Old Sarum Rite (Western Liturgy of St. Peter)

"At that hour of the Sacrifice, at the words of the Priest, the heavens are opened, and in that mystery of Jesus Christ, the choirs of Angels are present, and things below are joined to things on high, earthly things to heavenly, and the service is both a visible and an invisible event."

— St. Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome (†604)

Above: This Liturgy, sung in the Old Calendar Orthodox Church in Austin, Texas

ORDER OF SERVICES

After Matins and the First Hour, holy water is blessed afresh each Sunday in the year, as shown in the Missal. After the sprinkling of the people (they approach one by one for sprinkling), and the versicle and collect at the choir step, the procession sets out.

PROCESSION

On all Sundays and on the greater Feasts, the Liturgy is preceded by a Procession. On greater Feasts, the procession goes outside the church building; most Sundays, within the church walls.

FIRST ENTRANCE ¹

The choir sings the Officium,² during which the clergy & servers enter into the chancel & start their prayers.

The Priest begins these soft prayers during the singing of the Officium, as the clergy are ranged at the choir step:

Kyrieléyson. Xristeléyson. Kyrieléyson.
Our Father...

V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V.   O confess to the Lord, for He is good.
R.   For His mercy endureth for ever.
         Ps. 117:1   Priest:

I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the Saints, and to you: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault. I beseech Holy Mary, all the Saints of God, and you, to pray for me.³

Ministers: May almighty God have mercy on thee, forgive thee all thy sins, deliver thee from all evil, preserve and strengthen thee in good, and bring thee to eternal life. Priest: Amen. Ministers: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the Saints, and to thee: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault. I beseech Holy Mary, all the Saints of God, and thee, to pray for me.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins, deliver you from all evil, preserve and strengthen you in good, and bring you to eternal life.
R. Amen.

Priest: May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you (pardon)* and remission of all your sins, space for true repentance and amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.

* A Bishop says, instead of ‘pardon,’ ‘absolution.’

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who hath made heaven and the earth.

V. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
R. From henceforth and for evermore.
          Ps 123:9, 112:3

Priest:   Let us pray.

KISS OF PEACE⁴

Receive the kiss of peace and love, that ye may be fit to perform the Divine services at the most holy Altar.

Let us pray. Take away from us all our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies, through Christ our Lord. Amen. (cf. Osëe 14:3).

I stand before the sight of Thy Divine majesty, O most merciful Father, O God, though I am not worthy, and I humbly entreat Thine

unspeakable mercy: that Thou Who hast granted me to perform the ministry of the priestly office wouldst make me well pleasing to Thee for ever, and worthy to celebrate so tremendous a Mystery. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Priest kisses the altar.

CENSING⁵

Server: Benedícite.
Priest: Dóminus. May this incense be blessed by Him in Whose honour it shall be burnt, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The four sides of the altar are censed, then the Relics, the chancel, the clergy, the icons, and the people.

KYRIE-LITANY⁶(can vary)

Deacon: O Lord and everlasting King, upon this congregation singing praises unto Thee have mercy for ever.

Choir: Kyrieléyson. (Lord, have mercy.)

Deacon: O most compassionate King, the first in majesty, with clear-resounding voices do we ask of Thee steadfastly to have mercy upon us.

Choir: Kyrieléyson.

Deacon: O King Who dealest wonderfully, Son of Thy life-bearing mother Mary, because of Thy tender mercy, unceasingly have mercy upon us.

Choir: Kyrieléyson.

Deacon: O Christ, Whom in the height of Thy bright-shining palace the heaven-dwelling gloriously praise together, ever-radiantly shining with a beauty far excelling: have mercy on Thine adopted children.

Choir: Xristeléyson. (Christ, have mercy.)

Deacon: O Christ, begotten at the word of Thy Father, O glorious One, enduring the Cross for the salvation of all that Thou hadst made, Who having conquered death art risen, have mercy upon us.

Choir: Xristeléyson.

Deacon: O Christ, Who with quivering fire of bright radiance didst send to Thy disciples from on high the Spirit, mightier than all in power, equal unto Thee, have mercy upon us.

Choir: Xristeléyson.

Deacon: O Lord up on high, to Whom thousands of thousands of Angels mightily and worthily give praise, in ever-humble wise do we entreat Thee, our Father, have mercy upon us.

Choir: Kyrieléyson.

Deacon: O nourishing Lord, the flock of Thy congregation doth shout for joy with all their heart to Thee in heavenly praises, and with beauty, that Thou wouldst be pleased to have mercy upon them for ever.

Choir: Kyrieléyson.

Deacon: O merciful Lord, receiving our glorifications in the citadel of heaven, after the end of all flesh unite us with Thee, and have mercy on us without end.

Choir: Kyrieléyson.

SECOND ENTRANCE

During the Kyrie-Litany, a procession forms and the Elements are brought into the chancel -- the bread, wine, and water for the Sacrifice.

HYMN OF THE ANGELS ⁷
—sometimes omitted

For a Bishop, two cantors sing: O Priest of the Most High God, come before the holy and sacred Altar, and in praise of the King of kings send thou forth thy voice. Humbly we entreat thee, come then, thus say, O Master.   Then the cantor intones softly: Glory be.

Priest (or Bishop): Glory be to God in the highest.

We all sing: And on earth peace to men of good will. | We praise Thee. | We bless Thee. | (bow:) 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. | That takest away the sins of the world: (bow:) receive our prayer. | That sittest at the right hand of the Father: have mercy upon us. | For Thou only art holy. | Thou only art the Lord. | Thou only art most high. (bow:) O Jesus Christ, | with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of + God the Father. Amen.

GREETING ⁸

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.⁹

Bishop: Peace be unto you.
People: And with thy spirit.

Priest or Bishop: Let us pray.

COLLECTS

We bow our heads for the Collects; these prayers vary but conclude:

Priest: ...God through all the ages of ages.¹⁰ R. Amen.

APOSTLE OR LESSON ¹¹

^{The Subdeacon (or other Reader)
sings the Apostle or
Lesson.}

THIRD ENTRANCE

During the Apostle (but, more often in practice, between the Apostle and Gospel) a procession forms and the Vessels are brought into the chancel -- the chalice, paten, and burse.

GRADUALE / ALLELUYA /
SEQUENCE / TRACT ¹²

While the choir sings the Graduale and following chants, water is blessed & wine & water are poured into the chalice. Bread is laid on the plate called the paten. Cloths called "corporals" are spread over the altar by the Deacons, & the Gospel book is censed:

The Priest blesses the water in the cruet:

Server: Jube, Dómine, benedícere. Priest: Dóminus. May it be blessed by Him from Whose side there came forth blood and water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (see Jn. 19:34)

The Priest blesses the incense:

Server: Benedícite. Priest: Dóminus. May this incense be blessed by Him in Whose honour it shall be burnt, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Deacon censes the Gospel book. Then he bows before the Priest and quietly asks the blessing:

Deacon: Grant, O Lord, to bless. Priest: May the Lord be in thy heart and upon thy mouth to declare the Holy Gospel of God. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Deacon: O Lord, give me in my mouth a speech right and resonant, that I may proclaim the words of Thy Gospel with proficiency.

GOSPEL ¹³

Deacon: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.

Deacon: The continuation of the Holy Gospel, according to N.
People: Glory + be to Thee, O Lord.

The Deacon sings the Gospel, and when it is ended, there is no response, but in silence the people cross themselves and make a deep bow. The book is kissed by the clergy, and, in some places, by the people.

SERMON

In parishes, the people sit during the sermon or homily. It is given here or after the Symbol.

SYMBOL OF FAITH—Sundays & Feasts ¹⁴

Priest: I believe in one God. The people + cross themselves, bow, then sing:

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. | And born of the Father before all ages. | God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. | Begotten, not made, consubstantial to the Father, by Whom all things were made, | Who for us men, and for our salvation, (bow:) came down from heaven,| (bow:) and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary | (bow:) and was made man. | He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. | And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. | And ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of the Father. | And He is to come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, of Whose kingdom there shall be no end. | And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, | Who proceedeth from the Father. | Who together with the Father and the Son (bow:) is adored and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. | And in one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. | I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. | And I expect the resurrection of the dead. (bow:) And the life of the world to come. | Amen.

The Priest turns to the people and sings:

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.   Priest: Let us pray.¹⁵

OFFERENDA ¹⁶

The choir sings the Offerenda chant (varies).

Meanwhile, during the Offerenda chant the Priest prays these Soft Prayers:

Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which I, an unworthy sinner, offer in Thine
honour, and that of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, and of all Thy Saints, for my sins and offences, for the salvation of the living and the repose of all the faithful departed. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, may this new sacrifice be acceptable to almighty God. ( prayer varies)

The Priest veils the Gifts, saying the Prayer of St. Ambrose:

Forgive me, O Lord, for although it is my duty to pray, although I take up Thy holy name with mine impure lips, and confess the hidden sins of mine impure deeds, I have no words before Thee which are without transgression. For Thou knowest already the wounds of my conscience, Thou knowest already the concealments of my thoughts, and Thou only knowest mine impurities. Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me! Forgive the one performing Thy Mystery, and do not judge me unworthy of Thy mercy, whom Thou permittest to pray for others, and in whom is found a single testimony of good works:

that Thou dost not forbid me to return to Thy service, rich at least in economia, O Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God through all ages of ages. Amen. ¹⁷

CENSING

Server: Benedícite. Priest: Dóminus. May this incense be blessed by Him in Whose honour it shall be burnt, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Priest censes the Gifts, then the front of the altar:

Let my prayer be set forth unto Thee, O Lord, as incense in Thy sight, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth, and a door of enclosure round about my lips. Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make excuse with excuses in sins. (Ps. 140:2-4; the entire psalm may be said)

The Deacon censes the other sides of the altar, and the chancel; a Server finishes the censing of the icons and people.

Oblations: ¹⁸ If you are making an offering, go to the door of the rood-screen. Kiss the Priest’s right hand, and he will say:

Mayest thou receive an hundredfold, and possess eternal life, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Priest washes his hands:

Cleanse me, O Lord, from all defilement of mind and body, that being cleansed I may be able to accomplish the holy work of the Lord.

The Priest bows low before the altar:

In the spirit of humility and with a contrite heart may we be accepted of Thee, O Lord, and may our Sacrifice be in such wise in Thy sight, that it may be accepted by Thee this day, and pleasing unto Thee, O Lord my God. (cf. Dan. 3:39-40)

The Priest kisses the altar, then raises his hands:

Come, O Holy Spirit, bless and sanctify this Sacrifice prepared to the praise and glory of Thy name. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Offerenda chant having been finished, the Priest turns to the people & says softly:

Brothers and sisters, pray for me, (Rom. 15:30) that my and your Sacrifice
may together be acceptable unto the Lord our God.¹⁹

The Priest and people bow to one another.

People, softly: May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart and thy lips, and may the Lord rightly accept this Sacrifice of praise from thy hands, for our sins and offences. Priest, softly: Amen.

Priest, exclaiming aloud: Let us pray!

OVER THE GIFTS

We bow our heads for the Over the Gifts; these prayers vary but conclude:

...through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.   (Gal. 1:5; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 4:11)

Priest: The Lord be with you. (Ruth 2:4)
All: And with thy spirit.   (2 Tim. 4:22)

Priest: Lift up your hearts! (Lam. 3:41)
All: We have them unto the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God. (Col. 1:3, 1 Thess. 1:2)

All: It is meet and just. (Deut. 12:28)

PREFACE ²⁰

It is truly meet and just, right and availing to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God... (here the appointed Preface is sung) ... saying:

SANCTUS ²¹

Cross yourself, then bow:

Holy, + Holy, Holy Lord God of Sábaoth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Osánna in the highest. + Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Osánna in the highest. (Is. 6:3, Mt. 21:9)

The Priest, kissing the Cross in the Missal, says softly: We worship Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, for by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

The choir or clergy sing Psalms 119-133, or Psalms 19, 24, 50, 89, and 90, throughout the Canon of the Mass.

CANON ²²

Meanwhile, the Priest sings, softly, the canon or actio missae. Note that no bells are ever rung within the Canon itself.

THEE, therefore, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, we humbly pray and beseech that Thou wouldst accept and bless these Gifts, these Presents, these holy, unspotted Sacrifices, which in the first place we offer Thee for Thy Holy Catholic Church, to which vouchsafe to grant peace, as also to preserve, unite, and govern it throughout the world, together with

Thy most blessed servant our (Patriarch or Chief Hierarch) N. and our (Arch-)Bishop N., as also all the Orthodox, and professors of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Remember, O Lord, Thy servants and handmaidens, N. & N., and all who are high-placed, that they may lead a calm and quiet life with faith in Thee: and whomsoever are joined to me by blood-ties or intimacy, and whomsoever have extended to me any labour of love or mercy, and who have remembrance of me in their prayers, and who have commended themselves to mine unworthy prayers, and those to whom I have been some hindrance or stumbling-block, and whomsoever have brought upon me any hardship, and of all communities of monks, canons, and nuns, whose names and number Thou alone knowest, O almighty God: and of all our neighbours, and of those whose alms we have received, or whose names are kept in writing upon Thy holy altar, and who have made confession to us of their own transgressions, and of all here standing, whose faith is perceived, and whose devotion is known unto Thee: for whom we offer, or who offer, to Thee this Sacrifice of praise for themselves and all their own: for the redemption of their souls, for the health and salvation they hope for,

and for which they now pay their vows unto Thee, the eternal, living, and true God.

The "Communicantes" sometimes varies:

In communion with, and honouring in the first place the memory of, the glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ, as also of Thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs: Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus: of Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Laurence, Vincent, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, of George, Hilary, Martin, Benedict, Gregory, Augustine, Amandus, Florentius, (here the main Saint of the day may be named) and of all Thy Saints, through whose righteousness and prayers grant that we may be always defended by the help of Thy protection, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. ²³

^{The following prayer, the Hanc
Igitur, sometimes varies.}

This oblation, therefore, of our servitude, and of Thy whole family, we beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept: to dispose our days in Thy peace, and to preserve us from eternal damnation, and to rank us in the number of Thine elect,

through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. ²⁴

Which oblation do Thou, O almighty God, vouchsafe in all respects to bless, approve, ratify, make reasonable, and accept, we beseech Thee: that it may be made for us the Body and Blood of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Lord and God Jesus Christ,

Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven to Thee, almighty God His Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed, brake, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and eat this, all of you, for this is My Body (Mt. 26:26, Mk. 14:22, Lk. 22:19). ²⁵

In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent Chalice into His holy and venerable hands, giving Thee also thanks, He blessed, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and drink this, all of you, for this is the chalice of My Blood, of the new and eternal testament, the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. As often as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of Me (Mt. 26:27-28; Lk. 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:25).

Therefore we beseech Thee, O Lord, to send down Thy Holy Spirit upon this Sacrifice,

that He may make this bread the precious Body of Thy Christ, and this chalice the precious Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, changing Them by the Holy Spirit.

Wherefore also, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of the same Christ Thy Son, our Lord God, His Resurrection from the dead and glorious Ascension into heaven, offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty, of Thy gifts bestowed upon us, a pure Lamb, ²⁶ a holy Lamb, an unspotted Lamb, the Holy Bread of eternal life, and the Chalice of everlasting salvation, upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of Thy just servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high priest Melchisedech offered to Thee: a holy Sacrifice, an unspotted Victim.

We most humbly beseech Thee, almighty God... (here he prays for whoever is most in need) ... Command these things to be carried by the hands of Thy Holy Angel to Thine altar on high, in the sight of Thy Divine Majesty: that as many of us as shall receive the most sacred Body and Blood of Thy Son by partaking at this Altar,

may be filled with every heavenly grace and blessing, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. ²⁷

Remember me, I pray Thee, O Lord, and have mercy, although these holy sacrificial elements are offered to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, unworthily by my hands who am not even worthy to call upon Thy holy and worship-inspiring name. But inasmuch as they are offered up in honour, praise, and remembrance of Thy most glorious and beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, let Them be enkindled with a fragrance of sweetness, as incense in the sight of Thy Divine majesty, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.

Remember also, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens, N. and N., (the Deacon says the names commemorated) who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all that sleep in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Also to us sinners Thy servants, confiding in the multitude of Thy mercies,

vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Kenelm; Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, Genevieve, Eulalia, Euphemia, Etheldreda, Gertrude, and with all Thy Saints, into whose company we beseech Thee to admit us, not in consideration of our merit, but of Thine own gratuitous pardon, through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and bestow
upon us all these good things. By Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to Thee, God + the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory ...

ELEVATION & DOXOLOGY

The Priest and Deacon elevate the Gifts, the Priest singing loudly:

... Through all the ages of ages!   R. Amen.

The Priest and Deacon veil the Gifts:

Priest: Let us pray. Instructed by saving precepts, and guided by Divine institution, we presume to say: ²⁹

The Priest raises his hands; the Deacon, the paten:

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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation.

People: But deliver us from evil.
Priest softly: Amen.   Priest, singing aloud:

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come, and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of Thy chosen Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and of blessed John the Baptist Thy Forerunnner, and of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of Andrew, N. and N., (the Deacon names today’s Saints...) Priest: ... with all the Saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin and secure from all disturbance, through the same Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, + Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,

The Priest exclaims loudly:

Through all the ages of ages! R. Amen.

BISHOP’S BLESSING³⁰

Deacon: O Prince of the Church, shepherd to the sheep, may it please thee to bless the people entrusted to thy care. (to the people:) With meekness and with charity, bow down yourselves for a blessing. R. Thanks be to God.

The Bishop sings the proper Blessing over the people; to each petition we sing in answer: Amen.

Priest:   The peace of the Lord be always with you. ³¹

People:   And with thy spirit. (cf. 2 Thess. 3:16)

AGNUS DEI ³²

Sometimes varies. At the words "O Lamb of God," cross yourself and bow.

Chanter: + O Lamb of God,

All: That takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us.

Chanter: + O Lamb of God,

All: That takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us.

Chanter: + O Lamb of God,
All: That takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us.   (Jn. 1:29)

And / or the Agnus is sung in Latin:

Chanter: + Agnus Dei,
All: Qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis. (3x)

Meanwhile the Priest, having prayed the Agnus softly with the other clergy, with three bows, adds these Soft Prayers:

May this most holy + mingling (lowers part of the Lamb into the chalice) of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me and to all receiving It health of mind and body, and a salutary preparation for being made worthy of eternal life and laying hold upon it, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst say to Thine Apostles, "My peace I give unto you, peace I leave with you," (Jn. 14:27) look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church, and by Thy will vouchsafe to pacify, to protect, and to unite it, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.

O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, grant us so worthily to receive this most holy Body and Blood of Thy Son our Lord

Jesus Christ, that by this we may deserve to receive the remission of all our sins, and to be filled with Thy Holy Spirit, and to possess Thy peace. For Thou alone art God, and there is none other beside Thee, Whose glorious kingdom abideth unto the ages of ages. R. Amen.

The Priest kisses the clergy, saying:

Peace be to thee and to the Church of God.
R. And with thy spirit.³³

The pax icon of Christ is brought out by a server for the people to reverence & kiss.

Communion Song³⁴(varies)

Meanwhile—the Priest prays the Soft Prayers before Communion ³⁵

O God the Father, fount and source of all good, Who, led by loving-kindness, didst will Thine Only-Begotten to descend to the lowest world and to take on flesh for us, which I, unworthy, here hold in my hands, I worship Thee, I glorify Thee, I praise Thee with the whole intention of my mind and heart, and I pray that Thou wilt not forsake us, Thy servants, but wilt forgive our sins so that we may be able to serve Thee, the only living and true God, with a pure heart and a chaste body. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, according to the will of the Father, hast by Thy death, through the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, given life to the world: deliver me by this Thy most sacred Body and Blood from all mine iniquities, and from all evils, and make me always to obey Thy commandments, and never suffer me to be separated from Thee for ever, O Saviour of the world, Who with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.

Let not the Holy Mystery of Thy Body and Blood, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I (though unworthy) receive, be to me for judgment and condemnation, but through Thy mercy may It be for the salvation of my body and soul. R. Amen.

COMMUNION OF THE CLERGY

Each Priest or Deacon communing says, before his own communion:

Hail for evermore, most holy Flesh of Christ, to me before all and above all the highest sweetness. May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, the way and the life. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hail for evermore, heavenly Drink, to me before all and above all the highest sweetness.

May the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, an everlasting remedy unto eternal life, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS ³⁶

People: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the Saints, and to thee, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault. I beseech Holy Mary, all the Saints of God, and thee, to pray for me.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins, deliver you from all evil, preserve and strengthen you in good, and bring you to eternal life. R. Amen.

Priest: May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon* and remission of all your sins, space for true repentance and amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.

* a Bishop says, "absolution and remission"

COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

Choir: Come, ye people, to the Holy and Immortal Mystery, and the Offering we must make. With fear and faith, let us draw near; with hearts made clean by repentance let us communicate the Gifts. For the Lamb of God is set forth to the Father, a Sacrifice

(choir:) for us. Let us worship only Him, let us give glory to Him, crying with the Angels: Alleluya. (not sung in Lent)

Instructions for Communicants

• Queue up in the line of communicants with arms crossed over your chest.

• At the chalice, make a deep bow, kiss the Priest’s hands, and say, "Servant (handmaiden) of God N."

• Priest: Servant (handmaiden) of God N., may the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ profit thee for the remission of all thy sins and for everlasting life. R. Amen.

• Having received, do not cross yourself or kiss anything; sip of the ablution wine and return to your place.

PRAYERS OF THANKS

Having communed everyone, the Priest returns to the altar and says the following prayers, punctuated by the three ablutions by wine and water of the chalice and of his fingers.

I give Thee thanks, O Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, Who hast refreshed me with the most holy Body and Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

and I pray Thee that this Holy Mystery of our salvation which I, an unworthy sinner, have received, may not fall to my judgment, nor to condemnation, according to my deserts, but to the advancement of my body and soul unto life eternal, according to Thy mercy. R. Amen.

What we have taken with our mouth may we receive with a pure mind, O Lord, and from a temporal gift may It become for us the medicine of immortality. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.

May this Communion, O Lord, purge us from guilt and make us to be partakers of the heavenly remedy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God through all the ages of ages. R. Amen.

Blessed be thou by thy Son, O Lady, for through thee we have partaken of the Fruit of life.

Let us bow down before the sign of the Cross, through which we have received the holy mystery of salvation.

The reserved Gifts having been placed in the dove or aumbrey safe with censing and preceding candles, the Priest turns to the people:

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.   Priest: Let us pray.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS

We bow our heads for the Postcommunions; these prayers vary but conclude:

Priest: ...God, through all the ages of ages.
R. Amen.

PRAYER OF BOWED HEADS ³⁸

Priest: Let us pray. Deacon: Bow down your heads before God.

We bow somewhat for this variable Prayer; at the doxology we rise and cross ourselves.

Priest: ...God, through all the ages of ages.
R. Amen.

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

DISMISSAL

The Deacon sings one of these dismissals:

V. Go ye, Mass is ended.
R. Thanks be to God. or:

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

During the Dismissal chant, the Priest says softly:

Let the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O Holy Trinity, and grant that this Sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up in the sight of Thy majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy be a propitiation for me and for all those for whom I have offered it. Who livest and reignest, God through all the ages of ages. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.³⁹

BISHOP’S BLESSING ⁴⁰

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R. Who hath made heaven and the earth.

V. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
R. From henceforth and for evermore.

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

Bishop: Let us pray. May the blessing of God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, come down upon you, and remain for ever. R. Amen.

ARCHBISHOP’S BLESSING

Deacon: Bow down yourselves for
a blessing.   People:   Thanks be to God.

We bow; he sings the Blessing over us, each one ending: R. Amen.

(The Sixth Hour may be begun here.)

BLESSING OF BREAD ⁴¹

Server: Benedícite (Bless).
Priest: Dóminus (The Lord bless).

V. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

R. From henceforth and for evermore.
(Ps. 112:3)

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

Priest: Let us pray. Collect: Bless, O Lord, this creature of bread, as Thou didst bless the five loaves in the wilderness, that all who partake of it may receive health of both body and soul, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.

We queue up to take blessed bread, kissing the Priest’s hand as we receive the bread.

THANKSGIVING

The Priest prays this in withdrawing and unvesting, but in some places there is the custom for the people to pray the Thanksgiving Prayers in the nave, as well as the Prayers after Communion (given in Orthodox Prayers of Old England, p. 112).

CANTICLE OF THE THREE YOUTHS
Called the Benedícite — Daniel 3:56-88

Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord : O praise ye Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

Bless the Lord, ye Angels of the Lord : ye heavens, bless the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all ye waters that are above the heavens : bless the Lord, all ye powers of the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O sun and moon : bless the Lord, ye stars of heaven.

Bless the Lord, ye rain and dew : bless the Lord, every wind of God.

Bless the Lord, fire and heat of burning : bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat.

Bless the Lord, O falls of dew and frost : bless the Lord, O ice and cold.

Bless the Lord, O hoar-frosts and snows : bless the Lord, O nights and days.

Bless the Lord, O light and darkness : bless the Lord, O lightnings and clouds.

Let the earth bless the Lord : let her praise Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

Bless the Lord, O mountains and hills : bless the Lord, all things that spring up upon the earth.

Bless the Lord, O fountains : bless the Lord, O seas and rivers.

Bless the Lord, O monsters of the sea, and all things that move in the waters : bless the Lord, all ye winged creatures of the sky.

Bless the Lord, all ye beasts and cattle : bless the Lord, ye sons of men.

Let Israël bless the Lord : let him praise Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

Bless the Lord, ye priests of the Lord : bless the Lord, ye servants of the Lord.

Bless the Lord, ye spirits and ye souls of the righteous : bless the Lord, ye Saints, and ye that be humble of heart.

Bless the Lord, O Ananias, Azarias, and Misaël : O praise ye Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

+ Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit : let us praise Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven : and worthy of praise, and glorious, and supremely exalted unto the ages.

PSALM 150

Praise ye God in His saints : praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Praise Him for His mighty acts : praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet : praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance : praise Him with strings and flute.

Praise Him with tuneful cymbals : praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord.

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

As it was in the beginning, and now and always : and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

CANTICLE OF RIGHTEOUS SYMEON
called the Nunc Dimittis — Luke 2:29-32

Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart : in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.

For mine eyes have seen : Thy salvation.

Which Thou hast prepared : before the face of all peoples.

A light of revelation for the nations : and the glory of Thy people Israël.

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

As it was in the beginning, and now and always : and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

antiphon: Let us sing the hymn of the three youths, which they sang in the furnace of fire, blessing the Lord.

Kyrieleyson. Xristeleyson. Kyrieleyson.

Leader: Our Father...

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V.   Let us bless O the Father and the Son with the Holy Spirit.

R. Let us praise Him and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

V.   Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven.

R. And worthy of praise, and glorious, and supremely exalted unto the ages.
(Dan. 3:88)

Only if a Priest or Deacon is leading:

V. May the + Holy Trinity bless and keep us.   R. Amen.

V.   O Lord, enter not into judgment with Thy servant.

R.   For in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Ps. 142:3)

V.   O Lord God of hosts, make us to return.

R.   And cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 79:5,6)

V.   O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
(Ps. 101:1)

Only if a Priest or Deacon is leading:

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

Let us pray.

Collect: O God Who for the three youths didst allay the flames of fire, mercifully grant that the flame of sins may not consume us who are Thy servants.

Collect: Set our reins and our heart aflame with the fire of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body and please Thee with a pure heart.

Collect: Our actions, we beseech Thee, O Lord, do Thou precede by inspiring us and bring to fruition by helping us, that all our activity and prayer may always begin with Thee, and what is begun may be completed by Thee. + Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Notes on the Old Sarum Mass

The Western Liturgy of St. Peter is the Communion rite established by our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of almighty God, put in a clear form by St. James the Lord’s Brother, then, through the Holy Apostle Peter, passed down to us by the Holy Fathers of the West, especially St. Gregory the Great. These Fathers added beautiful and compunctionate prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit. This Liturgy is called the missa or "Mass"—its title according to Sts. Gregory, Ambrose, and other Holy Fathers of the West, and which signifies "The Oblation That is Offered."

1 Entrance: The entrance of the Priest and clergy signifies the approach to us of Christ in His incarnation.

2 Officium: Pope St. Celestine had a psalm sung at this point. St. Gregory the Great established the melodies of the Officium. Regarding the Glory Be in the Officium, it comes to us from the First Oecumenical Council of Nicæa. Pope St. Damasus I of Rome ordained the addition "As it was in the beginning," which is not found in the Byzantine Rite.

3 Confession of the clergy: "Confess, therefore, your sins one to another, and pray for one another" (James 5:16). This prayer, called the Confíteor, goes back to at least the 8th century.

4 Kiss of peace: "If thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:24). A kiss of peace at the beginning of the Mass was ordained by Pope St. Innocent I, a friend of St. John Chrysostom, in 407 A.D.

5 Incense: The incense shows how our prayers should rise to heaven—with fragrance, that is, the sweet smell of a heart burning with love for the Lord. Read Exodus, chapters 30-40, Numbers 16:18-46, and Revelation 8:3-4.

6 Kyrieleyson: Pope St. Sylvester took "Kyrie eleison" ("Lord, have mercy") from the Greeks. This prayer summarises the repentant spirit of the Prophets and their great longing to see Christ. The three contrasting Xristeleysons ("Christ, have mercys") in the middle were introduced in France in the 8th century. During the Kyrie-Litany, the Priest quietly prays the Apologiæ, profound prayers of repentance, which are printed in the Priest’s service book, called the Missal.

7 Angelic Hymn (Gloria): This 2nd century hymn is from Luke 2:14 as introduced, with embellishment, by the ancient Church Father St. Hilary of Poitiers. It reminds us of the Lord Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem. Pope St. Telesphorus had the Hymn of Angels sung before the Sacrifice; Pope St. Symmachus restricted its use to Sundays and feasts. It is omitted throughout Advent and Lent.

8 Greeting of the people. Each time the Priest turns to the people, it represents one of the manifestations of Christ. His turning here, before the Collect, signifies Christ appearing among the elders in the Temple as a youth of twelve.

9 Greeting: "The Lord be with you" is Ruth 11:4 (see Luke 1:28, Judith 6:8, and 2 Paralipomenon 15:2). The Bishop’s greeting, "Peace be to you," is from Daniel 10:19 and Luke 24:36. The people’s reply, "And with thy spirit," is 2 Timothy 4:22. All these phrases were sanctioned by Pope St. Anacletus. Every time the Priest says, "The Lord be with you," bow slightly to him.

10 "Ages of ages, amen" is from Apocalypse (Rev.) 7:12. "Amen" is Hebrew for "It is so!"

11 Apostle: The Apostle or Lesson of scripture signifies the preaching of Christ’s 72 disciples. It is sung by one of the clergy or by a man from the congregation. St. Jerome of Bethlehem (5th century) laid out the order of scripture passages to be used throughout the year, and Pope St. Damasus I gave it his blessing; the Western Rite has used this cycle of readings ever since.

12 Graduale chant: Signifies our struggle to please God. St. Ambrose of Milan composed the first Graduales. "Alleluya" (Revelation 19:6) communicates the joy of heaven. St. Gregory the Great gave his blessing to the Alleluya melodies. The Sequence is a chant that continues the joy of the Alleluya and contains useful instruction. Pope Nicholas (9th century) blessed Sequences to be sung at Mass. St. Notker (+912) of St. Gall Monastery in Switzerland composed many Sequences. The Tract, sung during Lent, is a song of repentance for sins.

13 The Gospel is the living voice of Jesus Christ speaking to the people. The candles which the servers hold are a way of saying that Jesus is the Light of the world.

14 The Symbol of Faith is the Creed formulated and blessed by the First and Second Oecumenical Councils, which met at Nicæa and Constantinople in A.D. 325 and 381.

15 "Let us pray": In parishes, the Bidding Prayers may be done at this point, though they usually are done in the procession before Liturgy.

16 Offerenda: St. Augustine already writes of this chant in the 4th century as being sung in Africa. St. Gregory the Great blessed the texts which are still chanted today in their order on the various Sundays and feasts.

17 "Forgive me, O Lord": This is St. Ambrose’s prayer for veiling the Gifts.

18 Oblations: This is the time when money offerings are made, but—in spirit—the people now lay their sufferings, trials, temptations, sins, cares, and their thanks, at the foot of the Throne of God.

19 "Brothers and sisters, pray for me": Pope St. Leo I, the Great, had the "Pray for me" said at Mass. The response of the people, "May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart," was also used in the ancient abbey of Fleury in France. This part of the Mass reminds us of Christ’s appeal to the apostles Peter, James, and John to pray with Him in the garden of Gethsemane the eve of His Passion.

20 Preface: By tradition, it was St. Dionysius the Areopagite who wrote the first prefaces, but Popes Sts. Leo and Gelasius ensured they would be sung in the Holy Mass at Rome.

21 Sanctus: Pope St. Sixtus blessed the current wording of the Sanctus to be sung at Mass. It comes straight from Isaias 6:3, Daniel 7:10, and Matthew 21:9. "Sábaoth" is Hebrew for (Angel) "hosts." "Osánna" is Hebrew for "Save us!"

22 Canon Missæ: Basing his prayers upon those of the Apostles, Pope St. Gelasius (5th century) composed this Canon and had it sung. Sts. Leo and Gregory added slightly to it. It has been called the "Canon" or "Rule" since the 5th century.

23 Communicantes: This prayer, which sometimes varies, reminds us that the Orthodox Church is in communion with St. Mary and all the apostles and martyrs.

24 Hanc Igitur: This prayer varies at certain seasons and at Baptisms.

25 Words of Christ: The wording is slightly different in the Gospel. This may well be because these Mass prayer

26 "Lamb," often rendered "Host," is from Latin "hostia." "Hostia" means any sacrificial animal, but clearly, in this context, that animal is the Lamb of God.

27 "We most humbly beseech": This prayer, "Supplices Te," was considered by St. Nicholas Cabasilas (14th c.) to be the Western epiclesis. The Priest crosses his hands on his chest here to show that the sacred Mystery is not his doing, that God’s grace is accomplishing everything on the altar and among the people.

28 The elevation signifies Christ’s crucifixion. The veiling here signifies His enshrouding and burial, the mingling at ‘Agnus Dei,’ His Resurrection.

29 "Instructed by saving precepts": This preamble to the Our Father was composed by St. Gregory the Great, who also placed the Our Father in its current position in the service. Historically in the Gregorian rite, only the Priest sang the Our Father. However, our common usage is that all the people sing it with him, along Gallican lines. The Lord’s Prayer is from Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.

30 Bishop’s blessing: The Apostles delivered the custom of this blessing to St. Martial of Limoges, apostle of Celtic Gaul, who in turn delivered it to us.

31 "The peace of the Lord": St. Ambrose of Milan began to say this; Pope St. Innocent I (4th century) ruled it should always be said at this point in the service.

32 Agnus Dei: It was Pope St. Sergius I, a Syrian, who composed this song (actually a reprise of part of the Angelic Hymn) and had it sung at the Mass. Later books give, for the last repeat, "O Lamb of God... grant us Thy peace."

33 In 681 Pope St. Leo II had the kiss always exchanged at this point by clergy.

34 Communion Song: These antiphons were arranged by St. Gregory I. The antiphon for the people’s communion, "Come, ye people," is not done in Lent.

35 The 2nd and 3rd prayers before Communion date back to at least the 9th century, and have been a regular part of the Mass since the 10th century.

36 Confession of the people: "Confess, therefore, your sins one to another, and pray for one another" (James 5:16). The prayer, called the Confíteor, dates back to the 8th century.

37 Communion: St. Augustine of Africa mentions the bow before receiving: "No one ought to eat of that Body unless he hath bowed down before It first."

38 Prayer of Bowed Heads ("Super Populum"): This prayer stands for the last blessing Christ gave over His disciples, just before He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives.

39 "Let the performance": Called "Placeat Tibi," this is a 9th century or older Gallican prayer which has been a regular part of the Mass since the 10th century.

40 Bishop’s blessing: The first versicle and response are from Psalm 120:3, the second versicle and response from Ps. 112:3.

41 Blessing of bread: This blessing may be a vestige of the ancient Christian agapes (love-feasts). It is a good custom for the people to take some of the blessed bread home with them to consume each day before taking any other food.