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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 Ninth Hour 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.

After the Ninth Hour, the Priest [and Deacon if he is to co-celebrate] shall vest himself with dark vestments kissing and blessing each one but saying nought except Let us pray unto the Lord.

 

THE PREPARATION

 

On the Sunday preceding at the Office of Oblation, when the Priest shall say Thou hast redeemed us by Thy precious blood from the curse of the law: he shall raise with the prosphoron for the Sunday Liturgy other   prosphora, one for each Presanctified Liturgy he foresees will be celebrated during that week: for only one Lamb at any time can be taken from any one prosphoron. And after he hath cut, sacrificed and pierced the first prosphoron, he shall take the other prosphora and to each in turn he shall cut, sacrifice and pierce saying the words:

In remembrance of our Lord...  He was led as a sheep...   And as a lamb without blemish... In his humiliation...Who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken away...The Lamb of God, which taketh away...When Thou wast crucified, O

Christ... One of the soldiers with a spear pierced... 

And he shall place each Lamb on the paten above the first Lamb.

Then pouring into the chalice wine and water  he shall say:  and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true.

The Priest blessing over the chalice shall say:

Blessed is the union of Thy holy things, always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And he shall complete the Office of Oblation and celebrate the Divine Liturgy  of St. Basil or of St. John.

And when he is to sign the holy bread with the sign of the Cross, at the invocation of the Holy Spirit, he shall say And make this bread: in the singular number, for Christ is one, and he does not speak of these breads in the plural number. And when he is to make the elevation he shall lift all breads together, but break only the first bread that was offered and lay the portion in the holy chalice and pour in the warm water as is usual.

Then taking the holy spoon in his right hand, he shall dip it in the holy Blood and with his left hand he shall take one of the Holy Breads and touch it with the holy spoon, which hath been wetted with the Holy Blood, and make the sign of the Cross over the cross that was cut earlier on the underside and place it in the pyx [artophorion] underside up. Then he shall do the same with the other Breads and place them in the pyx.

On Holy and Great Thursday, the Priest prepares two Lamb as describe above: one for the Liturgy on the day and the other which shall be preserved in the pyx [artophorion]  throughout the year  for the communication  of the sick at whatever hour he is asked to communicate them or for whenever it is necessary to give Holy Communion to someone other than during the Divine Liturgy. 

 

  

 

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OF THE

PRESANCTIFIED

 

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... [3]

Then the introductory Psalm 103 [104] Bless the Lord, O my soul...

While the reader recites the introductory Psalm the Priest shall say the 5th, 6th and 7th, of the Evening Prayers.

5th PRAYER

Lord, Lord, who upholdest all things in Thy most pure hands; who art long-suffering unto us all and doth repent Thee of our evils: Remember Thy tender mercies and Thy loving-kindnesses. Visit us with Thy bounties and by Thy grace keep us for the remainder of this day from the snares of the devil, and preserve our lives from every wicked device; by the grace of Thy most Holy Spirit.

Through the mercy and love toward mankind of Thine only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 

6th PRAYER

O great and wonderful God, who of Thine unsearchable goodness and rich providence dost order all things, and hast bestowed on us the good of the land, Who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the benefits already granted unto us, and to this present hour hath caused evil to depart from us: Vouchsafe that we may complete the remainder of this day undefiled before Thy holy glory, and sing unto Thee, Thou only who art good, our God which lovest mankind.

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

 

7th PRAYER

O Great and most high God, who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; Who in wisdom didst make all Thy works; Who divided the light from the darkness, Who made the sun to rule the day, Who made the moon and the stars to rule the night; Who hast vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour to come before Thy presence with thanksgiving, and praise and glory: Do Thou Thyself of Thy loving-kindness let our prayer be set before Thee as incense, and accept it for a sweetsmelling savour. And grant that we may pass this eventide and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armour of light. Deliver us from the terror by night, from pestilence that walketh in darkness. Grant that the sleep which Thou hast appointed for the repose of our weakness be estranged from all wicked imaginations. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of all blessings, may we commune with our own hearts upon our beds, and be still and call to remembrance Thy Name in the night season: That enlightened by meditation of Thy commandments we may rise up with joyful soul to glorify Thy goodness, with prayers and supplications beseeching for Thy mercy on our own sins and for the sins of all Thy people, whom do Thou visit in clemency through the intercessions of the holy Mother of God.

For Thou, O God, art good and loving-kind, and to Thee we

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

 

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, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord.

For the peace and union of the whole world, and for the good estate of the holy churches of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this holy temple and for them that enter therein with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For our Archbishop [Name], for the honourable order of priesthood, and for the diaconate which is in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this city [village, monastery]; for every city and land, and for them that dwell therein with faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

For fair seasons and the abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray unto the Lord.

For them that travel by land, by water, by air; for the sick and the suffering, for those in captivity, And for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That we may be deliver from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST

 PRAYER OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON

O Lord who art gracious and full of compassion; longsuffering and plenteous in mercy: give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplications. Shew us a token for good. Teach us Thy way that we may walk in Thy truth. Rejoice our hearts to fear Thy Holy Name. For Thou art great and doest wondrous things. Thou art God alone, and there is none like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength to succour, comfort and save all who put their trust in Thy Holy Name.

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

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

In my distress I cried unto the Lord...

During the reading of the Kathisma the Holy Doors are kept closed.

The Deacon shall say to the Priest:

Master, bless the incense.

 And the Priest shall bless the incense saying:

We offer incense unto, O Christ our God, for a sweetsmelling savour of spiritual fragrance, which do thou accept upon Thy most heavenly altar; and send down upon us the grace of Thy most holy Spirit.

And standing before the Holy Altar he shall unfold the Antiminsion, and then go to the Prothesis and take up the Paten, the Asterisk and the veil and bring them to the Holy Altar. Then taking the presanctified Holy Bread from the pyx [artophorion] with all reverence, he shall place it upright on the Paten. And taking the Asterisk he shall cense it and place it on the Paten saying naught but By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. And taking the veil he shall cense it and cover the Paten again saying naught but By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the censer he shall cense the Paten thrice and making three prostrations he shall lift up the Holy Gifts and place them on his head and being preceded by the Deacon holding a lighted taper and the censer he shall proceed to the prothesis and there place the Holy Gifts.

Then taking wine and water he shall pour them into the chalice saying By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And he shall cense the veil for the chalice and cover it saying only By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the Aer he shall cense it and cover both saying By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the censer he shall cense both thrice saying only By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And he shall cense also the Holy Altar and all the sanctuary. He shall not say the Prayer of Oblation for the presanctified offering is already consecrated and complete. If the Priest does not have enough time to accomplish all the above during the first stasis of the Kathisma he can do all up to the censing of the Holy Gifts whilst still on the Holy Altar during the first reading and the rest during the second.

 

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

Glory... Now and for ever... 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, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST

PRAYER OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON

O Lord, rebuke us not in Thy wrath; neither chasten us in Thy hot displeasure: But deal with us according unto Thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls, who dost lead us into the haven of Thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding to the knowledge of Thy truth; and grant that the remainder of this day, and our whole life, may be peaceful and without sin, by the prayers of the Holy Mother of God, and of all Thy saints.

For Thine is the might, and 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. Amen.

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]

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

Glory... Now and for ever... 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, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our

whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST

PRAYER OF THE  THIRD ANTIPHON

O Lord our God, remember us sinners and Thine unprofitable servants, when we call upon Thy Holy and honoured Name, and confound not our expectation of Thy mercy; But fulfil, O Lord, all our petitions which are unto salvation, and vouchsafe that we may love and fear Thee with our whole heart, and do Thy will in all things.

For Thou, O God, art good and loving-kind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 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]

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

 Glory... Now and for ever... 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, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

 

PRIEST

PRAYER OF THE FOURTH ANTIPHON

O Thou unto whom the multitude of the heavenly host doth sing eternal glory: let our mouths be filled with Thy praise that we may magnify Thy Holy Name. And grant unto us a portion and inheritance with all them that fear Thee in truth and keep Thy commandments; by the prayers of the Mother of God, and of all Thy saints.

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

CHOIR: Amen.

And immediately the choir shall sing Lord I have cried”.

The Deacon then taking up the censer and putting incense therein shall say to the Priest:

Master, bless the incense.

The Priest shall bless the incense saying:

Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 

Then at the words “Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense” the Priest [or Deacon] shall cense the sanctuary and all the temple in the customary way. During the singing of the “Glory… Now and for ever…” the Priest [and Deacon] shall make the Little Entrance. If the Liturgy of the Presanctified is offered to celebrate the commemoration of a certain saint’s day or in Holy week then the Little Entrance is made with the Holy Gospel. Otherwise, the Entrance is made with the censer.  

The Priest blessing the incense shall say:

Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end.

And he [they] shall pass behind the Altar and go out by the north door. And standing in the customary place the Priest [Deacon] shall say:

Let us pray unto the Lord.

And bowing his [their] head the Priest shall say:

Evening, and morning, and at noon we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all: let our prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and incline not our hearts to any evil thing. But keep us from all who would lay a snare for our souls; for our eyes wait upon Thee, O Lord. In Thee, O Lord, is our trust. Confound us not, O God.

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

DEACON: Bless master, the holy entrance.

And the Priest giving the benediction shall say:

Blessed is the entrance into the holiest, always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall cense the throne and the Icons of the Iconostasis. Then holding the censer high he shall cry in a loud voice:

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 finished 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.

And entering the sanctuary, he shall lay aside the censer.

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 whilst the Reader reads the Apostle Lesson the Priest shall say the following prayer in a low voice.

O Lord and lover of mankind: make the imperishable light of Thy divine knowledge to shine in our hearts; and open the eyes of our understanding that we may apprehend the preaching of Thy Gospel. Implant in us likewise awe of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling under feet all the lusts of the flesh we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing always such things as are pleasing in Thy sight.

For Thou art the enlightening of our  souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thine eternal Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 

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. If the Deacon is a co-celebrant he shall, after putting aside the censer, come to the Priest and bowing his head  say:

Bless, Master, the herald of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist [Name].

The Priest signing him with the sign of the Cross shall say:

May God through the prayers of the holy and all-glorious Apostle and Evangelist [Name] grant thee to preach the word with much power, unto the fulfilling of the Gospel of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

And he shall give the Book to the Deacon who shall say Amen and kiss the Gospel Book and the Priest’s right hand and shall then step forth through the Holy Doors, preceded by lighted candles and go to the customary place. Then the Priest standing before the Holy Altar facing toward the west shall say:

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].

Then the Deacon shall go to the Holy Doors and shall deliver the Book to the Priest who shall kiss it and make with it the sign of the Cross blessing the people before placing it upon the Holy Altar.

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, we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O God, after Thy great goodness. We pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Again we pray for our Archbishop [Name], and for all our brethren in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all the pious Orthodox Christians who dwell or visit this city, [village, monastery] the parishioners, the Church committee, those who give help and those who have dedicated gifts in this holy temple.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Church and for all our departed fathers, brethren, and Orthodox Christians everywhere who have fallen asleep.

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] of the departed servant[s] of God [Name(s)], and for the forgiveness of his [her, their] every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

Again we pray for them that strive and bring forth the fruit of good works in this holy and venerable temple; for them that serve, and them that sing; and for all the people here present who await Thy great and bountiful mercy.

O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according unto the multitude of Thy mercies; and send down Thy compassions upon us and upon all Thy people who await Thy great and bountiful mercy.

For Thou art a merciful God, and a lover of mankind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

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, O God, by Thy grace.

Catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.

 

PRIEST

THE PRAYER FOR THE CATECHUMENS

O God, our God, Creator and Author of all things; who willest that all should be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth: look upon Thy servants the Catechumen, and deliver them from the delusion of old, and from the wiles of the adversary: and call them unto life eternal, enlightening their souls and bodies, and numbering them among Thy reasonable flock, which is called by Thy holy Name.

That they also with us may glorify Thy sublime and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are catechumens depart: catechumens depart: as many as are catechumens depart: let not any of the catechumens remain.

As many as are faithful,

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

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. 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: catechumens depart: As many as are to be illuminated draw near. Pray all ye that are to be illuminated. Let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Ye faithful, for these brethren that are preparing for holy illumination, and for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That the Lord our God may establish them and strengthen them, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may enlighten then with the light of knowledge and godliness, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may vouchsafe unto them, at the appropriate time, the washing of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption, let us pray unto the Lord.

That they may be born again of water and the Spirit, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may grant unto then the perfection of faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may number them with His holy and chosen flock, let us pray unto the Lord.

Save, have mercy, succour and preserve them, O God, by Thy grace.

As many as are preparing for illumination, bow your heads unto the Lord.

 

THE PRAYER FOR THOSE THAT ARE PREPARING FOR

HOLY ILLUMINATION

 PRIEST

Reveal Thy countenance, O Lord, unto them that are preparing for holy illumination, and who desire to cast off the filthiness of sin. Illumine their understanding, establish them in faith, confirm them in hope, and perfect them in love. Make them honourable members of Thy Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for our souls.

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are to be illumined depart: all that are preparing to be illumined depart: as many as are catechumens depart: let not any of the catechumens remain.

As many as are faithful,

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

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. 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 who through the life-giving death of Thy Christ hast translated us from corruption to incorruption: Do Thou deliver all our senses from the passions of death, imposing on them as a good guide the reasoning from within. And let our eye be blind to every evil sight, let our ear be deaf to all idle words, and our tongue be purged from unseemly speech. Purify our lips that praise Thee, O Lord; cause our hands to abstain from sinful deeds and to do only those things that are pleasing in Thy sight, establishing all our members and our mind by Thy grace. 

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

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

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. Wisdom.

 

THE SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST

O holy Master, who art most good, we pray Thee who art rich in mercy, be merciful unto us sinners, and make us worthy to receive Thine only-begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For behold, His most pure Body and life-giving Blood entering at this present hour are about to be laid upon this mystical altar, invisibly attended by the multitude of angelic hosts. Grant that we may partake of them without condemnation; that through them, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may become children of light and the day.

According to the gift of Thy Christ, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

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.

The Priest [and Deacon] also shall say the hymn thrice in a low voice making a reverence at each before the Holy Altar.

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

DEACON

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.

Then the Priest [or Deacon]  taking up the censer and [the Priest] blessing the incense in the usual way, shall cense the Holy Table round about, the prothesis, the Iconostasis and the people saying secretly “O come let us worship, etc” and Psalm 50. On entering the sanctuary he shall again cense the Holy table, the prothesis and all the sanctuary and replace the censer in its customary place. Then standing before the Holy Altar, the Priest [and Deacon] shall make three lowly reverences. And kissing the antiminsion he [they] shall turn and bow humbly to the people. Then he [they] shall proceed

to the offertory table saying as he [they] goes [go]:

O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy upon me.

And kissing the Holy Gifts he [they]shall say naught but By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. And the Priest taking the aer shall first cense it and then lay it on his head. [or on the Deacon shoulders] Then censing his hands he shall take up the paten with his right hand and place it on his head. And with his left hand, he shall take up the chalice holding it to his breast. And being preceded by the [Deacon holding the] censer and a lighted candle he shall exit the sanctuary by the north side for the Great Entrance. All the while, there shall be complete silence and the people shall have bowed down to the ground. The censing shall be as silently as possible and the Priest [and Deacon] shall say naught but silently shall say to himself [themselves]: By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

And entering the sanctuary through the holy doors, the Priest shall place the Holy Gifts on the Altar and removing the veils he shall cover them with the Aer and cense them thrice. And if the Deacon is a co-celebrant, he shall bow his head and say to the Priest:

Pray for me, holy Master.

And the Priest blessing the Deacon shall say:

The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.

 

DEACON

The same Spirit shall labour with us all the days of our life.

Remember me, holy Master.

 

PRIEST

The Lord God remember thee in His kingdom, always, now and for ever: world without end.

DEACON: Amen.

And kissing the Priest’s right hand he shall stand in his customary place and say the following litany.

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 here set forth, let us pray unto the Lord.

That our God, which loveth mankind, who hath received them unto His holy and heavenly and spiritual altar for a sweetsmelling savour of spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us entreat the Lord.

CHOIR:  Grant us O Lord. And after each petition

For an angel of peace, faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us entreat the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgression, let us entreat the Lord.

For things good and profitable to our souls, and peace for the world, let us entreat the Lord.

That we may pass the remainder of our lives in peace and repentance, let us entreat the Lord.

For a Christian ending to our life, painless, without shame and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us entreat the Lord.

Having besought the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

 

THE PRAYER AT THE SETTING OF

THE HOLY GIFTS UPON THE ALTAR

PRIEST

O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who hast revealed unto us the service of this ministry, and of Thy great love toward mankind hast appointed us sinners to offer unto Thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the errors of the people: do Thou, O invisible King, that performest things great and incomprehensible, glorious and wonderful, which are without number, look upon us Thine unworthy servants who stand before this sacred altar, as standing  before Thy throne of cherubim, on which resteth Thine only-begotten Son and our God, through the dread mysteries here set forth. And having delivered us and all Thy people from all our uncleanness, hallow all our souls and bodies with the sanctification that cannot be taken away. That with a pure conscience, a face unashamed and with an enlightened heart, we may partake of these divine and hallowed things and being quickened by them, we may be united unto Thy Christ Himself, our true God, who hath said: He that eateth by flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him; that with Thy Word, O Lord, dwelling in us and walking with us, we may become the temple of Thy most Holy and venerable Spirit, redeemed from every snare of the devil, manifest in deed or word or thought; and may obtain the good things promised us, with all Thy saints who have been well-pleasing to Thee since the world began.  

And vouchsafe, O Lord, that boldly and without condemnation we may dare to lift our voices unto Thee, O heavenly God and Father, and say:

 

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.

 

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, who dwellest in the highest and lookest down on the humble, with a compassionate eye look down upon all Thy people and protect them. And vouchsafe that all of us may partake without condemnation of these Thy life-giving mysteries: for unto Thee we have bowed our heads awaiting for Thy bountiful mercy.

Through the grace and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

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

Give heed, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Thy holy dwelling place, and from the glorious throne of Thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, O Thou that sittest on high with the Father and art here invisibly present with us. And vouchsafe by Thy mighty hand to impart unto us of Thy most pure Body and precious Blood; and through us unto all Thy people.

And making three prostrations the Priest shall say to himself:

O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and be merciful unto me.

Then he [or the Deacon] shall say aloud:

 Let us give heed.

And with deep reverence and awe, the Priest shall touch the life-giving bread beneath the Aer that covereth the Holy Gifts saying:

The Presanctified Holy Things unto the holy.

CHOIR: One only is holy…

 

Here the Priest shall remove the Aer and the Asterisk and laying them aside shall continue with the communion in the usual manner.

 

DEACON

Break, O Master, the Holy Bread.

The  Priest taking the Holy Bread shall break  it in four parts saying:

Broken and divided is the Lamb of God; which being broken yet is not divided; Being ever eaten, never is consumed; But sanctifieth them that partake thereof.

And he shall place the four pieces on the holy paten, laying the ΙC at the top of the paten. The ΧC at the bottom, the ΝΙ to his own left-hand side and the ΚΑ to his right.

 

 

 

 

DEACON: Fill, Master the Holy Cup.

And the Priest taking from the paten the particle which lies uppermost, that marked IC, shall  let it fall into the chalice saying naught but By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

And he [or the Deacon] shall pour the warm water into the chalice saying naught but By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest [and Deacon], kneeling, shall now say the following communion prayers.

I believe, O Lord, and confess that Thou art in truth the Christ, the Son of the living God, come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is indeed Thine incorruptible body, and this Thy most precious blood. Wherefore, I pray Thee have mercy upon me, and forgive me my trespasses, voluntary and involuntary, whether of word or deed, witting or unwitting; and vouchsafe that I may partake without condemnation of Thy most pure mysteries, for the remission  of sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.    

Behold I draw near to divine Communion, O Creator, let me not be destroyed thereby; for Thou art fire to consume the unworthy: the rather do Thou cleanse me from all that defileth.

Of Thy mystical supper, O Son of God, accept me this day as a partaker; for I will not speak of the mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss like Judas; but like the thief I will acknowledge Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

The blood that maketh divine, O man, let it be your fear, let it be your dread: fire it is to consume the unworthy. The divine body doth make me a partaker of the divine nature, and likewise feedeth me. Maketh the spirit divine and wondrously nourisheth the mind.

Thou hast ravished my heart with Thy love, O Christ; Thy divine care hath converted my soul. Yet do Thou consume my sins with celestial fire, and grant me to delight myself in Thee; that rejoicing I may exalt Thine incarnation and Thy second coming, O Thou who art good.

How may I, unworthy as I am, enter into the brightness of Thy saints? For if I come boldly to the king’s palace my apparel doth convict me, in that I have no wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast away by the angels. O Lord, cleanse my soul from all filthiness, and save me for Thou art loving-kind.

O Master and Lover of Mankind, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy things be to my judgement, in that I am unworthy: but rather unto the cleansing and hallowing of soul and body, unto an earnest of life eternal and the kingdom. For I hold it good to cleave to God, to hope in the Lord for my salvation. 

Of Thy mystical supper, O Son of God, accept me this day as a partaker; for I will not speak of the mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss like Judas; but like the thief I will acknowledge Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

And making three prostration he [they] shall say to himself [themselves]:

O God, be gracious unto me, and have mercy upon me.

And taking and dividing the particle of the Holy Bread with the XC, the Priest shall place a piece in the palm of his right hand saying:

Behold, I draw near unto Christ our Immortal King and God.

The precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me [Name] the unworthy Priest, for the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

And in fear and with all precaution he shall partake of the particle in his hand. And wiping his palm with the sponge making sure that no small particle is left thereon he shall say:

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

And if the Deacon is a co-celebrant the Priest shall say:

Deacon, draw near.

 

DEACON

Behold, I draw near unto Christ our Immortal King and God.

O Master, impart unto me [Name], the unworthy Deacon, the precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

And the Priest shall place a particle of the Holy Bread in the palm of the Deacon’s right hand saying:

The precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee [Name] the reverend Deacon, for the remission of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

The Priest shall not drink from the chalice after his communion, but after the Liturgy is finished and after the holy mysteries have been consumed. [But if the Deacon is a co-celebrant then the Priest shall drink from the chalice but not the Deacon until the Liturgy is finished] For if the wine be sanctified by the placing in it of the particles, yet hath it not been transmade into the divine Blood, seeing that the words of consecration are not recited over it in this service as they are in the Liturgies of Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.

Then the Priest shall divide the two remaining portions, the NI and the KA, into small particles sufficient for all and with extreme care shall place the divided particles of the Lamb into the chalice saying naught. Then taking up the chalice he [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.

 

DEACON

Exalt, O Master.

The Priest shall cense the Holy Gifts thrice saying to himself:

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth.

And giving the censer to the Deacon, he shall take up the paten with the asterisk and the veils, and set it upon the Deacon’s head who shall proceed to the offertory table where he shall set it down. But if the Priest celebrates alone he shall take up the paten with the asterisk and the veils with his left hand and the chalice with his right saying in secret:

Blessed is our God;

And turning to face the people he shall say aloud:

Always, now and for ever: world without end.

And he shall proceed to the offertory table and there set them down: the choir meanwhile singing “Let our mouths be filled”. And when the choir is finished, he [or the Deacon] shall say:

Be upright: having partaken of the divine, holy, undefiled, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and awesome mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Having prayed that this whole evening be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

 

PRIEST

We give Thee thanks, O God and Saviour of all men, for all the good things that Thou hast bestowed upon us, and for the communion of the holy Body and Blood of Thy Christ. And we beseech Thee, O Master and lover of mankind, keep us safe under the shadow of Thy wings; and grant unto us even unto our last breath to partake worthily of Thy holy Gifts, unto the enlightening of our souls and bodies, and unto the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

 

And taking up the Gospel Book he shall make with it the sign of the Cross over the antiminsion and lay the Book upon it saying:

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, and by Thine ineffable providence and great goodness hast brought us to these most solemn days, for the purification of our souls and bodies, for the restraint of the passions, and for the hope of the resurrection. Thou who in the forty days didst deliver unto Thy servant Moses the God-engraved tables of stone, grant also unto us, O Thou who art good, to fight the good fight, to finish the course of the fast, to preserve the faith undivided, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, to be manifested victorious over sin, and to come to worship, without condemnation, the holy resurrection.

For blessed and glorified be Thy most honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.  

CHOIR: Amen. Blessed is the name of the Lord… [3]

 

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

As the choir sing “Blessed is the name…” the Priest shall enter the sanctuary and going to the offertory table shall say the following prayer silently.

O Lord our God, who hast brought us to these most solemn days and hast made us partakers of Thy dread mysteries, join us to Thy reasonable flock, and proclaim us heir of Thy kingdom, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 

Then facing the people he [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 come upon you, by His divine grace and loving-kindness, always, now and for ever: world without end.

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

 

THE DISMISSAL

May Christ our true God, by the prayers of His most holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the heavenly bodiless hosts; through the supplications of the glorious Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist; of the holy and all-glorious Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of our holy God-bearing fathers; of our father among the saints, Gregory Dialogos, Pope of Rome; of [Name of the saint to whom the Church is dedicated]; of the holy and righteous progenitors of God, Joachim and Anna; [Name of saint] to whose memory we dedicate this day; and of all the saints, have mercy upon us, and save our souls: For He is good and loving-kind.

 

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.

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

CHOIR: Amen.

 

And the Priest [or the Deacon] shall consume the remainder of the Holy Things. And having consumed with care all that is in the chalice he shall pour in wine and water and again consume until the chalice is clean and no part remains. He shall then wipe and dry the chalice with a communion veil and covering the sacred vessels, he shall wash his hands. And saying the prayers of thanksgiving he shall remove his vestments.