The priest vested fully, or with only a stole, assisted by an acolyte with thurible, prepares the Gifts at the table of preparation (prothesis).
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderfull Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; and his uncreated rule shall have no end. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Lord have mercy on us.
He takes the bread with his left hand and says,
Blessed (+) are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
He takes the spear and traces a cross three times on the Lamb, saying:
Behold the Lamb of God (+) who takes away the sins of the world.
He cuts the bread (right side, left side, top and bottom or east, west, north and south) into cubic form:
The Lamb has been sacrificed. He has redeemed men from all the nations. He has made us kings and priests for our God, and we shall reign with Him on earth.
He places the Lamb on the paten and pierces it with a spear saying:
And the soldiers pierced his side with a spear.
He pours wine into the chalice:
And from out of his side came forth blood and water, by His wounds we have been healed. Come and I shall show you the Bride, who has the Lamb for her spouse.
He blesses water, using little, and pours it into the chalice in the form of a cross:
O God Who hast wonderfully created (+) and yet more wonderfully (+) restored the dignity of human nature: grant that through this water (+) and this wine, we may share in the divine life of Him Who humbled Himself to share our humanity.
He passes the tower (asterisk), pall and veils through the rising incense in the form of a cross, and places the tower over the lamb on the paten saying:
First in the Virgin's womb, then in the cave, then in the tomb, Thou hast rested O Creator of heaven and earth. Now condescend to abide in us O Saviour of Mankind.
He covers the gifts with three veils (one on the paten, on the chalice and the larger one, the "aer". over both):
The Lord our God, the Almighty reigns, Let us rejoice and be glad, and let us give Him glory. For the wedding feast of the Lamb draws near, and His Bride, the Church, is in readiness; She is arrayed in fine linen, dazzling and pure, made ready through the virtues of the saints. Through their prayers, O Lord, be mindful of my Bishop, of Thy people, and of me Thine unworthy priest. Amen.
He censes the gifts saying:
O Lord may our prayers rise before Thy face as incense, for the salvation of the whole world, through Thy love and mercy for mankind, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our God, Who art blessed, live, reign and triumph unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Without exception, each time the deacon makes a proclamation, he takes his stole into his right hand.
Deacon: All rise! Let us attend, in silence!
The clergy process in the following order: crucifer, acolytes, thurifer, torchbearers, deacon carrying the Gospel Book, priests, while the choir chants the:
At vesperal liturgies the Praelegendum is replaced by the Cosmic psalm (Ps. 103), preceded and followed by the antiphon of the day, Vespers, Sunday, or the preceding feast.
In going toward the sanctuary, the clergy says in a moderate voice:
Deacon: Let us pray.
Celebrant: O Lord our God, Thee
have appointed armies of angels to serve Thy majesty in the heavens, grant that
our entrance into the Holy of Holies be one also with Thy incorporeal spirits,
so that together with us they may celebrate and glorify Thy unbounded goodness.
To Thee be glory unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen. Bless the entrance, Father.
The celebrant blesses the Holy Doors, saying:
Celebrant: (+) Blessed be the entrance of the Saints.
The deacon opens the holy doors, the celebrant(s) enter(s) the sanctuary, and the deacon places the Gospel Book on the altar. Celebrant(s) kiss(es) the Gospel Book and then the altar, saying:
Celebrant: Hail, Word of eternal life! Hail, Throne of the Most High!
The celebrant kisses the antimins and presents it to his concelebrant(s) saying:
Celebrant: Through the prayers of the saint whose relics are here present, have mercy on me, O Lord!
With raised hands:
Celebrant: O Heavenly King, O Comforter, True Spirit, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, cleanse us from every iniquity and save our souls, O Good One.
Celebrant blesses himself, saying:
Celebrant: (+) O God, come to
my assistance.
Deacon: O Lord, make haste to help me.
Celebrant signs his lips, saying:
Celebrant: (+) O God, open my
lips.
Deacon: And my mouth shall
announce Thy praise.
Celebrant: Glory be to the (+)
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Deacon: As it was in the beginning, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Upon completion of the Praelegendum, the deacon faces the faithful and says:
Deacon: Let us be silent!
The celebrant blesses the faithful, saying:
Celebrant: (+) The Lord always
be with you!
All: And with your spirit!
The thurifer presents the thurible to the celebrant who blesses the incense, saying in a medium voice:
Celebrant: May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love and the flame of eternal charity.
The celebrant takes the thurible and the major clergy intone the Trisagion:
Clergy: Agios o Theos (+),
The celebrant censes the altar, and after censing the deacon, gives him the thurible. The deacon then censes the clergy, the icons, and the faithful while the choir sings:
Choir: Agios Ischiros, Agios
Athanatos,
All: Eleison imas.
Choir: Sanctus Deus (+), Sanctus
Fortis, Sanctus Immortalis,
All: Miserere nobis.
Choir: Holy God (+), Holy
Mighty, Holy Immortal,
All: Have mercy on us.
The celebrant faces the altar, lifts the Gospel Book, and makes with it the sign of the cross and proclaims:
Celebrant: Blessed be the (+)
Holy Trinity, the undivided Unity, eternal, immortal, invisible, to Whom be
honor and glory unto the ages of ages!
All: Amen!
If the bishop is presiding, he turns to the faithful and blesses them with the dikerion and trikerion, saying:
Bishop: Lord, look down from the heavens on high and see, visit and strengthen this vine which Thy right hand has planted.
Choir: Kyrie eleison.
Benedictus:
Advent and Lent.
Clergy: Blessed
be the Lord, * the God of Israel...
All: For He has visited * and redeemed His people.
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us * in the house of David His servant.
As He spoke through the mouths of His holy prophets, * who have been from of old.
That He might free us from our enemies * and from the hand of all who hate us.
He has shown mercy to our fathers * and has remembered His Holy Covenant.
And the oath that He swore to our father Abraham, * He would deliver us,
That, freed from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve Him,
In holiness and righteousness * before Him all of our days.
And you, child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High, * for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His way.
To give knowledge of salvation to His people, * through the remission of their sins.
Through the tender mercy of our God * by which He has visited us, rising from on high.
To illumine those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, * to direct our steps into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, both now and always, * and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Beatitudes: Time after Pentecost to Advent.
Clergy: In
Thy Kingdom, * Remember us, O Lord.
All: Blessed are the poor in spirit, * for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, * for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, * for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, * for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, * for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, * for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, * for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, * for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, * and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake;
Rejoice and be glad, * for great is your reward in heaven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, both now and always, * and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In Thy Kingdom, * Remember us, O Lord.
Gloria: From Nativity to the last Sunday after the
Theophany and from the
first Sunday after Pascha to the Sunday in the octave of
the Ascension.
Clergy: Glory be God in the
Highest,
All: And on earth Peace to men of good will. We praise Thee! We bless Thee! We adore Thee! We glorify Thee! We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory! Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Thou, Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou, Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou alone art Holy! Thou alone art Lord! Thou alone art the Most High, Jesus Christ! With the Holy (+) Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen!
Feasts: the hymn of the feast or the Great Antiphon of
Vespers.
Ferias and vesperal liturgies: one may sing the hymn of
Sunday according to the liturgical season or the hymn of the preceding feast.
a) Festal b) Sanctoral c) Patronal
Celebrant: (+) The Lord always
be with you!
All: And with your spirit!
Celebrant: Let us pray:
Sundays and Feasts: Collect of the Day (see Proper).
Ferias: Collect of the saint of the day or for a
particular intention.
Vesperal liturgies: Either the Collect of the saint
of the day or the prayer of Vespers (Grant, O Lord, ... (cf. appendix). The
collects are generally concluded with one of the following:
Celebrant: ... through Jesus Christ our Lord, Thou and the Holy Spirit, One God, unto the ages of ages.
[or]
Celebrant: ... O Holy Trinity,
glory to Thee Who lives, reigns and triumphs with Thee unto the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
The clergy are then seated behind the altar.
According to the Proper. See the liturgical calendar. When there are two readings before the Gospel, the Gradual is chanted after the first. The lector bows:
Lector: (in a moderate voice)
Bless me, father.
Celebrant: (+) May the shadow and darkness of death disperse, and may the light of the Most High illumine our understanding.
Lector: A reading from the (book of ) (prophet) N...
Intoned by a cantor, it is chanted by the choir with responses by the assembly.
Sundays and feasts: Gradual of the day.
Vesperal liturgies: Long response of the Vespers of the day.
During the chanting of the Gradual, the lector presents the Book of Epistles to the celebrant and asks his blessing. If the lector is the cantor, he remains at the ambo.
Lector: (in a moderate voice) Bless me, father.
Celebrant: (+) May the Lord be blessed by the mouths of His Apostles or (Saints or Prophets)
Lector: A reading from the Epistle of the blessed apostle Paul to... [or]
A reading from the catholic Epistle of the blessed apostle N...
The following is chanted on Sundays and feasts, and omitted on ferial days.
Choir: Blessed art Thou, Lord
God of our fathers, worthy to be praised, glorified, and exalted forever.
Blessed is Thy Name, Holy and glorious, worthy to be praised and exalted
forever. Blessed art Thou in Thy Holy Temple, worthy of supreme praise and
glory forever. Blessed art Thou on the throne of Thy Kingdom, worthy of supreme
praise and exaltation forever.
All: Blessed art Thou Who beholds the depths, and Who sit upon the cherubim, worthy of praise and glory forever.
During the chanting of the Benedicite, the celebrant says in a medium voice:
Celebrant: Father of our Lord, source of all knowledge and wisdom, in Thy infinite goodness Thou hast spoken to us many times and in diverse manners through Thy servants the angels and the prophets; and, in the fullness of time, Thou deigned to speak through Thy own Son, revealing to the Church through Him, Thy inseparable Word, the Mysteries hidden even from the gaze of the four living creatures who, now moved to the utmost by Thy outpouring of love for mankind, never cease to sing to you and adore Thee. Grant, we beseech Thee, that our unworthy and weak voices may join with theirs in saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The cantor chants the verse of the day (see the Proper).
All: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
At vesperal liturgies the Alleluia is replaced by the Lucernarium psalm intoned by the deacon. During the chant, the celebrant offers incense with raised hands, censes the altar making the tour, and then the Gospel Book.
During the Alleluia or the Tract, the deacon takes the Gospel Book at the level of his head and faces the people. The chant completed, he goes to the pulpit proclaiming:
Deacon: Agios! Sanctus! Holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All: Who was, Who is, Who shall come!
From the pulpit, the deacon turns to the altar with the Book of Gospels and says:
Deacon: Bless me, father.
Celebrant: (+) May Jesus, our God, the First and the
Last, living unto ages of ages, Who holds the keys of death and hell, grant you
a pure heart and pure lips and a voice like a loud trumpet to announce the
Word, sealed to impure spirits. Open our ears, O Lord, that we may understand
what the Spirit says to the Church.
Deacon: Amen.
During the chant (Alleluia, Tract, or Lucernarium psalm), the celebrant gives the Gospel Book to the deacon, saying in a moderate voice:
Deacon: Bless me, father.
Celebrant: (+) May Jesus, our
God, the First and the Last, living unto the ages of ages, Who holds the keys
of death and hell, grant you a pure heart and pure lips and a voice like a loud
trumpet to announce the Word, sealed to impure spirits. Open our ears, O Lord,
that we may understand what the Spirit says to the Church.
Deacon: Amen.
The Alleluia or Lucernarium psalm finished, the deacon, holding the Gospel Book solemnly, advances toward the pulpit, proclaiming:
Deacon: Agios! Sanctus! Holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All: Who was, Who is, Who shall come!
The deacon censes the Gospel Book and proclaims:
Deacon: All rise! Let us attend, in silence! Let us listen to the holy Gospel!
The celebrant blesses the faithful, saying:
Celebrant: (+) The Lord always
be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: A reading from the Holy (+) Gospel according to Saint N..., (+)(+)(+)
With the right thumb all make a small sign of the Cross on their forehead, lips, and heart; all face the deacon.
All: Glory to Thee, O Lord.
Deacon: At that time... The deacon chants the Gospel.
At the end of the reading:
All: Praise to Thee, O Christ.
The deacon returns to the sanctuary and presents the Gospel Book to be kissed by the priests, and deacons. He then places it on the right side of the altar. At Sunday and festal liturgies the choir chants:
Choir: Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God Almighty! He Who was, Who is, Who shall come. Let every race and every
tongue, every people and all the nations exalt Him.
All: For He has made us kings and priests, and we shall reign with Him on earth. To Him is glory unto the ages of ages. Amen.
If the bishop is presiding, he turns to the faithful and blesses them with the dikerion and trikerion, during which they chant the acclamation:
All: Is pola eti despota!
(At Sunday liturgies is read: THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR THE COMING WEEK)
The celebrant unfolds the antimins and, unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, chants the Litany of St. Martin. The litany varies according to the office (baptism, marriage, burial) and the liturgical season (Pascha, Pentecost, etc.). In the absence of a deacon, the celebrant chants the litany from the altar.
Deacon: Let us say with all our
heart and mind, and with all our spirit: Lord, hear us and have mercy on us.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For the peace from on
high, for tranquil times, for the holy Church which extends to the far corners
of the earth, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For our Patriarch N ... , all Orthodox patriarchs, our Bishop N...
If the bishop is participating in the liturgy, seated upon his cathedra, the deacon in naming him turns and salutes him. The celebrant also bows. The bishop blesses them.
If the bishop is presiding, the clergy at the altar, and then everyone, chants while the bishop blesses them:
Clergy: Kyrie eleison, Kyrie
eleison, Kyrie eleison!
All: Kyrie eleison, Kyrie
eleison, Kyrie eleison!
Deacon: ... and all the
bishops, the priests, the deacons, the clergy and all the faithful, let us pray
to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For this Temple, for
this city and all who live here, for our country and all civil authorities,
that God may grant them wisdom so that we may live in peace and tranquillity,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For all civil servants,
monks and nuns, virgins, husbands and wives, widows and orphans, and for all
who labor in exhausting work, let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For seasonable weather,
the fertility of the fields, the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for
wholesome air, earth, and water, let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For penitents,
catechumens, for those who search for God but cannot yet name Him, and for
those who do not now search for Him or resist His grace, let us pray to the
Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For those who confess
the blessed Name of Christ, for those who are persecuted, for travelers in
danger and for their safe return, for the sick, [and in particular, N...], for
those who are tormented by sadness, anguish and impure spirits, let us pray to
the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Here may be placed other/special intentions for particular intentions: (baptism, entrance into Orthodoxy, ordination, etc.)
Deacon: For ...
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For our departed
parents, brothers and sisters who rest here and elsewhere, [and in particular
for N...], let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: For those who, in the
holy Church, sing, serve, and distribute their goods in works of mercy, let us
pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
Deacon: That the Lord may fill us with His grace through the prayers of our Lady the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, of Saint Michael the Archangel and the heavenly hosts, of Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, of Saints NN...,
Here are placed the names of the patron saints of the parish, of the place, and of the day.
...whom we remember this day, and of all the Saints.
All: (+) Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That the Lord may
obtain for us pardon of our sins and a Christian and peaceful end to our lives,
All: (+) Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That the Lord may keep
us in the holiness and purity of the Orthodox Catholic faith.
All: (+) Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Let us say with all our
heart and with all our spirit:
All: (+) Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.
During the triple Kyrie, the celebrant says in a moderate voice the Collect post-precem.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, he says the following:
Celebrant: O God, our refuge and our strength, Giver of all good things, be attentive to the supplications of Thy Church. Grant us that for which we ask with so much confidence:
The Collects post-precem are always concluded with the following doxology, said in a loud voice:
Celebrant: Through Thy mercy
and love for mankind, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our God, Who are blessed
and Who live, reign and triumph unto the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
The deacon turns to the faithful and proclaims:
Deacon: The doors! Close the doors!
The porters or the acolytes close the grills which access the nave.
The deacon turns to the faithful and proclaims:
Deacon: Let us be silent!
The celebrant blesses the faithful saying:
Celebrant: (+) The Lord always be with you.
If a bishop is present:
Bishop: (+) May peace always be
with you.
All: And with thy spirit.
Deacon: Let our lips be open and our mouths proclaim that which faith has placed in our hearts!
The Creed is omitted at ferial liturgies, votive liturgies, or when it has been confessed before the liturgy in the course of a baptism or an entrance into Orthodoxy. The deacon presents the thurible to the celebrant who blesses the incense, saying in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: (+) Through the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, who stands at the right hand of the altar of fragrance, may the Lord deign to bless this incense and receive its pleasant scent.
The clergy chant the Creed.
Clergy: I believe in one God ...
As the clergy chant the Creed, the deacon censes the altar, the sanctuary, the church, the clergy, and then the faithful, while all chant:
All: ... the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; one in essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven; He was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and He ascended into heaven, and sits at the Right Hand of the Father; and He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; His Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. And 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.
The celebrant goes to the front of the holy doors, faces the faithful, and says:
See the Proper. Unless otherwise indicated, the following is said:
Celebrant: Beloved brothers and sisters, call upon the Holy Spirit with me, that He may impart to me His ineffable power and that I, an unworthy priest, might dare to offer the Holy oblation of our Lord Jesus Christ, because in truth it is He Who offers and Who is offered, He Who receives and Who distributes, He Who is co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit unto the ages of ages.
If the liturgy is being concelebrated:
Celebrant: Beloved brothers and
sisters, call upon the Holy Spirit with us, that He may impart to us His
ineffable power and that we, unworthy priests, might dare to offer the Holy
oblation of our Lord Jesus Christ, because in truth it is He Who offers and Who
is offered, He Who receives and Who distributes, He Who is co-eternal with the
Father and the Holy Spirit unto the ages of ages.
All: Amen. May the Holy Spirit
descend upon you, and the power of the Most High overshadow you.
Celebrant: Forgive me (us), my
brothers and sisters.
All: Forgive us, father(s), and pray for us.
The celebrant blesses the faithful, saying:
Celebrant: (+) May God forgive you.
The minor clergy form a procession before the door of the prothesis. During the Sonus, the deacon (or, in his absence, the celebrant), having asked the blessing of the celebrant, goes to the prothesis, takes the chalice and the paten and, preceded by the minor clergy, leaves the sanctuary, and makes his way to the back of the church and returns to the sanctuary through the holy doors.
Sundays, feasts, and ferias: Unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, the choir chants:
Choir: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand. Ponder nothing earthly minded, for the King of kings and Lord of lords advances so that He may be immolated and give Himself to nourish the faithful.
Vesperal liturgies: O Joyous Light...
During the procession of the gifts, the celebrant says in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: No one who is bound by the desires and passions of the flesh is worthy to appear before Thee, to approach Thee and to serve Thee, O King of glory, because serving Thee is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Nevertheless, through Thy ineffable and immeasurable kindness for mankind, became man without change or alteration and have become our High-Priest, entrusting us, O Master of all things, with the ministry of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice . Thou alone, O Lord our God, rule over those in the heavens and on the earth, art borne on the throne of the Cherubim, Lord of the Seraphim, King of Israel, Thou alone art Holy resting among the saints. It is Thou Whom I implore Who alone are good and ready to help; cast Thy eyes upon me, a sinner and useless servant; purify my soul and my heart of an evil conscience; by the power of Thy Holy Spirit make me, who am clothed with the grace of priesthhood, worthy to stand before the Holy Table and to consecrate Thy most pure and holy Body and Thy precious Blood. I come before Thee with bowed head, and I beseech Thee: do not turn Thy face away from me, do not cast me out from among the number of Thy children, but make me, a sinner and unworthy servant, worthy to present these gifts to Thee.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, at the moment when the deacon enters the sanctuary, the choir sings:
Choir: The angelic choirs
precede Him with all the Principalities, the Powers, the Cherubim with
innumerable eyes and the six-winged Seraphim flying before His face singing:
All: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The three Alleluias are omitted.
Glory to Thee, O Lord; Glory to Thee, O Lord; Glory to Thee, O Lord.
During the Laudes, the celebrant takes the chalice and paten and places them on the altar; he removes the chalice and communion veils, then covers all of the gifts with a chalice [aer] veil, first perfuming it with incense. The thurifer gives the thurible to the celebrant, who censes the gifts and saying one of the three following prayers in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: The noble Joseph,
when he had taken Thy pure Body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen and
spices and placed it in a new tomb. [or]
Celebrant: Thy tomb, O Christ,
is more splendid than a royal dwelling, for it is the Bridal Chamber and Source
of the Resurrection. [or]
Celebrant: The Lord our God the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and let us give Him glory, for the marriage feast of the Lamb has come, and the Church, His Bride, has prepared herself; she is clothed in fine linen, sparkling and pure, she is adorned with the virtues of the Saints.
Then bowing and blessing the gifts:
Celebrant: With a humble spirit and contrite heart, we pray to Thee, O Lord, (+) that the angel of blessing may descend upon these offerings prepared to the glory of Thy Name.
An acolyte approaches for the lavabo; the celebrant washes his hands, saying in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: I shall wash my hands among the innocent and I shall go about Thy altar, O Lord, that I may hear Thy praises and tell about all of Thy wonderful deeds. O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy House and the place where Thy glory dwells. My foot stands firm on the right path, and I shall bless Thee in the assembly of the faithful. Glory be to the (+) Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, the celebrant says in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: Accept, O Holy Trinity, the offerings of Thy people and send down Thy heavenly grace to sanctify the gifts here present and purify us of all our sins.
(If the bishop is celebrating, he turns to the faithful and blesses them with the dikerion and trikerion, during which they acclaim:
All: Is polla eti despota!)
The deacon goes before the holy doors, faces the people, and begins the Diptychs and receives the offerings of the faithful.
(Note: The seven traditional offerings are: bread, wine, oil, incense, candles, the diptychs, and money. The last, according to custom, is offered at the time of the collection.)
In the absence of a deacon, the celebrant begins the diptychs before the holy doors where he collects the offerings, and then completes the diptychs at the altar.
The diptychs vary according to the office (baptism, marriage, burial) and the liturgical season (Advent, Pascha, etc.). See the liturgical books.
The ordinary diptychs are the following:
Deacon: Let us bring our
prayers and offerings for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, that the
Lord may deign to strengthen her ...
All: ... in Faith, in Hope, and in Charity.
Deacon: For our Patriarch N.. . , and all Orthodox patriarchs, for all bishops, and in particular for our Bishop N.. . , [ he turns to the faithful and blesses them ] who without fear announce the Word of Truth and offer the holy Oblation...
The deacon turns toward the altar, and maiking a bow in the direction of the sanctuary, indicates the offerings with his stole, continues:
... this Oblation which he himself offers for our Patriarch N.. . and for the Holy Synod...
The deacon returns to his place and, facing the people, continues:
... for our priests and all our clergy,
For the welfare of the holy Churches of God, the reconciliation of those in discord, and the union of all,
For those who confess the blessed Name of Christ, the conversion of unbelievers, the increase of fraternal charity,
For peace among all people, for our own country,and those in government,
For prisoners, the persecuted, the sick, the poor, for all the living and the dead,
For our benefactors, and for those who persecute us and hate us,
That the Lord may preserve us from earthquakes, the unleashing of the elements, fraticidal wars, and may He grant us joyous seasons in life,
For all those who are here present and who are waiting for the great and abundant mercy of God,
And for all Orthodox Christians, and for everyone, and for
all,
All: And for everyone, and for all.
The deacon continues with, United to our bishop, to our priests....
Deacon: For our Patriarch N...,
all Orthodox patriarchs, our Bishop N..., and all bishops who without fear
announce the Word of Truth and offer the Holy Oblation, for them, the clergy
and the Christian people,
All: And for everyone, and for all.
Here the collection is taken, or the seven offerings.
Deacon: United to them, (with our bishop, if he is present ), our priests ( if no deacon serves: we priests) and the people here present, let us remember in spirit those who are being sorely tried, the captives, the infirm, the pilgrims, that the Lord may deign to protect, redeem, cure and comfort them.
[Let us also pray in particular N...]
Here is placed the reading of the diptychs of the living during which the choir chants softly, until the end of the names,
Choir: Remember them, O Lord...
Remember them, O Lord...
Deacon: ... as well as for our
enemies and for those who hate us.
Choir: Remember them, O Lord.
Deacon: In communion with and in remembrance of the holy Archangel Michael and all the heavenly hosts, of the Patriarchs, Judges, Kings and Prophets, of Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, and above all, of our holy Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary.
The deacon turns toward the icon of the Theotokos.
All: Thou art truly the Mother of God, we exalt Thee.
The deacon turns again toward the royal people and continues. The list of saints is completed according to circumstances and local [sentence is incomplete here].
Deacon: Of the Holy Apostles Peter, Paul, John, James and all the apostles, disciples and evangelists of the Lord; of the Holy Arch-Deacon and Proto-Martyr Stephen, of Timothy, George, Laurence, Justin, Polycarp, Sebastian, Cosmas and Damian, Proto-Martyr Alban of Britain, and Kilian; of Agnes, Agatha, Perpetua and Felicity, Cecilia, Catherine, Barbara, Christina, Blandine, and of all the holy martyrs.
During the commemoration of the saints, the choir continuously chants softly:
Choir: Draw near to us, O Lord,
through their prayers.
Deacon: Of Jerome and Irenaeus,
Martin of Tours, Denis, and Athanasius; of Basil the Great, Gregory the
Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of Dunstan of Canterbury, Gregory Of Rome,
Colman of Dromore and Finbarr of Cork; of Germain of Paris whose Liturgy we
celebrate, John of Shanghai and San Francisco, Patron of our Western Orthodox
Church, Nicholas, the Enlightener of Japan, and of all the holy doctors and
hierarchs.
Deacon: Of Paul and Anthony of
Egypt, Hilarion, Pachomius, Columba, Giles, Benedict, the Venerable Bede; of
Kevin, Brendan, Leobardus the Recluse, and Vulfolaic; of Seraphim of Sarov and
John of Kronstadt; of Mary of Egypt, Scholastica, Hilda of Whitby, Gertrude,
Genevieve, Brigid of Kildare; Radegonde, Clothilde, Killeedy of Limerick and of
all the holy hermits, monks and nuns.
Deacon: Of the Holy Apostles and Enlighteners of America, Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Herman of Alaska, the martrys Peter of Kodiak Island, Priestmonk Juvenaly; of Iakov of Sitka, Smerrenikov of Akun Island, Nicholai of Zhicha and America and Justin the New of Chelije; of Saints NN ... ( patrons of the parish, of the place, and of the day ) whom we remember, and of all the Saints.
During the commemoration of the dead, the celebrant fans the veil over the gifts during the final clause he says the Collect post-nomina in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: With them we offer our prayers for all those who have gone before us in the peace of the Lord since Adam to this present day, and in particular our fathers of blessed memory, Patriarchs Justinian and Justin of Romania, Bishop John of Saint Denis, Monseigneur Irenaeus Winnaert, and for [deceased clergy and faithful]...
Here is place the diptychs of the dead during which the choir chants softly,
All: Remember them, O Lord ... Remember them, O Lord ...
The deacon turns to the altar and proclaims:
Deacon: That the Lord grant
them rest where shines the radiance of His countenance, let us pray to the Lord.
All: (+) Kyrie eleison.
From the Proper, otherwise the following:
Celebrant: Lord Jesus, Almighty God, mark with Thy salutary seal Thy servants here present and throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth; may they be protected from every evil, may they know Thee, Who alone are Savior of the world, O Lover of mankind, co-eternal with the Father and the Paraclete.
The celebrant always completes the Collect post-nomina by the following doxology, said in a loud voice, while blessing the gifts with the chalice veil.
Celebrant: To Thee be praise,
(+) blessing, wisdom, honor, power, might and thanksgiving unto the ages of
ages.
All: Amen.
Omitted on Holy Thursday, at the mass of Pascha night, and at funeral liturgies. At nuptial liturgies, only the new couple exchange the peace.
Deacon: Give the peace.
The celebrant turns toward the faithful and says:
Celebrant: May peace dwell among us.
The celebrant gives the kiss of peace (simple accolade) to the clergy who give it to the faithful who, in turn, give it to the person nearest them.
The giver says: 'Peace to you and to the Church.' The receiver says: 'And to your spirit.' For the duration of the kiss of peace, the choir chants:
Choir: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.
V. I give you a new commandment, that you should love one
another as I have loved you, says the Lord.
Choir: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.
V. There is no greater love than to give one's life for
one's friends, says the Lord.
Choir: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.
V. If you have love for one another, then all will know
that you are My disciples.
Choir: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit; as it was in the beginning, both now and always, and unto the ages of
ages. Amen.
All: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.
See the Proper. Unless otherwise indicated, the following is said in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Thy apostles: I leave you peace, My peace I give to you, do not consider our weakness, but on the faith of Thy Church. Draw her closer in peace and unity according to Thy will, Thou, Lover of mankind, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The celebrant goes before the holy doors and faces the faithful:
The deacon proclaims:
Deacon: All rise! Let us be silent! Mystery of Faith!
The celebrant blesses the faithful, saying:
Celebrant: (+) May the grace of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the
Holy Spirit always be with you,
All: And with your spirit.
The celebrant raises his hands toward heaven; the deacon raises his stole. The acolytes raise their torches.
Celebrant: Let us lift up our
hearts!
All: We lift them up unto the Lord!
The celebrant and the deacon turn to the altar and bow:
Celebrant: Let us give thanks
to the Lord our God.
All: It is meet and right.
The celebrant goes to the altar.
The deacon closes the holy doors (except from the night of Pascha until Ascension, when the doors remain open constantly). If there is only one deacon, he takes his place at the right of the celebrant.
See the Proper. The majority of Immolatio have, unless indicated by the Proper, the following beginning and ending. The celebrant raises his hands to God:
Celebrant: It is truly meet and right, just and profitable to salvation, to give Thee thanks at all times and in all places, Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal, Ineffable, Indescribable, Invisible and Immutable God, through Christ our Lord in the Holy Spirit... (see the Proper)
... It is through Him and in Him that the angels praise Thy glory, that the dominions adore Thee, that the powers fall down in awe. The heavens, the heavenly virtues and the blessed seraphim join in their exultation and concelebrate with them. Grant, we beseech Thee, that our voices, too, may be joined with theirs in saying:
The deacon raises the tower (or the asterisk) and makes the sign of the cross over the bread.
The bell is rung loudly three times during the following.
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed (+) is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
See the Proper. Unless otherwise indicated, the following is said:
Celebrant: Truly holy, truly blessed is Thy only-begotten, the Creator Word and God of majesty. He descended from the heavens, took the form of a slave, freely agreeing to suffer in order to set free His own creation and to restore it to the image of His glory, our Savior Jesus Christ ...
Celebrant: Who on the eve of His Passion, took bread in His holy and venerable hands, He lifted His eyes to heaven toward Thee, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God; He gave thanks, He (+) blessed it, broke it and gave it to His apostles and disciples, saying:
The celebrant(s) indicates the bread with the right hand, palm up. The deacon(s) bows and indicates the bread with his stole.
Celebrant: Take and eat, this
is My Body which is given up for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
All: Amen.
The deacon, if he is alone, passes to the right of the celebrant.
Celebrant: In the same manner, after supper, He took the cup and, giving thanks, He (+) blessed it and gave it to His apostles and disciples, saying:
The celebrant(s) indicates the chalice with the right hand, palm up. The deacon(s) bows and indicates the bread with his stole.
Celebrant: Take and drink of
this, all of you, this is My Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting
covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: Each time you do this, you will do it in memory of Me, you will proclaim My death, you will announce My Resurrection, you will await My return until I come to you from heaven with glory (...)
Here there may be variable insertions. Unless otherwise indicated by the proper, The Anamnesis ends with the following:
Celebrant: Therefore calling to mind His most glorious Passion, His Resurrection from hell and His Ascension to heaven...
The deacon (or the celebrant if no deacon serves) takes the paten with the right hand and the chalice with the left hand; then crosses his hands, the right over the left, and raises the Gifts to God. The celebrant raises his hands.
Celebrant: ... We, who are Thine, offer to Thee, on behalf of Thee, that which is Thine own, this pure Offering, this reasonable Offering, this bloodless Offering, and we ask Thee and implore Thee: receive this Oblation at Thy altar on high from the hands of Thy angels ...
The deacon replaces the Gifts on the altar, making with them the sign of the cross. He then descends from the altar and prostrates himself, except on Sundays, during Pascha, and on feasts of the Lord, when he bows profoundly. The people imitate him.
Choir: We pray Thee, O Lord, and we beseech Thy majesty: that our humble prayers may rise to Thee, O God most merciful.
During the chant, the celebrant continues in a moderate voice, raising his arms in prayer:
Celebrant: ... as Thou deigned to receive the gifts of Thy righteous servant Abel, the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high priest, Melchizedek, offered to Thee.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, the Epiclesis is the following:
Celebrant: We pray Thee, O Lord, and we beseech Thy majesty: that our humble prayers may rise to Thee, O God most merciful, and that the fullness of Thy divinity (+) descend upon us, upon this (+) Bread and upon this (+) Cup, as of old it descended upon the offerings of our fathers...
The celebrant continues in a loud voice:
Celebrant: So that this
sacrifice may become the very Body (+) ...
Clergy: Amen,
Celebrant: and the Blood (+)
Clergy: Amen,
Celebrant: of Thy Son, our Lord
Jesus Christ, through the (+) incomprehensible and (+) infinite power of Thy
Holy Spirit.
All: Amen. Amen. Amen.
The bell is rung softly, three sets of three rings. The celebrant and the people prostrate themselves, except on Sundays, during Pascha, and on feasts of the Lord, when they bow profoundly. During the prostration or bowing, the celebrant prays in silence for the living, the dead, and for particular intentions. He may, if he desires, and unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, say the following prayer in a moderate voice:
Unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, the Post-Epiclesis is the following:
Celebrant: May these gifts be protection to those in health and healing to the sick; may they bring reconciliation to brothers in discord and increase peace and charity in abundance; may they grant wisdom to the foolish and moderation to the wise; give vigilance to the insensitive and gentleness to the zealous; and may they who partake of these Mysteries share in the same manner in the company of the elect in the heavenly Kingdom, hastening the glorious coming of Christ and the fullness of the Spirit ...
The celebrant blesses the gifts offered by the faithful during the diptychs and the bread that was extracted from the Lamb, and says the following prayer in a loud voice. (Certain feasts: Pascha, Transfiguration ..., there are particular blessings: oil, raisins, fruits, eggs, etc.)
Celebrant: Through Whom Thee createst all, and (+) bless that which is created, (+) sanctify that which is blessed, and distribute that which is (+) sanctified.
Celebrant: To Thee, Father
almighty, and to the faithful and true Word, and to the Holy Spirit, the
Sanctifier, are due all honor, all glory, and adoration, now and always, and
unto the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Unless indicated in the Proper, the following is chanted throughout the duration of the breaking of the bread.
V. Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn her seven
pillars; she has immolated her victims, mingled her wine, and prepared her
table.
Choir: They recognized the Lord, alleluia, in the breaking of the bread, alleluia, alleluia.
V. Come and eat my bread, and drink of the wine which I
have mixed, leave ignorance and you shall live.
Choir: They recognized the Lord, alleluia, in the breaking of the bread, alleluia, alleluia.
V. The bread which we break is the Body of the Lord, the Cup which we
bless is the Blood of the Lord,
Choir: A singular and unique
Mystery.
All: They recognized the Lord, alleluia, in the breaking of the bread, alleluia, alleluia.
During the chant, the celebrant breaks the Lamb, saying in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: The table is set. The Lamb of God is slain, shared but not divided, eaten but never consumed. The wine is mixed, the Blood is poured out. Let us drink of the inexhaustible cup, let us leave ignorance and proclaim this singular, unique and inspiring mystery.
At the end of the chant for the breaking of the bread, the deacon opens the holy doors and proclaims:
Deacon: Let us pray.
Celebrant: Not by our
righteousness, Holy Father, but through obedience to the commandment of Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, our Savior, we dare to say:
All: Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 the Evil One.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, the celebrant says:
Celebrant: Deliver us, Lord, from the Evil One and from all danger. Preserve us in good works an in Thy true freedom by Thy perfect truth...,
Celebrant: Deliver us, Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come through the intercession of our Lady, the Most Holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, of Saints NN... (saints of the day),
The Libera nos is always concluded with the following doxology:
Celebrant: For Thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, unto the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
This Elevation is omitted at ferial liturgies. The celebrant elevates the Gifts. The deacon raises his stole. Unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, the following is chanted three times, each time at a higher pitch:
Clergy: The Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the root of David is conqueror, alleluia.
Choir: He Who dwells amid the cherubim is conqueror, alleluia, alleluia. *
First men; second women, then all . [an obscure rubric!]
The celebrant turns toward the faithful and proclaims, while raising the Body (and the Blood) of Christ, while the deacon indicates them with his stole:
Celebrant: Holy things for the
Holy.
All: One is Holy, One is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
During the chant, the celebrant places a particle of the Lamb into the chalice and says in a moderate voice:
Celebrant: May the union of the Body and Blood of Christ be a pledge of our transformation and of the resurrection of the faithful departed, in expectation of the end of the ages.
Celebrant: Bow your heads to
receive the blessing.
All: Before Thee, O Lord.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Proper, the celebrant turns to the people and says:
Sunday |
Ferias |
|
Celebrant: Lord, deign to (+) bless this family which is Thine; gladden it through Thy presence, and may these Mysteries benefit each one according to their needs, through Thy mercy, O God, Who art blessed unto the ages of ages. All: Amen. |
Celebrant: May the peace and the love of Christ (+) guard you and protect you. Amen. |
As an act of economy the celebrant may pronounce a general absolution. The clergy and the prostrate themselves, except on Sundays, during Pascha and on feasts of our Lord, when all bow profoundly. After absolution, all say:
All: I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that Thee are truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who did come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. And I believe that this is Thy most pure Body and truly Thy most precious Blood. At Thy mystical supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I shall not speak of Thy Mysteries to Thy enemies, neither shall I betray Thee with a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief shall I confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. Not for judgment nor for condemnation be my partaking of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but for the healing of my soul and my body. (+) O Lord, I am not worthy that Thee should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
During the communion of the clergy, if there are a great number of them, the choir chants as indicated in the Proper or, if nothing is indicated, Psalm 33: I will bless the Lord at all times...
If the bishop is present, he gives a particle of the precious body to the clerics, who present themselves in hierarchical order at the left of the altar, saying:
Bishop: The servant of God, celebrant (or deacon) N... receives the Body of our Lord.
The priests take a particle of the precious Body while the celebrant gives a particle to each deacon, saying:
Celebrant: Approach, deacon N..., and receive the Body of our Lord ...
The clergy, reunited around the altar, before receiving the Body, say in a low voice:
Clergy: Hail, most precious Body of Christ. The most precious Body of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me N..., unworthy (celebrant, deacon) for the forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.
For the communion of the precious Blood, if the bishop is present, he has each cleric drink, saying:
Bishop: Approach again, servant of God, celebrant (or deacon) N..., and receive the Blood of our Lord. (The clerics drink three times.)
If the bishop is not present, the priests communicate from the chalice; then the celebrant makes each deacon drink from the chalice, saying:
Celebrant: Approach again, deacon N..., and receive the Blood of our Lord ... (the clergy drink three times)
Each cleric, before drinking the precious Blood, says in a low voice:
Celebrant: Hail, heavenly Drink which is sweet to me before and above all others. The most precious Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, is given to me N..., unworthy (celebrant, deacon) for the forgiveness of my sins and for eternal life. (+) In the Name of the (+) Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Each cleric, after drinking, kisses the base of the Cup and says in a low voice:
Cleric: This has touched my lips, and my sins are taken away.
The celebrant takes the chalice and the deacon the paten. They go before the holy doors, and the deacon proclaims:
Deacon: Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world! With fear of God, with faith and love, draw near!
The faithful approach for communion. On Sundays, during Pascha and on feasts of the Lord, all bow profoundly. At ferial liturgies, the faithful prostrate themselves. In giving communion, the celebrant says:
Celebrant: The (servant/handmaid) of God N... receives the Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of (his/her) sins and eternal life.
( or N..., receive the Body and Blood of Christ.)
The communicant (or, in his or her place, the deacon or acolyte) responds:
R. Amen.
During communion, the choir sings:
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
The choir alternates the chant with the following strophes, ad libitum, or those of the Proper (strophes of communion), or the verses of the ecclesiastical Psalm (of Vespers), or, at ferial liturgies, Psalm 34.
V. We eat Thy sacred Body, crucified for us...
R. ...We drink Thy precious
Blood, poured out for us.
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
V. May Thy Body be our
salvation, Thy Blood freedom from our sins...
R. ...Because of the gall which
Thee drank for us, may we be kept away the venom of the demon.
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
V. Because of the vinegar which
Thee drank for us, may our weakness find its strength...
R. ...Because of the spit which
Thee received for us, the dew of Thy goodness will cover us...
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
V. Because of the reed with which
Thee were struck, the final victory is assured for us...
R. ...Because of the crown,
braided with thorns, Thou hast won an imperishable crown...
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
V. Because Thou wast buried inn
a shroud, Thou hast clothed us in Thine invincible strength...
R. ...Because of the new tomb
and Thy burial, we are born again of soul and body...
Choir: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
V. Because of Thy resurrection,
recalling us to life, we live again and are made righteous before Thy law.
All: O taste and see how sweet is the Lord. (twice)
While the celebrant and deacon return the Holy Gifts to the altar, the assembly chants, except during Great Lent:
V. Alleluia.
All: Alleluia.
The celebrant turns toward the faithful and blesses them:
Celebrant: Lord, (+) pour out Thy blessing and Thy grace on those who have received Thy Holy Mysteries with faith.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Proper, the following is chanted:
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