DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. THOMAS
FOR VARIOUS CELEBRATIONS
Presented by:
Western Orthodox Theological Institute (WOTI)
MAR Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.
Protector of the Catholic Christian Church
Metropolitan Archbishop - Archabbot - Primate
American Orthodox Church
North American Orthodox Church
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© Copyright: 1982, 1999 - Seaside, Ca. © Copyright: 2003 - 2008 – Deming, New Mexico
American Orthodox Church
The Divine Liturgy
Of
Our Holy Father St. Thomas,
Apostle of Jesus Christ's
and first Christian to India
Liturgy of St. Thomas for Today's People
CONTENTS
Introduction
Rubrics
About - Home Service
Legend
About Confession
About Communion Service
Introit
Opening of the Word
Invocation of the Angels
Kyrie
The Lesser Entrance
The Greater Entrance
The Offering of Holy Quorbana
The Mixing
Dedication by the People
The Epistle
The Preparation
The Holy Gospel
Reconciliation and Prayer of the Veil
Mystery/Consecration/Holy Elements
Commemoration
Lord's Prayer (Standard & Aramaic)
Epiclesis
Intercessions
Sign of Peace
Grand Elevation
Communion of the people
Distribution of Holy Communion
Great Invocation
Departure Blessing
In many churches of both the Eastern and Western Rite for which this liturgy was initially established; the "Lavabo" (Washing of hands in "innocence") is used with a prayer. Hopefully and prayerfully, this liturgy will be established in according to the rudiments of the Eastern Orthodox mind-set in time to come.
"Cleanse me, O'Lord, from all pollution of mind and body, that being cleansed I may be able to perform the holy work of the Lord…" or similar… In other churches and especially for this liturgy, there is no Lavabo after the pattern of the Roman Church.
Introduction to:
A LITURGY OF ST. THOMAS For Today's People
Originally, the liturgy was authored by Archbishop Michael Zaharakis as gained by him from reliable resources in India and elsewhere. We have made some changes for our use. The original form was presented to us by MAR Jacobus III [Archbishop James Abdul Miklaeovitch Dennis] as a part of EDTA HA THOMA (Profess House), with some assistance from Archbishop Pierre Testart when it became clear that "Jesus spoke in Aramaic," were initially begun as discussion papers with notations which were a part of these writings.
According to Archbishop Dennis, Zaharakis did not follow a written format per se, and his liturgies used written materials only for the Gospel. His belief was that a priest should allow for freedom of expression from the heart which is worship in action, and oft times an expression out of "…pain of heart struggles for the faith in Jesus Christ."
MAR Michael Zaharakis died in July 1984 at the San Francisco Veterans Hospital of a brain hemorrhage induced by medication used to treat him for leukemia. His case was worsened by the hepatitis which he became infected with while hospitalized.
We dedicate this Liturgy of St. Thomas (Apostle of Jesus Christ) (the Holy Twelve) and to MAR Michael Zaharakis and Archbishop James Abdul Miklaeovoitch Dennis (of reposed memory) and Archbishop Pierre Testart (+Petrus) who is still with us in this life..
We pray that each time it is used, it will be acceptable as an offering for not only his and their soul's advancement in the Kingdom of God, but for all who have passed the veil of the flesh into the next and for our own spiritual needs.
We use this Liturgy in the Western Rite branch of the AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - NORTH AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, Province of North America, and in the Catholic Christian Church, as well as primarily used by the Monastic Community of St. John Maximovitch of Shanghai & San Francisco of which the Thaddean Fathers (Holy Order and Society) operates under .
RUBRICS
CHURCH SERVICE:
The general guidelines for the conducting of Divine Liturgy shall be as follows:
1. If the Archbishop, Bishop or Local Ordinary be present, it is to him that Celebration of the Divine Liturgy is offered by.
If the Archbishop, Bishop or Local Ordinary is not celebrating Divine Liturgy, then the Pastor shall celebrate Divine Liturgy, following the guidelines as indicated in [ ] if the celebration is for what is termed as "High Mass" for the Western Rite. For Eastern Rite, Divine Liturgy may be abbreviated in this instance by the guidelines as indicated in ().
3. High Mass outside of monasteries of the Thaddean Fathers shall be said or celebrated only on special Holy Days of obligation, such as Christmas [(Nativity of Our Lord)], Easter [Resurrection Day], etc. For a more complete showing of Special Days of obligation, refer to Liturgical Calendar.
4. The color of vestments shall be those normally worn in Divine Liturgy for the Celebration of High Mass, or for regular services, as the case may be.
5. [Low Mass] or (Divine Liturgy-abbreviated) may omit the following parts of the service:
a. All incensing.
b. Introit, Opening of the Word, Invocation of the Angels, Kyrie, Dedication by the People, The Great Invocation, (omitted at the option of the celebrating priest).
HOME SERVICE:
1. The above Rubric #5 shall apply.
2. Because of conditions and situations in a house setting, it shall be at the option of the celebrant as to the form and layout of Holy utensils for the exception of essential holy utensils or items:
a. Must have minimum of two candles.
b. Must have Holy bread and Wine.
c. Must have the Holy Bible (preferably the George M. Lamsa edition which is the translation from Aramaic to English. Otherwise, use the common Holy Bible most available at the time.
c. Must have an antimins.
d. Must have an Orthodox Cross.
e. Must have blessed water.
3. The same conditions shall apply for the Western Rite as for the Eastern Rite in celebrating Divine Liturgy [Holy Mass] in the houses and homes of the faithful.
LEGEND:
[ ] Brackets = Liturgical Rubrics for Western Rite
( ) Parenthesis = Liturgical Rubrics for Eastern Rite
< > = Special Instructions for Celebrant,
Assistant, and others.
CONFESSION: It has always been, and remains mandatory for all true faithful to go to confession before receiving the Holy Mysteries. Because of the multitude of diverse religious backgrounds of those new to us; we allow some leeway.
Orthodox Catholics must have gone to confession. Those who are not Orthodox Catholic, may receive (For "Home Services" ONLY) un-consecrated elements up and until one has been fully Baptized and Chrismated in the Church. Confession is not a public affair, but a private one between penitent and priest even though, under some circumstances, done at the inconostasis or altar railing area before the preparation of the elements. According to this Jurisdiction's Canons, all confessions shall be heard in the open, away from but open to the "eyes only" of others. This reduces the problem posed by those of Protestant Cults who have been known to sneak into services and later attempt to make false and perjurious claims against a clergyman.
COMMUNION Service: It is noted that contemporary times has produced new attitudes and understandings in both the Eastern and Western Church (Orthodox and Roman).
We are all CATHOLIC and all are invited. But, in our Jurisdiction of the One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we ask that those who are not baptized in the Orthodox Catholic Jurisdiction(s) or the Roman, leave the sanctuary at the beginning of COMMUNION SERVICE (not applicable during 'home services') since they are not considered as true Christians in the One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ Himself and the Holy Apostles. They may return after the Communion Service for the Departure Blessing. It shall be appropriate for the pastor of the church to hold separate catechumen studies in another area away from the main Church from where Communion is celebrated. Communion is a Divine Mystery and is not given just to anyone and everyone, believers and non-believers in the Faith.
[ ( INTROIT ) ]
[( Priest facing the altar )]
ASSISTANT:
Holy, Blessed, Worthy is the God Hosts, Who hath revealed Himself
in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ALL: Amen!
CELEBRANT:
I was glad when they said
"We shall go into the House of the Lord."
Behold... Behold Him who has redeemed His people from the land of Egypt and called them into the community of Saints.
ALL: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,
The Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory
Glory be to Thee, O'Lord Most High.
CELEBRANT: Amen!
[ ( OPENING OF THE WORD ) ]
CELEBRANT:
<The Celebrant shall face the Altar and with the Assistant or the Assisting Priest, or Deacon, place incense in the censor. The Celebrant blesses it. Then the Celebrant shall incense the Tabernacle, saying:>
HOLY GOD.
HOLY MIGHTY ONE.
HOLY IMMORTAL ONE.
ALL: You are merciful.
CELEBRANT:
<The Celebrating Priest shall incense the Assistant who shall then incense the Celebrating Priest, the other deacons and/or sub-deacons and then the people.>
You are merciful O'Lord Jesus Christ
You are the Alpha and the Omega
The Beginning and the End
The Almighty.
Therefore with Angels, Archangels, Saints, Watchers and Holy Ones We come before you
praying for the peace of the whole world.
CELEBRANT:
<The Assistant Priest, or Assistant, with the censer after putting more incense into it, passes the censer to the Celebrant who then incenses the right, then the left of the Altar, then the middle of the Altar, at which time he says>
+ In the Name of the Father.
+ and of the Son, Jesus Christ.
+ and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen.
CELEBRANT: <Facing the people>
Hear O'descendants of Israel
The Lord Our God is one.
Hear the Command of the Lord Our God.
ASSISTANT: <Facing the people>
This is the first and great Command.
CELEBRANT: <Facing the people>
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your mind,
with all your soul.
ASSISTANT: <Facing the people>
This is the first and Great Command
and the Second is the same as the first.
CELEBRANT: + You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
ASSISTANT:
From these two commands
hang all the law and the prophets.
CELEBRANT:
Hear O'descendants of Israel,
the Lord your God is ONE!
ALL: Amen.
[ ( INVOCATION OF THE ANGELS ) ]
ASSISTANT: <Facing the Altar>
In the Strength of the Lord do we expel all evil from this altar and this Holy sanctuary...
<The Assistant prepares the censor at this time for use by the Celebrant - placing new incense in the censer, blessing it and passing it to the Celebrant after which he makes a low bow to the Celebrant.>
CELEBRANT:
<The Celebrant takes the censer and begins to incense the Tabernacle, the right of the Altar, the left, then the middle saying the following prayer; and then he faces the people and censes them also, before returning the censer to the Assistant to put it aside.>
And in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ do I invoke the Holy Archangels:
Mikai-el <incense the Right of the Altar>
Raph-ae-el <Cense the Left of the Altar>
Ur-i-el <Cense the Middle of the Altar>
Gab-ri-el <Cense the People>
and all the Saints, Watchers, and Holy Ones
to cleanse this house
and bear upon the wings of their prayers
the petitions of this congregation here assembled
before the Great White Throne of God
the Father Almighty On High.
ALL: AMEN.
ASSISTANT: You, O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ....
ALL: Hear Our Prayers.
ASSISTANT: You, O'God, Who are nameless
but are named in the hearts of all creation,
we Worship You with the whole intent of our lives
and being that we,
being made one by the Holy Spirit,
may be in Your Kingdom.
ALL: AMEN.
CELEBRANT:
Come Lord Jesus Christ
and Bless this Place
Where we Worship You.
ALL: AMEN. Blessed is Our Savior Jesus Christ.
[ ( KYRIE ) ]
CELEBRANT: <Facing the Altar>
Christ have mercy on us.
ALL: Christ have mercy on us.
CELEBRANT: Lord have mercy on us.
ALL: Lord have mercy on us.
CELEBRANT: Christ have mercy on us.
THE LESSER ENTRANCE
CELEBRANT: <Facing the Altar>
O'Lord, Jesus Christ, Bind us to You
as though we were entering into the Kingdom of heaven.
The Doors of the Mysteries, Behold ...
Behold them as opening through the Word of God
the Father Almighty.
ASSISTANT: <Facing the People>
PEACE TO ALL who enter into the Place of God, the Father Almighty.
ALL: Amen.
CELEBRANT: <Facing the Altar>
O'Lord, I come to Your Altar and worship before your throne.
ALL: (slight bow)
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,
Lord God, Ancient of days.
Before anything was,
You were in perfection,
Glory to Thee O'Lord God,
Our Father Almighty.
THE GREATER ENTRANCE
CELEBRANT: <Facing the People>
Blessed is the entrance of the Faithful into the Kingdom of Heaven.
May your hearts be opened as though the Gates of heaven have been opened to you.
Blessed is the One Who opens the doors to us.
Blessed is the near rulership of Yahweh
as we enter into the Aeon.
ALL: Open the doors to us Father,
Blessings, Wisdom, Power and Might be to Our God,
through Jesus Christ form Whom you were called out to serve us.
Open the doors to us Father,
and be the Shepherd,
the Apostle of Christ's for our sake
and that of the whole world.
Open the doors to us Father.
Prayer of the Veil
Said by the Celebrating Bishop when present
Heavenly Father let us not be like the children of Israel who could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away on the face of Moses because their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains un-lifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil can only be taken away through your Son, our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ.
Lord remove this veil from our minds and souls through your Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so we may truly worship and glorify your Holy and Blessed Name both now and forever unto ages and ages.
ALL: Amen.
THE OFFERING OF HOLY QUORBANA
<At this time, the Deacons, or those chosen from the congregation, shall bring forth the Wine and Bread>
ALL: We offer and bring unto You, O'Lord
Bread and Wine,
as you have ordained of old.
We keep the New Passover and praise You
in our hearts with the new song of humanity.
THE MIXING
ASSISTANT: We mix water with wine in honor of the mixing of the human and Divine in Jesus Christ.
<At this point, the Assistant shall prepare the Incense which shall be given to the Celebrant. The Celebrant shall, during the congregation's response (as below), incense the offerings of Bread and Wine.>
ALL: O Most Holy One, Father Almighty,
We pray you take this offering from us
as a mercy offering to help all humanity.
ASSISTANT: <Facing the people>
Offer yourselves, your souls and your bodies
with this offering which we make unto the
Lord Our God, the Father Almighty.
ALL: AMEN.
<If the Bishop is celebrating, the Assistant, Deacon and sub-deacon shall turn facing the people after they have mitered the returned the Crosier to the Bishop>
CELEBRANT: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you, Father.
[ ( DEDICATION BY THE PEOPLE ) ]
< Can be sung or said as in prayer>
ALL: Let there be peace on Earth
And let it begin with me ...
Let there be peace on Earth,
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
Brothers all are we;
Let me walk with my brother,
In perfect harmony.
Let Peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now,
With every step I take,
Let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment
and live each moment
In Peace, eternally,
Let there be Peace on Earth,
And let it begin with me.
THE EPISTLE
ASSISTANT, DEACON OR SUB-DEACON: <Facing the people>
The Epistle reading is taken from
{ Selected reading from the Old Testament (optional) New Testament (always)}
THE PREPARATION
CELEBRANT: <Facing the People>
Come all you people of God.
Prepare your hearts by hearing the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.
READER: Cleanse my heart and my lips, O'God
Who by the hand of Your Seraph
did cleanse the lips of the Prophet Isaiah
with a burning coal from Your Altar,
and in Your loving kindness so purify
me that I may worthily proclaim
YOUR HOLY GOSPEL, through Jesus Christ
Our Lord and Savior.
ALL: Amen!
CELEBRANT: OR BISHOP (IF PRESENT)
<Facing the Gospel Reader>
May the Lord be in your
+ Heart, and on your
+ Lips, that through your heart the Love of God
may shine forth,
and through your lips His Power
be made manifest by the Word.
READER: Amen!
<The Gospel Reader shall hold the Book of Gospels of Jesus Christ with both hands, holding the book high, while the Celebrant incenses the Book, the Holy Word of God>
<In some churches, the Book of Gospels is held high before the people and turned to all corners of the church, slowly>
THE HOLY GOSPEL
<ALL STAND>
<Selected from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, or Thomas>
READER: <Facing the people>
The Holy Gospel according to St. ........
READER: Here ends the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.
ALL: AMEN! Glory is God's alone!
RECONCILIATION
ASSISTANT: <Facing the people>
Draw near to God's mercy.
Forgive your debtors.
Do good to your enemy.
Hear the Word of God, always.
Do His Word and Commands.
If you have anything against your brother or sister,
forgive him or her now,
put it aside totally, forever.
Before you approach the Altar of God, these things you must do as true believers and followers of Jesus Christ from whom you seek His forgiveness for your own trespasses.
<A period of silence shall commence. Examine your conscience. Examine everything you have said and done against another, by your thoughts, in your words, in your actions.>
CELEBRANT:
As you put aside the debts and trespasses or offenses of others against you...
As your forgive them ...
So God, the Father Almighty forgives you through your living and practicing Faith as Jesus Christ taught.
CELEBRANT: <Facing the people>
BE THEREFORE RECONCILED
One to the other ...
And to God the Father Almighty!
+ In the Name of the Father
+ And of the Son,
+ And of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Thanks be to God. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
<If the Bishop is Celebrant, the Assistant, Deacon or Sub-Deacon shall aide in the removal of the Bishop's Miter and Crosier.>
- THE MYSTERY -
We are all CATHOLIC and all are invited. But, in our Jurisdiction of the One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we ask that those who are not baptized in the Orthodox Catholic Jurisdiction(s) or the Roman jurisdiction, leave the sanctuary at the beginning of this COMMUNION SERVICE (not applicable during 'home services') since they are not considered as true Christians in the One, Holy, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ Himself and the Holy Apostles.
They may return after the Communion Service for the Departure Blessing. It shall be appropriate for the pastor of the church to hold separate catechumen studies in another area away from the main Church from where Communion is celebrated. Communion is a Divine Mystery and is not given just to anyone and everyone, believers and non-believers in the Faith.
CONSECRATION OF THE HOLY ELEMENTS
ASSISTANT: <Facing the People>
My brothers and sisters,
I give you a great mystery;
Our God, the Father Almighty
and Lover of mankind,
Loved us so much that He sent into this world His Only-begotten Son,
so that anyone who believes in Him may not perish,
but have everlasting life;
Who, having come and having wholly fulfilled His plans for us,
in the night wherein He was delivered,
or rather delivered Himself for the life of the world,
Took bread into His Holy and Venerable Hands,
Gave thanks to the Father,
He blessed it,
and gave it to His disciples saying:
CELEBRANT:
TAKE,
EAT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY
WHICH IS BROKEN FOR YOU
FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS
<Priest makes a profound bow. People make a low bow. For Western rite, genuflect.>
ASSISTANT: Likewise, after supper
He took the wine into His Holy hands
and gave thanks to the Father Almighty.
He blessed it,
and gave it to His disciples, saying:
CELEBRANT: DRINK OF THIS
ALL OF YOU
FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW
AND EVERLASTING COVENANT
WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU
AND FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
<Priest makes a profound bow. People make a low bow. For Western rite, genuflect.>
ASSISTANT: AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
COMMEMORATION
CELEBRANT:
THEREFORE, Remembering this precept
and all that was done for our sake;
The Cross,
The Tomb,
The BREAKING OF THE BOND OF THE GATES OF HELL,
The RESURRECTION on the third day,
The ASCENSION into Heaven,
The ENTHRONEMENT
AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
The SECOND AND GLORIOUS COMING AGAIN ..
ELEVATION
CELEBRANT:
WE OFFER TO YOU FROM WHAT IS YOUR OWN,
IN ALL FOR THE SAKE OF ALL.
ALL: We Praise You,
We bless You,
And we give thanks to you
our Father Almighty, Our God,
through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ,
Our Lord and Savior.
CELEBRANT: <Facing the people>
Now, as Jesus Christ taught us,
Let us be bold enough to proclaim the covenential prayer:
|
[Standard payer]
|
[Aramaic Prayer] Our Father, You Who are in Heaven Let Your Name be hallowed, Let Your Kingdom come, Let Your Will be done, Here on Earth as it is in Heaven, We Thank you for this day, and our spiritual and material daily bread, We pray you forgive us our transgressions as we forgive those who have transgressed against us be they of the past or present, living or reposed, whether for right or wrong... Have mercy on them O'Lord, on us and my unworthy self. (Celebrant bows to the east... ) Bind those who would do evil against us whether we know them or not... and help us to not be led into temptation by the Evil One, Deliver us O'Lord from every evil for yours is truly the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory of thee +O'Father, and thy +Son, and the +Holy Spirit. Amen! Amen! Amen!
|
EPICLESIS
CELEBRANT:
Descend O'Holy Spirit,
Upon Us,
and upon these gifts presented here;
Changing them for us,
into the + Body
and the + Blood
of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
ALL: Amen.
ASSISTANT:
Blessed is the Holy Spirit
The Paraclete of Truth,
Who was sent as promised
By Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ALL: Blessed is the Holy Spirit
The Sustainer of Creation,
For He blesses the people of God
with His transforming power.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
INTERCESSIONS
CELEBRANT:
May these gifts here offered strengthen us,
Sustain us,
As the Bread of Life,
And the Cup of Trut
ASSISTANT: <As the Celebrant raises each of the consecrated and Holy elements>
The Bread of Life, GOD'S HOLY WORD!
The Cup of Truth, JESUS CHRIST'S HOLY LIFE!
CELEBRANT:
We offer these gifts
On behalf of our Forefathers;
The Prophets,
The Apostles, especially our Patrons St. Thomas and St. Jude Thaddeus of the Holy Twelve,
And all the Saints,
And all those who have been true,
according to their nature and degree,
To GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
To Whom we give thanks, praise and blessings. Also, We offer these gifts for all whom it has pleased the Lord to call to His bosom recently:
CELEBRANT: And for all those who are sick and infirm ...
< Here again, anyone in the congregation who has in mind someone near and dear who is sick or infirm, speak out loudly their name and a very short mention of their connection or special place in your life... > [Example: "Name," beloved father, or "Name" beloved husband, wife or friend in life, etc.]
Equally so, we offer these gifts
For the Jesus Christ's Clergy of the World,
For our Archbishops in the Church,
For the Church herself,
For this Parish,
For our various projects in devotion,
For our government leaders in this nation and through out the world.
Lord, most of all, lest we forget.....
< Here, after the Celebrant has said of some special purpose or event, the members of the congregation should speak out loudly of some special or important even that they feel would benefit from the prayers of all of us. Speak out your intention to the Lord Our God so that we may all draw our minds, our hearts and souls to your intentions. >
SIGN OF PEACE
CELEBRANT:
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, said to His Apostles;
"I leave you peace, My peace I give unto you..."
Therefore, I ask you to silently pray within, asking the Lord to look not on our sins but upon the Faith of His Church gathered this (day/night), and grant us the peace and unity of His Kingdom where He lives forever.
<ALL: Bow your heads for silent prayer as requested>
CELEBRANT:
Now, Let us look to the person on each side of us, and in front and behind us, giving each of them the true sign of Christian Peace which was a sign among all true believing Christians everywhere.
<ALL: An exchange of friendly greeting... a hug or kiss on each cheek, a hand shake, are all proper. NOTE: All Orthodox-Catholics normally gives a person a kiss on each cheek, the left and then the right.>
GRAND ELEVATION
CELEBRANT:
<Facing the people he elevates the Holy Bread>
THIS IS THE LAMB OF GOD,
HE WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
HAPPY ARE THEY WHO ARE CALLED TO HIS SUPPER.
ALL: <Eastern Rite: low profound bow>
<Western Rite: kneel>
Lamb of God,
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us
and grant us Your Peace!
<ALL: Rise>
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
<The clergy face the people>
ASSISTANT:
<For those of the Eastern Rite ... Confession is a MUST! You must have gone to the Priest for confession.>
For those of the Western Rite, although you should have gone to the Priest on Friday ... some of you who come from another denomination, Protestant, may find it difficult to adjust yet to the truth of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, as mandated in the early and ancient Church. As Jesus Christ did not reject those who believed in Him, so we do not reject you!
All of you who have examined your hearts, minds and souls; reviewing your actions of the past; having truly found yourselves at peace with the Lord ... knowing that you have truly forgiven those whom you had held indebted to you for their offenses against you for some transgression, having now personally forgiving them, setting aside your anger against them....
Asking of yourself that God forgive you for any form of VIOLENCE that you may have intentionally (or unintentionally) committed upon another by your thoughts, your words or your actions ...
Come forward now and receive the binding food of Jesus Christ, having already heard the Word of God as the balm of the wound and as taught by Jesus ... feeding your spirit on that Word, Now ... feed your body with His food which binds the body and soul to the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.
(Special Note: In certain instances, because we are a Catacomb Church in retrospect to the mainline churches... we will, under certain instances, allow for both Protestant and Orthodox or Catholics to remain altogether. However, bread and wine that they receive will not be the consecrated form but those that have been blessed and separated from that which is consecrated (turned into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit who flows transform them in spirit and in truth!)
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
< Communion is not given in hand but on the tongue, always>
Communion is the Holy Food that must not be desecrated by unconsecrated hands. The Apostles and disciples were consecrated by Jesus Christ Himself, and thus, through lines of Succession from the Apostles, also are the hands of His Apostles and disciples in this day and time; the Bishops and priests.
(Note: At this time those who removed themselves from Communion Service because they are not baptized as either Orthodox or those of the Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, may return. unless as denoted above, they were allowed to remain... See Special Note, above.)
THE GREAT INVOCATION
ALL:
From the point of light
from within the mind of God,
Let His Light stream forth
into the minds of men.
Let His Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love
from within the Heart of God
Let His Love stream forth
into the hearts of men,
May Christ return to Earth.
From the Center
Where the Will of God is known only to Him,
Let His purpose guide
the little wills of men,
The purpose which the Christ knows and served.
From the center which we call the race of men....
Let God's Plan of Love and Light work out...
And may it seal + the door
where the evil one dwells.
Let God's Light, Love and Power
restore His plan on Earth.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
DEPARTURE BLESSINGS
CELEBRANT:
<If it is the Bishop, the Assistant, Deacons and sub-deacons miter and hand the Bishop his Crosier>
Blessings, Wisdom, Power, and Might,
To Our God forever.
ALL: AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
CELEBRANT:
The blessing of God
+ the Father
+ the Son
+ the Holy Spirit
Be with you now and forever
In your going out,
and your coming in,
upon your waking and sleeping,
your rising up and your laying down,
until you come to that moment where
you reach the Throne of Judgment,
where Love, Light, Wisdom and Power
shall be your inheritance for Faithful devotion to God.
Depart now, in peace with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your hearts and minds.
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We must entrust our soul into the hands of God
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strength... It is our failings and sins that make us weak in spirit! If He
were to give us one dollar in conformity to our strength, we should not seek
five, so as not to grow faint under the weight of having too much, so that the
gift which is intended to serve to the good would not serve to the our great
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The views expressed
at this website regarding any article not directly connected to religious
content is the opinion or commentary of the author
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We take no responsibility or liability for the content of any news item or
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accuracy whatsoever! You who are new visitors, may wish to read a very short
article below entitled "The
purpose for presenting our Daily News section"
Sadly to say, we
take no pleasure in stating that some of the items we post are not from what we
would call true "Christian" organizations. But we post it because it provides
another side of the proverbial story.
The Church,
after all, is
supposed to be a temple
for sick souls (sinners) without distinction
between their worse sins or otherwise, but it seems to some organizations that
they say much about others, but fail and refuse to upbraid themselves and their
members for their own sins...)
"Never,
never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must also be
eastern. The West was Orthodox for a thousand years, and her venerable liturgy
is far older than any of her heresies."
- Blessed St. John
Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco
The purpose for presenting this Daily News section:
Daily News is very important to those who are true Orthodox Catholic Christians.
For without knowing or gaining information for understanding about what is
happening in one's local area and around the world, you could find
yourself faced with denied services in the secular area, lack of income, even
(although it sounds far-fetched) ability to worship openly for the time is not
far off when all will have to decide if they wish to follow the Anti-Christ
through the One World Church and One World Government as prophesied by the
Apocalypse, the Book of Revelation of St. John or follow the faith delivered
once and for all which will cause for many to be denied the abilities to survive
under those kind of conditions, causing for one to consider other options.
Many of those who subscribe to, and some who have caused or are the cause for,
these things to happen are involved in or with the Roman Jurisdiction of the
Catholic Church (which is not the seat of all things "Catholic") as well as its
protestant daughters such as the cultic Jehovah's Witnesses, the Pentecostal
Churches, the Church of Latter Day Saints also known as the Mormon Church and
far too many more to list.
Yet, at this web site we do provide some of the reasons about why they are
opined to be the harbingers of that which is prophesied in Holy Scripture for
the bringing about of the End Times which we have already entered. It is
not necessarily their individual members or parishioners that should be blamed
since they are only the "Sheep" and not the Shepherds... So do not think we
castigate individual people of themselves as we castigate those "money changers"
who Jesus Christ chased out of His Father's House as the Bible Describes; for
they exist in these present times too.
Events are already rushing toward
that time in which this is beginning to happen and will become more fully
wide-spread. In these present times all you need to really do is look around
both your local and larger areas as to what is really on-going through.
Things so very little or miniscule that they are barely noticeable except to the
more informed observer may become apparent.
Those
little things are the laws of the land, economics, politics, the degrading and
erosion of those rights and liberties afforded by the Constitution of these
United States of America and many other things such as the manner with which
entertainments have taken over much of the populace, entering into and becoming
a major focus in worship, and more. We ask you,
if you don't want to believe us... Have you heard, seen or found what is termed
(of the many terms being used) that there are "holding areas" or "camps" or
"Closed/Fenced communities" being built by GOVERNMENT? Here in
North America, especially in the United States of America, we must admit that
what Russia has come out of (a communistic, atheist country) we are entering
into. And one last thing that needs also to be understood... Something
very important to those of you who are "Catholic" in the Roman sense of its
jurisdiction.... And, we believe this also holds true for many who
are "Orthodox" whether "Eastern" or "Western"....
Remember: You cannot ride two horses or serve two masters for one of them will be harmed by your thoughts, your very words and your actions which is to blaspheme the Holy Ghost (Spirit) who will depart from you. And when the Holy Spirit departs, the great deceiver (unbeknownst to you) will rush in to fill the void under disguise of being the Holy Spirit! Testing of the Holy Spirit to insure it is the Holy Spirit does not, for many a Sectarian Protestant and Roman, work because the Great Deceiver (Satan) is most skilled in worming and snaking his charms around your mind and heart to feign being the Holy Spirit. Remember, Satan has the same gifts similar to the Holy Spirit but Satan's gifts are UN-HOLY and lead all who accept him (unbeknownst to you) to perdition.
[Click on any one of the images below to be taken to spiritual and material information and articles]
"Prejudice makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater!"
1990 by +Joseph Thaddeus [Stanford] -
Prison Ministry highlights
About submitting Your News, articles and Other Items
A Canonical Orthodox Church of World Wide Orthodoxy
AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
and the
NORTH AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Institutions include, but are not limited to the following:
Catholic Christian Church, Orthodox Benedictine,
Holy Order and Society of St. Jude Thaddeus
Brotherhood of St. John Maximovitch & the Holy Theotokos
+Who We Are and Our present day Living
+Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Protestant?
+Thaddean Fathers News and Information
Back To:
Our Daily Commemorations for the Living
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Our Clergy Application - Agreement
01-20-2010 Update on Seminary Training and other educational efforts!
An Introduction to the WOTI Courses/Gospels/Administration and more...
Also Visit: "How to Set Up a Personal Commemoration Book"
Regarding Orthodox Catholic Christianity, Hierarchs, Ethnic Divide, Politics and cults
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Evangelical Catholic Church
IS NOT ROMAN, but Orthodox and provides the following information for all concerned In Memory of Metropolitan Archbishop +Karl Barwin, Primate of Ecc in repose |
NORTH AMERICAN HIV/AIDS BATTLE
The Julian Vs. Gregorian Calendar and other Important Calendar dates
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Also See: Missionary Conversations with Protestant Sectarians The lives of monks consist of a podvig [(spiritual struggle) exploit] of repentance and of withdrawal from the world. They flee from judging their neighbor in his moral falls, considering themselves to be sinners and the worst of all men. But, when it is demanded of monks and other clergy, that they remain humble and indifferent to questions of faith, then do they cast off humility and obedience. It is demanded of them, by the conscience of the Church, the faith in and for the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ that They rise up when the truth of Orthodoxy is threatened. They are supported in this by a living conscience and by a sense of responsibility for that faith for which our forebears-martyrs and confessors alike-sacrificed everything, even their very lives. As a result we have opted to present to you the story about "Modern Day Ecumenism and its horrors" along with various links to who just a few of these Synchrestic Ecumenists are who threaten the root and branch of Christianity as exists in true Orthodox Catholic Christianity (Both Orthodox and Roman)!
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• MISSIONARY CONVERSATIONS WITH PROTESTANT SECTARIANS
• A Reply to Protestant Sectarians
•
Ancient Canons/Seven Ecumenical Councils•An Understanding of the Ancient Canons
• Ancient Canons/Seven Ecumenical Councils
• A bit of understanding about the Fundamentalist Cults....
●A Call to become A Soldier in Christ, Jesus
●The Lie about terrorism needs to be corrected!
● What is Freedom and its true Meaning?
The Real Politically Incorrect Net Ring
Are
You Prepared Today For the Horrors of Tomorrow?
Does
FEMA have master plan to use pastors for homeland security nationwide?
Life
After Death - By St. John Maximovitch
ECUMENISM
-- A PATH TO PERDITION
Why
I have Left Anglicanism for the Orthodox Church
REFLECTIONS
ON THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ARMAGEDDON?
LET
THE TRUTH BE KNOWN - Part I
Let
The Truth Be Known - Part 2
A
Response to
Twenty Facts about
Israel and the Middle East
A
Response to the article HIDING IN THE BUSHES AS LEBANON BLEEDS
Please click on this link to hear what John F. Kennedy had to say, and then compare it to what is happening today: http://www.infowars.com/articles/nwo/jfk_secret_society_speech.htm
● What is Freedom and its true Meaning?
Light A Candle, Tell A Friend...
(Abbot +Gregori original)
(Click on Image)
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An Important Series About Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
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Let's Clear the Air and Get it Right!
About
Our Past for those who have inquired
Special News:
(Notice:
Generally
our news postings will be on or about Monday, Wednesday & Friday)
WOTI (Western Orthodox Theological Institute)
Special Information and articles
The Good Times - the Bad Times - The End Times
What a Fire of Hate Can do and did
About St. Pambo - St. Seraphim of Sarov in comparison to Francis of Assisi
"Do
not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said."
Matthew 28:5-6
The following articles and information do not necessarily reflect the attitude or beliefs of this jurisdiction or those who are with us in spirit and truth!
"I understand the idea of sodomy and homosexuality, but to say that homosexuality is not a sin is incorrect and not just in my mind but all of Orthodoxy and again, not just in Orthodoxy but all of Catholicism and again, not simply all of Catholicism but all of Christianity with the exception of those who have this in their personal life as sin or are very close to someone who does. Celibacy or Married Life is the ultimate ideal. For both Homosexuality and Heterosexuality are truly sinful if... and below is the hard part of this understanding..." (Ed. Note: We have never said "homosexuality is not a sin or okay... however, there are those who, being homosexual, are that way for a variety of reasons. Jesus Christ talked of these kinds as referring to Eunuchs. The conversion tactics employed by many other groups, bespeaks of a "politics" that is not wholly honest either spiritually or even materially. For, in their endeavors they have failed to show forth the truth that one is driven into a "closet" style of life. It is better, we believe, to become wholly celibate, be it a homosexual or even heterosexual... and to learn what "celibacy" really means and requires).
If a man looks on a woman who is not his wife with lust, he has sinned. If he and she are married to other people he has committed adultery. If a man looks at a man with lust he has sinned the same as a man who looks at a woman. Sodomy does not have to enter into it, lust for someone is a sin by itself and must be removed. But people do this all day long to be sure but it is still a sin. To say that homosexuality and heterosexuality are not a sin due to their lusting, allows both heterosexuals and homosexuals to live in sin without repentance and this is wrong to do to them spiritually.
It is for the sake of their own soul that one has to recognize sin that is in them and not to excuse it regardless of the sin or the preference of the sinner. Sodomy is indeed a sin regardless of what any one may tell you, the act of attraction or the lust is a sin even without action and simply must be repented of by both heterosexuals and homosexuals. I must also add this; woe to all who misguide others into sin and especially those who are of the clergy who do this. For the sake of your own soul and others, you must recognize this and repent. I know that it is not easy to overcome and if it is never overcome then one must live a life of constant repentance, that is the only choice.
Understanding the Difference between Homosexuality and Sodomy
We Are
A Nation in Serious Trouble or The Silence of the Lambs –
Conservatives, liberals and reality
The following should help you to open your eyes as to what is going on
Might We also Suggest t
he following important articles for the season of Lent:+ A Monastic Struggler's Story for Lent
+ Begin with Yourself, Then the World
For Traditional "Roman" Catholics - This is most interesting: Click on http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/07Jan/jan28ed.htm
