.
And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure
Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of
Your saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my
clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment;
and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your
love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.
Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these
holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness,
but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and
the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me
to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical
Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your adversaries.
Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I
confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.
(The priest proceeds to receive holy Communion.)
Priest (in a low voice):
Behold, I approach Christ, our immortal King and God. The precious and most holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior
Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the
forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.
(He then partakes of the sacred Bread.)
The precious and most holy Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior
Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the
forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.
(He then drinks from the holy Cup. Afterwards, he wipes the holy
Cup, kisses it, and says:)
This has touched my lips, taking away my transgressions and
cleansing my sins.
(The priest then transfers the remaining portions of the consecrated
Bread into the holy Cup, saying:)
Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the
holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Your cross,
O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection. You
are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your
name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection
of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the
world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection.
For enduring the cross for us, He destroyed death by death.
(The priest takes up the holy Cup, proceeds to the Royal Doors,
raises the holy Cup, and says:)
Deacon:Approach with the fear of God, faith, and love.
(Those prepared come forth with reverence to receive Holy Communion
while the people sing the communion hymn.) (When administering Holy Communion, the priest says:)
Priest:
The servant of God (Name) receives the Body and Blood
of Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
(After Communion has been given, the priest blesses the people,
saying:)
Priest:Save, O God, Your people and bless Your inheritance.
People:We have seen the true light; we have received the
heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided
Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.
Priest (Returning to the holy Table, the priest transfers
the portions of the Theotokos and of the saints into the holy Cup.
Then he does the same for those of the living and the dead saying
in a low voice):
Wash away, Lord, by Your holy Blood, the sins of all those commemorated,
through the intercessions of the Theotokos and all Your saints.
Amen. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let Your glory be over
all the earth (3).
Priest (the priest lifts the holy Cup and says in a low
voice):
Blessed is our God.
Priest:Always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen. Let our mouths be filled with Your praise, Lord, that we
may sing of Your glory. You have made us worthy to partake of
Your holy mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, that all the day
long we may meditate upon Your righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Deacon:Let us be attentive. Having partaken of the divine,
holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life giving, and awesome Mysteries
of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect
us, O God, by your grace.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless
day, let us commit ourselves and one another, and our whole life
to Christ our God.
People:To You, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice):
We thank You, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, that on
this day You have made us worthy once again of Your heavenly and
immortal Mysteries. Direct our ways in the right path, establish
us firmly in Your fear, guard our lives, and make our endeavors
safe, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos
and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.
Priest:For You are our sanctification and to You we give
glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Lord, bless those who praise You and sanctify those
who trust in You. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect
the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty
of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and
do not forsake us who hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to
Your churches, to the clergy, to those in public service, to the
armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming from You, the Father of lights. To You
we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen. Blessed is the name of the Lord, both now and to the ages (3).
Priest (The priest proceeds to the Prothesis and prays
in a low voice):
Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.
You have fulfilled all the dispensation of the Father. Fill our
hearts with joy and gladness always, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy (3.) Father, give the blessing.
Priest: May the blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon
you through His divine grace and love always, now and forever and
to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You. May Christ our true God (who rose from the dead), as a good,
loving, and merciful God, have mercy upon us and save us, through
the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power
of the precious and life-giving Cross; the protection of the honorable,
bodiless powers of heaven; the supplications of the honorable,
glorious, prophet, and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy,
glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant
martyrs; our holy and God-bearing Fathers (name of the church);
the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; Saint (of
the day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.
People: Amen. Lord, grant long life to him who blesses and sanctifies us.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus
Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.
Priest (blessing the people): May the holy Trinity
protect all of you.
(Distributing the antidoron, the priest says:)
Priest: May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord be with
you.
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