THE HIERARCHICAL
PRESANCTIFIED DIVINE LITURGY
Bishop Demetri M. Khoury
a Working Copy. NOT for Publication
During the Presanctified Liturgy, the bishop, if he is not presiding, does not stand at his episcopal throne, but rather he stands at the chair beside it, holding a bamboo staff instead of his regular staff, and without “mandya.” If the bishop presides, especially during major feast days when both the Epistle and the Gospel, or only the Gospel, are read (as done during the first three days of Holy Week), the service will be as follows: The bishop arrives at the church as usual, he dons his mandiya, takes his staff, blesses the people and stands at his episcopal throne. The clergy approach him two by two, receive his blessing, and proceed to make prostration before the holy doors, bow to the people and ask forgiveness, and enter the sanctuary through the side doors, and vest. After the beginning of the ninth hour and the exclamation “for Thine is the Kingdom… “the bishop descends from his throne, makes three prostrations in front of the Holy Doors, venerates the Icons on the Iconostas while the deacon says at each, “Through the prayers of our Holy Master…“ then the bishop blesses the people and enters the sanctuary through the royal door, makes a metania before the Holy Table, kisses it without saying anything, and vests fully with the small omophorion. He blesses each piece and kisses it while the deacon says “Through the prayers of our Holy Master …” without the usual vesting prayers[2]. At the conclusion of the Beatitudes, the bishop and the clergy exit the sanctuary through the holy doors. The bishop ascends his throne. The clergy approach and receive his blessing as usual. The protos enters the sanctuary while the rest of the clergy remain in their places on either side of the throne. After the prayer “O Thou who at every season and every hour…” the bishop says BISHOP: May God have compassion upon us and bless us; may he show the light of his countenance upon us and be merciful unto us. The bishop descends from the throne and says the prayer of St. Ephraim with its prostrations. BISHOP: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. (prostration) Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration) After Holy God and Lord have mercy 12 times, the bishop says the following prayer: BISHOP: O all Holy Trinity, Might One in Essence, Kingdom undivided, Origin of all good things, be graciously inclined also unto me, a sinner. Establish Thou me; give understanding unto my heart, and purge away all my vileness. Enlighten my mind, that I may glorify, sing praises, and adore Thee, and say: Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, in the glory of the Father. Amen.” Then the priest concludes the ninth hour standing in the middle of the Holy Doors facing West. The bishop ascends his throne. The deacon bows to the bishop, and stands in front of the Holy Doors, facing East. The protos kisses the Gospel book and the Holy Table, and the deacon lifts his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand and says aloud: DEACON: Bless, master. The priest lifts the Gospel book up with hands and lowers it, making with it the sign of the cross over the antiminsion and saying with the fear of God: PRIEST: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. CHOIR: Amen. The priest and deacon bow to the bishop, and the deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door and stands at his place at the Holy Table 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 – 1O3 Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. Who established the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back forever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid. The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses shall wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice. He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men. To bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine which maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the deer, and the rocks for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad. Young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay themselves down in their dens. But man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, therein are things creeping innumerable, small creatures with the great. There go the ships, there is this serpent, whom Thou hast made to play in the sea. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due seasons; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God while I have being. May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. O Lord, our Hope, glory be to Thee. While Psalm 103 is being said, the priest stands at the southwest corner of the Holy Table and quietly says the fifth, sixth and seventh prayers at the lighting of the lamps. THE PRAYERS AT THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS PRIEST: O Lord, O Lord, who upholdest all things in the undefiled hollow of Thy hand, who showest long-suffering upon us all and repentest Thee at our wickedness: Remember Thy compassions and Thy mercy. Visit us with goodness, and grant that, through the remainder of the present day, by Thy grace, we may avoid the diverse subtle snares of the evil one and preserve our lives unassailed, through the grace of Thine all-holy Spirit. Through the mercy 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. Amen. PRIEST: O God, great and wonderful, who with wisdom inscrutable and great riches of providence, orderest all things and bestowest upon us earthly good things, who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already bestowed upon us, and hast made us to shun all evil during that part of the day which is past: Grant that we may also fulfill the remainder of this day without reproach before Thy holy glory and hymn Thee, the only good One, our God, who lovest mankind. For Thou art our God 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. Amen. PRIEST: O great and most high God, who alone hast immortality, and dwellest in light unapproachable, who hast made all creation in wisdom, who has divided the light from the darkness and hast appointed the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars also to rule the night, who has vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour also to come before Thy presence with confession and to offer unto Thee our evening praise: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord who lovest mankind, direct our prayer as incense before Thee, and accept it as a savour of sweet fragrance, and grant that we may pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Endue us with the armour of light. Deliver us from the terror of the night and from everything that walketh in darkness, and grant that the sleep which Thou hast appointed for the repose of our weakness may be free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, Bestower of good things, may we, being moved to compunction upon our beds, call to remembrance Thy name in the night, that, enlightened by meditation on Thy commandments, we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify Thy good-ness, offering up prayers and supplications unto Thy tender love for our sins and for those of all Thy people whom do Thou visit in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind, 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. Amen. At the conclusion of Psalm 103, the priest remains standing at his place at the Holy Table. The deacon exits the Sanctuary, passing the High Place, through the north door. Standing before the Holy Doors and facing the bishop, he bows to him, and turns to face the icon of Christ, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the litany of peace. If no deacon is serving, the priest says the petitions from his place at the Holy Table. THE LITANY OF PEACE DEACON: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. (The choir responds 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 archbishop or bishop), N., the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. For our president (or appropriate head of state), 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, for the sick, the suffering, captives and their salvation, 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. 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. BISHOP: (inaudibly) O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Lead us in Thy way, that we may walk in Thy truth. Make glad our hearts, that we may fear Thy holy name. For Thou art great and doest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among all the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in Thy holy name. PRIEST: (aloud) 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 reader says the first stasis of the 18th kathisma of the Psalter. The priest and deacon bow to the bishop and the deacon then enters the Sanctuary through the south door, washes his hands and prepares the prothesis and censer while the priest washes his hands. While the Psalms are being read[3] the deacon brings the discos from the prothesis to the Altar Table. The priest puts the Gospel Book on the right side of the Holy Table and opens the Antimins. Then they both make three prostrations. The priest censes the Presanctified Gifts three times, and places it on the discos. Preceded by the deacon, who is carrying the censer and a candle, they process from the Altar Table to the prothesis, passing the high place, while the priest is carrying the diskos over his head. It is customary to have all the clergy and the people in the nave and sanctuary kneel. When the priest and deacon reach the prothesis, the priest takes the censer and censes the gifts. He then pours wine and water into the chalice, censes the asterisk, and puts it over the diskos, censes the covers, and puts them over the diskos and chalice; then the Veil, without saying the usual prayers, but saying instead, “Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us.” The deacon answers, “Amen”. Then the priest censes the Holy Gifts and puts the censer away. The deacon and the priest make three prostrations and kiss the veil over the chalice, diskos, and prothesis table and go back to the Altar Table. The priest folds the antimins, and puts the Gospel Book over it. FIRST STASIS PSALM – 119 READER: Unto the Lord in mine affliction have I cried, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from unrighteous lips and from a crafty tongue. What shall be given unto thee and what shall be added unto thee for thy crafty tongue? The arrows of the mighty one, sharpened with coals of the desert. Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged; I have tented with the tentings of Kedar, my soul hath long been a sojourner. With them that hate peace I was peaceable; when I spake unto them, they warred against me without a cause. PSALM – 120 I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and earth. Give not thy foot unto moving, and may He not slumber that preserveth thee. Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep, He that preserveth Israel . The Lord shall preserve thee; the Lord is thy shelter at thy right hand. The sun shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, the Lord shall guard thy soul. The Lord shall keep thy coming in and thy going out, from henceforth and for evermore. PSALM – 121 I was glad because of them that said unto me: let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have stood in thy courts, O Jerusalem . Jerusalem is builded as a city which its dwellers share in concord. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, as a testimony for Israel , to give thanks to the Name of the Lord. For there are set thrones unto judgement, thrones over the house of David. Ask now for the things which are for the peace of Jerusalem , and for the prosperity of them that love Thee, Let peace be now in Thy strength, and prosperity in Thy palaces. For the sake of my brethren and my neighbors, I spake peace concerning Thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for Thee. PSALM 122 Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He takes pity on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.
PSALM 123 Had it not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say, had it not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us, then had they swallowed us up alive. When their wrath raged against us, then had the water overwhelmed us. Our soul hath passed through a torrent; then had our soul passed through the water that is irresistible. Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul like a sparrow was delivered out of the snare of the hunters. The snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help is in the Name of the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. The deacon exits the Sanctuary, passing the High Place, through the north door. Standing before the Holy Doors and facing the bishop, he bows to him, and turns to face the icon of Christ, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the little litany. If no deacon is serving, the priest says the petitions from his place at the Holy Table. The Little Litany DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: 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. BISHOP: (inaudibly) O Lord, rebuke us not in Thy displeasure, neither chasten us in Thy wrath, but deal with us according to Thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of Thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of Thy truth, and vouchsafe that the remainder of this day and our whole life may be peaceful and without sin, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. PRIEST: For Thine is the might, and 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 While the reader says Both now and the second stasis, the priest and deacon bow to the bishop and the deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door. SECOND STASIS READER: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. PSALM 124 They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion ; he that dwelleth at Jerusalem , nevermore shall he be shaken. Mountains are round about her, and the Lord is round about His people from henceforth and forevermore. For the Lord will not permit the rod of sinners to be upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch forth their hands unto iniquities. Do good, O Lord, unto them that are good and unto the upright of heart. But them that turn aside unto crooked ways shall the Lord lead away with the workers of iniquity; peace be upon Israel . PSALM 125 When the Lord returned the captives of Sion, we became as men that are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing. Then shall they say among the nations: The Lord hath done great things unto them. The Lord hath done great things among us, and we are become glad. Turn again, O Lord, our captivity, like streams in the South. They that sow with tears shall reap with rejoicing. In their going they went, and they wept as they cast their seeds. But in their coming shall they come with rejoicing, bearing their sheaves. PSALM 126 Except the Lord build the house, in vain do they labor that build it. Except the Lord guard the city, in vain doth he watch that guardeth her; it is vain for you to rise at dawn. Ye that eat the bread of sorrow, rouse yourselves after resting when He hath given sleep to His beloved. Lo, sons are the heritage of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of them that were outcasts. Blessed is he that shall fulfil his desires with them; they shall not be put to shame when they speak to their enemies in the gates. PSALM 127 Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, that walk in His ways. Thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labours; blessed art thou, and well shall it be with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of thy house. Thy sons like young olive trees round about thy table. Behold, so shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Sion, and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children’s children; peace be upon Israel . PSALM – 128 Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say, Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, and yet they have not prevailed against me. The sinners wrought upon my back, they lengthened out their iniquity. The Lord is righteous; He hath cut asunder the necks of sinners. Let them be put to shame and turned back, all they that hate Sion. Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which before it is plucked up is withered away. With which the reaper filleth not his hand, nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. Nor have they that passed by said: The blessing of the Lord come upon you; we have blessed you in the Name of the Lord. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. The deacon exits the Sanctuary, passing the High Place, through the north door. Standing before the Holy Doors and facing the bishop, he bows to him, and turns to face the icon of Christ, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the little litany. If no deacon is serving, the priest says the petitions from his place at the Holy Table. THE LITTLE LITANY DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: 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. BISHOP: (inaudibly) O Lord our God, remember us sinners and Thine unprofitable servants when we call upon Thy holy name, and put us not to shame in our expectation of Thy mercy; but grant us, O Lord, all of our petitions which are unto salvation, and vouchsafe that we may love and fear Thee with all our hearts and do Thy will in all things. PRIEST: For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind, 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. While the reader saysBoth now and the third stasis, the priest and the deacon bow to the bishop and the deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door and stands at his place at the Holy Table. THIRD STASIS READER: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. PSALM – 129 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 suplication. If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord: Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness. For Thy Name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities. PSALM – 130 O Lord, my heart is not exalted, nor are mine eyes become lofty. Nor have I walked in things too great or too marvelous for me. If I were not humbled-minded but exalted my soul, as one weaned from his mother, so wouldst Thou requite my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth and forevermore. PSALM – 131 Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. How he made an oath unto the Lord, and vowed unto the God of Jacob. I shall not go into the dwelling of my house, I shall not ascend upon the bed of my couch. I shall not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, nor rest to my temples. Until I find a place for the Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob. Lo, we have heard of it in Ephratha, we have found it in the plains of the wood. Let us go forth into His tabernacles, let us worship at the place where His feet have stood. Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the Ark of Thy holiness. Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteousness shall rejoice. For the sake of David Thy servant, turn not Thy face away from Thy anointed one. The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it: Of the fruit of thy loins will I set upon thy throne. If thy sons keep my covenant and these testimonies which I will teach them. Their sons also shall sit forever on thy throne. For the Lord hath elected Sion, He hath chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. This is My rest forever and ever; her beggars will I satisfy with bread. Her priests will I clothe with righteousness, and her saints with rejoicing shall rejoice. There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp for My Christ. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon Him shall My sanctification flourish. PSALM 132 Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment. It is like the dew of Aermon, which cometh down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore. PSALM 135 Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Sion, He that made heaven and the earth. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. O Lord, Our Hope, glory be to Thee. The deacon exits the Sanctuary, passing the High Place, through the north door. Standing before the Holy Doors and facing the bishop, he bows to him, and turns to face the icon of Christ, lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the little litany. If no deacon is serving, the priest says the petitions from his place at the Holy Table. THE LITTLE LITANY DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. DEACON: 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. BISHOP: (inaudibly) O Thou who, with never-silent hymns and never-ceasing songs of praise to Thy glory, art hymned by the holy powers: Fill our mouths with Thy praise, that we may magnify Thy holy name. And grant unto us a part and inheritance with all those who fear Thee in truth and keep Thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all Thy saints. PRIEST: (aloud) For Thou art our God, the God of mercy and salvation, 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 and deacon bow to the bishop, and the deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door. During the chanting of Lord, I have cried . . ., the deacon does the great censing of the church, as at Great Vespers in the presence of a bishop, while the bishop and the choir chant the following alternately. (If there is no deacon the priest does the deacon’s part): BISHOP: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee. Hear me, O Lord. CHOIR: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. BISHOP: Set a watch. O Lord, before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips. CHOIR: Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them. The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head. For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground. Their bones are scattered by the side of Hell. But to Thee O Lord are my eyes: in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul. Keep me from the snares, which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of Iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape. PSALM 141 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no one that would know me: Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. (If the four stichera for the saint(s) of the day will be included with the six stichera from the Triodion, then begin singing the stichera immediately after the following psalm verse. If the stichera for the saint(s) of the day will not be included, then begin singing the stichera immediately after If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities…) Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name. The righteous shall wait for 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 supplications. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness. 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. As the choir chants the Both now and ever, . . . , the priest(s) come in front of the Holy Table and makes three prostrations, kisses the Gospel book, and the Holy Table as the deacon takes up the censer. The procession for the entrance is made to the bishop’s throne rather than to the center of the solea. If, however, there is a gospel lection appointed for the Liturgy, the entrance is made with the Gospel book rather than with the censer. In either case the entrance is made to the bishop’s throne rather than to the center of the solea. The protos stands on the bishop’s right, the other priests (if any) stand in order of their rank on either side of the bishop, and the first deacon stands before the bishop, holding his orarion with the thumb and first two fingers of his right hand and the censer (if this is the case) in his left, and says to the bishop: DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. THE PRAYER OF THE ENTRANCE BISHOP: (inaudibly) In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all, Lord who lovest mankind: Direct Thou our prayer as incense before Thee, and incline not our hearts unto words or Thoughts of evil; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto Thee, O Lord, Lord, are our eyes, and in Thee have we hoped. 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. DEACON: Amen. (If the entrance has been made with the Gospel book, the deacon holds the Gospel book for the bishop to kiss, himself kissing the bishop’s right hand.) In either case, the deacon pointing to the Holy Doors with his orarion in his right hand, says to the bishop: DEACON: Bless, Master, the holy entrance. The bishop blesses toward the Holy Doors with his right hand, saying: BISHOP: Blessed is the entrance to Thy holy place, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. DEACON: Amen. (If the entrance has been made with the censer, the deacon censes the bishop and the icons on the iconostasis, and the faithful from his place in the center of the solea, while the choir continues chanting.) When the choir has completed chanting, the deacon, standing before the Holy Doors and facing east, raises the censer (or Gospel book) and intones: DEACON: Wisdom. Stand upright. The bishop takes the trikirion and dhikirion and leads the clergy and the faithful in singing the following: THE HYMN OF THANKSGIVING AT THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS CLERGY: O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father: Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise God: the 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. At the words We praise God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit he blesses the faithful, while the choir sings slowly: CHOIR: Many years, master. The deacon enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors. Then the bishop, followed by the clergy, enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors while being censed by the deacon. He gives the trikirion and dhikirion to the deacon, takes the censer and the staff, and censes as usual. At the conclusion of the censing and the end of O gladsome Light, the deacon standing in the Holy Doors and facing west, says: DEACON: The evening prokeimenon. READER: The prokeimenon in tone ( ) (And the reader intones the prokeimenon with its stichos.) DEACON: Wisdom. READER: The reading from the… DEACON: Let us attend. The reader reads the first reading. During the reading the deacon prepares both the trikirion and the censer for the bishop, who is standing before the Holy Table and facing east. At the end of the reading, the deacon gives them both to the bishop and then says: DEACON: Let us attend. READER: The prokeimenon in tone ( ) COMMAND MASTER! BISHOP: Wisdom, let us attend. Remaining at his place in the Holy Doors, but facing the prothesis table, the bishop says: BISHOP: The Light of Christ Facing the faithful and blessing them, making the sign of the Cross with the trikirion and censer, he says: BISHOP: Illumineth all. The the bishop returns to the Holy Table and returns the trikirion and censer, as the reader says: READER: The reading from… DEACON: Wisdom. The reader says the second reading. At the end of the second reading the bishop takes up the censer as the deacon takes the trikirion and goes to stand at the east side of the Holy Table, opposite the bishop. On each of the following verses, the bishop moves to and continuously censes a side of the Holy Table; and the deacon, holding the trikirion, moves to stand opposite him. The bishop censes the west side of the Holy Table as he slowly chants the following (in tone 6 during the first week of Great Lent, during Holy Week, and on feasts of saints; in tone 5 at all other times): BISHOP: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. The bishop then moves to the south side of the Holy Table, censes and intones: BISHOP: (Verse 1) Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee. CHOIR: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice The bishop moves to the east side of the Holy Table, censes and intones: BISHOP: (Verse 2) Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips. CHOIR: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice The bishop moves to the north side of the Holy Table, censes and intones: BISHOP: (Verse 3) Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuse in sins. CHOIR: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice The bishop moves to the prothesis and intones: BISHOP: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. The bishop moves to the west (front) side of the Holy Table, censes and intones: BISHOP: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. The bishop, still standing before the Holy Table and censing, chants: BISHOP: Let my prayer arise Then turning to stand in the Holy Doors, the bishop censes the icon of Christ on the iconostasis as he continues: BISHOP: in Thy sight as incense; He then censes the other icons on the iconostasis and the people as the choir concludes: CHOIR: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. He then returns to the Holy Table, gives back the censer and says the prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian: BISHOP: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. (prostration) Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration) From this point on, until the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the bishop says and does all the parts of the protos, the priest(s) doing only what is assigned by the bishop. * * * * * For the Gospel readings for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week, please see Appendix D. If Epistle and/or Gospel readings are appointed, please see Appendix D for the order. [On February 10 (Feast of St. Charalampos), February 24 (Feast of the first and second finding of the head of the Forerunner), and March 9 (Feast of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebastia), the Epistle and Gospel appointed for that day are read at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.] * * * * * The deacon approaches the bishop and receives his blessing to begin the ektenia which follow below. He closes the Holy Doors and then exits the Sanctuary through the north door and, standing at his place on the solea with his orarion raised, intones the following ektenia and litanies: THE EKTENIA OF FERVANT SUPPLICATION DEACON: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say. (The choir responds Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. To this and the remaining petitions.) Lord almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy. Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy. Again we prayer for our (metropolitan (N) and our archbishop or bishop), N. Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and forgiveness of sins for (the servants of God, NN. and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community. Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.)and all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord. Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await Thy great and rich mercy. BISHOP: (Inaudably) O Lord our God, receive this fervent supplication of Thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of Thy mercy, and send down Thy compassions upon us and upon all Thy people, who await Thy great and rich mercy. BISHOP: (aloud)For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, 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 LITANY FOR THE CATECHUMENS DEACON: Pray to the Lord, ye catechumens. (The choir responds Lord, have mercy to each petition.) Let us the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them. That he will teach them the word of truth. That he will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness. That he will unite them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Save them; have mercy on them; help them; and keep them, O God, by Thy grace. Bow your heads to the Lord, ye catechumens. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord. BISHOP: O God, our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, who willest that all men should be saved and should come unto the knowledge of the truth: Look down upon Thy servants the catechumens, and deliver them from the ancient delusion and from the wiles of the adversary. And call them unto life eternal, illumining their souls and bodies and numbering them with Thy rational flock, which is called by Thy holy name. As the bishop says the exclamation, he makes the sign of the cross over the antiminsion with the Gospel book and then sets it upright before the tabernacle. BISHOP: That with us they may glorify 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. DEACON: As many as are catechumens, depart. Depart, catechumens. * * * * * The following litany for those preparing for illumination (baptism) is added from the Wednesday of the Fourth Week. DEACON: As many as are preparing for illumination, draw near. Pray to the Lord, ye who are preparing for illumination. (The choir responds Lord, have mercy to each petition.) Ye faithful, pray to the Lord for these brethren who are preparing for holy illumination and for their salvation. That the Lord our God will establish them and strengthen them. That He will illumine them with the light of knowledge and of reverence. That He will grant unto them, at the appointed time, the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins and the garment of incorruption. That He will beget them with water and the Spirit. That He will grant unto them the perfection of faith. That He will number them with His holy and elect flock. Save them; have mercy on them; help them; and keep them, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord. BISHOP: (inaudably) Show the light of Thy countenance, O Master, upon those who are preparing for holy illumination and who desire to put away the defilement of sin. Enlighten their understanding. Establish them in the faith. Strengthen them in hope. Perfect them in love. Make them honorable members of Thy Christ, who gave himself for our souls. BISHOP: (aloud) For Thou art our Illumination, 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. DEACON: As many as are preparing for illumination, depart. Depart, ye who are preparing for illumination. * * * * * DEACON: As many as are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain. FIRST LITANY OF THE FAITHFUL The bishop now unfolds the antiminsion and makes the sign of the cross over it with the sponge, kisses the sponge and lays it on the lower, right corner of the antiminsion. DEACON: As many as are of the faithful, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy DEACON: Wisdom. BISHOP: (Inaudably) O God, great and worthy to be praised, who through the life-giving death of Thy Christ hast translated us from corruption to incorruption: Deliver Thou all our senses from death-dealing, carnal desires, setting over them as a good ruler the understanding that is in us. Let our eye have no part in any evil sight. Let our hearing be inaccessible to all idle words; and let our tongue be purged from unseemly speech. Purify our lips which praise Thee, O Lord. Make our hands to abstain from evil deeds and to work only such things as are acceptable unto Thee, establishing all our members and our minds by Thy grace. BISHOP: (aloud)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. Second Litany of the Faithful DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy Deacon: Wisdom. BISHOP: (inaudably) O holy Master, exceeding good, we beseech Thee, who art rich in mercy, that Thou wilt be gracious to us sinners and make us worthy to receive Thine only-begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For behold, His immaculate Body and His life-giving Blood, entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth upon this mystical table, invisibly escorted by a multitude of the heavenly hosts. Grant us to partake of them without condemnation, that, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened thereby, we may become sons of the light and of the day. BISHOP: (aloud)Through the gift of Thy Christ, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. CHOIR: Amen. The deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door, opens the Holy Doors and stands at his place at the Holy Table. The choir chants: CHOIR: Now the powers of heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of glory doth enter. The bishop, and the deacon with raised orarion, say the same hymn thrice. As the deacon says theAlleluia, they make a metania. BISHOP: Now the powers of heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of glory doth enter. DEACON: Behold, the completed mystical sacrifice is escorted in. Let us with faith and love draw near and become partakers of life everlasting. Alleluia. (metania) The bishop now censes around the Holy Table, the Sanctuary and the clergy, and from the Holy Doors the icons on the iconostasis and the people, saying as he censes: BISHOP: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. Psalm 50 BISHOP: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. The concluding verses of the psalm are said after the entrance, when the gifts have been placed on the Holy Table. Having completed the censing, the bishop gives back the censer, and he and the deacon, standing at their places before the Holy Table, make three metanias in silence. The bishop kisses the antiminsion and proceeds to the prothesis table. The sub-deacon(s), on the solea, brings an ewer of water, a basin and a towel before the Holy Doors. The bishop, facing west, stands in the Holy Doors. The sub-deacon(s) pour water (three times) into his hands over the basin while he is saying: 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 Thy people, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. After drying his hands, the bishop blessses the congregation saying: Bishop: O God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. The protos and deacon(s) come to the front of the Holy Table, reverence the animinsion, (reverencing each of the wounds of Christ: hands, side, and feet; and the Holy Table. The deacon(s) kiss only the southwest corner of the Holy Table. The priest and deacon then fold their arms across their breasts and bow to each other, saying: Forgive me, brother and concelebrant. The deacon goes immediately to the prothesis, passing the High Place. The priest then goes to the prothesis. The priest(s) likewise reverence the antiminsion, the Holy Table and bow to one another, saying: Forgive me, brother and concelebrant. Then they bow to the faithful, saying: CLERGY: Forgive, O God those who hate us and those who love us. The clergy then go to the prothesis. Now standing before the prothesis, the bishop censes the gifts; and then he makes three metanias, saying each time: BISHOP: O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy on me. The bishop places the aer over the bowed head of the protos and then gives him the diskos, which the protos holds aloft in his right hand, and the chalice, which the protos carries a little lower in his left hand. Whenever more than one priest serves at a Hierarchical Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, only the protos carries the gifts; the other priests simply process in silence, the protos carrying the gifts and preceding the other priests during the Great Entrance. When the choir has concluded, Now the powers of heaven… the protos (with the celebrating clergy) exits the Sanctuary through the north door, preceded by the deacon who censes the gifts and carries the Trikirion. All in the church prostrate themselves during the entrance. The protos, saying softly Through the prayers of our holy fathers . .. , makes the entrance from the north door, across the solea and stops directly in front of the Holy Doors, where the bishop is standing. The deacon then gives the censer to the bishop, who censes the Gifts saying nothing. Having censed them, the bishop receives the Gifts from the protos and places them on the Holy Table. When the priest(s) re-enters the Sanctuary, the choir concludes the hymn: CHOIR: Behold, the completed mystical sacrifice is escorted in. Let us with faith and love draw near and become partakers of life everlasting. Alleluia. The bishop places the diskos and chalice on the antiminsion (diskos on his left and chalice on his right, as usual) and removes the veils from the diskos and chalice and places them at the corners of the antiminsion. He then removes the aer from the head of the protos, holds the aer around the censer, and places the aer over the gifts. (The Holy Doors are closed.) DEACON: Do good, master. 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. The bishop gives back the censer, and says Saint Ephraim’s prayer: BISHOP: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. (prostration) Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration) (In cases of extreme need or emergency an ordination to the deaconate may now take place, but no ordination to the prieshood may ever take place at a Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.) The bishop blesses the deacon, and the deacon kisses the bishop’s right hand. Then, passing the High Place, the deacon exits the Sanctuary through the north door. Standing at his place on the solea, the deacon lifts his orarion and intones the petitions of the following litany while the bishop quietly says the prayer: BISHOP: O God of ineffable. . . DEACON: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (The choir responds Lord, Have mercy to each petition until noted.) DEACON: For the precious gifts set forth and presanctified, let us pray to the Lord. That our God, who loveth mankind, receiving them upon his holy, most heavenly, and ideal altar as a savour of spiritual sweetness, will send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray. 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 evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord. (The choir respondsGrant 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, and rearranges his orarion. BISHOP: (Inaudably) O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with whom are hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who hast revealed unto us the ministry of this service and hast appointed unto us sinners through Thy great love toward mankind, to offer unto Thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people: Do Thou the same invisible King, who doeth things great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, which cannot be numbered, look upon us, Thine unworthy servants who stand at this holy altar as at Thy cherubic throne, upon which lieth Thine only-begotten Son and our God, in the dread mysteries spread forth thereon; and having delivered us and all Thy faithful people from every impurity, sanctify all our souls and bodies with the sanctification which cannot be taken away. That partaking with a pure conscience, with face unashamed, with heart illumined of these divine, hallowed things and, being enlivened through them, we may be united unto Christ himself, our true God, who hath said: Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him; that, Thy Word, O Lord, making an abode in us and sojourning among us, we may become a temple of Thine all-holy and adorable Spirit, redeemed from every wile of the devil, wrought either by deed or word or thought, and may obtain the good things promised unto us with all Thy saints who in all ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee. BISHOP: (aloud) 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 by 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 the west, the bishop blesses the people, saying: BISHOP: Peace be to all. CHOIR: And to Thy spirit. The bishop faces east, bows and reads the following prayer as the deacon says: DEACON: Bow your heads unto the Lord. CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord. BISHOP: (inaudibly) O God, who alone art good and compassionate, who dwellest in the heights and regardest the humble: Look with the eyes of Thy tenderness upon all Thy people, and preserve them. And make us all worthy to partake without condemnation of these Thy life-giving mysteries; for unto thee have we bowed our heads in the hope of Thy rich mercy. BISHOP: (aloud)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 quietly 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 and clergy make three metanias, saying each time: CLERGY: O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy on me. DEACON: Let us attend. The bishop reverently touches, but does not elevate, the life-giving Body with the fingers of both hands, reaching under the aer as if it has not been removed, and says: BISHOP: The presanctified Holy Things are for the holy. The choir chants: Choir: One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ; to the glory of God the Father. Amen. O taste and see how good the Lord is, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. While the choir is singing the above slowly, the bishop puts away the veil and the asterisk, as the deacon enters the Sanctuary through the south door and stands at his place at the Holy Table and says: DEACON: Divide, master, the holy bread. The bishop divides the Lamb into four parts with great reverence and care saying: BISHOP: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. The bishop arranges the pieces of the Lamb on the rim of the diskos in the form of a cross, thusly: IC NI KA XC The deacon says: DEACON: Fill, master, the holy cup The bishop takes the portion sealed IC and makes with it the sign of the cross over the top of the chalice and places it in the chalice, saying: BISHOP: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. 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: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. The deacon pours a sufficient quantity of warm water into the chalice cross-wise, while the bishop says: BISHOP: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen. The bishop and celebrating clergy stand with bowed heads at their places 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 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 the: 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 my soul and body. The choir sings the koinonikon as the bishop bows to the celebrating clergy, saying: BISHOP: Forgive me my sins, brothers and concelebrants. The clergy respond to the bishop, saying: CLERGY: Thy metropolitanate (or thine episcopate), the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. The deacon, passing the High Place, stands at the north side of the Holy Table and arranges his orarion in crosswise fashion. 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. Taking the portion of the Lamb sealed XC , he says: 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 Saviour 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: BISHOP: Amen. 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 Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, and 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. He 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(s) and deacon(s) 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 matania 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 (archimandrite, archpriest, priest or deacon) N., the precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour 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, while the bishop says: BISHOP: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the reverend (archimandrite, archpriest, priest, or deacon) N., unto forgiveness of Thy sins and unto life ever-lasting. The bishop summons the clergy to receive the Holy Blood. BISHOP: Again, O priest(s) and deacon(s) of the High God, approach with fear. The clegy again approach the Holy Table. Each, with hands held over the the diskos, use the sponge to remove from his hands any particles of the precious Body. Singly, (from senior to junior) the clergy approach the bishop, saying: CLERGY: Master, impart unto me, the unworthy (archimandrite, archpriest, priest or deacon) N., the precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting. He then receives, from 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 Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto Thee, the reverend (archimandrite, archpriest, priest or deacon) N., unto forgiveness of Thy sins and unto life everlasting. In the name of the Father, Amen. And of the Son, Amen. And of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Each wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima as the bishop says after the last communicant: BISHOP: Lo, this hath touched Thy lips and shall take away Thine iniquities and purge away Thy sins. The bishop replaces the chalice upon the antiminsion. The bishop, with great reverence and care, places the portions sealed NI and KA into the chalice, saying: BISHOP: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Having carefully wiped all of the crumbs from the diskos into the chalice, bishop covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice and the spoon to the deacon. Standing in the Holy Doors facing west, the deacon elevates the chalice to the people, saying: DEACON: With fear of God and faith and love, draw near. The bishop (or one appointed by him) and deacon exit the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors as the choir sings: CHOIR: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. O taste and see how good the Lord is, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. (repeated as often as necessary) The deacon gives the chalice and spoon to the bishop, himself holding the kalima. The bishop then communicates those who are prepared to receive the holy mysteries, while the choir chants the koinonikon. 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 Saviour 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 blesses the people with his hand, saying: BISHOP: O God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. CHOIR: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall always be on my lips. Taste the heavenly Bread and the Cup of life, and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. As the choir chants the above, the bishop and deacon enter the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors, and the bishop places the chalice on the antiminsion. The bishop removes the kalima from the chalice, covers the chalice with its veil and places the folded aer, the veil of the diskos, the kalima and the star on 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. (thrice) The bishop gives back the censer and then gives 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: PROTOS: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. And the choir chants: CHOIR: Amen. Let our mouths be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy glory: for Thou hast permitted us to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Establish us in Thy Sanctification, that all the day long we may meditate upon Thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. The protos carries the chalice to and places it upon the prothesis and censes it three times. The bishop folds the antiminsion while the deacon, uncrossing his 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 evening 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: The Thanksgiving Prayer BISHOP: We give thanks unto Thee, O God, the Saviour of all, for all the good things which Thou hast granted unto us and for the communion of the Holy Body and blood of Thy Christ. And we beseech Thee, O Master, who lovest mankind, to keep us under the shelter of Thy wings. And grant that, even unto our last breath, we may worthily partake of Thy holy things unto the illumination of soul and body and unto the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. 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. BISHOP: Let us depart in peace. CHOIR: In the name of the Lord. The deacon, still standing before the icon of Christ, lifts his oration and says: DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. The junior priest exits the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors, and standing before the icon of Christ on the iconstasis, he says the following prayer behind the amvon: PRIEST: O almighty Master, who hast made all creation and by thine inexpressible providence and great goodness hast brought us to these all-revered days, for the purification of soul and body, for the controlling of passions and for hope of resurrection, who, during the forty days didst give into the hands of Thy servant Moses the tablets of the Law in characters divinely traced by Thee: Enable us also, O good One, to fight the good fight, to complete the course of the fast, to preserve inviolate the faith, to crush under foot the heads of invisible serpents to be accounted victors over sin; and, uncondemned, to attain unto and worship the Holy Resurrection. For blessed and glorified is 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. READER: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice) While the reader says the above, the priest, through the Holy Doors, and the deacon, through the north door, enter the Sanctuary and go directly to the prosthesis. Standing before the prothesis, the priest says: The Prayer at the Consumption of the Holy Gifts PRIEST: O Lord our God, who hast brought us to these all-revered days and hast made us communicants of Thy dread mysteries: Unite us to Thy rational flock, and make us heirs of Thy kingdom, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. After the prayer at the prothesis, the deacon approaches the bishop for a blessing to comsume the remaining holy gifts. Having kissed the bishop’s right hand and still standing withing the Sanctuary, the deacon says: DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. The deacon, having again arranged his orarion crosswise, consumes the holy gifts with all reverence and care. 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 says the dismissal. The Dismissal BISHOP: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and lifegiving 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, Gregory the Dialogist; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers; of (N., patron saint of the church); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of (N., the saint of the day) whose memory we celebrate and of all the saints: have mercy on us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind. CHOIR: Amen. The reader says Psalms 33 and 144, while the people come forward to receive the antidoron, kissing the right hand of the bishop. PSALM 33 READER: I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to Him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him have no want! The wealthy suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O sons, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life, and covets many days, that he may enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. PSALM 145 I will extol Thee, my God and King, and bless Thy name for ever and ever. Every day I will bless Thee, and praise Thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wondrous works, I will meditate. Men shall proclaim the might of Thy terrible acts, and I will declare Thy greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of Thy abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made. All Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and all Thy saints shall bless Thee! They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and tell of Thy power, to make known to the sons of men Thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Thy kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all His words, and gracious in all His deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest Thy hand, Thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all His ways, and kind in all His doings. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, He fulfils the desire of all who fear Him, The Lord preserves all who love Him; My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever. When the reader has completed the psalms, the bishop says: BISHOP: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us. The protos then, facing the bishop, says: PROTOS: Through the prayers of our holy master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us. CHOIR: Amen. When the last person has received the antidoron, the bishop enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors, closes the Holy Doors and begins the prayers of thanksgiving after holy communion (see Appendix E), saying aloud Glory to Thee, O God (thrice). While the reader says the prayers of thanksgiving, the bishop washes his hands and lips, after which he and the clergy, together, remove their vestments. After unvesting, the bishop and clergy go to stand at their places before the Holy Table, where the bishop says the dismissal of the thanksgiving prayers. After he says Through the prayers of our holy fathers,… and the protos has said Through the prayers of our holy master,… the bishop and clergy make three metanias, kiss the Holy Table and then exit the Sanctuary – the bishop and priest(s) through the north door and the deacon(s) through the south door.
[1] Also, if the bishop attended the Vespers during the Sundays of Great Lent, the Great Compline, the Great Canon, and the morning of the Great Akathist to the Mother of God, he does not stand at his episcopal throne, but in a chair beside it, and without his “mandya” or his staff. [2] In some traditions, the bishop does not wear his mitre during this service. Instead he wears his hat and veil. [3] In some traditions, during the first antiphon, the priest makes two prostrations before the Holy Table, kisses the gospel book, stands it before the tabernacle, an then carefully opens the antiminsion. The deacon brings the diskos from the prothesis and gives it to the priest who places it on the antiminsion. The priest then opens the pyx and with great reverence places the Lamb on the diskos with the seal up. The priest and deacon then make one prostration before the holy table. During the second antiphon, the priest and deacon make two prostrations before the holy table, and the deacon takes up a candle and the censer and gives the censer to the priest. The deacon then goes to stand at the back (east) side of the holy table. The priest censes around the holy table three times, the deacon standing opposite him holding the candle. After the third circuit of the holy table, the priest gives the censer to the deacon, and the deacon then gives away both the candle and the censer. The priest and deacon then make one prostration before the holy table. During the third antiphon the priest and deacon make two prostrations before the holy table. The deacon then takes up the candle and censer. He gives the censer to the priest who continuously censes the Lamb until the reader says the verse: “Let us go forth into his tabernacles …” (Ps. 131:7). The priest gives the censer to the deacon. The reader stops after he says “Arise, O Lord, into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy holiness”(Ps. 131:8) and all kneel. The priest takes up the diskos upon which rests the Lamb, and the deacon, holding the candle in his left hand, censes the Lamb as it is carried by the priest to the prothesis, passing the high place. After the diskos has been placed on the prothesis, all rise and the reader continues the psalm beginning with “Thy priests shall be clothed”(Ps. 131:9). After placing the diskos upon the prothesis, the priest pours water and wine into the chalice and places the veils as above, saying only “Through the prayers of our holy fathers…”. After making one prostration, the priest and deacon return to the holy table, where the priest folds the antiminsion and replaces the gospel book upon it.
to all who call upon Him in truth.
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
but all the wicked he will destroy.