Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

[Celebrated by one priest, no deacon.]

THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS

The Great Litany
The Prayer of the First Antiphon
The First Antiphon
The Little Litany
The Prayer of the Second Antiphon
The Second Antiphon
The Little Litany
The Third Antiphon and the Small Entrance
The Prayer of Entry
The Prayer of the Trisagion
The Reading of the Epistle
The Reading of the Gospel
The Litany of Fervent Supplication
The Prayer of Fervent Supplication
Litany of the Departed (usually omitted on Sunday)
The Litany of the Catechumens
The Prayer for the Catechumens before the Holy Anaphora



THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL

The First Litany of the Faithful
The Second Litany of the Faithful
The Cherubic Hymn
The Great Entrance
The Litany of Oblation
The Prayer of the Proskomedia
The Symbol of Faith
The Anaphora
The Litany before the Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
The Elevation
Holy Communion of the Clergy and People
Distribution of Holy Communion
The Litany of Thanksgiving
The Prayer behind the Ambo
The Dismissal

Translation and Sources


THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS



Priest:Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. People:Amen.

If it be between Pascha and the leave-taking, before the Great Litany, the priest chants 'Christ is risen' 2 1/2 times, and the choir finishes on the last time.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life!



The Great Litany


The Great Litany is chanted standing before the Holy Table. There is a sign of the Cross and full bow at the end of each petition:

Priest:In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For our great lord and father, his All Holiness Patriarch Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; for our master the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our Master the Most Reverend Archbishop Mark for the venerable priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For the much suffering lands of Russia and the East, for their Orthodox people both in the homelands and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love, and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For this land, for our sovereign lady, Queen Elizabeth and all her Royal House, her government, and Armed Forces, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For this parish and town and for every city and land and the faithful that dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For seasonable weathers, for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For those who travel by sea, land, and air; for the sick, the suffering; captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Calling to remembrance our most holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, +(small sign of the Cross) let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ our God.

People:To Thee O Lord.





The Prayer of the First Antiphon


The priest says secretly:

Priest:O Lord our God, Whose dominion is indescribable, and Whose glory is incomprehensible, Whose mercy is infinite, and Whose love for mankind is ineffable: Do thou thyself, O Master, according to Thy tender compassion, look upon us, and upon this holy temple, and deal with us, and them that pray with us, according to Thine abundant mercies and compassions.

The priest says the Exclamation after he has finished the prayer above and ends with the sign of the Cross and a full bow:

Priest:For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The First Antiphon


The First Antiphon is sung by the chanters.

People: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
blessed art Thou, O Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all that He hath done for thee.
Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities,
Who healeth all thine infirmities.
Who redeemeth thy life from corruption,
Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things;
thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle’s.
The Lord performeth deeds of mercy,
and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged.
He hath made His ways known unto Moses,
unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed.
Compassionate and merciful is the Lord,
long-suffering and plenteous in mercy.
Not unto the end will He be angered,
neither unto eternity will He be wroth.
Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us,
neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us.
For according to the height of heaven from the earth,
the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far hath He removed our iniquities from us.
Like as a father hath compassion upon His sons,
so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him;
For He knoweth whereof we are made,
He hath remembered that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as the grass;
as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth.
For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone,
and no longer will it know the place thereof.
But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity,
even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him.
And His righteousness is upon sons of sons,
upon them that keep His testament
and remember His commandments to do them.
The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne,
and His kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the Lord, all ye His angels,
mighty in strength, that perform His word,
to hear the voice of His words.
Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts,
His ministers that do His will.
Bless the Lord, all ye His works,
in every place of His dominion.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless His holy name;
blessed art Thou, O Lord.






The Little Litany


The priest standing in the usual place before the Holy Table says:

Priest:Again and again in peace let us pray + to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, + by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Calling to remembrance our most holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed, and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ +our God.

People:To Thee, O Lord.





The Prayer of the Second Antiphon


The priest says the Prayer of the Second Antiphon secretly:

Priest:O Lord our God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify them that love the beauty of Thy house; do Thou glorify Them by Thy divine power, and forsake not us that hope in Thee.

Exclamation:

Priest:For Thine is the dominion, and 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.

People:Amen.





The Second Antiphon


The Second Antiphon is sung by the chanters.

People:Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord in my life,
I will chant unto my God for as long as I have my being.
Trust ye not in princes, in the sons of men,
in whom there is no salvation,
His spirit shall go forth,
and he shall return unto his earth.
In that day all his thoughts shall perish.
Blessed is he of whom the God of Jacob is his help,
whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Who hath made heaven and the earth,
the sea and all that is therein.
Who keepeth truth unto eternity,
Who executeth judgment for the wronged,
Who giveth food unto the hungry.
The Lord looseth the fettered;
the Lord maketh wise the blind;
the Lord setteth aright the fallen;
the Lord loveth the righteous;
The Lord preserveth the proselytes.
He shall adopt for His own the orphan and widow,
and the way of sinners shall He destroy.
The Lord shall be king unto eternity;
thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.
Both now and ever, and unto the + ages of ages. Amen.




People:Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal,
yet didst deign for our salvation
to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary,
and without change didst become man,
and wast crucified, O Christ God, trampling down death by death:
Thou Who art one of the Holy Trinity,
glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.






The Little Litany


The priest standing in the usual place before the Holy Table says:

Priest:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, + by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Calling to remembrance our most holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed, and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, + let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ +our God.

People:To Thee, O Lord.

The priest says the Prayer of the Third Antiphon secretly:

Priest:O Thou who hast bestowed upon us these common and concordant prayers, and Who hast promised that when two or three are agreed in Thy name, Thou wouldst grant their requests: Do Thou Thyself now fulfil the requests of Thy servants to their profit, granting us in this present age the knowledge of Thy truth, and in that to come, life everlasting.

Exclamation:

Priest:For a good God art Thou and the lover of mankind, and to Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, + and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: now and ever, Here the doors are opened either by the priest or by the servers for the Small Entry. and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Third Antiphon and the Small Entrance


Then the Third Antiphon is chanted by the singers; or the beatitudes, if it be Sunday.



People:In Thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord,
when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after reighteousness,
for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
Blessed are they that are persected for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when men shall revile and persecute you,
and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad,
for your reward is great in the Heavens.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages. Amen.


When they come to 'Blessed are the meek' or the 'Glory', the priest, standing before the Holy Table, makes two reverences, bows to the servers, kisses the Gospel Book and makes a last reverence. The priest, taking the Holy Gospel goes by way of the right side, behind the Holy Table. And thus coming out by the North side, with candles going before him, they make the Small Entry; and standing before the open doors bows his head. The priest says the Prayer of Entry secretly (in effect this is often said before the Little Entrance in the Altar.)





Prayer of the Entry


Priest:O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in the heavens ranks and hosts of angels and archangels unto the service of Thy glory: With our entry do Thou cause the entry of the holy angels, serving and glorifying Thy goodness with us. For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

When the prayer is ended the priest holding the Gospel in his left hand, makes a sign of the Cross toward the east with his right hand blessing and saying secretly:

Priest:Blessed is the entry of Thy holy ones always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then he makes the sign of the Cross with the Gospel Book facing east and saying:

Priest:Wisdom! Upright!

After that he enters the altar and kisses the Gospel Book as he puts it on the Holy Table. He then turns right, kisses the little Icon of the Saviour on his left, blesses the servers and turns, kisses the Icon of the Mother of God now on his left and re-enters the altar, he makes two reverences and he kisses the Gospel.

And the singers chant:

People:O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God.

If it be a weekday:

People:Who art wondrous in the saints, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia.Once.

If it be a Sunday:

People:Who art risen from the dead, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia.

On feasts of the Theotokos:

People:Through the prayers of the Mother of God, save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia.

Then the Troparia and Kontakia are chanted according to the Typicon.

Prokeimenon, tones 1 to 8.

When the choir have finished the priest says:

Priest:For holy art thou, O our God, and unto Thee we send up glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Prayer of the Trisagion


The Trisagion follows. While it is chanted, the priest says the Prayer of the Trisagion Hymn.



Priest:O Holy God, Who restest in the saints, Who art praised with the thrice-holy hymn by the Seraphim, and art glorified by the Cherubim, and art worshiped by all the heavenly hosts, Who from nonbeing hast brought all things into being, Who hast created man according to Thine image and likeness, and hast adorned him with Thine every gift; Who givest wisdom and understanding to him that asketh, and Who disdainest not him that sinneth, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; Who hast vouchsafed us, Thy lowly and unworthy servants, to stand even in this hour before the glory of Thy holy altar, and to offer the worship and glory due unto Thee: Do Thou Thyself, O Master, accept even from the lips of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn, and visit us in Thy goodness. Pardon us every sin, voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant us to serve Thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all the saints, who from ages past have been pleasing unto Thee. For holy art Thou, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

People:Amen. Holy God! Holy Mighty!
Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us
(thrice).

Once the prayer is ended the priest makes two reverences before the Holy Table, kisses the Gospel Book and goes to the High Place and the priest prays secretly as he goes:

Priest:Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And the priest, blessing the High Place says:

Priest:Blessed art Thou on the Throne of the glory of Thy Kingdom, Thou that sittest on the Cherubim: always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.





The Reading of the Epistle


The priest stands on the South side of the high place facing west. A server will come to him with the censer to be blessed. He keeps hold of the censer in his left hand. The reader will come to him with the Apostle to be blessed. He makes the sign of the Cross over the reader placing his hand on the Apostle. The reader kisses his hand and exits through the north door. (If another is to read the Apostle, he or she may come to the south door for a blessing) And upon the conclusion of the Trisagion he says:

Priest:Let us attend!

And the priest, blessing the people exclaims:

Priest:Peace be unto all.

And the reader saith:

Reader:And to thy spirit.

And the reader says the appointed Prokeimenon, which is chanted in turn by the choir.

Priest:Wisdom!

And the reader says the title of the Epistle:

Reader:The reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans or to the Corinthians, or to the Galatians, etc.

Priest:Let us attend!

As the Epistle is being chanted the Priest censes the altar. First the Holy Table, then the Proscomede, then the whole altar. Then the open gates, then the iconastas. He then censes the reader, returns to the altar to cense the servers, then onto the solea again to cense the choir and the people. Finally, he turns to cense the the lintel of the Holy Doors, the Saviour Icon and the Mother of God and the front of the Holy Table. He then gives up or hangs up the censer and returns to the high place if there is time. If not he waits before the Holy Table. When the Epistle is concluded, he then says:

Priest:Peace be unto Thee that readest.

Reader:And to thy Spirit.

Priest:Wisdom!

Then the reader proclaimeth the Alleluia and its verses, and the choir chanteth the Alleluia in the appointed tone.

Reader:The Alleluia in the ____Tone.



While the Alleluia is being chanted, the priest says this prayer:

Priest:Shine forth within our hearts the incorruptible light of Thy knowledge, O Master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of the preaching of Thy Gospel; instil in us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that, trampling down all lusts of the flesh, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, being mindful of and doing all that is well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine un-originateFather, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.





The Reading of the Gospel


The priest goes out through the holy doors and blesses the people saying:

Priest:Wisdom, Upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be unto all.

People:And to thy spirit.

The priest returns to the Holy Table (he may bless the reader, signing him with the sign of the cross),then he makes two reverences, kisses the Gospel Book and the edge of the Holy Table and makes a third reverence. He takes the Gospel Book, candles preceeding him, and standing on the solea and looking toward the west exclaims:

Priest:The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. N.

People:Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Priest:Let us attend.

The Priest sings the appointed passage from the Holy Gospel. And when the Gospel is concluded, the priest blesses the people with the Gospel Book and returns it to the Holy Table making the usual reverences.

People:Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Some will give a sermon here, in the midst of the holy gates.





The Litany of Fervent Supplication


The doors are closed the priest standing in the usual place says:

Priest:Let us say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy.

As the next petition is being said, the priest unfoldeth the entire iliton and bottom portion of the antimins, and kisses the Bishop's name on the antimins.

Priest:Again we pray for his all holiness Patriach Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; for our master the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our master the Most Reverend Archbishop Mark, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Again we pray for the much suffering lands Russia and the east, their Orthodox peoples both in the homeland and the diaspora, and for their salvation.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Again we pray that He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love, and piety.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Again we pray for this land, our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth and all her Royal House, her government and armed forces.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, the Priest-monks, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable,holy Orthodox patriarchs; and pious kings and right-believing queens; and the founders of this holy house (especially the servants and handmaidens of Christ…N…), and for all our fathers and brethren gone to their rest before us, and the Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.

Various Optional Petitions may follow e.g. for the Ailing.

Priest:O Physician of souls and bodies, with compunction and contrite hearts we fall down before Thee, and groaning we cry unto Thee: Heal the sicknesses, heal the passions of the soul and body of Thy servant and handmaidens N. and pardon him (her) (them), for Thou art kindhearted, all transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, and quickly raise (them) up from (their) bed of sickness, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

For those who journey.

Priest:O Lord, Who dost guide the footsteps of mankind, graciously look upon Thy servant(s) N., and pardoning (them) every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary, bless the good intention of (their) counsel, and guide (their) goings out and comings in on the journey, we earnestly pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Priest:O Lord, Who didst most gloriously deliver Joseph from the animosity of his brethren, and didst lead him to Egypt, and through the blessing of Thy goodness didst make him to prosper in all things: Bless also (these) Thy servant(s) who desireth (desire) to travel, and cause (their) journey to be safe and tranquil, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Priest:Again we pray for them that bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple: for them that minister and them that chant; and for all the people here present, who await of Thee great and rich mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).





The Prayer of Feverent Supplication


Priest:O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of thy mercies; and send down Thy compassions upon us and upon all Thy people, that await of Thee abundant mercy.

Exclamation:

Priest:For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





Litany for the Departed (usually omitted on a Sunday)


Priest:Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great Mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Priest:Again we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed servants of God ‘ and that they may be forgiven every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Priest:That the Lord God will commit their souls to where the righteous repose.

People:Lord, have mercy (thrice).

Priest:The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of their sins, let us ask of Christ the Immortal King and our God.

People:Grant this O Lord.

Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest says secretly the Prayer for the Departed

Priest:O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death by death, and overthrown the devil, and given life to Thy world: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants N. in a place of light, a place of green pasture, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing are fled away. Pardon every sin committed by them in word, deed, or thought, in that Thou art a good God, and the Lover of mankind; for there is no man that liveth and sinneth not, for Thou art alone without sin, Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy word is truth.

Exclamation

Priest:For Thou art the resurrection, and the life, and the repose of Thy departedservants N, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine un-originate Father, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Litany of the Catechumens


Priest:Pray, ye Catechumens, to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Ye faithful, for the catechumens let us pray, that the Lord will have mercy on them.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That He will catechize them with the word of truth.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That He will reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.

And the priest unfolds the upper portion of the antimins.

Priest:That He will unite them to His Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, O God, by Thy Grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Ye Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.

People:To Thee, O Lord.





The Prayer for the Catechumens before the Holy Anaphora


Priest:O Lord our God, who dwellest on high and lookest down on things that are lowly, Who unto the human race hast sent forth salvation, Thine Only-Begotten Son and God our Lord Jesus Christ: Look upon Thy servants the catechumens, who have bowed their necks before Thee, and vouchsafe unto them at a seasonable time the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption; unite them to Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, and number them among Thy chosen flock.

As the priest makes the exclamation, He makes the sign of the cross with the sponge over the antimins and kisses the sponge laying on the top east portion of the Antimins.

Exclamation:

Priest:That they also with us 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 the ages of ages.

People:Amen.









THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL





The First Litany of the Faithful


Priest:As many as are Catechumens, depart; Catechumens, depart; as many as are Catechumens depart. Let none of the Catechumens remain; as many as are of the faithful, again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

The First Prayer of the Faithful.

Priest:We thank Thee, O Lord God of Hosts, who hast vouchsafed us to stand even now before Thy Holy Altar, and to fall down before Thy compassion for our sins, and for the errors of the people. Receive, O God, our supplication; make us to be worthy to offer unto Thee supplications and entreaties and bloodless sacrifices for all Thy people. And enable us whom Thou hast placed in this Thy ministry, by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, without condemnation or faltering, with the clear witness of our conscience, to call upon Thee at all times and in every place, that, hearkening unto us, Thou mayest be gracious unto us in the multitude of Thy goodness.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Wisdom!

Exclamation:

Priest:For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Second Litany of the Faithful


Priest:Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

The Second Prayer of the Faithful

Priest:Again and often times we fall down before Thee, O Good One and Lover of mankind, that, regarding our supplication, Thou wilt cleanse our souls and bodies of all defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant us to stand guiltless and uncondemned before Thy holy altar. Grant also, O God, to them that pray with us, advancement in life and faith and spiritual understanding. Grant them ever to serve Thee with fear and love, and to partake, guiltless and uncondemned, of thy Holy Mysteries, and to be vouchsafed Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Wisdom!

Exclamation:

Priest: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 the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Cherubimic Hymn


People:Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim
and chant the thrice-holy hymn unto the life-creating Trinity,
now lay aside all earthly cares.




The holy doors are opened. The priest prays this prayer secretly, while the Cherubimic hymn is being chanted:

Prayer of the Cherubimic Hymn

Priest:None is worthy among them that are bound with carnal lusts and pleasures, to approach or to draw nigh, or to minister unto Thee, O King of glory, for to serve Thee is a great and fearful thing even unto the heavenly hosts themselves. Yet because of Thine ineffable and immeasurable love for mankind, without change or alteration Thou didst become man, and didst become our High Priest, and didst deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice, for Thou art the Master of all. Thou alone, O Lord our God, dost rule over those in heaven and those on earth, art borne upon the throne of the Cherubim, art Lord ofthe Seraphim and King of Israel, Thou alone art holy and restest in the saints. I implore Thee, therefore, Who alone art good and inclined to listen: Look upon me Thy sinful and unprofitable servant, and purge my soul and heart of a wicked conscience, and, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, enable me, who am clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this Thy Holy Table, and to perform the sacred Mystery of Thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For unto Thee do I draw nigh, bowing my neck, and I pray Thee: Turn not Thy countenance away from me, neither cast me out from among Thy children, but vouchsafe that these gifts be offered unto Thee by me, Thy sinful and unworthy servant: for Thou art He that offereth and is offered, that accepteth and is distributed, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

When this prayer is completed the priest censes immediately round the Holy Table, and the whole altar as usual, and he secretly says the 50th Psalm. He returns, gives up the censer and stands before the Holy Table. He says the Cherubimic hymn, thrice, with his hands raised up, and each time, at the conclusion, he bows once.

Priest:Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and chant the thrice-holy hymn unto the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares: That we may receive the King of all, Who cometh invisibly upborne in triumph by the ranks of angels. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The priest bows towards the high place saying:‘Pray for me fathers and brethren, pray for me a sinner.' He then steps forth onto the solea and bows towards the people repeating the same. He goes to the table of oblation, the server meets him with the censer. The priest censes the holy things 3x after praying secretly:

Priest:O God cleanse me, a sinner (Thrice).

And the priest taking the aer, wraps it round the censer and puts it on his left shoulder saying:

Priest:Lift up your hands to the holies, and bless the Lord.

Then taking the holy diskos in his left hand and the cup in his right hand he Comes out by the North door, the candle-bearers going before him, and moves to the solea facing west praying:





The Great Entrance


The priest intones the following petitions during the entrance:

Priest:His All Holiness Patriarch Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, our master the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and our Master the Most Reverend Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany and Great Britain, may the Lord God remember in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Priest:The much suffering Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora; this land, its authorities and the faithful that dwell therein, may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Priest:All those who are sick and suffering. Those whose lives are filled with anxiety, pain or bereavement and all those who have been driven from their homes and forced to live in exile.

Priest:Clergy, the monastics and laity and all who are persecuted and suffer for the Orthodox Faith especially those who reside in the Holy Lands and the Balkans; the founders, benefactors and adorners of this holy place and all of you Orthodox Christians, may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

As the priest passes through the holy doors. And the people say:

People:May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in His Kingdom, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



People:Amen. That we may receive the King of all
who comes invisibly upborne
by the angelic hosts.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


And the priest then placeth the holy discos and chalice on the Holy Table and saying:

Priest:The noble Joseph, having taken Thy most pure Body down from the Tree and wrapped it in pure linen and covered It with spices, laid It in a new tomb. In the grave bodily, but in Hades with Thy soul as God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast Thou Who fillest all things, O Christ the Inexpressible. How life-giving, how much more beautiful than Paradise and truly more resplendent than any royal palace hath Thy tomb appeared, O Christ, the source of our resurrection.

Then taking the veils from the holy diskos and the holy chalice, Unfolds them, and places them on the right and left side of the holy table, over the red cloth and under the cross on each side. And taking the from his shoulder, and having wrapped the censer with it, he covers the Holy Gifts with it, saying:

Priest:The noble Joseph, having taken Thy most pure Body down from the Tree and wrapped It in pure linen and covered It with spices, laid It in a new tomb.

And taking the censer from the hand of the server, he censes the Holy Gifts thrice, saying:

Priest:Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

The holy doors and curtain are closed.





The Litany of Oblation


And having returned the censer, and standing in the usual place, the Priest says:

Priest:Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For the precious Gifts set forth, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That we may be delivered from all tribulation wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:Pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:Things good and profitable for our souls and bodies, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defence before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us ask.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commit ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

People:To thee, O Lord.





The Prayer of the Proskomedia


The priest says the prayer of Proskomedia secretly:

Priest:O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, Who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from them that call upon Thee with their whole heart: Accept also the supplication of us sinners, and bring it to Thy Holy Altar, and enable us to offer unto Thee both gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the errors of the people, and vouchsafe us to find grace before Thee, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto Thee, and that the good Spirit of Thy grace may rest upon us, and upon these Gifts set forth, and upon all Thy people.

Exclamation:

Priest:Through the compassions of Thine Only- Begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine most holy and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.

The priest faces the people blessing them saying:

Priest:Peace be unto all.

People:And to thy spirit.

The priest turns and faces east and says:

Priest:Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess:

People:The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence and indivisible.

And the priest bows thrice, saying secretly:

Priest:I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my foundation and my refuge (thrice).

And he kisses the Holy Things that are covered, thus: first the top of the holy diskos, then the top of the holy chalice, and the edge of the holy table before him.

Priest:The Doors! The Doors! In Wisdom let us attend.

The curtain is opened, but the holy doors remain closed. The priest lifteth up the aer, and holds it over the Holy Gifts, waving it and saying secretly the Confession of Faith:





The Symbol of Faith


People:I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, 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 the heavens, 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 rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into the heavens, 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 worshiped 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.


When the priest gets to ‘Whose Kingdom shall have no end, he lifts the aer and folds it. Kisses its Cross and lays to the top left of the Antimins.





The Anaphora


The Priest makes a full reverence facing east.

Priest:Let us stand well; let us stand with fear; let us attend, that we may offer the Holy Oblation in peace.

People:A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

The priest turns to bless the people, and says:

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.

People:And with thy spirit.

The priest turns back to face the Holy Table, and lifting up his hands, saying:

Priest:Let us lift up our hearts.

People:We lift them up unto the Lord.

The priest lifts his hands again saying:

Priest:Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

The priest kisses the edge of the Holy Table and makes a full reverence or makes a prostration, if it is a weekday, but not it be Great Feast of the Lord or the Theotokos.

People:It is meet and right to worship the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: The Trinity one in essence and indivisible.

The priest prays with arms down The First Prayer of the Anaphora:

Priest:It is meet and right to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to give thanks unto Thee, to worship Thee in every place of thy dominion, for Thou art God inexpressible, incomprehensible, invisible, unattainable, ever-existing, eternally the same, Thou and Thine Only-begotten Son and Thy Holy Spirit. Thou didst call us from nonbeing into being, and when we had fallen away, Thou didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until Thou hadst brought us up to heaven, and hadst bestowed upon us Thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto Thee, to Thine Only-begotten Son, and to Thy Holy Spirit, for all things whereof we know, and whereof we know not; for the benefits both manifest and hidden which have come upon us. We give thanks unto Thee also for this service which Thou hast been pleased to accept from our hands, though there stand before Thee thousands of archangels and ten thousands of angels, the cherubim and seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, borne aloft on their wings.

And here the priest takes the holy star from the holy diskos, makes the sign of the cross with it over the Lamb, east, west, south and north tapping the lip of the discos softly, and kissing it,lays it aside as he is saying:

Exclamation:

Priest:Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, crying aloud, and saying:

People:Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory; Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Second Prayer of the Anaphora

Priest:With these blessed hosts, O Master, Lover of mankind, we also cry aloud and say: Holy art Thou and most holy, Thou, and Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit: holy art Thou and most holy, and majestic is Thy glory, O Thou Who so loved Thy world that Thou gavest Thine Only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life; Who when He had come and fulfilled all the dispensation for us, on the night in which He was betrayed, or rather gave Himself up for the life of the world, took bread in His holy and most pure and unblemished hands, and when He had given thanks, and had blessed it, and hallowed it, and broken it, He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:

The priest gestures towards the Holy Lamb and says:

Priest:Take, eat: this is my Body which is broken for you, for the remission of sins (followed by a full reverence).

People:Amen.

The priest gestures towards the holy chalice saying secretly:

Priest:And likewise, the cup after supper, saying:

Priest:Drink of it, all of you: this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins (followed by a full reverence).

People:Amen.

Priest:Mindful, therefore, of this saving commandment and all those things which came to pass for us: the cross, the grave, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into the heavens, the session at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again:

While ‘Thine own…’ is being said, the priest, having formed a cross with his arms (by placing the right over the left), and having lifted the holy diskos (with the right hand) and the holy chalice (with the left), he bows with compunction.

Priest:Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all, and for all.

People: We praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, and we pray unto Thee, O our God.

The priest makes a full reverence or a prostration, if it be a weekday, but not it be Great Feast of the Lord or the Theotokos. Then the priest prays:

Priest:Again we offer unto Thee this rational and bloodless service, and we ask of Thee, and we pray Thee, and we entreat Thee: Send down Thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts set forth.

And the Priest bows low thrice and saith:

Priest:O God cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me (thrice).

And the Priest prays with raised hands, facing east:

Priest:O Lord, Who didst send down Thy most Holy Spirit at the third hour upon Thine apostles: Take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto Thee.

Stichos:Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Priest:O Lord, Who didst send down Thy most Holy Spirit at the third hour upon Thine apostles: Take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto Thee.

Stichos:Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Priest:O Lord, Who didst send down Thy most Holy Spirit at the third hour upon Thine apostles: Take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto Thee.

And the priest, rising, makes the sign of the cross over the Holy Gifts thrice, saying:

Priest:And make this Bread the precious Body of Thy Christ.(Sign of the cross over the lamb.) Amen.

And the priest blessing, says:

Priest:And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ.(Sign of the cross over the cup.) Amen.

And the priest, blessing both the Holy Things says:

Priest:Changing them (east) by Thy (west) Holy (south) Spirit (north).

Priest:Amen, Amen, Amen.

And the priest prays quietly with arms down once more:

Priest:That to them that shall partake thereof, they may be unto sobriety of soul, unto the remission of sins, and unto the communion of Thy Holy Spirit, unto the fullness of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness toward Thee; not unto judgment or condemnation. Again we offer unto Thee this rational service for them that in faith have gone to their rest before us: the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit in faith made perfect.

And taking the censer, the priest censes thrice before the Holy Table and exclaims and makes a cross in the air:

Priest:Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever- Virgin Mary.

The priest censes nine times (or more).

The Hymn to the Theotokos:

People:It is truly meet to bless thee,
who didst bring forth God,
ever blessed and most blameless,
and mother of our God.
More honourable than the Cherubim,
and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim,
who without corruption
gavest birth to God the Word,
the Very Theotokos: thee do we magnify.


All make a prostration, if it be a weekday, but not if it be a Sunday, Great Feast of the Lord, or of the Theotokos.

And the priest prays quietly:

Priest:For the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy and all-praised apostles; of Saint(s) N. (N.) whose memory we also celebrate; and for all Thy saints: through whose intercessions do Thou visit us, O God; and remember all that have departed in the hope of the resurrection unto life everlasting, and grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shall visit them. Again we pray Thee; Remember, O Lord, all the Orthodox episcopate that rightly divide the word of Thy truth, all the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and every sacred rank. Again we offer unto Thee this rational service for the whole world; for the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; for them that abide in purity and an honourable life; for the much suffering Orthodox Russian people; for this land, its rulers and armed forces. Grant them, O Lord, peaceful governance, that in their calm we, also, may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

And after the singing of the megalynarion ( "It is truly meet" ), the priest exclaimeth:

Priest:Among the first, remember, O Lord,his all holiness patriarch Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; and our Master the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and our Master the Most Reverend Archbishop Mark of Berlin Germany and Britain whom do Thou grant unto Thy holy churches, in peace, safety, honour, health, and length of days, rightly dividing the word of Thy truth.

People:And all mankind.

And the priest prays quietly:

Priest:Remember, O Lord, this town wherein we dwell, and every city and land and the faithful that dwell therein. Remember, O Lord, them that travel by sea, land, and air; the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and their salvation. Remember, O Lord, them that bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches, and them that are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send down thy mercy.

Exclamation:

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 the ages of ages.

People:Amen.

The priest turns to bless the people, blesses them with his hand and says:

Priest:And may the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all.

People:And with thy spirit.





The Litany Before the Lord’s Prayer


The priest standing in the usual place says:

Priest:Having called to remembrance all the Saints, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercyLord, have mercy.

Priest:For the precious Gifts offered and hallowed, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That our God, the Lover of mankind, who hath accepted them upon his holy, 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.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:Pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:Things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this O Lord.

Priest:That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us ask.

People:Grant this, O Lord.

Priest: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.

People:To Thee, O Lord.

The priest prays secretly the Prayer before the Lord's Prayer:

Priest:Unto thee we offer our whole life and hope O Master, Lover of mankind, and we ask Thee, and pray Thee, and supplicate Thee, vouchsafe us to partake of Thy heavenly and dread Mysteries of this holy and spiritual Table, with a pure conscience, unto remission of sins, unto pardon of offenses, unto communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness towards Thee; not unto judgment, nor unto condemnation.

Exclamation:

Priest:And vouchsafe us, O Master that with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call upon Thee, the heavenly God as Father, and to say:

All make a full reverence or a prostration, if it be a weekday, but not it be Sunday, or Great Feast of the Lord, or the Feast of the Theotokos.





The Lord’s Prayer


All:Our Father, who art in 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.

(The Lord’s Prayer may follow in Slavonic).

Priest: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 the ages of ages.

People:Amen.

The priest turns to bless the people and says:

Priest:Peace be unto all.

People:And to thy spirit.

The priest turns again to the Holy Table and puts his arms cross wise over his breast saying:

Priest:Bow your heads unto the Lord.

People:To thee, O Lord.

And the priest prays secretly: The Prayer at the bowing of the heads.

Priest:We give thanks unto Thee, O King invisible, who by Thine immeasurable might hast created all things, and in the multitude of Thy mercies hast brought all things from non-being into being; do Thou Thyself, O Master, look from heaven upon them that have bowed their heads unto Thee, for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but unto Thee, the awesome God. Do Thou therefore, O Master, distribute these Things here set forth unto us all for good, according to the need of each; sail with them that voyage, travel with them that journey, heal the sick, O Thou Physician of our souls and bodies.

Exclamation:

Priest:Through the grace and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thy most holy and good, and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.

And the priest closes the doors and the curtain and then prays:

Priest:Attend, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, out of Thy holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of Thy kingdom, and come and sanctify us, O thou that sittest with the Father on high, and that invisibly abidest here with us: and vouchsafe by Thy strong right hand to impart unto us Thy most pure Body and precious Blood, and through us to all the people.

Then the priest bows on the place where he stands, while saying secretly, thrice:

Priest:O God, cleanse me a sinner, and have mercy upon me (thrice).





The Elevation


As the priest stretches out his hands and touches the Holy Lamb in order to make the holy elevation, he exclaims:

Priest:Let us attend!

And the priest holds the Holy Lamb between the fingers of both hands and elevating the Holy Lamb a little makes three small signs of the cross over the holy discos and exclaims:

Priest:Holy Things are for the Holy.

And the choir chants the communion verse of the day, or of the saint. On Sundays, they chant:

Priest:Praise ye the Lord from the Heaven, praise Him in the heighest, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The priest holds the Holy Bread and, breaking it into four parts with attentiveness and reverence, says as he breaks the precious Body:

Priest:Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken, yet not divided; ever eaten, though never consumed, but sanctifying them that partake thereof.

The priest then places the portions of the Lamb in this way. The IC portion he says ‘Jesus’, the XC portion he says 'Christos', the NI portion he says 'Ni', and the KA portion he says 'Ka'. Then taking the portion which lieth at the top, that is IC, he makes with it a cross over the holy chalice, saying:

Priest:The fullness of the Holy Spirit.

And thus he places it very carefully in the holy chalice. (Place the portion of the Lamb just over the surface of the precious Blood and gently place into the cup to avoid any splashes of the precious Blood.)

Priest:Amen.

And the server taking the warm water presents it unto the Priest:

The priest blesseth it crosswise, saying quietly:

Priest:Blessed is the fervour of Thy holy ones, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

And the priest pours cruciformly into the holy chalice (very close to the surface of the precious Blood to avoid splashing) whatever is sufficient, saying:

Priest:The fervour of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Concerning the Breaking of the Holy Lamb. It is necessary for thee to know, O priest, that on breaking the Holy Lamb thou must place the part with the sign of the Cross downward on the holy diskos, the incised side upward, as before when it was cut. IC, therefore, is placed at the upper side of the holy diskos, which is toward the east. And XC, at the bottom, which is toward the west; and that which is NI, upon the North side; and KA, on the South side.
Taking the portion IC, therefore, place carefully it into the holy chalice. And divide the portion XC among the priests. Divide the other two portions, namely NI and KA, among the communicants in small particles, as many as may be sufficient according to thine own estimation. But of the portion of the most holy Theotokos, or of the nine orders of saints, or any others which are upon the holy diskos, thou shalt in no wise communicate anyone; only of the two portions which remain of the Holy Lamb shalt thou give in Communion. Furthermore, be it known unto Thee also concerning this: that when thou dost dilute with the holy hot water the Divine Blood of the Master, then thou shalt pour with discretion so that there be enough for all that desire to partake. So also the wine and water, when thou dost pierce the Holy Lamb, thou art to pour at that time an amount sufficient for all; after this, thou shalt pour no more, but only that which is necessary for the dilution at: Holy Things are for the Holy, and thus communicate all therefrom.





Holy Communion of the Clergy and People


And the priest bows thrice and says:

Priest:O God, cleanse me a sinner (thrice).

The priest says this prayer quietly:

Priest:O God, absolve, remit and pardon our voluntary and involuntary sins, in word and deed, known and unknown, by day and night, in mind and thought; forgive us all, in thy goodness and love for men.

The priest says this prayer quietly:

Priest:Behold, I approach unto Christ, the immortal King and our God. Impart unto me the unworthy priest N the precious Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ unto remission of sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest kisses the front edge of the Holy Antimins and, taking one portion of the Holy Lamb that is at the font of the discos, says:

Priest:The precious and most holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy Priest N., unto the remission of my sins, and life everlasting.

And bowing his head, he prays ,holding the precious Body in his crossed hands saying:

Priest:I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Moreover, I believe that this is truly Thy most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray Thee: Have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, whether in word or deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe me to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries unto the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen.

Priest:Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the Thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord in Thy kingdom. Let not the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be unto me for judgment or condemnation, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.

He makes three small crosses with his cupped hands containing the precious Body and then he partakes of that which he holds in his hands with all fear and heedfulness. He wipes his hands over the holy Cup with the sponge. Then rising, he taketh the red cloth with both hands and taking the handle of the cup the priest taketh the chalice in both hands with the cloth and says quietly:

Priest:Behold again, I approach Christ my immortal King and my God. Impart unto me the sacred priest N the precious Blood of my Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ unto remission of sins and unto life ever lasting.

Exclamation:

Priest:Of the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ do I, the servant of God, the priest N., partake unto the remission of my sins and life everlasting, (first sip) In the Name of the Father, (second sip) and of the Son, (third sip) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And thus, having wiped his lips and the holy chalice with the cloth which he holds in his hand, kisses the edge of the cup, wipes his mouth again and he says quietly:

Priest:Behold, this hath touched my lips, and taketh away mine iniquities, and purgeth away my sins.

It should be known, that if there be those who wish to partake of the Holy Mysteries, the priest uses the two portions of the Holy Lamb that remain, that is, NI and KA, cutting them into small pieces, He may put the portions of the Lamb onto a small plate (provided) and cut the portions into small cubes with the holy spear so that there be sufficient for all communicants, and then he puts them carefully into the holy cup. And he folds the red cloth and carefully places it over the top of the holy cup with the spoon horizontal. The bowl of the spoon facing upward on the left, the handle on the right. He takes the holy diskos in his left hand and he places it on the top left part of the Antimins once all the Lamb has been removed. And he says this prayer secretly:

Priest:We give thanks unto Thee, O Master, lover of mankind, benefactor of our souls, that on this very day Thou hast vouchsafed unto us thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Direct our way, establish us all in Thy fear, preserve our life, make steadfast our steps, through the intercession and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and of all Thy saints.





Distribution of Holy Communion


And then they draw the curtain and open the doors of the holy altar. And the priest taketh the holy cup with reverence in his left hand and places his right hand on the top holding down the spoon which is on top of the red cloth, and turns right and approachs the doors going through them and elevating the holy chalice, he shows it to the people, saying:

Priest:With fear of God, with faith draw near.

People:Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord; God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.

The Priest, holding the holy cup in his left hand, gives the red cloth to the server to unfold, securing the spoon also in his left hand then takes the prayer and doth not chant it but says the prayer 'I believe, O Lord and I confess’ ...facing the people.

Priest:I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Moreover, I believe that this is truly Thy most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray Thee: Have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, whether in word or deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe me to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries unto the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen.

Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the Thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord in Thy kingdom. Let not the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be unto me for judgment or condemnation, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body. Amen.


Then those that desire to partake draw nigh. And they come one by one: the newly baptised first, Readers and Subdeacons, babies (Precious Blood only) and then the people. As they arrive they bow with compunction and fear, having their arms folded on their breasts. Then each one receives the Divine Mysteries. The priest, as he communicates each one says:

Priest:The servant (handmaid) of God N. partaketh of the most precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the remission of sins and unto life everlasting.

This last bit is normally ommitted [Behold, this hath touched thy lips, and taketh away thine iniquities, and purgeth away thy sins.]

And the servers wipe the communicant's lips with the cloth, and the communicant kisses the base of the holy cup, and bowing, withdraws. And in this manner do all partake. Meanwhile the following hymn is repeated until all have communicated:

People:Receive ye the Body of Christ; taste ye the Fountain of Immortality.

And after the last hast communicated:

People:Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

After the communion, the priest enters the holy altar and places the Holy Things on Antimins on the Holy Table. He then taketh the discos in his left hand and then holds the holy diskos carefully over the holy chalice, while emptying the remaining Holy Bread into the cup, saying these Resurrection Hymns:

Priest:Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the Only Sinless one. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify, for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection, for, behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we hymn His Resurrection, for having endured crucifixion, He hath destroyed death by death.

He wipes the holy diskos with the holy sponge exceedingly well, with attentiveness and reverence, wipes in a clockwise circular motion saying these words:

Priest:Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; dance now, and be glad, O Sion; and do thou exult O pure Theotokos, in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear. O Christ, Thou great and most sacred Pascha! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant us to partake of Thee more fully in the unwaning day of Thy Kingdom.

He makes sure that the last crumbs are put in the cup saying:

Priest:By Thy precious Blood, O Lord, wash away the sins of those here commemorated, through the intercessions of Thy saints.

The priest turns right, goes through the Holy Doors faces west blesses the people with his hand only, exclaiming:

Priest:Save, O God, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

And the priest turns back immediately to the Holy Table, and blesses the censer and takes the censer and censes the Holy Gifts [Cup only] thrice or nine times if there is time, saying secretly:

Priest:Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Thy glory above all the earth.

People:We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the indivisible Trinity: for He hath saved us.

The Priest takes the holy diskos, places it in his left hand. He taketh the cup in his right hand and carefully makes the sign of the cross over the Antimins saying quietly:

Priest:Blessed is our God.

He then turns right and out through the Holy Doors towards the people and goes out looking west and saying aloud:

Priest:Always: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

And he goes back through the Holy Doors and straight way towards the table of oblation.

People:Amen. Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may hymn thy glory: for thou hast vouchsafed us to partake of thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Keep us in thy holiness, that we may meditate upon thy righteousness all the day long. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

And he goes to the holy table of oblation and places thereon the Holy Things, the Discos on the left and the Cup on the right. And he censes the Holy Things thrice, giveth up the censer and returns to front of the Holy Table and immediately begins to cleanse the Antimins.





The Litany of Thanksgiving


And the priest having cleansed the Antimins with the sponge and having consumed any remaining particle, he then folds it top first, then bottom, then left, then right as he says:

Priest:Upright! Having partaken of the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, fearful Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

People:Lord, have mercy.

Priest:Help us, save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

He then folds the eliton [outer purple or red covering of the Antimins], top first, then bottom, then left, then right as he says:

Priest:Having asked that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life unto Christ our God.

People:To thee, O Lord.

The priest, having folded the antimins, takes the Gospel and holds it upright, makes over the antimins the sign of the cross with the Gospel, the top, then the bottom, then left , then right and lays it down upon the antimins, as he says:

Priest:For thou art our sanctification, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father top and to the Son bottom and to the Holy Spirit, left now and right ever, and unto the ages of ages. Down onto the Antimins.

People:Amen.

The priest taketh his service book from the stand and immediately says:

Priest:Let us depart in peace.

People:In the name of the Lord.

The priest turns right and straight away goes out through the Holy Doors and says:

Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.

People:Lord have mercy.





The Prayer behind the Ambo


He stands in the midst of the church, facing East and says the Prayer before the Ambo

Priest:O Lord, who dost bless them that bless Thee and sanctify them that put their trust in Thee: Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of Thy Church, sanctify them that love the beauty of Thy house; do Thou glorify them by Thy divine power, and forsake us not that hope in Thee. Give peace to Thy world, to Thy churches, to the priests, and to all Thy people. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from Thee, the Father of lights, and unto Thee do we send up glory and thanksgiving and worship: to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.

Then he priest goes back through the holy doors to stand before the Holy Table.

People:Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore (thrice).

The priest stands at the Holy Table, and says the following prayer secretly:

Priest:O Christ our God, who art Thyself the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, who didst fulfil all the dispensation of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And the priest turns to the right and stands in the midst of the holy doors facing west and blesss the people just with his hand saying:

Priest:The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:Amen.





The Dismissal


And the priest returns to the front of the Holy Table and says:

Priest:Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.

People:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Father bless.

And the priest takes the Blessing Cross from the Holy Table, turns to his right goes through the Holy Doors and stands in the midst of solea in front of the holy doors facing the people and blesses the people saying:

Priest:May Christ our true God, (insert the appointed characteristic phrase, on Sundays, 'Who arose from the dead'), through the intercessions of his most pure Mother; (and the rest) of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople; and the Venerable Martyr, the Grand Duchess Elisabeth the patron of our church and her nun Companion Barbara, and our Holy Mothers Werburgh and Winefred (and of the saint(s) whose day it is); and of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is a good God and the Friend of man.

People:Amen. The Orthodox episcopate of the Russian Church; our Lord and father, Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia our master Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and our master the Most Reverend Archbishop Mark, the brotherhood of this holy temple, and all Orthodox Christians: preserve, O Lord, for many years!

The cross is then venerated by the faithful who have not received the Holy Mysteries, and the antidoron is distributed.

The Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion are read.





The Translation and Sources


The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom is presented here as celebrated at a particular Orthodox Church with which I am familiar; text derived from that service. Preparation of the text was done by J. Powell. Reference has been made to the following publications:

The Divine Liturgy of Our Father Among the Saints John Chrysostom (trans. the Very Reverend Archimandrite Ephrem Lash), published on behalf of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain by Nigel Lynn Publishing. Chipping Norton: 2011.

A Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians (trans. Holy Transfiguration Monastery), Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Boston, MA: 2009.

Although the text is provided in good faith, it has not been authorised, and it intended for use in private study and reflection only.



Design Jason Powell.