The Divine Liturgy

of

St. Tikhon

As used by

The Most Rev. +David Francis (Wigley)

for the

Irvine Community Church
Chapel of St. Francis

Irvine, Alberta, Canada

and approved by

His Eminence +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.

Metropolitan Archbishop - Abbot - Primate

for use by all within the

NORTH AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

In the hope that all people may enjoy the Presence of God in their lives.

First Edition, October 27, 2002

(modified September 9, 2004 for this web site)

About The Divine Liturgy

The celebration of the Divine Liturgy or Holy Eucharist is the supernatural re-enactment of the mystery of the Incarnation of God in time and space which in its human phase was the historical Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect man. The recollection of these events continues and concludes with the Great and Holy Epiclesis, or Invocation, or Calling Upon the Holy Spirit to work Sacramentally in the present what first occurred historically at the beginning of the Christian era. The Incarnation is continued and time and eternity become mystically coincident.

When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are reminding God also of the sacrifice of his Son, and are pleading for the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to cover our sins. We are also offering ourselves to God, and he in return gives the Resurrection, Life and Health of Jesus Christ to us in his Body and Blood. Thus, we are part of the Body of Christ not only mentally and spiritually, but also physically.  Jesus Christ ministers to the whole person.

The Divine Liturgy is composed of two major sections, the Liturgy of the Catechumens, and the Liturgy of the Faithful.

The word catechumen refers to a person who is studying the faith, but has not yet been joined to the Body of Christ through the Baptism and Chrismation.  Such persons are not yet spiritually prepared to receive Holy Communion, which is the purpose of the Liturgy of the Faithful. In the early days of the Church, catechumens were asked to leave before the Liturgy of the Faithful began.  Today we prefer that they learn and worship by attending the entire service, omitting only the actual taking of Communion itself.

Prior to, or (in some instances) during, the Divine Liturgy it is necessary that one make an act of confession; go to confession before the priest and confessing sins committed by one's thoughts, words and deeds (actions).  If there is only one priest present during Divine Liturgy, confession is not conducted during Divine Liturgy.  But if there are two priests present, it is not uncommon for one of them to devote a part of his time to the hearing of confession of those who wish to partake of the Holy Mysteries.

The Divine Liturgy of St. Tikhon

During Advent and Lent, the Liturgy may begin with the recitation of the Litany, which appears in your bulletin.

On Sundays and other special Feast days, the Liturgy may continue with the reminder of our Baptism, called:

The Asperges

ANT. Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Ps. 51. Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Gloria Patri is omitted on Passion Sunday and on Palm Sunday.

ANT. Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

On Sunday, from Easter Day to Pentecost inclusive, the following shall be sung instead of the above.

ANT. I beheld water which proceeded from the temple, on the right side thereof, Alleluia; And all they to whom that water came were healed every one, and they say, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Ps. 118. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and His mercy endureth for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

ANT. I beheld water which proceeded from the temple, on the right side thereof, Alleluia; And all they to whom that water came were healed every one and they say, Alleluia, Alleluia.

P. O Lord, show Thy mercy upon us. (Alleluia)
R. And grant us Thy salvation. (Alleluia)
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. Let us pray.

GRACIOUSLY hear us, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God; and vouchsafe to send Thy holy Angel from heaven, to guard and cherish, to protect and visit, and to defend all who dwell in this Thy holy habitation; Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

At Solemn Liturgy, incense is set, after which the altar and priest are censed. The priest, standing at the altar, may begin the following preparation:

P. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

P. I will go unto the altar of God.

R. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

P. Ps. 43. Give sentence with me O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.

R. For Thou art the God of my strength: why hast Thou put me from Thee: and why go I so heavily while the enemy oppresseth me?

P. O send out Thy light and Thy truth that they may lead me: and bring me unto Thy holy hill and to Thy dwelling.

R. And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness: and upon the harp will I give thanks unto Thee, O God, my God.

P. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me?

R. O put thy trust in God, for I will yet give Him thanks: which is the help of my countenance and my God.

P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The foregoing psalm is omitted in Requiem Masses, and from Passion Sunday to Easter.

P. I will go unto the altar of God.
R. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.
P. Our help is in the (+) Name of the Lord.
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.

P. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary Ever-
Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you brethren: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Therefore, I beg blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

R. Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.

P. Amen.
In the following, the word "Father" replaces the word "brethren" in the confiteor just recited.

R. I confess . . . and to you, Father: that I have sinned . . . etc.

P. Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.

R. Amen.

P. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution (+) and remission of all our sins.

R. Amen.

P. Turn us, again, O Lord, and quicken us.
R. That Thy people may rejoice in Thee.
P. O Lord, show Thy mercy upon us.
R. And grant us Thy salvation.
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

P. Let us pray.

The priest ascends to the altar and reverences it with a kiss.

The Introit

The appointed psalm verse is said or sung. The priest, standing at the altar, says the opening devotions.

ALMIGHTY God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name; through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Then shall be said or sung:
The Kyrie Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)
Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)
Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)
Christ, have mercy upon us. (Christe, eleison)
Christ, have mercy upon us. (Christe, eleison)
Christ, have mercy upon us. (Christe, eleison)
Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)
Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)
Lord, have mercy upon us. (Kyrie, eleison)

The Gloria In Excelsis

P. Glory be to God on high,
R. And on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O (Jesus) Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the (+) glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Gloria is omitted during Advent and Lent, and at Nuptial and Requiem Masses.

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. Let us pray.

The Collects
Then the priest shall read the appropriate Collects for the day, at the end of which is said . . . world without end. R. Amen.

The Lesson
Then the Old Testament Lesson appointed for the day is read or sung, concluding with R. Thanks be to God.

The Epistle

Then the Epistle appointed for the day is read or sung, concluding with R. Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Hymn or Psalm
The priest prays to worthily proclaim the Gospel, incense is set, and the Book of the Gospels censed after the salutation.

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

P. The continuation (beginning) of the Holy Gospel according to (Name).

The people, standing, sign themselves on the forehead, lips and breast.

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

The Gospel is then read or sung, concluding with
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

The Sermon
Here, the Sermon may be delivered and announcements made. But note that the sermon may be delivered at another place, at the discretion of the priest.

The Nicene Creed

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 only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God; Light of Light; Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven (kneel), and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; (rise) And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, 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 One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, (+) and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the Forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The creed is said on all Sundays and Greater Feasts, but is omitted at Nuptial and Requiem Masses.

The Offertory

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. Let us pray.

The appropriate verse is said or sung. A Hymn may be sung while the priest prepares the offering of bread and wine with the appropriate prayers. At Solemn Mass, incense is set, and the offering, altar, celebrant, and people are censed. This done, the priest turns to the people and bids them to share in the offering.

P. Pray brethren, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

R. May the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name, both to our benefit, and that of all His holy Church.

The Memorials

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by Thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men, we humbly beseech Thee most mercifully to accept (these) our oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto Thy Divine Majesty, beseeching Thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord. And grant that all those who do confess Thy holy Name may agree in the truth of Thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

We beseech Thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of Thy true religion and virtue.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, especially (Name), our Patriarch, (Name), our Metropolitan, and to the Holy Synod of Bishops, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth Thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer Thy holy Sacraments.

And to all Thy People give Thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive Thy holy Word, truly serving Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

The priest or deacon may here commemorate specific names.

And we also bless (+) Thy Holy Name for all Thy servants, departed this life in Thy faith and fear; beseeching Thee to grant them continual growth in Thy love and service. And give us grace so to follow the good examples of blessed Mary and all Thy Saints, that, through their intercessions, we with them may be partakers of Thy heavenly kingdom.
Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Here may be said the following communion devotions. But note, that they may be omitted, or said immediately before communion, at the discretion of the priest.

The Communion Devotions

Then shall the priest say to those who intend to receive Holy Communion:

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

Then shall the priest and all those of a mind to receive Holy Communion say together

The General Confession

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, against Thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly Thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please Thee in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Then shall the priest turn to the people and say

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Him; have mercy upon you; pardon (+) and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Comfortable Words

P. Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to Him:
COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. . . . . . . . . . .St. Matthew xi. 28.

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. . . . . . . . . . .

St. John iii. 16.

Hear also what St. Paul saith:
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I Timothy i. 15.

Hear also what St. John saith:
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

I John ii. 1, 2.

The Sursum Corda

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up onto the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.

P. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God.

The Proper Preface

Here shall follow the proper preface, if there be one, followed by

Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name; evermore praising Thee, and saying,

The Sanctus

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory: Glory be to Thee, O Lord Most High. Blessed (+) is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosannah in the highest.

The Canon of the Mass
The Consecration

ALL glory be to Thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that Thou, of Thy tender mercy, didst give Thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who there (by His own oblation of himself once offered) made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in His holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that His precious death and sacrifice, until His coming again: For in the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, saying,

Take, eat, this is My Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of Me.

Likewise, after supper, He took the cup; and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saving,
Drink ye all of this; For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me.

The Oblation

WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we, Thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before Thy Divine Majesty, with these Thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto Thee, the memorial Thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance His blessed Passion and precious Death, His mighty Resurrection and glorious Ascension; rendering unto Thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

The Epiclesis

AND we most humbly beseech Thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and of Thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to send down Thy Holy Spirit upon these Thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that they may be changed into the Body and Blood of Thy most dearly beloved Son. Grant that we, receiving them according to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of His death and passion, may be partakers of His most blessed Body and Blood.

R. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Priest and People
AND we earnestly desire Thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching Thee to grant that, by the merits and death of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in His blood, we, and all Thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of His Passion. And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto Thee; humbly beseeching Thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with Him, that He may dwell in us, and we in Him.
And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto Thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech Thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

P: by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.
And now as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

The Lord's Prayer
OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.) Amen.

The Doxology is omitted from the Lord's Prayer at all Low, Nuptial, and Requiem Masses.

The priest now says the prayer for the Fracture, or breaking of the Bread, and exchanges the Pax, or Peace, with the congregation.

DELIVER us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come: And at the intercession of the blessed, glorious, and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with that of Thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew and all Thy Saints favourably grant peace in our time, that we may ever be kept free from sin, and safe from all disquietude; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, who with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end.
Amen.

P. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

The Agnus Dei

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
grant us Thy peace.

In Requiem Masses, instead of "Have mercy upon us," the following is said: "Grant them rest, grant them rest, grant them rest eternal."

Then shall the priest and people say together:

The Prayer of Humble Access

WE do not presume to come to this Thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in Thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy Table. But Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the Flesh of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink His Blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by His Body, and our souls washed through His most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in Him, and He in us.
Amen.

The priest makes his own Communion. The bell may ring three times, signalling the people to come forward for Communion. Turning to the faithful, the priest says:

P. Behold the Lamb of God; behold Him that takest away the sins of the world.
Repeated three times:
P. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof,
R. But speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.

Then shall the priest and people say together the following prayer in preparation to receive Holy Communion.

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.

Holy Communion

In accordance with Orthodox canon law and practice, only Orthodox Christians may receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion in Orthodox Churches.

The priest and assisting clergy communicate the people with the following words:

(For the Host)

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

(For the Chalice)

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.
Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

(If the Body and Blood are administered together)

The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given and shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

After Communion, the priest performs the Ablutions, cleansing the sacred vessels.
If the propers are being chanted, the Communion Verse for the day is sung at this point. If not sung, it is read following the Prayer of Thanksgiving
P. Let us pray.
The priest and people shall say together:

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, We most heartily thank Thee, for that Thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of Thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of Thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of Thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of His most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with Thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as Thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then are said or sung, the Post-Communion Collects that are appointed for the day, ending with . . . world without end. Amen.

The Blessing

THE Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: and the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, (+) the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Then may be said, all standing:
P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St. John.
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through Him might believe. He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God (kneel) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (rise) and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
R. Thanks be to God.

The Dismissal

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. Depart in peace to love and serve the Lord
R. Thanks be to God.

Or, in penitential seasons:

P. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

At Requiem Masses is said:
P. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.

PROPER PREFACES

CHRISTMAS. Upon Christmas Day and seven days after

Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, was made very man, of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin.

EPIPHANY. Upon the Epiphany and seven days after

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who, In substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory; that he might bring us out of darkness into his own glorious light.

PURIFICATION, ANNUNCIATION, TRANSFIGURATION. Upon the feasts only

Because in the Mystery of the Word made flesh, thou has caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION. Upon the day and for seven days after

But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life.

ASCENSION. Upon the day and seven days after

Through thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious Resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory.

PENTECOST or WHITSUNDAY. Upon the feast and seven days after

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Spirit came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ.

TRINITY SUNDAY. Upon the feast only

Who, with thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, without any difference of inequality.

or this:

For the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for the sending to us of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; who are one with thee in thy Eternal Godhead.

ALL SAINTS. Upon the day, and seven days after

Who, in the multitude of thy Saints, has compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them, may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Back To Various Liturgies Home Page 

•Ancient Canons/Seven Ecumenical Councils  

•An Understanding of the Ancient Canons

• Ancient Canons/Seven Ecumenical Councils

• A bit of understanding about the Fundamentalist Cults....

• Modern Day Ecumenism and its horrors

•  How Many Times

• 08-07-2008 True Christian or Not?