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of Our Father Among the Saints John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople
Cheese-fare Sunday (Seventh Sunday before Easter) Commemoration of the Holy Apostle Archippus Class of Feast: 5, Tone of Week: 3 Abstinence today: We refrain from eating meat and meat products. If, however, you follow the traditional fasting discipline: Dairy, eggs, fish, wine, oil allowed -- Abstain from meat and meat products only.
Disclaimer: (Translation for the use of Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Parish from the Final Draft Edition of the Common English Translation of The Divine and Holy Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom approved for use in the Eparchy of Newton, AD Experimentum until 31 October 2010, Eparch of Newton.) Readings of Vespers Eothinon Gospel The Great Doxology
1. Glory to You, Who shows forth light! Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth and good will among men. 2. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, and we give thanks to You for the splendor of Your glory. 3. O Lord King, O Heavenly God, Father Almighty, O Lord, Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and You, All-Holy Spirit. 4. O Lord God, O Lamb of God, O Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, O You who take away the sins of the world. 5. Accept our supplication, O You who are enthroned at the right hand of God the Father, and have mercy on us. 6. For You alone are Holy, You alone are the Lord Jesus Christ, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 7. Every day will I bless You, and sing to Your name, always and forever and ever. 8. Deign, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. 9. Blessed are You O Lord, God of our Fathers; praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.
10. O Lord, let Your mercy rest upon us for we have placed our trust in You. 11. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. (Three times)
12. O Lord, You have been for us a refuge from age to age. I said: Lord, have mercy on me and heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
13. O Lord, to You I come for shelter, teach me to obey Your will, for You are my God.
14. For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we shall see light.
15. Extend Your mercy upon those who confess You.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Click to hear this Doxology in Greek Troparion at the end of the Doxology: When You rose from the tomb and broke the fetters of Hades, You abolished the sentence of death, O Lord, and thus delivered all men from the snares of the enemy. Appearing to the Apostles, You sent them out to preach, and through them, bestowed Your peace upon the world: O You who alone are full of mercy. SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
(The Deacon censes the Holy Table saying:)
Being God, You were present in the tomb by Your body, and yet in Hades by Your soul, in Paradise with the thief, and enthroned, O Christ, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, filling all things but encompassed by none.
(The Deacon censes the Holy Place, the holy icons and the whole nave, reciting Psalm 50. Then he enters the Holy Place by the South Door, censes the Holy Table and the Prothesis again and the Priest. He returns the censer to the server and joins the Priest.
+ Priest and Deacon: Heavenly King, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of Life, come, O Good One, and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls.
(They bow three times saying:)
Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men. (Twice) O Lord, You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise. (Once)
(The Priest kisses the Gospel and the Holy Table, while the Deacon kisses the Holy Table only.) + Deacon: It is the time for us to work for the Lord. Give the blessing, Master.
+ Priest: Blessed + is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
+ Deacon: Amen. Pray for me, Master.
+ Priest: May the Lord direct your steps to every good deed.
+ Deacon: Holy Master, remember me.
+ Priest: May the Lord remember you in His Kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
+ Deacon: Amen.
(He kisses the Priest’s right hand, bows before the Holy Table, replaces his hat and exits the Holy Place from the North Door, and standing before the Holy Doors, he reverently bows three times saying:) O Lord, You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise. + Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom + of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen
+ Deacon: 1.
In peace let us pray to the Lord All: Lord, have mercy. 2. For peace in the whole world, the well-being of the holy Churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy. 3. For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 4.
For (our Father and Patriarch N., if present) our Father and (Arch)Bishop Nicholas, his honorable presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 5.
For the government and for the armed forces, that they may be upheld in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 6.
For this city (or holy monastery), for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 7.
For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy. 8.
For the travelers by sea, air and land, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 9.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. 10.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy. 11.
Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.. All: To You, O Lord.
(It is permitted to chant the three traditional Antiphons in full or to use only one of them, according to the decision made by the Holy Synod in 1969. For Feasts of our Lord and of the Theotokos, their octaves, and their leave-takings, proper Antiphons are said. They can be found in the service of the feasts. On ordinary Sundays and weekdays, other antiphon prayers may be said (see p. 103). Here the Antiphons, or the Typika psalms and Beatitudes, which can be found on pp. 31 ff are done.
+ Priest: O Creator of the Universe, You fashioned Adam from the dust of the earth. You infused him with the breath of life. You gave him dominion over the earth. By the enticement of the Serpent, he rebelled against Your Commandments and fell. You therefore exiled him from Paradise. But your Only-begotten Son was incarnate, endured Passion, and restored us to the Garden of Eden, which we had lost. We therefore implore You, at the threshold of the Holy and Great Fast, to make us worthy of a sincere repentance, so that we may avoid even the semblance of evil and that we may abstain from carnal pleasures in order to gain You, O Divine River of Paradise, who quench the thirst of our souls. Thus, having lived according to your commandments, we may share the glory of the Resurrection of Christ, our God and Saviour. (He ends it with the following Ekphonesis:)
For all glory, honor and worship, are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. All: Amen
(Psalm 65) Reader: 1.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to His name.
All: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior save us.
Reader: 2. Say to God: “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You.”
Arabic, All: be-sha-fa-3at wa-li-da-til-ilah, ya mu-khal-lis(u)- khal-lisna.
Reader: 3. Let all the earth worship You and sing praises to You; let it sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
Greek, All: Tes-prez-vee-yes-tis-the-o-to-kou, so-ter, so-son-i-mas.
(The Deacon moves and stands before the Icon of the Lord, pointing to the Icon of the Theotokos.)
By Emperor Justinian (6th c.) All: Only-begotten Son and Word of God, immortal as you are, You condescended for our salvation to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and without undergoing change you became man. You were crucified O Christ God and You trampled death by your death, You Who are One of the Holy Trinity, equal in glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
(The Deacon returns to his place before the holy Doors and says the Little Synapte:)
+ Deacon:
Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy.
+ Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
+ Deacon:
Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: To You, O Lord.
+ Priest:
O You who have granted us to pray together in harmony, and who promised that when two or three are gathered to call upon Your name, You will give what they ask, do You now fulfill what Your servants ask, so far as it is good, granting us in this world the knowledge of Your truth, and in the world to come, eternal life.
(He ends it with the following Ekphonesis:) For You are good, O our God, and You love mankind and we render glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
(At the end of the Antiphon, when we start singing “Glory…now…,” the Priest and the Deacon bow before the Holy Table three times and remove their hats. The Priest takes the Holy Gospel and hands it to the Deacon. The Deacon kisses the Priest’s hand and the Gospel Book, which he raises to the height of his forehead, while placing the edge of his orarion over the top of the Gospel Book. They proceed behind the Holy Table, and exit through the North Door preceded by the candle-bearers, (the Ripidia, the Cross and the Censer bearers). They all proceed through the church until they reach the Choir. They stop before the Holy Doors. Slightly inclining towards the Priest, the Deacon says in a low voice:)
+ Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. (The Priest recites quietly either one of the two following prayers, while bowing his head:)
Priest: Master and Lord, our God, who have established in Heaven the ranks and armies of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory; at our entrance, make the holy angels enter also, to minister with us and with us to glorify Your goodness. For all glory, honor and worship are Your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. O Lord, Creator and Benefactor of the whole universe, receive the church assembling before You. Do what is good for each one. Bring all to perfection and make us worthy of Your Kingdom. Through the grace, mercy and love for mankind of Your Only-Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. (The Deacon, pointing with the edge of the orarion to the East, says in a low voice:)
+ Deacon:
Bless the holy entering, Master. (Blessing, the Priest says in a low voice:)
+ Priest: Blessed is the entering into Your Holy Places, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. (The Deacon presents the Gospel Book to the Priest who kisses it, while the Deacon kisses the Priest’s hand. Then the Deacon proceeds towards the Holy Doors. When the Choir has finished singing, the Deacon raises the Gospel Book with both hands and making with it the sign of the Cross, he proclaims with a mighty voice:) + Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand. (Sophia. Orthee.)
Little Entrance Hymn + Priest: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
O Son of God, who are risen from the dead, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
(The priest chants the Entrance Hymn and while “O Son of God…” is being chanted, he enters the Holy Place following the Deacon.)
(Apolytikia & Final Kondakion) The Hymns of the Day: (The celebrant(s) alternate with the Choir the singing of the hymns as indicated for the feasts; then the Troparion of the saint of the day or the proper Troparion of the weekday (propers of the week p. 127) may be chanted. The Troparion of the patron of the church is then sung. The Troparia are concluded with the chanting of the final Kontakion. Other Kontakia for the Feasts of the Lord, of the Theotokos, their octaves and leave-takings, according to the prescriptions of the Typicon, can be found in the table below.
Tone (3) Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad! For the Lord has done a wondrous deed by his arm: he has crushed death by his death, becoming the first to rise from the dead. He has delivered us from the mouth of Hades and bestowed great mercy upon the world. Click to hear this Troparion in Greek
Tone (2) O Joseph, proclaim to David, the ancestor of Christ our God the great miracles you have witnessed. You have seen the virgin with a Child, given praise with the Shepherd, adored with the wise men, and the Angel of the Lord has appeared to you. Intercede with Christ God that
he may save our souls.
Tone (6) O You who guide men towards wisdom and give them intelligence and understanding, Instructor of the Ignorant and Helper of the Poor: strengthen and enlighten my heart, O Lord! O Word of God, grant that I may speak, for behold I will not keep my lips from crying out to You: “O Compassionate One, have mercy on me who have fallen!” (The Priest prays one of the two following prayers either privately during the singing of the hymns or publicly following the final Kontakion.) O Holy of Holies, our only holy God, You repose in the holy places; You are holy and possess ineffable glory in Yourself. Holy is God who transforms everything by His word. Holy is God whom the living glorify with ceaseless praise. Holy is God whom myriads of holy angels and archangels worship and glorify, trembling in fear of beholding Him. Holy is God who gazes with sleepless eye upon the Cherubim, lending His ear to their ceaseless song of praise. Holy is God whom the Seraphim carry on their six wings; who accepts the hymn of victory they sing to Him in endless flight, saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy the Lord of Sabaoth.” You are Holy, O our God whom the Principalities, Powers and Dominations worship in Heaven and human beings serve and praise on earth. O Lover of Mankind, accept from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn offered to You by us and all Your people. Grant us Your abundant mercy and compassion through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and all the saints who have pleased You since the world began.
Priest: God, the Holy, who rest among the saints, whom the Seraphim praise with the thrice-holy hymn, whom the Cherubim glorify, whom all the heavenly powers worship; who brought all things into being out of nothingness; who created man in Your own image and likeness and adorned him with all Your favors; who give wisdom and understanding to anyone asking for them; who do not turn away from the sinner but have set up repentance for salvation; who have rendered us, Your lowly and worthless servants, worthy to stand at this time before the glory of Your Holy Altar and to offer You due worship and praise.
Receive, Master, from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn, and visit us in Your kindness. Forgive us every transgression, deliberate and indeliberate, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our life, through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You since the world began.
+ Priest:
Bless, Master, the time of the thrice-holy Hymn.
+ Priest: For You are Holy, O our God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always...
+ Deacon:
...and forever and ever.
(The Deacon turns to face the people from the Holy Doors and completes the Ekphonesis.) All:
Amen
(The choir and the celebrants alternate in singing the Trisagion Hymn: the choir sings it twice, then the celebrants once. Each time, the celebrants and the people bow, making the sign of the cross:)
All:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Three times) Arabic:
Qud-doo-son-il-laah, Qud-doo-son-il-qa-wee, Qud-doo-son-il-la-thee, laa ya-moo-tur-ham-na. Greek: A-gi-os o The-os, A-gi-os is-khi-ros, A-gi-os a-tha-na-tos, e-le-i-son i-mas. All: Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
+ Deacon: Dy-na-mis.
All: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
(During the singing of the last part of the hymn, the Deacon turns to the Priest saying quietly:)
+ Deacon:
Give the order, Master.
(They both go to the High Throne (Cathedra) behind the Altar. While going there, the Priest says quietly:)
+ Priest:
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Deacon:
Bless, Master, this High Throne.
+ Priest:
Blessed are You on the throne of glory of Your Kingdom, seated upon the Cherubim, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
(When the Choir has finished singing the Trisagion, the Deacon proceeds to the Holy Doors and says:)
Deacon: Let us be attentive! (The Reader, standing in the middle of the central aisle of the church facing the Altar, chants the verses of the Prokimenon
(The Reader chants the refrain. - The People repeat it. Prokeimenon: Psalms 47: 6, 1(Tone 3) Reader: 1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! People: 1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! Stichon: 2.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy People: 2.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! + Deacon: Wisdom! (Turning to the People, the Reader proclaims the title of the Epistle:)
Reader: A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans: (13:11-14; 14:1-4) + Deacon: Let us be attentive! (The Reader chants the Epistle in a liturgical melody, with a calm and articulate voice, without dragging the chant.)
(Before the end of the Epistle, the Priest comes and stands before the Holy Table. The Deacon, head uncovered, holding the edge of his orarion, approaches the Priest and says quietly:)
+ Deacon: Bless, Master, the herald of the Gospel according to the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist Paul.
+ Priest: God grant through the prayers of the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist Mark that you proclaim the Good News with great power for the fulfillment of the Gospel of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
+ Deacon: Amen.
Reader: Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.. Click to hear this Epistle in Arabic (At the conclusion of the Epistle, the Reader turns to the Altar to be blessed by the Priest, who says aloud:)
+ Priest: Peace + be to you, Reader.
(The Deacon, standing before the Holy Doors, takes the censer from the server and censes the Holy Table, the Icons and the People from the Holy Doors; then returns the censer to the server. The Priest hands the Deacon the Holy Gospel. The Deacon takes the Gospel from the Priest, kissing his hand. When the Alleluia verses are chanted, he raises it up and goes out from the Holy Doors to the Ambon or the appropriate place, preceded by the candle-holders, and stands there.)
(The Epistle Reader, turning again to the Alter, chants the Alleluia verses as follows:)
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Psalms 31: 1, 2 (Tone 3) (Reader reads the first verse.)
Reader: 1.
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. (Reader reads the second verse.)
Stichon: 2.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. + Priest: Shine in our hearts, Master who love mankind, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the announcing of Your Good News; set in us the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that, trampling all carnal desires, we may live according to the Spirit, both willing and doing everything that pleases You. For You are the light of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and we render glory to You, and to Your Etern al Father and to Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
(Then, turning to the people, the Deacon proclaims from the Holy Doors:)
+ Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel (Sophia. Orthee.)
+ Priest: Peace + be to all!
All: And to your spirit
+ Deacon: All: Glory, to You, O Lord, glory to You!
+ Priest: Let us be attentive! (Proskhomen or Fal-nus-ghee).
(The Deacon chants the Gospel in a liturgical melody, with a calm and articulate voice, without dragging the chant.)
The Lord said, 'If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' Click to hear this Holy Gospel in Arabic.
(At the end of the Gospel we sing:)
All: Glory, to You, O Lord, glory to You!
(The Deacon walks to the Holy Doors, preceded by the candle-bearers, and returns the Gospel Book to the Priest, kissing his hand.)
(The Priest takes it, kisses it and says to the Deacon in a low voice:)
+ Priest: Peace be to you, herald of the Gospel.
(Then he blesses the people with the Gospel Book and places it on the Holy Table.)
Synaxarion of the Day, Story of the Feast or Commemoration: Ecumenic Petitions (Following the homily, the Deacon stands before the Holy Doors and recites the Ektene. After each petition, we sing: “Lord, have mercy” (Three times). In order to preserve the structure of the Liturgy, the Ektene should not be omitted For other options concerning this ektene see the rubric in Appendix 6 p. 137.)
+ Deacon: 1.
Let us
all say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us all
say:
All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. 2. Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
3. Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
4. Again, we pray for our Father and Archbishop Cyril and for his honorable presbyterate. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
5. Again, we pray for the priests, the deacons, the monks, the nuns, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
6. Again, we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God who live in this city (or for the brethren of this holy monastery). All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
7. Again, we pray for the blessed and ever to be remembered founders of this holy church (or monastery), and for our Orthodox fathers and brethren who here or elsewhere lie asleep in the Lord. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
8. Again, we pray for those who bear offerings, those who do good works in this holy and most venerable church, those who toil, those who sing and all the people here present who await from You great and abundant mercy. All: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
+ Deacon: Wisdom!
+ Priest:
We thank You, Lord God of Hosts, for having made us worthy to stand at this moment before Your Holy Altar, and throw ourselves on Your mercies for our sins and the faults of the people. Accept, O God, our entreaty; make us worthy to offer You prayers and supplications and unbloody sacrifices for all Your people; and by the power of Your Holy Spirit strengthen us whom You have appointed to this, Your ministry: so that at all times and places, without blame or offense, with the testimony of a clear conscience, we may call upon You; and that hearing us You may have mercy on us in the plenitude of Your goodness.
+ Priest: For all glory, honor and worship are Your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen
+ Priest:
Again and many times we fall down before You, O Good One and Lover of Mankind, and ask you to regard our supplication and to cleanse our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant that we may stand without blame or condemnation before your Holy Altar. Upon these also who pray with us, O God, bestow increase of life and faith and spiritual insight. Give them ever to minister to You in fear and love, to share without blame or condemnation in Your holy Mysteries and to be made worthy of Your heavenly Kingdom.
That being ever protected by Your power we may render glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen
All: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us lay aside all earthly cares, to receive the King of all.
(The Priest prays the following prayer quietly during the Cherubic Hymn.)
+ Priest: No one given to carnal lusts and pleasures is worthy, O King of Glory, to meet or approach You or to serve You, for to minister to You is great and awesome even for the very powers of Heaven. Yet, because of Your ineffable and boundless love for mankind, You became man without undergoing change or alteration, and became our High Priest, and as Master of all, conferred upon us the priestly function of this Liturgy and unbloody sacrifice. Indeed, You alone, O Lord our God, are Master of all in Heaven and on earth, You who are seated upon the throne of the Cherubim, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, You the Holy One who rest among the saints. It is to You, then, I implore who alone are good and ready to listen. Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant; cleanse my soul and heart from evil thinking, and fit me with the power of Your Holy Spirit, so that clothed with the grace of the priesthood, I may stand before this Your Holy Table and offer Your Holy and Spotless Body and Precious Blood.
(The Priest is joined by the Deacon; they both bow three times, repeating quietly the Cherubic Hymn:)
+ Priest: We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us lay aside all earthly cares, to receive the King of all.
+ Deacon: Invisibly escorted by angel hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Then the Priest kisses the Antimension. Then he blesses the censer and takes it from the Deacon. He censes the Table from its four sides, while the Deacon proceeds opposite him with a lighted candle in his hand. The Deacon exits the Holy Place before the Priest and stands facing East, while the Priest censes the icons, the two Choirs and the People from the Holy Doors saying quietly: “We have seen the Resurrection of Christ… (on Sundays) and Psalm 50 “O God, have mercy on me …” until the verse “A crushed and humble heart God will not spurn.” He may add whatever he wishes from the penitential Psalms. Both bow asking for forgiveness from those in the Holy Place and from the people, then they proceed to the Prothesis. The Priest censes it and returns the censer to the server. The Priest and the Deacon bow three times saying quietly “O God, forgive me the sinner and have mercy on me.” The Deacon then says to the Priest in a low voice:)
+ Deacon: Lift up, Master.
(The Priest lifts up the outer veil from the oblations and places it on the Deacon’s shoulders, saying quietly:)
+ Priest: Lift up your hands to the Holy Places and bless the Lord.
(The Priest takes the covered Diskos and reverently hands it to the Deacon who holds it at the level of his forehead with both hands and walks ahead of the Priest. The Priest holds the holy Chalice with both hands and raises it to the level of his forehead. They both leave from the North Door, preceded by the candle, fans (ripidia) and cross-bearers. They process through the church.)
(The Deacon solemnly proclaims:)
+ Deacon: May the Lord God remember us all in His kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
(If additional Diskoi and Chalices are prepared, they are not to be carried in the procession, but transferred directly from the Prothesis to the Altar following the procession.)
(When they reach the Holy Doors, the Deacon enters the Holy Place and stands to the right of the Table, holding the Diskos. Raising the Chalice, the Priest turns to the people from the Holy Doors and prays for whomever he wishes from the living and the deceased.)
(He finishes by saying:)
+ Priest: May the Lord God remember us all in His kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen. Invisibly escorted by angel hosts. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia (When the Priest enters the Holy Place, the Deacon says to him in a low voice:)
+ Deacon: May the Lord God remember your priesthood in His Kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
(The Priest replies in a low voice:)
+ Priest: May the Lord God remember your diaconate in His Kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
(The Priest places the Chalice on the Holy Table, then he takes the Diskos from the Deacon and places it on the left of the Chalice. He picks up the outer veil from the Deacon’s shoulders; the Deacon censes it; the Priest covers the oblations with it saying quietly:)
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+ Priest: The noble Joseph, taking down Your Spotless Body from the wood and wrapping it in a clean shroud with aromatic spices, carefully laid it in a new tomb.
(Taking the censer from the Deacon, he censes the oblations three times, saying each time:)
+ Priest: Then shall they offer calves upon Your altar.
(The Priest returns the censer and bows his head towards the East, saying to the Deacon:)
+ Priest: Remember me, my brother and fellow celebrant.
+ Deacon: May the Lord God remember your priesthood in His Kingdom.
+ Priest: Pray for me, my fellow celebrant.
+ Deacon: The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
+ Priest: The Spirit Himself will celebrate with us all the days of our lives.
(Bowing his head and holding the edge of the orarion with his fingers, the Deacon says:)
+ Deacon: Remember me, holy Master.
+ Priest: May the Lord God remember you in His Kingdom at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
+ Deacon: Amen.
(Then he kisses the Priest’s hand, leaves from the North Door, proceeds to his customary place and says:)
+ Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
+ Deacon: For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
(Optional:)
+ Deacon: For this holy house and those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
+ Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
+ Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
(The Priest prays the following prayer:)
+ Priest: Lord God Almighty who alone are holy, who accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept also the prayer of us sinners and bring us to Your Holy Altar. Make us fit to offer You spiritual gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and the faults of the people. Make us worthy to find grace in Your eyes, that our sacrifice may become acceptable to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may abide with us and with the gifts here laid out and with all Your people.
(The Priest proclaims aloud:)
+ Priest: Through the mercies of Your Only-Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen
(Turning to the people, the Priest blesses them, saying:)
+ Priest: Peace + be to all.
All: And to your spirit.
+ Deacon: Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess:
All: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Trinity, one in essence and undivided
(After “The Father, the Son…,” “I will love You, Lord…” may also be sung.
The Priest and the Deacon make three metanies where they stand saying each time:)
+ Priest and the Deacon: I will love You, Lord, my strength; the Lord is my fortress, my refuge and my deliverance.
(The Priest kisses the veiled oblations, starting with the Diskos, then the Chalice, then the Holy Table. The Deacon kisses the cross on the edge of the orarion. Turning to the people, the Priest says:)
+ Priest: Christ is among us.
People: He is and always will be.
(Meanwhile, especially during solemnities, the concelebrants give the kiss of peace to each other in the Holy Place, while the faithful greet each other from their places, repeating the same greeting each time.)
(If there are Catechumens, then immediately before the Creed, the Deacon turns to the faithful and says:)
+ Deacon: The Doors! The Doors! In wisdom let us be attentive!
+ Deacon: In wisdom let us be attentive!
THE CREED
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed:)
(The Hierarch or the whole people recite the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, while the Priest, raising the outer veil, fans with it over the oblations. When the passage “He rose again on the third day” is reached, he kisses the veil, folds it and puts it aside.)
NICEA (325 A.D.) 1. I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. 2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all ages.
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made.
3. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
4. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried.
5. He rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures;
6. And ascended into Heaven, and is enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
7. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. CONSTANTINOPLE (381 A.D.) 8. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
9. And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
10. I profess one Baptism for the remission of sins.
11. I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead
12. And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
+ Deacon: Let us stand well, let us stand in awe, let us be attentive to offer the holy oblation in peace.
All: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
(The Deacon bows, enters the Holy Place through the South Door and stands on the right side of the Priest.)
+ Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit + be with you all.
(If the celebrant is a Bishop he blesses the people with the Trikirion.)
All: And with your spirit.
(The Priest raises his hands and proclaims:)
+ Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
(Turning to the East, the Priest bows his head and crosses his hands.)
+ Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
All: It is fitting and right.
(The Priest recites the following prayer aloud, while the Deacon fans the gifts.)
+ Priest: It is fitting and right to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, to worship You in every place of Your dominion; for You are God, beyond description, beyond understanding, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing, always the same, You and Your Only-Begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Out of nothing, You brought us into being, and when we had fallen, raised us up again; and You have left nothing undone until You brought us to Heaven and graciously gave us Your future Kingdom. For all these things, we thank You and Your Only-Begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit: for all these blessings, known and unknown, manifest and hidden, that were lavished upon us. We thank You also for this Liturgy which You are pleased to accept from our hands, though there stand before You thousands of archangels and myriads of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring on their pinions.
(The Priest proclaims with a mighty voice.)
+ Priest: Singing, proclaiming, shouting the hymn of victory and saying:
(The Deacon raises the Asterisk, forms with it the sign of the cross over the Diskos, kisses it and puts it aside.)
All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
(The Priest continues aloud:)
+ Priest: With these blessed powers, O Master who love mankind, we too cry out and say: Holy are You and all-holy, You and Your Only-Begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and all-holy and magnificent is Your glory: who so loved Your world as to give Your Only-Begotten Son, that every one who believes in Him shall not perish but may have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled all that was appointed Him to do for our sake, on the night on which He was delivered up, or rather delivered Himself up for the life of the world, taking bread in His holy, spotless and blameless hands, giving thanks and blessing, sanctifying and breaking it, gave it to His holy Disciples and Apostles and said:
(Here, the Priest bows his head, reverently points to the Diskos and proclaims with a devout voice, while the Deacon also points with the edge of his orarion to the Diskos:)
+ Priest: Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
All: Amen.
(The Priest and the Deacon bow. The Deacon points to the Chalice:)
+ Priest: Likewise the Chalice after He had supped saying:
(The Priest, his head bowed, reverently points to the Chalice and proclaims:)
+ Priest: Drink of this all of you, this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
All: Amen.
(The Priest and Deacon bow. The Priest continues the prayer aloud:)
+ Priest: Remembering, therefore, this precept of salvation and everything that was done for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again:
(The Deacon, or the Priest if there is no Deacon, holds the Diskos with his right hand and the Chalice with his left hand; crossing the right hand over the left hand; he traces with the Diskos and the Chalice the form of a cross over the Antimension, raising them up high, as the Priest proclaims:)
+ Priest: We offer You Your own, from what is Your own, in all and for the sake of all.
All: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, O Lord, and we pray to You, O our God.
(The Priest continues to pray aloud:)
+ Priest: Moreover, we offer You this spiritual and unbloody worship, and we ask and pray and entreat: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here offered.
(The Deacon points with the edge of the orarion to the holy bread:)
+ Deacon: Bless the holy bread, Master.
+ Priest: And make this bread+ the precious Body of Your Christ.
+ Deacon and People: Amen.
(The Deacon points at the Chalice with his orarion.)
+ Deacon: Bless both, Master.
+ Priest: Changing them + by Your Holy Spirit.
+ Deacon and People: Amen. Amen. Amen.
(They both bow down to the floor. The Priest continues the prayer:)
+ Priest: So that, to those who partake of them, they may be for the cleansing of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion of Your Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven, for intimate confidence in You, and not for judgement or condemnation.
(The Deacon fans the gifts.)
+ Priest: Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those resting in the faith, the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous soul who has run the course in the faith.
(Blessing the censer, he censes the Holy Table proclaiming:)
Especially for our all-holy, spotless, most highly-blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.
(He returns the censer to the Deacon who censes the Holy Table all around, remembering whomever he wishes of the living and the deceased, while all sing the following hymn:)
It is truly right to call you blessed, O Theotokos. You are ever-blessed and all-blameless, and the Mother of our God. Higher in honor than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you gave birth to God the Word in virginity. You are truly Theotokos, you do we exalt.
Click to hear this Hirmos in Greek.
(During the singing of the Hirmos, the Priest continues:)
+ Priest: For the holy prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, for the holy glorious Apostles worthy of all praise, for holy N. whose memory we honor today, and for all Your saints at whose supplications visit us, O God.
And remember all those" (he mentions whomever he wishes among the deceased)who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection to eternal life and give them rest where the light of Your face keeps watch. + Priest: Again, we pray You: remember, Lord, all the Orthodox bishops rightly dispensing the word of Your truth, all the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and all the ranks of the clergy and the monastics. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church; for those who lead pure and honorable lives; for our civil authorities; for the government and the armed forces. O Lord, grant them peaceful rule that we too in their tranquility may lead a calm and quiet life in all virtue and honor.
(He mentions whomever he wishes among the living.)
(The Priest proclaims the commemoration of the ecclesiastical hierarchy:)
+ Priest: First, Lord, remember our+ Father Benedict Pope of Rome, our+ Most Blessed Patriarch Gregory, our+ Father and (Arch)bishop Cyril Graciously bestow them to Your holy Churches in peace, safety, honor, health, long life, rightly dispensing the word of Your truth..
(The Deacon, from the Holy Doors, facing the people:)
+ Deacon: And for the+ Priest Father Mark who offer these holy gifts;
(The Deacon or in his absence, the Priest continues:)
+ Deacon: For our government, protected by God; for the salvation and help of the people here present; for those whom each of us has in mind; and for all men and women.
All: Remember all men and women. Or: Sanctify them in their ministry and protect all the faithful.
(Here, the server presents to the Priest the tray of Antidoron which will be distributed at the end of the Liturgy. The Priest holds it near the Holy Gifts saying:)
+ Deacon: Remember, Lord, Your servants the faithful who offered these holy gifts. Grant them peace, health, salvation; heal their sick and grant rest to the souls of their deceased.
+ Priest: Remember, Lord, this city (or this monastery) in which we dwell, and every city and country-place and the faithful dwelling in them.
+ Priest: Remember, Lord, the travelers by sea, air and land, the sick, the suffering, the captives, and their salvation.
+ Priest: Remember, Lord, those who bring offerings and those who support Your holy Churches, and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send down Your mercies. (The Priest concludes the Anaphora with the following Ekphonesis:)
+ Priest: And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and extol Your most noble and magnificent name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. All: Amen
(The Deacon receives a blessing from the Priest and leaves the Holy Place through the North Door. He stands at his usual place before the Holy Doors and recites the following petitions. + Priest: And may the mercies + of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.
The Priest turns to the people and blesses them (if the celebrant is a Bishop, he blesses the faithful with the Dikirion), saying:)
+ Deacon: 1.
Now that we have remembered all the saints, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: 2.
Lord, have mercy.
(To be repeated after each petition)
3. For the precious gifts here offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
All: 2.
Lord, have mercy.
4.
That our God who loves mankind, having received these gifts on His holy and mystical altar in Heaven as a sweet spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray. All: 2.
Lord, have mercy.
1.
That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
(To be repeated after each petition.)
2. For the precious gifts here offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
3. That our God who loves mankind, having received these gifts on His holy and mystical altar in Heaven as a sweet spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
All: Lord, have mercy.
4.
That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
(To be repeated after each petition)
5. For an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
6. For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
7. For what is good and profitable to our souls and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
8. That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
9. That the end of our life may be Christian, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good defense before the awesome Judgement Seat of Christ, let us ask.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
10. Let us ask for unity of faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, and let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
(The Priest recites the following prayer:)
+ Priest: To You, Master who love mankind, we commend our whole life and hope. We ask You, we pray You, we entreat You: make us worthy to partake of Your heavenly and awesome mysteries of this sacred and spiritual Table, with a pure conscience, for the remission of sins, for indulgence towards failures, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven and intimate confidence in You, and not for judgment or condemnation.
(He proclaims aloud:)
+ Priest: And make us worthy, Master, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call You Father, O God of Heaven and to say:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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(Meanwhile, the Deacon changes his orarion, crossing it on his back and shoulders in the fashion of a Subdeacon.)
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
+ Priest: Peace + be to all.
+ Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To you, O Lord.
+ Priest: We thank You, invisible King who in Your measureless power have fashioned all things and in the abundance of Your mercy have brought all things out of nothing into being.
Master, look down from Heaven upon those who bow their heads to You, for they bow them not to flesh and blood, but to You the awesome God.
Be pleased, then, Master, to guide our lives for our good, according to the need of each one. Sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel, heal the sick, O Physician of our souls and bodies.
He proclaims aloud:)
+ Priest: Through the grace and mercies and love for mankind of Your Only-Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen
+ Priest: Lord Jesus Christ our God, give heed from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to make us holy, O You who are enthroned on high with the Father and yet are present here though unseen to us. And by the might of Your hand give us a share of Your spotless Body and precious Blood, and through us, to all the people.
(Priest and Deacon bow three times from their places, saying each time:)
+ Priest and + Deacon: O God, forgive me the sinner and have mercy on me. (The Priest raises the Lamb with both hands. When the Deacon sees this, he proclaims with a mighty voice:)
+ Deacon: Let us be attentive.
(Then he immediately enters the Holy Place.)
(The Priest proclaims:)
+ Priest: Holy Gifts for the holy.
People: One is Holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
(The cantor or the choir starts the communion hymn.)
All: Praise the Lord from the highest. Alleluia!
(At this point, the curtains of the Holy Doors are closed.
+ Deacon: Master, break the Holy Bread.
(The Priest breaks the Lamb in four pieces and reverently places them on the Diskos in the form of a cross:)
+ Priest: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not dismembered, always eaten and never consumed, but making holy those who receive it.
(The Deacon points to the Holy Chalice and says:)
(Taking the upper part (IC) and making with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, he drops it into the Chalice saying:)
+ Priest: The fullness + of faith of the Holy Spirit.
+ Deacon: Amen.
(The server brings the Thermarion containing the Zeon to the Deacon, who presents it to the Priest saying:)
+ Deacon: Master, bless the Zeon.
(Then the Deacon pours the Zeon in the form of a cross into the Chalice saying:)
+ Priest: Blessed + is the fervor of Your saints, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
+ Deacon: The fervor of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(The Deacon returns the Thermarion to the server. Then, both the Deacon and the Priest bow and recite the following prayers of preparation for communion. After the Kinonikon and psalm verses, the people may recite one of them or more.)
During the Holy Communion, we sing the following prayers (8th tone)
All: Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life, for my soul comes early to your Holy Temple, carrying the temple of my body all defiled, but since you are merciful, cleanse me n your compassionate mercy. (If a Bishop and many priests are concelebrating, the Hierarch distributes the Holy Bread to the priests first, then he receives Holy Communion himself. They consume the Holy Bread at the same time with reverence. Finally they proceed to partake from the Holy Chalice.)
(The Priest puts on his right palm the portion of the Lamb marked with XC and attentively consumes it with reverence saying:)
+ Priest: Behold, I approach my immortal King and God. The Precious and Holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me, the Priest Mark, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life.
(Then he calls the Deacon saying:)
+ Priest: Deacon, approach.
(The Deacon approaches from the left side of the Altar, bows down and says:)
+ Deacon: Behold, I approach my immortal King and God. Give me, Master, the precious and Holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and for eternal life.
(The Priest takes a portion of the Holy Bread and puts it on the right hand palm of the Deacon, which rests crosswise on the left hand, saying:)
+ Priest: The Precious and Holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to you, the Deacon N., for the remission of your sins and for eternal life.
(The Deacon takes the Chalice with his right hand, putting the eiliton under his chin with his left hand. The Priest gives him three sips saying:)
(The Deacon kisses the Priest’s hand, goes behind the Holy Table and reverently consumes the Holy Bread. + Priest: This has touched your lips and will remove your transgressions and wash away your sins. (At this moment, the Altar curtain is open. The Deacon bows down once. He takes the Chalice, walks to the Holy Doors, and raises it high for the people to see, saying:)
+ Deacon: Approach with fear of God, with faith and with love.
All: Amen, Amen. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.
(The faithful approach with their arms crossed on their breast. Each one says his name clearly before receiving the Holy Eucharist. The Priest takes the Diskos, dips the Holy Bread in the Chalice held by the Deacon who stands on his left side, and gives the Holy Eucharist to each of the faithful saying:)
+ Priest: The servant (handmaid) of God N., receives the precious and Holy Body and Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.
+ Deacon: for the remission of his (her) sins and for eternal life. Amen.
(During Communion, the Choir sings:)
All: Receive me now, O Son of God, as a participant in Your mystical supper, for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, O Lord, in Your kingdom.
(It is permitted to sing the Communion hymn (Kinonikon), Psalms or any liturgical or scriptural hymns after “Receive me now…” but not instead of it.)
(Following Communion, the Priest blesses the people saying:) + Priest: O God, + save Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
All: We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the True Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity who has saved us. (On the feasts of the Lord, their octaves and their leave-takings, this hymn is replaced by the Troparion of the feast. On the Saturday of the Dead preceding Pentecost, we sing: “Unique Creator…”
+ Priest: May You be exalted above the heavens, O God, and Your glory above all the earth. (Three times)
(He hands the covered Diskos to the Deacon who holds it at the level of his forehead, turns to the people, and carries it from the Holy Table to the Prothesis without saying anything. He puts it down, then restores his orarion to its usual position. The Priest takes the covered Chalice, turns to the people and says:)
+ Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
(Then he carries it to the Prothesis, puts it down, and returns to the Holy Table.) All: Amen. (The following hymn may be added.)
All: Let our mouth be filled with Your praise, O Lord, for You have counted us worthy to share Your holy, immortal, and spotless Mysteries; keep us in sanctification that we may sing Your glory, meditating on Your holiness all the day. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
(Leaving by the North Door, the Deacon stands at his usual place before the Holy Doors and says:)
+ Deacon: Let us stand. Now that we have received the divine, holy, spotless, immortal, heavenly, life-giving, awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us give worthy thanks to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy. (As he folds the Antimension, the Priest prays the following prayer and the People may join him.)
+ Priest: We thank You, Master who love mankind, benefactor of our souls, for having today made us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our paths, establish us in Your fear, guard our lives, steady our footsteps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary and all Your saints.
(Taking the Holy Gospel Book and making with it the sign of the cross over the Antimension and replacing in on the Altar, the Priest concludes with the following Ekphonesis:)
+ Priest: For You are our sanctification, and we render glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
+ Priest: Let us go forth in peace.
All: In the name of the Lord.
+ Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy
(The Priest exits by the Holy Doors, letting his phelonion fall over his hands, stands before the icon of the Lord and chants the following prayer:)
+ Priest: O Lord who bless those who bless You, and sanctify those who trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; safeguard the fullness of Your Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house; in return, raise them to glory by Your divine power and do not forsake us who put our hope in You. Give peace to Your world, to Your Churches, to Your priests, to the government and to the armed forces, and to all Your people; for every good gift and every perfect grace is from above, coming down from You, the Father of Lights; and to You we render glory, thanksgiving and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
All Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever Or Arabic: Amen. Li ya Is moor Rabbi Moo ba ra Kan Min ol A Na Wa I Lad dahr) The Priest enters the Holy Place through the Holy Doors, turns to the Prothesis and recites the following prayer:
+ Priest: O You who are the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, Christ our God, who fulfilled the whole providential plan of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
The Deacon enters the Holy Place through the South Door. When the Choir has finished singing, the Deacon says from the Holy Doors:)
+ Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy.
The Priest turns to the people and blesses them saying:)
+ Priest: May the blessing + of the Lord and His mercy be upon you through His grace and love for mankind, at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
(If there is a procession or any blessing, it takes place here. Following the procession or the blessing the Priest recites the great Apolysis. If a memorial service is held, the Priest blesses the people and recites the great Apolysis, then proclaims “Blessed is our God…” to start the Memorial Service which will be ended by the Apolysis proper to it.)
+ Priest: Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.
On Sundays and Feast days:)
+ Priest: May Christ our true God, who is risen from the dead, through the prayers of His spotless and all-pure Mother, and of His glorious Apostles who are worthy of all praise, and of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and through the intercession of St. Joseph, patron of this holy church, and of the Holy Apostle Archippus, and of the holy and just ancestors of Christ God, Joachim and Ann, and of all the saints, may this same Christ have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen. + Celebrant: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
All: Amen. + Priest: May the blessing of the Lord and His mercy be upon you.
All: Amen.
The Global Melkite Association The Icon Studio of the Convent of St. Elizabeth
All: And to your spirit.
(Three times)
The Deacon stands on the right of the Priest who is holding the Lamb and says in a low voice:)
+ Deacon: Master, fill the Holy Chalice.
Make straight for me the ways of salvation, O Theotokos, for I have defiled my soul with shameful sins; and wasted my whole life in indolence; by your intercessions cleanse me from all impurity.
Amen.
Have mercy on me O God, in the greatness of your compassion, wipe out my offences. When I think upon the multitude of my evil deeds, in my wretchedness, I tremble in fear of the terrible Day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of your compassion, I cry out to you like David: have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy.
The Priest takes the Holy Chalice with the eiliton saying:)
The Priest and the Deacon carry the oblations back to the Altar. The Priest empties the remaining portions into the Chalice and covers it. He places the folded Asterisk on the Diskos and covers it. Then he censes the oblations three time saying:)
(3rd times)
(3rd times)
Gospel Book, English: Bishop Joseph Raya, Alleluia Press, 1978
Gospel Book, Arabic: Paulist Fathers, Harissa, 1960
Epistle Book, English (Apostolos): Bishop Joseph Raya, Alleluia Press, 1980
Epistle Book, Arabic: Paulist Fathers, Harissa, 1967
BDW: Byzantine Daily Worship: Bishop Joseph Raya, Alleluia Press, 1980
CT: CyberTypicon - Version 4, Fr. Peter Boutros, Phoenix, AZ
ED: Prayer Book, Arabic: Bishop N. Edelby of Aleppo, 1962
PLC: Patriarchal Liturgical Commission: Holy and Divine Liturgies, Arabic, 2006 - Prayers translated: by Rev. Alam Alam
FULL TEXT REFFERENCES:
Epistle Book, English (Apostolos): Bishop Joseph Raya, Alleluia Press, 1980
Gospel Book, English: Bishop Joseph Raya, Alleluia Press, 1978
Bishop N. Edelby of Aleppo
The Synodal Liturgical Commission: Holy and Divine Liturgi es The Melkite Hymnal
Byzantine Daily Worship
Music, Troparion Tones: The Greek Orthodox Seminary of the Holy Cross and additional Byzantine Sources
The Antiochian Orthodox Church
Divine Liturgy: Typicon of the Divine Liturgy for Sundays and Main Feasts, Texts in English and Arabic, done with the expressed permission and blessing of Our Father Most Rev. Cyril Bustros
Typicon Outline preparations: Rev. Peter Boutros
Epistles, Gospels and Updates: The Global Melkite Association, Inc.
The Melkite Catholic and the Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand
Icons: Father Luke Dingham
The Icon Studio of the Convent of St. Elizabeth, Grand Duchess of Russia
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