Library › Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church

Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church

tr. Hapgood, 1906

The Divine Liturgy: III. The Liturgy of the Faithful

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

The First Prayer of the Faithful.

The Priest, secretly.

Secretly.

We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God of the Powers, who hast graciously vouchsafed unto us to stand now before thy holy Altar, and fall down in adoration before thy compassion toward our sins, and the errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us worthy to offer unto thee prayers and supplications, and unbloody sacrifices for all thy people. And enable us, whom thou hast appointed to this thy ministry, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, at all times, and in every place, blamelessly, without offence, and in the witness of a pure conscience, to call upon thee; that hearing us thou mayest show mercy upon us, according to the plenitude of thy goodness.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Thou, O Lord, hast shown us this great mystery of salvation. Thou hast graciously permitted us, thy humble and unworthy servants, to be the ministrants of thy holy Altar. Do thou enable us with the power of thy Holy Spirit for this ministry; that, standing uncondemned before thy holy glory, we may offer unto thee an oblation of praise. For thou art he who worketh all things in all men. Grant, therefore, O Lord, that our sacrifice for our own sins, and for the errors of thy people, may be acceptable and well-pleasing in thy sight.]

Exclamation.

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

Choir. Amen.

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

When the Priest serveth without a Deacon, the following part of this Litany is omitted as indicated.

Sometimes omitted.

For the peace that is 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 welfare of God’s holy Churches, and for the union of them all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

The Second Prayer of the Faithful

The Priest, secretly.

Secretly.

Again and oftentimes we fall down before thee, and beseech thee, O Good One who lovest mankind, that, looking down upon our petition, thou wilt purify both our souls and bodies from all defilement of the flesh and of the Spirit; and grant that in blamelessness and without condemnation we may stand here before thy holy Altar. Grant also, O God, unto us and unto those who here with us make their supplications unto thee, prosperity of life and increase of faith, and of spiritual understanding. Grant that they may serve thee continually with love and fear, and that they may partake of thy Holy Mysteries in blamelessness of heart and without condemnation, and be deemed worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

O God, who in mercy and bounties hast visited our lowliness; who hast set us, thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servants before thy holy glory, to serve thy holy Altar: Strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit for this ministry, and grant us utterance, in the opening of our lips, to invoke the grace of thy Holy Spirit upon the Gifts which we are about to set forth.] Deacon. Wisdom!

Then shall the Deacon enter through the north door.

Exclamation.

Priest. That being kept always by thy might, we may 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 Cherubimic Hymn.

Choir. Let us, the Cherubim mystically representing, and unto the Life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy chant intoning, all cares terrestrial now lay aside. (17)

(Here the Great Entrance, with the Holy Gifts, is made. And after it the Hymn is finished:)

That we may raise on high the King of all, like conqueror on shield and spears, by the Angelic Hosts invisibly up-borne.

The Prayer of the Cherubimic · Hymn

The Priest, secretly.

Secretly.

No one who is in bondage unto carnal desires and sensual pleasures is worthy to approach, or to come near, or to serve thee, O King of Glory: For to serve thee is a great and terrible thing even to the Heavenly Powers. Nevertheless, through thine unutterable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change, and without transmutation, and art become our High Priest, and hast committed unto us the ministry of this unbloody Sacrifice, in that thou art Lord over all. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King over Israel; who alone art holy and restest in the Saints. Therefore do I now make my entreaty unto thee, who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience; and by the might of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy Altar, and perform the sacred Mystery of thy Holy and Pure Body and Precious Blood. For unto thee do I draw near, and bowing my neck I implore thee: turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy children; but graciously vouchsafe that I, a sinner and thine unworthy servant, may offer unto thee these Holy Gifts. For it is thou who offerest and art offered, who receivest and art thyself received, O Christ our God: and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

(At a Pontifical Service the Bishop washeth his hands.) Then the Deacon taketh the censer, and having received the Priest’s blessing, he censeth the Holy Altar round about, and the Sanctuary, saying, secretly, to himself, Psalm li.: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great goodness. Then the Priest and Deacon stand before the Altar, and make three reverences, saying:

Secretly.

O God, cleanse thou me, a sinner.

The Priest, elevating his hands, saith in a low voice: Let us, the Cherubim mystically representing . . . now lay aside. (Thrice.) (See page 94.) Then each finisheth the Hymn: That we may raise on high . . . And they kiss the Altar, and go to the Chapel of Oblation, which the Priest censeth.

If it be a Pontifical Service, the Bishop taketh out the particles at the Table of Oblation, making mention of the living, and the dead, and his fellow-clergy.

Then shall the Deacon say to the Priest:

Secretly.

Take up, Master.

And the Priest, taking the air (vezdukh), shall lay it on the Deacon’s left shoulder, and shall say:

Lift up your hands unto the Holy Things,, and bless the Lord.

Then taking the holy paten (diskos), in like manner, he shall set it on the head of the Deacon, with all reverence, the Deacon holding the censer the while on one of his fingers. But the Priest himself shall take in his hand the holy chalice (potir), and they shall go forth through the north door, preceded by a taper, and shall stand facing the People. (But the Bishop remaineth in the Sanctuary)

Entrance (following the Russian Service Book).

Deacon. Our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Priest. And all the Reigning House (and the Ruler of the country), may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon. The most Holy Synod of Russia, and our Archbishop, N., may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Priest. All you Orthodox Christians, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Then the Choir finisheth the Cherubimic Hymn:

That we may raise on high the King of all, like conqueror on shield and spears, by the Angelic Hosts invisibly upborne.

Then the Deacon shall enter in through the Holy Door, and shall take his stand on the right, and shall say to the Priest, as the latter entereth:

Secretly.

May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his kingdom.

And the Priest shall say to him:

May the Lord God remember thy diaconate in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Then the Priest shall set the holy chalice upon the Holy Altar, to the right; taking the holy paten from the head of the Deacon, he shall place it also upon the Holy Altar, to the left, saying:

If it be a Pontifical Service, the Bishop now cometh forward in the Sanctuary, to the Holy Door, and taketh the holy paten from the Deacon.

(Deacon. Thy Bishopric may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.)

And exclaimeth:

Our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias, and all the Reigning House, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Bishop, having placed the paten on the Altar, censeth the chalice, and taketh it from the Priest.

(Priest. Thy Bishopric may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. — Bishop. Thy priesthood may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.)

Bishop. The Most Holy Governing Synod may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The right Reverend Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, and all orders of the clergy and of monks may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The Faithful Governing Councils, and Commanders of the Army, Chiefs of Cities, and the Christ-loving Army and the Navy (and the Ruler of the land, if in a foreign country, N.), may the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And all Clergy enter the Sanctuary.

The Bishop shall set the holy chalice upon the Holy Altar, saying:

Secretly.

Noble Joseph, when he had taken thy pure Body from the tree, did wrap it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing did lay it in a new sepulchre.

In the Grave with the body, but in Hell with the soul, in that thou art God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, in that thou art infinite.

How life-giving, how than Paradise more fair and, of a truth, more splendid than any king’s chamber, O Christ, is shown forth thy tomb, the fountain of our resurrection.

Then shall he take the veils from the holy paten and the holy chalice, and shall lay them on one side of the Holy Altar; and having taken the air from the Deacon’s shoulder, and censed it, he shall cover therewith the Holy Gifts, and shall say:

Secretly.

Noble Joseph, when he had taken thy pure Body from the tree, did wrap it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing did lay it in a new sepulchre.

Then taking the censer from the hands of the Deacon, he shall thrice cense the Holy Gifts, saying:

Exalt thou Zion in thy favour, O Lord, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with sacrifices and burnt-offerings; then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

Then he shall give the censer to the Deacon, and shall bow his head, saying:

Secretly.

Remember me, O brother, and fellow-minister.

And the Deacon shall say to him: May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his kingdom.

The Deacon also, bowing his head, and holding his stole with three fingers of his right hand, shall say to the Priest:

Pray for me, holy Master.

If a Bishop be the celebrant, he saith to those who serve with him:

Brethren, fellow-servitors. Abbots and Priests, pray for me.

And they all answer:

The Priest (or all the Clergy). May the Holy Spirit come upon thee, and the power of the Most High overshadow thee.

Deacon. May the Holy Spirit himself minister together with us, and with you, all the days of our life.

And again: Pray for me, holy Master.

Bishop. May the Lord direct your steps.

Clergy. Remember us, holy Master.

Here Priests are Ordained.

Bishop or Priest. May the Lord God remember you (thee) in his kingdom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon. Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

For these Holy Elements now spread forth, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy Temple, and for all those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

A day all-perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

An Angel of Peace, the faithful guide and guardian both of our souls and bodies, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

The pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

The Bishop blesseth with the dikiri and trikiri, while the Choir chanteth: Eis polla eti, Despota.

The Bishop, or Priest, secretly.

O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy; who acceptest the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon thee with their whole heart: Accept also the prayer of us sinners, and bear it to thy holy Altar; and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the errors which thy people have committed through ignorance. And graciously grant us to obtain grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee; and that the good spirit of thy grace may rest upon us, and upon these Holy Gifts, now offered up unto thee, and upon all thy people.

Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Secretly.

O Lord our God, who hast created us, and hast brought us into this life; who hast shown us the way of salvation, graciously bestowing upon us the revelation of heavenly Mysteries: Thou art he who hath appointed us to this ministry in the power of thy Holy Spirit. Graciously grant us, therefore, O Lord, to be servitors of thy new Covenant, ministers of thy Holy Mysteries. Accept us who draw near to thy holy Altar, according to the plenitude of thy mercy, that we may be worthy to offer unto thee this reasonable and unbloody sacrifice, for our own sins, and for the errors of thy people: which do thou accept upon thy holy, and heavenly, and supersensual Altar for the savour of a sweet odour.

Send down upon us the grace of thy Holy Spirit. Look upon us, O God, and behold this our service, and accept it as thou didst accept the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the burnt-offerings of Abraham, the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel. Even as thou didst accept at the hands of the holy Apostles this true ministry, so also do thou in thy beneficence, O Lord, accept from the hands of us sinners these gifts; that having been accounted worthy blamelessly to minister at thy holy Altar, we may receive the recompense of wise and faithful stewards, in the terrible day of thy just requiting.]

All things which are profitable to our souls and bodies, and peace to the world, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

That we may pass the residue of our life in peace and penitence, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good, defence before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God 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.

Exclamation.

Through the bounties of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art glorified, together with the most holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with 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.

Deacon. The Doors! The Doors! Wisdom! Let us attend. (18)

The Symbol of the Faith.

Choir. 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 only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds; Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made; Being 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 by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

Deacon (or Priest). Let us stand aright, let us stand with fear, that we may offer in peace the Holy Oblation.

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

The Priest shall do reverence, and shall say privately, within himself:

I will love thee, O Lord my strength; the Lord is my firm foundation, and my deliverer. (Thrice.)

And he shall kiss the Holy Gifts, they being still covered; first the top of the holy paten, and likewise the top of the holy chalice, and the edge of the Holy Altar before him. If there be several Priests, they shall both kiss all the Holy Things, and each other on the shoulder.

And if a Bishop be the celebrant, he saith, secretly, as he kisseth the paten: O Holy God; and the holy chalice: O Holy Mighty; and the Holy Altar: O Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.

Then the Bishop or Priest shall say:

Secretly.

Christ is in the midst of us.

And having been kissed on the shoulder and on the hand, he is answered:

He is and shall be.

The Priest shall fan the Holy Elements with the air. If several Priests take part in the service, they shall all fan the Holy Elements with the air, in like manner, and shall repeat, as do the People also, the Symbol of the Faith.

Then the Priest shall take the air from the Holy Elements, and having kissed it, he shall lay it aside.

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

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Priest (pointing upward). Lift up your hearts.

Choir. We lift them up unto the Lord.

Priest. Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir. Meet and right is it that we should adore the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in Essence and undivided.

If a Bishop celebrateth, as he saith this he turneth to the People, and blesseth with the dikiri and the trikiri.

The (Bishop) Priest shall offer this Prayer, secretly.

Secretly.

It is meet and right that we should laud thee, bless thee, praise thee, give thanks unto thee, and adore thee in all places of thy dominion: for thou art God ineffable, incomprehensible, invisible, inconceivable; thou art from everlasting and art changeless, thou, and thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit. Thou from nothingness hast called us into being; and when we had fallen away from thee, thou didst raise us up again; and thou hast not ceased to do all things until thou hadst brought us back to heaven, and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all which things we give thanks unto thee, and thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; for all the things whereof we know, and whereof we know not; for all thy benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we render thanks unto thee for this ministry which thou dost deign to accept at our hands, although before thee stand thousands of Archangels and myriads of Angels, with the Cherubim, and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, who soar aloft, borne on their pinions.

Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used, this Prayer:

O thou who in verity existest, Master, Lord God, Father Almighty adorable: Meet is it, in truth, and just and befitting the majesty of thy holiness, that we should magnify thee, praise thee, bless thee, adore thee, give thanks unto thee and glorify thee, the only God which verily existeth, and offer unto thee, with contrite heart and humbleness of spirit, this our reasonable service: for it is thou who hast graciously bestowed upon us the knowledge of thy truth. And who hath power enough to express thy mighty acts, to make all thy praises to be heard, or to utter forth all thy wonders at all times, O Master? O Sovereign Master of all things, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all created things both visible and invisible; who sittest on the throne of glory and beholdest the depths; who art from everlasting, invisible, inscrutable, ineffable, immutable, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and the Saviour, our hope, who is the image of thy goodness, the seal of equal type, in himself showing forth thee, the Father, the living Word, the true God, the Wisdom before all the ages, the Life, the Sanctification, the Might, and the true Light, through whom, also, the Holy Spirit was manifested; the Spirit of Truth, the Gift of Adoption, the Earnest of an inheritance to come, the First-fruits of eternal good things, the life-giving Power, the Fountain of holiness; by whom enabled every creature endowed with reason and intelligence doth serve thee, and evermore doth send up unto thee an everlasting tribute of praise; for all things are thy servants. For Angels and Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, and the many-eyed Cherubim do laud thee. Before thee, round about, stand the Seraphim, having each six wings; for with twain do they cover their faces, and with twain their feet, and with twain do they fly, crying one to another continually, with never-ceasing praises.]

Exclamation.

Priest. Singing the triumphant song, crying, calling aloud, 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.

The Deacon now taking the holy star-cover from the holy paten, shall make the sign of the cross above it, and shall kiss it, and lay it on one side. He shall then go and stand on the right of the Holy Altar.

The Priest prayeth, secretly.

Secretly.

And we also, O Lord who lovest mankind, in company with these blessed Powers do cry aloud and say: Holy art thou, and all-holy thou, and thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit; holy and all-holy and majestic is thy glory. Who hast so loved thy world that thou gavest thine Only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but should have everlasting life; who, when he had come and had performed all the dispensation for us, in the night in which he was given up, — in the which, rather, he did give himself for the life of the world, —took bread in his holy and pure and sinless hands; and when he had given thanks, and blessed it, and so sanctified it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used, this Prayer:

With these blessed Powers, O Master who lovest mankind, we sinners also do cry aloud and say: Holy art thou, of a truth, and all-holy, and there are no bounds to the majesty of thy holiness, and just art thou in all thy works; for in righteousness and true judgment hast thou ordered all things for us. When thou hadst created man, and hadst fashioned him from the dust of the earth, and hadst honoured him with thine own image, O God, thou didst set him in the midst of a Paradise of plenty, promising him life eternal and the enjoyment of everlasting good things in keeping thy commandments.

But when he disobeyed thee, the true God, who had created him, and was led astray by the guile of the serpent, and rendered subject to death through his own transgressions, thou didst banish him, in thy righteous judgment, O God, from Paradise into this present world, and didst turn him again to the earth from which he was taken, providing for him the salvation of regeneration, which is in thy Christ himself. For thou didst not turn thyself away forever from thy creature, whom thou hadst made, O Good One, neither didst thou forget the work of thy hands; but thou didst visit him in divers manners, through the tender compassion of thy mercy. Thou didst send forth Prophets; thou didst perform mighty works by thy Saints who, in every generation, were well-pleasing unto thee; thou didst speak to us by the mouths of thy servants the Prophets, who foretold unto us the salvation which was to come; thou didst give us the Law to aid us; thou didst appoint guardian Angels. And when the fulness of time was come, thou didst speak unto us by 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, thought it no robbery to be equal to thee, the God and Father. But albeit he was God before all the ages, yet he appeared upon earth and dwelt among men; and was incarnate of a Holy Virgin, and did lay aside his godhead, taking on the form of a servant, and becoming conformed to the fashion of our lowliness, that he might make us conformable to the image of his glory. For as by man sin entered into the world, and by sin death, so it seemed good unto thine Only-begotten Son, who is in thy bosom, our God and Father, to be born of a woman, the holy Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary; to be born under the Law, that he might condemn sin in the flesh; that they who were dead in Adam might be made alive in thy Christ. And becoming a dweller in this world, and giving commandments of salvation, he released us from the delusions of idols, and brought us unto a knowledge of thee, the true God and Father, having won us unto himself for a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; and having purified us with water, and sanctified us with his Holy Spirit, he gave himself a ransom to Death, whereby we were held, sold into bondage 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 through 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; and he shall be all things, the first in all things. And ascending into heaven, he sat down at the right hand of thy Majesty on high; and he shall come again to render unto every man according to his works. And he hath left with us, as memorials of his saving Passion, these Things which we have spread forth according to his commandment. For when he was about to go forth to his voluntary, and ever-memorable, and life-creating death, in the night in which he gave himself for the life of the world, he took bread in his holy and stainless hands, and when he had shown it unto thee, his God and Father, he gave thanks, blessing it, sanctifying it, and breaking it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:]

Exclamation.

Priest. Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.

As he saith this, the Deacon shall point out the holy paten to the Priest, holding his stole with three fingers of his right hand.

Priest. And in like manner, after supper he took the cup, saying:

As he saith this, the Deacon pointeth to the holy chalice.

(At the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great:

The Priest, secretly.

Secretly.

“ In like manner, having taken the cup of the fruit of the vine, and mingled it, given thanks, blessed it, and sanctified it,

Exclamation.

He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:]

Exclamation.

Priest. Drink ye all of this: for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins.

The Priest, secretly.

Secretly.

Bearing in remembrance, therefore, this commandment of salvation, and all those things which came to pass for us; the Cross, the Grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into Heaven, the Sitting on the right hand, the Second and glorious Coming-again:

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

This do, 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, we also, O Master, having in remembrance his redeeming Passion and life-giving Cross, his three days’ Burial, and his Resurrection from the dead, his Ascension into Heaven, and his Sitting on the right hand of thee, the God and Father, and his glorious and terrible Coming-again:]

Exclamation.

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

Here the Deacon, crossing his hands, shall lift up the holy paten and the holy chalice, and making with them the sign of the cross, he shall himself make a humble reverence.

Choir. We praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, O our God.

The Priest prayeth, secretly.

Again we offer unto thee this reasonable and unbloody service. And we beseech and implore thee, and offer our supplications unto thee, that thou wilt send thy Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these Gifts here spread forth.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Wherefore, O all-holy Master, we also, thy sinful and unworthy servants, whom thou hast graciously permitted to minister at thy holy Altar, not through our own righteousness (for we have done no good deed on earth), but because of thy mercies and bounties, which thou hast richly poured out upon us, now have boldness to draw near unto this, thy holy Altar; and presenting unto thee the holy emblems of the sacred Body and Blood of thy Christ, we pray thee and implore thee, O Holy of Holies, by the favour of thy goodness, that thy Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these Gifts here spread forth before thee, and bless them, and sanctify and manifest them.]

Then the Deacon shall approach the Priest; and standing side by side, they shall both make three lowly reverences before the Holy Altar, praying silently thus:

Priest. O Lord, who at the Third Hour didst send down upon thine Apostles thy Holy Spirit: Take not the same from us, O Good One, but renew it in us who make our supplications unto thee.

Deacon. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Secretly.

Priest. O Lord, who at the Third Hour . . .

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

Priest. O Lord, who at the Third Hour . . .

Then the Deacon, bowing his head and pointing with his stole to the Holy Bread, shall say:

Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.

And the Priest, standing erect, shall sign the Holy Bread with the sign of the cross, and shall say:

And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

For this bread is in very truth the precious Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.]

Deacon. Amen. Bless, Master, the holy chalice.

And the Priest shall bless it, and shall say:

And make that which is in this chalice the precious Blood of thy Christ.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Secretly.

For this chalice, in very truth the precious Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Deacon. Amen), which was poured out for the life of the world.]

Deacon. Amen.

And again, the Deacon, pointing to both the Holy Elements, shall say:

Master, bless both.

And the Priest, blessing both, shall say:

Transmuting them by thy Holy Spirit.

Deacon. Amen, amen, amen.

And bowing his head to the Priest, the Deacon shall say:

Bear me in remembrance, holy Master.

And the Priest shall say:

May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon. Amen.

If a Bishop be the celebrant, the Proto-Deacon saith:

Bear us in remembrance, holy Master.

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

Priest and Deacon. Amen.

And if a Priest hath been ordained at this same Liturgy, the Bishop now biddeth him to draw near, and taking the Holy Bread, and breaking the portion XC from the top thereof, where the cross is, he giveth it to him, saying:

Receive thou this pledge, and preserve it whole and unharmed until thy last breath, because thou shalt be held to an accounting therefor in the second and terrible Coming of our great Lord, God, and Saviour, “Jesus Christ.

And taking it, the Priest kisseth the Bishop’s hand, and withdrawing he standeth behind the Holy Altar; and placing his hand on the Holy Altar, he prayeth, saying:

Have mercy upon me, O God. . . .

(Psalm li.).

And when: Holy things to the holy: is to be said, he who hath received Ordination restoreth the Bread, and the Bishop layeth it on the holy paten; and the newly ordained Priest is communicated before the other Priests.

The Priest prayeth.

That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto soberness of soul, unto the remission of sins, unto the fellowship of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfilling of the kingdom of Heaven, and unto boldness toward thee; and not unto judgment or unto condemnation.

And again we offer unto thee this our reasonable service, for all thy servants departed this life before us in the faith; for our ancestors, fathers, the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics; and for every righteous soul who hath died in the faith:

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Secretly.

And unite all us who partake of the one Bread and the one Cup, one to another in the communion of the Holy Spirit; and grant that no one of us may partake of that holy Body and Blood of thy Christ unto judgment or unto condemnation; but that we may find mercy and grace, together with all the Saints who, in all the ages, have been acceptable unto thee, our ancestors, fathers, the Patriarchs, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Teachers; and with the spirits of just men made perfect in the faith:]

And the Deacon shall cense the Holy Altar round about, and shall make mention of the living and of the dead.

Then the Priest shall say, aloud

Especially our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary:

And Saint John, the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist; the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; Saint N. (the Saint of the day), whose memory we commemorate; and all thy Saints: through whose prayers visit thou us, O God, and call to remembrance all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal.

(Here he maketh mention of the Names, in the order of their rank.)

If it be at the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:

Choir. Meet is it, in truth, to bless thee, the Birth-giver of God, ever-blessed, and all-undefiled, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birthgiver of God, we magnify thee.

Secretly.

Furthermore we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou wilt call to remembrance all Bishoprics of Orthodox Christians, which rightly dispense the word of thy truth; all the Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, and every order of the Clergy.

Furthermore we offer unto thee this our reasonable worship on behalf of the whole universe; of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; of those who continue in chastity and soberness of life; of our most God-fearing Sovereign, N. (in Russia, the Emperor of All the Russias); and all the Reigning House, and all their Council and Army and Navy. Grant unto them, O Lord, a peaceful reign, and that we, through their tranquillity, may pass our time in rest and quietness, in all godliness and soberness of life.

[But if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

Choir. In thee rejoiceth, O thou who art full of Grace, every created being, the Hierarchy of the Angels, and all mankind, O Consecrated Temple and supersensual Paradise, Glory of Virgins, of whom God, who is our God before all the ages, was incarnate and became a little child. For he made of thy womb a throne, and thy belly did he make more spacious than the heavens. In thee doth all Creation rejoice, O thou who art full of Glory: Glory to thee.

Or, at the different Feasts, there shall be sung the appointed Hymn to the Birthgiver of God.

And give them rest where the light of thy countenance shall visit them.

Have in remembrance, also, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is from end to end of the Universe; and give peace unto Her whom thou hast purchased with the precious Blood of thy Christ: and establish thou firmly this holy Temple, even unto the end of the world. Remember, O Lord, those who have offered unto thee these Gifts; and those for whom, and by whom, and in behalf of whom they have offered them.

Secretly.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches, and those who are mindful of the poor. 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.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, those who are in the deserts, and mountains, and caverns, and in the subterranean pits of the earth.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, all those who continue in virginity and godliness, and in asceticism and devoutness of life.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, our most God-fearing and Christ-loving Sovereign, N. (in Russia, the Emperor of All the Russias), to whom thou hast given the right to reign in the earth. Crown him with the armour of truth, with the panoply of contentment. Overshadow his head in the day of battle. Strengthen his arm, exalt his right hand; make mighty his kingdom; subdue under him all barbarous nations which seek wars; grant unto him peace profound and inviolate; inspire his heart with good deeds toward thy Church, and toward all thy people; that through his serenity we may lead a quiet and tranquil life, in all godliness and soberness. Remember, also, O Lord, all the Reigning House.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, all Rulers and Authorities, as also our brethren who are in their Council; and all their Army and Navy. In their goodness, preserve thou the good, and through thine own goodness make thou the evil good.

Secretly.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, this congregation here present, and those who are absent for reasonable cause; and have mercy upon them and upon us, according to the multitude of thy mercies. Fill their treasuries with every good thing; maintain their marriage-bond in peace and concord; rear the infants; guide the young; support the aged; encourage the faint-hearted. Collect the scattered, and turn them from their wandering astray, and unite them to thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Set at liberty those who are vexed by unclean spirits; voyage with those who voyage, journey with those who journey; defend the widows; protect the orphans; free the captives; heal the sick. Have in remembrance those who are under trial, and in the mines, and in exile, and in bitter slavery, and in all affliction, distress and tribulation.

Have in remembrance, O God, all those who invoke thy great loving-kindness; those also who love us, and those who hate us, and those who have enjoined us, unworthy though we are, that we should pray for them; and all thy people, O Lord our God: And upon them all pour out thy rich mercy, granting unto all such of their petitions as are unto salvation. And those whom we, through ignorance, or forgetfulness, or the multitude of names, have not remembered, do thou thyself call to mind, O God, who knowest the age and the name of each, and knowest every man even from his mother’s womb. For thou, O Lord, art the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Saviour of the storm-tossed, the Haven of the voyager, the Healer of the sick. Be thyself all things unto all men, O thou who knowest every man, his petition, his abode, and his need. Deliver, O Lord, this city, and every city and land from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, the invasion of enemies, and from civil war.]

And when the Hymn is finished, the Priest shall say, aloud:

Among the first have in remembrance, O Lord, the Most Holy Governing Synod (or Patriarch); and grant that they (or he) may rightly dispense unto thy Church the word of thy truth, in peace, safety, health, honour and length of days.

And the Choir singeth:

And all the people.

If a Bishop be the celebrant, the Proto-Deacon, standing at the Holy Door, and looking on the People, saith.

And all the people.

Choir. And all the people.

And the Bishop reciteth the Prayer for the Synod: Among the first . . .

The Senior Priest then saith:

Have in remembrance, O Lord, our Right Reverend Bishop, N., granting that in peace, safety, honour, health and length of days he may guide thy holy Church, rightly administering the word of thy truth.

He kisseth the Bishop’s mitre, and the Bishop, blessing him, saith:

May the Lord have in remembrance thy priesthood.

The Senior Deacon, turning to the People (in Russia): The Most Holy Governing Synod, and the Right Reverend N., who offereth these Holy Elements unto the Lord our God.

For the salvation of our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., Emperor of All the Russias; and for all the Reigning House; and for all their Council and Army and Navy.

Choir. And for all the people.

The Deacon then commemorateth the living, while the Priest prayeth, secretly.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, this city in which-we dwell; and every city and country, and all those who with faith dwell therein. Have in remembrance, O Lord, all those who journey by sea or by land, all sick persons and sufferers and captives, and their salvation. Have in remembrance, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy Churches, and those who are mindful of the poor; and send down thy grace upon us all.

[//“ the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used, this Prayer is said, secretly:

Priest. Have in remembrance, O Lord, every Bishopric of the Orthodox which rightly administereth the word of thy truth.

Secretly.

Have in remembrance, also, O Lord, my unworthiness, according to the multitude of thy bounties; pardon me every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary, and withhold not, because of my sins, the grace of thy Holy Spirit from the Gifts now spread forth unto thee.

Have in remembrance, O Lord, the Priesthood, as also the Diaconate in Christ, and all sacerdotal orders, and put not to confusion any one of us who stand about thy holy Altar. Visit us with thy loving-kindness, O Lord; manifest thyself unto us in thy rich bounties. Vouchsafe unto us temperate and healthful seasons. Give gentle showers upon the earth, unto fruitfulness. Bless the crown of the year of thy beneficence. Make schisms to cease in the Church. Quench the ragings of the nations; speedily destroy, by the might of thy Holy Spirit, all uprisings of heresies. Receive us all into thy kingdom, making us children of the light and of the day; and grant unto us thy peace, and thy love, O Lord our God; for all things hast thou given unto us.]

Exclamation.

Priest. And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and praise thine all-honourable 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.

And turning to the People and blessing them, the Priest saith:

And may the mercy of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Here Deacons are ordained.

And the Deacon shall stand at his accustomed place, and shall say

let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance all the Saints, again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. ℟

For the Precious Gifts which have been offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord. ℟

That our God, who loveth mankind, will accept them upon his holy, and most heavenly, and supersensual Altar, for an odour of spiritual fragrance; and will send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of his Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. ℟

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. ℟

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

A day all-perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us beseech of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

let us beseech of the Lord. Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

An Angel of Peace, the faithful guide and guardian both of our souls and bodies, let us beseech of the Lord. ℟

The pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us beseech of the Lord. ℟

All things which are profitable to our souls, and peace to the world, let us beseech of the Lord. ℟

That we may pass the residue of our life in peace and penitence, let us beseech of the Lord. ℟

A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defence before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us beseech of the Lord. ℟

Having made our petition 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 prayeth, secretly.

Secretly.

Unto thee do we commit our whole life and hope, O Lord, who lovest mankind. And we entreat thee, and beseech thee, and implore thee: Vouchsafe that we may partake of thy heavenly and terrible Mysteries, of this sacred and spiritual food, with a pure conscience, unto the remission of our sins, unto the pardon of our transgressions, unto the communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven, and unto boldness toward thee; not unto judgment or condemnation.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used:

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 ever bestowed and yet dost bestow upon us. Do thou, O our God, who acceptest these Gifts, purify us from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and teach us to perfect holiness in thy fear; that we, receiving a portion of thy Holy Things in the witness of a pure conscience toward thee, may be made one with the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ; and that having received them worthily, we may have Christ abiding in our hearts, and may become a Temple of thy Holy Spirit.

Yea, O our God, cause also that none of us may be guilty of these thy terrible and heavenly Mysteries, or sick in soul or in body through an unworthy partaking of the same: but enable us, even unto our last breath, worthily to receive a portion of thy Holy Things, which is a support upon the road to life eternal, an acceptable defence at the dread Judgment Seat of thy Christ. That we also, together with all the Saints who, in all the ages, have been acceptable unto thee, may be made partakers of thine everlasting blessedness, which thou hast prepared for those who love thee, O Lord.]

Exclamation.

Priest. And vouchsafe, O Lord, that boldly and without condemnation we may call upon thee, God the heavenly Father, and say:

Here the Deacon bindeth his stole about him in the form of a cross. (19)

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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from the Evil One:

Exclamation.

Priest. 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 with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

The Priest prayeth, secretly.

Secretly.

We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thine illimitable power hast made all things, and by the plenitude of thy mercy hast called into being all things from nothingness. Do thou, the same Lord, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads before thee; for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but unto thee, the terrible God. Do thou, therefore, O Lord, render this oblation efficacious to us all, according to the individual need of each. Voyage with those who sail upon the seas; journey with those who travel on dry land. Heal the sick, O thou who art the healer of our souls and bodies.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used, the following Prayer:

O Master, Lord, the Father of bounties, and the God of all comfort, bless, sanctify, guard, strengthen, fortify those who have bowed their heads unto thee; withdraw them from every evil work; unite them to every good work; and graciously grant that, without condemnation, they may partake of these, thy pure and life-giving Mysteries, unto the remission of their sins, and unto the communion of the Holy Spirit]

Exclamation.

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

Choir. Amen.

The Priest prayeth, secretly:

Secretly.

Give heed from thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of glory of thy kingdom, and come and sanctify us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who sittest on high with the Father, and art invisibly here with us. And deign, with thine own mighty hand, to impart thine all-pure Body and most precious Blood unto us, and through us unto all the people.

Then the Priest shall do homage, and the Deacon, standing before the Holy Door, shall repeat, secretly, thrice:

O God, cleanse thou me, a sinner.

When the Deacon seeth the Priest stretch out his hand and touch the Holy Bread in the act of making the Holy Oblation, he shall say, loudly:

Let us attend.

Here the Holy Door is closed, and the curtain is drawn.

And the Priest, as he elevateth the Holy Bread, shall say:

Holy things unto the Holy.

Choir. One only is holy, one only is the Lord, Jesus Christ, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then shall the Choir chant the Anthem for the Day (or of the Saint, or of the Feast):

Praise ye the Lord from heaven: praise him in the height. Alleluia.

And the Deacon shall enter the Sanctuary, and standing at the right hand of the Priest, who holdeth the Holy Bread, he shall say:

Break, Master, the Holy Bread.

And the Priest, breaking it in four pieces, with all heedfulness and awe, shall say:

Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken, yet not disunited; which is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.

Concerning the Partition of the Holy Lamb

After dividing the Holy Lamb, the Priest must place the portions in the form of a cross upon the holy paten, with a profound reverence, such as he hath made before when censing. He shall lay the IHC at the upper part of the holy paten, which lieth towards the east. The XC shall he place in a line beneath it, on that side of the paten which lieth to the west; and the NI upon the north side, while the KA shall be opposite, upon the south side, as is here set forth. (20)

When the portion IHC hath been removed, it shall be placed in the holy chalice. The portion XC shall be partaken of by the Clergy who take part in the Liturgy. The two other portions, namely, the NI and the KA, are broken for the communion of the laity. And from the portion which representeth the Holy Birth-giver of God, or from the particles representing the nine ranks of the Heavenly Hierarchy, which ar-e upon the holy paten, shall no one be communicated: but only from the two portions of the Holy Lamb which remain shall the laity be communicated.

Then the Deacon, pointing with his stole to the holy chalice, shall exclaim:

Secretly.

Fill, Master, the holy chalice.

And the Priest, taking the portion IHC from the place where it lieth, shall make therewith the sign of the cross above the holy chalice, saying: The fulness of the Holy Spirit: and shall place it in the holy chalice.

Deacon. Amen. (21)

And taking the warm water, he shall say to the Priest: Bless, Master, the warm water.

And the Priest shall bless it, saying: Blessed is the fervour of thy Saints always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Deacon shall pour into the holy chalice, in the form of a cross, what is required, saying:

The warmth of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When the divine Blood of the Lord is mingled with the holy warm water, it must be done with heed, and in amount according to the number of those who desire to receive the Holy Sacrament.

The Priest breaketh the portion XC into a number of pieces, corresponding to the number of Clergy who take part in the Liturgy.

Then the Priest saith:

Deacon, draw near.

And the Deacon shall approach, and shall make a devout reverence, entreating forgiveness; and having kissed the Altar, he shall say:

Lo, I draw near unto the King Immortal and to God.

Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

And the Priest shall give him a portion of the Holy Body, and shall say:

To N., Deacon, is imparted the precious, and holy, and all-pure Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, unto the remission of his sins, and unto life everlasting.

And the Deacon shall kiss the Priest’s hand as he taketh the Holy Body, and shall withdraw behind the Holy Altar; and bowing his head over the Holy Altar, he shall pray like the Priest:

I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art, in very truth, the Christ, the Son of the living God: . . .

All the Priests, in the order of their seniority, first make an obeisance to each other, and to the People; and having besought forgiveness: Forgive me, fathers and brethren: and kissed the side of the Altar, they say:

Lo, I draw near unto the King Immortal, and to God.

The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is imparted to me, N., Priest, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting.

Then each taketh a piece of the Holy Body, and bowing low over the Holy Altar, and gazing devoutly upon the Holy Body of Christ, they say privately, each to himself:

I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art, in very truth, the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is, of a truth, thine all-pure Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I beseech thee, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, whether voluntary or involuntary; whether of word or of deed; whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe that I may partake without condemnation of thine all-pure Mysteries, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life eternal.

Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me to-day as a communicant: for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither, like Judas, will I give thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy kingdom.

And let not this participation in thy Holy Mysteries be unto judgment upon me, or unto condemnation, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.

When a Bishop is the celebrant, he divideth the portion XC, and having prayed: I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that thou art, in very truth, the Christ, the Son of the living God; . . he consumeth part of the portion XC, saying:

The precious, and all-holy, and most pure Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is imparted to me, the unworthy, N., Bishop, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life eternal. (In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)

Then, taking the sponge, he wipeth his hand; and having kissed the sponge, he layeth it aside. Then, taking the holy veil and the chalice with both hands, he communicateth himself therefrom thrice, saying:

The precious, and holy, and life-giving Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is imparted to me, the unworthy, N., Bishop, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting. (In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)

Then he wipeth his lips and the chalice with the veil which is in his hand, saying:

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

Then kissing the holy chalice, he saith:

Secretly.

Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice.)

Proto-Deacon. Archimandrites, Archpriests, Priests, Deacons, draw near.

Then the other Clergy approach the Bishop in the order of their seniority and kiss the edge of the Altar, and having said:

Lo, I draw near unto the King Immortal and to God,

Impart to me, Right Reverend Master, the precious and holy Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour Jesus Christ:

Each receiveth from him a portion of the Holy Body, the Bishop saying to each:

To thee, Priest (or Deacon, or as his rank may be), is imparted the precious, and all-pure, and immortal Body of our Lord, and God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the remission of thy sins, and unto life everlasting. (In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)

And they kiss the hand and the shoulder of the Bishop; and to his greeting;

Christ is in the midst of us,

They reply:

He is, and shall be.

Then he giveth to each of them thrice the holy chalice, saying;

Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and shall take away thine iniquities, and shall purge away thy sins.

And so shall they partake of the Holy Body which they hold in their hands, with awe, and all godly fear.

And when they have partaken thereof, the Priests partake, in due order, of the Holy Blood from the chalice, thrice, saying each time:

Secretly.

The precious and holy Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is imparted to me, the servant of God, Priest, N., unto the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sometimes: O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.

Then having wiped his mouth and the holy chalice with the veil, which he holdeth in his hand, the Priest shall say:

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

Then the Senior Priest saith again: Deacon, draw near.

And the Deacon shall approach, and shall make one reverence, saying: Lo, I draw near unto the King Immortal, and to God.

And the Priest, giving him the chalice, shall say: The servant of God, N., Deacon, partaketh of the precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, unto the remission of his sins, and unto life everlasting.

And having communicated the Deacon, the Priest shall say. Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and shall take away thine iniquities, and shall purge away thy sins.

If there be any who desire to partake of the Holy Mysteries, the Priest shall divide the remaining portions, the NI and the KA, into small particles, sufficient for all, and place them in the chalice.

Then the Deacon, setting the holy paten above the holy chalice, saith these Hymns of the Resurrection:

In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us bow down before the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy Resurrection we laud and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy Name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy Resurrection. For lo, through the Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his Resurrection: for in that he endured the Cross he hath destroyed Death by death.

Secretly.

Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee! Shout now and be glad, O Zion! And do thou, O Pure One, Birth-giver of God, rejoice in the Rising-again of him whom thou didst bear.

O Christ, Passover great and most Holy! O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God! Vouchsafe that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the days which know no evening of thy kingdom.

While with the sponge he wipeth all the particles into the chalice with all care and reverence, he saith:

Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all who are here commemorated, by thy precious Blood, through the prayers of thy Saints.

And he shall cover the holy chalice with the veil; and in like manner he shall cover the holy paten with the star-cover and the veil. Then the Priest shall recite the

Prayer of Thanksgiving, secretly.

We give thanks unto thee, O Lord, who lovest mankind, Benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Guide our path aright; stablish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make sure our steps: through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, and of all thy Saints.

[Or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great be used, this Prayer:

We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, for the participation in thy holy, pure, immortal and heavenly Mysteries, which thou hast given unto us for the welfare and sanctification and healing of our souls and bodies. Do thou, the same Lord of all, grant that the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ may be for us unto faith which cannot be put to confusion, unto love unfeigned, unto increase of wisdom, unto the healing of soul and body, unto the turning aside of every adversary, unto the fulfilment of thy commandments, unto an acceptable defence at the dread Judgment Seat of thy Christ.]

Then the Holy Door is opened, and the Deacon, making a reverence, shall approach the Holy Door; and he taketh from the Bishop or the Priest the holy chalice, and elevating it, he saith:

In the fear of God and with faith draw near.

Choir. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord; God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

Those who desire to communicate shall then approach. They shall come singly, and shall do reverence, with all devoutness and awe, with their hands crossed on their breasts: and in this manner shall they receive the Holy Mysteries, after the Priest hath said aloud the Prayer:

If there are communicants.

I believe, O Lord, and I confess, . . . (See page 116.)

And as he communicateth each one, the Priest shall say:

The servant of God, N., partaketh of the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, unto the remission of his (or her) sins, and unto life everlasting. (22)

And as each person is communicated, the Choir singeth: Receive ye the Body of Christ; taste ye of the Fountain of Life.

Then the communicants mouth shall be wiped with the holy veil, and he shall kiss the holy chalice, and making a reverence, he shall go aside, where he is given the antiddron and the holy warm water.

And when all have finished, the Choir singeth: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

And the Priest shall set the chalice on the Altar, and shall bless the People, saying:

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

Eis polla eti, Despota.

(The Bishop blesseth with the dikiri and the trikiri.)

Choir. We have beheld the true Light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith. Let us bow down in worship to the Trinity Undivided, for it hath saved us.

Or, at Eastertide:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

Then the Priest and the Deacon shall turn to the Holy Altar; and the Priest shall cense it, saying thrice, to himself:

Be thou exalted in heaven, O God, and thy glory above all the earth.

The Priest, taking the holy paten, shall then set it upon the head of the Deacon j and the Deacon, holding it reverently, shall go to the Table of Oblation, and set it down there.

The Priest, having done reverence also, shall take the holy chalice (from the Bishop, if it be a Pontifical Service); and turning to face the Holy Door, he shall look upon the People, while he saith, secretly:

Secretly.

Blessed is our God!

Then, aloud: Always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may extol thy glory, for that thou hast deigned to make us partakers 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.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

And the Deacon, coming forth through the north door, and standing in his accustomed place, saith:

Having received the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and terrible Mysteries of Christ, O believers, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

Then the Priest, folding the corporal (antimins), shall make over it, with the book of the Holy Gospels, the sign of the cross.

Exclamation.

Priest. 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.

Priest. Let us depart in peace.

Choir. In the Name of the Lord.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Then the junior Priest cometh forth, and, standing at the foot of the Tribune, readeth the Prayer before the Tribune.

O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee, and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: Save thy people and bless thine inheritance. Preserve the fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house; glorify them in recompense with thy divine might, and forsake not us who set our hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, and to thy Churches, and to thy Priests: and (if in Russia, to our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias), to the Army and Navy, and to all thy people. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh from thee, the Father of Lights. And unto thee we ascribe glory, and thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen. Blessed be the Name of the Lord henceforth and forever. (Thrice.)

Reader: Psalm xxxiv. I will alway give thanks unto the Lord: Come, ye children, and hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that lusteth to live, and would fain see good days.’ Keep thy tongue from evil, and do good: seek peace, and ensue it. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. The countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of all. He keepeth all his bones, so that not one of them is broken. But misfortune shall slay the ungodly, and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord delivereth the -souls of his servants, and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute.

Eastertide.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

The Deacon shall stand at the right side of the image-screen (ikonostas), before the holy picture (ikona) of our Lord Christ, holding his stole in his hand, and with bowed head, until the conclusion of the Prayer before the Tribune. And when this hath been said, the Priest shall enter through the Holy Door, and going to the Table of Oblation, he shall say, secretly, the following Prayer:

Secretly.

Thou who art the fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets, O Christ our God, and hast accomplished all the dispensation of the Father: Fill thou our hearts with joy and gladness always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

And the Deacon, entering through the north door, shall consume the Holy Gifts, with all reverence and awe.

When the Deacon hath consumed the Holy Elements, so that no smallest morsel of the broken Bread is allowed to fall or remain; and hath poured into the holy chalice of the water and the wine, and hath wiped away with the sponge all the moisture, he shall lay the holy vessels together, and set them in their accustomed place, saying: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart: . . .

And when the Psalm hath been read, the Priest shall say:

The blessing of the Lord, through his grace and love towards mankind, be upon you always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Glory to thee, O Christ our God; glory to thee.

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

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Master, bless.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

(The Bishop or) the Priest saith the Benediction.*

May (Sunday: he who rose from the dead) Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his all-holy Mother (Wednesday and Friday: through the might of the precious and life-giving Cross), (Monday: through the intercessions of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven), (Tuesday: of the honourable and glorious Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist, John), of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles (Saturday: of the holy, glorious and right victorious Martyrs; of our reverend and God-bearing Fathers); [according to the Liturgy used: of our Father among the Saints, Basil the Great or John Chrysostom), (Thursday: of our Father among the Saints, Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonder-worker), of Saint N. (of the Temple), of Saint N. (of the day), of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for he is good and loveth mankind.

At a Pontifical Service: Choir. Eis polla eti, Despota.

Choir. Preserve, O Lord (if in Russia: our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias; and all the Reigning House; the Most Holy Governing Synod), our Master, the Right Reverend N., Bishop of N., and all Orthodox Christians, for many years.

* For Benedictions at the Feasts, see Special Services of the Feasts.

The Priest holdeth the cross for the People to kiss, and distributeth the antiddron (24), after which he withdraweth to the Sanctuary, and the Holy Door is closed. And (if he have celebrated without a Deacon) the Priest consumeth the Holy Gifts; after which he reciteth the Post-Communion Prayers.

Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice.)

I thank thee, O Lord my God, that thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but hast deemed me worthy to become a partaker of thy Holy Things. I thank thee that thou hast graciously granted unto me, though unworthy, to receive thy pure and heavenly Gifts. But, O Master who lovest mankind, who for our sake didst die, and didst rise again, and hast graciously bestowed upon us these terrible and life-giving Mysteries, for the blessing and sanctification of our souls and bodies: Vouchsafe that they may be efficacious for me also unto the healing of my soul and body, unto the averting of everything contrary thereto; unto the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart; unto the peace of my spiritual powers; unto faith invincible; unto love unfeigned; unto the fulfilling of wisdom; unto the keeping of thy commandments; unto the increase of thy divine grace and the attainment of thy kingdom: that by thee preserved in thy holiness I may ever bear in mind thy grace, and live not unto myself, but unto thee, our Master and Benefactor. And so, this life ended in the hope of life everlasting, I may come unto that rest eternal, where the voice of those who keep high festival ceaseth never, and where endless is the sweetness of those who behold the beauty inexpressible of thy countenance. For thou art the true desire and the happiness unutterable of those who love thee, O Christ our God, and every created being shall laud thee unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Basil the Great.

O Lord Christ, God, King of the Ages, and Maker of all men, I thank thee for all the good things which thou hast bestowed upon me, and for this Communion of thy most pure and life-giving Mysteries. Therefore I entreat thee, O Good One who lovest mankind, keep me in thy tabernacle and under the shadow of thy wings; and grant that, with a pure conscience, even unto my uttermost breath, I may worthily partake of thy Holy Things, unto the remission of my sins, and unto life eternal. For thou art the Bread of Life, the Fountain of all holiness, the Giver of good things; 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.

A Prayer of St. Simeon Metaphrastis.

O thou who, of thine own good will, dost give me thy body as my food; thou who art a Fire consuming the unworthy: Consume me not, O my Creator. But enter thou rather into my members, into my whole being, all my joints, my reins, my heart. Consume thou the thorns of all mine iniquities. Cleanse my soul. Sanctify my thoughts. Make stable my knees, and my bones likewise. Enlighten my five simple senses. Knit me wholly to the fear of thee. Ever cover me, guard me and keep me from every word and deed which may hurt the soul. Purify me and wash me clean, and bring me into concord. Adorn me, give me understanding and enlighten me. Manifest me as the dwelling of thy one Spirit, and in nowise as the dwelling of sin. That being made thy tabernacle through the reception of thy holy Communion every evil thing, every carnal passion may flee away from me. I offer unto thee as intercessors all the Saints, the Chieftains of the Bodiless Powers, thy Forerunner, the wise Apostles, and joined with them thy Mother pure and undefiled; whose prayers do thou accept, in thy tender loving-kindness, O my Christ, and make thy servant to be a child of the light. For thou art the only sanctification and splendour of our souls, O Good One, and unto thee, as God and Lord over all, do we, as it behooveth us, every day ascribe all glory.

Another Prayer.

May thy holy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, profit me unto life eternal, and thy precious Blood unto the remission of my sins. May this Eucharist be unto me for joy, and health, and gladness, and render me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of thy glory in thy terrible and second Coming-again; through the intercessions of thine all-pure Mother, and of all the Saints.

Another Prayer, to the Most Holy Birth-giver of God.

O all-holy Lady, Birth-giver of our God, of my darkened soul the light, hope, shelter, refuge, the consolation and the joy: I thank thee that thou hast deemed me, all unworthy as I am, worthy to be a partaker of the pure Body and precious Blood of thy Son. O thou who didst bring forth the true Light, enlighten the intellectually-discerning eyes of my heart; O thou who didst bear the Fountain of Immortality, quicken thou me, who lie dead in sin. O compassionately loving Mother of the merciful God, have mercy upon me, and grant unto me repentance and contrition of heart, and humbleness of mind, and deliverance from bondage to evil thoughts. And vouchsafe that even unto my last breath I may, without condemnation, receive the sanctification of these Holy Mysteries, unto the healing of both soul and body. And grant me tears of penitence and of confession, that I may laud and glorify thee all the days of my life. For blessed art thou and all-glorified unto all the ages. Amen.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.

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

O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name’s sake.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from the Evil One:

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. Amen.

The Hymn (Tropar) of Dismissal, in Tone V.:

The grace of thy lips, shining forth like a beacon-fire, hath illumined the universe, and hath bestowed upon the world the treasure of non-avariciousness, and hath shown us the height of humility. But as thou instructest us with thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, so also intercede thou with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

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

Collect-Hymn (Kondak), in Tone VI.: From heaven hast thou received grace divine, and with thy lips dost thou teach all men to adore the One God in three Persons. O John Chrysostom, all-blessed Saint, we rightly praise thee: for thou art our Teacher, in that thou dost reveal things divine.

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

But if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great hath been used, this Hymn (Tropar), in Tone I.:

Secretly.

Thy voice is gone out into all the world, in that it hath received thy word, wherewith thou hast taught in manner well pleasing unto God, hast expounded the nature of existing things, and hast adorned the customs of mankind. O Royal Priesthood, Sainted Father, pray thou unto Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Collect-Hymn (Kondak), in Tone IV.:

Thou hast shown thyself a foundation immovable of the Church, dispensing unto all men the dominion inviolate, sealing it with thy decrees, O Saint Basil, who wast manifested from heaven.]

Hymn to the Holy Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen).

O Protection of Christians that maketh not ashamed, O Mediatrix never-failing with the Creator: Despise not the sinners’ voice of supplication; but in that thou art good, come speedily to the aid of us who faithfully call upon thee; make haste to our petition and further our prayer, O Birth-giver of God, who ever protectest them that do thee honour.

The Priest and Deacon wash their hands at the appointed place; and having done reverence together, the Priest shall pronounce the Dismissal. And giving thanks unto God for all things, they shall say, also, the proper Hymn for the Day. Then; Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times.)

More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee.

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

Previous · Contents · Next