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THE CHOIR'S HANDBOOK

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OF THE

PRESANCTIFIED

 

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The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated on every Wednesday and Friday of Great Lent, on Thursday of the fifth week for the Great Canon, on Great Monday, Great Tuesday, Great Wednesday, on the Feast of the First and Second findings of the head of St. John the Baptist [24th February], on the Feast of the Forty holy martyrs [9th march], and on any other local feast if it falls on a Monday to Friday in Great Lent. The Feast of the Annunciation, on whatever day it falls on, is always celebrated with the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated always after the Office of Hours with the Vespers service and is usually celebrated by one Priest without a Deacon, except on feast days and in Holy Week where there are readings from the Gospels.

 

DEACON: Master, give the blessing.

The Priest making with the Gospel book the sign of the Cross over the antiminsion shall say:

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER: Amen.

O come, let us worship and bow down before our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and our God.

O come, let us worship and bow down before the very Christ our King and our God.

  

THE INTRODUCTORY PSALM 103 [104]

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou hast clothed Thyself with praise and honour: who dost robe Thyself with light as a garment; spreading out the heavens as a curtain. Who covers His chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariots: who walks on the wings of the wind. Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire. Who establishes the earth on her sure foundation: it shall not be moved forever. The deep, as it were a garment, is His covering: the waters shall stand on the hills. At Thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they shall be alarmed. They go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth. He sends forth His fountains among the valleys: the waters shall run between the mountains. They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field: the wild asses shall take of them to quench their thirst. By them shall the birds of the sky lodge: they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks. He waters the mountains from His chambers: the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He makes grass to grow for the cattle, the green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth; and wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil: and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of sap; even the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the stags, and the rock for the rabbits. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. Thou didst make darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad: even young lions roaring for prey, and to seek meat for themselves from God. The sun arises, and they shall be gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens. Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour till evening. How great are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou wrought them all: the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and wide sea: there are things creeping innumerable, small animals and great. There go the ships; and this dragon whom Thou hast made to play in it. All wait upon Thee, to give them food in due season. When Thou hast given it them, they will gather it; and when Thou hast opened Thine hand, they shall be filled with good. But when Thou hast turned away Thy face, they shall be troubled: Thou wilt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust. Thou shalt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works; who looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will sing praise to my God while I exist. Let my meditation be sweet to Him: and I will rejoice in the Lord. Let the sinners fail from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows his going down, Thou didst make darkness, and it was night.

How great are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou wrought them all.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]

Our hope, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

 

After the introductory psalm, the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the Great litany.

In peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

For the peace from on high...

For the peace and union of the whole world...

For this holy temple and for them... 

For our Archbishop [Name], for the honourable... 

For this city [village, monastery]; for every city... 

For fair seasons and the abundance... 

For them that travel by land, by water...

That we may be deliver from all tribulation...

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled...

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

 For unto Thee belong all glory...

CHOIR: Amen.

And the Reader shall read the reading the first stasis of the 18 Kathisma of the Psalter. Psalms 119-123 [120-124]

PSALM 119 [120]

In my distress, I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? Or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. 

 

PSALM 120[121]

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

PSALM 121 [122]

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testi­mony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the House of David. Pray for the peace of Jeru­salem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and com­panions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

 

PSALM122 [123]

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the con­tempt of the proud.

PSALM 123 [124]

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had over­whelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

 

When the reader hath finished the first stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and for ever and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3] Kyrie eleison. [3]  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled...

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST:  For Thine is the might...

READER: Amen.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the reader shall read the second stasis of the Kathisma: Psalms 124-128 [125-129]

 

PSALM 124 [125]

They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the right­eous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.And as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

PSALM 125 [126]

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are Glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

 

PSALM 126 [127]

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

PSALM 127 [128]

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy chil­dren's children, and peace upon Israel.

 

PSALM 128 [129]

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:  Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. The Lord is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. Neither do they which go by say, the blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.

When the reader hath finished the second stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3] Kyrie eleison. [3]  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

And the Priest [or Deacon]  shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled...

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST:  For Thou, O God, art good and loving-kind...

 READER: Amen.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the reader shall read the third stasis of the Kathisma: Psalms 129-133 [130-134]

 

PSALM 129 [130]

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous re­demption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

 

PSALM 13O [131]

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.

PSALM 131 [132]

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habita­tion. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

 

PSALM 132 [133]

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

PSALM 133 [134]

Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servant of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

When the reader hast finished the third stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now, and for ever: world without end. Amen. 

Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]  

 

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled...

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: For Thou art our God, the God of mercy... 

CHOIR:Amen.

 

And the choir shall sing psalm 140 [141] “Lord, I cry unto Thee” in the tone of the first hymn.

Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me. Make haste unto me, O Lord. Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Make haste unto me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Make haste unto me, O Lord.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity, and let me not eat of their dainties. 

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil. Which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

When their judges are overthrown in stormy places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

PSALM 141 [142]

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.

I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

I cried unto Thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger that I.

 

And then the following as verses before the appointed hymns.

10

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.

The righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me

8

PSALM 129 [130]                                     

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord hear my voice.

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

6

If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord.

4

More than they watch for the morning: I say, more than they watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

2

PSALM 116 [117]  

O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

And the Choir shall sing the appointed hymn for the Glory.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the Choir shall sing the Theotokion.

 

THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]:

Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

And the choir shall sing the evening hymnO Gladsome light”.

O Gladsome light of the holy glory, of the Immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ. As we approach the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we hymn Thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God.

Meet it is at all times for Thee to be praised by righteous voices, O Son of God, the Giver of life. Wherefore the world glorifies Thee.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Evening.

READER: The Prokhimenon... Tone... Psalm...

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from the Book of Genesis [or Exodus].

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us give heed.

 

And the reader shall read the Lesson. And having finish the Lesson he shall announce the Prokhimenon for the second lesson and then he [or the Deacon] shall say aloud:

At thy bidding.

Whereupon the Priest, holding a lighted candle and the censer in his right hand and standing before the holy altar facing towards the east shall make the sigh of the Cross and exclaim:

Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

And passing through the holy doors he shall face the Icon of Christ and say:

The Light of Christ,

And facing the people and blessing them with the candle and censer he shall say:

Lighteth  every man.

 

The Reader shall announce the second Lesson.

The reading is from the Book of Proverbs [or Job]

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom. Let us attend.

 

And after the reading:

PRIEST: Peace unto thee [that readeth].

READER: And unto thy spirit.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

And taking up the censer and standing before the Holy Altar the Priest shall cense whilst singing:

 Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

And the choir shall repeat this four times, but before each the Priest shall announce the verse from each side of the Holy Altar censing each side as he goes.

Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me. Make haste unto me, O Lord. Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Make haste unto me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Let my prayer be set forth... 

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity, and let me not eat of their dainties. Let my prayer be set forth...

And censing the Prothesis: 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Let my prayer be set forth...

And standing again before the Holy Altar facing east the Priest shall sing: 

Let my prayer be set forth,

And passing through the Holy Doors and facing the Icon of Christ he shall sing:

Before Thee as incense;

And censing the rest of the Iconostasis and the people the choir shall take up the rest of the hymn singing:

And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

If the Liturgy of the Presanctified is offered to celebrate the commemoration of a certain saint’s day or in Holy week the reader shall announce the Apostle reading. 

READER: The Prokhimenon of the Apostle reading.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us give heed.

READER: The verse to the Apostle reading.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from the Epistle of St. [Name] to the […..]   

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us heed.

 

And on the completion of the Apostolic reading the Priest shall bless the reader saying:

PRIEST: Peace unto thee [that readest].

READER: And unto thy spirit.

 

And the choir shall sing the Alleluia with the appointed verses whilst the Priest [or Deacon]  censes in the customary way.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. [Name]

PRIEST: Let us give heed.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

 

And after the Gospel reading the choir shall say:

Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

 

And after the reading of the Gospel the Priest shall bless the Deacon saying:

Peace unto thee [that dost preach the good tidings].

 

 PRIEST [or Deacon]

Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say,

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison [3] And after each petition.

 O Almighty Lord, God of our fathers... 

Have mercy upon us, O God...

Again we pray for our Archbishop [Name]... 

Again we pray for mercy, life...

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable... 

If there be a commemoration of them that are fallen asleep the Priest may also say:

Again we pray for the repose of the soul[s]...  

Again we pray for them that strive... 

For Thou art a merciful God...

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Catechumens, pray ye unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison. And after each petition.

Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens.

That the Lord may have mercy upon them.

That He may instruct them in the word of truth.

That He may reveal unto them the gospel of righteousness.

That He may unite them to His Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Save, have mercy, help and preserve them...

Catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.

PRIEST

THE PRAYER FOR THE CATECHUMENS

O God, our God, Creator and Author of all things...

That they also with us may glorify... 

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are catechumens depart...

As many as are faithful,

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Wisdom.

From the Wednesday of the fourth week in Lent until Great Wednesday of Holy Week in the place of the above exhortation to the catechumens to depart, the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the following exhortation for them that are to be illumined, that is to be baptized at the forthcoming Easter.

As many as are catechumens depart...  Let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Ye faithful, for these brethren that...   

That the Lord our God may establish them... 

That He may enlighten then with the light... 

That He may vouchsafe unto them, at the appropriate time...

That they may be born again of... 

That He may grant unto then the perfection... 

That He may number them with His holy... 

Save, have mercy, succour and preserve them...

As many as are preparing for illumination.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

THE PRAYER FOR THOSE THAT ARE PREPARING FOR

HOLY ILLUMINATION

 

PRIEST

Reveal Thy countenance, O Lord... 

For Thou art our illumination... 

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are to be illumined depart...

As many as are faithful,

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Wisdom.

Here endeth the exhortation to them that are preparing for baptism that is added to the Liturgy from the Wednesday of the fourth week in Lent.

 

 

THE FIRST PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST

O God, great and praiseworthy... 

For unto Thee belong all glory...

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Wisdom.

THE SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST

O  holy Master, who art most good...

According to the gift of Thy Christ...

 

And the Choir shall sing slowly and solemnly the following hymn in place of the Cherubic Hymn.

Now the heavenly powers invisibly do worship with us: for behold, the King of glory entereth.

At this point the choir shall pause whilst the Priest [and Deacon] makes [make] the Great Entrance with the Holy Gifts. And when the Priest [and Deacon]  has [have] entered the Sanctuary the choir shall continue:

Behold, the mystical sacrifice all accomplished is borne on high. In faith and love let us draw near that we may become partakers of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

And when the Choir has finished the Priest [or the Deacon] shall say:

Let us complete our supplication unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition

For the precious and presanctified gifts... 

That our God, which loveth mankind...

That He may deliver us from all tribulation...

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

That this whole evening may be perfect...

CHOIR:  Grant us O Lord. And after each petition

For an angel of peace, faithful guide... 

For pardon and remission of our sins... 

For things good and profitable to our souls...

That we may pass the remainder of our...

For a Christian ending to our life, painless...

Having besought the unity of the faith... 

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

  

THE PRAYER AT THE SETTING OF

THE HOLY GIFTS UPON THE ALTAR

PRIEST

O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries...

And vouchsafe, O Lord, that boldly... 

And the Priest, [the Deacon] the choir and all the people recite the Lord’s Prayer. And having finished, the Priest shall say:

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

 

The Priest shall then bless the people saying:

Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

Let us bow down our heads before the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST: O God, who alone art good and compassionate...

Through the grace and compassions... 

The Priest, bowing his head shall say also this prayer:

Give heed, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God...

 

Then he [or the Deacon]  shall say aloud:

 Let us give heed.

 PRIEST: The Presanctified Holy Things unto the holy.

CHOIR: One only is holy, One only is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

And then the Communion Anthem:

O taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

Then taking up the chalice the Priest [or the Deacon] shall show it to the people saying:

With fear of God, with faith and love draw near.

CHOIR: Amen.

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.

And as many as desire to communicate shall now approach one by one in an orderly fashion bearing themselves with all godly humility and awe. The Priest shall  communicate to each the Holy Mysteries saying to each:

The servant of God [Name] partaketh of the precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his/her sins and unto life everlasting.

Or

The Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Or

The Body and Blood of Christ.

And when all have communicated the Priest shall bless the people with the chalice saying:

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

And he shall go into the Sanctuary and place the chalice on the Holy Altar.   

 

CHOIR

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Taste ye the heavenly Bread and the cup of life; and see how gracious is the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

PRIEST 

Blessed is our God;

And turning to face the people he shall say aloud:

Always, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

Let our mouth be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy glory: for that Thou hast accounted us worthy to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Preserve us in Thy holiness that we may think on Thy righteousness all the day long. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

And when the choir is finished, the Priest [or the Deacon] shall say:

Be upright: having partaken of the divine...

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us...

Having prayed that this whole...

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST

For Thou art our sanctification, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

Let us depart in peace.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

Let us pray unto the Lord.

And going out of the Sanctuary by the Holy Doors, the Priest shall stand   below the chancel steps and say the following prayer.

O Master Almighty, who didst create all things in wisdom...

For blessed and glorified be Thy most honourable... 

CHOIR: Amen. Blessed is the Name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. [3]

And the Reader shall recite Psalms 33 [34] and 144 [145]

 PSALM 33 [34]

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The rich have become poor and hungry, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

 

  

PSALM 144 [145]

I will extol thee, my God, O King; and will bless thy name for ever and ever. Everyday will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and  greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men  shall speak of the might of thy  terrible  acts:  and  I  will  declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, and full of com­passion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon  him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love
him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

 

THE DISMISSAL

 

Then facing the people the Priest [or the Deacon] shall say:

Let us pray unto the Lord.

The Priest standing by the Holy Doors shall bless the people saying:

May the blessing and mercy of the Lord... 

Glory be to Thee, O our God, glory be to Thee.

 

CHOIR

Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen. Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison. Holy Father, give the blessing.

 

PRIEST:  May Christ our true God, by the prayers...

 

CHOIR

May the Lord God make firm the holy and undefiled faith of pious Orthodox Christians in this holy Church [monastery], this city [village] and in all Thy world, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eternal be the memory of the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Church [monastery] and all Orthodox Christians.

 

PRIEST

May the Holy Trinity preserve the people in peace always, now and for ever: world without end.

 

CHOIR

Unto him who blesses and sanctifies us; do Thou, O Lord, preserve unto many years.

 

PRIEST

By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

CHOIR: Amen.