THE DIVINE LITURGY OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Deacon: Bless, Master. Priest:

    BLESSED is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. Deacon:

    In peace let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

    For our ([lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., and/or [the Right Reverend] Bishop N.,) for the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the President (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    (That He may aid them and subdue under their feet every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.)

    For this city (or this village), for every city and country, and for those who in faith dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For favorable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For travelers by land, by sea, and by air, for the sick and the suffering, for captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord.

    The priest says secretly the Prayer of the First Antiphon:

    O Lord our God, whose might is incomparable, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love of man is ineffable, do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tenderheartedness look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassion. Exclamation:

    For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    And the First Antiphon is sung by the singers.

    The deacon then, having made a reverence, goes from his place to stand before the icon of Christ, holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand.

    At the conclusion of the Antiphon, the deacon comes to stand in his accustomed place, and, having made a reverence, he says:

    Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. Prayer of the Second Antiphon

    O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house; glorify them in return by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope in thee. Exclamation:

    For thine is the strength, and thine are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    And the Second Antiphon is sung in like manner by the singers. The deacon then does the same as at the first prayer. Then the deacon says:

    Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. Prayer of the Third Antiphon

    O thou who hast bestowed on us these common and accordant prayers, and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests, fulfil even now the requests of thy servants as is expedient for them, granting us in this present age the knowledge of thy truth, and in that to come, life eternal. Exclamation:

    For thou art a good God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    Here the doors are opened for the Little Entrance.
    Then we sing the Third Antiphon, or the Beatitudes, if it be Sunday. When they come to the Glory, the priest and the deacon, standing before the holy table, make three reverences. The priest then takes up the Book of the Holy Gospels, gives it to the deacon, and they go to the right side and behind the holy table, and coming out by the north door, preceded by candle bearers, they make the Little Entrance.
    Then standing in the accustomed place, they both bow their heads, and the deacon says: Let us pray to the Lord. And the priest says the Prayer of the Entrance secretly. Prayer of the Entrance

    O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven ranks and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory, make there to be with our entrance an entrance of holy angels serving with us, and with us glorifying thy goodness.
    For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

    When the prayer is finished, the deacon, holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand and pointing therewith to the east, says to the priest: Bless, Master, the holy entrance. Blessing, the priest says:

    Blessed is the entrance of thy saints, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    Then the deacon gives the Book of the Holy Gospels to the priest to kiss.
    When the last troparion is concluded, the deacon comes to stand in the center in front of the priest, he elevates his hands a little, and, showing the Book of the Holy Gospels, he says in a loud voice: Wisdom. Attend.

    Then, having made a reverence, the deacon enters the sanctuary, followed by the priest, and he lays the Book of the Holy Gospels on the holy table, while the singers sing:

    O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who art wondrous in thy Saints, who sing unto thee, Alleluia. once

    If it is Sunday: who art risen from the dead, who sing unto thee, Alleluia.

    Then the proper troparia. And the priest says this prayer: The Prayer of the Trisagion Hymn

    O holy God, who restest in thy Saints, who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy voice, and art glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by all the heavenly Powers, and who from non-being hast brought all things into being, who hast created man after thine image and likeness, and hast adorned him with thine every gift, who givest to him that asketh wisdom and understanding, and who despisest not him that sinneth, but hast set forth repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even at this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar, and to offer thee due worship and glorification, thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouths of us sinners the Thrice-holy Hymn and visitus in thy loving-kindness. Pardon us every offense, voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and all the Saints, who from everlasting have been well-pleasing unto thee.

    When the singers come to the last troparion, the deacon says to the priest, bowing his head and holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand:

    Bless, Master, the time of the Thrice-holy. The priest, signing him, exclaims:

    For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever.

    The troparion having been finished, the deacon comes near the holy doors, and pointing with his orarion, first to the icon of Christ, he says: O Lord, save the pious, and hear us.

    Then pointing, he says to those who stand without in a loud voice: and unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.

    And we sing the Trisagion, the priest and the deacon say the Same, making three reverences before the holy table.
    Then the deacon says to the priest: Command, Master.

    And they go, forth to the cathedra, and the priest says as he goes:

    Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Deacon: Bless, Master, the cathedra on high. Then the priest:     Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom, thou that sittest upon the Cherubim, always, now and ever. and unto ages of ages.

    It is to be noted that the priest is not to ascend to the cathedra nor to sit on it, but to sit to the side of the cathedra, to the south side.

    At the conclusion of the Trisagion, the deacon, having come before the holy doors, says: Let us attend. The priest then exclaims: Peace be to all. And the reader says: And to thy spirit. And again the deacon: Wisdom.

    And the reader reads the prokeimenon, from the Psalms of David. Then the deacon says: Wisdom.

    And the reader reads the title of the lesson:

    Reading from the Acts of the Holy Apostles or from the General Epistle of James or from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans or to the Corinthians or to the Galatians. And again the deacon: Let us attend.

    When the Epistle is finished, the priest says: Peace be to thee [that readest] . Reader: And to thy spirit. Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: Alleluia, with verses

    During the singing of Alleluia or the reading of the Epistle, the deacon takes the censer and incense and approaches the priest, and, receiving the blessing from him, censes the holy table round about and the whole sanctuary, and the priest:
    The priest, standing before the holy table, says this prayer: The Prayer before the Gospel

    Make shine in our hearts, O Master who lovest man, the incorrupt light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the comprehension of the preaching of thy Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both considering and doing all things well-pleasing unto thee.
    For thou art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

    The deacon, having put the censer away in its customary place, approaches the priest and bows his head before him, holding his orarion with the tips of his fingers and pointing to the Book of the Holy Gospels. Then he says:

    Bless, Master, him that proclaimeth the Gospel of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Name. The priest then signing him, says:

    May God, through the intercessions of the holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist Name, grant utterance with great power unto thee that proclaimest the good tidings, unto the fulfilment of the Gospel of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

    And he gives him the Book of the Holy Gospels.

    The deacon then says Amen, and having reverenced the Book of the Holy Gospels, receives it, and, coming out of the holy doors, preceded by candles, comes forth and stands on the ambo or the place prepared.

    The priest then, standing before the holy table and turning toward the west, says:

    Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Then: Peace be to all.

    Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon:

    The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Name.
    Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
    Priest: Let us attend.

    If two deacons serve, one says: Wisdom. Attend . . . and then: Let us attend.

    When the Gospel reading is concluded, the priest says:

    Peace be to thee that proclaimest the Gospel.

    Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

    The deacon, coming then up to the holy doors, gives the Book of the Holy Gospels to the priest, and the holy doors are again closed.

    The deacon standing in the accustomed place, begins thus:

    Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

    Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    [Again we pray for pious Orthodox Christians.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice]

    Again we pray for our [lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Right Reverend] Bishop N., and for all our brethren in Christ.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice The Prayer of Fervent Supplication

    O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from thy servants and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercies, and send down thy compassion upon us and upon all thy people, who await from thee a rich mercy.

    Again we pray for the President of (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the founders of this holy Church (or Monastery) and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox gone to rest before us, who lie here and everywhere.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of the sins of the servant(s) of God, N N., and of our brethren of this holy temple.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and revered temple, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people present who await of thee a great and rich mercy.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice Exclamation:

    For thou art a merciful God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.


    If there are offerings for those who have fallen asleep, the deacon or the priest says this litany:

    Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    Again we pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, NN., who have fallen asleep, and that thou mayest pardon them all their offenses both voluntary and involuntary.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    That the Lord God may make their souls to dwell where the righteous repose.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice

    The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of their sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. Priest:

    O God of spirits and of all flesh, who hast trampled down death and overthrown the Devil, and given life to thy world, do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of thy servants, names, who have fallen asleep, in a place of light, in a place of verdure, in a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow, and sighing are fled away. Pardon every sin committed 4y them in word or deed or thought, for thou art a good God and Lover of man, for there is no man that liveth and sinneth not, for thou only art without sin and thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word is truth. Exclamation:

    For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy servants, names, who have fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto thee do we send up glory together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.


Then the deacon:

    Pray ye unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Ye faithful, pray for the catechumens.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That the Lord may have mercy on them.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That He may instruct them in the Word of truth.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That He may reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That He may unite them unto His holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. Prayer for the Catechumens

    O Lord our God, who dwellest on high and lookest upon the humble, who hast sent forth as the salvation of the race of men thine only-begotten Son, and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, look upon thy servants the catechumens, who have bowed their necks before thee. Vouchsafe unto them in due time the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruption. Unite them to thy holy Catholic andApostolic Church, and number them with thine elect flock. Exclamation:

    That with us they also may glorify thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. And the priest spreads out the antimension. The deacon says: As many as are catechumens, depart. If there is a second deacon, he says: Catechumens, depart. And again the first:

    As many as are catechumens, depart.
    Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    If there is but one deacon, or if the priest serve without a deacon, then he says:

    As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. First Prayer of the Faithful

    We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God of Powers, who hast vouchsafed unto us even now to stand before thy holy Altar, and to fall down before thy compassion for our sins and for the ignorance of the people. Accept, O God, our supplications, make us to be worthy to offer unto thee supplications and prayers and bloodless sacrifices for all thy people. And enable us whom thou hast placed in this thy service, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without faltering, with the witness of a clean conscience, to call upon thee at all times and in every place, that hearing us, thou mayest be gracious unto us in the multitude of thy goodness.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom. Exclamation:

    For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. Deacon:

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.


    When the priest serves alone, the following are not said

    For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

    For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.


Second Prayer of the Faithful

    Again and oftimes we fall down before thee and pray thee, O Good One who lovest man, that thou, regarding our supplication, mayest cleanse our souls and bodies from all pollution of flesh and spirit and mayest grant us to stand guiltless and uncondemned before thy holy altar. Grant also, O God, to those that pray with us progress in life and faith and spiritual understanding. Grant them always to adore thee with fear and love, and guiltless and uncondemned to partake of thy holy Mysteries and to be made worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom. The deacon goes in through the north door. Exclamation:

    That being kept always under thy might, we may send up glory unto thee, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    And the holy doors are opened.
    Then, while the Cherubim Hymn is being sung, the deacon, taking the censer and putting incense therein, goes to the priest, and, having recei@ed his blessing, censes the holy table round about, the whole sanctuary, and the iconostasis, then the priest, the choirs and the people, saving Psalm 5O and penitential troparia, as he may see fit.
    The priest then says this prayer secretly:

    None is worthy among those that are bound with carnal desires and pleasures to approach or draw nigh or to minister to thee, O King of glory, for to serve thee is a great and fearful thing even unto the heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine ineffable and immeasurable love of man, without change or alteration, thou didst become man and didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the priestly rite of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice, for thou art Master of all. Thou alone, O Lord our God, art Master over those in heaven and on earth, Who on the throne of the Cherubim art borne, Who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, Who alone art holy and restest in the Saints. I implore thee, therefore, who alone art good and ready to listen, look down upon me a sinner and thine unprofitable servant, and purify my soul and heart from an evil conscience, and, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, enable me, who am clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy table and to perform the sacred rite of thy holy, immaculate Body and precious Blood. For thee do I approach, and bowing my neck I pray thee, turn not away thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children, but make me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer unto thee these gifts, for thou thyself art He that offereth and is offered, that accepted and is distributed, O Christ our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

    When the prayer and the censing are completed, the priest and the deacon, standing before the holy table, say the Cherubim Hymn thrice. At the end of each they make a reverence. Priest:

    We, the Cherubim mystically representing, and to the life-creating Trinity the thrice-holy hymn with them singing, all life's cares now lay aside ... Deacon:

    That the King of all we may receive, by angelic hosts invisibly escorted. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

    Then they go forth to the Prothesis Table, the deacon going first, and the priest censes the holy Things, praying thus: O God, cleanse thou me a sinner. The deacon says to the priest: Lift, Master.

    And the priest, lifting the aer, lays it on the deacon's left shoulder, saying:

    In peace lift up your hands in the sanctuaries and bless the Lord.

    Then, taking the holy diskos, he sets it on the deacon's head with all heed and reverence, the deacon meanwhile holding the censer with one finger of his right hand. The priest himself takes the chalice in his hands, and they both go forth on the north side, praying, and preceded by candle-bearers with candles. The deacon says:

    The Lord God remember us all in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Then the priest:

    Our [lord, the Most Blessed (or Most Reverend) Name,] Metropolitan (or Archbishop) of Title, our [lord, the Right Reverend Name,] Bishop of Title, the Lord God remember them (or him) in His kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.


    The deacon says: (usually when the civil authorities are Orthodox)

    The President (or title of the highest civil authority) of Country, all civil authorities, and the armed forces, the Lord God remember them in His kingdom always, now ever, and unto ages of ages.


Then the priest:

    All you Orthodox Christians, the Lord God remember you in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    The deacon, having entered through the holy doors, stands to the right, and as the priest enters, says to him:

    The Lord God remember thy priesthood in His kingdom. And the priest to him:

    The Lord God remember thy diaconate in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    The priest then sets the holy chalice down on the holy table, and taking the holy diskos from the deacon's head, sets it down on the holy table also, saying:

    The noble Joseph, taking down thine immaculate Body from the Tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, placed it in a new tomb.
    In the grave bodily, but in Hell with the soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne wast thou, O Christ, with the Father and the Spirit, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.
    As life-bearing, as more beautiful than Paradise, and truly brighter than any kingly chamber is shown forth thy grave, O Christ, the fountain of our resurrection.

    Then taking the veils from the holy diskos and from the holy chalice, he lays them on one side of the holy table; then taking the aer from the deacon's shoulder, and having censed it, he covers the holy Things with it, saying:

    The noble Joseph, taking down thine immaculate Body from the Tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, placed it in a new tomb.

    And taking the censer from the deacon's hands, he censes the holy Things thrice, saying:

    Do good, O Lord, in thy goodwill unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then thou shalt be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, ablations, and burntofferings; then shall they lay bullocks upon thine altar.

    And giving up the censer, and bowing his head, he says to the deacon: Remember me, brother and concelebrant. And the deacon, to him: The Lord God remember thy priesthood in His kingdom. And the priest: Pray for me, my concelebrant.

    And then the deacon, bowing his head, and holding his orarion the while with three fingers of his right hand, says to the priest:

    The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. The priest:

    The same Spirit shall serve with us all the days of our life. And the deacon to him: Remember me, holy Master. The priest:

    The Lord God remember thee in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Deacon: Amen.

    And having kissed the priest's right hand, he goes out the north door, and standing in the customary place, says:

    Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the precious Gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

    For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Prayer of the Prothesis, after placing the divine Gifts on the holy table:

    O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept the sacrifice of praise from those that call upon thee with their whole heart, accept also the prayer of us sinners, and bring it to thy holy Altar, and enable us to offer unto thee both gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and vouchsafe that we may find grace before thee, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee, and that the good Spirit of thy grace may abide in us and upon these Gifts set forth, and upon all thy people. Deacon:

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

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

    Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. The priest exclaims:

    Through the compassions of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon:

    Let us love one another that with one accord we may confess: Choir:

    Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, One in essence and Undivided.

    And the priest makes three reverences, saying secretly:

    I will love thee, O Lord, my might; the Lord is my foundation, my refuge, and my deliverer. thrice

    And he kisses the holy Things, which remain covered, thus: first the top of the holy diskos, then thetop of the holy cup, and the edge of the holy table in front of him. If there are two or more priests, they all kiss the holy Things and each other on the shoulder. The celebrant says: Christ is in our midst. And the one he kisses answers: He is and shall be.

    And then the deacons, if there are two or three, kiss their oraria where the cross is depicted, and each other, saying just what the priests have said. The deacon, if there is but one, similarly, makes reverences, standing in his place, kisses his orarion where the cross is depicted, and then exclaims:

    The doors, the doors! In wisdom let us attend.

    The priest Iifts the aer and holds it over the holy Gifts. If several priests are serving, then they lift the holy aer and hold it over the holy Gifts and wave it saying to themselves the Confession of the Faith, as do the people.

    I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the onlybegotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the fight hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the I ife of the age to come. Amen. Deacon:

    Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy Oblation in peace.

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

    The priest, having taken the aer from off the holy Things, kissed it, and laid it to one side, says: The grace of our. . .
    The deacon, having made a reverence, goes into the sanctuary, and taking a fan, devoutly fans the holy Things. If there are no fans, he does this with one of the veils. Exclamation:

    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
    Choir: And with thy spirit. The priest, facing east: Let us lift up our hearts. Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord. Choir:

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

    It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee, and to worship thee in every place of thy dominion, for thou art God inexpressibie, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, everexisting, eternally the same, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou didst bring us from nonexistence into being, and when we had fallen away, didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us up to heaven, and hadst bestowed upon us thy kingdom, which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine only-begotten Son, and to thy Holy Spirit, for all things of which we know and of which we know not, for the benefits both revealed and unrevealed, which have been done for us. And we give thanks unto thee for this service which thou hast vouchsafed to accept from our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of Angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, borne aloft on their wings.

    And the deacon, taking the holy star from the holy diskos, makes the sign of the cross above it, and having kissed it, he lays it aside. Exclamation:

    Singing the hymn of victory, shouting, crying, and saying: Choir:

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

    Then the deacon comes and stands on the right side, and taking a fan in his hand, waves it quietly with all heed and fear over the holy Gifts, so that flies or other insects may not settle on them. The priest prays:

With these blessed Powers, we also, O Master, Lover of man, cry and say, Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; holy art thou and all-holy, and magnificent is thy glory, Who hast so loved thy world as to give thine only-begotten Son that all that believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life, Who when He had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night in which He was given up, or rather, gave Himself up, for the life of the world, took bread in His holy andimmaculate and blameless hands, and when He had given thanks, and blessed it, and hallowed it, and broken it, He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying: Exclamation:

    Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins.
    Choir: Amen.

    While this is being said, the deacon shows the priest the holy diskos, holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand, and in like manner when the priest says: Drink ye all of this, he shows him the holy chalice. The priest, secretly: And likewise the cup after supper, saying: Exclamation:

    Drink ye all of this; this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. The priest prays:

    Remembering this saving commandment and all those things which came to pass for us: the cross, the grave, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the sitting down at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again, Exclamation:

Thine own of thine own we offer unto thee on behalf of all and for all.     While this is being said, the deacon puts aside the fan, and crossing his arms, elevates the holy diskos and the holy chalice, and makes a devout reverence. Choir:

    We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, O our God. The priest prays:

    Again we offer unto thee this rational and bloodless worship, and we call upon thee and pray thee, and supplicate thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts set forth.


    And the deacon sets aside the fan and draws near to the priest, and they both make three reverences before holy table, praying within themselves and saying: Priest:

    O Lord, who at the third hour didst send down thine all-holy Spirit upon thine Apostles, take not the same from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto thee. Deacon, the verse:

    A clean heart create in me, O God, and a right spirit renew in my inmost parts. Again the priest:

    O Lord, who at the third hour . . . Deacon, the verse:

    Cast me not away from thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. And again the priest:

    O Lord, who at the third hour . . .

    Then bowing his head and pointing to the holy Bread with his orarion, the deacon says: Bless, Master, the holy bread.

    And the priest, rising, signs the holy Bread saying:

    And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ.
    Deacon: Amen. And again the deacon: Bless, Master, the holy cup. And the priest blessing, says:

    And that which is in this cup the precious Blood of thy Christ.
    Choir: Amen.

    And again the deacon, showing both the holy Things, says: Bless, Master, both.

    The priest, blessing both the holy Things, says: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit. Deacon: Amen. Amen. Amen.

    And bowing his head to the priest, the deacon says: Remember me a sinner, holy Master. And the priest says:

    May the Lord God remember thee in His kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    The deacon says, Amen, and goes forth to where he was before, and taking a fan, waves it overthe holy Things as before. The priest prays:

    That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto forgiveness of sins, unto communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation.
    Again we offer unto thee this rational worship for those who in faith have gone before to their rest, Forefathers, Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and for every righteous spirit in faith made perfect,

    And taking the censer, the priest exclaims:

    Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.

    And he censes before the holy table thrice.
    Then the deacon censes the holy table round about, and he remembers whom he will of the living and the dead. The choir sings:

    Meet it is in truth to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever blessed and all-blameless, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious without compare than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, verily Theotokos, we magnify thee.

    Or instead of Meet it is, the Hermos of the feast that is being celebrated. The priest prays:

    For the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-laudable Apostles, Saint Name, whose memory we celebrate, and all thy saints, through whose supplications do thou look upon us, O God.
    And remember all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal,
    And he remembers by name whom he will of those who have fallen asleep.
    And give them rest where the light of thy face watcheth over them.
    Again we call upon thee, remember, O Lord, the whole episcopate of the Orthodox rightly dividing the word of thy truth, all the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly order.
    Again we offer unto thee this rational worship for the world, for the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, for those who continue in purity and in a sober way of life, for all civil authorities and the armed forces. Grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we also in their tranquility, may lead a calm and quiet life in all piety and sobriety.

    And after the singing of the megalinarion, the priest exclaims:

    Among the first, remember, O Lord, our [lord, the Most Reverend (or Most Blessed) Name,] Archbishop of City and/or Metropolitan of jurisdiction, our [lord, the Right Reverend Name,] Bishop of City, whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health, and length of days, rightly dividing the word of thy truth.

    The deacon remembers the living.
    The singers sing: And all mankind.     The priest prays:

    Remember, O Lord, the city in which we dwell, and every city and country and those who in faith dwell therein. Remember, O Lord, those who travel by land, by sea, and by air, the sick, the suffering, captives, and their salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and who remember the needy, and upon us all send forth thy mercies.
    And he remembers by name whom he will of the Iiving. Exclamation:

    And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and hymn thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    The priest, turning toward the doors and blessing, says:

    And the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
    Choir: And with thy spirit.

    The deacon, receiving the priest's leave, comes out and, standing in the usual place, says:

    Having remembered all the saints, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For the precious Gifts set forth and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That our God, the Lover of man, accepting them upon His holy, most heavenly, and ideal Altar for an odor of spiritual sweetness, might send down upon us in return the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy. The priest prays:

    Unto thee we commend all our life and hope, O Master, Lover of man, and we call upon thee, and pray thee, and supplicate thee, vouchsafe unto us to partake of thy heavenly and dread Mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table with a clean conscience unto forgiveness of sins, unto pardon of offenses, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto judgment nor unto condemnation. The deacon:

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

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

    Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
    Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

    Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. The priest exclaims:

    And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God and Father, and to say: People:

    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The Priest:

    For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    Priest: Peace be to all.
    Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon:

    Bow your heads unto the Lord.
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. The priest prays:

    We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy measureless power hast fashioned all things, and in the multitude of thy mercies hast brought all things from nonexistence into being, do thou thyself, O Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee, for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but unto thee, the fearful God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself distribute these things here set forth unto us all for good, according to the individual need of each. Travel with those that journey by land, by sea, and by air. Heal the sick, O thou Physician of our souls and bodies. Exciamation:

    Through the grace and compassion and love of man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. The priest prays:

    Attend, 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 with the Father above, and that art invisibly present here with us. And vouchsafe, by thy strong right hand to impart to us thine immaculate body and thy precious blood, and through us, to all thy people.

    While this prayer is being said, the deacon, standing before the holy doors, binds the orarion about him crosswise.
    Then the priest, and likewise the deacon in the place where he stands, bows and says silently thrice:

    O God, cleanse thou me a sinner and have mercy on me.

    When the deacon sees the priest stretch out his hands and touch the holy Bread in order to make the elevation, he exclaims: Let us attend.

    The priest then, elevating the holy Bread, exclaims: Holy Things are for the holy. Choir:

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

    And the choirs sing the koinonikon of the day or of the saint.

    The deacon then enters the sanctuary and, standing at the right of the priest, says: Break, Master, the holy Bread.

    The priest, breaking it into four parts with heed and reverence, says:

    Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken and not disunited, which is ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifieth those that partake thereof.

    The priest should know that, on breaking the holy Lamb, he is to place the side with the sign of the Cross downward to the holy diskos, the cut side upward as before, when it was sacrificed. The portion IC, then, he places toward the upper part of the holy diskos, that is to the East; XC, then, toward the lower part, which is to the West, and the NI to the north side, and KA to the south side, as shown here: IC NI         KA XC

    Taking the portion IC, he fills the holy cup, XC is divided among the priests and deacons, and those two remaining portions, NI and KA, are divided into small portions, so many as he shalI consider to be suff icient for the communicants.

    The deacon, then, showing the holy chalice with the orarion, says:

    Fill, Master, the holy chalice.

    The priest, then, taking the portion that is on the upper side of the diskos, that is, IC, makes the sign of the Cross with ii above the holy chalice, saying:

    The fulness of the cup, of the faith, of the Holy Spirit.

    And then he puts it into the holy cup. Deacon: Amen.

    And taking the warm water, he says to the priest: Bless, Master, the warm water. The priest blesses, saying:

    Blessed is the warmth of thy saints always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

    And the deacon pours a little into the chalice crosswise, saying:

    The warmth of the faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

    And setting aside the warm water, he stands a little way off. The priest then says: Deacon, draw near:

    And the deacon, having approached, makes a reverence, asking forgiveness.

    The priest then, taking the holy Bread, gives it to the deacon. And the deacon, having kissed the hand with which he gives him the holy Bread, receives it, saying:

    Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. The priest then says:

    To thee, the deacon Name, is imparted the precious, and holy, and immaculate Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life eternal.

    And the deacon withdraws behind the holy table, and bowing his head, he prays, as does also the priest, saying:

    I believe, O Lord . . . and the rest (see below)

    Similarly the priest also, taking one portion of the holy Bread, says:

    The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the priest Name,unto forgiveness of my sins, and unto life eternal.

    And bowing his head, he prays, saying:

    I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. And I believe that this is thine own immaculate Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray thee, have mercy on me, and pardon my trespasses, voluntary and involuntary, in word, or in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, and make me worthy without condemnation to partake of thine immaculate Mysteries unto forgiveness of sins and unto life eternal. Then:

    Of thy mystical supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant, for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess thee, remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.
    Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto healing of soul and body.

    Thus they partake of that which they hold in their hands with fear and all wariness.

    Then the priest, rising, takes the holy chalice in both hands with the veil and partakes of it thrice, saying:

    The precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the servant of God, the priest Name, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. Amen.

    Then, wiping his lips and the edge of the chalice with the cloth that he holds in his hand, he says:

    This hath touched my lips and shall take away my transgressions and cleanse my sins. Then he calls the deacon, saying: Deacon, draw near again.

    And the deacon approaches and makes a reverence, saying:

    Again I draw near to our immortal King and God.
    Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. And the priest says:

    Unto thee, the servant of God, the deacon Name, is imparted the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life eternal.

    When the deacon has partaken, the priest says:

    This hath touched thy lips, and shall take away thy transgressions and cleanse thy sins.

    It should be noted that, if there are those who wish to communicate of the holy Mysteries, the priest divides the two remaining portions, that is NI and KA, into small pieces, so that there will be enough for all the communicants. And then he places them in the holy chalice, and he covers the holy chalice with the veil. Similarly, he lays the star-cover and the veils on the holy diskos.
    They then open the doors of the sanctuary, and the deacon, making a reverence, takes the chalice from the priest with devotion, approaches the doors, and elevating the holy chalice, shows it to the people, saying:

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

    Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord that hath revealed Himself unto us.

    Those who wish to communicate shall then approach. They come one by one and they make a reverence with all contrition and fear, holding their hands folded on their breast. Thus each receives the Divine Mysteries.

    The priest says on communicating each one:

    The servant of God, Name, partakes of the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ unto forgiveness of his sins and unto life eternal.

    And the deacon wipes the lips of each with the cloth.

    The communicant, having partaken, shall kiss the holy chalice, make a reverence, and withdraw. And thus all communicate.

    After communion, the priest enters the sanctuary, and sets the holy Things down on the holy table.

    The deacon then, holding the holy diskos over the holy chalice, says these hymns of the Resurrection:

    Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we worship, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify, for thou art our God; we know no other than thee; thy name do we name. Come, all ye faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection, for, behold, through the Cross joy hath come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us hymn His Resurrection. By enduring the Cross for us, by death hath He abolished death.
    Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Dance and rejoice, O Zion, and, thou, O pure Theotokos, exult in the rising of Him thou didst bear.
    O great and holiest Pascha, Christ. O Wisdom and Word of God and Power, grant us truly to partake of thee in the day without evening of thy kingdom.

    He wipes the diskos thoroughly with the holy sponge, with heed and reverence, saying these words:

    Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated by thine precious Blood, through the prayers of thy saints.

    The priest blesses the people, exclaiming:

    O God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.

    And turning to the holy . table, the priest censes it thrice, saying:

    Be thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and above all the earth thy glory. The choir sings:

    We have seen the true Light. We have received the heavenly Spirit. We have found the true Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity, for He hath saved us.

    The priest then, taking the holy diskos, sets it on the deacon's head. And the deacon, taking it reverently, looks toward the holy door, saying nothing, and goes forth to the prothesis table and sets it down. And ttie priest, having made a reverence, takes the holy chalice, turns toward the doors, and, looking toward the people, says secretly: Blessed is our God, And he exclaims:

    Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    And he goes forth to the noly prothesis table, and there sets down the holy Things.

    Choir: Amen.

    Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may hymn thy glory, for thou hast made us worthy to partake of thy holy, immortal and life-creating (immaculate in Greek) Mysteries. Preserve us in thy holiness, that all the day long we may meditate on thy righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

    And the deacon, unbinding his orarion, comes forth by the north door, and standing in his usual place, says:

    Attend. Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, and dread Mysteriesof Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
    Choir: Lord, have mercy.

    Having asked that the whole day be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God,
    Choir: To thee, O Lord. The Prayer of Thanksgiving

    We give thanks to thee, O man-loving Master, Benefactor of our souls, for that thou hast vouchsafed unto us this present day thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make our way straight. Establish us all in thy fear. Guard our life. Make firm our steps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary and of all thy Saints.

    The priest, having folded the antimension, and holding upright the holy Gospel Book, makes the signof the Cross with it over the antimension. Exclamation:

    For thou art our sanctification and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen.

    Priest: Let us depart in peace.

    Choir: In the name of the Lord.

    Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

    Choir: Lord, have mercy. Prayer behind the Ambo

    Blessing those that bless thee, O Lord, and sanctifying those that trust in thee, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those that love the beauty of thy house. Glorify them in return by thy divine power, and forsake us not that hope in thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, and to all thy people. For every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights, and unto thee do we send up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
    Choir: Amen. Then:

    Blessed be the name . . . thrice, and Psalm 33, 1 will bless the Lord . . .

    The prayer is said, the deacon standing to the right before the icon of Christ the Master, holding hisorarion, and with his head bowed until the end of the prayer. Having finished the prayer, the priest enters through the holy doors and goes forth to the prothesis table and says the following prayer:

    Prayer said at the Consuming of the Holy Things:

    Thou who art the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, O Christ our God, who didst fulfill all the Father's dispensation, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

    The deacon, having entered through the north door, consumes the holy Things with fear and all wariness. The priest, having come forth, gives the people the antidoron.
    After the conclusion of the Psalm and the distribution of the antidoron, he says:

    The blessing of the Lord and His mercy be upon you, through His grace and love of man always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

    Choir: Amen. Priest:

    Glory to thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to thee.

    Choir: Glory... Now and . . . , Lord, have mercy. thrice, Bless. Priest:

    May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate Mother (and the rest), of our Father among the Saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and of (name of the saint of the temple and of the day), and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of man.   The choir sings the Many Years.

    The priest, having entered the sanctuary, says the prayers of thanksgiving.

    Then: Lord, now lettest thou... the Trisagion, and after Our Father . . .

    Priest: For thine is the kingdom . . .     The Dismissal Troparion in Tone 8:  

    From thy mouth grace, shining forth like a beaconfire, hath enlightened the universe, and hath gained for the world treasures of non-avariciousness, and hath shown us the height of humility. And as thou dost instruct us by thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede with Christ God, the Word, to save our souls.

    Glory, Kontakion, Tone 6: Similar to Thou who for us . . .

    From heaven thou didst receive divine grace, and by thy lips thou dost teach all to worship in Trinity the one God, O John Chrysostom, all-blessed Saint. Worthily do we extol thee, for thou art an instructor that dost make clear things divine. Both now. . . , the Theotokion:

    O Protection of Christians that is not put to shame, unchanging Mediation before the Creator, despise not the voice of the sinners' prayer, but in that thou art good, come quickly to help us who call upon thee in faith, make speed to intercede and make haste to supplicate, O Theotokos, who dost ever protect those that honor thee.

    Or, if he wishes, he says the troparion of the day.

    Lord, have mercy. 12 times More honorable than the Cherubim . . . . Glory . . . Now and . . . And he gives the dismissal.

    The deacon consumes the holy Things with all fear, so that no slightest particle fall or remain, pours water and wine into the holy chalice, consumes it, and absorbs all moisture with the sponge, and sets the holy vessels together, wraps them and puts them in their usual place, saying: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart . . .  and the rest, as does the priest, and he washes his hands in the usual place, and makes a reverence together with the priest. The dismissal is given, and giving thanks to God, they go their way.

    End of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.   


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