The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
In the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church, the bread and wine used for the Divine Liturgy (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass) are prepared by the priest at a small table located on the left side of the Altar (The Table of Preparation). After he has completed this rite (called Proskomedia) the priest leaves the prepared chalice and paten on the Table of Preparation and goes to the Altar to begin the Divine Liturgy.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
HYMN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
CONGREGATION STANDS
PRIEST: O Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of life, come, and dwell within us, cleanse us from all stain and save our souls, O You who are good.
Then, making each time a reverence, the priest says:
PRIEST: Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace, good will to men (twice)
Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
The priest kisses the Holy Gospel on the Altar and then makes the sign of the cross over the Altar with the Gospel Book, and begins:
DEACON: Give the blessing, Father (Evlogison Dhespota)
PRIEST: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
DURING EASTERTIDE ONLY Priest & People: Christ is risen from the dead, by death He conquering death, and to those in the graves, He granted life (3 Times).
CONGREGATION SITS
LITANY OF PEACE
DEACON: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our holy universal Supreme Pontiff N . . ., the Pope of Rome, for our most Reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan N . . . , for our God-loving Bishop N . . ., for the venerable priesthood, the deacons in Christ, for all clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our civil authorities and all our armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For this city (or: for this village, or: for this holy monastery), for every city, country, and for all-living therein with faith, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For good weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For those who travel by sea, air, and land, for the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
Special intentions are added at this time.
DEACON: That we may be delivered from all afflictions, wrath, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help, save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Remembering our most holy, most pure, most-blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.
PEOPLE: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (silently): Lord our God. Whose might is beyond utterance. and glory is incomprehensible, Whose mercy is measureless, and love of man is ineffable: Yourself O Master, look down with Your mercy upon us, and upon this holy house, and grant to us, and to those who pray with us, the riches of Your mercy, and of Your compassion.
For to You is due all glory and honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
ANTIPHON
CONGREGATION STANDS
CANTOR: Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to His name; give to Him glorious praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
Say to God: How Awesome are Your deeds! Because of Your power Your enemies cringe before You.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
Let all the earth worship You, and sing praises to you; let it sing praises to Your name, O Most High!
Through the prayers of the Mother of God O Savior, save us.
WEEK-DAYS
PEOPLE: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your faithfulness throughout the night.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
For the Lord our God is upright, and there is no wrong in Him.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
CANTOR: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
CONGREGATION STANDS
HYMN OF THE INCARNATION
PEOPLE: O Only-Begotten Son and Word of God, Who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become incarnate of the Holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and became man without change. You were also crucified, O Christ, our God, and by death have trampled death, being one of the Holy Trinity, and glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
THIRD ANTIPHON
PEOPLE: O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
Let us come before Him, giving thanks with songs let us hail the Lord.
O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
A mighty God is the Lord, and a great king over all the earth.
O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
WEEK-DAYS
PEOPLE: O Son of God, wondrous in Your saints, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
Let us come before Him, giving thanks with songs let us hail the Lord.
O Son of God, wondrous in Your saints save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
A mighty God is the Lord, and a great king over all the earth.
O Son of God, wondrous in Your saints, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
LITTLE ENTRANCE
The priest makes three bows, then a procession is formed and the priest carries the Gospel Book around the Altar.
PRIEST (silently): O Lord, our Master and God, Who in heaven established orders and armies of angels and archangels for the service of Your glory, make this our entrance to be an entrance of holy angels, serving together with us, and with us glorifying Your goodness. For to You is due all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Making the sign of the cross towards the Altar, the deacon says:
DEACON: Bless the Holy Entering, Father.
PRIEST: Blessed is the entrance of Your saints, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen
The priest kisses the Gospel Book, elevates it and says aloud:
PRIEST: Wisdom! Be attentive!
PRIEST: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
PEOPLE: O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
WEEK-DAYS
PEOPLE: O Son of God, wondrous in Your saints, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
CONGREGATION SITS
TROPARIA AND KONDAKION
CANTOR: 1. Resurrectional Troparion
- Troparion of the Patron Saint of the Church
- Troparia and Kondakion of the Feast Day
PRAYER OF THE THRICE HOLY GOD
PRIEST (silently): O holy God abiding in the saints, praised by the thrice-holy hymn of the Seraphim, glorified by the Cherubim and adored by all the heavenly powers, You brought all things out of nothingness into being, and created man to Your own image and likeness, and adorned him with Your every gift; You give wisdom and under standing to him who asks, and despising not the sinner, You ordain repentance for salvation. You have allowed us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand at this time before the glory of Your holy altar and to offer to You due adoration and praise. Accept, O Master, from the lips of us sinners the thrice holy hymn, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive us every offense voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our life; through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and all the saints, who have pleased You throughout the ages.
For You, our God are Holy, and to You we give glory, to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
TRISAGION (THRICE-HOLY HYMN)
PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
DEACON: With power! (Dynamis)
PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
DURING EASTER WEEK
PEOPLE: For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Have put on Christ, Alleluia.
For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
EPISTLE
PRIEST (silently): Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed are You on the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim, always, now and ever, and forever.
DEACON: Be attentive!
DEACON: Wisdom!
DEACON: Be attentive!
READER: …
PRIEST: Wisdom!
READER: The reading of the Epistle of N . . .
PRIEST: Let us be attentive!
CONGREGATION SITS
READER: Brethren . . .
When the Epistle is finished the priest intones:
PRIEST: Peace be with you, Reader!
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
CONGREGATION STANDS
GOSPEL
PRIEST (silently): O Gracious Master, pour forth into our hearts the spotless light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that, having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything that pleases You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
DEACON: Wisdom, let us stand upright and listen to the Holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with you.
PEOPLE: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: The reading of the Holy Gospel according to N. . .
PEOPLE: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
The Priest reads the Gospel
After the reading of the Gospel, the priest kisses the closed Gospel Book and places it in the middle of the Altar. The people say:
PEOPLE: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
CONGREGATION SITS
HOMILY
The Priest now gives a sermon.
LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
After the Sermon, the priest begins the:
DEACON: Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say:
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (3 times).
The following verses are optional and may be omitted.
PRIEST (silently): Accept, O Lord our God, this fervent prayer from Your servants and have mercy on us according to Your great mercy, and send down Your benefits upon us and upon all Your people, who expect from You abundant mercies
DEACON: Again we pray for His Holiness, our universal Pontiff N . . . Pope of Rome, and for our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan N . . . , for our God-loving Bishop N . . ., for those who serve and have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
DEACON: We also pray for our civil authorities and for all the armed forces.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Special intentions may be added here.
DEACON: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and abundant mercy, for those who showed us charity, and for all orthodox Christians.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
PRIEST: For You are a merciful and gracious God, and we render glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
MASS OF THE FAITHFUL
PRIEST: All we faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
FIRST PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
PRIEST (silently): We thank You, O Lord God of Powers, for having deemed us worthy to stand, at this time, before Your holy Altar, and to prostrate ourselves before Your mercy, for our sins and for the people’s misgivings. Accept our prayer, O God, and make us worthy to offer to You prayers and supplications, and unbloody sacrifices for all Your people, and enable us, whom You have placed in this Your ministry through the power of Your Holy Spirit, to call upon You at all times and in all places, without condemnation and offense, with a pure testimony of our conscience, that hearing us, You may be merciful to us according to the magnitude of Your goodness.
SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
PRIEST (silently): Again, as so many times before, we fall down before You and entreat You, O gracious Lover of mankind, that You may regard our supplication, cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant that we may stand blameless and without condemnation before Your Holy Altar. Grant also, O God, to those who are praying with us, betterment of life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Grant that they may serve You always with fear and love, that they may blamelessly and without condemnation partake of Your Holy Mysteries, and become worthy of Your heavenly kingdom.
That being ever protected by Your power, we may render glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
LITURGY OF OFFERING
PRIEST (silently): No one who is bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to come to You, to approach You, or to minister to You, the King of glory, for to minister to You is great and awesome, even to the heavenly powers themselves. Yet, because of Your ineffable and boundless love for mankind, though in nature unchanged and unchangeable, You became man and were made our high priest and, as Master of all, gave Into our keeping the holy office of this liturgical and unbloody sacrifice. For You alone, O Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth, and are borne on the cherubic throne, and are the Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, Who alone are holy and dwell in the saints. Therefore, I beseech You, Who alone are gracious and ready to hear me; look favorably upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my heart and soul of an evil conscience, and by power of Your Holy Spirit, enable me, clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this Your holy altar, and offer the sacrifice of Your sacred and most pure body and precious blood. With bowed head, I approach You and implore You, turn not Your face away from me, nor exclude me from among Your children, but allow these gifts to be offered to You by me, Your sinful and unworthy servant; for it is You, O Christ, our God, Who offer and are offered, who receive and are received, and to You we render glory, with Your eternal Father, and Your all holy, gracious and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and for ever. Amen.
CONGREGATION STANDS
Priest raises up his hands and silently says the Cherubimic Hymn 3 times.
CHERUBIMIC HYMN
PEOPLE: Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing the thrice- holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now set aside every earthly cares…
THE GREAT ENTRANCE
The priest goes to the Table of Preparation and takes the diskos and chalice and makes the Great Entrance.
PRIEST: May the Lord God remember in His kingdom, Our Holy universal Supreme Pontiff N . . ., the Pope of Rome, our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan N . . ., and our God loving Bishop N . . ., and the entire priestly, diaconal, and monastic order, our civil authorities, and all our armed forces, the noble and ever memorable founders and benefactors of this holy Church, (our suffering brethren), and all you orthodox Christians, always, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
That we may welcome the King of all, invisibly escorted by angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PRIEST (silently): The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the cross, wrapped it in a clean shroud, and with fragrant spices laid it in burial in a new tomb.
Covering the holy gifts, he says:
PRIEST (silently): In Your goodness, show favor to Sion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, (burnt offerings wholly consumed), then You will be offered young bulls on Your Altar.
LITANY OF THE OFFERTORY
CONGREGATION SITS
DEACON: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the precious gifts placed here, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: That we be delivered from affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER OF OFFERTORY
PRIEST: (silently): O Lord God Almighty, Who alone are Holy and receive the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept the prayer also of us sinners; bring us to Your holy altar, enable us to offer to You gifts and spiritual sacrifice for our sins, and for the people’s transgressions; and deem us also worthy to find favor in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest in us and upon these gifts here present, and upon all Your people.
Through the mercies of Your only-be gotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all holy, gracious and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
CONGREGATION STANDS
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
PEOPLE: And with your Spirit.
THE KISS OF PEACE
DEACON: Let us love one another, so that with one mind we may confess:
PEOPLE: The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in substance and undivided.
The priest make s three bows, kisses the holy gifts covered with the holy veil, the diskos, the chalice, then the edge of the Altar and prays each time:
PRIEST (silently): I will love You, O Lord, my strength, the Lord is my fortress and my refuge.
People greet each other with the Kiss of Peace, saying
DEACON: Christ is with us.
PEOPLE: He is and always will be.
DEACON: In wisdom, let us be attentive.
NICENE CREED
PEOPLE: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. By whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And He became flesh by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And of His kingdom there will be no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, and who spoke through the prophets. And one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And I await the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen.
LITURGY OF SACRIFICE
ANAPHORA
DEACON: Let us stand well, let us stand with fear, let us be attentive, to offer the holy oblation in peace.
PEOPLE: The mercy of peace, the sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
PEOPLE: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: Let us lift up our hearts.
PEOPLE: We have lifted them up to the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
PEOPLE: It is proper and just.
PRIEST (silently): It is proper and just to sing hymns to You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You in every place of Your kingdom; for You are God ineffable inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing, yet ever the same, You, and Your only-begotten Son, and Your Holy Spirit; You brought us forth from non-existence into being, and raised us up again when we had fallen, and left nothing undone, until You brought us to heaven and bestowed upon us Your future kingdom. For all this we give thanks to You, and to Your only-begotten Son, and to Your Holy Spirit, for all that we know and that we do not know, the manifest and the hidden benefits bestowed upon us. We thank You also for this ministry, which You have willed to accept from our hands, even though there stand before You thousands of archangels, myriads of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, six winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft on their wings.
CONSECRATION
PRIEST: singing shouting, crying out and saying the triumphal Hymn:
PEOPLE: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST (silently): With these blessed powers we also, O Master, Lover of men cry and say: Holy are You and all holy, You, and You; only-begotten Son, and Your Holy Spirit; holy are You and all holy and magnificent is Your glory, who so loved Your world that You gave Your only begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but should have life everlasting; Who, having come and having fulfilled the whole Divine plan concerning us, on the night when He was betrayed, or rather, when He surrendered Himself for the life of the world, He took bread into His holy and all pure and Immaculate hands, gave thanks and blessed, (priest blesses bread) sanctified, broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:
PRIEST: Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST (silently): In like manner (the priest blesses chalice) also the chalice, after the supper, saying:
PRIEST: Drink of this all, this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST (silently): Remembering, therefore, this salutary command, and all that was done in our behalf: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven the sitting at the right hand, the second and glorious coming.
The priest lifts the chalice and diskos up and makes the sign of the cross with them, saying:
PRIEST: Thine own of Thine own, we offer You, in behalf of all, and for all.
PEOPLE: We praise You, we bless You, we thank You, O Lord, and we pray to You, our God.
THE EPICLESIS (INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT)
PRIEST (silently): Again we offer to You this spiritual and unbloody sacrifice, and we implore and pray, and entreat You, send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here present.
DEACON: Bless the Holy Bread, Father.
PRIEST: And make this bread the precious body of Your Christ.
DEACON: Amen. Bless the Holy Chalice, Father.
PRIEST: And that which is in this chalice, the precious blood of your Christ.
DEACON: Amen. Bless both, Father.
PRIEST: Having changed them by Your Holy Spirit.
DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen.
PRIEST (silently): So that to those who partake of them, they may be for the purification of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion in Your Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the heavenly kingdom, for confidence in You, not for judgment or condemnation.
COMMEMORATIONS
PRIEST (silently): Moreover, we offer to You this spiritual sacrifice for those who departed in the faith; the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and for every righteous spirit who has died in the faith.
HIRMOS (HYMN TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN)
PRIEST: Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary.
PRIEST: It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the ever-blessed and immaculate and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and be- yond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a Virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.
DURING EASTERTIDE
PEOPLE: The Angel greeted the Blessed Mother: “Hail, O pure Virgin.” And he said again: “Hail, for after three days your Son rose from the grave, and lifted up the dead. Wherefore, O people, rejoice.
“Shine forth, shine forth, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is upon you. O Sion, exult and rejoice today. And you, O pure Mother of God, glory in the resurrection of Him whom you bore.”
PRIEST (silently): For the holy prophet, precursor and Baptist John, for the holy glorious and illustrious apostles, for Saint N . . ., whose memory we celebrate, and for all Your saints, through whose prayers, O God, visit us.
Remember also all who have departed in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life. (Priest mentions those deceased he wishes to remember) And grant them rest where the light of Your face shines.
Moreover, we pray you, O Lord, remember the entire episcopate of the orthodox, who faithfully dispense the word of Your truth, the entire priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all others In holy orders.
We further offer You this spiritual sacrifice for the whole world, for the holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and venerable conduct; for our civil authorities and for all the armed forces. Grant them, O Lord, a peaceful rule, that we also, sharing their tranquillity, may lead a tranquil and calm life in all piety and dignity.
PRIEST: Among the first, O Lord, remember our holy universal Pontiff N . . ., the Pope of Rome, our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan N . . ., our God-loving Bishop N . . ., preserve them for Your holy churches, in peace, safety, honor, and health, for many years, as they faithfully dispense the word of Your truth.
PEOPLE: And for all Your people.
PRIEST (silently): Remember, O Lord, this city in which we dwell and every city and country, and those who live with faith therein. Remember, O Lord, those who travel by sea, air and land, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and their safety and salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bear offerings and perform good deeds in Your holy churches, and those who remember the poor, and upon all of us send down Your mercies. (priest mentions those of the living whom he wishes to remember).
And grant that we, with one voice and one heart, may glorify and praise Your most honorable and sublime name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST: And may the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, be with all of you.
PEOPLE: And with your spirit.
CONGREGATION SITS
LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
DEACON: Having remembered all the saints again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the precious gifts offered and consecrated. Let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord have mercy.
DEACON: That Our God, in His love for man, may receive them on His Holy and heavenly and spiritual Altar, as an aroma of spiritual fragrance, and send down upon us in return the divine grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
AITESIS
DEACON: That this whole day may be perfect holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: For what is good and beneficial to our souls and for peace in the world, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: For a Christian, painless, blameless, peaceful end of our life, and for a good account before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us beseech the Lord.
PEOPLE: Grant it, O Lord.
DEACON: Having prayed for unity of faith, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ, our God.
PEOPLE: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST’S PRAYER FOR A WORTHY COMMUNION
PRIEST (silently): In You, O Gracious Master, we place our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray and implore You: make us worthy to partake with a pure conscience of Your heavenly and awesome mysteries from this sacred and spiritual altar, for the remission of sins, for the pardon of transgressions, for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, for confidence in You, and not for judgment, nor condemnation.
And grant, O Master, that we may with confidence and without condemnation dare call upon You, heavenly God, the Father, and say:
CONGREGATION STANDS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
PEOPLE: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: Bow your heads to the Lord.
PEOPLE: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (silently): We give You thanks, O invisible King, Who by Your immeasurable power has fashioned all things, and in the greatness of Your mercy has brought all things out of non-existence into being. Look down from heaven, O Lord, upon those who have bowed their heads unto You, for they do not bow to flesh and blood, but to You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, grant us of these gifts present before us for our good, according to the need of each; sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, cure those who are sick, O Physician of souls and bodies.
Through the grace, the mercies and the loving kindness of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST (silently): Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You Who are seated on high with the Father, and dwell here invisibly among us, and deem it proper to impart to us, with Your mighty hand, Your most pure body and precious blood, and through us, to all Your people.
PEOPLE: O God, be merciful to me, a sinner (3 times).
ELEVATION
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
PRIEST: Holy things for the holy.
PEOPLE: One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, for the glory of God the Father. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMN
CANTOR: Praise the Lord from the heavens, Praise Him in the highest. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
EASTERTIDE ONLY
People: Receive the Body of Christ, taste of the Source of life (3 times) .
BREAKING OF THE LAMB
Priest reverently breaks the Lamb into four parts and says:
DEACON: Break the Holy Bread, Master.
PRIEST (silently): Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken yet not divided, ever eaten yet never consumed, but sanctifying the communicants.
Priest takes the Holy Eucharist, saying:
PRIEST (silently): The precious and most holy body of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is given to me N . . ., a priest, for the remission of my sins and life everlasting. Amen.
IC
NI KA
XC
The portion IC is placed in the chalice. The portion XC is for the communion of the celebrants. The other two portions, NI and KA are broken for the communion of the faithful people.
COMMUNION OF THE CELEBRANTS
PEOPLE: O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe and profess that this is truly Your most precious Body and Your life-giving Blood. Wherefore I pray to You: have mercy on me and pardon my offenses, the deliberate and the indeliberate, those committed in word and in deed, whether knowingly or inadvertently. And count me worthy to share, without condemnation, Your pure mysteries for the remission of sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
CANTOR: May the partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment, or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.
The priest partakes of the Precious Blood and says:
PRIEST (silently): I the servant of God, priest N . . . partake of the precious and Holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
He wipes his lips and the edge of the chalice with the towel and says:
PRIEST (silently): Behold, this has touched my lips, and shall take away my iniquities, and shall cleanse my sins.
Priest turns to people and says:
PRIEST: With fear of God and faith approach.
Those going to communion go to the altar.
CANTOR: Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has revealed Himself to us.
Priest giving Communion to each says:
PRIEST: The servant of God N . . ., partakes of the precious, most holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of his (her) sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
While the priest gives Communion to the people the congregation sings an appropriate hymn.
CANTOR: Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mysteries to our enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess to You: Remember me, O Lord, remember me, O Holy One, remember me, O God, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
PRIEST: Save Your people, O God, and bless Your inheritance.
PEOPLE: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, and we adore the undivided Trinity as it has saved us.
PRIEST (silently): Be You exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory all over the earth. Blessed be our God always, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
The priest goes to the Table of Preparation to consume the remainder or the Sacred Species. The altar boy pours wine and water into the chalice and the priest washes his fingers. The people sing the following while the priest is doing that:
PEOPLE: May our mouths be filled with Your praise, O Lord, so that we may sing Your glory, for You have deemed us worthy to partake of Your holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, so that all day long we may learn Your righteousness. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
LITURGY OF THANKSGIVING
CONGREGATION STANDS
DEACON: Having received the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly and life-giving, awesome mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
We give thanks to You, O Master lover of mankind benefactor of our souls, that even this day You have deemed us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our path, confirm us in our fear of You, 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 Your saints.
PRIEST: For You are our sanctification, and we render glory to You. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST: Let us go forth in peace.
PEOPLE: In the name of the Lord.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: O Lord, Who bless those who bless You, and sanctify those who trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, preserve the fullness of Your Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house; glorify them by Your divine power, and do not forsake us who hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the priests, to our civil authorities and to all Your people. For every good bestowal and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights; and we render glory, thanksgiving, and adoration to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and for ever (3 times).
PRIEST (silently): You, O Christ, Our God, Who are the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, have fulfilled the whole plan of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord have mercy.
THE DISMISSAL
PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST: Glory be to You, O Christ, our God, our Hope: Glory be to You.
DURING THE YEAR
PEOPLE: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Bless us.
DURING EASTERTIDE
PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Bless us.
PRIEST: May Christ, our true God, risen from the dead, through the prayers of His most Holy Mother, and of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, and our holy father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and of Saint (N . . . whose church it is) and of Saint (N . . . whose feast it is) and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is gracious and loves mankind.
PEOPLE: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
DURING EASTERTIDE
PRIEST & PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead, by death He conquering death , and to those in the graves, He granted life (3 times).