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Books - Sources

Hieratikon

Liturgy of St. Basil

Octoechos - Mode 2.

On Sunday Morning

Triodion

Second Sunday of Lent - St. Gregory Palamas

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LITURGY OF ST. BASIL

ENARXIS, PEACE LITANY, AND ANTIPHONS

DEACON

Master, give the blessing.

PRIEST

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF FIRST ANTIPHON

Lord, our God, whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for humankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.

PRIEST (aloud)

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Antiphon 1. Mode 2.

Verse 1: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. [SAAS]

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 3: The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

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

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Small Litany

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF SECOND ANTIPHON

Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the all the members of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Antiphon 2. Mode 2.

Verse 1: Praise the Lord, O my soul! I shall praise the Lord while I live; I shall sing to my God as long as I exist. [SAAS]

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 2: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; his hope is in the Lord his God.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 3: The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

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

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.

Small Litany

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF THIRD ANTIPHON

Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Antiphon 3.

Mode 2.

Verse 1: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein. [SAAS]

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]

Verse 2: Let heaven and earth praise Him.

THE ENTRANCE

As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest’s hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the holy entrance.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON (aloud)

Wisdom. Arise.

CHOIR

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead.

We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

CHOIR

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 2.

For the Hierarch.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Beacon of Orthodox belief, the strong support of the Church and her teacher inspired by God, you are the ornament of monks, the unassailable champion of theologians, O Gregory the Wonder-worker and the boast of Thessalonica, the messenger of grace. Forever earnestly entreat for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion.

Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ.

O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you

Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude,

Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos.

Inasmuch as you have power unassailable,

From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you

I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride. [SD]

THE TRISAGIOS HYMN

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF THE TRISAGIOS HYMN

O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever…

DEACON

and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Trisagios Hymn

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

DEACON

Dynamis.

DEACON (in a low voice)

With your blessing, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the throne on high.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

CHOIR

Dynamis.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

THE READINGS

The Epistle

Second Sunday of Lent

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 2. Psalm 117.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He became my salvation. [SAAS]

Verse: The Lord chastened and corrected me, but He did not give me up to death. [SAAS]

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Heb. 1:10-14; 2:1-3

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF THE GOSPEL

Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Gospel

Second Sunday of Lent

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Mk. 2:1–12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

(The litanies of Supplication and for the Catechumens and the First Prayer of the Faithful have been omitted.)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

SECOND PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL

O God, with mercy and tender love You visited our lowliness and let us Your humble servants stand before Your holy glory to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, sinful and unworthy that we be. We pray You enable us to perform this ministry by the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give us the words to speak when we open our mouths to invoke Your Holy Spirit’s grace on the gifts about to be offered.

PRIEST (aloud)

That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY GIFTS

CHOIR

The Cherubic Hymn.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER OF THE CHERUBIC HYMN

No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. * So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (3)

DEACON

May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

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

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Lord our God, You created us and brought us into this life, showed us ways that lead to salvation, and granted us revelation of heavenly mysteries. You are the One who by the power of Your Holy Spirit ordained us to this ministry. Be indeed well pleased, Lord, that we became ministers of Your new covenant and celebrants of Your holy sacraments; and as we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice, accept us, in the abundance of Your mercy, and make us worthy to offer You this rational and bloodless sacrifice for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Accept it on Your holy and celestial and spiritual Altar of sacrifice as a sweet and pleasing aroma, and in return send down to us the grace of Your Holy Spirit.

Look upon us, O God, and have regard for this our worship, and accept it as You accepted Abel’s offering, Noah’s sacrifice, Abraham’s whole burnt offering, the ministrations of Moses and Aaron, and Samuel’s peace offerings. And as You accepted this true worship from Your holy Apostles, so also accept these gifts from the hands of us sinners, in Your goodness, O Lord. May we be granted to serve at Your holy Altar of sacrifice without blame and obtain the reward for being faithful and wise stewards on that fearful day of Your just recompense.

PRIEST

Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

Or, for concelebrations:

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer. [SAAS]

DEACON

The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!

PEOPLE

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through 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. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through 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 life of the age to come.

CHOIR

Amen.

HOLY ANAPHORA

DEACON

Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.

CHOIR

A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

PRIEST

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

Let us lift up our hearts.

CHOIR

We lift them up to the Lord.

PRIEST

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

CHOIR

It is proper and right.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

The One Who Is, Master, Lord God, Father, Ruler over all: You are to be worshiped. Indeed it is proper and right and fitting the magnificence of Your holiness to praise You, extol You, bless You, adore You, thank You, and glorify You, the only God who truly exists, and to offer You this our rational worship with a broken heart and humble spirit; for You are the One who granted us the knowledge of Your truth. And who is sufficient to tell Your mighty deeds and make all Your praises heard and describe all Your wonders in every season?

Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth and all creation visible and invisible, who sit upon the throne of glory and behold the depths, unoriginate, unseen, incomprehensible, uncircumscribed, unalterable: You are the Father of our Lord and great God and Savior Jesus Christ, our hope. He is the image of Your goodness, an exact seal, showing You the Father in himself; the living Logos, true God, eternal wisdom, life, sanctification, power, the true light. Through Him was the Holy Spirit manifested, the Spirit of truth, the gift of adoption, the pledge of future inheritance, the firstfruits of the eternal blessings, the life-giving power, the source of holiness. Through the Spirit are all rational and spiritual creatures enabled to worship You, and they offer up perpetual glorification to You, for all things are Your servants.

And they all praise You, angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim. Around You stand seraphim; each one has six wings. With two they cover their faces, with two they cover their feet, and with two they fly. And one cries to another with unceasing voices and resounding glorification.

PRIEST (aloud)

Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…

CHOIR

Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

We sinners join these blessed hosts and shout to You and say, O benevolent Master: Holy are You; indeed, all-holy, and there is no limit to the magnificence of Your holiness. And You are upright in all Your works; all that You have done to us, You have done in righteousness and true judgment. When You fashioned man from the earth and honored him with Your image, O God, You placed him in the Garden of Eden and promised him immortal life and the enjoyment of eternal blessings if he kept Your commandments. But he disobeyed You, the true God who had created him, and he succumbed to the serpent’s deceit, and he died because of his own offenses; and You, O God, in Your righteous judgment, expelled him from Paradise to this world. You returned him to the earth from which he was taken, and You provided for his salvation by regeneration, which is in Your Christ.

For You did not forever reject Your creature that You made, O Good One; You did not forget the work of Your hands, but rather in Your tender mercy You visited us in many ways: You sent Prophets; You did signs through Your saints who pleased You in every generation; You spoke to us by the mouths of the Your servants the Prophets and announced to us salvation that was to come; You gave the Law to help us; You appointed Angels to guard us.

And when the time had fully come, You spoke to us through Your Son, through whom You also created the world. Since He reflects Your glory and bears the very stamp of Your nature, and He upholds the universe by His word of power, He did not count equality with You, God the Father, a thing to be grasped; but rather being eternal God, He was seen upon the earth and lived among men. He became incarnate from a holy Virgin and emptied himself; He took the form of a servant and became like our lowly body, in order to make us be like His glorious image.

Because sin came into the world through a man and death through sin, O God and Father, Your only-begotten Son, who is in Your bosom, was well pleased to be born of a woman, the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the law, and to condemn sin in His flesh, so that as in Adam all die, so also in Him, Your Christ, all be made alive. Living in this world and leaving saving commandments, He delivered us from the error of idolatry and led us to the knowledge of You, the true God and Father; and He acquired us as His own special people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. He cleansed us by water and sanctified us with the Holy Spirit, and He gave himself as an exchange to death, by which we were held captive, sold under sin. Through the cross He descended into the netherworld, so that He might fill all things with himself, and He loosed the pangs of death. He rose on the third day and for all flesh opened the way to resurrection from the dead, as it was not possible for Him, the Author of life, to be held by corruption. And thus He became the first fruits of those who have died, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. He ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of Your majesty on high; and He will come to render to each, according to their works.

He left us with these memorials of His saving Passion, which we have set before You according to His commands. When He was about to go to His voluntary, celebrated, and life-giving death, on the night when He gave himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy and immaculate hands, showed it to You, God and Father, and when He had given thanks, blessed it, hallowed it, and broken it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

In the same way He also took the cup of the fruit of the vine and mingled it, when He had given thanks, blessed it, and hallowed it,

PRIEST (aloud)

He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles and said, “Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

“Do this in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim My death, and you confess My resurrection.” Therefore, O Master, as we also now remember His saving Passion, His life-giving crucifixion, His three-day burial, His resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven, His seating on the right hand of You, God the Father, and His glorious and awesome Second Coming,

PRIEST (aloud)

Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.

CHOIR

We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

All-holy Master, we approach Your holy Altar of sacrifice with confidence, even we Your sinful and unworthy servants, who are allowed to liturgize at Your holy Altar of sacrifice, not because of any virtue of ours, since we have done nothing good on earth, but because of Your mercies and tender love that You richly poured on us. And we present the elements that will become the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ, and we pray You and implore You, O Holy of holies, that by Your benevolent good pleasure Your Holy Spirit come upon us and these gifts here presented, and that He bless them and hallow them,

DEACON (in a low voice)

Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.

PRIEST

and make this bread be the precious Body of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, the holy Cup.

PRIEST

and this cup be the precious Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,

DEACON

Amen.

Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.

PRIEST

which was shed for the life and salvation of the world.

DEACON

Amen. Amen. Amen.

PRIEST

We also pray You will unite us all who partake of the one bread and cup to one another, in the communion of the one Holy Spirit. And please let none of us partake of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ unto judgment or condemnation; but rather may we obtain mercy and grace with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, the ancestors, forefathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, teachers, and every righteous spirit departed in faith.

PRIEST (aloud)

Especially our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices, the hosts of Angels and the human race. O consecrated temple and allegorical Paradise, virgins boast of you. For God became incarnate from you, yes, our eternally existing God became a child from you. He made a throne of your womb, and He made your body wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices. Glory to you!

PRIEST (in a low voice)

And also with the holy prophet, forerunner, and baptist John, the holy, glorious, and all-lauded Apostles; [the saint whose memory we celebrate] and all Your saints, at whose entreaties visit us, O God.

Also remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life [here the priest commemorates the names of the deceased], and grant them rest where the light of Your face is beaming.

Furthermore, we pray You, Lord, remember the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, which is throughout the world, and which You obtained with the precious blood of Your Christ, and give her peace. And also reinforce this holy church building until the end of time.

Remember, O Lord, those who brought You these gifts, and those for whom and through whom they offered them, and their requests. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and who remember the poor. Please reward them with Your rich and heavenly gifts. In return for transient and perishable things on earth, grant them eternal and imperishable things in heaven. Remember, O Lord, those who dwell in deserts and on mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Remember, O Lord, those who lead a celibate life in chastity, godliness, and asceticism.

Remember, O Lord, our elected officials, whom you have allowed to govern on earth. Arm our government with truth, and cover it with favor as with a shield. Overshadow our country in the day of war. Strengthen our armed forces, and exalt their right hand. Establish our country, and subdue all foreign enemies that seek war. Speak good things in their hearts regarding Your Church and all Your people, so that they may conduct their duties in tranquility and we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and propriety. And grant our country profound and lasting peace. Remember, O Lord, everyone who is in government, and all our brethren who are civil servants and who serve in the military. Keep the good in Your goodness; and in Your kindness, make the bad be good.

Remember, O Lord, the people here present and those who are absent with good cause. Have mercy on them and on us, according to the abundance of Your mercy. Fill their shelves with goods; preserve their marriages in peace and harmony; nurture the infants; instruct the youth; support the elderly; encourage the fainthearted; reunite the dispersed; return those who succumbed to error and unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Free those who are troubled by unclean spirits. Travel with those who travel. Defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick. Remember, O Lord, those who are on trial, in labor camps, in exile, in bitter servitude, and any affliction, necessity, or distress, and everyone in need of Your great compassion; and those who love us and those who hate us; those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we may be. Remember, O Lord our God, all Your people, and pour out Your rich mercy on all of them, and grant everyone their requests that contribute to their salvation. Remember, O God, everyone whom we have failed to commemorate, either through ignorance or omission or because of the many names, since You know the name and age of each, even from their mother’s womb.

For You, O Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the savior of those in trouble, the port for travelers, and the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, for You know everyone, what they seek, where they live, and what they need. Lord, deliver this city and every city and town from famine, pandemic, earthquake, flood, fire, criminal violence, foreign invasion, and civil war.

PRIEST (aloud)

Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name). grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Remember, O Lord, all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth. And in the abundance of Your tender mercies, O Lord, remember me, who am unworthy. Forgive my every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. And please do not withhold the grace of Your Holy Spirit from these gifts on account of my sins. Remember, O Lord, the priests, the deacons in Christ, and all the clergy. Let none of us surrounding Your holy Altar of sacrifice be disgraced.

Visit us in Your goodness, O Lord; reveal Yourself to us in Your rich and tender mercies. Grant our weather to be temperate and beneficial; send gentle rains to the earth so that it may be fruitful; bless the crown of the year with Your goodness. End the schisms of churches; extinguish the insolence of nations; bring outbreaks of heresy to a quick end, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Make us children of the light and of the day, and receive us all into Your kingdom. Grant us Your peace and Your love, O Lord our God. Indeed You have given us everything.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DEACON

Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

Show Petitions

__________

(The rest of this litany, which was previously said above, is nowadays usually and correctly omitted.)

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

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

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

__________

Hide Petitions

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O our God, the God who saves, teach us how to worthily thank You for the good things You have done and still do for us. O our God, who have accepted these gifts, cleanse us from every defilement of body and spirit, and teach us how to make holiness perfect in the fear of You, so that receiving the portion of Your holy sacrament with a clear conscience, we may be united to the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ; and having received them worthily, we may have Christ dwelling in our hearts and become a temple of Your Holy Spirit.

And we implore You, our God, please do not count any of us guilty of profaning Your awesome and heavenly sacrament, nor make anyone weak in soul and body for partaking of them unworthily. But rather allow us to receive a portion of Your holy sacrament worthily, to our last breath, as provision for eternal life and an acceptable defense at the awesome judgment seat of Your Christ, so that along with all the saints who throughout the ages have pleased You, we too may become partakers of Your eternal blessings, that You have prepared for those who love You, O Lord.

PRIEST (aloud)

And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:

PEOPLE

The Lord's Prayer

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

BOWING OF HEADS

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord and Master, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, bless and sanctify those who have bowed their heads to You; guard, fortify, and strengthen them. Keep them away from every wicked deed, and attach them to every good deed. And allow them to partake of Your immaculate and life-giving sacrament, without condemnation, for the forgiveness of sins and communion of the Holy Spirit.

PRIEST (aloud)

Through the grace, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

ELEVATION – FRACTION – UNION – COMMUNION

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

PRIEST

The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.

CHOIR

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

Show Pre-Communion Prayers

PEOPLE

PRAYERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

The selection and text of the following prayers may be different from what is used in your parish.

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure sacrament for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.

As I am about to receive holy communion,

O Maker, I pray You not burn me partaking,

since You are a fire consuming the unworthy,

but rather purge me of any defilement.

Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.

Seeing the deifying Blood, O human, shudder,

for it is a live coal that burns the unworthy.

The Body of God both deifies my spirit

and feeds my mind in extraordinary manner.

You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly.

How shall I enter into the splendor of Your saints since I am unworthy? For if I dare to enter the wedding hall along with them, my garment will betray me, for it is not fit for the wedding; and then I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels. I pray You to wash away the stains on my soul, and save me, O benevolent Lord.

Benevolent Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Hide Pre-Communion Prayers

CHOIR

Communion Hymn. Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens. Alleluia. [SAAS]

DEACON

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

The people come up to receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one:

The Body and Blood of Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.

CHOIR

Hymns During Holy Communion

PRIEST

Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.

CHOIR

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Exalt, Master.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)

Blessed is our God.

PRIEST (aloud)

Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

THANKSGIVING

DEACON

Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

PRAYER AFTER EVERYONE COMMUNES

We thank You, O Lord our God, for the communion of Your holy, immaculate, immortal, and heavenly sacrament, which You have granted us for the benefit, sanctification, and healing of our souls and bodies. O Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ may be to us for faith unashamed, love unfeigned, fulness of wisdom, healing of soul and body, deterrence from everything contrary, observance of Your commandments, and for an acceptable defense at the dread judgment seat of Your Christ.

PRIEST (aloud)

For You are our sanctification, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

DISMISSAL

PRIEST

Let us go forth in peace.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

AMBO PRAYER

O Christ our God, You accept this rational and bloodless sacrifice as a sacrifice of praise and pleasing worship. You are the lamb and Son of God who take away the sin of the world, the blameless young bull that does not accept the yoke of sin, and who were offered for us of Your own will. You are broken but not divided, eaten but never depleted; and You sanctify those who eat. Indeed, You made us partakers of Your holy Body and precious Blood, this ineffable, heavenly, and awesome sacrament, in remembrance of Your voluntary Passion and life-giving resurrection on the third day. Preserve us in Your holiness, us Your servants, those who minister, who govern faithfully, who serve in the armed forces, and the people here in attendance.

And grant us to meditate on Your righteousness at all times and in every season, so that being guided to Your will and doing what is pleasing to You, we may become worthy to stand at Your right hand when You come to judge the living and the dead. Rescue our brethren who are captives, visit those who are ill, pilot travelers who are in danger, and give rest to the souls of all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the eternal life, where the light of Your face shines; and hear the prayers of all who need Your help.

For You are the giver of good things, and we offer up glory to You and Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3) [GOA]

PRAYER AS THE GIFTS ARE COLLECTED

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Christ our God, the sacrament of Your dispensation is completed and finished as far as it is in our power. We had the memorial of Your death; we saw the image of Your resurrection; we were filled with Your everlasting life; we experienced Your inexhaustible delight. Please allow us all to enjoy it in the age to come, by the grace of Your Father who is without beginning and Your holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, our father among the saints Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

CHOIR

Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.