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The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

(The people stand)

PRIEST, facing the altar, making the sign of the cross with the book of the gospels over the altar: 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.

T H E   G R E A T   L I T A N Y   (E K T E N I A)

PRIEST: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: 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.

PRIEST: 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.

PRIEST: For our Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan) N., for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For the civil authorities, and for the Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For travellers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady the Mother 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.

(The Priest says quietly the Prayer of the First Antiphon:)

O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassions.

PRIEST: (Aloud) For unto thee are due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

THE REFRAINS OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON (Greek and other non-Russian recensions: Russians do this older practice on special feasts.)

CHOIR: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.

Russian: Psalm 102/103:
RAISE the Lord, O my soul : and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
2. Praise the Lord, O my soul : and forget not all his benefits;
3. Who forgiveth all thy sin : and healeth all thine infirmities;
4. Who saveth thy life from destruction : and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things : making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement : for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7. He shewed his ways unto Moses : his works unto the children of Israel.
8. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy : long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9. He will not alway be chiding : neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins : nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth : so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12. Look how wide also the east is from the west : so far hath he set our sins from us.
13. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children : even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14. For he knoweth whereof we are made : he remembereth that we are but dust.
15. The days of man are but as grass : for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
16. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone : and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him : and his righteousness upon children's children;
18. Even upon such as keep his covenant : and think upon his commandments to do them.
19. The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven : and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20. O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength : ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21. O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts : ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22. O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion : praise thou the Lord, O my soul.

THE LITTLE LITANY (EKTENIA)

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Mother 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.

(The Priest says quietly the Prayer of the Second Antiphon:)

O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance: preserve the fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: do thou glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who put our trust in thee.

PRIEST: (Aloud) For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

THE REFRAINS OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON (See note for First Antiphon.)

Non-Russian recensions: CHOIR: O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

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

O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Russian: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Psalm 145/146:
RAISE the Lord, O my soul : while I live will I praise the Lord : yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.
2. O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man : for there is no help in them.
3. For when the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth : and then all his thoughts perish.
4. Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help : and whose hope is in the Lord his God;
5. Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is : who keepeth his promise for ever;
6. Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong : who feedeth the hungry.
7. The Lord looseth men out of prison : the Lord giveth sight to the blind.
8. The Lord helpeth them that are fallen : the Lord careth for the righteous.
9. The Lord careth for the strangers, he defendeth the fatherless and widow : as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.
10. The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King for evermore : and throughout all generations.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

ONLY-BEGOTTEN Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary; and without change wast made man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy death didst Death subdue; who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.

T H E    L I T T L E    E K T E N I A

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady the Mother 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.

THOU who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

PRIEST: (aloud) For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

THE REFRAINS OF THE THIRD ANTIPHON

(Greek and other non-Russian usage: The Choir sings the Troparion of the Tone of the Day, which is used as the Refrain of the Third Antiphon.)

Russian: Beatitudes with verses sung by chanter in between.
N thy kingdom, remember us, O Lord: when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake;
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when the world revileth you and persecuteth you;
and uttereth all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake:
Rejoice and be exceeding glad;
for great is your reward in heaven.
[Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.]

T H E    L I T T L E    E N T R A N C E

The Priest makes the Little Entrance with the holy Gospel. Standing before the Holy Doors, facing the Altar, he says:

THE PRAYER OF THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

PRIEST: (quietly)
MASTER, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the service of thy glory: cause that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels serving with us and gloryifying thy goodness: for unto thee are due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(Then the Priest blesses the Entrance, saying quietly:)

PRIEST: Blessed is the Entrance of thy Saints: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(When the Choir has finished the Troparion, the Priest kisses the Gospel Book and lifts it up with both hands, saying in a loud voice:)

PRIEST: Wisdom! Attend!

(The Priest enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and places the Gospel Book on the Altar. Meanwhile the Choir sings the Entrance Hymn.)

THE ENTRANCE HYMN

CHOIR: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

(Then the Choir sings the Troparia and the Kontakion of the day.)

(While the Choir sings the Troparia, the Priest prays the Prayer of the Trisagion)

THE PRAYER OF THE TRISAGION

PRIEST:
HOLY God, who restest in thy Holy Place; who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by every heavenly Power; Who out of nothing hast brought all things into being; who hast created man after thine own image and likeness and has adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the Hymn of the Trisagion, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

T H E   T R I S A G I O N    H Y M N

CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy upon us (Thrice)

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

Holy Immortal: have mercy upon us.

[Greek and other non-Russian recensions: Louder! (Dynamis!)]

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy upon us.

(The Priest also says the Trisagion; then he bows toward the Prothesis and quietly says the following prayer:)

PRIEST: (quietly) Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

(Then facing the High Place he says, quietly:)

PRIEST: Blessed are thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who sittest upon the Cherubim: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(If there are pews — traditional Orthodox churches don’t use them — the people sit)

A P O S T L E (Epistle)

PRIEST: Let us attend! Peace be with all.

READER: And to thy spirit.

PRIEST: Wisdom!

READER: The Prokeimenon is in the __th tone: ________________

PRIEST: Wisdom!

(The Reader announces the title of the Epistle)

PRIEST: Let us attend!

(The Reader sings the Epistle for the day. When he has finished the Priest says to the Reader:)

PRIEST: Peace be to thee.

READER: And to thy spirit.

CHOIR: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

(During the reading of the Epistle, the Priest censes the Gospel Book, and reads quietly the prayer before the Gospel.)

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL

PRIEST:
LLUMINE our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy Gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living both thinking and doing such things as are wll pleasing unto thee: for thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Compare to Munda cor meum in the Roman Mass.)

(The People Stand)

G O S P E L

PRIEST: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit

PRIEST: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint N.

CHOIR: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

(The Priest sings the appointed passage from the holy Gospel; when he has finished, the Choir sings:)

CHOIR: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

(The people sit)

(The Priest preaches the sermon. Often this is moved to the end of the service.)

(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with the Gospel Book, and places it before the Altar tabernacle; he unfolds the Antimins, makes the sign of the Cross above it with the sponge, and says the following prayer:)

THE PRAYER OF THE EKTENIA OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

(The people stand)

PRIEST: (aloud) Help us; save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Wisdom:

THE SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST:
GAIN and oftentimes we fall down before thee and beseech thee, O Good Lord who lovest mankind, that looking down upon our petition thou wilt cleanse our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh or spirit; and grant us to stand blameless and without condemnation before thy holy Altar. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us growth in life and faith and spiritual understanding. Grant them always blamelessly to serve thee with fear and love, and to partake without condemnation of thy Holy Mysteries, and to be accounted worthy of thy heavenly Kingdom:

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

CHOIR: Amen.

(The Choir now sings the Cherubimic Hymn as far as the words "the King of all"; meanwhile, the Priest reads the Prayer of the Cherubimic Hymn, and prepares to make the Great Entrance.)

C H E R U B I M I C    H Y M N

CHOIR: Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, now lay aside all earthly care: [Non-Russian: that we may receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.]

THE PRAYER OF THE CHERUBIMIC HYMN

PRIEST: (quietly)
O one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or draw nigh 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 unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Lord of all didst take the name of our High Priest, and deliver unto us the ministry of this liturgic and unbloody sacrifice. For thou alone, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth; who art borne on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, who alone art holy and restest in thy Holy Place.

Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me, a sinner, and thine unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy Table, and perform the sacred Mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee: turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy servants; but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant: for thou thyself are he that offers and is offered, that accepts and is distributed, 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. Amen.

(The Priest now says the Cherubimic Hymn, censes the Altar, the ikons and the people, saying Psalm 50 as he goes. He makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the Antimins and the Altar, turns and bows to the people, and goes to the Prothesis Table; he censes the holy Gifts, bows, and says:)

PRIEST: (quietly) O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy upon me. (Then he takes up the Aer and places it upon his shoulders saying:)

PRIEST: (quietly) Lift up your hands to the holy Places, and bless ye the Lord. (The Priest takes up the Diskarion in his left hand, and the holy Chalice in his right hand, and preceded by the Cross and the taper and censer-bearers proceeds 1) in Russian practice in front of the ikon screen or 2) in other recensions around the Temple, saying aloud:)

PRIEST: The Lord God remember us all in his kingdom, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

(In many churches, the Priest also stands at the foot of the Altar steps and makes remembrances in the following fashion:)

PRIEST: (aloud) Our Most Reverend Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan) N.: the Lord God remember him in his Kingdom always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The civil authorities, and our Armed Forces everywhere: the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The Orthodox servant (s) of God N., (NN.): that they may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, and pardon and remission of sins: the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: The Orthodox servant (s) of God departed this life N. (NN.): the Lord God remember them in his Kingdom always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen. [Russian: That we may receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.]

(Then the Priest enters the Sanctuary while the Choir sings the remainder of the Cherubimic Hymn; he places the holy Gifts on the Altar, saying quietly:)

PRIEST: The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thy spotless body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen and spices, and sorrowing placed it in a new tomb.

In the Grave with the body, but in Hades with the Soul, as God; in Paradise with the Thief, and on the Throne with the Father and Spirit wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.

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

(The Priest censes the holy Gifts thrice, saying quietly the last part of Psalm 50:)

PRIEST: Then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

THE EKTENIA OF THE PROTHESIS

PRIEST: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For the precious Gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: 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.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

PRIEST: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

PRIEST: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Mother 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.

THE PRAYER OF THE PROTHESIS

PRIEST: (quietly)
LORD God Almighty, who alone art holy: who dost accept 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 of the people; And make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee; and that the good spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here offered, and upon all thy people:

PRIEST: (aloud) Through the compassions of thine Only-Begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be to all.

CHOIR: And to thy spirit.

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

CHOIR: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence and undivided.

(The Priest makes three low bows before the Altar, kisses the veil covering the holy Gifts, and says quietly thrice:)

PRIEST: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firm foundation, my refuge, and my deliverer.

PRIEST: (aloud) The Doors! The Doors! In Wisdom let us attend.

T H E    C R E E D

CHOIR [Russian] or CHOIR AND PEOPLE:
BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe 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.

THE ANAPHORA (CONSECRATION) OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Preface: Compare to the Preface in the Roman Mass.

PRIEST: 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.

PRIEST: 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.

PRIEST: 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 turns toward the Altar and prays quietly.)

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

PRIEST: (aloud) Singing, shouting, proclaiming and saying the Triumphal Hymn:

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.

PRIEST: (quietly: Compare to the Canon in the Roman Mass)
ITH these blessed Powers we also, O Master who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit: holy art thou and all-holy, and magnificent is thy glory: Who hast so loved thy world as to give thine Only-begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life; Who when he had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night in which he was betrayed, or rather, gave himself up for the life of the world, took bread in his holy and pure and blameless hands; and when he had given thanks and blessed it, and hallowed it and broken it, he gave it to his holy Disciples and Apostles, saying:

PRIEST: (aloud) Take, eat: this is my Body which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: (quietly) Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying:

(Aloud) Drink ye all of this: this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for any, for the remission of sins.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: (quietly) Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the Grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting at the right hand, and the second and glorious Coming:

(The Priest takes up the Diskarion and the Chalice and elevates them over the Antemension/Antimins; he makes the sign of the Cross with them over the Antimins as he lowers them, saying:)

(Aloud) Thine own of thine own we offer unto thee, in behalf of all, and for all.

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

(The Priest makes a low bow before the Altar, and continues with the Prayer of Consecration)

PRIEST: (Quietly) Again we offer unto thee this reasonable and unbloody service, and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here spread forth:

(The Priest signs the Holy Bread with the sign of the cross, saying quietly:)

And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ; Amen.

(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Chalice, saying quietly:)

And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ; Amen.

(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over both the holy Gifts, saying quietly:)

PRIEST: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit; Amen, Amen, Amen.

(The Priest makes a low bow before the Altar and continues the prayer quietly:)

That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto the remission of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfilment of the kingdom of Heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto judgement nor unto condemnation.

And again we offer unto thee this reasonable service for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every righteous spirit made perfect in faith:

PRIEST: (aloud) Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary:

CHOIR: It is truly meet to bless thee, O Mother of God, who art ever blessed and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without stain barest God the Word, and art truly Mother of God: we magnify thee.

(Meanwhile the Priest continues the prayer quietly)

PRIEST: (quietly) And for the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; the holy glorious, and all-laudable Apsotles; Saint (s) N. (NN.), whose memory we celebrate; and all thy Saints, at whose supplications look down upon us, O God. And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of Resurrection unto life eternal; (especially N., NN.), and grant them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance shines upon them.

And again we beseech thee: be mindful, O Lord, of every Bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly divide the word of thy truth; of all the Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, and of every priestly and monastic order.

And again we offer unto thee this reasonable service, for the whole world, for the holy catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and holiness of life, for all civil Authorities, and our Armed Forces everywhere; grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.

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

CHOIR: And of all men and women.

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

PRIEST: (aloud) And grant us with one mouth and one heart to 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.

(The Priest, turning towards the people, blesses them, saying:)

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

CHOIR: And with thy spirit.

THE EKTENIA BEFORE THE LORD’S PRAYER

(The people sit)

PRIEST: Calling to remembrance all the Saints, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: For the precious Gifts which have been offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

PRIEST: Pardon and remission our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

PRIEST: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgement Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

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

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: (quietly) Unto thee we commend our whole life and our hope, O Master who lovest mankind; and we beseech thee, and pray thee, and supplicate thee: make us worthy to partake of the heavenly and terrible Mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience: unto remission of sins, unto forgiveness of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto boldness towards thee, and not unto judgement nor unto condemnation.

PRIEST: (aloud) And vouchsafe, O Lord, that with boldness and without condmnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:

(The people stand.)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CHOIR (Russian) or CHOIR and 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 evil.

PRIEST: (aloud) 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.

PRIEST: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.

PRIEST: (quietly) We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy measureless power hast made all things, and in the multitude of thy mercy hast brought all things from nothing into being. Do thou thyself, O Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee; for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but to thee, the terrible God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself distribute these gifts here spread forth, unto all of us for good, according to the individual need of each: voyage with those who sail by sea and air; journey with those who travel by land; heal the sick, thou who art the physician of our souls and bodies:

PRIEST: (aloud) Through the grace and compassion and love torward man of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

THE ELEVATION

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

(The Priest makes three low bows before the Altar, saying quietly:)

PRIEST: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy upon me.

(Then the Priest takes up the holy Bread in both hands and elevates it above the Diskarion, saying aloud:)

PRIEST: Let us attend! Holy Things are for the holy.

As the Priest lowers the holy Bread, he makes with it the sign of the Cross, above the Diskarion. Meanwhile, the Choir sings the following Hymn; the people sit.

CHOIR: One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. (The Choir sings the Communion Hymn of the day; on most Sundays, the following Hymn:)

THE COMMUNION HYMN

CHOIR: Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the Highest. Alleluia.

THE COMMUNION

The Priest breaks the holy Bread into four parts with great reverence and care, saying quietly:

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

The Priest arranges the pieces on the rim of the Diskarion in the form of a cross. Then he takes the portion IC and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and places it in, saying quietly:

PRIEST: The fulness of the Cup of the Faith, of the Holy Spirit.

Then the Priest takes the warm water from the Acolyte and blesses it, saying, quietly:

PRIEST: Blessed is the fervour of thy Saints, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Priest pours a sufficient quantity of the warm water into the Chalice crosswise, saying quietly:

PRIEST: The fervour of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then the Priest says quietly the following prayers of preparation for the Holy Communion:

PRIEST:
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 chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

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.

Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto healing of soul and body.

Then the Priest makes a low bow before the Altar and says quietly:

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

The Priest partakes of the particle of the holy Bread XC, saying quietly:

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

Then the Priest takes up the Chalice with its veil, and drinks from it, saying quietly:

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

The Priest wipes his lips and the Chalice with the veil, kisses the Chalice and says quietly:

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

Then the Priest divides the particles NI and KA of the holy Bread and places them in the Chalice for the Communion of the People.

The Priest turns and elevates the Chalice before the people, saying aloud:

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

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

Still facing the people holding the Sacrament the priest reads aloud the prayer I believe, O Lord, and I confess. The people who wish to communicate draw near. The Priest communicates those who have come forward, saying to each person:

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

Meanwhile the Choir sings the Hymn:

[Greek and other non-Russian recensions] CHOIR: 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 theif will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom.
Russian recension: Receive ye the Body of Christ; taste ye of the fountain of immortality.

When all have communicated, the Priest covers the Chalice with the veil and blesses the people with it, saying aloud:

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

CHOIR: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity: for He hath saved us.

Meanwhile the Priest wipes the remaining particles on the Diskarion into the Chalice, saying quietly:

PRIEST: Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated, by thy precious Blood: through the prayers of thy Saints.

Then the Priest covers the Chalice and censes it thrice, saying quietly:

PRIEST: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. Blessed is our God.

The Priest takes the Chalice in his right hand and the Diskarion in his left and turns torward the people; he raises both slowly, with the Chalice above the Diskarion, saying aloud:

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

CHOIR: Amen. Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of thy glory: for thou hast permitted us to partake of thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Keep us in thy holiness so that all the day long we may meditate upon thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Meanwhile the Priest places the Chalice and Diskarion upon the Prothesis Table, and returns to the Altar and folds up the Antimins.

THE EKTENIA OF THANKSGIVING

PRIEST: Attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and terrible Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord have mercy.

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

CHOIR: Lord have mercy.

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

CHOIR: To thee, O Lord.

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

PRIEST: (quietly) 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. Make straight our path; establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps: through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy Saints:

(And making the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with the Gospel Book, the Priest says:)

PRIEST: (aloud) 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 go forth in peace.

CHOIR: In the name of the Lord.

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest comes out the Holy Doors and stands before the Ikon of Christ, and says aloud the following prayer:

THE PRAYER BEHIND THE AMBON

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

CHOIR: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (Thrice.)

The Priest goes into the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and goes to the Prothesis Table, and there quietly says the following prayer:

PRIEST: O Christ our God, who art thyself the fulfilment of the law and the Prophets, who didst fulfil all the dispensation of the Father: fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Priest returns to the Altar and says aloud:

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord have mercy.

Turning and facing the people, the Priest blesses them saying:

PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his grace and love towards man, always: now and ever and unto ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

T H E    D I S M I S S A L

PRIEST: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to thee.

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

PRIEST: May He who rose again from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-laudable Apostles; of our father among the Saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of (patron Saint of the church); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saint(s) N. (NN.), whose memory we celebrate, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us.

CHOIR AND PEOPLE: Amen.

The Priest stands on the lowest step of the stairs before the Holy Doors and gives the people the Antidoron, saying meanwhile:

PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you; always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The people receive the Antidoron and leave the Church quietly and with due reverence.

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