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TO
THE READER
In the Orthodox Church there are three orders for the Divine Liturgy
that are celebrated in every parish—those of St. John Chrysostom, St.
Basil the Great, and the Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory the
Dialogist. But in addition to these three there are also several other,
rarer Liturgies, characteristic of certain places or celebrated on
certain days. In recent years the Liturgy of St. James has become
increasingly known and celebrated; akin to it is that of St. Mark.
The Divine Liturgy of St. Mark is the ancient, traditional main Liturgy
of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. With the discovery of a papyrus
from the end of the fourth century in 1928, it also has the most ancient
documentation of any Orthodox Liturgy still in use. This is the Liturgy
of the great hierarchs of Alexandria, whose names occur constantly in
our Church calendar: Ss. Athanasius the Great, St. Cyrill of Alexandria,
St. John the Almsgiver, and countless others. St. Anthony the Great and
the Desert Fathers prayed at this Liturgy, and knew and loved its
prayers.
After the Arab invasion of Egypt, the Church of Alexandria fell on hard
times; and with the consolidation of the Ottoman Empire, the other
Patriarchates became more and more subjugated to Constantinople. As a
result, the local liturgical tradition was slowly displaced. The latest
historical manuscript of the Liturgy of St. Mark was copied by Patriarch
Meletios Pegas of Alexandria in 1585 and again in 1890 by St. Nectarios
of Pentapolis. This version of the text was published in Greece in 1955
and in Alexandria in 1960.
Although various recensions of the Greek text have been in print for the
past 400 years, the following English translation is based primarily on
that of St. Nectarios for the following reasons:
1)
This, being the most recent stage in the continuous development of
the text, is also the most complete, showing in the most detail the
texts sung by the choir or said by the Deacon.
2)
Its structure provides for the traditional Paschal beginning, as
St. Mark’s day (April 25 or May 8) falls in Paschal time.
3)
This recension appears not yet to have appeared in English, and
contains numerous points worthy of study.
Explanations and commentary have been placed in a section of “Notes on
the Text.” These notes contain a number of observations from Prof.
Foundoulis’ 1977 Greek edition published in Thessalonica.
Through the prayers of St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist, Lord Jesus
Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
The
Translator [Rev. Fr. John Shaw of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside
Russia]
February
1998
The Divine Liturgy
of
St. Mark
Proskomide
At
the Proskomide[i],
all
as usual except the following:
Prayer
over the Censer
We offer Thee incense, O Lord, before Thy holy glory, and may it rise up,
we beseech Thee, to Thy most heavenly altar as a sweet fragrance, for
the remission of our sins and the cleansing of Thy people. Through the
grace and compassion and love for mankind of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Offertory
Prayer
O
Master, Lord our God, Jesus Christ, coeternal Son of the ageless Father,
Thou Who art the great High Priest, Who didst give Thyself as a spotless
lamb for the life of the world: we pray and beseech Thee, O good Lover
of mankind: show Thy face upon this bread and upon this chalice, so that
they may be transformed into Thy most pure Body and precious Blood, in
which the holy table receiveth Thee as do the priestly hierurgy and the
surrounding choir of Angels, unto the communion of souls and bodies. And
to Thee do we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father Who is without
beginning, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The
Proskomide concludes as usual, and St. Mark is named in the Dismissal.
The
Enarxis[ii]
The Deacon intones:
Bless, Master. Priest:
BLESSED is the kingdom of the Father,
and of the Son,
and
of the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen. (And,
in Paschal time, we sing “Christ is risen from the dead…”)
Deacon:
In
peace let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: In peace let us
pray to the Lord.
(And
the rest of the Great Litany. See the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for
text.)
Prayer
of the First Antiphon (for
the congregation)
Priest
(secretly): We
give Thee thanks, we give Thee exceeding thanks, O Lord our God, Father
of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for all things, and
through all things, and in all things: for that Thou hast sheltered,
assisted, defended, and brought us through the past time of our life,
and hast guided us to this hour, vouchsafing again to stand before Thee
in Thy holy place, us who ask pardon of our sins, and propitiation for
all Thy people. And we pray and beseech Thee, O Lover of mankind, grant
us to pass this holy day and all the time of our life without sin, with
all joy, health, safety, and with all sanctification and Thy fear. But
all envy, all terror, all temptation, every working of Satan, every plot
of wicked men, drive far from us, O God, and from Thy Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church. That which is good and profitable, do Thou supply to
us; if we have sinned against Thee in word or deed, or by thought, do
Thou, as good and Lover of mankind, vouchsafe to overlook it, and
forsake us not, O God, who put our trust in Thee; nor lead us into
temptation, but deliver us from the evil one and from his works.
[Through the grace and compassion and love for mankind of Thine
only-begotten Son, through Whom and with Whom be to Thee the glory and
majesty, with Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.]
The
choir sings the First Antiphon.
Deacon: Again and
again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
(And the rest of the Little
Litany;
consult the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for this text.)
Prayer
of the Second Antiphon (For
the Ruler)
Priest
(secretly): O
Master, Lord God, Father of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ,
we beseech and pray Thee to keep our King (or: all those in civil
authority) in peace and fortitude and righteousness. Subdue unto him
(or: unto Thy people) every foe and adversary, lay hand upon the shield
and buckler and rise up to help him (or: us). Grant him (or: us)
victories, O Lord, and dispose him (or: those in authority) peaceably
towards us and to Thy holy name, that we also in the tranquillity of his
(or: their) days may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and
uprightness.
Through
the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of Thine only-begotten
Son, through Whom and with Whom be to Thee the glory and majesty, with
Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
The
choir sings the Second Antiphon.
Deacon: Again and
again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
(And the rest of the Little Litany)
Prayer
of the Third Antiphon (For
Patriarch and Bishop)
Priest
(secretly): O
Master, Lord God almighty, the Father of our Lord and God and Saviour
Jesus Christ, we pray and beseech Thee, O good Lover of mankind:
preserve our most holy and blessed father (Patriarch, Metropolitan) and
our most venerable (Bishop), unto us peacefully unto many years,
executing the holy pontificate committed unto them according to Thy holy
and blessed word, rightly dividing the word of Thy truth, with all
Orthodox Bishops, Priests, Deacons, subdeacons, readers, chanters, and
laity, and the whole fullness of Thy holy and only Catholic and
Apostolic Church, granting to them peace, health, and salvation; and
their prayers which they make for us, and we for them, receive, O Lord,
unto Thy holy and heavenly and spiritual altar; and every enemy of Thy
Holy Church subdue speedily under their feet. Exclamation:
Through
the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of Thine only-begotten
Son, through Whom and with Whom be to Thee the glory and majesty, with
Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
The
choir sings the Third Antiphon.
Prayer
of the Entrance[iii]
Priest
(secretly): O
Master, Lord our God, Who didst elect the twelve Apostles as it were a
lamp of twelve lights, and didst send them forth into the whole world to
preach and teach the Gospel of Thy kingdom, and to heal every sickness
and infirmity in the people: and didst breathe into their faces, and
didst say to them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit, the Comforter: whose sins
ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose sins ye retain, they
are retained. Thus do Thou also upon us Thy servants as we enter the
holy ministry, together with the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, subdeacons,
chanters, laity, and all the fullness of Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic
Church. Preserve us, O Lord, from curse, and ban, and excommunication,
and from the part of the adversary, and make pure our lips and heart
from all pollution and iniquity; that with a pure heart and conscience
we may offer to Thee this sacrifice as a sweet-smelling fragrance, and
for the remission of our sins and the sins of all Thy people: Through
the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of Thine only-begotten
Son, through Whom and with Whom be to Thee glory and majesty, with Thine
all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
Entrance
with the Gospel.
Deacon: Wisdom,
let us attend. (Entrance
verse, if there be such. If not, we sing, “O come, let us
worship.” Here follow the usual Troparia after
the Entrance.)
Prayer
of the Thrice-Holy[iv]
Priest
(secretly): O
Master, Lord Jesus Christ, co-eternal Word of the Father without
beginning, Who didst become like unto us in all respects save sin, for
the salvation of our race; Who didst send forth Thy holy Disciples and
Apostles to preach and teach the Gospel of Thy kingdom, and to heal all
sickness and infirmity among Thy people: do Thou Thyself, O Lord, send
out Thy light and Thy truth, and enlighten the eyes of our minds and
open the ears of our hearts, and grant that we may be hearers of Thy
holy tidings, and not hearers only, but doers of the word, that we may
bring abundant good fruit, thirty fold and an hundred fold, and be
counted worthy of the kingdom of heaven.
Exclamation: And let Thy mercies quickly go before us, O Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For Thou art our good tidings, the Saviour and keeper of our
souls and bodies, O Lord God, and to Thee do we send up glory, and
thanksgiving, and the thrice-holy hymn: to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us… (sung
as usual)
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Response: And to
thy spirit.
Deacon:
Let
us attend.
Epistle
The
Reader announces the title of the Epistle reading, then reads the Epistle.[v]
Then
follows the Alleluia with its verses.
Deacon
(to the Priest): Father, give a blessing.
Priest: May the Lord bless you and minister with you by His
grace, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Before
the Gospel the Priest offers incense, saying:
O
God, Who didst accept the gifts of Abel, the sacrifice of Noë and
Abraham, Aaron and Zacharias’ incense, receive also from the hands of
us sinners this incense as a savour of fragrance and for the remission
of our sins and those of all Thy people. For blessed art Thou, and to
Thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The
Deacon, about to read the Gospel, says:
Father,
give a blessing.
Priest: The Lord bless and strengthen us, and make us to be hearers of
His Holy Gospel, He that is God, blessed now and ever and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Deacon: Stand,
let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Choir: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: The
reading of the Holy Gospel according to (name).
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Priest: Let us attend.
And
the Deacon reads the Gospel text.
Litany
after the Gospel (and Homily)[vi]
Deacon: Let us all say with
our whole soul, and with all our heart let us say:
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
O
Lord God almighty, Who art rich in mercy, not desiring the death of a
sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, we beseech Thee,
hearken and have mercy.[vii]
Furthermore
we pray for this holy temple and for those that with faith, devotion,
and the fear of God enter herein.
That
we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, hearken
and have mercy.
Have
mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee,
hearken, and have mercy.
Furthermore
we pray for our devout and God-saved rulers (or: for this land and all
those in civil authority).
Furthermore
we pray for our (Patriarch, Metropolitan, Bishop…).
Furthermore
we pray for the servants of God N. and N., who await from Thee great and
abundant mercy.
Prayer
of Fervent Supplication
Priest
(secretly): Visit,
O Lord, in Thy pity and mercies, those of Thy people that are sick, set
aside from them every plague and infirmity, drive from them the spirit
of illness; those of our brethren who are absent, or about to depart,
give a prosperous journey in every place.
Bless
the fruits of the earth, multiply them, make them perfect, keep them
whole and undamaged for us.
[Preserve
in peace and fortitude the kingdom of Thy servant whom Thou hast
justified to rule upon earth.]
This
humble, and poor, and Christ-loving city protect, O Lord, from evil
days, from famine, plague, and incursion of the heathen, as Thou didst
spare the city of Nineveh, for Thou art merciful and generous and
rememberest not the evil of man. Thou hast said by Thy Prophet Isaias,
“I will protect this city and save it for My sake, and for the sake of
My servant David”; wherefore we beseech and pray Thee, O good Lover of
mankind, defend this city for the sake of Thy martyr and Evangelist
Mark, who hath shown us the path of salvation. Exclamation:
For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and to Thee do we
send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Litany
for the Catechumens
Deacon: Pray to the
Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Ye faithful, let us pray
for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
That
He will catechise them with the word of truth.
That
He will reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
That
He will unite them to His Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Save
them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, O God, by Thy grace.
Ye
catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: That with us they also may glorify Thy most honourable and majestic
name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and
ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Pray
ye for the peace of the whole world.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Pray ye for our
most holy Father (Patriarch, Metropolitan, Bishop).
Again
and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Help
us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Wisdom.
Prayer
of the Faithful
Priest
(secretly): Enthrone
the peace which is of heaven in the hearts of all of us, but grant us
peace also in this world. Our most venerable hierarch (Name) preserve
for us unto many years, and peaceful times; bless our congregations, O
Lord, grant them without hindrance and unceasingly to do Thy holy and
blessed will; let all be scattered that hate Thy holy name, but multiply
Thy faithful people unto myriads of myriads that do Thy holy will.
Exclamation:
That being kept always under Thy dominion, we may send up glory
unto Thee, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now
and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon(s): Take ye care that none of the catechumens be here.[viii]
The doors, O
subdeacons!
Come, Deacons, form
the procession.
Let us attend.
Choir: Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim and sing the
thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly
cares.
The
Priest sets on incense and says:
O
Lord our God, Who hast no need of any gift, accept this incense offered
by an unworthy hand, and count us all worthy of the blessing which is
from Thee, for Thou art our sanctification, and to Thee do we send up
glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer
Before the Great Entrance
O
God almighty, Thou of great name, Who hast given us entry into the Holy
of Holies by the advent of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and
Saviour Jesus Christ: we pray and beseech Thy goodness, forasmuch as we
are fearful and tremble, about to stand before Thy fearsome and glorious
altar: send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, and hallow our
souls, our bodies, and our spirits, so that with a pure heart we may
bring Thee gifts, offerings, and sacrifices unto the remission of our
sins and the cleansing of all Thy people. Through the grace and
compassion and love for mankind of Thy Christ, with Whom Thou art
blessed and glorified together with Thine all-holy, and good, and
life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And
the entry with the Holy Gifts takes place.[ix]
Choir: That we may receive the King of all, Who cometh invisibly upborne in
triumph by the ranks of Angels, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Deacon: Let us
complete our prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the
precious Gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy temple
and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter
herein, let us pray to the Lord.
For
our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray
to the Lord.
Prayer
of Oblation
Priest
(secretly): Holy,
Most High, Terrible, Thou that restest in the Saints, O Lord, Thyself
sanctify us, and count us worthy of the fearful priesthood, and cause us
to approach Thy venerable altar with all good conscience: and purify our
hearts from every defilement; chase away from us every evil sensation;
hallow our mind and our soul; and grant us to accomplish the worship of
our holy fathers with Thy fear, seeking Thy face at all times. For Thou
art He that blesseth and sanctifieth all things, and to Thee do we send
up glory and thanksgiving, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: Help us,
save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the
whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the
Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: An Angel
of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us
ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission
of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and
profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the
Lord.
That we may complete
the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of
the Lord.
A Christian ending
to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defence at the
dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to
remembrance our most holy, most pure and blessed, glorious Lady
Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commit
ourselves, and one another, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: Through
the compassion of Thine only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed,
together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now
and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The
Kiss of Peace[x]
Priest: Peace
be unto all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us love one
another, in the Lord our God.
Choir: I will love Thee, O Lord my strength; the Lord is my
foundation, and my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and I
will hope in Him.
Prayer
of the Peace
Priest
(secretly): Master,
Lord almighty, look down from heaven upon Thy Church, and upon all Thy
people, and upon Thine unworthy servants, sheep of Thy flock, and grant
us Thy peace, and Thy love, and Thy help, and send down upon us the
gifts of Thy most holy Spirit, that with a pure heart and good
conscience we may salute one another with a holy kiss:
Not
in deceit, nor in hypocrisy, nor coveting those things that are
another’s, but blameless and unspotted, in one spirit, in the bond of
peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one faith, as we have also
been called, in one hope of our calling, that we may all of us arrive at
the Divine and boundless affection in Christ Jesus our Lord. Through
Whom and with Whom to Thee be glory and majesty, with Thy most holy, and
good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Then
the Priest offers incense, saying:
We
offer incense before Thy glory, O Lord; may it ascend, we pray Thee, out
of the poor hands of us sinners for the remission of our sins and the
propitiation of all Thy people. For to Thee is due all glory, honour,
and worship, and thanksgiving, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Fathers and brethren, come and magnify the Lord with me.
Choir: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most
High shall overshadow thee.
Priest: Of the Father.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: And of the Son.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: And of the Holy Spirit.
Choir: Amen.
And
after the Kiss of Peace:
Deacon: Stand ye
to make the Offering aright.
The
Priest, signing with the Cross the chalice and the diskos, intones the
first words of the
Symbol of the Faith:[xi]
Priest: I believe in one God, the Father almighty:
Choir: Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and
invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the
Only-begotten, 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; 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; and was crucified for us under
Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; and arose again on the
third day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and
sitteth at the right hand of the Father; and shall come again with glory
to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life; Who proceedeth from the
Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and
glorified; Who spake by the Prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and
Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
Amen.
(And
when the people say, “And was incarnate,” the Priest makes the sign
of the Cross [over the Holy Gifts] and again at the words “And was
crucified,” and the third time at “And in the Holy Spirit…”)
The
Anaphora[xii]
Deacon: Let us
stand aright, let us stand with fear, let us attend, to offer this holy
oblation to God in peace.
Choir: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
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.
Choir: And with thy spirit.
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: It is meet and just so to do.
Priest: It is truly meet and just, holy and becoming, and advantageous
to our souls, to worship Thee, the Existing One, Lord God, Father
almighty, to worship Thee, to hymn Thee, to give thanks to Thee, to
render Thee praise, both night and day, with unceasing mouth and lips
that keep not silence, and heart that cannot be still; Thee Who madest
the heaven and the things that are in the heaven, the earth and the
things that are in the earth, the sea, the fountains, the rivers, the
lakes, and all things that are in them; Thee Who didst make man after
Thine own image and likeness, and also gavest him the delights that were
in Paradise, and didst not despise him when he fell, nor desert him, O
good God, but didst call him again by the Law, didst educate him by the
Prophets, didst reform him and renew him by this fearful and
life-creating and heavenly Mystery; all these things Thou hast done by
Thy Wisdom, the true Light, Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ, by Whom, rendering thanks to Thee with Himself
and the Holy Spirit, we offer to Thee this reasonable and unbloody
sacrifice, which all nations offer to Thee, O Lord, from the rising of
the sun unto the going down of the same, from the north and from the
south; for Thy name is great among the nations, and in every place
incense is offered to Thy name, and a pure offering.
The
Diptychs[xiii]
Therefore
we pray and beseech Thee, O Lord our God, good Lover of mankind:
Remember,
O Lord, Thy Holy and only Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is from
the ends of the world unto the ends thereof, and all Thy people and all
Thy flock. Enthrone the peace of heaven in our hearts, but bestow upon
us also the peace of this life.
[The
King,] the military, statesman, counsellors, the boroughs, the
neighbourhoods in which we live, our comings in and goings out, direct
Thou in all tranquillity.
(Choir: Lord, have mercy upon us.)
O
King of peace, give us Thy peace in concord and love, for Thou hast
given us all; possess us, O God; besides Thee we know none other, we
call upon Thy name; quicken our souls, and may the death of sin have no
dominion over us, nor over all Thy people.
(Choir: Visit and heal, O God.)
Them
that are sick, O Lord, among Thy people, visit in Thy pity and mercies,
and heal. Avert from them and us all sickness and infirmity, drive away
from them the spirit of illness; raise up again those that lie in long
sickness; heal them that are vexed by unclean spirits, them that are in
prisons, in mines, or in court, or who have had sentence passed against
them, or in exile or in bitter servitude, or who are taxed beyond their
means, have mercy on all, free all; for Thou art our God Who releasest
the shackled, Who raisest up those that are cast down; the hope of the
hopeless, the aider of the helpless, the resurrection of the fallen; but
to us also, O Lord, be Thou pleased to grant strength and fortitude.
(Choir: Bring them back to their home.)
To
our brethren that have departed from us, or who are about to set forth,
be Thou a guide in every place; but our wandering in this life also, O
Lord and Master, keep Thou without harm and untroubled by any storms.
(Deacon: Pray ye
for beneficial rains and the fruits of the earth.)[xiv]
Deacon: Send down good
showers on the needful and thirstly, places, rejoice and renew the face
of the earth: water her furrows, multiply her increase: so that in their
drops it may rejoice glowingly.
(Choir: Bless now, also, O Lord, the crown of the year in Thy goodness.
Amen.)
(Deacon: Pray ye
for good seasons and the plants of the earth.)
Bless,
O Lord, the fruits of the earth; preserve them for us whole and unhurt;
rejoice and renew the face of the earth; water her furrows; multiply her
increase, so that in their drops it may rejoice glowingly.
(Choir: Bless now also, O Lord, the crown of the year of Thy goodness.
Amen.)
(Deacon: Pray ye
for the rising of the river [Nile].
Choir: Lord, have mercy.)
Raise
up the waters of the rivers to their proper measure, according to Thy
goodness; rejoice and renew by their ascent the face of the earth, water
her furrows, multiply her increase, that by their drops she may rejoice
glowingly.
(Choir: Bless now also, O Lord, the crown of the year with Thy goodness.
Amen.)
For
the poor of Thy people, for the widow and the orphan, for the wanderer
and sojourner, for the sake of us all who hope on Thee and are called by
Thy holy name: for the eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them
their food in due season. O Thou that givest food to all flesh, fill our
hearts with joy and gladness, that we always, having all sufficiency in
all things, may rejoice unto every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Deacon:
[Preserve the
kingdom of Thy servant, O Lord].
(Choir: Glory to Thy kingdom, O Lord.)
The
kingdom of Thy servant (N.) whom Thou hast justified to rule on earth,
keep Thou in peace and fortitude and tranquillity through victory;
subdue under him every foe and adversary, be they of foreign nations or
his own; take hold of shield and buckler and rise up to help him; bring
forth the spear, and shut the way against them that persecute him;
overshadow his head in the day of battle; set the fruit of his loins
upon his throne; speak good things to his heart for Thy Holy Catholic
and Apostolic Church, and for all Thy Christ-loving people; that we also
in his tranquillity may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and purity, which we find in Thee.
(Deacon:
Grant rest, O Lord,
to the souls of the departed in the faith of Christ.)[xv]
Give
rest to the souls of our fathers and brethren that have heretofore
fallen asleep in the faith of Christ, O Lord our God. Remember, O Lord,
our ancestors, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs,
confessors, teachers, bishops, venerable and righteous persons, every
soul departed this life from all ages in the faith of Christ, and whose
memory we keep this day, and our holy father Mark the Apostle and
Evangelist, who hath shown us the path of salvation.
Remember,
O Lord, the archangelic voice that said: Rejoice, thou that art full of
grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed
is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
Exclamation:
Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and
glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
(Deacon: Father,
give a blessing.)
(Priest: May the Lord bless thee by His grace, now and ever and unto ages of
ages.)
(Here
the Deacon says the Diptychs of the Departed. Meanwhile, the Priest
prays:)
Priest: And
to the spirits of all these give rest, O Master, Lord our God, in the
habitations of Thy Saints, in Thy kingdom, vouchsafing to them the good
things of Thy promise, which eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard,
and which have not entered into the heart of man, the things which Thou
hast prepared, O Lord, for them that love Thy holy name. Grant Thou rest
to their souls, count them worthy of the kingdom of heaven, and to us
grant that the end of our lives may be Christian and well-pleasing to
Thee, without sin, and that we may have a portion and inheritance with
all Thy Saints.
The
thank-offerings of them that offer sacrifices and oblations, receive, O
God, upon Thy holy and super-celestial and spiritual altar, to the
height of the heavens, by Thy ministry of Archangels; of them that
offered much or little, secretly or with bold openness, of them that
desired and had not wherewithal to offer, and of them that have brought
their oblations this day: as Thou didst accept the gifts of Thy just
Abel, the sacrifice of our father Abraham, the incense of Zacharias, the
alms of Cornelius, and the two mites of the widow, receive also of their
offerings, and give them instead of things earthly, things heavenly;
instead of things temporal, things eternal.
Remember,
O Lord our God, the most holy and blessed (N., Patriarch, Metropolitan,
Archbishop or Bishop) whom Thou didst foreknow and choose to take in
hand the government of Thy Holy Church, and our most venerable Bishop
(N.). Guard them by Thy care, for many years, in peaceful time,
accomplishing Thy holy archpastorate, entrusted to them by Thee,
according to Thy holy and blessed will, rightly dividing the word of Thy
truth.
And
remember also all Orthodox Bishops everywhere, Presbyters, Deacons,
subdeacons, readers, singers, monks, and virgins, widows, orphans, and
laity.
Remember,
O Lord, the Holy City of Christ our God, and the reigning city
[Constantinople], and this our city, every city and region, and those
that dwell in it in the Orthodox Faith of Christ, for their peace and
safety.
Remember,
O Lord, every Christian soul in affliction and trouble, in need of the
mercy and succour of God, and the conversation of them that have
wandered, the salvation of our souls, and our brethren that are in
bonds.
Remember,
O Lord, those that sail and travel, the Christians who receive wayfarers
into their homes, and those in captivity or foreign exile, our brethren
in bitter servitude; grant them to receive compassion from those that
hold them.
Remember,
O Lord, in mercy and compassion also us sinful and unworthy servants of
Thine, and wash away our sins as Thou art good and the Lover of mankind,
and by Thy most holy Spirit, grant us to serve Thee.
Bless,
O Lord, our congregations; root out idolatry utterly from the world;
crush Satan and all his power and wickedness beneath our feet; the
enemies of Thy Church, O Lord, as at all times, so now humble. Lay bare
their pride, speedily make manifest their weakness; bring to nought
their plots and villainy which they use against us.
(Deacon:
Ye that
are sitting, rise up; look ye to the East.)
Arise,
O Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Thee
flee backward; but multiply Thy faithful and Orthodox people who do Thy
holy will, unto a thousand thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand
blessings.
Free
them that are in bonds, bring them forth that are in need, satisfy the
hungry, slake the thirsty, comfort the pusillanimous, convert them that
have strayed, enlighten them that are in darkness, raise the fallen,
make firm the wavering, heal the sick; lead all into the way of
salvation, and unite them to Thy holy flock; and preserve us from our
iniquities, being in all things our keeper, and our defender.
Continuation
of the Anaphora
The
Priest, bowing, prays: For
Thou art above all power and dominion, and might, and principality, and
every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which
is to come. Before Thee stand thousands and ten thousand times ten
thousand armies of holy Angels and Archangels. Before Thee stand Thy two
most honourable creatures, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged
Seraphim; with twain thereof they cover their feet, with twain their
face, and with twain do they fly, and cry one to another with incessant
voices and perpetual praise, singing, shouting, glorifying, crying
aloud, and saying unto the majesty of Thy glory, the triumphal and
thrice-holy hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth
are full of Thy glory.[xvi]
Exclamation:
At all times all things glorify Thee, but with all that glorify
Thee receive, O Lord, our praise also, with them that laud Thee and say:
Choir: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy
glory. Osanna in the highest.
The
Priest again signs the Holy Mysteries with the Cross, saying:
Truly
are earth and heaven full of Thy holy glory, through the manifestation
of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Fulfill also, O God, this
sacrifice with Thy heavenly blessing, by the indwelling of Thy Holy
Spirit. For the Lord Himself and our God and King of all, Jesus Christ,
on the night wherein He gave Himself up for our sins, and for the sake
of all suffered death in the flesh, reclining at supper with His holy
Disciples and Apostles, took bread in His holy and pure and spotless
hands, looked up to Thee His own Father, our God and the God of all,
gave thanks,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: And blessed,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: And hallowed, and brake,
Deacon: Amen. For the
remission of sins, O God, and to have mercy on us.
Priest: And distributed to His holy and blessed Disciples and Apostles,
saying: Exclamation:
Take, eat,
Deacon: Pray
earnestly, ye Presbyters.[xvii]
Priest: This is My Body, which is broken for you, and given for the remission
of sins.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Likewise also the cup
after supper, having taken and mingled with wine and water, and looking
up to heaven,
Deacon: Look down upon us and have
mercy on us.
Priest:
Looking up to
heaven to Thee His own Father, our God and the God of all, He gave
thanks,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: He hallowed,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: He blessed,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: He filled with the Holy Spirit,
Deacon: Amen,
Amen. We believe and confess, that Thou art the Son of the living God.
Priest: He distributed It to His holy and blessed Disciples and
Apostles, saying: Exclamation:
Drink ye all of this:
Deacon: Yet pray
earnestly. Exclamation:
Priest: This is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed and distributed
for you and for many, for the remission of sins.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Do this in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this Bread
and drink this Cup, ye proclaim My death, and confess My Resurrection
and Ascension, until I come.
Choir: (Tone
8:) We proclaim Thy Death, O Lord, and we confess Thy
Resurrection.
Priest: The Death, O almighty Lord and Master, King of heaven, of Thine
only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, we
proclaim; and confessing His blessed Resurrection from the dead on the
third day, confess also His Ascension into heaven, and His sitting at
Thy right hand, His God and Father, looking also for His second and
fearful and dreadful advent, when He shall come to judge the quick and
the dead in righteousness, and to render to each according to his works.
Choir: We believe, and glorify the Body and Blood of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ: fill our hearts with joy and gladness.
Spare
us, O Lord our God. (thrice)
According
to Thy great mercy. (thrice)
And
not according to our sins.
Priest: Thine own of Thine own gifts we have set before Thee, and we pray and
beseech Thee, O good God and Lover of mankind: send down from Thy holy
height, from Thine appointed habitation, from Thy bosom beyond human
experiment, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy One, the Lord
and Giver of life, Who spake in the Law and by the Prophets and the
Apostles; Who is everywhere present and filleth all things, working
sanctification of His own free will, and not as a minister, upon those
He chooseth by His good pleasure: One in essence, manifold in His
energies, fountain of Divine gifts: consubstantial with Thee, proceeding
from Thee, sharing the throne of Thy kingdom and of Thine only-begotten
Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Look
down upon us, and upon this Bread,
Deacon:
Amen.
Priest: And upon this Cup,
Deacon:
Amen.
Priest: And send down Thy Holy Spirit, that He may bless and hallow
them, and may act, as God almighty,
Deacon:
Amen.
Priest: As the true God of faith.
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: And make this Bread the Body,
Deacon:
Amen.
Priest: And this Cup the Blood of the New Testament,
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: Of our very Lord and God and Saviour and universal King, Jesus
Christ.
Deacon: Amen.
Come down, ye Deacons; pray, ye Presbyters.
Priest
(aloud:) That they
may be to all of us who participate in Them for faith, for sobriety, for
healing, for temperance, for sanctification, for renovation of soul,
body and spirit; for participation in blessedness of eternal life and
incorruption, for the glorification of Thy holy name, for the remission
of sins; so that in this as in all places Thy most holy name may be
glorified, hymned, and hallowed, with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. As it was, and is, and shall be, unto generation and
generation, and for all ages of ages. Amen.
Priest: And grant unto us that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify
and hymn Thy most honourable and majestic name, of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: And may the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with
you all.
Choir: And with thy spirit.
Litany
Before the Lord’s Prayer
Deacon: Having
commemorated all the Saints and the righteous, again and again in
peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For these Holy
Gifts now offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
That
our God, the Lover of mankind, Who hath accepted Them upon His holy and
most heavenly and noetic altar as an odour of spiritual fragrance, will
send down upon us Divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us
pray.
That
we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us
pray to the Lord.
Help
us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
That
the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of
the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Pardon
and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: All things good
and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the
Lord.
That
we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance,
let us ask of the Lord.
A
Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good
defence before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Having
asked for the unity of the Faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our
God.
Choir:
To Thee, O Lord.
Meanwhile,
the Priest prays as follows: O God our Master, Father of light, Author of eternal life, Creator of
grace, Founder of worlds, Giver of knowledge, Treasury of wisdom,
Teacher of holiness, Receiver of pure prayers, Benefactor of the soul,
Thou that givest to the weak-hearted who trust in Thee those things into
which the Angels desire to look; Who hast raised us from the abyss to
light, Who hast given us life out of death, Who hast granted us freedom
from slavery, hast dissolved in us the darkness of sin by the coming of
Thine only-begotten Son; now also, O Lord, enlighten the eyes of our
understanding by the indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may without
condemnation partake of this immortal and heavenly Food; and sanctify us
wholly, in body, soul, and spirit, that with Thy holy Disciples and
Apostles we may say to Thee this prayer:[xviii]
softly:
Our
Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Exclamation:
Priest: And grant us, O Master, Lord Who lovest mankind, with boldness, and
without condemnation, with pure heart, enlightened soul, face unashamed,
and sanctified lips to make bold to call upon Thee, the holy God in
heaven, as our Father, and to say:
Choir: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom
come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest
(secretly): Yea,
Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thy
great mercy knoweth that we are unable to bear up through our much
infirmity; but make with the temptation also a way of escape, that we
might be able to bear it, for Thou hast given us power to tread upon
serpents and scorpions, and on all the might of the enemy. Exclamation:
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto
ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our
heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: O Master, Lord God almighty, Who sittest upon the Cherubim and art
glorified by the Seraphim, Who didst prepare the heaven from the waters
and didst adorn it with the choirs of the stars; Who hast arranged the
bodiless ranks of Angels in the highest to sing Thy praise
everlastingly: to Thee have we bowed the neck of our souls and bodies,
showing the outward sign of service; and we pray Thee, disperse the dark
attacks of sin from our thoughts; enlighten our mind with the Divine
rays of Thy Holy Spirit, that being filled with the knowledge of Thee,
we may worthily partake of the good Gifts set before us, the most pure
Body and precious Blood of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and
Saviour Jesus Christ, forgiving us every kind of sin, through Thy great
and unsearchable goodness. Forgive us, O Lord God, our transgressions,
whether intentional or unintentional, whether done knowingly or
unknowingly. Exclamation:
Through the grace and mercies and love for mankind of Thine
only-begotten Son, through Whom and with Whom be to Thee glory and
majesty, with Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and
ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: With the
fear of God, let us attend.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest
(softly): Holy, most high, tremendous Lord, Who restest in the Saints, O
Lord, sanctify us by the word of Thy grace and the indwelling of Thy
most holy Spirit. For Thou, Lord, hast said: Be ye holy, for I am holy.
O Lord our God, incomprehensible Word of God, consubstantial and
co-eternal, together without beginning with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, receive the pure hymn, with the Cherubim and Seraphim, and from
me a sinner and Thine unworthy servant, from unworthy lips, crying out
and saying: Exclamation:
Holy
Things for the holy!
Choir: One Holy Father, one Holy Son, one Holy Spirit, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.[xix]
Priest: The Lord be with you all.
Choir: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: For the salvation and
the aid of our holy father (Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishop,
Bishop), all the clergy and the Christ-loving laity, let us pray to the
Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: And
furthermore for the salvation and remission of sins of our brethren who
bring this holy Offering, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: And for
the memory of our venerable fathers and brethren, let us all say
heartily: Lord, have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
============================
(While
these Diaconica are being said, the Priest divides the Holy Bread,
saying:)
Priest: Praise ye the Lord in His Saints.
The
Lord bless and minister with us in the fraction of His holy and most
pure and life-giving Mysteries, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
(To
the concelebrating clergy:)
Command ye!
Clergy: The Holy Spirit commandeth and sanctifieth.
The
Priest, placing one Particle in the chalice, says:
Priest: Behold, It is sanctified and fulfilled, and is become the Body
and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour, and the Holy Things are
committed to the Holy.
Clergy:
One Holy Father, one Holy Son, one Holy Spirit, amen.
============================
The
Deacon exclaims:
Deacon: Sing
ye in the peace of the Lord.
(The
Deacon enters into the holy sanctuary, while the Choir sings:)
Psalm
150
Choir:
Praise
ye God in His saints : praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise
Him for His mighty acts : praise Him according to the multitude of His
greatness.
Praise
Him with the sound of trumpet : praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise
Him with timbrel and dance : praise Him with strings and flute.
Praise
Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation : let
every breath praise the Lord.
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The
Deacon exclaims: [NOTE: THERE IS TEXT MISSING HERE.]
Verse
After
this we sing the Communion Verse of the day or of the Saint.
============================
Holy
Communion
Priest:
(To the concelebrating clergy:)
The Lord be with us all.
Clergy:
And with thy spirit.
Priest:
He Himself hath blessed It, He Himself hath consecrated It, He
Himself hath brought it to pass; He Himself will also distribute It for
the remission of sins, and unto life eternal.
The
Priest receives Holy Communion, then recites this Prayer:
Out
of the Divine grace given to us out of love for mankind, we have dared
that which was beyond us, for we have come in fear to Thy Holy
Mysteries, O Master, asking: If by our human weakness guilt be against
us, forgive us, O Lord our God.
As
the hart panteth after the fountains of water, so panteth my soul after
Thee, O God.
Deacon: Presbyters,
draw near.
The
concelebrating Priests commune. And when communing the clergy, he, if a
Bishop, says:
The
holy Body of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The
precious Blood of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, which is
given for the remission of sins.
And
the Deacons are communed.
============================
With
the fear of God and faith, draw near.
Choir: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the
Lord, and hath appeared unto us.
or,
in Paschal time, “Christ is risen from the dead…”
After
this, the Priest says:
Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and Thy glory above all the
earth, and Thy kingdom abideth unto ages of ages.
The
Holy Gifts are censed and removed to the Table of Prothesis.[xx]
Deacon: Aright! Having
partaken of the Divine, most pure, immortal, fearsome, and heavenly
Mysteries of the holy Body and most pure Blood of our great Hierarch and
King, Jesus Christ, Who hath vouchsafed Them unto us in all respects,
let us give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save
us, have mer |
