Note: that this Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is not celebrated always, but at appointed times, that is, on the Sundays of the Great 40-day Fast, except on Palm Sunday, and on Holy Great Thursday and Great Saturday, on the eve of the Nativity of Christ and of Theophany, when these eves are not on Saturday or Sunday, on the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany, when they fall on Sunday or Monday, and on the day of the Feast of St. Basil.
The arrangement and rules for its celebration are the same as those of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The deacon, standing on the ambo, exclaims: Bless, Master. The priest, exclaiming, says:
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 deacon says the litany (but if there is no deacon, the priest himself):
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence. and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For our [lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., (and/or [the Right Reverend] Bishop N.,) for the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the President (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.(That He may aid them and subdue under their feet every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.)For this city (or this village), for every city and country, and for those who in faith dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For favorable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For travelers by land, by sea, and by air, for the sick and the suffering, for captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, O Lord.The priest says secretly the Prayer of the First Antiphon:
O Lord our God, whose might is incomparable, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love of man is ineffable, do thou thyself, 0 Master, in thy tenderheartedness look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassion. Exclamation:
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.After the litany, the choir sings the First Antiphon of the Typika, saying Bless the Lord, O my soul... and the rest in order.
The priest says the prayer secretly inside the sanctuary at the time that the deacon says the litany outside the sanctuary.
If there is no deacon, the priest after the prayer and antiphon, says the litany:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.The priest says the Prayer of the Second Antiphon:
O Lord our God, 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 return by thy divine power; and forsake us not who hope in thee. Exclamation:
For thine is the strength, and thine are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.After the second litany, the choir sings the second antiphon of the Typika. The deacon says:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady Theotokos, and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us -commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.The Prayer of the Third Antiphon:
O thou who hast bestowed on us these common and accordant prayers, and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests, fulfil even now the requests of thy servants as is expedient for them, granting us in this present age the knowledge of thy truth, and in that to come, life eternal. Exclamation:
For thou art a good God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.And here the choir sings again as at the Liturgy of Chrysostom. Also the priest and the deacon say and do the same.
Prayer of the Entrance with the Holy Gospels, said secretly:
O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven ranks and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory, make there to be with our entrance an entrance of holy angels serving with us, and with us glorifying thy goodness.
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.Then they make the entrance. The deacon says: Wisdom. Attend.
And they enter the sanctuary. When the troparia are being said, the priest says the Prayer of the Trisagion:
O holy God, who restest in thy Saints, who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy voice, and art glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by all the heavenly Powers, and who from non-being hast brought all things into being, who hast created man after thine image and likeness, and hast adorned him with thine every gift, who givest to him that asketh wisdom and understanding, and who despisest not him that sinneth, but hast set forth repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even at this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar, and to offer thee due worship and glorification, thyself, 0 Master, accept even from the mouths of us sinners the Thrice-holy Hymn and visit us in thy loving kindness. Pardon us every offense, voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and all the Saints, who from everlasting have been well-pleasing unto thee.
When the singers come to the last troparion, the deacon says to the priest: Bless, Master, the time of the Thrice-holy. The priest, signing him, exclaims:
For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, ___________________________________________________ When the troparion is concluded, the deacon (says: O Lord, save the pious, and hear us. Then he) comes forth saying to those who stand without in a loud voice: ___________________________________________________ And unto ages of ages. Choir: Amen.
And the Trisagion is sung by the choir: Glory . . . Now and . . . The priest and the deacon sav the Trisagion. Then the deacon says to the priest: Command, Master.
And they go forth to the High Place, and, as they go, the priest says: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Deacon: Bless, Master, the throne on high. Then the priest:
Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom, thou that sittest upon the Cherubim, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
After the completion of the Trisagion, the deacon, having come before the holy doors, says: Let us attend. The priest then exclaims: Peace be to all. And the reader says: And to thy spirit. And again the deacon: Wisdom.
And the reader reads the prokeimenon, from the Psalms of David. Then the deacon says: Wisdom. And the reader reads the title of the Epistle lesson:
The reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews, or to the Colossians, or to the
Corinthians, or to the Romans. And again the deacon: Let us attend. At the conclusion of the Epistle, the priest says: Peace be to thee. Reader: And to thy spirit. Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: Alleluia, with verses.During the singing of Alleluia or the reading of the Epistle, the deacon takes the censer and incense and approaches the priest, and receiving the blessing from him, censes the holy table round about and the whole sanctuary, and the priest.
The priest, standing before the holy table, says this prayer: The Prayer before the GospelMake shine in our hearts, 0 Master who lovest man, the incorrupt light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the comprehension of the preaching of thy Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both considering and doing all things well-pleasing unto thee.
For thou art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, 0 Christ God, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.The deacon, having put the censer away in its customary place, approaches the priest and bows his head before him, holding his orarion with the tips of his fingers and pointing to the Book of the Holy Gospels. Then he says:
Bless, Master, him that proclaimeth the Gospel of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Name. The priest, signing him, says:
May God, through the intercessions of the holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist Name, grant utterance with great power unto thee that proclaimest the good tidings unto the fulfilling of the Gospel of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And he gives him the Book of the Holy Gospels.
The deacon then says Amen, and having reverenced the Book of the Holy Gospels, receives it, and, coming outof the holy doors, preceded by candies, comes forth and stands on the ambo or the place prepared.
The priest then, standing before the holy table and turning toward the west, says:
Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Then: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon: The reading from the holy Gospel according to Name. Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee. Priest: Let us attend. If two deacons serve, the first says: Wisdom. Attend. And then: Let us attend. When the Gospel is concluded, the priest says: Peace be to thee that proclaimest the Gospel. Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.The deacon, coming then up to the holy doors, gives the Book of the Holy Gospels to the priest, and the holy doors are again closed.
The deacon, standing in the accustomed place, begins thus:Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, 0 God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord,havemercy. thrice
[Again we pray for pious Orthodox Christians.
Choir: Lord,havemercy.thricel
Again we pray for our [ lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [ lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., (and/or for our [ lord, the Right Reverend] Bishop N .), and for all our brethren in Christ. The Prayer of Fervent Supplication
O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from thy servants and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercies, and send down thy compassion upon us and upon all thy people, who await from thee a rich mercy.
Again we pray for the President of (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thriceAgain we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thriceAgain we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the founders of this holy Church (or Monastery) and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox gone to rest before us, who lie here and everywhere.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thriceAgain we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of the sins of the servant(s) of God, NN., and of our brethren of this holy temple.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thriceAgain we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and revered temple, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people present who await of thee a great and rich mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice Exclamation:For thou art a merciful God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Deacon:Pray ye unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Ye faithful, pray for the catechumens,
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That the Lord may have mercy on them,
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That He may instruct them in the Word of truth,
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That He may reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That He may unite them unto His holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord. Prayer for the CatechumensO Lord our God, who dwellest in the heavens, and lookest down upon all thy works, look down upon thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their necks before thee, and grant them the light yoke. Make them honorable members of thy holy Church, and vouchsafe unto them the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruption, unto the knowledge of thee, our true God. Exclamation:
That with us they also may glorify thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. And the priest spreads out the antimension. Deacon: As many as are catechumens, depart. If there is a second deacon, he exclaims thus: Catechumens, depart. And again the first:
As many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumens remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.If there is but one deacon, or if the priest serve without a deacon, then he says:
As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. First Prayer of the FaithfulThou, O Lord, hast shown us this great mystery of salvation. Thou hast vouchsafed us, thy humble and unworthy servants, to be the ministrants of thy holy Altar. Make us sufficient with the power of thy Holy Spirit for this service, that, standing uncondemned before thy holy glory, we may offer thee a sacrifice of praise, for thou art He that worketh all things in all men. Grant, 0 Lord, that our sacrifice for our own sins and for the ignorance of thy people, may be acceptable and well-pleasing before thee.
While the priest prays, the deacon (if there is one) says the litany outside the sanctuary.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom. Exclamation:For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. And again the deacon:Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
When the priest serves alone, the following are not said:For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Second Prayer of the Faithful
O God, who in mercy and compassion hast looked upon our humility, who has set us, thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servants, before thy holy glory, to minister at thy holy Altar, strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit for this service, and grant us utterance in the opening of our mouths to call the grace of thy Holy Spirit upon the gifts which are about to be set forth.
Deacon (in whose absence the priest says):
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom. Exclamation:That being kept always under thy might, we may send up glory unto thee, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.And the holy doors are opened.
Then, while the Cherubim Hymn is being sung, the deacon, taking the censer and putting incense therein, goes to the priest, and, having received his blessing, censes the holy table round about, the sanctuary, and the iconostasis, then the priest, the choirs and the people, saying Psalm 50 and penitential troparia, as he may see fit.
The priest then says this praver secretly:
None is worthy among those that are bound with carnal desires and pleasures to approach or draw nigh or to minister to thee, 0 King of glory, for to serve thee is a great and fearful thing even unto the heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine ineffable and immeasurable love of man, without change or alteration, thou didst become man and didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the priestly rite of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice, for thou art Master of all. Thou alone, 0 Lord our God, art Master over those in heaven and on earth, Who on the throne of the Cherubim art borne, Who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, Who alone art holy and restest in the Saints. I implore thee, therefore, who alone art good and ready to listen, look down upon me a sinner and thine unprofitable servant, and purify my soul and heart from an evil conscience, and by the power of thy Holy Spirit, enable me who am clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy table and perform the sacred rite of thy holy, immaculate Body and precious Blood. For thee do I approach, and bowing my neck I pray thee, turn not away thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children, but make me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer unto thee these gifts, for thou thyself art He that offereth and is offered, that accepteth and is distributed, 0 Christ our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
When the prayer and the censing are completed, the priest and the deacon, standing before the holy table, say the Cherubim Hymn thrice; at the end of each they make a reverence. Priest:
We, the Cherubim mystically representing, and to the life-creating Trinity the thrice-holy hymn with them singing, all life's cares now lay aside . . . Deacon:
That the King of all we may receive, by angelic hosts invisibly escorted. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
And on Great Thursday this is sung:
Of thy mystical supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant, for I will not speak of thy mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess thee, remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.
And on Great Saturday they sing this:
Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and with fear and trembling stand, and ponder nothing earthly within itself, for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords cometh to be slain, and to give Himself to be the food of the faithful. And before Him also come the archangelic choirs with all dominion and authority, the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces and crying aloud the song, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Then the priest and the deacon go forth to the prothesis table, and the priest censes the holy Things, praying within himself: O God, cleanse thou me a sinner. The deacon says to the priest: Lift, Master.
And the priest, lifting the aer, lays it on the deacon's left shoulder, saying:
In peace lift up your hands in the sanctuaries and bless the Lord.
Then, taking the holy diskos, he sets it on the deacon's head with all heed and reverence, the deacon meanwhile holding the censer with one finger of his right hand. The priest himself takes the chalice in his hands, and they both go forth on the north side, praying, and preceded by candle-bearers with candies. The deacon says:
The Lord God remember us all in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Then the priest:
Our [lord, the Most Blessed (or Most Reverend) Name,] Metropolitan (or Archbishop) of Title, our [lord, the Right Reverend Name,] Bishop of Title, the Lord God remember them (or him) in His kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. The deacon says:
The President (or title of the highest civil authority) of Country, all civil authorities, and the armed forces, the Lord God remember them in His kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Then the priest:
All you Orthodox Christians, the Lord God remember you in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
As the priest enters, the deacon says to him:
The Lord Good remember thy priesthood in His kingdom.
And the priest to him:
The Lord God remember thy diaconate in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The priest then sets the holy chalice down on the holy table, and taking the holy diskos from the deacon's head, sets it down on the holy table also, saying:
The noble Joseph, taking down thine immaculate Body from the Tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, placed it in a new tomb.
In the grave bodily, but in Hell with the soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne wast thou, 0 Christ, with the Father and the Spirit, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.
As life-bearing, as more beautiful than Paradise, and truly brighter than any kingly chamber is shown forth thy grave, 0 Christ, the fountain of our resurrection.Then taking the veils from the holy diskos and from the holy chalice, he lays them on one side of the holy table; then taking the aer from the deacon's shoulder, and having censed it, he covers the holv Things with it, saying:
The noble Joseph, taking down thine immaculate Body from the Tree, wrapped it in clean linen with spices, and mourning, placed it in a new tomb.
And taking the censer from the deacon's hands, he censes the holy Things, thrice, Saying:
Do good, O Lord, in thy goodwill unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then thou shalt be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, ablations, and burntofferings; then shall they lay bullocks upon thine altar.
And giving up the censer, and bowing his head, he says to the deacon:
Remember me, brother and concelebrant.
And the deacon, to him:
The Lord God remember thy priesthood in His kingdom.
And the priest:
Pray for me, my concelebrant.
And then the deacon, bowing his head, and holding his orarion the while with three fingers of his right hand, says to the priest:
The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. The priest: The same Spirit shall serve with us all the days of our life. And the deacon to him: Remember me, holy Master. The priest: The Lord God remember thee in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
And having kissed the priest's right hand, he goes out the north door, and standing in the customary place, says:
Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the honorable Gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Prayer of the Prothesis, after placing the divine Gifts on the holy table:
O Lord our God, who hast created us, and hast brought us into this life, who hast shown us the way to salvation, and hast bestowed upon us the revelation of heavenly mysteries, thou art He who hath placed us in this service by the power of thy Holy Spirit. Be pleased, therefore, 0 Lord, that we may be servitors of thy new Covenant, ministers of thy holy Mysteries. Accept us who draw nigh to thy holy Altar, according to the multitude of thy mercy, that we may be worthy to offer unto thee this rational and bloodless sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorance of thy people, which do thou accept upon thy holy, and most heavenly, and ideal Altar for an odor of sweetness, and send down upon us in return the grace of thy Holy Spirit. Look down upon us, 0 God, and behold this our worship, and accept it as thou didst accept the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the whole burntofferings of Abraham, the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel. Even as thou didst accept from the holy Apostles this true worship, so also do thou in thy loving-kindness, 0 Lord, accept from the hands of us sinners these gifts, that having been vouchsafed blamelessly to minister at thy holy Altar, we may find the reward of faithful and wise stewards, in the fearful day of thy just retribution. Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, O Lord.Through the compassions of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon: Let us love one another that with one accord we may confess: Choir: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, One in essence and undivided.And the priest makes three reverences, saying secretly:
I will love thee, O Lord, my might; the Lord is my foundation, my refuge, and my deliverer. thrice
And he Kisses the holy Things, which remain covered, thus: first the top of the holy diskos, then the top of the holy cup, and the edge of the holy table in front of him. If there are two or more priests, they all kiss the holy Things and each other on the shoulder. The celebrant says: Christ is in our midst. And the one he kisses answers: He is and shall be.
And then the deacons, if there are two or three, kiss their oraria where the cross is depicted, and each other, saying just what the priests have said. The deacon, if there is but one, similarly, makes reverences, standing in his place, kisses his orarion where the cross is depicted, and then exclaims:
The doors, the doors! In wisdom let us attend.
The priest lifts the aer and holds it overthe holy Gifts. If several priests are serving, then they I ift the holy aer and hold it over the holy Gifts and wave it saying to themselves the Confession of Faith, as do the people.
I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the onlybegotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made, Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen. Deacon:
Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy Oblation in peace.
Choir: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
The priest, having taken the aer from off the holy Things, kissed it, and laid it to one side, says: The grace of our...
The deacon, having made a reverence, goes into the sanctuary, and taking a fan, devoutly fans the holythings. If there are no fans, he does this with one of the veils: Exclamation:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Choir: And with thy spirit. The priest, facing east: Let us lift up our hearts. Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord. Choir:It is meet and right to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence and undivided. The priest prays:
O thou who art, Master, Lord God, Father Almighty adorable, it is truly meet and right, and befitting the magnificence of thy holiness that we should praise thee, hymn thee, bless thee, worship thee, give thanks unto thee and glorify thee, the only truly existing God, and offer unto thee with a broken heart and the spirit of humility this our rational worship, for thou art He that hath bestowed upon us the knowledge of thy truth. And who is sufficient to speak of thy mighty acts, to make all thy praises to be heard, or to declare all thy wonders at every time? 0 Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation both visible and invisible, who sittest upon the throne of glory, and lookest upon the depths, who art without beginning, invisible, incomprehensible, uncircumscript, immutable, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, our hope, who is the image of thy goodness, the seal of equal type, in Himself showing forth thee, the Father, Living Word, true God, the Wisdom before the ages, the Life, Sanctification, Power, the true Light, through whom the Holy Spirit was revealed, the Spirit of truth, the Gift of adoption, the Pledge of an inheritance to come, the First-fruits of eternal good things, the life-creating Power, the Fountain of sanctification, by whom enabled, every rational and intelligent creature doth worship thee, and send up to thee everlasting doxology, for all things are thy servants. Yea, Angels and Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, and the many-eyed Cherubim praise thee. Round about thee stand the Seraphim, one with six wings and another with six wings, and with twain they cover their faces, and with twain their feet, and with twain they fly, calling out to one another with unceasing voices and unending doxologies:
And the deacon, taking the holy star from the holy diskos, makes the sign of the cross above it, and having kissed it, he lays it aside. The priest exclaims: Singing the hymn of victory, crying, calling, and saying: Choir:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Then the deacon comes and stands on the right side, and taking a fan in his hand, waves it quietly with all heed and fear over the holy Gifts, so that flies or other insects might not settle on them. The priest prays:
With these blessed Powers, 0 Master, Lover of man, we sinners also do cry out and say, Holy art thou, in truth, and all-holy, and there is no measure to the magnificence of thy holiness, and holy art thou in all thy works, for in righteousness and true judgment hast thou brought about all things for us. When thou hadst fashioned man, taking dust from the earth, and hadst honored him with thine own image, 0 God, thou 'didst set him in a paradise of plenty, promising him life immortal and the enjoyment of eternal good things in the observance of thy commandnients. But when he disobeyed thee, the true God, who had created him, and was led astray by the deceit of the serpent, and was slain by his own trespasses, thou didst banish him, in thy righteous judgment, 0 God, from Paradise into this world, and didst turn him back to the earth from which he was taken, dispensing salvation for him through regeneration, which is in thy Christ Himself. Yet thou didst not turn thyself away till the end from thy creature which thou hadst made, 0 Good One, neither didst thou forget the work of thy hands, but thou didst look upon him in divers manners, through thy tenderhearted mercy. Thou didst send forth prophets; thou hast wrought mighty works through the saints who in every generation have been well-pleasing unto thee; thou didst speak to us by the mouths of thy servants the prophets, who foretold to us the salvation which was to come; thou didst give the Law as an help; thou didst appoint guardian angels. And when the fulness of time was come, thou didst speak unto us through thy Son Himself, by whom also thou madest the ages; Who, being the brightness of thy glory, and the express image of thy person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, deemed it not robbery to be equal to thee, the God and Father. But albeit He was God before the ages, yet He appeared upon earth and sojourned among men; and was incarnate of a holy Virgin, and did ' empty Himself, taking on the form of a servant, and becoming conformed to the body of our humility, that He might make us conformed to the image of His glory. For as by man sin entered the world, and by sin death, so thine Only-begotten Son, Who is in thy bosom, God and Father, was well-pleased to be born of a woman, the holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, to be born under the Law, that He might condemn sin in His flesh, that they who were dead in Adam might be made alive in thy Christ Himself, and, becoming a citizen in this world, and giving ordinances of salvation, He removed from us the delusion of idols and brought us unto a knowledge of thee, the true God and Father, having won us unto Himself for His own people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and being purified with water, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, He gave Himself a ransom to Death, whereby we were held, sold under sin. And having descended into hell through the Cross, that He might fill all things with Himself, He loosed the pains of death, and rose again from the dead on the third day, making a way for all flesh unto the resurrection from the dead - for it was not possible that the Author of life should be holden of corruption - that He might be the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first-born from the dead, that He might be all, being first in all. And, ascending into heaven, He sat down at the right hand of thy majesty on high, and He shall return to render unto everyone according to his works. And He hath left with us as remembrances of His saving Passion these Things which we have set forth according to His commandment. For when He was about to go forth to His voluntary, and celebrated, and life-creating death, in the night in which He gave Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy and immaculate hands, and when He had shown it unto thee, the God and Father, and given thanks, and blessed it, and hallowed it, and broken it And exclaiming, he says this:
He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins.
The choir sings: Amen.
While this is being said, the deacon shows the priest the holy diskos, holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand, and in like manner when the priest says: Drink ye all of this. . . he shows him the holy chalice. The priest, secretly:
Likewise, having also taken the cup of the fruit of the vine, and mingled it, and given thanks, and blessed and hallowed it, And again he exclaims this:
He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying, Drink ye all of this; this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
The choir sings: Amen. The priest, bowing his head, prays:Do this in remembrance of me, for as often as ye shall eat this Bread and drink of this Cup, ye do proclaim my death and confess my resurrection.
Wherefore, 0 Master, we also remembering His saving Passion and life-creating Cross, His three-day burial, and resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and sitting down at thy right hand, God and Father, and His glorious and fearful second coming, The priest exclaims:Thine own of thine own we offer unto thee on behalf of all and for all.
While this is being said, the deacon puts aside the fan, and crossing his arms, elevates the holy diskos and the holy chalice, and makes a devout reverence. Choir:
We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, 0 our God. The priest, bowing his head, prays:
Because of this, O all-holy Master, we also, thy sinful and unworthy servants, whom thou hast made worthy to minister at thy holy Altar, not through our own righteousness, for we have done nothing good upon the earth, but because of thy mercies and compassion, which thou hast richly poured out upon us, dare to draw nigh to thy holy Altar, and, presenting unto thee the antitypes of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ, we pray thee and call upon thee, 0 Holy of Holies, by the favor of thy goodness, that thy Holy Spirit may come upon us and upon these Gifts here set forth, and bless them and hallow them, and show.
And the deacon sets aside the fan which he holds or [the veil, and draws near to the priest, and they both make] three references before the holy table praying within themselves, O God, cleanse thou me a sinner, and saying: Priest:O Lord, who at the third hour didst send down thine all-holy Spirit upon thine Apostles, take not the same from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto thee. Deacon: (the verse)
A clean heart create in me, 0 God, and a right spirit renew in my inmost parts. Again the priest: O Lord, who at the third hour. . . Deacon: (the verse)
Cast me not away from thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. And again the priest: O Lord, who at the third hour ...
Then bowing his head and pointing to the holy Bread with his orarion, the deacon says: Bless, Master, the holy Bread. And the priest then signing the holy Bread says: This Bread to be itself the precious Body of our Lord, and God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
` Deacon: Amen. And again the deacon: Bless, Master, the holy cup. And the priest blessing, says:And this Cup to be itself the precious Blood of our Lord, and God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Deacon: Amen.Priest: Shed for the life of the world.
Deacon: Amen.And again the deacon, showing both the holy Things, says: Bless, Master, both.
The priest, blessing both the holy Things, says: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.) Deacon: Amen. Amen. Amen.
And, bowing his head before the priest, the deacon Remember me, a sinner, holy Master. And the priest says:
May the Lord God remember thee in His kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The deacon says, Amen, and goes forth to where he was before, and taking a fan, waves it over the holy Things, as before: The priest prays:
And as for us all, partakers of the one Bread and of the Cup, do thou unite to one another unto communion of the one Holy Spirit, and make none of us to partake of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ unto judgment or unto condemnation, but that we may find mercy and grace with all the Saints who- have ever been well-pleasing unto thee: Forefathers, Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Teachers, and with every righteous spirit in faith made perfect, And taking the censer, the priest exclaims:
Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.
And he censes before the holy table thrice.
Then the deacon censes the holy table round about and he remembers whom he will of the living and the dead. The choir sings:In thee rejoiceth, O thou who art full of grace, all creation, the assembly of the angels and the race of man, O Sanctified Temple and rational Paradise, Boast of Virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a child, even our God, who is before the ages, for He made of thy body a throne and thy womb did He form more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O thou who art full of grace, all creation. Glory to thee.
If it is on Great Thursday or Great Saturday, then they sing the Hermos of the 9th Ode for that day. The priest prays:
With the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-laudable Apostles, Saint(s) Name(s), whose memory we celebrate, and all thy Saints, at whose supplications do thou look upon us, 0 God.
And remember all those who have fallen asleep heretofore in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal.And he remembers whom he will of those who have fallen asleep by name:
(For the repose and f orgiveness of the soul of thy servant, name, in a place of light whence sorrow and sighing are fled away. Give them rest, O our God,. . .)
And give them rest where the light of thy face watcheth over them.
Again we pray thee, remember, O Lord, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is from one end of the world to the other, and give peace to Her whom thou hast purchased with the precious Blood of thy Christ, and establish thou this holy house, even unto the consumation of the age. Remember, O Lord, those who have offered unto thee these Gifts, and those for whom, and through whom, and the ends whereunto they are offered. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches, and who remember the needy; requite them with thy rich and heavenly gifts; give them things heavenly for things earthly, things eternal for things temporal, things incorruptible for things corruptible. Remember, O Lord, those in the deserts, the mountains, and in the caverns and pits of the earth. Remember, O Lord, all those who continue in virginity and devotion, and in asceticism and a sober way of life. Remember, O Lord, the President (or title of the highest civil authority), all civil authorities, and the armed forces; grant them peaceful times, that we also in their tranquility may lead a calm and quiet life in all piety and sobriety. In thy goodness guard those that are good, and make good those that are evil, by thy lovingkindness. Remember, O Lord, the people present, those that for good cause are absent, and have mercy on them and on us, according to the multitude of thy mercies. Fill their garners with every good thing; guard their marriage bond in peace and in oneness of mind; rear the infants; train the young; support the aged; encourage the fainthearted; gather together the scattered, and lead back those who wander astray, and join them to thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Free those who are vexed by unclean spirits; travel with those that journey by land, by sea, and by air; protect the widows; defend the orphans; deliver the captives; heal the sick. And those that are under trial, in the mines, in exile, in bitter bondage, in every tribulation, necessity, and danger, do thou remember, O God. And all those that are in need of thy great goodness of heart, and those also who love us, and those who hate us, and those who have commanded us the unworthy to pray for them, do thou remember, O Lord our God, and all thy people, and upon all pour out thy rich mercy, granting to all their petitions which are unto salvation. And those whom we through ignorance or forgetfulness or the multitude of names have not remembered, do thou thyself remember, O God, who knowest the age and name of each, and knowest every man even from his mother's womb. For thou art the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Physician of the sick. Be thou thyself all things to all men, O thou who knowest every man, his petitions, each house and its need. Deliver, O Lord, this city and every city (or this village, or this abode), and country from famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, foreign invasion, and civil war. And the priest exclaims:
Among the first, remember, O Lord, our [lord, the Most Reverend (or Most Blessed) Name, Archbishop of City and/or] Metropolitan of jurisdiction, our [lord, the Right Reverend Name,] Bishop of City, whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health, and length of days, rightly dividing the word of thy truth. The deacon remembers the living. The singers sing: And all mankind. The priest prays:
Remember, O Lord, every bishop of the Orthodox, rightly dividing the word of thy truth.
Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of thy compassions, my unworthiness, pardon me every offense both voluntary and involuntary, and withhold not, because of my sins, the grace of thy Holy Spirit from these Gifts here set forth.
Remember, O Lord, the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly rank, and put not to confusion any one of us that stand about thy holy Altar. Look upon us with thy loving-kindness, 0 Lord; reveal thyself unto us in thy rich compassions; grant us temperate and prosperous seasons; give peaceful showers upon the earth unto fruitfulness; bless the crown of the year in thy loving-kindness; make schisms in the Church to cease; quench the ragings of the nations; speedily destroy, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, uprisings of heresies; receive us all into thy kingdom, showing us to be children of the light and of the day; and grant unto us thy peace and thy love, 0 Lord our God, for all things hast thou bestowed upon us.And he remembers by name whom he will of the living. Exclamation:
And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and hymn thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.The priest, turning toward the doors and blessing, says:
And the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
Choir: And with thy spirit.The deacon, taking the priest's leave, comes out and, standing in the usual place, says:
Having remembered all the saints, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For the precious Gifts set forth and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That our God, the Lover of man, accepting them upon His holy, most heavenly, and ideal Altar for an odor of spiritual sweetness, might send down upon us in return the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. The priest prays:O our God, the God of salvation, do thou teach us how we may worthily give thanks unto thee, for thy benefits, which thou hast done and which thou dost do for us. Do thou, 0 our God, who acceptest these Gifts, purify us from every polution of flesh and spirit, and teach us to perfect holiness in thy fear; that we, in the witness of a pure conscience, receiving a portion of thy Holy Things, may be made one with the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ; and that having received them worthily, we may have Christ dwelling in our hearts and may become a temple of thy Holy Spirit. Yea, 0 our God, make none of us blameworthy of these thy dread and heavenly Mysteries, or infirm in soul or in body, by partaking unworthily of them, but grant us even unto our last breath, worthily to receive a portion of thy Holy Things, as provision on the way to life eternal, as an acceptable defense at the fearful judgment seat of thy Christ, that we also, together with all the Saints, who in all ages have been well-pleasing unto thee, may be made partakers of thine eternal good things, which thou hast prepared for those who love thee, O Lord. Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, O Lord. The priest exclaims:And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God and Father, and to say: The people:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The priest exclaims:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit. Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.Choir: To thee, O Lord. The priest prays:
O Master, Lord, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, bless, sanctify, guard, fortify, empower those who have bowed their heads unto thee; withdraw from them every evil work; join them to every good work; and vouchsafe that without condemnation, they may partake of these thine immaculate and life-creating Mysteries, unto the forgiveness of their sins, and unto communion of the Holy Spirit. Exclamation:
Through the grace and compassion and love of man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. The priest prays:Attend, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, 0 thou that sittest with the Father above, and that art invisibly present here with us. And vouchsafe, by thy strong right hand, to impart to us thine immaculate body and thy precious blood, and through us, to all the people.
While this prayer is being said, the deacon, standing before the holy doors, binds the orarion about him crosswise.
Then the priest, and likewise the deacon in the place where he stands, bows and says silently thrice:O God, cleanse thou me a sinner and have mercy. on me.
When the deacon sees the priest stretch out his hands and touch the holy Bread in order to make the holy elevation, he exclaims: Let us attend. The priest then, elevating the holy Bread, exclaims: Holy Things are for the holy. Choir:
One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
And the choirs sing the koinonikon of the day or of the saint.
The deacon then enters the sanctuary and, standing at the right of the priest, says: Break, Master, the holy Bread.
The priest, breaking it into four parts with heed and reverence, says:
Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken and not disunited, which is ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifieth those that partake thereof.
The priest should know that, on breaking the holy Lamb, he is to place the side with the sign of the Cross downward to the holy diskos, the cut side upward as before, when it was sacrificed. The portion IC, then, he places toward the upper part of the holy diskos, that is to the East; XC, then, toward the lower part, which is to the West, and the NI to the north side, and KA to the south side, as shown here: IC NI KA XC
Taking the portion IC, he fills the holy cup, XC is divided among the priests and deacons, and those two remaining portions, NI and KA, are divided into small portions, so many as he shall consider to be sufficient for the communicants.
The deacon, then, showing the holy chalice with the orarion, says: Fill, Master, the holy chalice.
The priest, then, taking the portion that is on the upper side of the diskos, that is, IC, makes the sign of the Cross with it above the holy chalice, saying: The fulness of the cup, of the faith, of the Holy Spirit.
And then he puts it into the holy cup. Deacon: Amen.
And taking the warm water, he says to the priest: Bless, Master, the warm water. The priest blesses, saying:
Blessed is the warmth of thy saints always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And the deacon pours a little into the chalice crosswise, saying:
The warmth of the faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
And setting aside the warm water, he stands a little way off. The priest then says: Deacon, draw near.
And the deacon, having approached, makes a reverence, asking forgiveness.
The priest then, taking the holy Bread, gives it to the deacon. And the deacon, having kissed the hand with which he gives it to him, receives the holy Bread, saying:
Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. The priest then says:
To thee, the deacon Name, is imparted the precious, and holy, and immaculate Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life eternal.
And the deacon withdraws behind the holy table, and bowing his head, he prays, as does the priest also, saying:
I believe, O Lord... and the rest (see below)
Similarly the priest also, taking one portion of the holy Bread, says:
The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the priest, Name, unto forgiveness of my sins, and unto life eternal.
And, bowing his head, he prays, saying:
I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. And I believe that this is thine own immaculate Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray thee, have mercy on me, and pardon my trespasses, voluntary and involuntary, in word, or in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, and make me worthy without condemnation to partake of thine immaculate mysteries unto forgiveness of sins and unto life eternal. Then:
Of thy 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 healing of soul and body.
Thus they partake of that which they hold in their hands with fear and all wariness.
Then the priest, rising, takes the holy chalice in both hands with the veil and partakes of it thrice, saying:
The precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the servant of God, the priest, Name, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. Amen.
Then, wiping his lips and the edge of the chalice with the cloth that he holds in his hand, he says:
This hath touched my lips and shall take away my transgressions and cleanse my sins. Then he calls the deacon, saying: Deacon, draw near again.
And the deacon approaches and makes a reverence, saying:
Again I draw near to our immortal King and God.
Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. And the priest says:Unto thee, the servant of God, the deacon, Name, is imparted the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins .and unto life eternal.
When the deacon has partaken, the priest says:
This hath touched thy lips, and shall take away thy transgressions and cleanse thy sins.
It should be noted that, if there are those who wish to communicate of the holy Mysteries, the priest divides the two remaining portions, that is NI and KA, into small pieces, so that there will be enough for all the communicants. And then he places them in the holy chalice, and he covers the holy chalice with the veil. Similarly, he lays the star-cover and the veils on the holy diskos.
Then they open the doors of the sanctuary, and the deacon, making a reverence, takes the chalice from the priest with devotion, approaches the doors, and elevating the holy chalice, shows it to the people, saying: With fear of God, with faith and love, draw near. Choir:Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.God is the Lord that hath revealed Himself unto us.
Those who wish to communicate shall then approach. They come one by one, and they make a reverence with all. contrition and fear, holding their hands folded on their breast. Thus each receives the divine Mysteries.
The priest says on communicating each one:
The servant of God, Name, partakes of the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ unto forgiveness of his sins and unto life eternal.
And the deacon wipes the lips of each with the cloth.
The communicant, having partaken, shall kiss the holy chalice, make a reverence, and withdraw. Thus all communicate.
After communion, the priest enters the sanctuary, and sets the holy Things down on the holy table.
The deacon, then, holding the holy diskos over the holy chalice, says these hymns of the Resurrection:
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we worship, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify, for thou art our God; we know no other than thee; thy name do we name. Come, all ye faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection, for, behold, through the Cross joy hath come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us hymn His Resurrection. By enduring the Cross for us, by death hath He abolished death.
Shine, shine, 0 New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Dance and rejoice, 0 Zion, and, thou, 0 pure Theotokos, exult in the rising of Him thou didst bear.
O great and holiest Pascha, Christ, ) Wisdom and Word of God and Power, grant us truly to partake of thee in the day without evening of thy kingdom.He wipes the diskos thoroughly with the holy sponge, with heed and reverence, saying these words:
Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated by thine precious Blood, through the prayers of thy Saints.
The priest blesses the people, exclaiming:
O God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.
And turning to the holy table, the priest censes it thrice, saying:
Be thou exalted above the heavens, 0 God, and above all the earth thy glory. The choir sings:
We have seen the true Light. We have received the heavenly Spirit. We have found the true Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity, for He hath saved us.
The priest then, taking the holy diskos, sets it on the deacon's head. And the deacon, taking it reverently, looks toward the holy doors, saying nothing, and goes forth to the prothesis table and sets it down. And the priest, having made a reverence, takes the holy chalice, turns toward the doors, and, looking toward the people, says secretly: Blessed is our God, And he exclaims: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
And he goes forth to the holy prothesis table, and there sets down the holy Things.
Choir: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may hymn thy glory, for thou hast made us worthy to partake of thy holy, immortal and life-creating (immaculate in Greek) Mysteries. Preserve us in thy holiness, that all the day long we may meditate on thy righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
And the deacon, unbinding his orarion, comes forth by the north door, and standing in his usual place, says:
Attend. Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, and dread Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.Having asked that the whole day be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord. The Prayer of ThanksgivingWe give thanks unto thee, 0 Lord our God for the participation in thy holy, immaculate, immo;tal and heavenly Mysteries, which thou hast given unto us for the benefit and sanctification and healing of our souls and bodies. Do thou thyself, 0 Master of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ may be for us unto faith unashamed, unto love without hypocrisy, unto fullness of wisdom, unto the healing of soul and body, unto the averting of every adversary, unto the accomplishment of thy commandments, unto an acceptable defense at the fearful judgment seat of Christ.
The priest, having folded the antimension, and holding upright the holy Gospel Book, makes the sign of the Cross with it over the antimension. Exclamation:
For thou art our sanctification and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.Priest: Let us depart in peace.
Choir: In the name of the Lord.Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. The Prayer behind the AmboBlessing those that bless thee, O Lord, and sanctifying those that trust in thee, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those that love the beauty of thy house. Glorify them in return by thy divine power, and forsake us not that hope in thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, to all civil authorities, and to all thy people. For every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights, and unto thee do we send up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages
Choir: Amen. Then:Blessed be the name... thrice, and Psalm 33, 1 will bless the Lord . . .
The prayer is said, the deacon standing to the right before the icon of Christ the Master, holding his orarion, and with his head bowed until the end of the prayer. Having finished the prayer, the priest enters through the holy doors and goes forth to the prothesis table and says the following prayer:
Prayer said on Consuming the Holy Things:
Completed and perfected, so far as is in our power, O Christ our God, is all the mystery of thy dispensation, for we have had the memorial of thy death, we have seen the type of thy Resurrection, we have been filled with thine unending life, we have enjoyed thine inexhaustible bounty, which also in the age to come be pleased to vouchsafe us all, through the grace of thy Father, who is without beginning, and of thy holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The deacon, having entered through the north door, consumes the holy Things with fear and all wariness. The priest, having come forth, gives the people the antidoron.
After the conclusion of the Psalm and the distribution of the antidoron, he says:
The blessing of the Lord and His mercy be upon you, through His grace and love of man, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to thee.Choir: Glory . . . Now and . . ., Lord, have mercy. thrice, Bless. Priest:
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate Mother (and the rest), of our father among the Saints, Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesaria in Cappodocia, and of names of the saint of the day and of the temple, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of man. The choir sings the Many Years.
The priest, having entered the sanctuary, says the prayers of thanksgiving.
Then: Lord, now lettest thou . . ., the Trisagion, and after Our Father . . . Priest: For thine is the kingdom . . . The Dismissal Troparion in Tone 1
Into all the earth is thy sound gone out, for it hath received thy word. Thereby didst thou teach divine doctrine and make clear the nature of that which doth exist, and didst order the habits of men, 0 venerable Father, Royal Priesthood, intercede with Christ our God, (Gr. that we may be granted great mercy, Slav, to save our souls.)
Glory, Kontakion, Tone 1, Similar to Thou hast shown . . .
Thou didst appear as an unshakable foundation of the Church, bequeathing an inviolate dominion to all mortals, and sealing it with thy doctrines, 0 revealer of heaven, Venerable Basil. Both now. . ., the Theotokion:
O Protection of Christians that is not put to shame, unchanging Mediation before the Creator, despise not the voice of the sinners' prayer, but in that thou art good, come quickly to help us who call upon thee in faith, make speed to intercede and make haste to supplicate, 0 Theotokos, who dost ever protect those that honor thee.
Or, if he wishes, he says the troparion of the day.
Lord, have mercy. 12 times. More honorable than the Cherubim . . ., Glory . . . Now and ... And he gives the dismissal. End of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great ++++++++++
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