Bishop Demetri M. Khoury

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The bishop enters the church and takes the Kairon in the usual manner. When he has done so the clergy approach him in the sanctuary to receive his blessing and they all begin vesting, saying the proper vesting prayers..

When all have vested they exit the sanctuary, according to their rank, through the Holy Doors, to the bishop’s throne, and stand on both sides of the bishop’s throne beginning with the right side for the protos, the left side for the second priest, etc., while the choir sings:

Choir: Eis polla eti Dhespota.

When the proper time comes, the protos and the first deacon approach the bishop and they say:

Deacon: It is time for the Lord to act. Bless, master.

Bishop: Blessed is our God, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen. Pray for us, master.

Bishop: The Lord direct thy steps unto every good work.

Deacon: Remember us, holy master.

Blessing them, the bishop says:

Bishop: The Lord God remember your priesthood and your diaconate in his kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The protos and the first deacon make one metania, kiss the bishop’s hand, the protos enters the sanctuary through the holy doors, makes three metanias, reverences the gospel book and holy table and stands before the holy table. The protos and the first deacon, who stands on the solea before the icon of Christ, turn and bow to the bishop.(The priests and deacons bow to the bishop after every exclamation. The deacons also bow to the bishop before beginning a litany.) The protos then faces the east, and lifting his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand, says aloud:

Deacon: Bless, master.

The Enarxis

The protos kisses the gospel book, lifts it with both hands, and lowers it, making with it the sign of the cross over the antiminsion and intoning:

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The protos, replaces the gospel book on the antiminsion. He then moves to stand at his place at the holy table (on the south side). There he quietly says the seven prayers at the lighting of the lamps, while the bishop says:

Bishop: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (metania)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (metania)

O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (metania)

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great ; thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchedst out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the Waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down valleys unto the place hwich thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth: And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping, innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, who thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.

The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all.

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (twice)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory to thee. (once)

At the conclusion of Psalm 103, the first deacon bows to the bishop, goes to stand before the holy doors, and lifting his orarion with the thumb and two fingers of his right hand, intones the petitions of the litany of peace.

The Litany Of Peace

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

(The choir and/or chanters respond Lord, have mercy to each petition.)

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

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

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

For our Metropolitan N. (and our Bishop N.) the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

(The choir first responds Eis polla eti Dhespota and then Lord, have mercy.)

For our president, civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Calling to remembrance our all-holy immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To thee, O Lord.

Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The priest and the deacon bow to the bishop. The second deacon receives a blessing from the bishop, bows to him, and enters the sanctuary through the south door while the bishop, clergy and choir chant, Lord, I have cried . . . The second deacon brings the censer to the bishop, bows his head and says:

Deacon: Bless, Master, the incense.

The bishop blesses the censer, saying:

Bishop: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Incense we offer unto thee, O Christ our God, as a savor of spiritual sweetness, which do thou receive upon thy most heavenly altar and send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.

Deacon: Amen

The deacon censes the bishop three times. When the choir begins to chant, Let my prayer arise, the deacon begins the great censing, starting from the solea.

Psalm 141 (140)

Bishop: Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear me: give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Hear me, O Lord.

Choir: Let my prayer be set forth before thee, as incense; and the lifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.

The bishop and the choir/or chanters now alternately sing the following verses:

Bishop: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Choir: Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works

With men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.

For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. When their judges are overthrown in stony places.

They shall hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth

But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Psalm 142 (141)

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.

In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me.

Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

I have cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low.

Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

The chanters and/or those appointed by the bishop, now read the appropriate psalm verses and stichera:

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess thy name.

For the righteous shall await me until thou recompense me.

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with thee there is propitiation.

Because of thy name have I waited for thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.

Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

For his mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Doxastichon

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

As the choir chants, Now and ever, the priest(s) kiss the gospel book and the holy table. The protos then gives the gospel book to the first deacon, laying the end of his orarion over it. The procession for the entrance is made to the bishop’s throne. The protos stands on the bishop’s right, the other priests stand in order on either side of the bishop (junior to senior).

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion

The chanters and/or those appointed by the bishop, now chant the appropriate Theotokion.

The first deacon says:

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

The bishop says the prayer of the entrance:

The Prayer Of The Entrance

Bishop: In the evening, and in the morning, and at noon-day, we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray unto thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray unto thee, O Lord of all: Direct thou our prayer before thee as incense, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of wickedness; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto thee, Lord, O Lord, lift we up our eyes, and in thee have we trusted. Put us not to shame, O our God. For unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The deacon says:

Deacon: Bless, master, the holy entrance.

The bishop, blessing toward the east, says:

Bishop: Blessed is the entrance to thy holy place, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon offers the gospel book for veneration by the bishop, himself kissing the bishop’s right hand. The second deacon then hands the trikirion and dikirion to the bishop, kissing the bishop’s hands as he does so.

Deacon: Wisdom. Stand upright.

Then all sing the hymn of thanksgiving at the lighting of the lamps, led by the bishop and the clergy. The first deacon now leads the rest of the clergy in the entrance into the sanctuary through the holy doors.

The Hymn Of Thanksgiving

O Gladsome Light

O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed: Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For meet it is at all times to worship thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of life; therefore all the world doth glorify thee.

The first deacon, places the gospel book upon the antiminsion, and then takes up the censer and stands at the southwest corner of the holy table. The second deacon censes the bishop as he comes toward the holy doors, then as they sing Now that we come to the setting of the sun the bishop facing the congregation blesses them with the trikirion and dikirion while the choir slowly sings:

Choir: Eis polla eti, Dhespota.

The choir and/or chanters now immediately sing the appropriate apolytikia as the bishop censes as usual.

The bishop and the clergy chant the appropriate kondakion.

Following the chanting of the kondakion, the deacon, standing at his place at the holy table, says to the bishop:

Deacon: Bless, master, the time of the thrice-holy.

The deacon stands in the holy doors, facing the people, lifts his orarion and says:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The deacon returns to his place at the holy table and the bishop says:

Bishop: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe the thrice Holy praise to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now

Facing the congregation through the holy doors, the deacon lifts his orarion and says:

Deacon: And unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The bishop says the prayer of the thrice-holy hymn while the choir and/or chanters begin the chanting of the Thrice-Holy Hymn.

The Prayer Of The Thrice-Holy Hymn

Bishop: O holy God, who restest in thy holy place, who art hymned by the seraphim with thrice-holy cry and glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power, who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being, who hast created man according to thine image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding, who despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, receive even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in thy goodness. Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints, who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.

As this is a hierarchical liturgy, the thrice-holy hymn is sung as follows:

At the Thrice-Holy hymn

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

The bishop blesses the gospel book with the dikirion as he and the clergy sing:

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

Bishop: Holy God, the Father, Who is without beginning. Holy Mighty, the Son Coeternal. Holy Immortal, the Spirit and Comforter Who proceeds from the Father and rests in the Son, O Holy Trinity, Glory to Thee.

The third by the choir:

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

The bishop blesses the gospel book with the trikirion as he and the clergy sing:

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

Bishop: In the Jordan was the Holy Trinity made manifest; for the most Divine Person of the Father proclaimed: He that is baptized is my beloved Son, and the Spirit was present with his Coëqual for which cause the people bless and elevate throughout the ages.

Choir: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Holy immortal: have mercy on us.

Then the two deacons exit the sanctuary through the holy doors and stand on the solea, before the holy doors, facing east, as the choir and/or chanters chant the following:

Choir: Holy God.

Standing in the holy doors facing west and holding the trikirion and dikirion, the bishop says:

Bishop: O Lord, O Lord: Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vineyard which thy right hand hast planted and established it.

As the bishop blesses with trikirion and dikirion, the choir chants:

Choir: Eis polla eti despota.

Holy Mighty.

Facing south and holding the trikirion and dikirion, the bishop says:

Bishop: Grant speedy and steadfast consolation unto they servants, O Jesus, when our spirit is cast down within us. Depart not from our souls in affliction; be not far from our thoughts in time of trouble; but always defend us.

Bishop: O Lord, O Lord: Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vineyard which thy right hand hast planted and established it.

Choir: Eis polla eti despota.

Holy Immortal.

Facing north and holding the trikirion and dikirion, the bishop says:

Bishop: Draw near unto us, draw near unto us, thou who art omnipresent! As thou art ever with thine Apostles, so also, O Bountiful One, unite thyself unto those who long for thee; that with one accord we may sing praises unto thee, and laud thy most holy Spirit.

Bishop: O Lord, O Lord: Look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vineyard which thy right hand hast planted and established it.

Choir: Eis polla eti despota.

Have mercy on us.

The bishop and deacons return to the holy table. The bishop gives the trikirion and dikirion to the deacons, and the first deacon stands in the holy doors, facing west, and stands in the holy doors and says:

Deacon: With strength.

The deacon returns to his place at the holy table as the choir concludes the thrice-holy hymn:

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

The first deacon, standing in the holy doors, facing west, says:

Deacon: O Lord, save the faithful.

The first deacon returns to his place at the holy table while the clergy chant:

Choir: O Lord, save the faithful.

The second deacon, standing in the holy doors, facing west, says:

Deacon: O Lord, save the faithful.

The second deacon returns to his place at the holy table while the choir chants:

Choir: O Lord, save the faithful.

Again standing in the holy doors and facing west, the first deacon says:

Deacon: O Lord, save those of true worship.

The first deacon returns to his place at the holy table while the choir chants:

Choir: O Lord, save those of true worship.

Again standing in the holy doors facing west, the second deacon says:

Deacon: And hear us.

The second deacon returns to his place at the holy table while the clergy chant:

Choir: And hear us.

The bishop and deacons then proceed to the high place, while the bishop says the following, or they may remain at their places at the holy table, in which case the bishop may face the prothesis with outspread hands while saying the following:

Deacon: Command, Master.

Bishop: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Whether they have remained at the holy table or gone to the high place, the deacon points to the throne at the high place with his orarion and says the following to the bishop:

Deacon: Bless, Master, the throne on high.

The bishop faces the throne at the high place and with outspread hands, says:

Bishop: Blessed art thou on the throne of thy glory of thy kingdom, who art enthroned upon the cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

The reader, carrying the epistle book, stands in the center of the solea, facing east. The first deacon says:

Deacon: Let us attend.

The mitre and omophorion are removed from the bishop’s head and shoulder.

Reader: (the Reader recites the Prokeimenon of the epistle)

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: (The Reader announces the title of the epistle)

Deacon: Let us attend.

The reader faces west and chants the appointed section of the epistle, while the deacon takes up the censer and says to the bishop:

Deacon: Bless, master, the incense.

Blessing the censer, the bishop says:

Bishop: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Incense we offer unto thee, O Christ our God, as a savor of spiritual sweetness, which do thou receive upon thy most heavenly altar, and send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.

Deacon: Amen.

After censing the bishop three times, the deacon quietly censes around the holy table, the entire sanctuary and the clergy who stand there. During the censing and chanting of the epistle, the bishop sits on the throne at the high place, or holding his staff, stands in the middle of the holy doors listening attentively to the reading. At the conclusion of the chanting of the epistle, the reader faces east as the bishop comes to the middle of the holy doors, blesses the reader with his right hand, and says:

Bishop: Peace be to thee that readest.

The reader kisses the right hand of the bishop

Choir: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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

And the bishop says the prayer before the gospel:

Bishop: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee. For thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thine unoriginate Father and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The deacon, holding his orarion in his right hand, bows before the bishop and says:

Deacon: Bless, master, him that proclaimeth the good tidings of the holy glorious apostle and evangelist N.

The bishop blesses the deacon, saying:

Bishop: May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist Luke enable thee to proclaim the good tidings with great power, to the fulfillment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deacon: Amen. Amen. Amen. Let it be to me according to thy word.

The deacon makes one metania, receives the gospel book from the bishop, places his orarion over the book, kisses the right hand of the bishop and says:

Deacon: O holy apostle and evangelist Luke intercede with merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Preceded by a candle-bearer, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door and goes to stand at the pulpit or bishop’s throne and says:

Deacon: Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us hear the holy gospel.

The bishop blesses the people saying:

Bishop: Peace be to all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: (The Deacon announces the title of the gospel)

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

Deacon: Let us attend.

When the gospel reading is completed, the deacon presents the gospel book to the bishop who will kiss it, and the deacon kisses the bishop’s hand. The deacon enters the sanctuary through the holy doors as the bishop blesses him, saying:

Bishop: Peace be to thee that proclaimest the gospel.

The bishop blesses the congregation with the gospel book while the choir chants:

Choir: Eis polla eti, Dhespota.

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

The bishop replaces the gospel book upon the antiminsion and preaches the homily (or he may appoint a priest to preach in his place).

At the conclusion of the homily, the deacon bows to the bishop and standing in the middle of the holy doors the deacons , intones the following petitions. During the petitions, the bishop makes the sign of the cross over the antiminsion with the gospel book, and places it upright before the tabernacle.

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

Wisdom.

Bishop: That guarded always by thy might we may ascribe glory unto thee to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

As the choir chants the cherubic hymn, the bishop stand before the holy table, and he quietly says:

The Prayer Of The Cherubic Hymn

Bishop: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or to draw nigh or to serve thee, O King of glory, for to serve thee, is a great and fearful thing even to the heavenly powers. Nevertheless through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Master of all didst take the name of our High Priest and delivered unto us the ministry of this liturgic and bloodless sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth, who art borne on the throne of the cherubim, who art Lord of the seraphim and King of Israel, who alone art holy and restest in the holy place. Wherefore, I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner and thine unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience, and by the power of the Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy table, and perform the sacred mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee. Turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy servants, but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant; for thou thyself art he that offereth and is offered, that accepteth and is distributed, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The bishop and the deacon(s), with raised orarion(s) stand at their places at the holy table and say the cherubic hymn, thrice.

Bishop: Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, lay aside all worldly cares,

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

(metania by the bishop and deacon)

After saying the cherubic hymn, the bishop puts on the small omophorion and miter, takes the staff in his left hand, and blesses the censer, saying:

Bishop: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Incense we offer unto thee O Christ our God, as a savor of spiritual sweetness, which do thou receive upon thy most heavenly altar, and send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.

The bishop takes the censer with his right hand and accompanied by the deacons with trikirion and dikirion, now censes around the holy table, the sanctuary and the clergy, and from the holy doors, the icons on the iconstasis and the people.

After the censing, the sub-deacon(s) on the solea, bring a pitcher of water, a basin and a towel before the holy doors. The bishop removes his miter and, facing west, stands in the holy doors. The sub-deacon pours water (three times) into the bishop’s hands, while the bishop says:

Bishop: O Lord our God, who did sanctify the streams of Jordan by thy saving manifestation; Do thou now, also send down the grace of thy Holy Spirit, and bless this water, to the sanctification of all thy people, for blessed art thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

After drying his hands, the bishop blesses the congregation saying:

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

The bishop returns to the holy table, reverences the antiminsion, and proceeds to the prothesis. The senior priest and the deacon(s) come to the front of the holy table, reverence the antiminsion, and the holy table. The priest and deacon then fold their arms across their breasts and bow to each other saying:

Clergy: Forgive me, brother and concelebrant.

The deacon goes immediately to the prothesis, passing the high place. The priest turning to the west, bows towards the people, saying:

Priest: Forgive, O God, those who hate us and those who love us.

The other priests, senior to junior, come to the front of the holy table, two by two, reverence the antiminsion, bow to the people repeating the same and proceed to the prothesis (the priests on the south side of the holy table passing the high place).

Standing at the prothesis, the bishop makes his commemorations. As he commemorates the living, the clergy (senior to junior) approach him, kiss his right shoulder and the prothesis, saying their name for commemoration by the bishop. The bishop then completes the proskomedia with the first deacon. The deacon then says to the bishop:

Deacon: Lift up, master.

The bishop, lifting the aër from the gifts and placing it on the shoulders of the first deacon, gives him the disks and says:

Bishop: Lift up your hand unto the Holies, and bless the Lord.

The deacon, receiving the diskos, kisses the bishop’s right hand and places his orarion over the diskos. The priest then receives the chalice and kisses the bishop’s right hand while the bishop says:

Bishop: God hath gone up in jubilation; the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

The bishop’s omophorion is removed and given to the second priest to carry at the head of the procession. The bishop gives the other priests the hand cross, spear, spoon, etc. to carry in the great entrance. The bishop returns to the holy table while the great entrance is made

The second priest, carrying the omophorion, leads the procession and is followed by the servers with lanterns and processional cross, the second deacon with the trikirion and censer, the first deacon with the diskos, the third deacon with the dikirion and censer, the senior priest with the chalice, the servers with the fans and the other priests (senior to junior).

As he exits the sanctuary through the north door, the first deacon slowly intones:

Bishop: All of you, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The senior priest slowly repeats All of you … The second priest approaches the bishop and places the omophorion on the bishop’s shoulders. The second priest then takes his place on the solea. The second deacon, goes to stand near the bishop on his right side and the third deacon goes to stand near the bishop on his left side.

The bishop takes the censer from the second deacon and censes the diskos.

Bishop: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The second deacon receives the censer from the bishop and kisses the bishop’s right hand. The first deacon presents the diskos to the bishop and kisses his right hand.

The first deacon, standing in the center of the solea facing the bishop says

Deacon: Thine archpriesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary and stands at his place at the holy table.

The bishop commemorates the patriarch, the holy synod, the primate, the government, church organizations, the archdiocese, and those (by name) who had offered the oblation, for their health, peace, and salvation, and then places the diskos upon the holy table.

The bishop takes the censer from the deacon and censes the chalice as the senior priest, standing in the center of solea facing the bishop presents the chalice to the bishop, kisses his right hand, and then returns to his place on the solea, and intones:

Priest: Thine archpriesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The deacon receives the censer from the bishop and kisses the bishop’s right hand. The bishop commemorates whom he will of the departed and then places the chalice upon the holy table.

As the choir concludes the cherubic hymn, the clergy enter the sanctuary (senior to junior) through the holy doors and take their places at the holy table. Then the bishop says:

Bishop: The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thine immaculate body from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices and, sorrowing, placed it in a new tomb.

In the grave with the body but in hades with soul as God; in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.

As life-bearing, as more splendid than paradise, and more radiant than any royal chamber, O Christ, is shown forth thy tomb, the fountain of our resurrection.

The bishop takes the covers from the diskos and chalice and places them at the corners of the antiminsion. After taking the aër from the deacon’s shoulders, he holds it around the censer, and then places it over the gifts. The deacon then says:

Deacon: Do good, master.

Taking the censer, the bishop censes the gifts thrice, saying the concluding verses of Psalm 50:

Bishop: Do good, O Lord in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.

Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.

Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Bishop: Remember me, O Brethren, participants in this Divine Service.

The priests and deacons say:

Clergy: Thine archpriesthood , the Lord God remember.

And they continue, saying:

Clergy: Remember us, O Holy Master.

The bishop blesses the priests and the deacons, saying:

Bishop: Thy priesthood and thy diaconate, the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

The clergy approach and kiss the bishop’s hand (the clergy on the south side kissing his right hand; the clergy on the north side kissing his left hand). Before the Alleluia at the conclusion of the cherubic hymn, the bishop blesses the congregation with the trikirion and dikirion as the choir chants:

Choir: Eis polla eti despota.

The choir then chants the Alleluia, ending the cherubic hymn.

Passing the high place, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea (the choir having completed the cherubic hymn) the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of supplication.

The bishop removes his omophorion and says the prayer of the proskomedia while the deacon intones the following petition:

The Litany Of Supplication

Deacon: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

(The choir responds Lord, have mercy, to each petition until noted.)

Deacon: For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

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

(The choir responds Grant this, O Lord, to this and the following petitions.)

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

Pardon and forgiveness of sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

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

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ while the bishop says aloud the exclamation at the end of the prayer of proskomedia.

The Prayer Of The Proskomedia

Bishop: O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon thee with their whole heart: Receive also the prayer of us sinners, and lead us to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here spread forth and upon all thy people:

Bishop: Through the compassions of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Turning to face the people, the bishop blesses, saying:

Bishop: Peace be to all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

The bishop turns and faces east while the deacon intones:

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

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

The bishop make three metanias before the holy table, saying each time:

Bishop: I will love thee, O Lord, my Strength: the Lord is my firm Foundation, my Refuge, and my Deliverer.

The bishop then kisses the covered gifts (first the diskos, then the chalice), the cross on the aër and the holy table. After the bishop reverences the gifts, the priests, in order of seniority (senior to junior), approach the holy table from the north side, and do likewise. After reverencing the gifts, the first priest exchanges the kiss of peace with the bishop and the other priests as follows:

Bishop: Christ is in our midst.

Priest: He (was and ) is and shall be.

The priest kisses the bishop on his right and left shoulder and his right hand. The first priest then stands at the right of the bishop. After reverencing the gifts, the second priest exchanges the kiss of peace with the bishop, doing the same, and also exchanges the kiss of peace with the first priest on his right and left shoulder—the priests kissing each other’s hands—as they say (senior priest to junior priest):

Sr. Priest: Christ is in our midst.

Jr. Priest: He (was and) is and shall be.

Then standing to the right of the first priest, the other priests follow this same procedure until all have exchanged the kiss of peace.

The people also exchange the kiss of peace with one another at this time, saying:

People: Christ is in our midst! He is and shall be.

Meanwhile, the deacon makes three metanias before the icon of Christ, kisses the cross on his orarion, lifts his orarion, and intones:

Deacon: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

The entire congregation now joins in reciting the creed:

The Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;

And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;

And the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;

And he shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;

And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.

I look for the Resurrection of the dead,

And the life of the world to come. Amen.

As the creed is recited, the bishop bows low and the priests lift the aër with both hands and gently wave it over the gifts and the bishop’s head. At the point in the creed, And rose again from the dead…, the bishop rises. The priests offer the aër to the bishop to reverence, then one priest folds it, makes the sign of the cross with it over the gifts, and continues to wave the folded aër over the gifts in a circular manner.

At the conclusion of the creed, the deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, with raised orarion intones:

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

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

The bishop says the following while he makes the sign of the cross over the gifts with the folded aër, and, after laying it aside, turns to bless the people, saying:

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

Choir: And with thy spirit.

Still facing west, the bishop lifts up his arms, saying:

Bishop: Let us lift up our hearts.

Choir: We lift them up to the Lord.

Facing east and bowing low before the holy table, the bishop says:

Bishop: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir: It is meet and right.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the north door and stands at the northwest corner of the holy table, makes three metanias and kissing the corner of the holy table, stands at the right side of the bishop, as the bishop bows low and says:

The Holy Anaphora

Bishop: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee in every place of thy dominion; for thou art God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever-existing and eternally the same, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine only-begotten Son and to thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know and of which we know not and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of archangels and ten thousands of angels, the cherubim and the seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their wings:

The deacon holds the star as the bishop says:

Bishop: Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming and saying:

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

As the choir chants the triumphal hymn, the deacon closes the star, wipes the four tips with the sponge and then gives the star to the bishop who kisses it and lays it aside. The deacon moves to the southwest corner of the holy table and bows low, as the bishop continues, saying:

Bishop: With these blessed powers we also, O Master, who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit; holy art thou and all-holy, and magnificent is thy glory, who hast so loved the world as to give thine only-begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life, who, when he had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night in which he was betrayed or, rather, gave himself up for the life of the world, took bread in his holy and immaculate hands; and when he had given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it and broken it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:

The bishop puts on the omophorion.

Bishop: Take, eat. This is my Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins;

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: And likewise after supper, he took the cup, saying:

Bishop: 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.

Bowing, the bishop continues:

Bishop: Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the cross, the grave, the third-day resurrection, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, and the second and glorious coming:

The deacon standing at the center of the holy table takes up the diskos in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand, with his right hand over the left in crosswise fashion, and elevates them over the antiminsion; he makes the sign of the cross with them over the antiminsion as he lowers them, while the bishop says:

Bishop: Thine own of thine own, we offer unto thee in behalf of all and for all.

Choir: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord. And we pray unto unto, O our God.

The gifts are replaced on the antiminsion, and the bishop bows and continues, saying with all compunction:

Bishop: Again we offer unto thee this rational and bloodless worship and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here spread forth:

The deacons draw near to the bishop, and they make three reverences before the holy table, praying within themselves and saying:

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

Deacon: A clean heart create in me, O God, and a right spirit renew in my innermost parts.

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

Deacon: Cast me not away from thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

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

Then the deacon points to the diskos, with his orarion, saying:

Deacon: Bless, master, the holy bread.

The bishop blesses the Lamb, saying:

Bishop: And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ;

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon points to the chalice, with his orarion, saying:

Deacon: Bless, master, the holy cup.

The bishop blesses the chalice, saying:

Bishop: And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon points to the diskos and the chalice with his orarion, saying:

Deacon: Bless both, master.

The bishop then makes one sign of the cross over both the diskos and the chalice, saying:

Bishop: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit;

Deacon: Amen. Amen. Amen.

The bishop and deacon make a prostration or metania before the holy table. Then the bishop bows and continues:

Bishop: That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto forgiveness of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven and unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment or unto condemnation. And again we offer unto thee this rational worship for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and every righteous spirit which has completed this life in faith:

Censing the gifts nine times, the bishop says:

Bishop: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary;

The bishop gives the censer to the deacon, who censes around the holy table, while the choir and/or chanters chant the appointed megalynarion. When the censing is completed, the deacon returns to his place at the holy table and quietly reads the diptychs of the departed and the living. In the meantime the bishop continues, saying:

Bishop: For the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; the holy glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the Saints (NN.) whose memory we celebrate, and all thy saints, at whose supplications visit us, O God.

And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal, NN., and grant them; rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance watcheth over them.

And again we beseech thee: be mindful, O Lord, of every bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly divideth the word of thy truth, of all the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly and monastic order.

And again we offer unto thee this rational worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and lead a godly way of life and for all civil authorities, and our armed forces; grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we in their tranquillity may lead a calm and peaceful life in all reverence and godliness.

The bishop says:

Bishop: Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Metropolitan N., whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health and length of days, and rightly dividing the word of thy truth.

The clergy, in unison, repeat Among the first…, mentioning only the name of the celebrating bishop:

Clergy: Among the first be mindful, O Lord of our Bishop N., whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health and length of days, and rightly dividing the word of thy truth.

Choir: Amen.

The deacon, having completed the diptychs of the departed and the living, faces the people and says:

Deacon: And for those who offer these precious and holy gifts to the Lord our God, the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly order and for their salvation, for the peace and stability of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, the salvation and help of the people here present, those whom they are remembering and of all mankind.

Choir: And of all mankind.

Bowing, the bishop says:

Bishop: Be mindful, O Lord, of this city in which we dwell, and of every city and countryside, and of those who in faith dwell therein. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, captives and for their salvation. Be mindful, O Lord of those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and who remember the poor; and upon us all send forth thy mercies:

And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and praise thine all-honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The deacon bows to the bishop and, passing the high place, exits the sanctuary through the north door and stands before the icon of the Theotokos.

The bishop, turning to face the west, blesses the people, saying:

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

Choir: And with thy spirit.

The holy anaphora now completed, the bishop stands before the holy table facing east as the deacon, with lifted orarion, stands before the holy doors and intones the petitions:

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

The choir responds, Lord, have mercy, to the first five petitions.

For the precious gifts which have been spread forth and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.

That our God, who loveth mankind, receiving them upon his holy, most heavenly and ideal altar as a savor of spiritual sweetness, will send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

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

Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

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

The choir responds, Grant this, O Lord, to this and the remaining petitions.

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

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

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

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Asking for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ while the bishop says the following prayer:

Bishop: Unto thee we commend our whole life and our hope, O Master who lovest mankind; and we beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Vouchsafe us to partake of thy heavenly and dread mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience, unto forgiveness of sins, unto pardon of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation:

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

All: 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.

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

Choir: Amen.

Turning to face west, the bishop blesses the people, saying:

Bishop: Peace be to all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

The bishop faces east and reads the following prayer as the deacon says:

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To thee, O Lord.

Bishop: We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy boundless power hast made all things and in the multitude of thy mercy that brought all things from nothingness into being. Do thou thyself, O Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee; for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but to thee, the fearful God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself distribute these gifts here spread forth, unto all of us for good, according to the individual need of each: voyage with those who sail by sea; journey with those who travel by land and air; heal the sick, thou who art the Physician of our souls and bodies:

Through the grace and compassions and love toward mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The bishop prays:

Bishop: Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place and from the throne of glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.

The bishop makes three metanias, saying each time:

Bishop: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

Deacon: Let us attend.

The bishop takes up the Lamb in both hands and makes therewith the sign of the cross over the diskos, saying:

Bishop: The Holy Things are for the holy.

While the choir chants One is holy…, the deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door and stands at his place at the holy table and says to the bishop:

Deacon: Divide, master, the holy bread.

The bishop divides the Lamb into four parts with great reverence and care, saying:

Bishop: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not disunited; who is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.

The bishop arranges the pieces of the lamb of the rim of the diskos in customary fashion. When he has done so the deacon says:

Deacon: Fill, master, the holy cup.

The bishop takes the portion sealed IC and makes the sign of the cross over the top of the chalice and places it in the chalice, saying:

Bishop: The fullness (of the cup of faith) of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Amen.

Bringing for the bishop’s blessing the warm water in the zeon, the deacon says:

Deacon: Bless, master, the zeon.

Blessing the warm water, the bishop says:

Bishop: Blessed is the warmth of thy holy things, O Lord, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon pours a sufficient quantity of warm water into the chalice cross-wise, while the bishop says:

Bishop: The warmth (of faith, full) of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Amen.

The bishop stands with bowed head at his place at the holy table, as the bishop leads all in the recitation of the pre-communion prayers.

The Pre-Communion Prayers

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

Of thy mystic supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.

Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.

The choir and/or chanters sing the proper koinonikon.

While the choir sings the koinonikon the bishop turns to the clergy, saying:

Bishop: Forgive me my sins, brothers and concelebrants.

The clergy respond to the bishop, saying:

Clergy: Thine archpriesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Then the bishop turns to the people saying:

Bishop: Forgive me my sins brothers and sisters.

Then facing the holy table, he makes three metanias, saying each time:

Bishop: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

The bishop divides the section of the lamb sealed XC into small portions, for him and the other clergy, then he take a portion saying:

Bishop: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.

Holding in both hands that portion of the lamb, the bishop says:

Bishop: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy of bishops N. unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The bishop consumes that portion of the lamb and says, Amen. With great care, he wipes his fingers over the diskos with the sponge.

The bishop taking up the kalima and the chalice, drinks from it thrice saying:

Bishop: The precious and all-holy blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy of bishops, N. unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

In the name of the Father, Amen.

And of the Son, Amen.

And of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Then the bishop wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima and says:

Bishop: Lo, this hath touched my lips and shall take away mine iniquities, and purge away my sins.

After the bishop communes himself, the celebrating clergy according to their rank are summoned to receive the Holy Body.

Bishop: O Priest and deacons of the High God, approach with fear.

The clergy (senior to junior) approach the holy table from the north side. As each approaches the holy table, he makes one metania saying:

Clergy: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.

He then crosses his hands, right over left with palms up, and approaches the bishop, saying:

Clergy: Master, impart unto me, the unworthy presbyter (or deacon) N., the precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

As the precious Body is placed in his hands, he kisses the hand of the bishop.

Bishop: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the reverend presbyter (or deacon) N., unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

After receiving the precious Body, he proceeds to the high place and consumes the precious Body.

Then the bishop summons the clergy to receive the Holy Blood.

Bishop: Again, O Priests and deacons of the High God, approach with fear.

The clergy again approach the holy table, each, with hands held over the diskos, use the sponge to remove from his hands any particle of the precious Body. Singly, the clergy then approach the bishop saying:

Clergy: Master, impart unto me the unworthy presbyter (or deacon) N., the precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

He then receives, at the hands of the bishop, the precious blood as the bishop says:

Bishop: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the reverend presbyter (or deacon) N. ,unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

After he wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima, kisses the chalice, each (except those who will later consume the remaining holy gifts) partakes of the antidoron, and wine mingled with warm water, and then quietly stands at his place at the holy table and says the prayers of thanksgiving after holy communion.

If multiple chalices are to be used, the bishop, will delegate who will distribute communion to the faithful.

After all the clergy have communed the deacon, with great reverence and care, breaks into small pieces the portions of the lamb sealed NI and KA, placing them into the chalice, saying:

Deacon: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name, O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us he hath destroyed death by death.

Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath dawned upon thee. Dance and be glad, O Sion. And delight thou, O pure Theotokos, in the rising of thy Son.

How divine! How beloved! How sweet is thy voice, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us until the end of the age. Having this as our anchor of hope, we the faithful do rejoice.

O Christ, great and most holy Pascha; O Wisdom, Word and Power of God: Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.

The bishop covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice and spoon to the deacon. Standing in the holy doors facing west, the deacon elevates the chalice to the people, saying:

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

The bishop and deacon exit the sanctuary through the holy doors as the choir chants:

Choir: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.

The deacon gives the chalice and spoon to the bishop, himself holding the kalima. The bishop, or one appointed by him, then communes those who are prepared to receive the Holy Mysteries, while the choir chants what is appointed. The bishop says to each communicant:

Bishop: The servant of God, N., partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.

When all have been communed, the bishop covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice to the deacon. The bishop then blesses the people with his hand, saying:

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

Choir: We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit; we have found the True Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity: for He hath saved us.

The choir chants the above hymn, the bishop and deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the bishop places the chalice on the antiminsion.

The deacon removes the kalima from the chalice, lifts the diskos over the chalice and with the sponge carefully wipes the remaining particles into the chalice, saying:

Deacon: By thy precious Blood, O Lord, wash away the sins of thy servants here commemorated, through the intercessions of all thy saints.

After making certain that no crumb remains on the diskos or on the antiminsion, the deacon returns to stand at his place at southwest corner of the holy table.

The bishop then covers the chalice with its veil and places the folded aër, the veil of the diskos, the kalima and the star upon the diskos.

Deacon: Exalt, master.

The bishop censes the chalice thrice, saying:

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

The bishop gives the censer and the diskos to the deacon, who lifts it above his head and, passing the front of the holy table, carries it to and places it upon the prothesis. The bishop lifts the chalice and gives it to the protos, saying:

Bishop: Blessed is our God;

The protos, turning to face the people, continues:

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

As the choir chants, Amen. Let our mouths be filled with thy praise¼, the priest carries the chalice to and places it upon the prothesis and censes it three times. Returning to the holy, table, the priest folds the antiminsion, while the deacon, uncrossing the orarion and placing it again upon his shoulder, exits the sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the following petitions of thanksgiving:

Deacon: Stand upright. Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The deacon moves to stand before the icon of Christ. The bishop, standing before the holy table, facing east, says the thanksgiving prayer:

Thanksgiving Prayer

Bishop: We give thanks unto thee, O Master who lovest mankind, Benefactor of our souls, for that thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our path; establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps; through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy saints:

During the following exclamation, the bishop lifts the gospel book with both hands, makes the sign of the cross with it over the folded antiminsion, and lays it upon the antiminsion.

Bishop: For thou art our Sanctification, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The priest exits the sanctuary through the holy doors while the bishop says:

Bishop: Let us depart in peace.

Choir: In the name of the Lord.

The deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, lifts his orarion and says:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Standing before the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, the priest says the appointed prayer behind the amvon.

The Prayer Behind the Amvon

Priest: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house, glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy Churches, to the priests, to the civil authorities, to the armed forces and to all thy people; for all good giving and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights, and unto thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice)

The bishop puts on his mitre and takes his staff.

While the choir chants the above, the priest, through the holy doors, and the deacon, through the north door, enter the sanctuary and go directly to the prothesis. Standing before the prothesis, the priest says:

The Prayer at the Consumption of the Holy Gifts

Priest: O Christ our God, who art the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, who didst fulfill all the dispensation of the Father: Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After the prayer at the prothesis, the bishop blesses the deacon to consume the remaining holy gifts. The priest returns to the holy table, while the deacon, prepares to consume the holy gifts.

The priest returns to his place at the holy table while the deacon, having again arranged his orarion crosswise, prepares to consume the remaining holy gifts with reverence and care.

The clergy according to their rank exit the sanctuary through the holy doors and stand outside and opposite to each other, the protos, at the right side of the bishop, who stands in the middle of the Holy Doors.

Special services take place at this time. Then the Divine Liturgy is concluded.

Then the deacon says:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The bishop turns to face the people and blesses them, saying:

Bishop: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his divine grace and love toward mankind, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The bishop turns toward the icon of Christ and says:

Bishop: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to thee.

Choir: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Master, bless.

Standing in the holy doors, facing west, the bishop recites the dismissal:

The Dismissal

Bishop: May (insert the appointed characteristic phrase), Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplications of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers; of Saint (N.), patron of this church; of the holy righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of the Saints (NN.) whose memory we celebrate and of all the saints: have mercy on us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.

The choir and/or chanters now chant Ton despotin…

Then facing the icon of Christ, the bishop says:

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

Choir: Amen.

The protos then says:

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us.

Choir: Amen.

The people then come forward to receive the antidoron, kissing the hand cross and the right hand of the bishop, as the bishop says to each person:

Bishop: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy.

To the last person to receive antidoron, the bishop says:

Bishop: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his divine grace and love toward mankind, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.