se.m05.d02.pl3

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTION

The Eucholgion indicates that the service should begin with “Blessed is our God.” See below where “Blessed is the Kingdom…” may be inserted before the Great Litany.

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Trisagion Prayers.

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.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

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.

READER

Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory. Both now.

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

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

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. [SAAS]

PRIEST

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( To You, O Lord. )

For You are merciful 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. ( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Troparia.

Have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us. For with nothing to say in our own defense, we sinners offer this supplication to you our Master. Have mercy on us. [SD]

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

Lord have mercy on us, for in You we trust. Be not enraged with us greatly, nor remember our iniquities. But look upon us now, being compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us the work of Your hands, and now we have invoked Your name. [SD]

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

Open the gate of compassion for us, O blessed Theotokos. For hoping in you, let us not fail in our aim. Through you may we be delivered from adversities. For you are the salvation of the Christian race. [SD]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

CHOIR

The Canon.

Mode 4. Ode i. The Red Sea was crossed.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

The Unction of Your compassion ever cheers the souls and bodies alike of us Your servants, Master, and with Oil You protect the believers all. So now to us who come to You through holy Unction be all-merciful. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

O merciful Master, the entire earth is filled with mercy from You. Now therefore, we who mystically today are anointed with Oil divine with faith entreat that You will grant Your incomprehensible mercy to us. [SD]

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

O Lord, You commanded Your Apostles to anoint with holy Oil Your ailing servants sympathetically, O benevolent Savior Christ. So now have mercy on us all, at their entreaties, by Your seal on us. [SD]

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

O Pure one, you are the only one enriched with the deep ocean of peace. Now we entreat that you will ever free from all troubles and illnesses your servants, by your prayers to God, that we may magnify you ceaselessly. [SD]

Ode iii. Your Church rejoices in You.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You only are wonderful and You have pity on believers all. Therefore, O Christ, give Your grace from on high to those who are grievously sick. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You once used an olive branch to indicate that You were ending the Flood, by Your divine command, O Lord. Mercifully save those who suffer now. [SD]

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

With faith in Your mercy, Lord, for holy Unction we have earnestly come. With Your divine lamp of light in Your mercy brighten us, Christ our God. [SD]

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

Look favorably from on high, all-holy Mother of the Maker of all, and by your prayers to your Son, end the bitter suffering of the sick. [SD]

Kathisma.

Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels.

As You are a divine river of mercy, O Merciful Lord, and an ocean of great compassion, show us the divine streams of Your mercy, and cure us all. Pour out the springs of miracles abundantly, and cleanse us all. We always run to You with fervent faith and pray to receive Your grace. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

As the Physician and Redeemer and Helper of those in pain and illness, and as their Savior, O Master of the universe and Lord of all, we pray: Cure Your servants who are sick with all kinds of diseases; pity them, be merciful, though they have stumbled often. Deliver them, O Christ, from their falls, that they may glorify Your divine power. [SD]

Ode iv. When the Church beheld You.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You, O Lord, are incorruptible ointment poured forth by grace, which oil purifies the world, O our Savior. Take pity, be merciful on those who with faith in You now anoint the bruises and wounds of the flesh. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Now by sealing all the senses of us Your servants, O Master, with the gladness of the seal of Your mercy, make entry and access by the forces of the enemy impossible and unapproachable. [SD]

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

You commanded that the sick should invite Your godly clergy to pray and anoint them with Your holy Unction, and thereby be cured and saved. Benevolent Lord, we pray: In Your mercy, save those who suffer now. [SD]

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

Theotokos, O all-holy and ever-Virgin, my shelter and my guardian, my harbor and fortress, my ladder and battlement, take pity; be merciful. We all flee for refuge to you alone. [SD]

Ode v. My Lord, You are the light.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You truly are a deep sea of mercy. O Merciful, do now through Your holy Unction show Your mercy, O Good One, and cure the sick, O gracious Lord. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You sanctified our souls and our bodies ineffably from heaven with the divine sign of Your seal, O Christ; and therefore with Your hand, O Savior, heal us all. [SD]

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

O Lord, exceeding good, with ineffable tenderness You let yourself be anointed by a harlot with perfume. Have mercy on Your servants now. [SD]

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

All-lauded and most pure, holy Lady, exceedingly good, have mercy on us your servants, who are being anointed with holy Unction, saving us. [SD]

Ode vi. I will sacrifice to You.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Lord, You said that kings should be anointed with holy oil; and You performed this through high priests, O benevolent God, instituting Unction. By Your seal now, save the suffering, since You are merciful. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Savior and Lord, let not the bitter demons affect at all those who receive holy Unction and the cross’s sign over all their senses. Let the shelter of Your glory protect them on every side. [SD]

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

Gracious Lord, we pray that from on high You stretch forth Your hand and sanctify this Your oil; give it to Your servants through holy Unction, for their good health, O our Savior, and freedom from all disease. [SD]

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

You became a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, O Mother of your Creator, and through you the whole world is filled with mercy. Save the sick now with the touch of your prayers to your Son and God. [SD]

Kontakion.

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

Since You are the source of mercy and exceeding good, Your servants now seek Your mercy which is ineffable, praying You with ardent faith. Free them from all suffering and take away all their diseases, tender-loving Lord, and grant to them from on high Your grace divine. [SD]

Ode vii. Inside the furnace.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

You, in Your mercy and Your compassion, Savior and only God, are the One who heals the sick passions of our souls and our bodily infirmities. We pray You cure now those who suffer from diseases, O loving Lord. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

We are anointed today with holy Unction upon our heads, seeking Your redemptive mercy, and we entreat: Grant us joy and gladness by this oil, O tender-loving Lord, in Your great and rich mercy, O Christ our God. [SD]

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

Against the demons, Your holy seal, O Savior, is like a sword, and it is like fire burning away the soul’s sinful passions, by the prayers of priests. We who have thus received healing from You now extol You with faith, O Lord. [SD]

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

O Theotokos, You carried in a manner befitting God in your womb the One who holds all things in His hand, and ineffably you gave Him flesh. Now intercede with Him on behalf of the ailing, we beg of you. [SD]

Ode viii. Daniel shut.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Savior, in accordance with Your great and divine mercy, be merciful to all. In holy Unction we symbolize Your great mercy’s figure mystically; which we now offer to the sick anointing them with it, and entreating that by Your power, O Lord, You will cure them all. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Illness and distress have worn us out. Being compassionate, O Savior, wash away the pain and trauma and suffering, in the river of Your tender love, O Christ, and also through Your priests, as they anoint us with holy Unction. Through this cleansing, O Lord, may we gain our health. [SD]

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

Master, holy Unction is for us a sign and symbol of Your grace and help from on high, and oil of gladness, O Christ our God. We entreat You now: Do not remove Your mercy and do not despise those who with faith cry out and are ever singing, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

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

Lady, human nature has received your divine offspring as if a glorious crown. He crushed the ranks of the enemy and He mightily defeated them. All we whom you have crowned with bright rays of your gracious gifts now extol you, the all-pure and all-laudable Mother of God. [SD]

Ode ix. A cornerstone was cut out.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Compassionate God, look from heaven; display Your mercy on Your servants. Give Your mighty help and assistance to all who come to You through this sacrament to be anointed by Your priests with holy oil, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

We have now beheld, all-good Savior, the holy Oil full of gladness, to which, more than others, You added by Your divine act, O tender-loving Master, and which You shared symbolically with all who share in holy baptism. [SD]

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

Pity us, have mercy, O Savior; deliver us from pain and peril. Rescue us Your servants, soul and body, for we are targets of the devil’s arrows. But since You are the merciful Lord, heal us thoroughly by grace divine. [SD]

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

As you now accept the supplications and hymns of praise from all your servants, rescue them, who through us take refuge in your divine shelter, O all-holy Virgin; and by your prayers deliver them from their distressing pain and suffering. [SD]

It is truly right to call you blessed, O Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-blameless one, and the Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim, you without corruption gave birth to God the Word and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Exaposteilarion.

Mode 3. Our Savior from on high.

Good One, turn Your gaze on us; be merciful as You regard our fervent supplication. For we have gathered here today in Your sanctuary to anoint with oil of holy Unction Your servants who are sick, O Lord. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 4.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Stichera Prosomia.

Mode 4. You have given.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Benevolent, gracious God, through Your Apostles You gave Your grace in the rite of Your holy Oil, to heal wounds and injuries, and to cure diseases that afflict Your servants. As they now faithfully approach Your holy Unction, O tender-loving Lord, be merciful and sanctify them, cleanse and rid them of all disease. Make them worthy of Your delights, which remain incorruptible. [SD]

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

O Incomprehensible, look down from heaven, O gracious God; seal our senses with Your divine invisible hand, O Lord, in Your great compassion, with Your holy Unction. And grant forgiveness of their sins to those who seek it and come to You with faith. And grant to them the healing and the health of body and soul alike, that with love they may glorify You, and Your power may be magnified. [SD]

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

From on high now sanctify and rid Your servants of all disease, through the sacred anointing with Your mercy and by the touch of Your priests, O Savior. Wash away and purge them of all impurities of soul; and from all scandals, O Lord, deliver them. Relieve their toil and trouble and make their afflictions all disappear; keep them safe, O compassionate and benevolent God of all. [SD]

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

Lady, I implore you now, the cleanest Palace of God the King, holy Virgin extolled by all. Purify my intellect, soiled by my shameful thoughts and sinful actions. Make it a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the Holy Trinity, that I your worthless supplicant may magnify you for saving me, and extol your immeasurable might and mercy, all-lauded one. [SD]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

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.

Troparion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Christ, You alone are He who quickly comes to our aid. * We pray that You show Your quick response from heaven to Your servants who are suffering. * Free them of their diseases; relieve the pain that afflicts them. * Raise them, that they may ceaselessly give glory and extol You, * by the prayers of the Theotokos, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]

If the service began with “Blessed is our God,” then the sacramental Enarxis may be inserted here. If the service began with “Blessed is the Kingdom,” then go directly to the litany.

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the people in attendance who anticipate the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

That this oil be blessed by the descent, power, and operation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the servants of God who have come for this holy sacrament, and that God visit them, and that the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon them, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

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

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

O Lord, who in Your mercy and compassion heals the disorders of our souls and bodies, sanctify this oil, so that those who are anointed with it may be receive healing and relief from anything they suffer, bodily illness, contamination of flesh or spirit, and every other evil; so that in this, too, Your all-holy name may be glorified, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Troparion of Unction.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Kontakion for the Blindman.

Mode 4. You appeared today.

In the eyes of soul have I * become unseeing. * Unto You I come, O Christ, * as did of old the man born blind, * and in repentance I cry to You. * For those in darkness You are the most resplendent light. [SD]

Kontakion for the Paralytic.

Mode 3. On this day.

I have sinned in every way, * I have improperly acted; * therefore with paralysis * my soul is woefully stricken. * Raise it up, O Lord, through Your own divine attention, * even as of old You raised up the paralytic, * so that saved I may cry, Glory to Your dominion, O my compassionate Christ. [SD]

Apolytikion for St. James.

Mode 4.

As a disciple of the Lord, you accepted the Gospel, O James the Just. As a Martyr you have unchangeability; as the Brother of the Lord you have confidence; and you can intercede as a hierarch. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

Kontakion for Saint James.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

When God the Logos, as the only-begotten * of God the Father, came and sojourned among us * in latter days, O God-inspired Brother of the Lord, * He appointed you, O James, the first Shepherd and Teacher * of holy Jerusalem, and a trustworthy steward * of the all-holy sacraments. And hence, * O just Apostle, we honor your memory. [SD]

Kontakion for St. Nicholas.

Mode 3. On this day.

You became the minister of sacred mysteries in Myra, * holy father Nicholas. Fulfilling Christ’s holy Gospel, * you laid down your very soul for your people, * and you saved those who were innocent from dying. * For this reason you were hallowed as a great mystic * of the divine grace of God. [SD]

Apolytikion for St. Demetrius.

Mode 3. Your confession.

All the world has you, its mighty champion, * fortifying us in times of danger, * and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. * So, as you humbled Lyaios’s arrogance * by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, * thus, O holy Great-martyr Demetrius, * to Christ our God pray fervently, * beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy. [SD]

Apolytikion for St. Panteleimon.

Mode 3.

Holy medaled Martyr and healer St. Panteleimon, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls remission of offenses. [SD]

Apolytikion for the holy Unmercenaries

Mode pl. 4.

Holy Unmercenaries and Wonder-workers, visit our infirmities. Freely you received; freely give to us. [SD]

Kontakion for St. John Theologian.

Mode 2.

Who can recount all your mighty deeds, O Virgin? You pour out miracles and you overflow with cures, and you intercede on behalf of our souls, as a Theologian and Friend of Christ. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

O Mother of God, intently we cry out to you * the wellspring of mercy and the refuge of the world. * O vehement advocate, * unassailable fortress, anticipate * and deliver us from perilous ordeals, * O Lady who alone are swift to fend for us. [SD]

Epistle Reading 1

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 32.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

Verse: Rejoice greatly in the Lord, O righteous ones.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the Universal Letter of James.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(5:10 – 16)

Brethren, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 1

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(10:25 – 37)

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of all the servants of God who have come for this sacrament, and that they be forgiven every voluntary and involuntary offense.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 1

Unoriginate, eternal, most holy God, You sent Your only-begotten Son, who cured every disease and every sickness of our souls and bodies. We pray You send down Your Holy Spirit and sanctify this oil; and when Your servants are anointed with it, make it be for them complete release from their sins and inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. [GOASD]

For You are great and marvelous God, who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You. You give release from sins through Your holy servant, Jesus Christ. You regenerated us from sin. You give sight to the blind and restore the broken down. You love the righteous and have mercy on sinners. You brought us out of darkness and the shadow of death, saying to those in bonds, “Come out!” and to those in darkness, “Show yourselves!” For the light of the knowledge of Your only-begotten Son has shined in our hearts; since, for our sake, He appeared on earth and dwelt among men; and to all who received Him, He gave the power to become Your children, O God. He granted us adoption through the bath of regeneration, and freed us from the devil’s oppression. He was not pleased that we be cleansed by blood; but rather He granted us to be anointed with oil in the sign of His Cross, so that when He had purified us with water and sanctified us with the Holy Spirit, we might become the flock of Christ, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. O Lord and Master, bestow grace on this ministry of Yours, as You did with Moses Your servant and Samuel Your beloved, John Your chosen one and all those who in every generation have been pleasing to You. Likewise with this oil, allow us to be ministers of Your Son’s new covenant, which You obtained with His precious blood; so that we may take off worldly passions and die to sin, and put on Christ Jesus, our Lord, and live in righteousness, through the holy Unction we are about to perform. O Lord, let this oil be oil of gladness, oil of sanctification, a royal garment, a strong breastplate averting every diabolical action, an inviolable seal, exceeding joy of heart, everlasting gladness; so that those who are anointed with this regenerative oil may be frightening to their foes, and may shine in the splendor of Your saints, without spot or wrinkle; that they may be admitted to Your eternal Jubilee, and may receive the prize of the heavenly call. [GOASD]

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 2

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 2. Psalm 117.

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

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

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

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

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(15:1 – 7)

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 2

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(19:1 – 10)

At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 2

Great and most high God, whom all creation worships, source of wisdom, truly unsearchable ocean of goodness and immense gulf of compassion; benevolent Lord, whose wonders are from the beginning, God whom no human can understand or comprehend: Consider us and hear us, Your unworthy servants. And as we, here, present this oil in Your great name, send down Your gift of healing and forgiveness of sins, and heal the people in the abundance of Your mercy. Yes indeed, O forgiving Lord, singularly merciful and benevolent, You relent from punishing our wicked deeds, for You know that the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth. You desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn and live; and for sinners’ salvation, You as God became human, being formed for the ones You had formed. It is You who said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” It is You who went after the sheep that was lost; You who searched carefully and found the lost coin. It is You who said, “I will not cast out anyone who comes to me”; and who did not abhor the harlot who washed Your precious feet with her tears. It is You who said, “Whenever you fall, get up, and you will be saved.” It is You who said that heaven rejoices whenever a sinner repents. Look at us now from Your holy height, O tender-loving Master, and overshadow us, sinful, unworthy servants of Yours, with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Dwell among Your servants who admit their transgressions and approach You with faith, and accept them; and graciously forgive and blot out any sin they committed in word, deed, or thought, and cleanse them. Be with them always and guard the rest of their lives, as they walk in the way of Your statutes; and may they never again be a laughingstock to the devil, so that Your all-holy name may be glorified in them. [GOASD]

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.

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 3

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Psalm 26.

The Lord is my light and my savior; whom shall I fear?

Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; whom shall I dread?

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(12:27 – 13:8)

Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 3

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(10:1, 5 – 8)

At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 3

Master and Ruler over all, holy King, You chasten but do not give over to death; You support those who stumble and restore those who are broken down; You remedy humanity’s physical afflictions. We entreat You, our God, to bring Your mercy on this oil, and on those who are anointed with it in Your name, so that it may effect their healing of soul and body, the purging of every disease and infirmity and any infection of body and soul, and relief from all suffering. Yes indeed, Lord, please send Your medicinal power from heaven. Touch the body, lower the fever, ease the pain, and eliminate every hidden ailment. Be the Physician of these Your servants. Raise them from their sick bed. Send them back to Your church, safe and sound, that they may please You and do Your will. [GOASD]

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 4

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

In the day when I call upon You, hear me quickly.

Verse: O Lord, hear my prayer.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(6:16 – 7:1)

Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 4

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(8:14 – 23)

At that time, when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” And when he entered the boat, his disciples followed him. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 4

Good and benevolent, compassionate and very merciful Lord, abundant in mercy and rich in goodness, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, through Your holy Apostles instructed us to treat the infirmities of Your people with oil and prayer. We pray You prescribe this oil for the healing of those who will be anointed with it, as a cure for every disease and every sickness, resulting in freedom from ills for those who look to You for well-being. Yes indeed, almighty Master, Lord our God, we pray You to save us all. Only Physician of souls and bodies, sanctify us all. Healer of every ailment, please heal these Your servants. In Your merciful kindness, raise them from their sickbed. Visit them with Your mercy and compassion. Rid them of every illness and infirmity; so that when they rise by Your mighty hand, they may serve You with wholehearted gratitude. And then, as we experience Your ineffable benevolence, we shall extol You and glorify You, who do great and wonderful things that are glorious and marvelous. [GOASD]

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 5

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 1. Psalm 11.

You shall guard us, O Lord; You shall preserve us.

Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the holy man has ceased.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(1:8 – 11)

Brethren, we do not want you to be ignorant of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead; he delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 5

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(25:1 – 13)

The Lord said this parable, “The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man will come.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 5

Lord our God, You chasten and then again heal; You raise the poor man from the earth and lift up the poor from the dunghills. Father of orphans, haven of the storm-tossed, and physician of the sick, who easily takes our infirmities and bears our diseases; who cheerfully shows mercy, pardoning iniquities and passing over transgression; quick to help and slow to wrath. You breathed on Your disciples, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” You accept the repentance of sinners and have the authority to forgive people their many and grievous sins, and You provide healing to all kinds of people who are sick and chronically ill. Moreover, though I am a low, sinful, and unworthy servant of Yours, entangled in many sins and wallowing in carnal pleasures, yet I have been appointed by You to the lofty holy orders of the priesthood, to enter the holy of holies behind the curtain, into which the holy angels long to look, and to hear the evangelic voice of the Lord God, and to see with their own eyes the outward appearance of the holy anaphora, and to experience the divine and sacred Liturgy. You have allowed me to perform Your heavenly sacraments, to offer You gifts and sacrifices for my own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people, and to intercede on behalf of Your rational sheep, that You will blot out their transgressions, through Your abundant and ineffable benevolence. O King, supremely good, give ear to my prayer now, on this holy day, and always and everywhere, and heed the voice of my supplication. Cure these Your servants, who are sick in soul and body, and grant them forgiveness of sins, and pardon their voluntary and involuntary offenses. Heal their incurable wounds, every disease, and every infirmity. Grant them healing of soul and mind, O Lord, who touched Peter’s mother-in-law, and the fever left her, and she rose and served You. O Master, grant to these Your servants healing and relief from any debilitating pain. Remember Your abundant compassion and Your mercy. Remember that the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; that no one on earth is without sin, for only You are without sin, You who came and saved the human race, and freed us from slavery to the enemy. For if You were to put Your servants on trial, none would be found to be pure and undefiled; but every mouth would be stopped, having nothing to say in defense, inasmuch as all our righteousness is like a filthy rag before You. Therefore, please do not remember the sins of our youth, O Lord. [GOASD]

For You are hope for the hopeless and rest for those who labor and are heavy laden with iniquity. 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.

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 6

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 50.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.

Verse: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

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

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(5:22 – 26, 6:1 – 2)

Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 6

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(15:21 – 28)

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 6

We thank You, O Lord our God, good and benevolent, the physician of our souls and bodies, who easily bears our diseases, and by whose bruises we are all healed. You are the good shepherd, who came in search of the sheep that went astray. You give comfort to the fainthearted, and life to those who are crushed. You cured the woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. You freed the Canaanite woman’s daughter from the fierce demon. You forgave the loan to the two debtors, and You forgave the woman who was a sinner. You gave the paralytic healing along with forgiveness of his sins. You justified the publican by what he said, and You accepted the robber when he confessed in the end. You took up the sins of the world and nailed them to the cross. We pray You and entreat You. In Your goodness, O God, spare and forgive these Your servants. Pardon their transgressions and sins, their voluntary and involuntary offenses, committed knowingly or unknowingly, in defiance or disobedience, night or day. If they have come under the curse of a priest or a parent; if they have feasted their eyes, or indulged their senses of smell, touch or taste; if they have been detached from Your will and Your holiness, through whichever impulse of flesh or spirit; if they and we ourselves have sinned in any way, forgive us, O good and forgiving and benevolent God, and don’t let us fall into a lifestyle of impurity or run off into ways that are destructive. Yes indeed, O Lord and Master, hear me now, as I the sinner pray for these Your servants. Overlook all their offenses, O forgiving God, and grant them reprieve from everlasting punishment. Fill their mouths with Your praise, and open their lips to glorify Your holy name. Extend their hands to perform Your commandments, and direct their feet on the course of Your Gospel. Make all their members and their thoughts secure in Your grace. For You are our God, who through Your holy Apostles instructed us, saying: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” And again, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” And as You heard Hezekiah when he was at the point of death and his soul was troubled, and You did not overlook his prayer, so likewise hear me, Your humble, sinful and unworthy servant, as I now pray to You. For You, O Lord Jesus Christ, are the One who in Your mercy and benevolence commanded us to forgive seventy times seven those who fall into sin. You relent from punishing our wicked deeds, and rejoice at the return of those who have strayed. For as Your majesty is, so is Your mercy; 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. [GOASD]

( Amen. )

Epistle Reading 7

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 6.

O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

(5:14 – 23)

Brethren, we exhort you, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading 7

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

DEACON

(9:9 – 13)

At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you who read the Gospel.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Prayer 7

Master, Lord our God, physician of souls and bodies, You treat chronic illnesses; You heal every disease and infirmity among the people. You desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth; You do not will the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn from their ways and live. O Lord, in the Old Testament, You appointed repentance for sinners: for David and the Ninevites, and for those before and after them. Again, when You came in the flesh, You did not call the righteous but sinners to repentance; like the publican, the harlot, and the robber, whom You accepted when they repented, and the great apostle Paul, who had been a blasphemer and persecutor. And after Your preeminent apostle Peter denied You three times, when he repented You accepted him and received him, and You told him, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” So we, too, are encouraged by Your infallible promise, and we now pray and entreat You, O good and benevolent God: Hear our prayer, and accept it as incense offered to You, and visit these Your servants, and however they may have transgressed, in word, deed, or thought, night or day, or if they have come under the curse of a priest, or cursed themselves, or sworn an oath and broken it, we pray You and entreat You to spare, forgive, and pardon them, O God, and to overlook the transgressions and sins that they committed knowingly or unknowingly. And if they defied or disobeyed any of Your commandments, either due to living physically in the world, or through some action of the devil, please forgive them, O good and benevolent God. After all, there is no one who lives and does not sin. Only You are sinless. Your righteousness is forever, and Your word is truth. You created humanity not for ruin, but to keep Your commandments, and to inherit indestructible life. Therefore 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. [GOASD]

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Forgiveness Prayer

Holy King, compassionate and very merciful, Lord Jesus Christ, the Son and Logos of the living God, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn and live, it is not I who lay my sinful hand on the heads of these people who have come to You as sinners and who seek the forgiveness of their sins from You through me; but I pray that You extend to Your servants Your mighty and powerful hand, which is in this holy Gospel Book [that my concelebrants are holding over their heads]. And I pray [with them] and implore Your most sympathetic and forgiving benevolence, O God our Savior, who through Your prophet Nathan granted David the forgiveness of his sins when he repented, and who accepted the penitential prayer of Manasseh. Please accept these Your servants who repent of their transgressions, and overlook all their offenses, in Your characteristic benevolence. For You are our God, who said to forgive those who fall into sin, even seventy times seven, because as Your majesty is, so is Your mercy. And all glory, honor and worship belong to You and Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. [GOASD]

( Amen. )

PRIEST

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

READER

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

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Holy father, give the blessing!

PRIEST

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, of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

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

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode 4.

Since you have a fountain of healings, O holy Unmercenaries, you dispense cures to all in need, for you have been granted very great gifts from the ever-flowing wellspring of Christ our Savior. The Lord says to you who emulate the zeal of the Apostles, “Behold, I have given you authority over unclean spirits, so that you might drive them out and cure every disease and illness.” Having truly lived according to His commandments, freely you received and therefore freely you give, healing the ailments of our souls and our bodies. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4.

Graciously answer supplications of us your servants, all-blameless Virgin. We pray you put an end to the uprisings that beset us, and deliver us from all our troubles. We only have you as our stable and immovable anchor, and we are securely under your protection. When we entreat you, Lady, let us not be disappointed. Attend to the requests of us who faithfully salute you: O Lady, rejoice! You are the help and joy and protection of all, and the salvation of our souls. [GOASD]