The Orthodox Pages THE EUCHOLOGION SERVICE FOR SECOND MARRIAGES
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RULINGS ON SECOND MARRIAGES
Ruling of Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople, the Confessor.
One who marries for a second time is not crowned, but is forbidden to partake of the most pure Mysteries for two years; but one who marries for a third time for five.
From the answers of the blessed Nicetas,Metropolitan of Herakleia,
Strictly speaking it is not permissible for those who marry for a second time to be crowned: the custom of the Great Church does not disregard such things, but nevertheless bestows marriage crowns on those who marry for a second and on those who do so for a third time. They are however forbidden to receive Holy Communion for one or two years. But the Priest who has celebrated their wedding is not allowed to dine with them, in accordance with the 7th canon of the Synod of Neocaesarea.
PRIEST Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end. CHOIR: Amen. O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. (3) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, world without end. Amen. Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, cleanse us from our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake. Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. (3) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen. Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST 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.
PRIEST 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 the servants of God (Name) and (Name) that they may live together in God’s protection, let us pray unto the Lord. That they may rightly live together in harmony, 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 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: Let us pray unto the Lord. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.
PRIEST O God eternal, Thou who didst bring together into unity the things which before had been separate, and in so doing didst impose on them an indissoluble bond of love, who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca, declaring them to be the inheritors of Thy promise: do Thou (+) bless these Thy servants (Name and (Name) guiding them into every good work. 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: Peace unto all. CHOIR: And unto thy spirit. PRIEST: Bow down your heads before the Lord. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST O Lord our God, who didst from out of the Gentiles espouse the Church as a pure virgin, bless this Betrothal (+) uniting these Thy servants, keeping them in peace and oneness of mind. 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. The Priest shall now bless the rings over the Gospel Book and then with the rings shall touch the man’s forehead, then the woman’s, then make the sign of the Cross over the man all the while saying the following: The Servant of God (Name is betrothed to the handmaiden of God (Name) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (3) CHOIR: Amen. (3) And having done this thrice he shall do the same starting first with the woman’s forehead and making the sign of the Cross over the woman. The handmaiden of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (3) CHOIR: Amen. (3) PRIEST: Let us pray unto the Lord. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.
PRIEST O Lord and Master, our God, who dispenses with all and foresees all, who knows the secrets of men and hast knowledge of all, be gracious with our sins and forgive the iniquities of those that call upon Thee, calling them to repentance. Grant unto them pardon of transgressions, mercy for sins and forgiveness of offences; voluntary and involuntary. Thou who art fashioner and creator, who knows the weakness of human nature, who forgave Rahab the harlot, and accepted the Publican’s repentance: remember not our sins of ignorance from our youth; for if Thou, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand, what flesh shall be justified in Thy sight? For Thou alone art righteous, without sin, holy, plenteous in mercy and compassionate; who repents upon the wickedness of men. Do Thou, O Master, who hast made thine own, Thy servants (Name) and (Name), unite them to each other with love. Grant them the Publican’s repentance, the Harlot’s tears, the Thief’s confession, so that by wholehearted repentance and keeping Thy commandments in harmony and peace, they may be accounted worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom. For Thou art that dispenses all things, 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: Peace unto all. CHOIR: And unto thy spirit. PRIEST: Bow down your heads before the Lord. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST O Lord Jesus Christ and Word of God, who wast lifted upon the Precious and Life-giving Cross, and didst thereby rent in pieces the record against us, and didst deliver us from the devil’s jurisdiction, have mercy upon the iniquities of Thy servants, for since they have not the strength to sustain the scorching heat and burden of the day and the burning fever of the flesh, are now entering together the communion of a second marriage: since Thou didst make it lawful through the vessel of Thine elect, Paul the Apostle, saying for us lowly ones “it is better to marry in the Lord than to burn”. For inasmuch as Thou art good and lovest mankind, have mercy, forgive, have compassion, remit and pardon our transgressions, for Thou art that took our sicknesses upon His shoulders. For no one is without sin or stain, not even if their life were but one day. But Thou alone didst put on flesh without sin and didst grant unto us eternal non-suffering. For Thou art God, the God of those that repent, 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 O Holy God, Thou who didst form man from the dust, and from his side didst fashion woman, and joining her to him as a helpmate for him, for thus was it seemly unto Thy Majesty that man should not be alone upon the earth. Do Thou also now, O Lord and Master, stretch forth Thy hand from Thy holy dwelling place, and join (the Priest joins their right hands) together this Thy servant (Name) and this Thy handmaiden (Name), for by Thee is a wife joined to her husband. Unite them together in oneness of mind; crown them together as one flesh, grant unto them the fruit of the womb and the pleasure of well-favoured children. 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. CHOIR: Amen. The Priest shall now bless the crowns over the Gospel Book and then with the crowns shall touch the man’s forehead, then the woman’s, then make the sign of the Cross between them all the while saying the following: The servant of God (Name) is crowned to the handmaiden of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (3) CHOIR: Amen. (3) And having done this thrice he shall do the same starting first with the woman’s forehead. The handmaiden of God (Name) is crowned to the servant of God (Name, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (3) CHOIR: Amen (3). And placing the crowns upon their heads the Priest shall chant O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honour. The choir also shall repeat the verse twice. READER: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones. PRIEST: Let us attend. READER: They asked life from Thee and Thou didst give them length of days. PRIEST: Wisdom. READER: The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians. (5: 20-33) PRIEST: Let us attend.
READER Brethren, give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. PRIEST: Peace unto thee (that readest). CHOIR: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thou, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. PRIEST: Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace unto all. CHOIR: And unto thy spirit. PRIEST: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (2: 1-11) Let us give heed. CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
PRIEST At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, they have no wine. Jesus saith unto her: Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto them: draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him: every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him. CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
PRIEST Let us all say with all our soul, and with all our mind, let us say. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition, the choir shall sing Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy. We beseech Thee also for mercy, life, peace, health and salvation for Thy servants (Name) and (Name) and for all the people here present who await Thy 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: Let us pray unto the Lord. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison. PRIEST O Lord our God, who by Thy saving dispensation didst vouchsafe to show, by Thy presence in Cana of Galilee, marriage to be honourable: do Thou also now preserve in peace and harmony these Thy servants (Name) and (Name) with whom Thou art well pleased should be joined to one another. Declare their marriage honourable: preserve their bed undefiled: grant that their life together be without spot of sin: and vouchsafe that they may attain unto a ripe old age, keeping Thy commandments with a pure heart. For Thou art our God, the God of mercy and salvation, and to 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. CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.
PRIEST That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us entreat the Lord. CHOIR: Grant us, O Lord. And after each petition the choir shall sing 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 transgressions, 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 faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST 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:
CHOIR Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST 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. PRIEST: Peace unto all. CHOIR: And unto thy spirit. PRIEST: Let us bow our heads before the Lord. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord. PRIEST: Let us pray unto the Lord. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.
The Priest shall bless the cup whilst saying the following prayer: O God, who by Thy might didst create all things, making firm the universe and adorning the crown of all things created by Thee: Do Thou also bless (+) with Thy spiritual blessing this common cup given to them that are joined in the community of marriage. For blessed is Thy Name, and glorified is Thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. CHOIR: Amen. The Priest shall now give them to drink of the cup three times, first to the man, and then to the woman.
CHOIR I will drink of the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord.
The Priest shall then take the bridal pair and lead them around the table three times chanting the following verses: TONE 5 O Isaiah rejoice, the virgin was indeed with child, and brought forth a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man; Dayspring is His Name: And by magnifying Him we hail the Virgin as blest. TONE 7 O Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and thus received crowns of victory, intercede unto our Lord, that He may have mercy upon our souls. Glory to Thee, O Christ our God, the prideful boast of the Apostles; the joy of the Martyrs, who preached unto all; the consubstantial Trinity.
The Priest shall then take up the crowns: And taking that of the bridegroom he shall say: Be magnified, O Bridegroom, as was Abraham, and be blest, as was Isaac, and be multiplied, as was Jacob: Go thy way in peace, performing in righteousness the commandments of God.
And taking that of the bride he shall say: And thou, O Bride, be magnified as was Sarah, and be rejoiced as was Rebecca, and be multiplied as was Rachael, being glad in thine own husband, keeping the ways of the law; for thus is God well pleased. PRIEST: Let us pray unto the Lord. CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.
PRIEST O God, our God, who was present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there: Do Thou also bless (+) these Thy servants, who by Thy providence are joined in the community of marriage. Bless them when they come in and when they go out. Replenish their life with all good things. Receive their crowns in Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, undefiled and without reproach, unto the ages of ages. CHOIR: Amen. PRIEST: Peace unto all. CHOIR: And unto Thy spirit. PRIEST: Let us bow down our heads before the Lord. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.
PRIESTMay the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; the all Holy and Consubstantial and Life-giving Trinity; One Godhead and kingdom; Bless (+) you and grant unto you long life; well favoured children; progress in life and in faith; replenish you with all the good things of the earth; and account you worthy to know the joy of the promised blessings; through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the saints. CHOIR: Amen. PRIEST: Glory be unto Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory be unto Thee.
CHOIR Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Holy Father give the blessing.
PRIEST May He, who by His presence in Cana of Galilee, did declare marriage to be honourable, Christ our true God, by the prayers of His Most Holy Mother; of the holy and all glorious Apostles; of the holy God-crowned Kings and equal to the Apostles Constantine and Helen; of the holy Greatmartyr Procopius and all the saints: have mercy upon us and save us; for He is good and loving-kind and a merciful God. By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. CHOIR: Amen.
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