THE DIVINE LITURGIES OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Byzantine-Slavonic Eastern Rite in English

 WITH THE SAINTS JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

And

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT

            The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the Church’s obedient response to the solemn command of our Savior at the Last Super. “Do this in remembrance of me”. By this Command, Christ gave to His Church a means of uniting itself to Him in offering to the Father a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving commemorating his death and resurrection. In baptism, became part of the RISEN CHRIST, a member of his Body. As Orthodox believer merge themselves into the participation in Christ’s eternal sacrifice on the Cross as our True High Priest, they raise to the Father that praise and thanksgiving,

Which are His due from all Creation. To effect this action a variety of different traditions have developed in the Church.  The Byzantine Rite Eucharist liturgy printed priest and people together, the glorified Christ offers His high-priestly sacrifice to the Father in the midst of the life of the world.  Traditionally, the Liturgy will be preceded by the celebration of Vespers the night before and Matins/Hours immediately prior, except that a Vigil Liturgy would immediately follow Vespers. During Matins/ Hours (or Vespers at a Vigil), the priest should perform the Prokomidiya, i.e., the Oblation of the Oblation, If there is no Matins or Vespers immediately preceding a Liturgy, The priest should perform the Prokomidiya with an hour before the commencement of Liturgy.

Before Liturgy

The Holy Doors and Curtains remain closed

The priest must be at peace with all, have a pure heart and fast from food and drink, from the night before. At the time, he and the deacon enter the Church and pray the Entrance prayers.

Entrance Prayers

Not wearing any Vestments, but in the Rissia, The Priest and Deacon come to the Holy Doors in front of the Iconostasis, bow 3x’s and say softly:

[Deacon: Bless Master. Omitted if do deacon]

Priest:  Blessed + is our God, always, now and forever, unto ages and ages.

Deacon: Amen Heavenly King, * comforter, Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere present and fills all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse our souls, O Good One. They make three mentanies (which consist of one cross and deep bow in reverence) at: + Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. X3’s

Bright Week or Holy Week: during the adososis (the last day of a Feast Week) of Pascha: + Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Before the dawn, Mary and the women came and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre: They heard the angelic voice:” Why do you seek among the dead…..

Deacon:  + Glory to the Father, and the Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and forever, unto ages and ages, amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord blot out our sins. O master pardon our iniquities. Oh Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, For Thine name sake.

Lord, Have Mercy. (3’s)

+ Glory to the Father, and the Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and forever, unto ages and ages, amen. They make a Metany

+ Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come thy will be done as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Bright Week Continue

__________________________________________________________

… as a man. Him Who is everlasting Light? Behold the grave clothes; go and declare to the world: The Lord is risen! He has slain death, as he is the Son of God, saving the race of men.”

Within the tomb in the body and within hades in soul, in Paradise

With the thief, and upon the thrown with the Father and the Holy Spirit was you, O Christ filling all things, Thyself uncircumscribable.

+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Priest:  For Thy art the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, + and of the Son, of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages and ages. Amen

Deacon: Amen, have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. For at a loss for any plea, we sinners offer thee, Our Master, this supplication: Have mercy on us.

…. Rejoice, O holy and divine dwelling-place of the Highest! For through thee, O Theotokos, joy is given to them that cry: Blessed art them among women, O Lady all-undefiled!

Then they kiss the Icon of Christ, saying: ‘we adore thy most pure icon; the rest continues on page 4

THOMAS SUN. ‘Til Adodosis of Pascha: the only change is that after ‘Blessed is our God’, ‘Heavenly King’ is replaced by:

+ Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! 3x’s

Apodosis of Pascha: The entrance prayers are done exactly as for bright week.

+ Both now and forever unto ages and ages. Amen

Open the Door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Theotokos, which we who put out our hope in Thee may not perish. Through thee, may we be delivered from adversity, for Thou art the salvation of all Christian people. 

The Priest, then the Deacon, (1) approaches the icon of Christ to the right of the holy doors (2) bows low before it; and (3) kisses it.

Meanwhile they say:

We adore Thy most pure icon, O Good One, asking forgiveness for our transgressions, O Christ God. For of Thine will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh and to deliver Thy Creation from the Slavery to the enemy, wherefore with thankfulness we cry out loud to Thee. Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Savior, when thou came to save the world.

They reverence to the icon of the Theotokos to the left of the holy doors the same way saying:

Vouchsafe us mercy, O Theotokos, as Thou art a fountain of tender compassion. Look upon us sinful men, reveal thy power, for putting our hope in thee, we cry to thee: Rejoice- as once did Gabriel, commander of the bodiless hosts.

Then the priest and deacons bow their heads: the priest says:

O Lord, stretch forth Thy hand from thy holy dwelling in the highest, and strengthen me for this Thine appointed service, that I, standing without condemnation before Thy throne, may offer an unbloody sacrifice. For Thine is the power, and the glory, unto ages and ages. Amen 

They turn and bow to each other, then to the people; then they enter the sanctuary through the south door, saying:

I shall go unto Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O Lord, guide me to Thy righteousness; because of mine enemies, make me straight my way to Thee. For in their mouth is no truth; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God. Let them fall down on the account of their own devising; according to the multitude of the godliness, cast them out: for the embittered Thee, O Lord. And let all them be glad that hope in Thee, O Lord; they shall ever rejoice; and Thou shalt bless the righteous

 In the Sanctuary, each make (a) makes 2 mentanies; (b) kisses the Holy Gospel, the Holy Table, and hand-Cross upon the Holy Table: and makes a third mentany. (The censor Charcoal is lit at this time)

Vesting Prayers

Sticharion: The Deacon takes the Sticharion* (robe) in his left hand, and makes three mentanies eastward saying softly:

The Priests Vestments are laid out in order on a Table, Crosses up

Deacons Vesting

The deacon, with his robe [sticharion] and stole [orarion] in his hands, goes to the priest and bows his head, saying:

Deacon: Master, bless the robe and stole.

The priest blesses:

Priest: Blessed + our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

Sticharion:  The deacon goes to the side of the sanctuary. As he vests himself with the robe he recites this prayer:

Deacon: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with the garment of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of gladness; he has set a crown on me as on a bridegroom; and as a bride is adorned with jewels, so has he adorned me.

After kissing the stole, the deacon places it on his shoulder. As he puts on the cuffs, he recites the following:

Right: Thy right hand, O Lord, has been glorified in power. Thy right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemies. In the greatness of thy glory, hast thou crushed thine adversaries.

Left: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding and I shall learn thy commandments.

Then the deacon goes to the table of preparation, and sets the holy vessels in place for the priest.

The priest blesses his own robe:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

He vests himself with the robe, saying:

Priest: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with the garment of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of gladness; he has set a crown on me as on a bridegroom; and as a bride is adorned with jewels, so has he adorned me.

He blesses the stole [epitrachelion] and, as he puts it on, says:

Priest: Blessed is God, who pours out his grace upon his priests, as precious ointment upon the head, that runs down the beard, the beard of Aaron, that runs down to the hem of his garment.

He blesses the girdle and, as he puts it on, says:

Priest: Blessed is God, who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless. he makes my feet like hind’s feet, and sets me secure on the heights.

As he puts on the cuffs, he recites the following:

Right: Thy right hand, O Lord, has been glorified in power. Thy right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemies. In the greatness of thy glory, hast thou crushed thine adversaries.

Left: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding and I shall learn thy commandments.

If he has been awarded the epigonation he puts it on, saying:

Priest: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Mighty One, in thy comeliness and in thy beauty. Go forth and prosper and reign, for the sake of truth and meekness and righteousness, and thy right hand shall guide thee wondrously, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

He blesses the chasuble [phelonion]and, as he vests with it, says:

Priest: Thy priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and thy saints shall rejoice with joyfulness, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

They then wash their hands, saying:

I shall wash my hands in innocence, and go about thine altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of thy praise, and tell of all thy miracles. I have loved the beauty of thy house, O Lord, and the place where thy glory dwells. Destroy not my soul with sinners, nor my life with blood-thirsty men, men in whose hands are iniquities and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; deliver me, and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground; in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.

THE LITURGY OF PREPARATION or OBLATION

Bowing three times before the table of preparation, the priest and deacon recite silently each time:

O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

Priest: Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the law by thy precious Blood. Nailed to the cross and pierced with a spear, thou hast poured immortality upon mankind, O our Saviour: Glory to thee.

Deacon: Master, give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

Blessing the Spear

The priest takes the first prosphora in his left hand and the spear in his right hand, and makes the sign of the cross over the seal three times, saying each time:

Priest: In remembrance of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 3x’s

The priest pierces the prosphora with the spear to the right of the seal and, cutting along the right side, in dialogue with the deacon, says:

left Cut

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter,

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Right Cut

Cutting the left side, the priest says:

Priest: And as a lamb without blemish before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Top Cut

Cutting the upper side:

Priest: In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Bottom Cut

Cutting the lower side:

Priest: Who shall declare his generation?

Lifting up the Lamb

The deacon then points to the Holy Bread with the stole in his hand, and says:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Take up, Master.

The priest, piercing the prosphora on the bottom right side and cutting, then lifts out the Holy Bread, saying:

Priest: For his life is taken up from the earth.

The priest inverts the Holy Bread, placing the seal upon the paten, while the deacon says:

Scoring the Cross in the Lamb

Deacon: Sacrifice, Master.

The priest cuts the Holy Bread cross-wise, taking care not to cut through the seal, and says:

Priest: Sacrificed is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, for the life and salvation of the world.

Piercing of the lamb; The Pouring

The priest inverts the Holy Bread again so that the seal is on top, while the deacon says:

Deacon: Pierce, Master.

The priest pierces the right side of the Holy Bread under the letters IC and says :

Priest: One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once, there came out blood and water. He who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true.

The deacon takes the wine and the water and says to the priest:

Bless, Master, the holy union.

The priest blesses them, saying:

Priest: Blessed is the union of thy holy things, always, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

If no Deacon: The Priest pours in wine and water at the words” there came out Blood and water.” Then he sign the Chalice, saying, “Blessed the union of Thy holy things.”

The Portion of the Theotokos

The priest takes the second prosphora into his hand and says:

Priest: In honour and memory of our most blessed Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary. Through her prayers, O Lord, accept this sacrifice at thy heavenly altar.

The priest removes a triangular particle from the prosphora and places it on the right side of the Holy Bread.

Priest: At thy right hand stood the Queen, clothed in golden robes adorned with many colours.

The priest takes the third prosphora and says:

Priest: Of the honoured and glorious prophet, forerunner and Baptist, John.

The priest removes a particle and places it on the left side of the Holy Bread, making it the first particle of the first column. Removing a second particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the first, he says:

Priest: Of the holy and glorious prophets: Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, David and Jesse, the three holy children, Daniel the prophet, and of all the holy prophets.

Removing a third particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the second, he says:

Priest: Of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles Peter and Paul, of the Twelve and of the Seventy, and of all the holy apostles.

Removing a fourth particle from the same prosphora and placing it next to the first (thus making the top of a new column), he says:

Priest: Of our fathers among the saints and hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius and Cyril; Nicholas of Myra in Lycia; Peter, Alexis, Jonah and Philip of Moscow; Nicetas of Novgorod; Leontius of Rostov; Stephen of Sourozh; and of all the holy hierarchs.

Removing a fifth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the fourth, he says:

Priest: Of the holy apostle, archdeacon and first martyr Stephen; of the holy great martyrs: Demetrius, George, Theodore the Recruit, Theodore Stratelates and Alban, first martyr of Britain. Of the women martyrs: Thecla, Barbara, Kyriake, Euphemia, Paraskeve and Katherine, and of all the holy martyrs.

Removing a sixth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the fifth, he says:

Priest: Of our venerable and God-bearing fathers: Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onuphrius; Athanasius of Athos, Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves; Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov and Barlaam of Khutin. Of our venerable mothers: Pelagia, Theodosia, Anastasia, Eupraxia, Febronia, Theodulia, Euphrosyne and Mary of Egypt; and of all our holy and venerable fathers and mothers.

Removing a seventh particle from the same prosphora and placing it next to the fourth (thus making the top of a third column), he says:

Priest: Of the holy wonderworkers and selfless physicians: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermolaus; and of all the holy selfless physicians.

Removing an eighth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the seventh particle, he says:

Priest: Of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint N, (to whom the church is dedicated); and of Saint(s) N [and N], whose memory we keep today; of the holy Methodius and Cyril, equal-to-the-apostles and evangelisers of the Slavs; of the holy Great Prince Vladimir, equal-to-the-apostles; and of all the saints; by their prayers visit us, O God.

Removing a ninth particle from the same prosphora and placing it below the eighth, he says:

Priest: Of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. [or: of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia,]

The priest takes a particle from the fourth prosphora and, placing it at the foot of the Holy Bread, he says:

Priest: Remember, O Master who lovest mankind, our Metropolitan Theodore, [Bishop(s) NN,] and the whole episcopate of the Orthodox Church, the honourable order of presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, and all sacred orders; our brethren, the priests and deacons who are serving with us; and all our brothers and sisters whom thou hast called into thy communion through thy compassion, O gracious Master.

The priest then remembers any other living faithful, removing a particle from the fourth prosphora for each and placing it next to the first, saying with each name:

Priest: Remember, O Lord, N.

The priest takes a particle from the fifth prosphora and, placing it below the particles commemorating the living, he says:

Priest: In blessed memory and for the remission of sins of the most holy patriarchs, of all Orthodox and God-fearing rulers; and of the blessed founders of this holy church [or: holy monastery].

The priest then remembers any other departed faithful, removing a particle from the fifth prosphora for each and placing it next to the previous particle, saying with each name:

Priest: Remember, O Lord, N.

When he finishes remembering the departed, the priest says this prayer:

Priest: Remember all of our Orthodox fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life in thy communion, O Lord who lovest mankind.

The priest then remembers the bishop who ordained him, and concludes the remembrance:

Priest: Remember also, O Lord, my unworthiness, and forgive me all my sins both voluntary and involuntary.

The deacon presents the censer to the priest, saying:

Deacon: Master, bless the incense. Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest recites the prayer of incense:

Priest: We offer thee incense, O Christ our God, for a savour of spiritual fragrance. Having accepted it at thy heavenly altar, send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest blesses the star and places it over the Holy Bread, saying:

Priest: And the star came and stood over where the young child was.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest censes the first veil and places it over the paten, saying:

Priest: The Lord is King, and has put on glorious apparel; the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved. Thy throne has been prepared from of old; thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves, at the voice of many waters. Wonderful is the surging of the sea; the Lord on high is wonderful. Thy testimonies are very sure. Holiness becomes thine house, O Lord, for ever.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.

The priest censes the second veil and places it over the chalice, saying:

Priest: Thy virtue, O Christ, has covered the heavens, and the earth is full of thy praise.

The priest censes the aer and places it over both the paten and the chalice, saying:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.

Priest: Cover us with the shelter of thy wings and drive far from us every foe and adversary. Give peace to our lives, O Lord; have mercy on us and upon thy world, and save our souls; for thou art good and lovest mankind.

The priest then takes the censer and censes the Holy Gifts, saying three times:

Priest: Blessed is our God, who is thus well-pleased: Glory to thee.

After each of the above, the deacon concludes:

Deacon: Always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Both bow three times before the Holy Gifts; then the deacon says:

Deacon: For the precious gifts here set forth, let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: O God, our God, who didst send the Heavenly Bread, the food of the whole world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour, Redeemer and Benefactor, to bless and sanctify us: Do thou thyself bless this offering, and accept it at thy heavenly altar. Remember those who have offered it and those for whom it has been offered, for thou art good and lovest mankind. Preserve us blameless in the celebration of thy divine mysteries. For sanctified and glorified is thy most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The priest then concludes the liturgy of preparation with the dismissal:

Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.

Deacon: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy 3x’s.

Master, give the blessing.

Priest: May [on Sundays and at Pascha: he who is risen from the dead,] Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure Mother, of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, [or: of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia,] and of all the saints; have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

Deacon: Amen.

When the priest finishes censing, he hands the censer to the deacon.

OPENING DIALOGUE

After the dismissal of the preparation service, the deacon censes the table of preparation; then he begins censing the holy table cross-wise from all sides, saying in a low voice:

In the tomb with the body, in hell with the soul as God, in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, thou fillest all things, O Christ, thyself uncircumscribed.

Then, saying the fiftieth psalm, he censes the sanctuary, the icon screen and all round the church. Going back into the sanctuary, he censes the holy table again and the priest, returns the censer to its place and stands beside the priest before the holy table. They bow three times, while saying:

Priest: O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life; come, and abide in us; cleanse us from all impurity, and, of thy goodness, save our souls.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. Twice

O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

The priest kisses the holy gospel; the deacon the holy table. The deacon then bows his head, holding his stole with three fingers of his right hand, and says:

Deacon: It is time for the Lord to act. Master, give the blessing.

The priest blesses him, saying:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen. Pray for me, Master.

Priest: May the Lord direct thy steps.

Deacon: Remember me, holy Master.

Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon kisses the priest's hand, bows, goes out via the north door and, standing in the usual place in front of the holy doors, bows three times and says in a low voice:

Deacon: O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

 If incense is to be used during the Liturgy ( Which is the Canonical Norm) The Deacon (or other Minister) Shall fill the censor and present it to the celebrant, who blesses it in the usual way say:

Priest: May this incense be Blessed + by him whose honor it is Burned.  Amen

Liturgy of the Catechumen

The congregation shall stand, if incense is to be used at the liturgy the Celebrant blesses it as above and the deacon censes the altar. The priest shall enter the sanctuary through the Royal Doors and stand at the altar facing East (Liturgical East). Noted : The Rubric “ aloud” mean chanted

Invocation

The Priest kisses the Gospel book, lifts it with both hands, and uses it to make the sign of the cross over the folded antimins, while the other clergy and the congregation remains standing and make the sign of the cross (+), as the celebrant says aloud:

(Deacon: Bless, master! )

The Priest raises the Gospel with both hands, then lowers it and makes a Cross with it over the antimens:

Priest:  Blessed + is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:  Amen. (The Priest kisses the Gospels. And the people may sit)

Litany of Peace or the Great Litany

Then shall be said aloud the litany. The petitions of the litanies are normally said aloud by the deacon of the Liturgy. They may be said aloud by a minister, a priest, or celebrant himself if no deacon or minister is assisting. The one leading the petitions shall stand in front of the Holy Icon of Christ on the Iconostasis Facing East towards the Royal Doors. If he is a deacon, he shall hold the end of his orarion (stole) in his right hand and point it Eastward at all litanies

The Congregation may remain seated.

Deacon:  In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs; for our lord the Very Most Reverend N., our Metropolitan; for our lord the Most Reverend N., our (Arch)Bishop; for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For our government and for all its armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For this (city  or  town,  or—in a monastery—holy abode),
for every city and country and the faithful that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For seasonable weather, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  For travellers by sea or by land [or by air], for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos + and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

People:  To Thee, O Lord.  (if there is no Deacon, this is sung very slowly)

First Antiphon

Psalm 102 is sung on Sundays, feasts of the Theotokos, in the forefeast or afterfeast of a great feast, in the time of the pentecostarion, and for Saints with special Beatitudes verses. Only the bolded parts are usually sung. The People, led by the chanter(s)shall sing this portion :

Bless the Lord, O my soul; blessed art Thou, O Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee,

Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, who healeth all thine infirmities,

Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion,

Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle’s.

(The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged.

He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed.)

Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy.

Not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be wroth.

Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us.

(For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us.

Like as a father hath compassion upon His sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him.

For He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth.

For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof.

But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him.

And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words.

Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will.

Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion.)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name; blessed art Thou, O Lord.

At the conclusion of the Antiphon, the deacon shall come and stand before the Royal Doors Facing East and Chant:

Little Litany

Deacon :  Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

People:  To Thee, O Lord. (slowly if no Deacon)

(aloud:)  For Thine is the dominion, 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 the ages of ages.

People:  Amen.

Second Antiphon

Psalm 145 is sung whenever Psalm 102 was sung, and when special antiphons are done, the people, led by the chanter(s), now sing:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord in my life, I will chant unto my God for as long as I have my being.

Trust ye not in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.

His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return unto his earth. In that day all his thoughts shall perish.

Blessed is he of whom the God of Jacob is his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Who hath made heaven and the earth, the sea and all that is therein,

Who keepeth truth unto eternity, who executeth judgment for the wronged, who giveth food unto the hungry.

The Lord looseth the fettered; the Lord maketh wise the blind; the Lord setteth aright the fallen; the Lord loveth the righteous;

The Lord preserveth the proselytes. He shall adopt for His own the orphan and widow, and the way of sinners shall He destroy.

The Lord shall be king unto eternity; thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.

Always there is chanted: 

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of the Second Antiphon

The priest( Likewise the Bishop) says the below prayer in secrecy

Priest: (softly) O Lord our God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Preserve the fullness of Thy Church. Sanctify them that love the beauty of Thy house; glorify them by Thy Divine power in recompense, and forsake not us who put our trust in Thee.

Only Begotten Son

Then again the  people, led by the chanter(s), now sing:

People: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to (+) the Holy Spirit, Now and forever and unto ages and ages. Amen

Here shall be sung the Anthem

Anthem: O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Thou Who art immortal, / yet didst deign for our salvation / to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, / and without change didst become man, / and wast crucified, O Christ God, trampling down death by death; / Thou Who art one of the Holy Trinity, / glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

Little Litany

Deacon:  Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:  Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

People:  To Thee, O Lord. (slowly if no Deacon)

Prayer of the Third Antiphon

The priest( Likewise the Bishop) says the below prayer in secrecy

Priest: (softly:)  O Thou Who hast given us grace at this time to make our common supplications unto Thee, and hast promised that when two or three are gathered together in Thy name Thou wouldst grant their requests: fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Thy servants as may be expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come, life eternal. (aloud:) For a good God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:  Amen.

Third Antiphon

The Deacon then enters the Sanctuary and the Choir Chants the Third Antiphon

The Beatitudes are sung when Psalms 102 & 145 were sung. When those change, so does the third antiphon.

(Door Open & Curtains Open)

The servers line up on the south side of the altar; the Priest & Deacon bow thrice; the Priest delivers the Gospel to the Deacon; and the little entrance procession begins. then the people, led by the chanter(s), now sing the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) :

People:  In Thy kingdom remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the heavens. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

During the above antiphon the Priest & Deacon, preceded by servers with tapers, go counter-clockwise round the holy Table and pass from the altar through the north door.

Little Entrance

With the Deacon and (behind him) the Priest, standing before the royal doors, and the servers before the icons of Christ and the Theotokos, respectively, the Deacon says:

Deacon:  Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priests (or Bishop) says the Prayer of the Little Entrance, while the last portion of the Beatitudes is being sung.

Priest: (softly:)  O Master, Lord our God, Who hast appointed in heaven hierarchies and hosts of Angels and Archangels to minister unto Thy glory: grant that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels also, serving with us and glorifying Thy goodness. For to 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 the ages of ages. Amen.

The celebrant gives the Gospel Book to the deacon. Who hold it with both hands above and in the front of his face, proceeded by the subdeacons or sever carrying the censor, circles the altar and departs the sanctuary through the north door, followed by the priest(s) and/or celebrant. The Entrance procession stops at the west end of the Church, at which time the deacon intone: 

Before the doors the Deacon, with the Gospel in his left points to the holy Table with his right, saying softly,

Deacon or Proto-Deacon at a Pontifical Liturgy: Let us pray to the Lord

People: Lord, have Mercy (Optional: rejoice and be exceedly glad:  fro great is your reward in heaven.)

Deacon:  Bless, master, the holy entrance. 

(Proto-Deacon: Bless, Right Reverend Master, the Holy Entrance).  

Priest or Bishop: (softly, signing toward the holy Table then blessed Easterward:) Blessed + is the entrance of Thy Saints, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen

The Deacon holds the Gospel for the Priest or Bishop  to kiss then faces the holy Table and raises aloft the Gospel, saying:

Deacon: Wisdom! Aright!

On certain feasts the Deacon sings here an Entrance Verse after which the following song is omitted and the troparion begun, Then the people, led by the chanter(s), sing the following hymn. Meanwhile the subdeacon/server and deacon, and celebrant proceed up the aisle to the Royal Doors. The celebrant takes the Gospel book from the deacon and enters the sanctuary and places it on the altar as the people conclude the Entrance Hymn. All Clergy and People who are participating must sing the below hymn below.

On some feasts the below is replaced by another chant.

People:   O come let us worship and fall down before Christ; / O Son of God: (Sundays: Who didst rise from the dead) (Weekdays): Who art wondrous in the saints) (feasts of the Theotokos: through the prayers of the Theotokos) , save us who sing unto Thee: alleluia!

The Priest and Deacon enter the holy doors. The Deacon places the Gospels upon the holy Table.

Troparia & Kontakia

The Troparia & Kontakia hymns are chanted as appointed. Meanwhile the Priest reads the prayer of the thrice-holy, Led by the chanter(s), the people shall sing the Troparia and Kontakia proper to the Sunday and season of the year—it is recommended that these be printed and distributed prior to the commencement of each liturgy. These are concluded with following litanies below.

The People shall remain standing, and continue with the Trisagion hymn. While the people chant the Tropario and Kontakia, the Celebrant recites quietly the following Prayer of the Trasagion.

Prayer of the Thrice Holy

Priest: (softly:)  O Holy God, Who restest in the Saints; Who art hymned by the Seraphim with a thrice-holy cry, and art glorified by the Cherubim, and art worshipped by every heavenly Power; Thou Who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being; Who hast created man to Thine own image and likeness, and hast adorned him with Thine every gift; Who givest to them that ask of Thee wisdom and understanding; Who dost not despise the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; and Who hast vouchsafed to us, Thy humble and unworthy servants, to stand at this hour and in this place before the glory of Thy holy altar, and to render Thee the worship and praise which are due unto Thee:       

After the last hymn, Priest & Deacon bow their heads, & the Deacon, holding his orarion (stoles) with 3 fingers, exclaims:

Deacon:  Bless, master, the time of the thrice-holy.

(Proto-Deacon: Bless, Right Reverend Master, the time of the Thrice –Holy.)

Priest or Bishop:  For holy art Thou, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the +Father, and to the +Son, and to the +Holy Spirit, now and ever.

People:  Even unto ages and ages.  Amen.

Trisagion*

People:    Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x) Glory be to the +Father, and to the +Son, and to the +Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy (+) God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (once)

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