The Holy Qurbana
according to
The Syro-Chaldean Rite
(Nestorian)
As the Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Altar Gospel book, saying the following prayer, the Deacon shall receive the blessing with his stole in his right hand, facing the Holy Altar:
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir Amen.
THE LITURGY
Shema
While the Celebrant sings the following verses, the Deacon shall hold the stole in his right hand over his heart:
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Hear, O Israel, thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself, on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.
The Celebrant shall bless the incense and cense the Altar, the doors, and the Congregation, the Deacon shall accompany the priest with his stole over his left forearm.
Let this incense be blessed by Him in Whose honor it shall be burnt; and may the Lord enkindle within us the Fire of His Love, and the flame of everlasting Charity.
During the censing the Hymn ' We Will Enter His Gates' is sung.
After the censing, the Celebrant shall return to the center of the Altar, the Deacon hold his stole eye level
Celebrant: Glory be to God on high and on earth peace, good will to all beings, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Deacon rests his stole on his left fore-arm, saying
Deacon: Amen.
Celebrant: Our Father in Heaven! Hallowed by Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth.
Choir: Give us bread for our needs from day to day, and forgive us our offenses, as we have forgiven our offend-ers, and do not let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Celebrant reads the proper Introit for the appointed Mass.
Introit
The Celebrant intones the 'Glory be to God,' the Deacon calls the Congregation to worship during the first few words, then holds the stole over his heart, until the end of the prayer, when he blesses himself.
Celebrant: Glory be to God on high!
Choir: And on earth peace, good will to all. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. O Lord, God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only
begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only O Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, art most high in the glory + of God the Father. Amen.
The Celebrant then intones the Proper Collects for the appoint-ed Mass or the Deacon intones the Great Litany.
Collects
Celebrant: The Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us pray: ....
Choir: Amen.
Great Litany
The Deacon intones the Great Litany with the call to worship during 'In peace, let us pray...' at the start of each sentence he elevates his stole to eye level then to his heart during the choir's responses
Deacon: In peace let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy, or Kyrie Eleison.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: for the peace of God, and for the welfare of the Holy Churches of God, for our Catholicos, Mar N. .. for our Metropolitan, Mar N., .. for our Archbishop, Mar N., for our Bishop Mar N., for the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for the faithful, and for the union of all the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: For our president N..., for our governor N..., for all in civil authority, for the Armed Forces, that the Lord will guide their steps, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Deacon: for the sick and the suffering, that He will deliver us from tribulation, danger, fear and want, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: Calling into remembrance out Holy, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary the Mother of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with all the Saints, let us commend our-selves and each other and all our lives unto Christ Our Lord!
Choir: To Thee O Lord!
Deacon: For unto Thee are due all Glory, Honor, and Wor-ship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages!
Choir: Amen.
Celebrant: Praise the Lord for He is Good!
Choir: For his mercy endureth forever.
Trisagion Hymn
Deacon uses his stole to call to worship at the beginning, then at the start of Holy God, the stole goes to eye level, then to the heart.
Deacon: Lift up your voices and glorify the Living God!
Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us (3x)
Celebrant: Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Now and ever, unto ages of ages!
Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant censes the Altar during the Trisagion Hymn, the doors, and the Congregation.
The Little Entrance
Deacon with his stole hanging down by his side, carries the Altar Gospel Book above his head, around the Church from the Altar then back to the Altar with the Sub-Deacon and Acolytes carrying the censers, tapers, and processional cross. The Deacon returns the Altar Gospel Book to the Celebrant who blesses the Congregation; during the blessing, the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole. A Hymn is sung.
Marmeetha (Appointed Psalms)
One of the Acolytes or laity shall read the appointed Psalm from their place.
After the reading of the Psalm, the reader states:
This is the Word of the Lord!
Choir: Thanks be unto God!
One of the Subdeacons shall receive the Epistle Book from the Celebrant for the reading of the Epistle or the Qiryane (Old Testament Lections).
Epistle
Subdeacon: Wisdom! Let us Attend!
The Lessons from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle N... to the N... or to the Whole Church!
OR
The Lesson from the Book of
(After the reading of the Epistle)
Subdeacon: This is the Word of the Lord!
Choir: Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord!
The Subdeacon returns the Epistle book to the Celebrant and returns to his
place.)
Gospel
The choir sings an appropriate hymn while the Gospel Procession is formed by the Subdeacon, acolytes with proces-sional cross, tapers, censers. The Deacon approaches the Celebrant with his stole in his right hand, asks the Celebrant's blessing; after receiving the blessing, the Deacon receives the Altar Gospel Book from the Celebrant, the Deacon joins the Gospel Procession, processes around the Church, ending midway in the central aisle; the Deacon presents the Gospel Book to one of the sub-Deacon who holds the Book while the Deacon sings the gospel; the Deacon also censes the Gospel Book before and after the reading.
Deacon: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel!
The Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Deacon: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St N...
Deacon censes the Gospel Book
Choir:
Glory be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ!
After the reading of the Gospel
Deacon: This is the Gospel of the Lord!
Deacon censes the Gospel book
Choir: Praise be unto thee, Lord Jesus Christ!
The Gospel procession returns to the Altar with the Deacon carrying the Gospel book above his head to the Celebrant; the Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Gospel Book then places it aback upon the Altar.
The Creed As the Celebrant intones the Creed, the Deacon with his stole in his right hand calls the Congregation to worship, then holds the stole over his heart, at the conclusion, he blesses himself with his stole. Either the Nicene or Apostles' Creed is sung.
Nicene Creed
Celebrant: I believe in One God,
Choir: The Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven [profound bow] and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man [profound bow] and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; He 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 never end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father; who together with the Father and the Son [profound bow] together is wor-shipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the Resurrection of the dead; and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
Apostles' Creed
Celebrant: I believe in One God,
Choir: the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; Who was con-ceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried [profound bow] He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and
the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen
During the Creed, the Celebrant unfolds the Antimin and pre-pares the Altar for reception of the Holy Gifts during the Great Entrance; after the Creed, the Celebrant may give the sermon or deliver the sermon after the Mass is completed.
The Great Entrance
The Offertory Procession is formed with the processional cross, tapers censers, sub-Deacons, the Deacon carrying the paten (peelasa or diskos) and the Celebrant- the chalice (or kasa) from the prothesis Altar, around the Church to the Main Altar, the Choir sings appropriate hymns. After arranging the gifts upon the Antimin, the Celebrant sings the proper Offertory verses.
Offertory
The Celebrant intones the Offertory Sentences, blesses those who shall take up the collection, saying:
Celebrant: Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy brans be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst forth with new wine. (Bring ye all the tithes into the store house, and prove Me herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, that if I do not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, there shall not be room enough to receive it.) To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
While the tithes and offerings are collected, the Celebrant recites either the short or traditional offertory prayers after removing the diskos and chalice covers.
While removing the covers, the Celebrant says:
Celebrant: Let us send up praise to the Glorious Trinity. May Christ, our True God, Who was sacrificed for our salva-tion and who commanded us to make a perpetual memorial of His death and resurrection, received this sacrifice to His Honor and Glory, now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen.
Short Offertory Prayers
Celebrant: What shall I render unto the Lord, for all the Lord has rendered unto me? I shall take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord Our God!
Receive O Holy Trinity, this offering which I present unto Thee, in memory of the Blessed Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord and Savior. Grant that it might ascend worthily in Thy sight and may bring about my eternal salvation and that of all Thy + Faithful people.
Traditional Offertory
Celebrant removes the star cover from the paten or Peelasa, strikes the paten in a form of a cross, saying;
Celebrant: Blessed ar thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Uni-verse, who hath given us this bread, fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, that shall become for us the Bread of Life.
or the Celebrant may use the ancient Aramaic-Hebrew form:
Celebrant: Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu, Melech Ha-olam, Ha-motzi Lechem Min H-Aretz.
The Celebrant then uncovers the chalice, saying:
Blessed ar thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who hath given us this cup, this wine, fruit of the vine and the work of human hands, that shall become our Spiritual Drink.
or the Aramaic-Hebrew form:
Celebrant: Barach Atah Elohenu, Melech Ha-olam Borai Pri Hagofin.
The sub-Deacon receives the tithes and offerings from the Congregation and presents them unto the Deacon. The Deacon holds the plates for the Celebrant to bless, then places them on a side table or under the credence table, but never are they placed on the Altar.
Rite of Repentance
Deacon makes the call to worship as he intones the repentance prayer, then holds the stole over his heart.
Deacon Let us confess our sins and transgressions unto the Lord, in purity and contrition, stand in reverence and behold the Mysteries being hallowed. Cast down thine eyes and stretch forth thy arms and thoughts to Heaven.
Observe a brief moment for reflection of sins and short-comings.
Choir: O Lord Our God of Hosts, by Thy mercy and Thy grace, forgive us our sins that hath separated our thoughts and minds from Thee, and count us worthy to offer before Thee, this Living and Holy Sacrifice and keep us worthy by Thy Body and Blood to stand with boldness before Thee, at the day of judgment. Amen.
The Deacon shall cense the gifts and the Altar, while the Celebrant shall descend from the Altar to the Bema (between the Sanctuary and the Holy Doors to pronounce the Absolution Prayer, saying:
Celebrant: Christ, Our True God, absolve + and remit Thee thy sins and preserve Thee worthy of these Holy Mysteries, to stand blameless before Him at the day of judgment. And may the Grace + of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with Thee, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Celebrant then approaches the Altar. The acolyte then presents to the Celebrant the cruet of water for the Celebrant to bless; the acolyte then washes the Celebrant's hands; during the washing of the hands, the Celebrant recites the following prayer, saying:
Celebrant: I shall wash my hands in innocency, O Lord and so shall I compass Thy Altar; that I may hear the voice of Thy praise and tell of all Thy wondrous works. I have loved, O Lord the beauty of Thy House and the Place wherein Thy Glory dwells. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Celebrant returns to the center of the altar, kisses the Altar, saying:
Celebrant: In a humble spirit and with a contrite heart, may we be received by Thee, O Lord, and may our sacrifice be so performed that it be received by Thee this day, and be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.
The acolyte shall then present the cruet of water to the Celebrant, who taketh the cruet and poureth a few drops of water into the chalice(s) then returns the cruet to the acolyte. While pouring the water, the Celebrant
saith:
Celebrant: May this mingling of Water and Wine which are now inseparable, remind us that Christ hath joined Himself to our humanity and our humanity is being joined to His Deity, never to be separated.
The Kiss of Peace
The choir shall sing the Hymn, 'We are one in the Bond of Love' then the Celebrant shall pronounce the following:
Celebrant: As the Sacred Scripture instructs us, 'Pray ye one for another that ye might be healed.'
The Congregation and clergy shall pray for one another, either in the Spirit, or in the Understanding. Then the Celebrant shall intone, once again, the Hymn 'We are One in the Bond of Love' and then pronounce the
Sentence of Peace and bless the Congregation saying:
Celebrant: As our Beloved Lord Jesus Christ hath said, 'Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.'
Celebrant: Peace be + with you!
Choir: And with Thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us, therefore, give one another the Holy Kiss of Peace.
Preface
Celebrant: Christ is in the midst of us! Christ is truly here! Christ is in the midst of Us!
Deacon: He is and shall always be with us!
Celebrant: The Grace of the Lord Jesus + Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrating Bishop: Brethren, fellow-bishops, fellow-servitors, priests, pray for me!
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts!
Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord!
Celebrant: Let us give thanks, praise, and worship unto the Lord our God!
Choir: It is meet and right so to do
OR It is meet and right to give Him thanks, praise and worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
Celebrant: It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, service and honor that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God.
[Proper preface of the season]
Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify Thy Glorious Name; evermore praising Thee and singing:
[the following verse is the traditional form for singing, followed by the traditional spoken verse, during which bells are rung and censer used.]
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory. Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest! Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!
Choir: It is meet and right to give Him thanks, praise and worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
Celebrant: It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, service, and honor, that we should at all times and all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God.
Canon of the Mass
The first Canon of the Mass below, the Canon of the Apostles, is used except on those feasts and during those seasons when the Canon of Mar Theodorus, or the Canon of Mar Nestorius are appointed.
Canon of the Apostles
Celebrant: And with these Heavenly Hosts, We also, O Master, who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say, 'Holy art Thou and All-Holy and Thine only Begotten Son and Thy Holy Spirit; Holy art thou and All Holy and magnificent is Thy Glory; Who hast so loved the world as to even give Thine only Begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Who, when He had come and fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night He was betrayed, or rather surrendered Himself for the life of the world, took bread in His Holy, Pure and Blameless Hands; and when He had
given thanks, Blessed + it, He gave it to His Holy Apostles and Disciples, saying,
During the words of consecration, the Deacon points to the paten with his stole, during the elevation and epiclesis; the sub-Deacons and acolytes ring the bells and cense the gifts.
Celebrant: Take, Eat, This is My Body, which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.
[Elevation]
[Song of Worship: Bread of Heaven]
The Celebrant genuflects, then takes up the Chalice, saying:
Celebrant: He took the cup, again, He gave Thee thanks, Blessed + it, and gave it to His Holy Apostles and Disciples, saying: Drink ye all of This: This is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many,
for the remission of sins.
[Elevation]
Celebrant: Behold the Blood of the New Covenant which Christ Our God hath given unto us. For he hath said, 'When I see the Blood, I will pass over you.'
(Song of Worship: When I see the Blood)
The Celebrant genuflects, with arms outstretched in a form of a cross and says:
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
The Celebrant takes up the Chalice in his right hand, the paten in his left hand, crosses arms
Choir: We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Our God!
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Celebrant returns the paten and chalice to the Altar and starts the Epiclesis; as sub Deacon censes.
Celebrant: Again and 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:
Bless, Hallow, and Make this + Bread, the Precious Body of Thy Christ; and that which is in this + Cup, the Precious Blood of Thy Christ, changing them by thy Presence and by Thy Holy Spirit.
Choir: Amen, Amen, Amen.
(Hymn of Worship)
Canon of Mar Theodorus
The Canon of Mar Theodorus is said from the First Sunday of Soobara, Advent, until Sunday of Hosanna, Palm Sunday.
Celebrant: Holy is his Name and holy is his habitation and he sanctifieth in truth all those who are made worthy to receive the gift of His Grace. We lift up praise and honor and confession and adoration to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
By His hands, he fulfilled and perfected all this great and wonderful dispensation, which had been prepared in thy foreknowledge from before the foundation of the world. Thou hast fulfilled it now in the end of the ages, through thy Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And He is the head of the Church, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God and hath sanctified us by the offering of his Body once and made peace by the Blood of his cross to things in heaven and to things on earth, through him, who
was delivered for our sins and rose that we might be justified.
And with his Holy Apostles in that night in which He was betrayed, he Celebrated this great and Holy and Divine Mystery.
Taking the bread in his holy hands, he blessed + and broke and gave to His disciples and said, This is my Body which is broken for the life of the world for the remission of sins.
[elevation]
Celebrant: This is the Bread that came down from heaven that one should eat thereof and not die. 'Behold the Bread that I give you is my flesh, which I give for the Life of the World.'
In the same manner, also he gave thanks over the Cup and gave it to them and said:
This is my Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for the remission of sins.
[elevation]
Celebrant: Behold the Blood of the New Covenant which Christ Our God hath given unto us. For he hath said, 'When I see the Blood, I will pass over you.'
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Epiclesis
Celebrant: We beseech thee, O Lord and we pray thee, we worship thee, we entreat thee, may there come upon us and upon this oblation the grace of the Holy Spirit to dwell and rest upon this + bread and upon this + cup and bless and consecrate and seal them, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. By the Power of Thy Name may this bread become the Holy Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and this cup the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Canon of Mar Nestorius
Canon of Mar Nestorius is said several times a year: on Djinkha (Epiphany), Friday of Mar Yokhannan Mamdana (John the Baptist), and Piskha (Maundy Thursday).
Celebrant: And with these Heavenly Hosts, We also, O Master, who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say, 'Holy art Thou and All-Holy and Thine only Begotten Son and Thy Holy Spirit; Holy art thou and All Holy and magnificent is Thy Glory; Who hast so loved the world as to even give Thine only Begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
When the time approached in which He had to endure the passion and draw near death, in the night He was delivered for the life of the world (after he had kept the Passover with His disciples according to the Law of Moses, he instituted his own Passover before he died, even this which we do for his remembrance as he entrusted it unto us until he be revealed from heaven. For our Passover is Christ who was slain for us.)
After the supper of the Passover of the Law of Moses, He took bread in his holy, spotless and undefiled hands, and blessed + and broke and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take ye all of it, this is my Body which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
[elevation and song of worship]
In like manner, also he mixed the cup with wine and water and blessed + and gave thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, drink ye all of it. This is my Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
[elevation and song of worship]
Therefore, whosoever in true faith draws near and partakes of these divine Mysteries, let them be to him, O my Lord, for the pardon of debts and for the remission of sins and for the resurrection from the dead and for the new life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Epiclesis
Celebrant: With one accord, we make supplication to thine adorable Godhead that renewest all creation. And may there come, O my Lord, the Grace of thy Holy Spirit, and may He dwell and rest upon this oblation which we offer before thee. May he bless and consecrate it and make + this bread and this + cup to be the +Body and + Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and do thou change and consecrate them by the operation of the Holy + Spirit in such wise that the taking of these glorious and holy Mysteries may be to all those who receive them, unto eternal life and resurrection from the dead and absolution of the body and of the soul, and unto the light of knowledge and to the openness of face before thee and unto the eternal salvation which thou hast promised us through our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may all cleave together in one accord, in the bond of love and of peace that we may be one body and one spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
[Hymn of Praise]
The Reading of the Diptychs
Celebrant: O Lord God of Hosts, accept this offering for the Holy Catholic Church and for all the Fathers who have been pleasing in thy sight, and for all thy holy Prophets and Apostles and Martyrs and Confessors and for the
mourners and for the needy and the sick and the afflicted [pausing now to mention those for whom the Celebrant wishes to pray from the Diptychs Book and for the Congregation's intentions] and for all who have gone from among us [pause ...]; and for this thy people who look for and await thy mercies [once again pausing]: O Christ, the peace of those above and the great tranquility of those below, grant us thy peace which passeth all our under-standing, keep our hearts and minds in thy love and may thy peace dwell in all the world. And especially within thy holy Church, we pray for
our Catholicos Mar N...., for our Metropolitan Mar N..., for our Archbishop, Mar N..., and for our Bishop Mar N..., grant peace to thy priesthood, and to thy nations, make wars to cease and scatter the peoples that delight in war, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all sobriety and godliness.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
[As the Lord's Prayer is sung, the Deacon with his stole calls the people to worship, then holds the stole over his heart]
The Aramaic Lord's Prayer
Celebrant, Clergy and Choir:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth. Give us bread for our needs from day to day, and forgive us our offenses, as we have forgiven our offenders, and do not
let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
Celebrant: Praise the Lord for he is good!
Choir: For his mercy endureth forever!
[Celebrant takes the paten and chalice into his hands and blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts while the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole]
Celebrant: O Lord our God, raw this thy people unto these thy glorious and holy mysteries. Bless + us, sanctify us, hallow us and change us into thy holy image.
Either of the two following fraction prayers may be used
Short Fraction Prayer
[Celebrant fractions the right side of the Lamb of God, then divides the Lamb into four parts arranging them on the paten on the outer edge in the form of the cross, saying:]
Celebrant: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not disunited, ever eat, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth the partakers thereof, the fullness of the cup of faith and of the Holy Spirit!
[Celebrant then takes the IC or upper portion of the seal and blesses the chalice and drops this portion into the chalice, saying:]
One of the soldiers pierced his side and there came forth blood and water.
Traditional Fraction
[Celebrant takes the Lamb of God from the paten, saying:
Celebrant: Praise be unto thy holy Name, O Lord Jesus Christ at all times forever. Thou art the living and life-giving bread which came down from heaven; We shall draw near, O Lord in thy true faith to these holy Mysteries and by thy compassion we break the Body [here the Celebrant breaks the seal in half vertically, the left half he replaces on the paten with the broken seal edge upwards. He signs the cup with the right half, saying:]
And by thy goodness, we sign the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
[Celebrant signs the body in the same manner, saying:]
Celebrant: and we sign the holy Body with the atoning Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
[Celebrant then holds up the loaf, rejoined, in his two hands, saying:]
Celebrant: These holy and lifegiving Mysteries are co-mingled and sealed one to another in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant then separates the two halves, fractions it into the four parts, forming the cross on the outer edge of the paten, saying:
Christ's Body and Christ's Blood were separated in death, but were reunited in His Glorious Resurrection. And when he ascended into heaven, he ascended up with his own Body and blood, death having no more dominion over him, and because he lives, we too shall live forever!
Celebrant: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not disunited, ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth the partakers thereof, the fullness of the cup of faith and of the Holy Spirit!
Celebrant takes the IC portion and blesses the chalice, then drops it into the precious Blood, saying:
One of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and there came forth blood and water.
The peace + of the Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us all draw near with awe and reverence [he lifts up his hands in prayer] May the peace of the Lord dwell always in our hearts, and may our tongues proclaim thy truth and may thy Cross the Guardian of our souls while we make harps of our mouths, and speak in new tongues with the lips of fire.
Celebrant elevates the paten and chalice while the Deacon points to them with his stole
Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sins of the world.
Choir: O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Celebrant: Let us make our Act of Faith together:
Celebrant and Choir: I believe, O Lord and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I believe that this is truly thine own precious Body and this is truly thine own precious Blood. Make me worthy to partake of these divine Mysteries, unto remission of sins, and unto Life everlasting. Amen.
Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts while the Deacon receive the blessing with his stole
Celebrant: Holy things for God's holy + people! One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.
Communion
Celebrant: Praise be unto thee, O Christ, the Light of the world: the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto me, N..., unworthy priest (bishop) for the remission of my sins, for the healing of my soul and body, unto life everlasting. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant receives the Body of Christ, then immediately takes up the eucharistic spoon and removes the fraction particle from the chalice and partakes thereof, places the spoon on the sponge, genuflects, rises to drink of the chalice three times, saying:
Celebrant: Praise be unto thee, O Christ, the hope of all who put their trust in thee: the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto me, N..., unworthy priest (bishop) for the remission of my sins, for healing of my soul and body, unto life everlasting. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant then delivers Communion to all other clergy, according to their respective office, saying:
Celebrant: The Body of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto thee, N..., a [priest, Deacon, sub- Deacon, etc.,) in Christ a servant of the Lord, for The remission of all thy sins.
The Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto thee, N..., a [priest, Deacon, sub-Deacon, etc., in Christ, a servant of the Lord, for the remission of all thy sins.
Celebrant then raises the Holy Gifts towards the Congregation, saying:
Celebrant: The gift of grace of our Lord Jesus Christ + the Lifegiver, be fulfilled in his mercy to us all. With faith and reverence and love, draw near.
The altars are open to all who have a need or a desire for the Living and True Christ to touch their lives in Holy Communion.
Appropriate hymns or music are played during the Congregation's Communion.
After Communion, the Celebrant returns to the Altar and once again blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts, saying:
May the Lord our God remember us all in his Kingdom; 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. Glory be unto God who hath saved us.
Celebrant then presents the paten and chalice with the spoon in it unto the Deacon. The Deacon receives the paten and chalice with his stole over his left forearm. He then takes the paten and chalice to the Altar of Prothesis where he purifies them.
Proper Post-Communion Prayers
Celebrant with arms held in intercessory prayers, intones the prayers(s), saying:
Celebrant: Let us pray .... concluding with 'Through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee, in unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Final Blessing
Celebrant takes up the blessing Cross, faces the Congregation with his left hand on the Altar and blesses the Congregation while the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole in his right hand.
Celebrant: May the Peace of God which passeth all our understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and in the fullness of His Holy Spirit: The blessing of God Almighty + the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
OR
May the blessing of the + Lord and his mercy be upon you, through his grace and his love for mankind at all times, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
OR
May he who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, according to His promise, as He hath said, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood, hath eternal life and I shall raise him up
at the last day.
May Christ our True God, who hath risen from the dead, have mercy upon you, seal you and + guard you with the living sign of His Cross from all harm hidden and open, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace!
Choir: In the Name of the Lord!
Liturgy of the Assyrian Church of the East
These selections are from the liturgy used by the Assyrian Church of the East. It is a very ancient Church which uses classical Aramaic (the language used by our Lord) for its liturgy. Recently their Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV signed a Common Declaration on Christology with Pope John Paul II healing a doctrinal dispute dating from the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. The Church of the East is centered primarily in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Syria (and has suffered much persecution from those predominately Moslem lands.) In the past couple of decades many thousands have emigrated to Canada, America, Australia and Sweden. The current Patriarch resides in the USA. The text followed for these extracts comes from Australia. Breaks in sequence are indicated by a line.
Priest: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, for ever.
Glory to God in the highest (three times)
and on earth peace and good hope to men of all times for ever. Amen.
All pray: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come.
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, our Father in heaven.
Heaven and earth are full of the greatness of Thy glory;
angels and men cry out to Thee:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed by Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
as in heaven so on earth.
Give us the bread of our need this day,
and forgive us our offences,
as we have forgiven those who have
offended us.
And bring us not into trial
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
according to
The Syro-Chaldean Rite
(Nestorian)
As the Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Altar Gospel book, saying the following prayer, the Deacon shall receive the blessing with his stole in his right hand, facing the Holy Altar:
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir Amen.
THE LITURGY
Shema
While the Celebrant sings the following verses, the Deacon shall hold the stole in his right hand over his heart:
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Hear, O Israel, thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself, on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.
The Celebrant shall bless the incense and cense the Altar, the doors, and the Congregation, the Deacon shall accompany the priest with his stole over his left forearm.
Let this incense be blessed by Him in Whose honor it shall be burnt; and may the Lord enkindle within us the Fire of His Love, and the flame of everlasting Charity.
During the censing the Hymn ' We Will Enter His Gates' is sung.
After the censing, the Celebrant shall return to the center of the Altar, the Deacon hold his stole eye level
Celebrant: Glory be to God on high and on earth peace, good will to all beings, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Deacon rests his stole on his left fore-arm, saying
Deacon: Amen.
Celebrant: Our Father in Heaven! Hallowed by Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth.
Choir: Give us bread for our needs from day to day, and forgive us our offenses, as we have forgiven our offend-ers, and do not let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Celebrant reads the proper Introit for the appointed Mass.
Introit
The Celebrant intones the 'Glory be to God,' the Deacon calls the Congregation to worship during the first few words, then holds the stole over his heart, until the end of the prayer, when he blesses himself.
Celebrant: Glory be to God on high!
Choir: And on earth peace, good will to all. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. O Lord, God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only
begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only O Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, art most high in the glory + of God the Father. Amen.
The Celebrant then intones the Proper Collects for the appoint-ed Mass or the Deacon intones the Great Litany.
Collects
Celebrant: The Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us pray: ....
Choir: Amen.
Great Litany
The Deacon intones the Great Litany with the call to worship during 'In peace, let us pray...' at the start of each sentence he elevates his stole to eye level then to his heart during the choir's responses
Deacon: In peace let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy, or Kyrie Eleison.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: for the peace of God, and for the welfare of the Holy Churches of God, for our Catholicos, Mar N. .. for our Metropolitan, Mar N., .. for our Archbishop, Mar N., for our Bishop Mar N., for the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for the faithful, and for the union of all the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: For our president N..., for our governor N..., for all in civil authority, for the Armed Forces, that the Lord will guide their steps, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Deacon: for the sick and the suffering, that He will deliver us from tribulation, danger, fear and want, let us pray unto the Lord!
Choir: Lord have mercy!
Deacon: Calling into remembrance out Holy, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, Mary the Mother of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with all the Saints, let us commend our-selves and each other and all our lives unto Christ Our Lord!
Choir: To Thee O Lord!
Deacon: For unto Thee are due all Glory, Honor, and Wor-ship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages!
Choir: Amen.
Celebrant: Praise the Lord for He is Good!
Choir: For his mercy endureth forever.
Trisagion Hymn
Deacon uses his stole to call to worship at the beginning, then at the start of Holy God, the stole goes to eye level, then to the heart.
Deacon: Lift up your voices and glorify the Living God!
Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us (3x)
Celebrant: Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Now and ever, unto ages of ages!
Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant censes the Altar during the Trisagion Hymn, the doors, and the Congregation.
The Little Entrance
Deacon with his stole hanging down by his side, carries the Altar Gospel Book above his head, around the Church from the Altar then back to the Altar with the Sub-Deacon and Acolytes carrying the censers, tapers, and processional cross. The Deacon returns the Altar Gospel Book to the Celebrant who blesses the Congregation; during the blessing, the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole. A Hymn is sung.
Marmeetha (Appointed Psalms)
One of the Acolytes or laity shall read the appointed Psalm from their place.
After the reading of the Psalm, the reader states:
This is the Word of the Lord!
Choir: Thanks be unto God!
One of the Subdeacons shall receive the Epistle Book from the Celebrant for the reading of the Epistle or the Qiryane (Old Testament Lections).
Epistle
Subdeacon: Wisdom! Let us Attend!
The Lessons from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle N... to the N... or to the Whole Church!
OR
The Lesson from the Book of
(After the reading of the Epistle)
Subdeacon: This is the Word of the Lord!
Choir: Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord!
The Subdeacon returns the Epistle book to the Celebrant and returns to his
place.)
Gospel
The choir sings an appropriate hymn while the Gospel Procession is formed by the Subdeacon, acolytes with proces-sional cross, tapers, censers. The Deacon approaches the Celebrant with his stole in his right hand, asks the Celebrant's blessing; after receiving the blessing, the Deacon receives the Altar Gospel Book from the Celebrant, the Deacon joins the Gospel Procession, processes around the Church, ending midway in the central aisle; the Deacon presents the Gospel Book to one of the sub-Deacon who holds the Book while the Deacon sings the gospel; the Deacon also censes the Gospel Book before and after the reading.
Deacon: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel!
The Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Deacon: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St N...
Deacon censes the Gospel Book
Choir:
Glory be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ!
After the reading of the Gospel
Deacon: This is the Gospel of the Lord!
Deacon censes the Gospel book
Choir: Praise be unto thee, Lord Jesus Christ!
The Gospel procession returns to the Altar with the Deacon carrying the Gospel book above his head to the Celebrant; the Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Gospel Book then places it aback upon the Altar.
The Creed As the Celebrant intones the Creed, the Deacon with his stole in his right hand calls the Congregation to worship, then holds the stole over his heart, at the conclusion, he blesses himself with his stole. Either the Nicene or Apostles' Creed is sung.
Nicene Creed
Celebrant: I believe in One God,
Choir: The Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven [profound bow] and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man [profound bow] and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; He 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 never end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father; who together with the Father and the Son [profound bow] together is wor-shipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the Resurrection of the dead; and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
Apostles' Creed
Celebrant: I believe in One God,
Choir: the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; Who was con-ceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried [profound bow] He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and
the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen
During the Creed, the Celebrant unfolds the Antimin and pre-pares the Altar for reception of the Holy Gifts during the Great Entrance; after the Creed, the Celebrant may give the sermon or deliver the sermon after the Mass is completed.
The Great Entrance
The Offertory Procession is formed with the processional cross, tapers censers, sub-Deacons, the Deacon carrying the paten (peelasa or diskos) and the Celebrant- the chalice (or kasa) from the prothesis Altar, around the Church to the Main Altar, the Choir sings appropriate hymns. After arranging the gifts upon the Antimin, the Celebrant sings the proper Offertory verses.
Offertory
The Celebrant intones the Offertory Sentences, blesses those who shall take up the collection, saying:
Celebrant: Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy brans be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst forth with new wine. (Bring ye all the tithes into the store house, and prove Me herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, that if I do not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, there shall not be room enough to receive it.) To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
While the tithes and offerings are collected, the Celebrant recites either the short or traditional offertory prayers after removing the diskos and chalice covers.
While removing the covers, the Celebrant says:
Celebrant: Let us send up praise to the Glorious Trinity. May Christ, our True God, Who was sacrificed for our salva-tion and who commanded us to make a perpetual memorial of His death and resurrection, received this sacrifice to His Honor and Glory, now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen.
Short Offertory Prayers
Celebrant: What shall I render unto the Lord, for all the Lord has rendered unto me? I shall take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord Our God!
Receive O Holy Trinity, this offering which I present unto Thee, in memory of the Blessed Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord and Savior. Grant that it might ascend worthily in Thy sight and may bring about my eternal salvation and that of all Thy + Faithful people.
Traditional Offertory
Celebrant removes the star cover from the paten or Peelasa, strikes the paten in a form of a cross, saying;
Celebrant: Blessed ar thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Uni-verse, who hath given us this bread, fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, that shall become for us the Bread of Life.
or the Celebrant may use the ancient Aramaic-Hebrew form:
Celebrant: Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu, Melech Ha-olam, Ha-motzi Lechem Min H-Aretz.
The Celebrant then uncovers the chalice, saying:
Blessed ar thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who hath given us this cup, this wine, fruit of the vine and the work of human hands, that shall become our Spiritual Drink.
or the Aramaic-Hebrew form:
Celebrant: Barach Atah Elohenu, Melech Ha-olam Borai Pri Hagofin.
The sub-Deacon receives the tithes and offerings from the Congregation and presents them unto the Deacon. The Deacon holds the plates for the Celebrant to bless, then places them on a side table or under the credence table, but never are they placed on the Altar.
Rite of Repentance
Deacon makes the call to worship as he intones the repentance prayer, then holds the stole over his heart.
Deacon Let us confess our sins and transgressions unto the Lord, in purity and contrition, stand in reverence and behold the Mysteries being hallowed. Cast down thine eyes and stretch forth thy arms and thoughts to Heaven.
Observe a brief moment for reflection of sins and short-comings.
Choir: O Lord Our God of Hosts, by Thy mercy and Thy grace, forgive us our sins that hath separated our thoughts and minds from Thee, and count us worthy to offer before Thee, this Living and Holy Sacrifice and keep us worthy by Thy Body and Blood to stand with boldness before Thee, at the day of judgment. Amen.
The Deacon shall cense the gifts and the Altar, while the Celebrant shall descend from the Altar to the Bema (between the Sanctuary and the Holy Doors to pronounce the Absolution Prayer, saying:
Celebrant: Christ, Our True God, absolve + and remit Thee thy sins and preserve Thee worthy of these Holy Mysteries, to stand blameless before Him at the day of judgment. And may the Grace + of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with Thee, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Celebrant then approaches the Altar. The acolyte then presents to the Celebrant the cruet of water for the Celebrant to bless; the acolyte then washes the Celebrant's hands; during the washing of the hands, the Celebrant recites the following prayer, saying:
Celebrant: I shall wash my hands in innocency, O Lord and so shall I compass Thy Altar; that I may hear the voice of Thy praise and tell of all Thy wondrous works. I have loved, O Lord the beauty of Thy House and the Place wherein Thy Glory dwells. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Celebrant returns to the center of the altar, kisses the Altar, saying:
Celebrant: In a humble spirit and with a contrite heart, may we be received by Thee, O Lord, and may our sacrifice be so performed that it be received by Thee this day, and be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.
The acolyte shall then present the cruet of water to the Celebrant, who taketh the cruet and poureth a few drops of water into the chalice(s) then returns the cruet to the acolyte. While pouring the water, the Celebrant
saith:
Celebrant: May this mingling of Water and Wine which are now inseparable, remind us that Christ hath joined Himself to our humanity and our humanity is being joined to His Deity, never to be separated.
The Kiss of Peace
The choir shall sing the Hymn, 'We are one in the Bond of Love' then the Celebrant shall pronounce the following:
Celebrant: As the Sacred Scripture instructs us, 'Pray ye one for another that ye might be healed.'
The Congregation and clergy shall pray for one another, either in the Spirit, or in the Understanding. Then the Celebrant shall intone, once again, the Hymn 'We are One in the Bond of Love' and then pronounce the
Sentence of Peace and bless the Congregation saying:
Celebrant: As our Beloved Lord Jesus Christ hath said, 'Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.'
Celebrant: Peace be + with you!
Choir: And with Thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us, therefore, give one another the Holy Kiss of Peace.
Preface
Celebrant: Christ is in the midst of us! Christ is truly here! Christ is in the midst of Us!
Deacon: He is and shall always be with us!
Celebrant: The Grace of the Lord Jesus + Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrating Bishop: Brethren, fellow-bishops, fellow-servitors, priests, pray for me!
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts!
Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord!
Celebrant: Let us give thanks, praise, and worship unto the Lord our God!
Choir: It is meet and right so to do
OR It is meet and right to give Him thanks, praise and worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
Celebrant: It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, service and honor that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God.
[Proper preface of the season]
Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify Thy Glorious Name; evermore praising Thee and singing:
[the following verse is the traditional form for singing, followed by the traditional spoken verse, during which bells are rung and censer used.]
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory. Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest! Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!
Choir: It is meet and right to give Him thanks, praise and worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
Celebrant: It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, service, and honor, that we should at all times and all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God.
Canon of the Mass
The first Canon of the Mass below, the Canon of the Apostles, is used except on those feasts and during those seasons when the Canon of Mar Theodorus, or the Canon of Mar Nestorius are appointed.
Canon of the Apostles
Celebrant: And with these Heavenly Hosts, We also, O Master, who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say, 'Holy art Thou and All-Holy and Thine only Begotten Son and Thy Holy Spirit; Holy art thou and All Holy and magnificent is Thy Glory; Who hast so loved the world as to even give Thine only Begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Who, when He had come and fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night He was betrayed, or rather surrendered Himself for the life of the world, took bread in His Holy, Pure and Blameless Hands; and when He had
given thanks, Blessed + it, He gave it to His Holy Apostles and Disciples, saying,
During the words of consecration, the Deacon points to the paten with his stole, during the elevation and epiclesis; the sub-Deacons and acolytes ring the bells and cense the gifts.
Celebrant: Take, Eat, This is My Body, which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.
[Elevation]
[Song of Worship: Bread of Heaven]
The Celebrant genuflects, then takes up the Chalice, saying:
Celebrant: He took the cup, again, He gave Thee thanks, Blessed + it, and gave it to His Holy Apostles and Disciples, saying: Drink ye all of This: This is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many,
for the remission of sins.
[Elevation]
Celebrant: Behold the Blood of the New Covenant which Christ Our God hath given unto us. For he hath said, 'When I see the Blood, I will pass over you.'
(Song of Worship: When I see the Blood)
The Celebrant genuflects, with arms outstretched in a form of a cross and says:
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
The Celebrant takes up the Chalice in his right hand, the paten in his left hand, crosses arms
Choir: We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Our God!
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Celebrant returns the paten and chalice to the Altar and starts the Epiclesis; as sub Deacon censes.
Celebrant: Again and 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:
Bless, Hallow, and Make this + Bread, the Precious Body of Thy Christ; and that which is in this + Cup, the Precious Blood of Thy Christ, changing them by thy Presence and by Thy Holy Spirit.
Choir: Amen, Amen, Amen.
(Hymn of Worship)
Canon of Mar Theodorus
The Canon of Mar Theodorus is said from the First Sunday of Soobara, Advent, until Sunday of Hosanna, Palm Sunday.
Celebrant: Holy is his Name and holy is his habitation and he sanctifieth in truth all those who are made worthy to receive the gift of His Grace. We lift up praise and honor and confession and adoration to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
By His hands, he fulfilled and perfected all this great and wonderful dispensation, which had been prepared in thy foreknowledge from before the foundation of the world. Thou hast fulfilled it now in the end of the ages, through thy Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And He is the head of the Church, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God and hath sanctified us by the offering of his Body once and made peace by the Blood of his cross to things in heaven and to things on earth, through him, who
was delivered for our sins and rose that we might be justified.
And with his Holy Apostles in that night in which He was betrayed, he Celebrated this great and Holy and Divine Mystery.
Taking the bread in his holy hands, he blessed + and broke and gave to His disciples and said, This is my Body which is broken for the life of the world for the remission of sins.
[elevation]
Celebrant: This is the Bread that came down from heaven that one should eat thereof and not die. 'Behold the Bread that I give you is my flesh, which I give for the Life of the World.'
In the same manner, also he gave thanks over the Cup and gave it to them and said:
This is my Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for the remission of sins.
[elevation]
Celebrant: Behold the Blood of the New Covenant which Christ Our God hath given unto us. For he hath said, 'When I see the Blood, I will pass over you.'
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Epiclesis
Celebrant: We beseech thee, O Lord and we pray thee, we worship thee, we entreat thee, may there come upon us and upon this oblation the grace of the Holy Spirit to dwell and rest upon this + bread and upon this + cup and bless and consecrate and seal them, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. By the Power of Thy Name may this bread become the Holy Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and this cup the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Canon of Mar Nestorius
Canon of Mar Nestorius is said several times a year: on Djinkha (Epiphany), Friday of Mar Yokhannan Mamdana (John the Baptist), and Piskha (Maundy Thursday).
Celebrant: And with these Heavenly Hosts, We also, O Master, who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say, 'Holy art Thou and All-Holy and Thine only Begotten Son and Thy Holy Spirit; Holy art thou and All Holy and magnificent is Thy Glory; Who hast so loved the world as to even give Thine only Begotten Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
When the time approached in which He had to endure the passion and draw near death, in the night He was delivered for the life of the world (after he had kept the Passover with His disciples according to the Law of Moses, he instituted his own Passover before he died, even this which we do for his remembrance as he entrusted it unto us until he be revealed from heaven. For our Passover is Christ who was slain for us.)
After the supper of the Passover of the Law of Moses, He took bread in his holy, spotless and undefiled hands, and blessed + and broke and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take ye all of it, this is my Body which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
[elevation and song of worship]
In like manner, also he mixed the cup with wine and water and blessed + and gave thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, drink ye all of it. This is my Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
[elevation and song of worship]
Therefore, whosoever in true faith draws near and partakes of these divine Mysteries, let them be to him, O my Lord, for the pardon of debts and for the remission of sins and for the resurrection from the dead and for the new life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
Celebrant: Remembering, therefore, this precept of Salvation, and everything that was done for us, the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the Third Day, the Ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the Right Hand, the Second and Glorious Coming, we offer unto Thee, our Heavenly Father, the Sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior, who died for our salvation.
Celebrant: Thine own, of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all.
Epiclesis
Celebrant: With one accord, we make supplication to thine adorable Godhead that renewest all creation. And may there come, O my Lord, the Grace of thy Holy Spirit, and may He dwell and rest upon this oblation which we offer before thee. May he bless and consecrate it and make + this bread and this + cup to be the +Body and + Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and do thou change and consecrate them by the operation of the Holy + Spirit in such wise that the taking of these glorious and holy Mysteries may be to all those who receive them, unto eternal life and resurrection from the dead and absolution of the body and of the soul, and unto the light of knowledge and to the openness of face before thee and unto the eternal salvation which thou hast promised us through our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may all cleave together in one accord, in the bond of love and of peace that we may be one body and one spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
[Hymn of Praise]
The Reading of the Diptychs
Celebrant: O Lord God of Hosts, accept this offering for the Holy Catholic Church and for all the Fathers who have been pleasing in thy sight, and for all thy holy Prophets and Apostles and Martyrs and Confessors and for the
mourners and for the needy and the sick and the afflicted [pausing now to mention those for whom the Celebrant wishes to pray from the Diptychs Book and for the Congregation's intentions] and for all who have gone from among us [pause ...]; and for this thy people who look for and await thy mercies [once again pausing]: O Christ, the peace of those above and the great tranquility of those below, grant us thy peace which passeth all our under-standing, keep our hearts and minds in thy love and may thy peace dwell in all the world. And especially within thy holy Church, we pray for
our Catholicos Mar N...., for our Metropolitan Mar N..., for our Archbishop, Mar N..., and for our Bishop Mar N..., grant peace to thy priesthood, and to thy nations, make wars to cease and scatter the peoples that delight in war, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all sobriety and godliness.
Choir: Amen, Amen.
[As the Lord's Prayer is sung, the Deacon with his stole calls the people to worship, then holds the stole over his heart]
The Aramaic Lord's Prayer
Celebrant, Clergy and Choir:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth. Give us bread for our needs from day to day, and forgive us our offenses, as we have forgiven our offenders, and do not
let us enter into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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 unto ages of ages. Amen.
Celebrant: Praise the Lord for he is good!
Choir: For his mercy endureth forever!
[Celebrant takes the paten and chalice into his hands and blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts while the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole]
Celebrant: O Lord our God, raw this thy people unto these thy glorious and holy mysteries. Bless + us, sanctify us, hallow us and change us into thy holy image.
Either of the two following fraction prayers may be used
Short Fraction Prayer
[Celebrant fractions the right side of the Lamb of God, then divides the Lamb into four parts arranging them on the paten on the outer edge in the form of the cross, saying:]
Celebrant: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not disunited, ever eat, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth the partakers thereof, the fullness of the cup of faith and of the Holy Spirit!
[Celebrant then takes the IC or upper portion of the seal and blesses the chalice and drops this portion into the chalice, saying:]
One of the soldiers pierced his side and there came forth blood and water.
Traditional Fraction
[Celebrant takes the Lamb of God from the paten, saying:
Celebrant: Praise be unto thy holy Name, O Lord Jesus Christ at all times forever. Thou art the living and life-giving bread which came down from heaven; We shall draw near, O Lord in thy true faith to these holy Mysteries and by thy compassion we break the Body [here the Celebrant breaks the seal in half vertically, the left half he replaces on the paten with the broken seal edge upwards. He signs the cup with the right half, saying:]
And by thy goodness, we sign the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
[Celebrant signs the body in the same manner, saying:]
Celebrant: and we sign the holy Body with the atoning Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
[Celebrant then holds up the loaf, rejoined, in his two hands, saying:]
Celebrant: These holy and lifegiving Mysteries are co-mingled and sealed one to another in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant then separates the two halves, fractions it into the four parts, forming the cross on the outer edge of the paten, saying:
Christ's Body and Christ's Blood were separated in death, but were reunited in His Glorious Resurrection. And when he ascended into heaven, he ascended up with his own Body and blood, death having no more dominion over him, and because he lives, we too shall live forever!
Celebrant: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not disunited, ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth the partakers thereof, the fullness of the cup of faith and of the Holy Spirit!
Celebrant takes the IC portion and blesses the chalice, then drops it into the precious Blood, saying:
One of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance, and there came forth blood and water.
The peace + of the Lord be with you!
Choir: And with thy spirit!
Celebrant: Let us all draw near with awe and reverence [he lifts up his hands in prayer] May the peace of the Lord dwell always in our hearts, and may our tongues proclaim thy truth and may thy Cross the Guardian of our souls while we make harps of our mouths, and speak in new tongues with the lips of fire.
Celebrant elevates the paten and chalice while the Deacon points to them with his stole
Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sins of the world.
Choir: O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Celebrant: Let us make our Act of Faith together:
Celebrant and Choir: I believe, O Lord and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I believe that this is truly thine own precious Body and this is truly thine own precious Blood. Make me worthy to partake of these divine Mysteries, unto remission of sins, and unto Life everlasting. Amen.
Celebrant blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts while the Deacon receive the blessing with his stole
Celebrant: Holy things for God's holy + people! One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.
Communion
Celebrant: Praise be unto thee, O Christ, the Light of the world: the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto me, N..., unworthy priest (bishop) for the remission of my sins, for the healing of my soul and body, unto life everlasting. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant receives the Body of Christ, then immediately takes up the eucharistic spoon and removes the fraction particle from the chalice and partakes thereof, places the spoon on the sponge, genuflects, rises to drink of the chalice three times, saying:
Celebrant: Praise be unto thee, O Christ, the hope of all who put their trust in thee: the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto me, N..., unworthy priest (bishop) for the remission of my sins, for healing of my soul and body, unto life everlasting. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Celebrant then delivers Communion to all other clergy, according to their respective office, saying:
Celebrant: The Body of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto thee, N..., a [priest, Deacon, sub- Deacon, etc.,) in Christ a servant of the Lord, for The remission of all thy sins.
The Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is given unto thee, N..., a [priest, Deacon, sub-Deacon, etc., in Christ, a servant of the Lord, for the remission of all thy sins.
Celebrant then raises the Holy Gifts towards the Congregation, saying:
Celebrant: The gift of grace of our Lord Jesus Christ + the Lifegiver, be fulfilled in his mercy to us all. With faith and reverence and love, draw near.
The altars are open to all who have a need or a desire for the Living and True Christ to touch their lives in Holy Communion.
Appropriate hymns or music are played during the Congregation's Communion.
After Communion, the Celebrant returns to the Altar and once again blesses the Congregation with the Holy Gifts, saying:
May the Lord our God remember us all in his Kingdom; 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. Glory be unto God who hath saved us.
Celebrant then presents the paten and chalice with the spoon in it unto the Deacon. The Deacon receives the paten and chalice with his stole over his left forearm. He then takes the paten and chalice to the Altar of Prothesis where he purifies them.
Proper Post-Communion Prayers
Celebrant with arms held in intercessory prayers, intones the prayers(s), saying:
Celebrant: Let us pray .... concluding with 'Through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee, in unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Final Blessing
Celebrant takes up the blessing Cross, faces the Congregation with his left hand on the Altar and blesses the Congregation while the Deacon receives the blessing with his stole in his right hand.
Celebrant: May the Peace of God which passeth all our understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and in the fullness of His Holy Spirit: The blessing of God Almighty + the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you, now and ever, unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
OR
May the blessing of the + Lord and his mercy be upon you, through his grace and his love for mankind at all times, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
OR
May he who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, according to His promise, as He hath said, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood, hath eternal life and I shall raise him up
at the last day.
May Christ our True God, who hath risen from the dead, have mercy upon you, seal you and + guard you with the living sign of His Cross from all harm hidden and open, now and ever unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace!
Choir: In the Name of the Lord!
Liturgy of the Assyrian Church of the East
These selections are from the liturgy used by the Assyrian Church of the East. It is a very ancient Church which uses classical Aramaic (the language used by our Lord) for its liturgy. Recently their Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV signed a Common Declaration on Christology with Pope John Paul II healing a doctrinal dispute dating from the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. The Church of the East is centered primarily in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Syria (and has suffered much persecution from those predominately Moslem lands.) In the past couple of decades many thousands have emigrated to Canada, America, Australia and Sweden. The current Patriarch resides in the USA. The text followed for these extracts comes from Australia. Breaks in sequence are indicated by a line.
Priest: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, for ever.
Glory to God in the highest (three times)
and on earth peace and good hope to men of all times for ever. Amen.
All pray: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come.
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, our Father in heaven.
Heaven and earth are full of the greatness of Thy glory;
angels and men cry out to Thee:
Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed by Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
as in heaven so on earth.
Give us the bread of our need this day,
and forgive us our offences,
as we have forgiven those who have
offended us.
And bring us not into trial
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Priest: Strengthen, our Lord and our God, our weakness by Thy grace that we may administer the holy mysteries which were given for the renewal and redemption of our nature, through the mercies of Thy beloved Son, Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
Here follows verses from Psalms 96 or 144, the choir responds by singing alternative clauses. After each clause is said: Hal-le-lu-Yah.
Priest: Before the glorious throne of Thy majesty, my Lord, and the high and exalted seat of Thy honour and the awesome judgement seat of the power of Thy love, and the absolving altar which Thy will has established and the place where Thy honour dwells, we, Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture, with thousands of Cherubim which sing halleluiahs to Thee, ten thousand Seraphim and Archangels which hallow Thee, do kneel and worship and confess and glorify Thee at all times, O Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
Here follows verses from Psalms 96 or 144, the choir responds by singing alternative clauses. After each clause is said: Hal-le-lu-Yah.
Priest: Before the glorious throne of Thy majesty, my Lord, and the high and exalted seat of Thy honour and the awesome judgement seat of the power of Thy love, and the absolving altar which Thy will has established and the place where Thy honour dwells, we, Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture, with thousands of Cherubim which sing halleluiahs to Thee, ten thousand Seraphim and Archangels which hallow Thee, do kneel and worship and confess and glorify Thee at all times, O Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the placing of the incense
Priest: When the sweet savour of the fragrance of Thy love is wafted upon us, our Lord and our God, and our souls are enlightened by the knowledge of Thy truth, may we be accounted worthy to receive the revelation of Thy beloved who is from heaven, and there may we confess Thee and praise Thee without ceasing in Thy crowned Church which is full of all helps and blessings, for Thou art the Lord and Creator of all; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
Priest: When the sweet savour of the fragrance of Thy love is wafted upon us, our Lord and our God, and our souls are enlightened by the knowledge of Thy truth, may we be accounted worthy to receive the revelation of Thy beloved who is from heaven, and there may we confess Thee and praise Thee without ceasing in Thy crowned Church which is full of all helps and blessings, for Thou art the Lord and Creator of all; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
Here follow other prayers and the "Holy God" (similar to the Byzantine liturgy). There are readings from the Old Testament or the Acts of the Apostles, from the letters of St Paul and finally a reading from the Gospels. Before the Gospel reading the choir sings this hymn (with responses from the deacons)
O, ye who believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, come and listen to the words that cure the body and give life to the soul.
The Son of God became like man among men, and with His command loosened the sin that had taken hold of men.
The treasure of the Spirit opens before you this discourse, and this book is all full of life and beatitudes.
The devils scatter and the demons proceed in fear, when they hear these life-giving tidings.
This is the gate through which a man enters into the Kingdom and this is the way which is all clear from stumbling blocks.
These are the words, that if the living treat with contempt, they will die. This is the voice that when the dead hear, they come to life.
This is the Light, this is the Truth, this is the Life and He of who it speaks is the Judge of the dead and the living.
It is necessary that you should know that all the people through Him shall be saved, believe and be assured that all sins through Him shall be remitted.
The Sower went out, that instead of seed, He may sow the word. Instead of earth, offer to Him your hearts.
Life, blessedness, compassion and mercy is His discourse. Hope and life, and life to the dead, is His voice.
Blessed is he who believes in Him and confirms his words, for if he is dead he shall live, and if he is living he shall not die in his sins.
The only-begotten Son of God came into the world, above nature, and contrary to custom, shone forth from the Virgin.
The sick He cured, the lepers he cleansed, devils He drove out, and death He vanquished
He died, He came to life and He rose and ascended into heaven.
He sent the Spirit upon the apostles and made them wise, and unto the four corners to preach the gospel, He sent them.
And now [Evangelist] is interpreting the things he saw and heard, therefore, whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
The Gospel reading
The Offertory
The deacons enter the altar saying:
Let him that has not received baptism, depart.
Let him that has not received the sign of life, depart.
Let him that does not accept It [the Holy Communion], depart.
Let the hearers go, and watch the doors.
The priest and the deacons kneel three times towards the place of the paten and the chalice. The priest proceeds and takes the paten, and the deacon the chalice. The priest begins the anthem:
Priest: I waited patiently for the Lord.
The body of Christ and His precious blood are upon the holy altar. Let us all draw near unto Him in fear and love and with all the angels sing aloud unto Him: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God.
The deacons respond:
The poor shall eat and be satisfied.
The body of Christ and his precious blood are upon the holy altar. Let us all draw near unto Him in fear and love and with the angels sing aloud unto Him:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God.
Let us pray. Peace be with us.
The priest then holds the paten in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand in the form of the cross and says:
Let us send up praise to Thy glorious Trinity at all times for ever. May Christ, Who was sacrificed for our salvation and Who commanded us to make a commemoration of His death and burial and resurrection, accept this sacrifice at our hands by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest strikes the paten on the chalice three times, and each time he says:
By Thy command, our Lord and our God [thrice], these glorious, holy, lifegiving and divine mysteries are placed and ordered on the absolving altar, until the coming of our Lord the second time from heaven, to Whom be glory at all times for ever. Amen.
The priest arranges the mysteries upon the altar and covers them carefully with a veil and says:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. On the holy altar let there be a memorial of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ.
Deacon: From everlasting and for ever. Amen. O apostles of the Son and lovers of the Only-Begotten, pray that there may be peace in creation.
Priest: Let all the people say Amen and Amen.
Thy memorial, O our father [the patron saint], is upon the holy altar with the just who have overcome and the martyrs who have been crowned.
Deacon: Lo, all the departed have fallen asleep in Thy hope, that in the glorious resurrection Thou will raise them up in glory.
Deacons: Bless O my Lord....Let us pray. Peace be with us.
Priest to the Deacons: May God the Lord of all be content with your ministry, and adorn you with all beauty and enrich you with all the benefits of His gifts, for ever and ever. Amen.
Deacons: Let us pray. Peace be with us.
The priest worships and stands stretching forth his hands and says:
Having our hearts sprinkled and clean from an evil conscience, may we be accounted worthy to enter into the Holy of Holies high and exalted; and in purity, watchfulness and holiness may we stand before Thy holy altar and offer to Thee spiritual and reasonable sacrifices in the true faith.
And he proceeds:
Thou art good and dost not always chide, neither keep Your anger for ever.
Turn Thy face from my sins and blot out all my offences in the great multitude of Thy mercifulness; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
or he says:
Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all in His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest stands facing the altar and worships stretching forth his hands and begins to recite the Creed. The deacons and the people also recite the Creed--the Creed of Nicea.
Following the Nicene Creed:
The priest prostrates himself before the altar, and says: God the Lord of all be with us all, in us all, by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
Here the priest washes his hands, and he makes the sign of the cross (in the air with joined hands) towards all the four consecration crosses of the altar.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. My brethren, pray for me.
The Deacons: May Christ hear your prayers and be pleased with your supplications, and by His grace and mercy accept your offering, for ever and ever, Amen. Let us pray. Peace be with us. Pray for the memorial of our fathers the catholici and bishops and of all the priests and deacons and young men and virgins and of all who have departed and passed from this world in the belief of the truth and of all our fathers and brethren
The priest turns and faces the altar and offers three genuflexions, he beseeches, praying in a low voice, the prayer of Kashapa:
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. My brethren, pray for me that this offering be accomplished at my hands.
Deacon: God, the Lord of all, strengthen you to fulfill His will and receive your offering and be well-pleased with your sacrifice, for us and for yourself and for the four corners of the world by the grace of His compassion for ever. Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: ...and of all our sons and daughters and of all faithful and Christ-loving kings and of all.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. Pray for me, my brethren and my beloved, that I be accounted worthy to offer before our Lord Christ this sacrifice living and holy, for myself and for the body of the holy church by the grace of His compassion for ever. Amen.
Deacon: God the Lord of all be well-pleased with your sacrifice and receive your offering, which you offer for us and for yourself by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: ...prophets and apostles and of all martyrs and confessors of this and every place, that God crown them in the resurrection from the dead, and give us with them a good hope and portion and inheritance and life in the kingdom of heaven.
Priest: This offering is offered for all the living and the dead. May it be received of my sinfulness before the dread tribunal of Thy majesty, O our Lord, with openness of face.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: May this offering be accepted with openness of face and be sanctified by the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit, that it may be to us for help and salvation and life eternal in the kingdom of heaven by the grace of Christ.
Priest [to the Deacons]: Christ make true thy words and receive the fruit of thy lips and pardon the trespasses and sins of all them that hearken to thee.
The priest turns his face to the altar and kneels and says the prayer of Kashapa, quietly in his heart, supplicating: Yes, O our Lord and our God...
Then he stands and says: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O My Lord; bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
The Kiss of Peace follows. The people give each other the Kiss of Peace and the deacons and the priest give several short prayers. After the Priest censes the altar he says to the deacon:
Priest: Christ strengthen thee to do His will continually.
Priest [to all]: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and for ever and ever.
Here he makes the sign of the cross over the mysteries.
People: Amen.
Priest: Lift up your minds.
People and Choir: Unto Thee, O God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Israel, O glorious King.
Priest: The offering is being offered to God, the Lord of all.
Choir: It is fit and right.
Deacons: Peace be with us.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest kneels down and prays in his heart the prayer of Kushapa:
Priest: O Lord, give us openness of face..
He then rises and kisses the altar, stretches forth his hands and says the prayer of G'han'tha:
With the cheribum and spiritual seraphim, offering adoration to Thy Majesty...shouting and praising without ceasing and crying one to another and saying:
The priest, the deacons and the people sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of His praises
and of the nature of His being
and of the excellency of His glorious splendour.
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna to the Son of David,
Blessed is He that came and cometh in the name of the Lord,
Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord, bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
Priest: Our Lord Jesus, in the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread and blessed and broke it, and said: "Take, eat: This is My Body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." Likewise, after they had supped, He took the cup, saying: "This cup is the New Testament in My Blood: This do as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me."
Priest: And for all Thy helps and graces towards us, let us raise to Thee praise and honour and confession and worship now and for ever and ever.
The priest signs the mysteries.
Deacons: Amen. Pray in your minds. Peace be with us.
The priest kneels down and says in a low voice the prayer of Kushapa:
O Lord God of hosts, accept this offering.
The choir recites a consolatory hymn (Mad'ra'sha) for the memorial of the departed.
O, ye who believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, come and listen to the words that cure the body and give life to the soul.
The Son of God became like man among men, and with His command loosened the sin that had taken hold of men.
The treasure of the Spirit opens before you this discourse, and this book is all full of life and beatitudes.
The devils scatter and the demons proceed in fear, when they hear these life-giving tidings.
This is the gate through which a man enters into the Kingdom and this is the way which is all clear from stumbling blocks.
These are the words, that if the living treat with contempt, they will die. This is the voice that when the dead hear, they come to life.
This is the Light, this is the Truth, this is the Life and He of who it speaks is the Judge of the dead and the living.
It is necessary that you should know that all the people through Him shall be saved, believe and be assured that all sins through Him shall be remitted.
The Sower went out, that instead of seed, He may sow the word. Instead of earth, offer to Him your hearts.
Life, blessedness, compassion and mercy is His discourse. Hope and life, and life to the dead, is His voice.
Blessed is he who believes in Him and confirms his words, for if he is dead he shall live, and if he is living he shall not die in his sins.
The only-begotten Son of God came into the world, above nature, and contrary to custom, shone forth from the Virgin.
The sick He cured, the lepers he cleansed, devils He drove out, and death He vanquished
He died, He came to life and He rose and ascended into heaven.
He sent the Spirit upon the apostles and made them wise, and unto the four corners to preach the gospel, He sent them.
And now [Evangelist] is interpreting the things he saw and heard, therefore, whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
The Gospel reading
The Offertory
The deacons enter the altar saying:
Let him that has not received baptism, depart.
Let him that has not received the sign of life, depart.
Let him that does not accept It [the Holy Communion], depart.
Let the hearers go, and watch the doors.
The priest and the deacons kneel three times towards the place of the paten and the chalice. The priest proceeds and takes the paten, and the deacon the chalice. The priest begins the anthem:
Priest: I waited patiently for the Lord.
The body of Christ and His precious blood are upon the holy altar. Let us all draw near unto Him in fear and love and with all the angels sing aloud unto Him: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God.
The deacons respond:
The poor shall eat and be satisfied.
The body of Christ and his precious blood are upon the holy altar. Let us all draw near unto Him in fear and love and with the angels sing aloud unto Him:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God.
Let us pray. Peace be with us.
The priest then holds the paten in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand in the form of the cross and says:
Let us send up praise to Thy glorious Trinity at all times for ever. May Christ, Who was sacrificed for our salvation and Who commanded us to make a commemoration of His death and burial and resurrection, accept this sacrifice at our hands by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest strikes the paten on the chalice three times, and each time he says:
By Thy command, our Lord and our God [thrice], these glorious, holy, lifegiving and divine mysteries are placed and ordered on the absolving altar, until the coming of our Lord the second time from heaven, to Whom be glory at all times for ever. Amen.
The priest arranges the mysteries upon the altar and covers them carefully with a veil and says:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. On the holy altar let there be a memorial of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ.
Deacon: From everlasting and for ever. Amen. O apostles of the Son and lovers of the Only-Begotten, pray that there may be peace in creation.
Priest: Let all the people say Amen and Amen.
Thy memorial, O our father [the patron saint], is upon the holy altar with the just who have overcome and the martyrs who have been crowned.
Deacon: Lo, all the departed have fallen asleep in Thy hope, that in the glorious resurrection Thou will raise them up in glory.
Deacons: Bless O my Lord....Let us pray. Peace be with us.
Priest to the Deacons: May God the Lord of all be content with your ministry, and adorn you with all beauty and enrich you with all the benefits of His gifts, for ever and ever. Amen.
Deacons: Let us pray. Peace be with us.
The priest worships and stands stretching forth his hands and says:
Having our hearts sprinkled and clean from an evil conscience, may we be accounted worthy to enter into the Holy of Holies high and exalted; and in purity, watchfulness and holiness may we stand before Thy holy altar and offer to Thee spiritual and reasonable sacrifices in the true faith.
And he proceeds:
Thou art good and dost not always chide, neither keep Your anger for ever.
Turn Thy face from my sins and blot out all my offences in the great multitude of Thy mercifulness; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.
or he says:
Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all in His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest stands facing the altar and worships stretching forth his hands and begins to recite the Creed. The deacons and the people also recite the Creed--the Creed of Nicea.
Following the Nicene Creed:
The priest prostrates himself before the altar, and says: God the Lord of all be with us all, in us all, by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
Here the priest washes his hands, and he makes the sign of the cross (in the air with joined hands) towards all the four consecration crosses of the altar.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. My brethren, pray for me.
The Deacons: May Christ hear your prayers and be pleased with your supplications, and by His grace and mercy accept your offering, for ever and ever, Amen. Let us pray. Peace be with us. Pray for the memorial of our fathers the catholici and bishops and of all the priests and deacons and young men and virgins and of all who have departed and passed from this world in the belief of the truth and of all our fathers and brethren
The priest turns and faces the altar and offers three genuflexions, he beseeches, praying in a low voice, the prayer of Kashapa:
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. My brethren, pray for me that this offering be accomplished at my hands.
Deacon: God, the Lord of all, strengthen you to fulfill His will and receive your offering and be well-pleased with your sacrifice, for us and for yourself and for the four corners of the world by the grace of His compassion for ever. Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: ...and of all our sons and daughters and of all faithful and Christ-loving kings and of all.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord. Pray for me, my brethren and my beloved, that I be accounted worthy to offer before our Lord Christ this sacrifice living and holy, for myself and for the body of the holy church by the grace of His compassion for ever. Amen.
Deacon: God the Lord of all be well-pleased with your sacrifice and receive your offering, which you offer for us and for yourself by His grace and mercy for ever. Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: ...prophets and apostles and of all martyrs and confessors of this and every place, that God crown them in the resurrection from the dead, and give us with them a good hope and portion and inheritance and life in the kingdom of heaven.
Priest: This offering is offered for all the living and the dead. May it be received of my sinfulness before the dread tribunal of Thy majesty, O our Lord, with openness of face.
The Deacons [continuing from above]: May this offering be accepted with openness of face and be sanctified by the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit, that it may be to us for help and salvation and life eternal in the kingdom of heaven by the grace of Christ.
Priest [to the Deacons]: Christ make true thy words and receive the fruit of thy lips and pardon the trespasses and sins of all them that hearken to thee.
The priest turns his face to the altar and kneels and says the prayer of Kashapa, quietly in his heart, supplicating: Yes, O our Lord and our God...
Then he stands and says: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O My Lord; bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
The Kiss of Peace follows. The people give each other the Kiss of Peace and the deacons and the priest give several short prayers. After the Priest censes the altar he says to the deacon:
Priest: Christ strengthen thee to do His will continually.
Priest [to all]: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and for ever and ever.
Here he makes the sign of the cross over the mysteries.
People: Amen.
Priest: Lift up your minds.
People and Choir: Unto Thee, O God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Israel, O glorious King.
Priest: The offering is being offered to God, the Lord of all.
Choir: It is fit and right.
Deacons: Peace be with us.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
The priest kneels down and prays in his heart the prayer of Kushapa:
Priest: O Lord, give us openness of face..
He then rises and kisses the altar, stretches forth his hands and says the prayer of G'han'tha:
With the cheribum and spiritual seraphim, offering adoration to Thy Majesty...shouting and praising without ceasing and crying one to another and saying:
The priest, the deacons and the people sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of His praises
and of the nature of His being
and of the excellency of His glorious splendour.
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna to the Son of David,
Blessed is He that came and cometh in the name of the Lord,
Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord, bless, O my Lord; my brethren pray for me.
Deacon: Christ hear your prayers, Christ receive your offering, may Christ make your priesthood shine in the kingdom of heaven and be well-pleased with this sacrifice, which you do offer for yourself and for us and for the whole world which looks for and expects His grace and His mercy for ever. Amen.
Priest: Our Lord Jesus, in the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread and blessed and broke it, and said: "Take, eat: This is My Body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." Likewise, after they had supped, He took the cup, saying: "This cup is the New Testament in My Blood: This do as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me."
Priest: And for all Thy helps and graces towards us, let us raise to Thee praise and honour and confession and worship now and for ever and ever.
The priest signs the mysteries.
Deacons: Amen. Pray in your minds. Peace be with us.
The priest kneels down and says in a low voice the prayer of Kushapa:
O Lord God of hosts, accept this offering.
The choir recites a consolatory hymn (Mad'ra'sha) for the memorial of the departed.
The priest prays silently, he then strikes his face with his hands and says three times:
Priest: ...and we also, O My Lord.
The sitting congregation kneel and bow their heads. The priest continues with the prayer and then he raises his voice and says:
Priest: ...and may there come, O My Lord.
The Deacons [say to the people:] In silence and awe, stand ye and pray.
Peace be with us.
The people stand.
The priest continues with the prayer and says in a loud voice:
Priest: ...and may there come, O My Lord, Your Holy Spirit, and rest upon this offering of Thy servants and bless it and hollow it and that it may be to us, O My Lord, for the pardon of offences and for the forgiveness of sins and for the great hope of resurrection from the dead and for new life in the kingdom of heaven, with all those who have been well-pleasing to Thee. And for all this great and marvellous dispensation towards us, we give Thee thanks and glorify Thee without ceasing in Thy Church redeemed by the precious blood of Thy Christ, with open mouths and unveiled faces.
Lifting up glory and honour and confession and worship to Thy living and holy and life-giving Name, now and for ever and ever.
The priest signs the mysteries.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: O Christ, the peace of those above and the great tranquility of those below.
Priest: ...and we also, O My Lord.
The sitting congregation kneel and bow their heads. The priest continues with the prayer and then he raises his voice and says:
Priest: ...and may there come, O My Lord.
The Deacons [say to the people:] In silence and awe, stand ye and pray.
Peace be with us.
The people stand.
The priest continues with the prayer and says in a loud voice:
Priest: ...and may there come, O My Lord, Your Holy Spirit, and rest upon this offering of Thy servants and bless it and hollow it and that it may be to us, O My Lord, for the pardon of offences and for the forgiveness of sins and for the great hope of resurrection from the dead and for new life in the kingdom of heaven, with all those who have been well-pleasing to Thee. And for all this great and marvellous dispensation towards us, we give Thee thanks and glorify Thee without ceasing in Thy Church redeemed by the precious blood of Thy Christ, with open mouths and unveiled faces.
Lifting up glory and honour and confession and worship to Thy living and holy and life-giving Name, now and for ever and ever.
The priest signs the mysteries.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: O Christ, the peace of those above and the great tranquility of those below.
Priest: Bless, O my Lord; bless, O my Lord, bless, O my Lord; The mercifulness of Thy grace, O our Lord and our God, bring us near unto these glorious and holy and life-giving and divine mysteries, though we are not worthy. [Repeated three times.]
The Deacons and the People: In truth, O my Lord, we are not worthy. Have pity on us, O my Lord, for we are not worthy through our frailty, by reason of our many sins. [Repeated three times alternatively following the priest.]
Then the priest takes the Bread in both hands, looks upwards and says:
Priest: Praise to Thine holy Name, O our Lord Jesus Christ, and worship Thy sovereignty at all times, for ever. Amen.
For Thou art the living and lifegiving Bread which came down from heaven and gives life to the whole world and they, who eat it, die not, and they who receive it, are saved and pardoned in it and live in it for ever. Amen.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee, O my Lord [repeated three times] for Thine unspeakable gift towards us for ever. Amen.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: We draw near, O my Lord, in true faith of Thy name to these holy mysteries and by Thy compassion we break, and by Thy mercifulness we sign the body and blood of our Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ; in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.
The priest with utmost care breaks the Bread.
The Deacons: See that it is I myself. I am the Bread which came down from on high, said our Saviour in the mysteries to His disciples. Whosoever approaches and receives it in love, lives for ever in me and inherits the kingdom.
Deacon: Bless the Lord his angels.
Choir: The cherubim and seraphim and archangels in fear and trembling stand before the altar, and gaze at the priest breaking and dividing the body of Christ, for the pardon of trespasses.
The Deacons: Open unto me the gates of righteousness.
The Deacons and the People: In truth, O my Lord, we are not worthy. Have pity on us, O my Lord, for we are not worthy through our frailty, by reason of our many sins. [Repeated three times alternatively following the priest.]
Then the priest takes the Bread in both hands, looks upwards and says:
Priest: Praise to Thine holy Name, O our Lord Jesus Christ, and worship Thy sovereignty at all times, for ever. Amen.
For Thou art the living and lifegiving Bread which came down from heaven and gives life to the whole world and they, who eat it, die not, and they who receive it, are saved and pardoned in it and live in it for ever. Amen.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: Glory be to Thee, O my Lord [repeated three times] for Thine unspeakable gift towards us for ever. Amen.
The Deacons: Amen.
Priest: We draw near, O my Lord, in true faith of Thy name to these holy mysteries and by Thy compassion we break, and by Thy mercifulness we sign the body and blood of our Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ; in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.
The priest with utmost care breaks the Bread.
The Deacons: See that it is I myself. I am the Bread which came down from on high, said our Saviour in the mysteries to His disciples. Whosoever approaches and receives it in love, lives for ever in me and inherits the kingdom.
Deacon: Bless the Lord his angels.
Choir: The cherubim and seraphim and archangels in fear and trembling stand before the altar, and gaze at the priest breaking and dividing the body of Christ, for the pardon of trespasses.
The Deacons: Open unto me the gates of righteousness.
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for ever and ever.
The Deacons: Amen.
Deacon: Let us all with awe and reverence draw near to the mysteries of the precious body and blood of our Saviour. With a pure heart and true faith let us remember His passion and consider his resurrection. For our sakes the only-Begotten of God took of mankind a mortal body and a reasonable, intelligent and immortal soul; and by His lifegiving laws and His holy commandments has brought us out of error to the knowledge of the truth. And after all His dispensation for us, He, the first-fruits of our nature was lifted up on the cross, He rose from the dead and was taken up into heaven. He has delivered to us His holy mysteries, that in them we might commemorate all His grace towards us. Let us then with overflowing love, and with an humble will, receive the gift of eternal life. With pure prayer and manifold sorrow, let us partake in the mysteries of the church and in penitent hope, turning from our offences and grieving for our sins, and asking mercy and forgiveness from God, the Lord of all.
The Deacons: Amen.
Deacon: Let us all with awe and reverence draw near to the mysteries of the precious body and blood of our Saviour. With a pure heart and true faith let us remember His passion and consider his resurrection. For our sakes the only-Begotten of God took of mankind a mortal body and a reasonable, intelligent and immortal soul; and by His lifegiving laws and His holy commandments has brought us out of error to the knowledge of the truth. And after all His dispensation for us, He, the first-fruits of our nature was lifted up on the cross, He rose from the dead and was taken up into heaven. He has delivered to us His holy mysteries, that in them we might commemorate all His grace towards us. Let us then with overflowing love, and with an humble will, receive the gift of eternal life. With pure prayer and manifold sorrow, let us partake in the mysteries of the church and in penitent hope, turning from our offences and grieving for our sins, and asking mercy and forgiveness from God, the Lord of all.
When the priest gives the body of Christ to the people, he says:
The Body of Our Lord, for the pardon of offences.
Likewise the deacon says when he gives the wine:
The precious Blood for the pardon of offences.
The Body of Our Lord, for the pardon of offences.
Likewise the deacon says when he gives the wine:
The precious Blood for the pardon of offences.
Deacon: Amen. Bless O my Lord.
Priest: Christ our God and our Lord and our King and our Saviour and our Life-Giver and the Forgiver of our sins, who in His grace and His mercy has accounted us worthy to receive His precious all-sanctifying Body and Blood, grant us to be well-pleasing unto Him in our thoughts and words and deeds and actions. And, O my Lord, may this earnest, which we have received, be to us for the pardon of offences and the forgiveness of sins and for the great hope of the resurrection of the dead, and for new life in the Kingdom of Heaven, with all those who have been well-pleasing unto Thee by Thy grace and Thy mercy, for ever. Amen.
Priest: Christ our God and our Lord and our King and our Saviour and our Life-Giver and the Forgiver of our sins, who in His grace and His mercy has accounted us worthy to receive His precious all-sanctifying Body and Blood, grant us to be well-pleasing unto Him in our thoughts and words and deeds and actions. And, O my Lord, may this earnest, which we have received, be to us for the pardon of offences and the forgiveness of sins and for the great hope of the resurrection of the dead, and for new life in the Kingdom of Heaven, with all those who have been well-pleasing unto Thee by Thy grace and Thy mercy, for ever. Amen.
The priest stands at the right side of the altar, blesses the people and says:
He Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord, and has bidden us to His kingdom, and called us and brought us near to His desirable blessings, which pass not away neither cease nor are destroyed, even as He promised and assured to us in His life-giving gospel, and said to the blessed company of His disciples: Truly I say unto you, whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him, and I will raise him up at the last day and He shall not come into judgement, but hath passed from death unto life eternal. May He then bless our congregation guard our assembly and make our people glorious, which have come and rejoiced in the power of His glorious and holy and life-giving and divine mysteries, and with the living sign of the cross of our Lord, be ye sealed and guarded from all harm hidden or open, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
All: The Trinity that blessed the righteous believers and forefathers bless this church, and may it be blessed now and for ever. Protect, O my Lord those who dwell in it from all harm and tribulations. Let it be full of blessings, like the House of Abraham. And increase and multiply its benefits like that of righteous Job, and may it be protected by the prayers of the holy virgin Mary from now and for ever.
THE SARUM LITURGY
or
The Ordinary
and
The Canon
of the Mass
According to the Use
of the Church of Salisbury
The Sarum Rite was a variant of the Roman Rite which was used in the British Isles before the schism of Church of England and the Catholic Church. It was used at the Cathedral of Salisbury (called “Sarum”), in southern England in the late Middle Ages; and in many other places in England from the 13th to the 16th century.The first Book of Common Prayer in 1549 was largely based on this rite, and it is the root of the rites of the Anglican and Episcopal churches. There were many variations of the Sarum Rite. Prior to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, there was no single rite used universally in England. This particular version of the Mass is a compilation from several different versions, all of which are quite similar.
THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS
When mass is about to be said, while the priest puts on the sacred vestments, let him say the hymn; Creator Spirit, come. etc.
V. Send forth thy Spirit.
R. And thou wilt renew the face of the earth.
Collect for Purity. — O God, to whom every heart is open and every desire known, and whom no secret escapes, purify by the infusion of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of our heart; that we may merit perfectly to love and worthily to praise thee: through Christ.
Then let the antiphon follow : — I will go to the altar.
He Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord, and has bidden us to His kingdom, and called us and brought us near to His desirable blessings, which pass not away neither cease nor are destroyed, even as He promised and assured to us in His life-giving gospel, and said to the blessed company of His disciples: Truly I say unto you, whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him, and I will raise him up at the last day and He shall not come into judgement, but hath passed from death unto life eternal. May He then bless our congregation guard our assembly and make our people glorious, which have come and rejoiced in the power of His glorious and holy and life-giving and divine mysteries, and with the living sign of the cross of our Lord, be ye sealed and guarded from all harm hidden or open, now and always and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
All: The Trinity that blessed the righteous believers and forefathers bless this church, and may it be blessed now and for ever. Protect, O my Lord those who dwell in it from all harm and tribulations. Let it be full of blessings, like the House of Abraham. And increase and multiply its benefits like that of righteous Job, and may it be protected by the prayers of the holy virgin Mary from now and for ever.
THE SARUM LITURGY
or
The Ordinary
and
The Canon
of the Mass
According to the Use
of the Church of Salisbury
The Sarum Rite was a variant of the Roman Rite which was used in the British Isles before the schism of Church of England and the Catholic Church. It was used at the Cathedral of Salisbury (called “Sarum”), in southern England in the late Middle Ages; and in many other places in England from the 13th to the 16th century.The first Book of Common Prayer in 1549 was largely based on this rite, and it is the root of the rites of the Anglican and Episcopal churches. There were many variations of the Sarum Rite. Prior to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, there was no single rite used universally in England. This particular version of the Mass is a compilation from several different versions, all of which are quite similar.
THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS
When mass is about to be said, while the priest puts on the sacred vestments, let him say the hymn; Creator Spirit, come. etc.
V. Send forth thy Spirit.
R. And thou wilt renew the face of the earth.
Collect for Purity. — O God, to whom every heart is open and every desire known, and whom no secret escapes, purify by the infusion of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of our heart; that we may merit perfectly to love and worthily to praise thee: through Christ.
Then let the antiphon follow : — I will go to the altar.
43 Judica me, Deus
1
Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?
3
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
4
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
6
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Antiphon. I will go to the altar of God, to God who makes glad my youth.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Our Father….
Hail Mary…
The Priest now recites the Introit for the day, followed by "Glory be to the Father, etc." as usual. Then, ascending to the step below the Altar, the Priest and servers shall say the Confession. The Priest says the Lord’s Prayer silently, and then, aloud:,
V. And lead us not into temptation,
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Let us confess unto the Lord, for He is good:
R. And His mercy endureth for ever..
Priest: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Servers: The Almighty God have mercy upon you, and pardon all your sins, deliver you from all evil, preserve and confirm you in good, and lead you to everlasting life.
Priest. Amen.
Servers: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Priest: Absolution and remission of all your sins, space for true repentance, amendment of life, grace, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit, the Almighty and merciful God grant to you.
Servers: Amen. Amen.
1
Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?
3
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
4
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
6
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Antiphon. I will go to the altar of God, to God who makes glad my youth.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Our Father….
Hail Mary…
The Priest now recites the Introit for the day, followed by "Glory be to the Father, etc." as usual. Then, ascending to the step below the Altar, the Priest and servers shall say the Confession. The Priest says the Lord’s Prayer silently, and then, aloud:,
V. And lead us not into temptation,
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Let us confess unto the Lord, for He is good:
R. And His mercy endureth for ever..
Priest: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Servers: The Almighty God have mercy upon you, and pardon all your sins, deliver you from all evil, preserve and confirm you in good, and lead you to everlasting life.
Priest. Amen.
Servers: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Priest: Absolution and remission of all your sins, space for true repentance, amendment of life, grace, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit, the Almighty and merciful God grant to you.
Servers: Amen. Amen.
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. From this time forth, for evermore.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. From this time forth, for evermore.
Let us pray.
A prayer is then said. The priest kisses the deacon, and afterwards the subdeacon, saying:
Receive the kiss of peace and of love that you may be meet to perform the sacred offices at the holy altar.
And this is always observed through the whole year: unless only in masses for the dead, and in the Easter Triduum.
These things performed, let the torchbearers remove the candlesticks with the candles to the step of the altar, then let the priest approach to the altar, and say at the middle of the altar with inaudible voice, and body bowed, and hands joined:
Let us pray.
Take away from us, O Lord, all our iniquities, that we may be worthy to enter into the holy of holies with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.
Then let the priest raise himself up, and kiss the altar, and this in the middle, and sign himself on his own face, so saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Kyrie is then said in triples.
A prayer is then said. The priest kisses the deacon, and afterwards the subdeacon, saying:
Receive the kiss of peace and of love that you may be meet to perform the sacred offices at the holy altar.
And this is always observed through the whole year: unless only in masses for the dead, and in the Easter Triduum.
These things performed, let the torchbearers remove the candlesticks with the candles to the step of the altar, then let the priest approach to the altar, and say at the middle of the altar with inaudible voice, and body bowed, and hands joined:
Let us pray.
Take away from us, O Lord, all our iniquities, that we may be worthy to enter into the holy of holies with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.
Then let the priest raise himself up, and kiss the altar, and this in the middle, and sign himself on his own face, so saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Kyrie is then said in triples.
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Christe, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
The deacon places incense in the censer.
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Christe, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
The deacon places incense in the censer.
Deacon:Bless ye.
Priest: The Lord. By Him may it be sanctified in whose honour it will be burned. In the name of the Father, &c.
The rubric directs the Deacon to deliver the censer to the Priest, kissing his hand, and the Priest to incense the altar in the middle and on both sides. The Priest then is to be incensed by the Deacon, and “the office of the Mass” is to follow.
Then let the ministers in order approach to the altar: first, the two torchbearers walking together, then the incense bearers; afterwards the subdeacon, then the deacon; after him the priest. This done, let the priest and his own ministers take seats prepared for them, and wait until the Gloria in excelsis, which should always be commenced at the middle of the altar whenever it is said.
GLORY be to God on high,
While the Congregation continues the Gloria, the Priest goes to the right corner of the Altar and says the Gloria in a low voice.
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We worship Thee, We glorify Thee, We give thanks to Thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
This ended, and the sign of the cross having been made on his own face, let the priest turn to the people, and elevating his arms a little, and joining his hands say:
The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
And again, let the priest turn to the altar and say:
Let us pray.
Then the Collect.
And if any memorials are to be observed, let the priest say again: Let us pray, as above. And when there are many collects to be said, then let all the prayers which follow be said under one, Through the Lord, and one, Let us pray: so however that he ought not to exceed the septenary number, according to the use of the Church of Sarum. [Here follow directions as to postures and the side of the altar on which the priest is to stand, with various exceptions.] After the introit of the mass, let one of the wax-bearers carry the bread, the wine, and the water, which are appointed for the ministration of the Eucharist. But let the other bear the lavabo [basin for the holy water], with water and the lavabo towels.
The Lector then reads the Epistle (save where the Lesson is read instead), beginning thus:
THE reading of the Epistle of Blessed N. the Apostle to the N.
The appropriate combination of Gradual, Alleluya, Sequence and Tract are now said privately by the Priest, who then receives the bread and wine with the chalice. Going thence to the right corner of the Altar, he prepares the gifts for the administration of the Eucharist. When the water is presented to the Priest for blessing, he answers:
in secret, The Lord. May it be blessed by Him, out of Whose side there came blood and water. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
When the chalice and bread have been prepared, they are placed on the right corner of the Altar.
The Priest now goes to the center of the Altar and bows before it, while saying:
in secret, The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily announce the Holy Gospel of God. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Taking up the Gospel book, the Priest turns to the people and says:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
While announcing the Gospel, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb, first on the Gospel book, next on his forehead, and lastly on his breast.
The Continuation of the Gospel according to N.
GLORY be to God on high,
While the Congregation continues the Gloria, the Priest goes to the right corner of the Altar and says the Gloria in a low voice.
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We worship Thee, We glorify Thee, We give thanks to Thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
This ended, and the sign of the cross having been made on his own face, let the priest turn to the people, and elevating his arms a little, and joining his hands say:
The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
And again, let the priest turn to the altar and say:
Let us pray.
Then the Collect.
And if any memorials are to be observed, let the priest say again: Let us pray, as above. And when there are many collects to be said, then let all the prayers which follow be said under one, Through the Lord, and one, Let us pray: so however that he ought not to exceed the septenary number, according to the use of the Church of Sarum. [Here follow directions as to postures and the side of the altar on which the priest is to stand, with various exceptions.] After the introit of the mass, let one of the wax-bearers carry the bread, the wine, and the water, which are appointed for the ministration of the Eucharist. But let the other bear the lavabo [basin for the holy water], with water and the lavabo towels.
The Lector then reads the Epistle (save where the Lesson is read instead), beginning thus:
THE reading of the Epistle of Blessed N. the Apostle to the N.
The appropriate combination of Gradual, Alleluya, Sequence and Tract are now said privately by the Priest, who then receives the bread and wine with the chalice. Going thence to the right corner of the Altar, he prepares the gifts for the administration of the Eucharist. When the water is presented to the Priest for blessing, he answers:
in secret, The Lord. May it be blessed by Him, out of Whose side there came blood and water. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
When the chalice and bread have been prepared, they are placed on the right corner of the Altar.
The Priest now goes to the center of the Altar and bows before it, while saying:
in secret, The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily announce the Holy Gospel of God. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Taking up the Gospel book, the Priest turns to the people and says:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
While announcing the Gospel, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb, first on the Gospel book, next on his forehead, and lastly on his breast.
The Continuation of the Gospel according to N.
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
The Gospel ended, let the Book be kissed, after which the Priest returns to the center of the Altar. The Priest now intones the Creed as follows:
I BELIEVE in One God,
The Creed is then continued by the Congregation:
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: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
Here all incline towards the Altar, while saying,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
Here all incline again towards the Altar, saying,
And was made man.
Here all incline a third time, saying,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He 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 I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life: Who proceeds from the Father and the Son: Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified: Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, Here all again incline, saying, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Creed ended, the Priest turns towards the People and says,
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Turning back to the Altar, the Priest then says,
Let us pray.
The Priest next says the Offertory for the day. After the Offertory, the Priest places the chalice with the paten and sacrifice in its accustomed place in the midst of the Altar; and bowing for a space, elevates the chalice with both hands, offering the sacrifice to God, while saying this prayer of oblation:
Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which I, an unworthy sinner, offer in honour of thee, of the blessed Virgin and all the saints, for my sins and offences, and for the salvation of the living, and the rest of all the faithful dead. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let this new sacrifice be acceptable to the omnipotent God.
This done, he replaces the chalice, and puts the bread reverently upon the corporal in front of the chalice, and having kissed the paten, places it upon the Altar to the right of the sacrifice, and covers the chalice, bread and paten with corporals.
The Priest next goes to the right corner of the Altar, and washes his hands, saying,
Cleanse me, O Lord, from all iniquity of my body and soul, that clean I may be able to fulfil the holy work of the Lord.
Then let him return, and standing before the altar with inclined head and body, with joined hands, let him say:
Let us be accepted, O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and in a contrite mind, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight that it may be received by thee this day, and may please thee, O Lord, my God.
And raising himself let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, and giving a benediction on the other side of the sacrifice; afterwards let him sign himself, saying:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then let the priest turn to the people, and with a loud voice say:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and likewise yours may be acceptable to our Lord God.
Response: May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart and thy lips, and the Lord accept worthily this sacrifice of praise from thy hands for our sins and offences.
Turning again to the altar, the Priest says the Secret prayers, according to the number of Collects that were said, beginning:
Let us pray.
The Priest continues the prayers in a low voice till the end, when he says aloud,
World without end. Amen.
The Gospel ended, let the Book be kissed, after which the Priest returns to the center of the Altar. The Priest now intones the Creed as follows:
I BELIEVE in One God,
The Creed is then continued by the Congregation:
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: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
Here all incline towards the Altar, while saying,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
Here all incline again towards the Altar, saying,
And was made man.
Here all incline a third time, saying,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He 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 I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life: Who proceeds from the Father and the Son: Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified: Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, Here all again incline, saying, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Creed ended, the Priest turns towards the People and says,
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Turning back to the Altar, the Priest then says,
Let us pray.
The Priest next says the Offertory for the day. After the Offertory, the Priest places the chalice with the paten and sacrifice in its accustomed place in the midst of the Altar; and bowing for a space, elevates the chalice with both hands, offering the sacrifice to God, while saying this prayer of oblation:
Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which I, an unworthy sinner, offer in honour of thee, of the blessed Virgin and all the saints, for my sins and offences, and for the salvation of the living, and the rest of all the faithful dead. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let this new sacrifice be acceptable to the omnipotent God.
This done, he replaces the chalice, and puts the bread reverently upon the corporal in front of the chalice, and having kissed the paten, places it upon the Altar to the right of the sacrifice, and covers the chalice, bread and paten with corporals.
The Priest next goes to the right corner of the Altar, and washes his hands, saying,
Cleanse me, O Lord, from all iniquity of my body and soul, that clean I may be able to fulfil the holy work of the Lord.
Then let him return, and standing before the altar with inclined head and body, with joined hands, let him say:
Let us be accepted, O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and in a contrite mind, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight that it may be received by thee this day, and may please thee, O Lord, my God.
And raising himself let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, and giving a benediction on the other side of the sacrifice; afterwards let him sign himself, saying:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then let the priest turn to the people, and with a loud voice say:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and likewise yours may be acceptable to our Lord God.
Response: May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart and thy lips, and the Lord accept worthily this sacrifice of praise from thy hands for our sins and offences.
Turning again to the altar, the Priest says the Secret prayers, according to the number of Collects that were said, beginning:
Let us pray.
The Priest continues the prayers in a low voice till the end, when he says aloud,
World without end. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
The Priest elevates his hands, saying,
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We have lift them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.
Here the preface is read.
It is meet and right, true and just that we should always and everywhere give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
Ordinary Preface
Through whom angels praise thy Majesty, Principalities adore, Powers tremble. The heavens, and heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim with united exultation praise thee. With whom we pray that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, in suppliant confession, saying:
Sanctus
R. And with thy spirit.
The Priest elevates his hands, saying,
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We have lift them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.
Here the preface is read.
It is meet and right, true and just that we should always and everywhere give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
Ordinary Preface
Through whom angels praise thy Majesty, Principalities adore, Powers tremble. The heavens, and heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim with united exultation praise thee. With whom we pray that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, in suppliant confession, saying:
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Then immediately joining his hands, and raising his eyes, let him begin:
Therefore most merciful Father, suppliant we beg and beseech thee, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.
Here let the priest rising kiss the altar on the right hand of the sacrifice, saying: that thou wouldst receive and bless these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted sacrifices.
Here let the priest rising kiss the altar on the right hand of the sacrifice, saying: that thou wouldst receive and bless these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted sacrifices.
And the signs being made over the chalice, let him elevate his own hands, saying thus:
Which we offer unto thee, in the first place for thy holy Catholic Church, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pacify, preserve, unite, and govern it; throughout the whole world, with thy servants N. our Pope, and our Bishop N. (i. e. only his own Bishop) and our King N. and all the orthodox, and all upholders of the Catholic and Apostolic faith.
Here let him pray in commemoration of the living:
Remember, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. and all present, whose faith and devotion to thee is known: for whom we offer unto thee, or who themselves offer to thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, and all theirs for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety and render their own thanks to thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
Communicating and venerating the memory in the first place, of the glorious Virgin Mary, the mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ; But also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Laurentius, Crisogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian; and all thy saints:
by whose merits and prayers grant that in all things we may be defended by the help of thy protection. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here let the priest look with great veneration upon the Host, saying:
We therefore beseech thee, 0 Lord, that being appeased thou wouldst accept this oblation of our servitude, as also of all thy family, and dispose our days in thy peace, and command that we may be delivered from eternal damnation, and numbered in the flock of thy elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here again let him look upon the Host, saying: Which oblation do thou, O Almighty God, we beseech thee, vouchsafe in all respects to make +hallowed, +approved, +ratified, reasonable, and acceptable, that it may be made unto us the +body and +blood of thy most dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here let the priest raise himself, and join his hands, and after wipe his fingers, and elevate the chalice, saying:
Which we offer unto thee, in the first place for thy holy Catholic Church, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pacify, preserve, unite, and govern it; throughout the whole world, with thy servants N. our Pope, and our Bishop N. (i. e. only his own Bishop) and our King N. and all the orthodox, and all upholders of the Catholic and Apostolic faith.
Here let him pray in commemoration of the living:
Remember, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. and all present, whose faith and devotion to thee is known: for whom we offer unto thee, or who themselves offer to thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, and all theirs for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety and render their own thanks to thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
Communicating and venerating the memory in the first place, of the glorious Virgin Mary, the mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ; But also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Laurentius, Crisogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian; and all thy saints:
by whose merits and prayers grant that in all things we may be defended by the help of thy protection. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here let the priest look with great veneration upon the Host, saying:
We therefore beseech thee, 0 Lord, that being appeased thou wouldst accept this oblation of our servitude, as also of all thy family, and dispose our days in thy peace, and command that we may be delivered from eternal damnation, and numbered in the flock of thy elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here again let him look upon the Host, saying: Which oblation do thou, O Almighty God, we beseech thee, vouchsafe in all respects to make +hallowed, +approved, +ratified, reasonable, and acceptable, that it may be made unto us the +body and +blood of thy most dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here let the priest raise himself, and join his hands, and after wipe his fingers, and elevate the chalice, saying:
Who, the day before he suffered, took bread in his reverent and holy hands, and lifting his eyes to heaven (here let him raise his own eyes), to you his own omnipotent Father, giving thanks to thee, he +blessed, he brake (here let him touch the host, saying) and gave it to his own disciples, saying, Take and eat ye all of this, for this is my body.
These words ought to be spoken with one breath, and under one utterance, without any pause. After these words, let the priest bow to the host, and afterwards raise it above his forehead, that it may be seen by the people, and reverently let him replace it before the chalice in the manner of a cross made by the same. And then let him uncover the chalice and hold it between his hands, not disuniting his thumb from his forefinger, save only while he blesses, saying thus:—
In like manner after supper, taking this excellent chalice in his own holy and reverent hands; also to thee (here he bows, saying) giving thanks, he +blessed, and gave to his own disciples, saying: Receive and drink ye all of it (here let the priest elevate it a little, saying) for this is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal Testament, the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. (Here let him elevate the cup as high as the breast, or above the head, saying) As often as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me. (Here let him replace the cup, and raise his arms in the form of a cross, the fingers being joined until the words of thy gifts.)
Wherefore, both we thy servants, O Lord, as also thy holy people, keeping in mind as well the blessed passion of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension too, into Heaven, offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy gifts and endowments, a +pure Host, a +holy Host, an +immaculate Host: the +holy bread of eternal life, and the +cup of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which thy High Priest Melchisedech offered to thee, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host.
Here let the priest, with body bowed down and hands holden across, say:
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, to command these things to be borne by the hands of thy holy angel to the altar above in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us (here rising, let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, saying) as shall receive from this participation of the altar the holy +body and +blood of thy Son, (Here let him sign himself on the face, saying) may be filled with grace and heavenly +benediction. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him pray for the dead.
Remember also, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To them, O Lord, and to all resting in Christ, we beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him strike his own breast once, saying,
These words ought to be spoken with one breath, and under one utterance, without any pause. After these words, let the priest bow to the host, and afterwards raise it above his forehead, that it may be seen by the people, and reverently let him replace it before the chalice in the manner of a cross made by the same. And then let him uncover the chalice and hold it between his hands, not disuniting his thumb from his forefinger, save only while he blesses, saying thus:—
In like manner after supper, taking this excellent chalice in his own holy and reverent hands; also to thee (here he bows, saying) giving thanks, he +blessed, and gave to his own disciples, saying: Receive and drink ye all of it (here let the priest elevate it a little, saying) for this is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal Testament, the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. (Here let him elevate the cup as high as the breast, or above the head, saying) As often as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me. (Here let him replace the cup, and raise his arms in the form of a cross, the fingers being joined until the words of thy gifts.)
Wherefore, both we thy servants, O Lord, as also thy holy people, keeping in mind as well the blessed passion of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension too, into Heaven, offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy gifts and endowments, a +pure Host, a +holy Host, an +immaculate Host: the +holy bread of eternal life, and the +cup of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which thy High Priest Melchisedech offered to thee, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host.
Here let the priest, with body bowed down and hands holden across, say:
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, to command these things to be borne by the hands of thy holy angel to the altar above in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us (here rising, let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, saying) as shall receive from this participation of the altar the holy +body and +blood of thy Son, (Here let him sign himself on the face, saying) may be filled with grace and heavenly +benediction. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him pray for the dead.
Remember also, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To them, O Lord, and to all resting in Christ, we beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him strike his own breast once, saying,
To us also, sinners, thy servants, hoping from the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Pelicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cזcilia, Anastasia, with all thy saints; into whose fellowship admit us, we beseech thee, not as the weigher of our merit but as the bestower of pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Through whom, 0 Lord, thou dost create all these good things (Here let the priest sign the cup thrice, saying) dost +sanctify, +vivify, +bless, and bestow them upon us. (Here let the priest uncover the cup, and make the sign of the cross with the host five times, first beyond the cup on every side, secondly even with the cup, thirdly within the cup, fourthly as the first, fifthly before the cup.) Through +him, and with +him, and in +him, be all honour and glory to thee, God the Father Almighty. in the unity of the Holy +Spirit. (Here let the priest cover the chalice and hold his hands still upon the altar until the Pater Noster is said, so saying:) World without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
Taught by thy saving precepts, and formed by divine instruction, we presume to say (Here let the deacon take the paten, and hold it uncovered on the right side of the priest, with his arm stretched out on high, as far as to, Grant propitiously. Here let the priest lift up his hand, saying:
Our Father, &c. And lead us not into temptation.
Let the choir respond: But deliver us from evil. The priest, privately, Amen.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints.
Here let the deacon give the paten to the priest kissing his hand, and let the priest kiss the paten; afterwards let him place it to his left eye, then to the right. Afterwards let him make the cross with the paten above his head, and then lay it in its own place, saying:
Let us pray.
Taught by thy saving precepts, and formed by divine instruction, we presume to say (Here let the deacon take the paten, and hold it uncovered on the right side of the priest, with his arm stretched out on high, as far as to, Grant propitiously. Here let the priest lift up his hand, saying:
Our Father, &c. And lead us not into temptation.
Let the choir respond: But deliver us from evil. The priest, privately, Amen.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints.
Here let the deacon give the paten to the priest kissing his hand, and let the priest kiss the paten; afterwards let him place it to his left eye, then to the right. Afterwards let him make the cross with the paten above his head, and then lay it in its own place, saying:
Graciously grant peace in our days: that assisted with the help of thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance.
Here let him uncover the chalice, and take the body with a bow, transposing it into the hollow of the chalice, retaining it between his forefingers and thumbs, and let him break it into three parts, (the first breaking) whilst he says:
Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son; (the second breaking:,) Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the holy Spirit, God.
Here let him hold two pieces in the left hand, and the third piece in his right hand upon the top of the chalice, so saying with a clear voice: world without end. Amen.
Here let him make three crosses within the chalice with the third part of the host, saying: The peace of the +Lord be always with you.
Let the choir respond, and with thy spirit.
At the saying of the Agnus, let the deacon and subdeacon approach to the priest both on the right, the deacon. the nearer, the subdeacon more remote, and let them say privately:
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Here signing with the cross, let him place the said third part of the host in the sacrament of the blood, saying thus:
Be this holy commixture of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to me and to all receiving it, salvation of mind and body; and a salutary preparation for the meriting and embracing of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before the peace is given, let the priest say: O Lord, holy Father, Almighty and eternal, grant to me that I may so worthily receive this holy body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that I may merit to receive through this the remission of all my sins, and to be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and to have thy peace. Because thou art God alone, and there is none other beside thee, whose glorious kingdom shall remain for ever. Amen.
Here let the priest kiss the corporals on the right side, and the top of the chalice, and afterwards the deacon saying:
At the saying of the Agnus, let the deacon and subdeacon approach to the priest both on the right, the deacon. the nearer, the subdeacon more remote, and let them say privately:
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Here signing with the cross, let him place the said third part of the host in the sacrament of the blood, saying thus:
Be this holy commixture of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to me and to all receiving it, salvation of mind and body; and a salutary preparation for the meriting and embracing of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before the peace is given, let the priest say: O Lord, holy Father, Almighty and eternal, grant to me that I may so worthily receive this holy body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that I may merit to receive through this the remission of all my sins, and to be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and to have thy peace. Because thou art God alone, and there is none other beside thee, whose glorious kingdom shall remain for ever. Amen.
Here let the priest kiss the corporals on the right side, and the top of the chalice, and afterwards the deacon saying:
Peace be to thee and to the Church of God.
Answer: And with thy spirit.
Let the deacon, on the right hand of the priest, receive the pax from him, and extend it to the subdeacon: Then, at the step of the choir, let the deacon himself bear the pax to the rectors of the choir: and let them convey the pax to the choir, each one to his own part, beginning from the seniors. After the giving of the pax, let the priest say the following prayers privately, before he communicates himself: holding the host in both hands:
Let the deacon, on the right hand of the priest, receive the pax from him, and extend it to the subdeacon: Then, at the step of the choir, let the deacon himself bear the pax to the rectors of the choir: and let them convey the pax to the choir, each one to his own part, beginning from the seniors. After the giving of the pax, let the priest say the following prayers privately, before he communicates himself: holding the host in both hands:
O God the Father, the Fountain and Origin of all goodness, thou, who, moved by compassion for us, didst will thine only begotten Son to descend to the low places of the world, and to take our flesh, whom I unworthy hold here in my hands: (Here let the priest bow to the host, saying:) I adore thee, I glorify thee, I praise thee, with the complete intention of the heart: and pray that thou mayest not forsake thy servants, but pardon our sins: that with pure heart and chaste body we may deserve to serve thee: who art alone the living God, and the true. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of the Father, the Holy Ghost cooperating, through thy death, hast given life to the world, deliver me, I beseech thee, by this most holy body and this thy blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils: and make me so always to obey all thy commandments, and never permit me to be separated from thee for ever. Who livest and reignest God, with God the Father, and the same holy Spirit: through all eternity. Amen.
Let not the sacrament of thy body and blood, 0 Lord Jesus, which, although unworthy, I presume to receive, be to me for judgment and condemnation, but may it avail, through thy mercy, for the salvation of my body and soul. Amen.
To the body let him say, with humility, before he receives it:
Hail eternally, O most holy flesh of Christ: to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness.
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ be to thee, a sinner, the way and the life. In the name of the Father, and of’ the Son, anti of the Holy Ghost.
Here let him receive the body, first having made the sign of the cross with the body itself before his mouth. Then let him say to the blood, with great devotion:
Hail for eternity, celestial beverage, to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, a never-failing remedy to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, &c.
Here let him receive the blood: which being taken, let him bow and say with devotion the following prayer:
I render thanks to thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty eternal God: who hast refreshed me from the most sacred body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ: And I beseech that this sacrament of our salvation, which, unworthy sinner as I am, I have received, may not come to me to judgment nor to condemnation for my deserts, but to the perfecting of body and soul to eternal life. Amen.
Which said, let the priest go to the right hand of the altar with the cup between his hands, his fingers being still joined as before, and let the subdeacon approach and pour into the cup the wine and water; and let the priest rinse his hands lest any remains of the body or blood should be on his fingers or in the cup. After the first ablution or effusion, this prayer is said:
Let us take, O Lord, with a pure mind that which we receive with the mouth, and from a temporal gift let it be to us an eternal remedy.
Here let him cleanse his fingers in the hollow of the chalice, with the wine poured in by the subdeacon, which being drunk up, let the prayer follow:
Let this communion. O Lord, purge us from crime and make us to be partakers of the heavenly remedy.
After the taking of the ablutions, let the priest place the cup upon the paten, that if anything remain it may drop down; and afterwards bowing, let him say: Let us adore the sign of the cross, by which we have received the sacrament of salvation. Then let him wash his hands: let the deacon meanwhile fold up the corporal. The hands washed, and the priest having returned to the right side of the altar, let the deacon reach the cup to the mouth of the priest to receive whatever may have remained in it. But afterwards let him say with his ministers the communion. Then making the sign of the cross on his face, let the priest turn to the people, and with his arms raised a little, and hands joined, say:
The Lord be with you.
Then turning to the altar, let him say:
Let us pray.
Then let him say the post-communion, according to the number and order of the aforesaid prayers before the epistles. Having finished the last post-communion, and make the sign of the cross on his forehead, let the priest again turn to the people, and say:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of the Father, the Holy Ghost cooperating, through thy death, hast given life to the world, deliver me, I beseech thee, by this most holy body and this thy blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils: and make me so always to obey all thy commandments, and never permit me to be separated from thee for ever. Who livest and reignest God, with God the Father, and the same holy Spirit: through all eternity. Amen.
Let not the sacrament of thy body and blood, 0 Lord Jesus, which, although unworthy, I presume to receive, be to me for judgment and condemnation, but may it avail, through thy mercy, for the salvation of my body and soul. Amen.
To the body let him say, with humility, before he receives it:
Hail eternally, O most holy flesh of Christ: to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness.
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ be to thee, a sinner, the way and the life. In the name of the Father, and of’ the Son, anti of the Holy Ghost.
Here let him receive the body, first having made the sign of the cross with the body itself before his mouth. Then let him say to the blood, with great devotion:
Hail for eternity, celestial beverage, to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, a never-failing remedy to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, &c.
Here let him receive the blood: which being taken, let him bow and say with devotion the following prayer:
I render thanks to thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty eternal God: who hast refreshed me from the most sacred body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ: And I beseech that this sacrament of our salvation, which, unworthy sinner as I am, I have received, may not come to me to judgment nor to condemnation for my deserts, but to the perfecting of body and soul to eternal life. Amen.
Which said, let the priest go to the right hand of the altar with the cup between his hands, his fingers being still joined as before, and let the subdeacon approach and pour into the cup the wine and water; and let the priest rinse his hands lest any remains of the body or blood should be on his fingers or in the cup. After the first ablution or effusion, this prayer is said:
Let us take, O Lord, with a pure mind that which we receive with the mouth, and from a temporal gift let it be to us an eternal remedy.
Here let him cleanse his fingers in the hollow of the chalice, with the wine poured in by the subdeacon, which being drunk up, let the prayer follow:
Let this communion. O Lord, purge us from crime and make us to be partakers of the heavenly remedy.
After the taking of the ablutions, let the priest place the cup upon the paten, that if anything remain it may drop down; and afterwards bowing, let him say: Let us adore the sign of the cross, by which we have received the sacrament of salvation. Then let him wash his hands: let the deacon meanwhile fold up the corporal. The hands washed, and the priest having returned to the right side of the altar, let the deacon reach the cup to the mouth of the priest to receive whatever may have remained in it. But afterwards let him say with his ministers the communion. Then making the sign of the cross on his face, let the priest turn to the people, and with his arms raised a little, and hands joined, say:
The Lord be with you.
Then turning to the altar, let him say:
Let us pray.
Then let him say the post-communion, according to the number and order of the aforesaid prayers before the epistles. Having finished the last post-communion, and make the sign of the cross on his forehead, let the priest again turn to the people, and say:
The Lord be with you.
Then let the deacon say:
Let us bless the Lord.
Then let the deacon say:
Let us bless the Lord.
But at another time is said:
Go, you are dismissed.
And as often as it is said: Go, you are dismissed, it is always said in turning towards the people; and when, Let us bless the Lord, or May he rest in peace, ought to be said, it is said turning to the altar.
These things said, let the priest with body bowed, and hands joined, say inaudibly before the middle of the altar this prayer:
Let this performance of my homage be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I unworthy have presented before the eyes of thy Majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and a propitiation through thy mercy to me, and to all of those for whom I have offered it. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Which ended, let the priest raise himself up, signing himself on his face, saying:
In the name of the Father, &c.
And so the reverence having been made, thus clothed, with the censer bearers and other ministers, let them return in the same order, in which they approached to the altar, at the beginning of the service, and immediately after the Deo Gratias, let the ninth hour be commenced in the choir when it is said after mass. But the priest in returning should say the gospel: In the beginning [John 1:1-14].
The Cycle of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are usually said on Mondays and Saturdays.
The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually said on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Glorious Mysteries are usually said on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The Luminous Mysteries are usually said on Thursdays.
The Mystery for Sunday may optionally vary depending upon the seasons of the liturgical year.
The Joyful Mysteries may be said on Sundays during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
During the season of Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries may be said on Sundays.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Go, you are dismissed.
And as often as it is said: Go, you are dismissed, it is always said in turning towards the people; and when, Let us bless the Lord, or May he rest in peace, ought to be said, it is said turning to the altar.
These things said, let the priest with body bowed, and hands joined, say inaudibly before the middle of the altar this prayer:
Let this performance of my homage be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I unworthy have presented before the eyes of thy Majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and a propitiation through thy mercy to me, and to all of those for whom I have offered it. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Which ended, let the priest raise himself up, signing himself on his face, saying:
In the name of the Father, &c.
And so the reverence having been made, thus clothed, with the censer bearers and other ministers, let them return in the same order, in which they approached to the altar, at the beginning of the service, and immediately after the Deo Gratias, let the ninth hour be commenced in the choir when it is said after mass. But the priest in returning should say the gospel: In the beginning [John 1:1-14].
The Cycle of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are usually said on Mondays and Saturdays.
The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually said on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Glorious Mysteries are usually said on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The Luminous Mysteries are usually said on Thursdays.
The Mystery for Sunday may optionally vary depending upon the seasons of the liturgical year.
The Joyful Mysteries may be said on Sundays during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
During the season of Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries may be said on Sundays.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation to Mary
The Messenger of God Announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. Humility
30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
- Luke 1:30-33
2. The Visitation of Mary
Mary visits and helps her cousin Elizabeth. Love of Neighbor
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
- Luke 1:41-42
3. The Nativity of Our Lord
Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Spirit of Poverty
10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today, in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord"
- Luke 2:10-11
4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Jesus is presented in the Temple. Obedience to God's Will
29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
- Luke 2:29-32
5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple
Jesus is found in the Temple. Fidelity to Vocation, Joy in finding Jesus
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." 49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
- Luke 2:48-52
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The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden
Jesus undergoes his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Spirit of Prayer, Sorrow for Sin
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." 39 He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
- Matthew 26:38-39
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is scourged at the pillar. Modesty and Purity
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.
- John 19:1
3. The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus is crowned with thorns. Courage
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
- Mark 15:16-17
4. The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the cross to Calvary. Patience in Suffering
17 [A]nd carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
- John 19:17
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross
Jesus dies on the cross for our sins. Self-denial, Perseverance
28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." 29 There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
- John 19:28-30
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The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus rises from the dead. Faith
6 He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"
- Mark 16:6-7
2. The Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus ascends into heaven. Hope
10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
- Acts 1:10-11
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles
The Holy Spirit comes to the apostles and the Blessed Mother. Wisdom, Love of God, Zeal, Fortitude
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
- Acts 2:1-3
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
The Mother of Jesus is taken into heaven. Eternal Happiness, Grace of a Happy Death
3 As an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
so is my lover among men.
I delight to rest in his shadow,
and his fruit is sweet to my mouth.
4 He brings me into the banquet hall
and his emblem over me is love.
5 Strengthen me with raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left hand is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
- Song of Songs 2:3-6
5. The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Mary is crowned queen of heaven and earth. Devotion to Mary and Final Perseverance, Trust in Mary's Intercession
46 And Mary said,
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed."
- Luke 1:46-48
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The Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism in the Jordan
Jesus is baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Openness to the Holy Spirit
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. 17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
- Matthew 3:13-17
2. The Self-Manifestation of Our Lord at the wedding of Cana
Jesus changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith. To Jesus through Mary
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 [And] Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. 9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
- John 2:1-11
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the Call to Conversion
Jesus preaches about the Kingdom of God and calls for conversion. Repentance and Trust in God
14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
- Mark 1:14-15
4. The Transfiguration
Jesus is transfigured before the disciples. Desire for Holiness
29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.
- Luke 9:29
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine. Adoration
19 Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
- Luke 22:19-20
Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary
Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan
Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
1. The Annunciation to Mary
The Messenger of God Announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. Humility
30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
- Luke 1:30-33
2. The Visitation of Mary
Mary visits and helps her cousin Elizabeth. Love of Neighbor
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
- Luke 1:41-42
3. The Nativity of Our Lord
Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Spirit of Poverty
10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today, in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord"
- Luke 2:10-11
4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Jesus is presented in the Temple. Obedience to God's Will
29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
- Luke 2:29-32
5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple
Jesus is found in the Temple. Fidelity to Vocation, Joy in finding Jesus
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." 49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
- Luke 2:48-52
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The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden
Jesus undergoes his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Spirit of Prayer, Sorrow for Sin
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." 39 He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
- Matthew 26:38-39
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is scourged at the pillar. Modesty and Purity
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.
- John 19:1
3. The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus is crowned with thorns. Courage
16 The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
- Mark 15:16-17
4. The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the cross to Calvary. Patience in Suffering
17 [A]nd carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
- John 19:17
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross
Jesus dies on the cross for our sins. Self-denial, Perseverance
28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." 29 There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
- John 19:28-30
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The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus rises from the dead. Faith
6 He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'"
- Mark 16:6-7
2. The Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus ascends into heaven. Hope
10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
- Acts 1:10-11
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles
The Holy Spirit comes to the apostles and the Blessed Mother. Wisdom, Love of God, Zeal, Fortitude
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
- Acts 2:1-3
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
The Mother of Jesus is taken into heaven. Eternal Happiness, Grace of a Happy Death
3 As an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
so is my lover among men.
I delight to rest in his shadow,
and his fruit is sweet to my mouth.
4 He brings me into the banquet hall
and his emblem over me is love.
5 Strengthen me with raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left hand is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
- Song of Songs 2:3-6
5. The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Mary is crowned queen of heaven and earth. Devotion to Mary and Final Perseverance, Trust in Mary's Intercession
46 And Mary said,
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed."
- Luke 1:46-48
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The Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism in the Jordan
Jesus is baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Openness to the Holy Spirit
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. 17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
- Matthew 3:13-17
2. The Self-Manifestation of Our Lord at the wedding of Cana
Jesus changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith. To Jesus through Mary
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 [And] Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. 9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
- John 2:1-11
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the Call to Conversion
Jesus preaches about the Kingdom of God and calls for conversion. Repentance and Trust in God
14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
- Mark 1:14-15
4. The Transfiguration
Jesus is transfigured before the disciples. Desire for Holiness
29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.
- Luke 9:29
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine. Adoration
19 Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
- Luke 22:19-20
Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary
Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan
Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
The Prayers of the Rosary
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
Said while making the sign of the Cross by moving the right hand from the forehead to the chest, to the left shoulder, then to the right shoulder.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
AMEN.
Our Father
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.
(For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.)
AMEN.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
AMEN.
Glory to the Father
(Prayer of Praise)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
AMEN.
O My Jesus
(Requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have the most need of your mercy.
AMEN.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
Response:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, Let us pray; O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Prayer before Holy Communion
St. Ambrose of Milan
Lord Jesus Christ, I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth but only on your goodness and mercy. I am defiled by many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words.
Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek your protection, I look for your healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear your judgment, but I trust in your salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in your mercies, for they cannot be numbered.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, god and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in you. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of your compassion never ends.
Praise to you, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your blood. I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and ins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.
May your body and blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies.
Saint Ambrose of Milan
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
Said while making the sign of the Cross by moving the right hand from the forehead to the chest, to the left shoulder, then to the right shoulder.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
AMEN.
Our Father
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.
(For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.)
AMEN.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
AMEN.
Glory to the Father
(Prayer of Praise)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
AMEN.
O My Jesus
(Requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have the most need of your mercy.
AMEN.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
Response:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, Let us pray; O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Prayer before Holy Communion
St. Ambrose of Milan
Lord Jesus Christ, I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth but only on your goodness and mercy. I am defiled by many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words.
Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek your protection, I look for your healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear your judgment, but I trust in your salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in your mercies, for they cannot be numbered.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, god and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in you. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of your compassion never ends.
Praise to you, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your blood. I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and ins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.
May your body and blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies.
Saint Ambrose of Milan
Prayer before Holy Communion
St John Chrysostom
O Lord, my God, I am not worthy that you should come into my soul, but I am glad that you have come to me because in your loving kindness you desire to dwell in me. You ask me to open the door of my soul, which you alone have created, so that you may enter into it with your loving kindness and dispel the darkness of my mind. I believe that you will do this for you did not turn away Mary Magdalene when she approached you in tears. Neither did you withhold forgiveness from the tax collector who repented of his sins or from teh good thief who asked to be received into your kingdom. Indeed, you numbered as your friends all who came to you with repentant hearts. O God, you alone are blessed always, now, and forever. St John Chrysostom
St John Chrysostom
O Lord, my God, I am not worthy that you should come into my soul, but I am glad that you have come to me because in your loving kindness you desire to dwell in me. You ask me to open the door of my soul, which you alone have created, so that you may enter into it with your loving kindness and dispel the darkness of my mind. I believe that you will do this for you did not turn away Mary Magdalene when she approached you in tears. Neither did you withhold forgiveness from the tax collector who repented of his sins or from teh good thief who asked to be received into your kingdom. Indeed, you numbered as your friends all who came to you with repentant hearts. O God, you alone are blessed always, now, and forever. St John Chrysostom
Prayer after Holy Communion
St. Bonaventure
Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste. May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of widsom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fulness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverence to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen. St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure
Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste. May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of widsom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fulness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverence to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen. St. Bonaventure
Prayer after Holy Communion
St. Thomas Aquinas
I give Thee thanks, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, who hast vouchsafed, not for any merit of mine, but solely out of the condescension of Thy mercy, to satisfy me a sinner, Thine unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this holy Communion be not to me a condemnation unto punishment, but a saving plea unto forgiveness. May it be unto me the armour of faith and the shield of good will. May it be the emptying out of my vices, the extinction of all concupiscence and lust, the increase of charity and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues; a strong defense against the snares of all enemies, visible and invisible; the perfect quieting of all my evil impulses, both fleshly and ghostly; a firm cleaving unto Thee, the one true God; and a pledge of a blessed destiny. And I beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring me, a sinner, to the ineffable banquet, where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost, art to Thy saints true light, fullness of content, eternal joy, gladness without alloy and perfect bliss. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas
I give Thee thanks, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, who hast vouchsafed, not for any merit of mine, but solely out of the condescension of Thy mercy, to satisfy me a sinner, Thine unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this holy Communion be not to me a condemnation unto punishment, but a saving plea unto forgiveness. May it be unto me the armour of faith and the shield of good will. May it be the emptying out of my vices, the extinction of all concupiscence and lust, the increase of charity and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues; a strong defense against the snares of all enemies, visible and invisible; the perfect quieting of all my evil impulses, both fleshly and ghostly; a firm cleaving unto Thee, the one true God; and a pledge of a blessed destiny. And I beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring me, a sinner, to the ineffable banquet, where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost, art to Thy saints true light, fullness of content, eternal joy, gladness without alloy and perfect bliss. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Thomas Aquinas
Akathist
to our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
To you, Champion Leader and Lord, the Vanquisher of Hades, I, your creature and servant, offer a song of praise, for you have delivered me from eternal death. But as you have inextinguishable loving-kindness, deliver me from all dangers that can be, that I may cry to you: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Ikos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old you opened the ear and tongue of the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of your most holy name that I may cry to you:
Jesus, most wonderful, angels' astonishment!
Jesus, most powerful, forefathers' deliverance!
Jesus, most sweet, Patriarch's exultation!
Jesus, most glorious, Kings' stronghold!
Jesus, most beloved, Prophets' fulfillment!
Jesus, most marvelous, martyr's strength!
Jesus, most peaceful, monk's joy!
Jesus, most gracious, priests' sweetness!
Jesus, most merciful, fasters' abstinence!
Jesus, most tender, saints' rejoicing!
Jesus, most honorable, virgins' chastity!
Jesus, everlasting, sinners' salvation!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 2
As when seeing the widow weeping bitterly, O Lord, you were moved with pity, and raised her son from the dead as he was being carried to burial, likewise have pity on me, O Lover of mankind, and raise my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible, Philip asked, "Lord, show us the Father," and you answered him: "Have I been so long with you and you have not yet known that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?" Likewise, O Inconceivable One, with fear I cry to you:
Jesus, Eternal God!
Jesus, All-powerful King!
Jesus, Long-suffering Master!
Jesus, All-merciful Savior!
Jesus, Gracious Guardian!
Jesus, cleanse me from my sins!
Jesus, wash me from my iniquity!
Jesus, pardon my unrighteousness!
Jesus, my Hope, do not forsake me!
Jesus, my Helper, do not reject me!
Jesus, my Creator, do not forget me!
Jesus, my Shepherd, do not destroy me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
You who clothed your Apostles who tarried in Jerusalem with power from on high, O Jesus, clothe me also, stripped bare of all good works, with the warmth of your Holy Spirit, and grant that with love I may sing to you:
Alleluia!
Ikos 3
In the abundance of your mercy, O Jesus, you have called publicans and sinners and infidels. Now do not despise me who am like them, but as precious myrrh accept this song:
Jesus, invincible power!
Jesus, infinite mercy!
Jesus, radiant beauty!
Jesus, unspeakable love!
Jesus, Son of the Living God!
Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner!
Jesus, hear me who was conceived in iniquity!
Jesus, cleanse me who was born in sins!
Jesus, teach me who am worthless!
Jesus, enlighten my darkness!
Jesus, purify me who am unclean!
Jesus, restore me, a prodigal!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 4
Having an interior storm of doubting thoughts, Peter was sinking. But beholding you in the flesh walking on the waters, O Jesus, he confessed you to be the true God; and receiving the hand of salvation, he cried:
Alleluia!
Ikos 4
When the blind man heard you, O Lord, passing by on the way, he cried: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And you called him and opened his eyes. Likewise enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with Your love as I cry to You and say:
Jesus, creator of those on high!
Jesus, redeemer of those below!
Jesus, vanquisher of the powers of hades!
Jesus, adorner of every creature!
Jesus, comforter of my soul!
Jesus, enlightener of my mind!
Jesus, gladness of my heart!
Jesus, health of my body!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, my Light, enlighten me!
Jesus, deliver me from all torments!
Jesus, save me despite my unworthiness!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 5
As of old You redeemed us from the curse of the law by Your Divine-flowing Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue us from the snares in which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions, and evil despondency, as we cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Having beheld the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be the master, the Hebrew children hastened to please Him with branches, crying "Hosanna!" But we offer you a song, saying:
Jesus, True God!
Jesus, Son of David!
Jesus, most glorious King!
Jesus, blameless Lamb!
Jesus, most wonderful Shepherd!
Jesus, guardian of my infancy!
Jesus, nourisher of my youth!
Jesus, praise of my old age!
Jesus, my hope at death!
Jesus, my life after death!
Jesus, my comfort at your judgment!
Jesus, my desire, do not put me to shame!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 6
In fulfillment of the words and message of the God-bearing prophets, O Jesus, You appeared on earth, and You who are uncontainable dwelt with men, and took our infirmities; being healed by your wounds, we have learned to sing:
Alleluia!
Ikos 6
The light of Your Truth shone upon the world, and demonic delusion was driven away; for the idols have fallen, O our Savior, unable to endure Your strength. But we, having received salvation, cry to You:
Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood!
Jesus, the Light, above all radiance!
Jesus, the King, surpassing all in strength!
Jesus, God, constant in mercy!
Jesus, Bread of Life, fill me who am hungry!
Jesus, Source of knowledge, give me drink who am thirsty!
Jesus, Garment of gladness, clothe me the corruptible!
Jesus, Shelter of joy, cover me, the unworthy!
Jesus, Giver to those that ask, give me sorrow for my sins!
Jesus, Finder of those that seek, find my soul!
Jesus, Opener to those that knock, open my wretched heart!
Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, blot out my transgressions!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to reveal the mystery hidden from the ages, you were led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a lamb before its shearer. But as God You rose from the dead and ascended with glory to heaven, and along with Yourself You raised us who cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The creator has shown us a marvelous Creature, who was incarnate of a virgin without seed, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and entered bodily the Apostles' room when the doors were shut. Wherefore, marveling at this, we sing:
Jesus, infinite word!
Jesus, inscrutable word!
Jesus, incomprehensible power!
Jesus, inconceivable wisdom!
Jesus, inexpressible divinity!
Jesus, boundless dominion!
Jesus, invincible kingdom!
Jesus, endless sovereignty!
Jesus, supreme strength!
Jesus, power eternal!
Jesus, my Creator, have compassion on me!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set our mind on things divine; for God came down to earth that He might raise to heaven us who cry to Him:
Alleluia!
Ikos 8
The immeasurable One was below all things, yet in no way separated from things above, when He willingly suffered for our sake, and by
His death our death was put to death, and by His resurrection granted life to those who sing:
Jesus, heart's sweetness!
Jesus, body's strength!
Jesus, soul's radiance!
Jesus, mind's swiftness!
Jesus, conscience's joy!
Jesus, well known hope!
Jesus, memory before the ages!
Jesus, high praise!
Jesus, my supremely exalted glory!
Jesus, my desire, do not reject me!
Jesus, my shepherd, seek me!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 9
All the angelic nature of heaven glorifies unceasingly your most Holy Name, O Jesus, crying "Holy, holy, holy!" But we sinners on earth with lips of dust cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 9
We see the most eloquent orators voiceless as fish concerning You, O Jesus our Savior; for they are at a loss to say how you are perfect man, yet remain God immutable; but we, marveling at this mystery, cry faithfully:
Jesus, God before the ages!
Jesus, King of kings!
Jesus, Master of rulers!
Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead!
Jesus, Hope of the hopeless!
Jesus, Comfort of those who mourn!
Jesus, Glory of the poor!
Jesus, do not condemn me because of my deeds!
Jesus, cleanse me according to Your mercy!
Jesus, drive from me despondency!
Jesus, enlighten the thoughts of my heart!
Jesus, grant me to remember my death!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, You took upon yourself the sinister direction of our nature, and humbled Yourself even unto death; thus, your name is supremely exalted above every name, and from all the tribes of heaven and earth You hear: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Eternal King, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us of every stain, as you cleansed the ten lepers; and heal us, as You healed the greedy
soul of Zacchaeus the Publican, that we may shout to You with compunction, crying aloud:
Jesus, treasury incorruptable!
Jesus, wealth unfailing!
Jesus, strong food!
Jesus, drink inexhaustible!
Jesus, garment of the poor!
Jesus, protection of widows!
Jesus, defender of orphans!
Jesus, help of toilers!
Jesus, guide of pilgrims!
Jesus, pilot of voyagers!
Jesus, calmer of tempests!
Jesus, God, raise me who am fallen!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 11
Though unworthy, I offer you tender songs, and like the woman of Canaan, I cry to You: "O Jesus, have mercy on me!" For it is not a daughter, but my flesh that is cruelly possessed with passions and burning with fury. So grant healing to me, who cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Having previously persecuted You, the Light-bestowing Lamp of those in the darkness of ignorance, Paul heeded the power of the voice of Divine enlightenment, and understood the swiftness of the soul's conversion; lighten also the light of my dark soul as I cry:
Jesus, my most mighty King!
Jesus, my most powerful God!
Jesus, my immortal Lord!
Jesus, my most glorious Creator!
Jesus, my most good Guide!
Jesus, my most compassionate Shepherd!
Jesus, my most merciful Master!
Jesus, my most gracious Savior!
Jesus, enlighten my senses darkened by passions!
Jesus, heal my body scabbed with sins!
Jesus, cleanse my mind of vain thoughts!
Jesus, keep my heart from evil desires!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Your grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who am repenting, as you received Peter who denied You, and call me who am downcast, as of old You called Paul who persecuted You, and hear me as I cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Praising Your incarnation, we all extol You, and we believe with Thomas that You are Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant me then to stand on Your right hand, who now cry:
Jesus, King before the ages, have mercy on me!
Jesus, sweet scented flower, make me fragrant!
Jesus, beloved warmth, make me fervent!
Jesus, eternal temple, shelter me!
Jesus, garment of light, adorn me!
Jesus, pearl of great price, enlighten me!
Jesus, precious stone, illumine me!
Jesus, sun of righteousness, shine on me!
Jesus, Holy light, make me radiant!
Jesus, from sickness of soul and body deliver me!
Jesus, from the hands of the adversary, rescue me!
Jesus, from the unquenchable fire and other eternal torments save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 13
O most sweet and all-compassionate Jesus! Receive now this our small supplication, as You received the widow's two mites, and keep Your inheritance from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from disease and famine, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and rescue from the torment to come all that cry to You:
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Ikos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old you opened the ear and tongue of the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of your most holy name that I may cry to you:
Jesus, most wonderful, angels' astonishment!
Jesus, most powerful, forefathers' deliverance!
Jesus, most sweet, Patriarch's exultation!
Jesus, most glorious, Kings' stronghold!
Jesus, most beloved, Prophets' fulfillment!
Jesus, most marvelous, martyr's strength!
Jesus, most peaceful, monk's joy!
Jesus, most gracious, priests' sweetness!
Jesus, most merciful, fasters' abstinence!
Jesus, most tender, saints' rejoicing!
Jesus, most honorable, virgins' chastity!
Jesus, everlasting, sinners' salvation!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 1
To you, Champion Leader and Lord, the Vanquisher of Hades, I, your creature and servant, offer a song of praise, for you have delivered me from eternal death. But as you have inextinguishable loving-kindness, deliver me from all dangers that can be, that I may cry to you:
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
To you, O Lord, the only good one who does not remember evils, I confess my sins, I fall down before you, unworthy as I am, crying out: "I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of heaven for the multitude of my iniquities." But, my Lord, O Lord, grant me tears of compunction, you who alone are good and merciful, so that with them I may beg of you to cleanse me of all sin before the end; for frightful and terrible is the place that I must pass through when I have separated form this body, and a multitude of dark and inhuman demons awaits me, and there is no one to come to my help or deliver me; wherefore, I fall down before your goodness: Do not deliver me up to those who wrong me, nor let my enemies triumph over me, O Good Lord, nor let them say: you have come into our hands and you have been delivered to us. Neither, O Lord, forget your compassions, and do not render to me as my iniquities deserve, and do not turn your countenance away from me; but, O Lord, chasten me, with mercy and compassion, and do not let my enemy rejoice over me, and bring to nothingness all his deeds. And grant me an unsullied way to you, O Good Lord, because, having sinned, I have not had recourse to any other physician, and have not stretched out my hands to a strange god. Therefore, do not reject my supplication, but hearken to me in your goodness, and strengthen my heart in your fear; and let your grace be on me, O Lord, like a fire consuming the impure thoughts within me. For You, O Lord, are the Light above all lights, the Joy above all joy, the Repose above all repose, the True Life, and the Salvation that abides to the ages of ages.
AMEN.
AKATHIST
to our Most Holy Lady
Mother of God
Kontakion 1
Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Oikos 1
An Archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Mother of God: Rejoice! And seeing Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to her such things as these:
to our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
To you, Champion Leader and Lord, the Vanquisher of Hades, I, your creature and servant, offer a song of praise, for you have delivered me from eternal death. But as you have inextinguishable loving-kindness, deliver me from all dangers that can be, that I may cry to you: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Ikos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old you opened the ear and tongue of the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of your most holy name that I may cry to you:
Jesus, most wonderful, angels' astonishment!
Jesus, most powerful, forefathers' deliverance!
Jesus, most sweet, Patriarch's exultation!
Jesus, most glorious, Kings' stronghold!
Jesus, most beloved, Prophets' fulfillment!
Jesus, most marvelous, martyr's strength!
Jesus, most peaceful, monk's joy!
Jesus, most gracious, priests' sweetness!
Jesus, most merciful, fasters' abstinence!
Jesus, most tender, saints' rejoicing!
Jesus, most honorable, virgins' chastity!
Jesus, everlasting, sinners' salvation!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 2
As when seeing the widow weeping bitterly, O Lord, you were moved with pity, and raised her son from the dead as he was being carried to burial, likewise have pity on me, O Lover of mankind, and raise my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Seeking to understand the incomprehensible, Philip asked, "Lord, show us the Father," and you answered him: "Have I been so long with you and you have not yet known that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?" Likewise, O Inconceivable One, with fear I cry to you:
Jesus, Eternal God!
Jesus, All-powerful King!
Jesus, Long-suffering Master!
Jesus, All-merciful Savior!
Jesus, Gracious Guardian!
Jesus, cleanse me from my sins!
Jesus, wash me from my iniquity!
Jesus, pardon my unrighteousness!
Jesus, my Hope, do not forsake me!
Jesus, my Helper, do not reject me!
Jesus, my Creator, do not forget me!
Jesus, my Shepherd, do not destroy me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
You who clothed your Apostles who tarried in Jerusalem with power from on high, O Jesus, clothe me also, stripped bare of all good works, with the warmth of your Holy Spirit, and grant that with love I may sing to you:
Alleluia!
Ikos 3
In the abundance of your mercy, O Jesus, you have called publicans and sinners and infidels. Now do not despise me who am like them, but as precious myrrh accept this song:
Jesus, invincible power!
Jesus, infinite mercy!
Jesus, radiant beauty!
Jesus, unspeakable love!
Jesus, Son of the Living God!
Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner!
Jesus, hear me who was conceived in iniquity!
Jesus, cleanse me who was born in sins!
Jesus, teach me who am worthless!
Jesus, enlighten my darkness!
Jesus, purify me who am unclean!
Jesus, restore me, a prodigal!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 4
Having an interior storm of doubting thoughts, Peter was sinking. But beholding you in the flesh walking on the waters, O Jesus, he confessed you to be the true God; and receiving the hand of salvation, he cried:
Alleluia!
Ikos 4
When the blind man heard you, O Lord, passing by on the way, he cried: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And you called him and opened his eyes. Likewise enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with Your love as I cry to You and say:
Jesus, creator of those on high!
Jesus, redeemer of those below!
Jesus, vanquisher of the powers of hades!
Jesus, adorner of every creature!
Jesus, comforter of my soul!
Jesus, enlightener of my mind!
Jesus, gladness of my heart!
Jesus, health of my body!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, my Light, enlighten me!
Jesus, deliver me from all torments!
Jesus, save me despite my unworthiness!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 5
As of old You redeemed us from the curse of the law by Your Divine-flowing Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue us from the snares in which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions, and evil despondency, as we cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Having beheld the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be the master, the Hebrew children hastened to please Him with branches, crying "Hosanna!" But we offer you a song, saying:
Jesus, True God!
Jesus, Son of David!
Jesus, most glorious King!
Jesus, blameless Lamb!
Jesus, most wonderful Shepherd!
Jesus, guardian of my infancy!
Jesus, nourisher of my youth!
Jesus, praise of my old age!
Jesus, my hope at death!
Jesus, my life after death!
Jesus, my comfort at your judgment!
Jesus, my desire, do not put me to shame!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 6
In fulfillment of the words and message of the God-bearing prophets, O Jesus, You appeared on earth, and You who are uncontainable dwelt with men, and took our infirmities; being healed by your wounds, we have learned to sing:
Alleluia!
Ikos 6
The light of Your Truth shone upon the world, and demonic delusion was driven away; for the idols have fallen, O our Savior, unable to endure Your strength. But we, having received salvation, cry to You:
Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood!
Jesus, the Light, above all radiance!
Jesus, the King, surpassing all in strength!
Jesus, God, constant in mercy!
Jesus, Bread of Life, fill me who am hungry!
Jesus, Source of knowledge, give me drink who am thirsty!
Jesus, Garment of gladness, clothe me the corruptible!
Jesus, Shelter of joy, cover me, the unworthy!
Jesus, Giver to those that ask, give me sorrow for my sins!
Jesus, Finder of those that seek, find my soul!
Jesus, Opener to those that knock, open my wretched heart!
Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, blot out my transgressions!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to reveal the mystery hidden from the ages, you were led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a lamb before its shearer. But as God You rose from the dead and ascended with glory to heaven, and along with Yourself You raised us who cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The creator has shown us a marvelous Creature, who was incarnate of a virgin without seed, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and entered bodily the Apostles' room when the doors were shut. Wherefore, marveling at this, we sing:
Jesus, infinite word!
Jesus, inscrutable word!
Jesus, incomprehensible power!
Jesus, inconceivable wisdom!
Jesus, inexpressible divinity!
Jesus, boundless dominion!
Jesus, invincible kingdom!
Jesus, endless sovereignty!
Jesus, supreme strength!
Jesus, power eternal!
Jesus, my Creator, have compassion on me!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set our mind on things divine; for God came down to earth that He might raise to heaven us who cry to Him:
Alleluia!
Ikos 8
The immeasurable One was below all things, yet in no way separated from things above, when He willingly suffered for our sake, and by
His death our death was put to death, and by His resurrection granted life to those who sing:
Jesus, heart's sweetness!
Jesus, body's strength!
Jesus, soul's radiance!
Jesus, mind's swiftness!
Jesus, conscience's joy!
Jesus, well known hope!
Jesus, memory before the ages!
Jesus, high praise!
Jesus, my supremely exalted glory!
Jesus, my desire, do not reject me!
Jesus, my shepherd, seek me!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 9
All the angelic nature of heaven glorifies unceasingly your most Holy Name, O Jesus, crying "Holy, holy, holy!" But we sinners on earth with lips of dust cry:
Alleluia!
Ikos 9
We see the most eloquent orators voiceless as fish concerning You, O Jesus our Savior; for they are at a loss to say how you are perfect man, yet remain God immutable; but we, marveling at this mystery, cry faithfully:
Jesus, God before the ages!
Jesus, King of kings!
Jesus, Master of rulers!
Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead!
Jesus, Hope of the hopeless!
Jesus, Comfort of those who mourn!
Jesus, Glory of the poor!
Jesus, do not condemn me because of my deeds!
Jesus, cleanse me according to Your mercy!
Jesus, drive from me despondency!
Jesus, enlighten the thoughts of my heart!
Jesus, grant me to remember my death!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, You took upon yourself the sinister direction of our nature, and humbled Yourself even unto death; thus, your name is supremely exalted above every name, and from all the tribes of heaven and earth You hear: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Eternal King, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us of every stain, as you cleansed the ten lepers; and heal us, as You healed the greedy
soul of Zacchaeus the Publican, that we may shout to You with compunction, crying aloud:
Jesus, treasury incorruptable!
Jesus, wealth unfailing!
Jesus, strong food!
Jesus, drink inexhaustible!
Jesus, garment of the poor!
Jesus, protection of widows!
Jesus, defender of orphans!
Jesus, help of toilers!
Jesus, guide of pilgrims!
Jesus, pilot of voyagers!
Jesus, calmer of tempests!
Jesus, God, raise me who am fallen!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 11
Though unworthy, I offer you tender songs, and like the woman of Canaan, I cry to You: "O Jesus, have mercy on me!" For it is not a daughter, but my flesh that is cruelly possessed with passions and burning with fury. So grant healing to me, who cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Having previously persecuted You, the Light-bestowing Lamp of those in the darkness of ignorance, Paul heeded the power of the voice of Divine enlightenment, and understood the swiftness of the soul's conversion; lighten also the light of my dark soul as I cry:
Jesus, my most mighty King!
Jesus, my most powerful God!
Jesus, my immortal Lord!
Jesus, my most glorious Creator!
Jesus, my most good Guide!
Jesus, my most compassionate Shepherd!
Jesus, my most merciful Master!
Jesus, my most gracious Savior!
Jesus, enlighten my senses darkened by passions!
Jesus, heal my body scabbed with sins!
Jesus, cleanse my mind of vain thoughts!
Jesus, keep my heart from evil desires!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Your grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who am repenting, as you received Peter who denied You, and call me who am downcast, as of old You called Paul who persecuted You, and hear me as I cry to You:
Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Praising Your incarnation, we all extol You, and we believe with Thomas that You are Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant me then to stand on Your right hand, who now cry:
Jesus, King before the ages, have mercy on me!
Jesus, sweet scented flower, make me fragrant!
Jesus, beloved warmth, make me fervent!
Jesus, eternal temple, shelter me!
Jesus, garment of light, adorn me!
Jesus, pearl of great price, enlighten me!
Jesus, precious stone, illumine me!
Jesus, sun of righteousness, shine on me!
Jesus, Holy light, make me radiant!
Jesus, from sickness of soul and body deliver me!
Jesus, from the hands of the adversary, rescue me!
Jesus, from the unquenchable fire and other eternal torments save me!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 13
O most sweet and all-compassionate Jesus! Receive now this our small supplication, as You received the widow's two mites, and keep Your inheritance from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from disease and famine, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and rescue from the torment to come all that cry to You:
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Ikos 1
Creator of angels and Lord of hosts, as of old you opened the ear and tongue of the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of your most holy name that I may cry to you:
Jesus, most wonderful, angels' astonishment!
Jesus, most powerful, forefathers' deliverance!
Jesus, most sweet, Patriarch's exultation!
Jesus, most glorious, Kings' stronghold!
Jesus, most beloved, Prophets' fulfillment!
Jesus, most marvelous, martyr's strength!
Jesus, most peaceful, monk's joy!
Jesus, most gracious, priests' sweetness!
Jesus, most merciful, fasters' abstinence!
Jesus, most tender, saints' rejoicing!
Jesus, most honorable, virgins' chastity!
Jesus, everlasting, sinners' salvation!
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 1
To you, Champion Leader and Lord, the Vanquisher of Hades, I, your creature and servant, offer a song of praise, for you have delivered me from eternal death. But as you have inextinguishable loving-kindness, deliver me from all dangers that can be, that I may cry to you:
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
To you, O Lord, the only good one who does not remember evils, I confess my sins, I fall down before you, unworthy as I am, crying out: "I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of heaven for the multitude of my iniquities." But, my Lord, O Lord, grant me tears of compunction, you who alone are good and merciful, so that with them I may beg of you to cleanse me of all sin before the end; for frightful and terrible is the place that I must pass through when I have separated form this body, and a multitude of dark and inhuman demons awaits me, and there is no one to come to my help or deliver me; wherefore, I fall down before your goodness: Do not deliver me up to those who wrong me, nor let my enemies triumph over me, O Good Lord, nor let them say: you have come into our hands and you have been delivered to us. Neither, O Lord, forget your compassions, and do not render to me as my iniquities deserve, and do not turn your countenance away from me; but, O Lord, chasten me, with mercy and compassion, and do not let my enemy rejoice over me, and bring to nothingness all his deeds. And grant me an unsullied way to you, O Good Lord, because, having sinned, I have not had recourse to any other physician, and have not stretched out my hands to a strange god. Therefore, do not reject my supplication, but hearken to me in your goodness, and strengthen my heart in your fear; and let your grace be on me, O Lord, like a fire consuming the impure thoughts within me. For You, O Lord, are the Light above all lights, the Joy above all joy, the Repose above all repose, the True Life, and the Salvation that abides to the ages of ages.
AMEN.
AKATHIST
to our Most Holy Lady
Mother of God
Kontakion 1
Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Oikos 1
An Archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Mother of God: Rejoice! And seeing Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to her such things as these:
Rejoice, thou through whom joy will flash forth!
Rejoice, thou through whom the curse will cease!
Rejoice, revival of fallen Adam!
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!
Rejoice, height hard to climb for human thoughts!
Rejoice, depth hard to contemplate even for the eyes of Angels!
Rejoice, thou who art the King's throne!
Rejoice, thou who bearest Him Who bears all!
Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear!
Rejoice, womb of the divine incarnation!
Rejoice, thou through whom creation becomes new!
Rejoice, thou through whom the Creator becomes a babe!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 2
Aware that she was living in chastity, the holy Virgin said boldly to Gabriel: "Thy strange message is hard for my soul to accept. How is it thou speakest of the birth from a seedless conception?" And she cried:
Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, the Virgin cried to the ministering spirit: "Tell me, how can a son be born from a chaste womb?" Then he spoke to her in fear, only crying aloud thus:
Rejoice, thou through whom the curse will cease!
Rejoice, revival of fallen Adam!
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!
Rejoice, height hard to climb for human thoughts!
Rejoice, depth hard to contemplate even for the eyes of Angels!
Rejoice, thou who art the King's throne!
Rejoice, thou who bearest Him Who bears all!
Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear!
Rejoice, womb of the divine incarnation!
Rejoice, thou through whom creation becomes new!
Rejoice, thou through whom the Creator becomes a babe!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 2
Aware that she was living in chastity, the holy Virgin said boldly to Gabriel: "Thy strange message is hard for my soul to accept. How is it thou speakest of the birth from a seedless conception?" And she cried:
Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, the Virgin cried to the ministering spirit: "Tell me, how can a son be born from a chaste womb?" Then he spoke to her in fear, only crying aloud thus:
Rejoice, initiate of God's ineffable will!
Rejoice, assurance of those who pray in silence!
Rejoice, prelude of Christ's miracles!
Rejoice, crown of His dogmas!
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down!
Rejoice, bridge that conveys us from earth to heaven!
Rejoice, wonder of angels blazed abroad!
Rejoice, wound of demons bewailed afar!
Rejoice, thou who ineffably gavest birth to the Light!
Rejoice, thou who didst reveal thy secret to none!
Rejoice, thou who surpasses the knowledge of the wise!
Rejoice, thou who givest light to the minds of the faithful!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High then overshadowed the Virgin for conception, and showed her fruitful womb as a sweet meadow to all who wish to reap salvation, as they sing:
Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Pregnant with the Divine indwelling the Virgin ran to Elizabeth whose unborn babe at once recognized her embrace, rejoiced, and with leaps of joy as songs, cried to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, assurance of those who pray in silence!
Rejoice, prelude of Christ's miracles!
Rejoice, crown of His dogmas!
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down!
Rejoice, bridge that conveys us from earth to heaven!
Rejoice, wonder of angels blazed abroad!
Rejoice, wound of demons bewailed afar!
Rejoice, thou who ineffably gavest birth to the Light!
Rejoice, thou who didst reveal thy secret to none!
Rejoice, thou who surpasses the knowledge of the wise!
Rejoice, thou who givest light to the minds of the faithful!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High then overshadowed the Virgin for conception, and showed her fruitful womb as a sweet meadow to all who wish to reap salvation, as they sing:
Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Pregnant with the Divine indwelling the Virgin ran to Elizabeth whose unborn babe at once recognized her embrace, rejoiced, and with leaps of joy as songs, cried to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, scion of an undying Shoot!
Rejoice, field of untainted fruit!
Rejoice, thou who laborest for Him Whose labor is love!
Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Father of our life!
Rejoice, cornland yielding a rich crop of mercies!
Rejoice, table bearing a wealth of forgiveness!
Rejoice, thou who revivest the garden of delight!
Rejoice, thou who preparest a haven for souls!
Rejoice, acceptable incense of intercession!
Rejoice, purification of all the world!
Rejoice, favour of God to mortals!
Rejoice, access of mortals to God!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 4
Sustaining from within a storm of doubtful thoughts, the chaste Joseph was troubled. For knowing thee to have no husband, he suspected a secret union, O Immaculate One. But when he learned that thy conception was of the Holy Spirit, he exclaimed:
Alleluia!
Oikos 4
The shepherds heard Angels carolling Christ's incarnate Presence, and running like sheep to their shepherd, they beheld him as an innocent Lamb fed at Mary's breast, and they sang to her and said:
Rejoice, field of untainted fruit!
Rejoice, thou who laborest for Him Whose labor is love!
Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Father of our life!
Rejoice, cornland yielding a rich crop of mercies!
Rejoice, table bearing a wealth of forgiveness!
Rejoice, thou who revivest the garden of delight!
Rejoice, thou who preparest a haven for souls!
Rejoice, acceptable incense of intercession!
Rejoice, purification of all the world!
Rejoice, favour of God to mortals!
Rejoice, access of mortals to God!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 4
Sustaining from within a storm of doubtful thoughts, the chaste Joseph was troubled. For knowing thee to have no husband, he suspected a secret union, O Immaculate One. But when he learned that thy conception was of the Holy Spirit, he exclaimed:
Alleluia!
Oikos 4
The shepherds heard Angels carolling Christ's incarnate Presence, and running like sheep to their shepherd, they beheld him as an innocent Lamb fed at Mary's breast, and they sang to her and said:
Rejoice, mother of the Lamb and the Shepherd!
Rejoice, fold of spiritual sheep!
Rejoice, defence against invisible enemies!
Rejoice, key to the gates of Paradise!
Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth!
Rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens!
Rejoice, never-silent voice of the Apostles!
Rejoice, invincible courage of the martyrs!
Rejoice, firm support of faith!
Rejoice, radiant blaze of grace!
Rejoice, thou through whom hell was stripped bare!
Rejoice, thou through whom we are clothed with glory!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 5
Having sighted the divinely moving star, the Wise Men followed its light and held it as a lamp by which they sought a powerful King. And as they approached the Unapproachable, they rejoiced and shouted to Him:
Alleluia!
Oikos 5
The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man. And knowing Him to be the Lord although He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to worship Him with their gifts and cried to her who is blessed:
Rejoice, fold of spiritual sheep!
Rejoice, defence against invisible enemies!
Rejoice, key to the gates of Paradise!
Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth!
Rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens!
Rejoice, never-silent voice of the Apostles!
Rejoice, invincible courage of the martyrs!
Rejoice, firm support of faith!
Rejoice, radiant blaze of grace!
Rejoice, thou through whom hell was stripped bare!
Rejoice, thou through whom we are clothed with glory!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 5
Having sighted the divinely moving star, the Wise Men followed its light and held it as a lamp by which they sought a powerful King. And as they approached the Unapproachable, they rejoiced and shouted to Him:
Alleluia!
Oikos 5
The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man. And knowing Him to be the Lord although He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to worship Him with their gifts and cried to her who is blessed:
Rejoice, mother of the never-setting Star!
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic Day!
Rejoice, thou who didst extinguish the furnace of error!
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, thou who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant!
Rejoice, thou who hast shown us Christ as the Lord and Lover of men!
Rejoice, thou who redeemest from pagan worship!
Rejoice, thou who dost drag from the mire of works!
Rejoice, thou who hast stopped the worship of fire!
Rejoice, thou who hast quenched the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity!
Rejoice, joy of all generations!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 6
Turned God-bearing heralds, the Wise Men returned to Babylon. They fulfilled Thy prophecy and to all preached Thee as the Christ, and they left Herod as a trifler, who could not sing:
Alleluia!
Oikos 6
By shining in Egypt the light of truth, Thou didst dispel the darkness of falsehood, O Saviour. For, unable to endure Thy strength, its idols fell; and those who were freed from their spell cried to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic Day!
Rejoice, thou who didst extinguish the furnace of error!
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, thou who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant!
Rejoice, thou who hast shown us Christ as the Lord and Lover of men!
Rejoice, thou who redeemest from pagan worship!
Rejoice, thou who dost drag from the mire of works!
Rejoice, thou who hast stopped the worship of fire!
Rejoice, thou who hast quenched the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity!
Rejoice, joy of all generations!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 6
Turned God-bearing heralds, the Wise Men returned to Babylon. They fulfilled Thy prophecy and to all preached Thee as the Christ, and they left Herod as a trifler, who could not sing:
Alleluia!
Oikos 6
By shining in Egypt the light of truth, Thou didst dispel the darkness of falsehood, O Saviour. For, unable to endure Thy strength, its idols fell; and those who were freed from their spell cried to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, uplifting of men!
Rejoice, downfall of demons!
Rejoice, thou who hast trampled on the delusion of error!
Rejoice, thou who hast exposed the fraud of idols!
Rejoice, sea that has drowned the spiritual Pharaoh!
Rejoice, rock that has refreshed those thirsting for Life!
Rejoice, pillar of fire guiding those in darkness!
Rejoice, shelter of the world broader than a cloud!
Rejoice, sustenance replacing Manna!
Rejoice, minister of holy delight!
Rejoice, land of promise!
Rejoice, thou from whom flows milk and honey!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 7
When Simeon was about to depart this life of delusion, Thou wast brought as a Babe to him. But he recognized Thee as also perfect God, and marvelling at Thy ineffable wisdom, he cried:
Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator showed us a new creation when He appeared to us who came from Him. For He sprang from an unsown womb and kept it chaste as it was, that seeing the miracle we might sing to her and say:
Rejoice, downfall of demons!
Rejoice, thou who hast trampled on the delusion of error!
Rejoice, thou who hast exposed the fraud of idols!
Rejoice, sea that has drowned the spiritual Pharaoh!
Rejoice, rock that has refreshed those thirsting for Life!
Rejoice, pillar of fire guiding those in darkness!
Rejoice, shelter of the world broader than a cloud!
Rejoice, sustenance replacing Manna!
Rejoice, minister of holy delight!
Rejoice, land of promise!
Rejoice, thou from whom flows milk and honey!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 7
When Simeon was about to depart this life of delusion, Thou wast brought as a Babe to him. But he recognized Thee as also perfect God, and marvelling at Thy ineffable wisdom, he cried:
Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator showed us a new creation when He appeared to us who came from Him. For He sprang from an unsown womb and kept it chaste as it was, that seeing the miracle we might sing to her and say:
Rejoice, flower of incorruption!
Rejoice, crown of continence!
Rejoice, flashing symbol of the resurrection!
Rejoice, mirror of the life of the Angels!
Rejoice, tree of glorious fruit by which the faithful are nourished!
Rejoice, bush of shady leaves by which many are sheltered!
Rejoice, thou who bearest the Guide of those astray!
Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Redeemer of captives!
Rejoice, pleader before the Just Judge!
Rejoice, forgiveness of many sinners.
Rejoice, robe of freedom for the naked!
Rejoice, love that vanquishes all desire!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 8
Seeing the Child Exile, let us be exiles from the world and transport our minds to Heaven. For the Most High God appeared on earth as lowly man, because He wished to draw to the heights those who cry to Him:
Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Wholly present was the infinite Word among those here below, yet in no way absent from those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a change of place. And His birth was from a God-possessed Virgin who heard words like these:
Rejoice, crown of continence!
Rejoice, flashing symbol of the resurrection!
Rejoice, mirror of the life of the Angels!
Rejoice, tree of glorious fruit by which the faithful are nourished!
Rejoice, bush of shady leaves by which many are sheltered!
Rejoice, thou who bearest the Guide of those astray!
Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Redeemer of captives!
Rejoice, pleader before the Just Judge!
Rejoice, forgiveness of many sinners.
Rejoice, robe of freedom for the naked!
Rejoice, love that vanquishes all desire!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 8
Seeing the Child Exile, let us be exiles from the world and transport our minds to Heaven. For the Most High God appeared on earth as lowly man, because He wished to draw to the heights those who cry to Him:
Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Wholly present was the infinite Word among those here below, yet in no way absent from those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a change of place. And His birth was from a God-possessed Virgin who heard words like these:
Rejoice, container of the uncontainable God!
Rejoice, door of solemn mystery!
Rejoice, doubtful report of unbelievers!
Rejoice, undoubted boast of the faithful!
Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who rides on the Cherubim!
Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who is above the Seraphim!
Rejoice, thou who hast united opposites!
Rejoice, thou who hast joined virginity and motherhood!
Rejoice, thou through whom sin has been absolved!
Rejoice, thou through whom Paradise is opened!
Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ!
Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 9
All angel kind was amazed at the great act of Thy incarnation; for they saw the inaccessible God as a man accessible to all, dwelling with us and hearing from all:
Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators dumb as fish before thee, O Mother of God. For they dare not ask: How canst thou bear a Child and yet remain a Virgin? But we marvel at the mystery, and cry with faith:
Rejoice, door of solemn mystery!
Rejoice, doubtful report of unbelievers!
Rejoice, undoubted boast of the faithful!
Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who rides on the Cherubim!
Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who is above the Seraphim!
Rejoice, thou who hast united opposites!
Rejoice, thou who hast joined virginity and motherhood!
Rejoice, thou through whom sin has been absolved!
Rejoice, thou through whom Paradise is opened!
Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ!
Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 9
All angel kind was amazed at the great act of Thy incarnation; for they saw the inaccessible God as a man accessible to all, dwelling with us and hearing from all:
Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators dumb as fish before thee, O Mother of God. For they dare not ask: How canst thou bear a Child and yet remain a Virgin? But we marvel at the mystery, and cry with faith:
Rejoice, receptacle of the Wisdom of God!
Rejoice, treasury of His Providence!
Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers to be fools!
Rejoice, thou who constrainest the learned to silence!
Rejoice, for the clever critics have made fools of themselves!
Rejoice, for the writers of myths have died out!
Rejoice, thou who didst break the webs of the Athenians!
Rejoice, thou who didst fill the nets of the fishermen!
Rejoice, thou who drawest us from the depths of ignorance!
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest many with knowledge!
Rejoice, ship of those who wish to be saved!
Rejoice, haven for sailors on the sea of life!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, the Ruler of all came to it spontaneously. And though as God He is our Shepherd, for us He appeared to us as a Man; and having called mankind to salvation by His own Perfect Manhood, as God He hears:
Alleluia!
Oikos 10
Thou art a wall to virgins and to all who run to thee, O Virgin Mother of God. For the Maker of heaven and earth prepared thee, O Immaculate One, and dwelt in thy womb, and taught all to call to thee:
Rejoice, treasury of His Providence!
Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers to be fools!
Rejoice, thou who constrainest the learned to silence!
Rejoice, for the clever critics have made fools of themselves!
Rejoice, for the writers of myths have died out!
Rejoice, thou who didst break the webs of the Athenians!
Rejoice, thou who didst fill the nets of the fishermen!
Rejoice, thou who drawest us from the depths of ignorance!
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest many with knowledge!
Rejoice, ship of those who wish to be saved!
Rejoice, haven for sailors on the sea of life!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, the Ruler of all came to it spontaneously. And though as God He is our Shepherd, for us He appeared to us as a Man; and having called mankind to salvation by His own Perfect Manhood, as God He hears:
Alleluia!
Oikos 10
Thou art a wall to virgins and to all who run to thee, O Virgin Mother of God. For the Maker of heaven and earth prepared thee, O Immaculate One, and dwelt in thy womb, and taught all to call to thee:
Rejoice, pillar of virginity!
Rejoice, gate of salvation!
Rejoice, founder of spiritual reformation!
Rejoice, leader of divine goodness!
Rejoice, for thou didst regenerate those conceived in shame!
Rejoice, for thou gavest understanding to those robbed of their senses!
Rejoice, thou who didst foil the corrupter of minds!
Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Sower of chastity!
Rejoice, bridechamber of a virgin marriage!
Rejoice, thou who dost wed the faithful to the Lord!
Rejoice, fair mother and nurse of virgins!
Rejoice, betrother of holy souls!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 11
Every hymn falls short that aspires to embrace the multitude of Thy many mercies. For if we should offer to Thee, O Holy King, songs numberless as the sand, we should still have done nothing worthy of what Thou hast given to us who shout to Thee:
Alleluia!
Oikos 11
We see the Holy Virgin as a flaming torch appearing to those in darkness. For having kindled the Immaterial Light, she leads all to divine knowledge; she illumines our minds with radiance and is honoured by our shouting these praises:
Rejoice, gate of salvation!
Rejoice, founder of spiritual reformation!
Rejoice, leader of divine goodness!
Rejoice, for thou didst regenerate those conceived in shame!
Rejoice, for thou gavest understanding to those robbed of their senses!
Rejoice, thou who didst foil the corrupter of minds!
Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Sower of chastity!
Rejoice, bridechamber of a virgin marriage!
Rejoice, thou who dost wed the faithful to the Lord!
Rejoice, fair mother and nurse of virgins!
Rejoice, betrother of holy souls!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 11
Every hymn falls short that aspires to embrace the multitude of Thy many mercies. For if we should offer to Thee, O Holy King, songs numberless as the sand, we should still have done nothing worthy of what Thou hast given to us who shout to Thee:
Alleluia!
Oikos 11
We see the Holy Virgin as a flaming torch appearing to those in darkness. For having kindled the Immaterial Light, she leads all to divine knowledge; she illumines our minds with radiance and is honoured by our shouting these praises:
Rejoice, ray of the spiritual Sun!
Rejoice, flash of unfading splendour!
Rejoice, lightning that lights up our souls!
Rejoice, thunder that stuns our enemies!
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the refulgent Light to dawn!
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the river of many-streams to gush forth!
Rejoice, living image of the font!
Rejoice, remover of the stain of sin!
Rejoice, laver that washes the conscience clean!
Rejoice, bowl for mixing the wine of joy!
Rejoice, aroma of the fragrance of Christ!
Rejoice, life of mystical festivity!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 12
When He Who forgives all men their past debts wished to restore us to favour, of His own will He came to dwell among those who had fallen from His grace; and having torn up the record of their sins, He hears from all:
Alleluia!
Oikos 12
While singing to thy Child, we all praise thee as a living temple, O Mother of God. For the Lord Who holds all things in His hand dwelt in thy womb, and He sanctified and glorified thee, and taught all to cry to thee:
Rejoice, flash of unfading splendour!
Rejoice, lightning that lights up our souls!
Rejoice, thunder that stuns our enemies!
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the refulgent Light to dawn!
Rejoice, for thou didst cause the river of many-streams to gush forth!
Rejoice, living image of the font!
Rejoice, remover of the stain of sin!
Rejoice, laver that washes the conscience clean!
Rejoice, bowl for mixing the wine of joy!
Rejoice, aroma of the fragrance of Christ!
Rejoice, life of mystical festivity!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 12
When He Who forgives all men their past debts wished to restore us to favour, of His own will He came to dwell among those who had fallen from His grace; and having torn up the record of their sins, He hears from all:
Alleluia!
Oikos 12
While singing to thy Child, we all praise thee as a living temple, O Mother of God. For the Lord Who holds all things in His hand dwelt in thy womb, and He sanctified and glorified thee, and taught all to cry to thee:
Rejoice, tabernacle of God the Word!
Rejoice, saint greater than the saints!
Rejoice, ark made golden by the Spirit!
Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of Life!
Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings!
Rejoice, adorable boast of devoted priests!
Rejoice, unshaken tower of the Church!
Rejoice, impregnable wall of the Kingdom!
Rejoice, thou through whom we obtain our victories!
Rejoice, thou before whom our foes fall prostrate!
Rejoice, healing of my body!
Rejoice, salvation of my soul!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 13
O all-praised Mother who didst bear the Word holiest of all the Saints, accept this our offering, and deliver us from all offense, and redeem from future torment those who cry in unison to thee:
Alleluia. (Thrice)
And again Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
Prayer to our Most Holy Lady
MOTHER of GOD
My most gracious Queen, my hope, Mother of God, shelter of orphans, and intercessor of travellers, strangers and pilgrims, joy of those in sorrow, protectress of the wronged, see my distress, see my affliction! Help me, for I am helpless. Feed me, for I am a stranger and pilgrim. Thou knowest my offence; forgive and resolve it as thou wilt. For I know no other help but thee, no other intercessor, no gracious consoler but thee, O Mother of God, to guard and protect me throughout the ages. Amen.
CANON
To our Lord Jesus Christ. Tone 2
Song 1.
Eirmos: In the deep of old the infinite Power overwhelmed Pharoah's whole army. But the Incarnate Word annihilated pernicious sin. Exceedingly glorious is the Lord, for gloriously has He been glorified.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
Sweetest Jesus Christ, longsuffering Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, Jesus, and make sweet my heart, O Most Merciful One, I ask Thee, Jesus my Saviour, that being saved by Thee, I may glorify Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, open to me the door of repentance, O Jesus, Lover of men, and accept me as I throw myself at Thy feet, Jesus, my Saviour, and fervently implore the forgiveness of my sins.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, snatch me from the hand of deceitful satan, O Jesus, and make me stand on the Right of Thy glory, O Jesus my Saviour; from the Left deliver me.
Most Holy Mother of God save. us.
Theotokion: O Lady who bore Jesus our God, pray for us worthless slaves, that by thy prayers, O immaculate one, we who are defiled may be delivered from torment, O spotless one, and enjoy everlasting glory.
Song 3.
Eirmos : By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God and none righteous but Thee, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Lover of men, hear Thy slave calling with compunction; and deliver me, Jesus, from condemnation and punishment, O only Patient One, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Receive Thy slave, O my Jesus, who prostrates himself with tears, my Jesus, and deliver me, O Lord, from hell, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, the time Thou gavest me I have squandered in passions, O my Jesus. Reject me not, O my Jesus, but call me, I pray, O Lord, O Sweetest Jesus, and save me!
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Virgin who gavest birth to my Jesus, implore Him to save me from hell. Thou art the only patroness of the afflicted, O thou who art full of divine grace. And make me worthy of the life that is free from old age, O all-innocent one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion (Sitting hymn): O Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst save the prodigal. Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst accept the harlot. And now have mercy on me, most merciful Jesus; have compassion and save me, O Jesus my Benefactor, as Thou hadst compassion on Manasseh, my Jesus, only Lover of men.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Having thy intercession, O most pure one, and delivered by thy prayers, and protected by the Cross of thy Son, we duly devoutly magnify thee.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a virgin didst Thou come, not as an ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy Power, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, my Jesus, I pray, and snatch me from the hand of soul-corrupting satan, my gracious Jesus, and save me.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my sweetest Jesus, I have sinned. My compassionate Jesus, save me who run to Thy protection, and make me worthy of Thy Kingdom, O most patient Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
No one has sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched as I am; but now I bow down and pray: Save me, O my Jesus, and bequeath me, my Jesus, life.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O all-hymned Virgin who bore the Lord Jesus, implore Him to deliver from torment all who sing to thee and call thee supremely Mother of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: O Thou Who art the Light of those lying in darkness, and the salvation of the hopeless, O Christ my Saviour, I rise early to pray to Thee, O King of Peace. Enlighten me with Thy radiance, for I know no other God than Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Thou art the light of my mind and the salvation of my despairing soul, my Jesus, my Saviour! Deliver me who cry to Thee, from torment and hell. Save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Completely cast down to shameful passions, my Jesus, I now cry: Stretch down to me, my Jesus, a helping hand, and pluck me out as I cry: save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Carrying about a mind defiled, I call to Thee, O Jesus: cleanse me from the dirt of sin, and redeem me who slipped down to the depths of vice through ignorance, and save me, O Saviour, my Jesus, I pray.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Maiden Mother of God who bore Jesus, implore Him to save all Orthodox monks and people, and to deliver from hell those who cry: We know no stronger intercession than thine.
Song 6.
Eirmos : Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O most merciful Christ, my Jesus, accept me who confess my sins, O Lord, and save me, O Jesus, and snatch me, O Jesus, from corruption.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, no one else has been so dissolute as I, wretched as I am, O Jesus Lover of men, but save me, O Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, I have surpassed with my passions the harlot and the prodigal, Manasseh and the publican, O my Jesus, and the robber and the Ninevites, O Jesus.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who conceivedst my Jesus Christ, O only undefiled and immaculate Virgin, cleanse me defiled as I am, even now by hyssop of thy prayers.
Lord have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Sweetest Jesus, Light of of the world, enlighten the eyes of my soul, O Son of God, with the divine vision of Thy splendour, that I may praise Thee, the unwaning Light.
Song 7.
Eirmos: When the golden idol was worshipped in the plain of Dura, Thy three children despised the godless order. Thrown into the fire, they were bedewed and sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O Christ Jesus, no one on earth has ever sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched and dissolute as I am. But I cry to Thee, my Jesus, have compassion on me as I sing: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, nail me down with the fear of Thee, I pray, O my Jesus, and guide me to Thy calm haven, O my compassionate Jesus, that saved by Thee I may sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, ten thousand times I promised Thee repentance, my Jesus, but wretch that I am, I deceived Thee. Therefore I cry to Thee, my Jesus: Enlighten my still unfeeling soul, O Christ, who art the God of our fathers.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who gavest birth to Jesus Christ wondrously and above nature, O all - innocent one, implore Him, O Maiden, to forgive me all the sins that I have committed against my nature, that saved I may cry: Blessed art thou who didst conceive God in the flesh.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I implore Thee, O my Jesus: as Thou didst redeem the harlot from many sins, likewise redeem me, O Christ my Jesus, and cleanse my foul soul, O my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, having yielded to dumb and irrational pleasures, I have become dumb and irrational, O my Jesus, and wretch that I am, I have truly become pitifully like the animals, O Saviour. Therefore, O Jesus, deliver me from dumbness and animality.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, I fell into the hands of soul-corrupting thieves who have now stripped me of my divinely woven garment, O my Jesus, and I am lying all bruised and wounded. O my Christ, pour on me oil and wine.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mary, Mother of God, who ineffably bore the Christ, my Jesus and God, implore Him always to save from dangers thy servants and thy singers, O chaste Virgin!
Song 9.
Eirmos: God the Word, God of God, Who by ineffable wisdom came to create Adam anew after his grievous fall to corruption through eating and Who took flesh beyond all telling from the Holy Virgin for our sake - Him we faithful with one accord magnify in song.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I have surpassed, O my Jesus, Manasseh and the publican, the harlot and the prodigal, O compassionate Jesus, and the robber, O my Jesus, through all my shameful and perverse deeds, O Jesus, but outwit me, my Jesus, and save me!
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
My Jesus, I have outdone by my pitiful passions, wretched as I am, all Who have sinned from Adam, O Jesus, before the Law and in the Law, my Jesus, and after the Law and Grace; but save me by Thy judgments, my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Let me not be divorced from Thy ineffable glory, my Jesus, and let me not be assigned to the Left Hand, sweetest Jesus; but set me on the Right Hand with Thy sheep and give me rest, O Christ my Jesus, in Thy divine compassion.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mother of God who bore Jesus, only Immaculate Virgin Mary, invoke Him, O pure one, as thy Son and Creator, to deliver all who resort to thee from temptations, dangers and future fire.
Exapostelarion: O Jesus, Giver of Wisdom and Understanding, Feeder of beggars, Protector of Orphans, Healer of the sick, heal and illumine my heart, O Jesus, covered with the wounds of sin and corruption of passions, and save me. O Jesus!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Enlighten my mind and transfigure my heart, O Virgin, with the radiance of the Light which shone through thee, dispelling the darkness of sin and dissolving the gloom of my indolence.
Prayer to Jesus Christ.
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, my God, through Thy ineffable love for men Thou wast wrapped in flesh, at the end of the ages, from the EverVirgin Mary. We glorify Thy saving providence and care for us, Thy servants, O Lord. We praise Thee through Whom we have learned to know the Father. We bless Thee through Whom the Holy Spirit came into the world. We bow to Thy most Holy Mother who served for the dread mystery of Thy Incarnation. We praise the Angelic Choir as the servants and singers of Thy Majesty. We beatify Saint John the Forerunner who baptized Thee, O Lord. We honour also the Prophets who announced Thee. We glorify Thy Holy Apostles. We celebrate the Martyrs. We praise Thy Priests. We venerate Thy Saints and sing to all the Just. We, Thy servants, offer to Thee, our all-generous God, this countless and unutterable Divine Choir as intercessors, and pray: Grant us the forgiveness of our sins for the sake of all Thy Saints, but especially for the sake of Thy holy generosity, for Thou art blessed for ever.
CANON OF REPENTANCE
To our Lord Jesus Christ
Song 1. Tone 6.
Eirmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Now I, a burdened sinner, approach Thee, my Lord and God. But I dare not raise my eyes to Heaven. I only pray, saying: Give me, O Lord, the sense to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O woe is me, a sinner! Wretched am I above all men. There is no penitence in me. Give me, O Lord, tears to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Foolish, wretched man, you are wasting your time in idleness! Think of your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly over your deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, look upon me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me to the way of repentance, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Song 3.
Eirmos: There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Good One, and strengthened us on the rock of Thy confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
When the thrones are set at the dread judgment, then the deeds of all men will be exposed. Then alas for the sinners sent to torment! And knowing that, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous will rejoice, but the sinners will weep. Then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before the end dawns, repent of your evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Woe is me, a great sinner, who have defiled myself by my deeds and thoughts. Not a tear-drop do I have, because of my hard-heartedness. Now raise yourself from the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Lo, thy Son calls, O Lady, and teaches us what is good. But, sinful as I am, I always flee from the good. But do thou, O merciful one, have mercy on me, that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Sedalion, tone 6:I think of the awful day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer the Immortal King? How shall I, a prodigal, dare to look at the Judge? O gracious Father, Only-Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Bound now with many chains of sins, and inhibited by cruel passions, I have recourse to thee, my salvation, and cry: Help me, O Virgin, Mother of God.
Song 4.
Eirmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the holy Church divinely sings, crying with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Broad is the way here and conducive to indulging in pleasures, but how bitter it will be on the last day when the soul is separated from the body! Beware of pleasures, man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why do you wrong the poor? Why do you withhold the wage of the hired servant? Why do you not love your brother? Why do you run after pride and lust? And so, stop these things, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O thoughtless man! How long will you busy yourself like a bee, accumulating your fortune? For it will perish like dust and ashes soon. But seek rather the Kingdom of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady, Mother of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Strengthen me in the virtues and keep me safe, lest sudden death take me by surprise. And bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Remember, wretched man, how you are enslaved to lies, calumnies, theft, infirmities, wild beasts and fears, on account of your sins. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
My members tremble, for with all of them I have sinned: with my eyes in looking, with my ears in hearing, with my tongue in speaking evil, and by surrendering the whole of myself to hell. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou didst receive the prodigal and the robber who repented, O Saviour, and I alone have succumbed to sinful sloth and have become enslaved to evil deeds. O my sinful soul, is this what you have desired?
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Wonderful and speedy helper of all men, help me. Mother of God, unworthy as I am, for my sinful soul desires that.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, I run to calm haven, and cry to Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, O Most Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I have lived my life wantonly on earth and have delivered my soul to darkness. But now I implore Thee, O merciful Lord, free me from this work of the enemy and give me the knowledge to do Thy will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Who does such things as I do? For just like a swine lying in the mud, so I serve sin. But do Thou, O Lord, pull me out of this vileness and give me the heart to do Thy commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Rise, wretched man, to God and, remembering your sins, fall down before your Creator, weeping and groaning, for He is merciful and will grant you to know His will.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Mother of God, protect me from evil visible and invisible, O immaculate one, and accept my prayers and convey them to thy Son, that He may grant me the sense to do His will.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: O my soul, why do you become rich in sins? Why do you do the will of the devil? On what do you set your hope? Stop these things and turn to God with tears, and cry: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Oekos: Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the awful judgment of your God and Creator. For terrible Angels will seize you, my soul, and will lead you into the eternal fire. And so, before your death, repent and cry: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Song 7.
Eirmos: An Angel made the furnace throw dew on the holy Children. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Do not hope, my soul, for corruptible wealth, and for what is unjustly collected. For you do not know to whom you will leave it all. But cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in your physical health, and in your quickly-passing beauty. For you see that the strong and the young die. But say: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom prepared for the saints, and the outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Fall down, my soul, before the Mother of God, and pray to her; for she is quick to help those who repent. She prays to Christ, her Son and our God, and has mercy on me who am unworthy.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Thou didst make flame sprinkle the Saints with dew, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest. Thee we exalt throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
How can I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my brother lying in his coffin, inglorious and hideous. What, then, do I expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end. (2)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins. Where shall I find myself? Therefore I cry: grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer and preserve me from sudden death; and grant me repentance before my end.
Song 9.
Eirmos: It is impossible for men to see God, upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O all-pure one, did the Word incarnate appear to men, and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him, and thee we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I now have recourse to you, holy Angels, Archangels, and all the Heavenly Hosts who stand at the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He may save my soul from eternal torment.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Now I turn to you with tears, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and holy prelates, and all Christ's elect: help me at the judgment, that He may save my soul from the power of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now I lift my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous and all the saints, who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, help me who have strong hope in thee; implore thy Son that He may place me on His right hand, unworthy as I am, when He sits to judge the living and the dead. Amen.
Prayer after the Canon
Lord Christ our God, Who hast healed my passions through Thy Passion, and hast cured my wounds through Thy wounds, grant me who have sinned greatly against Thee tears of compunction. Transform my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Thy Holy Blood from the bitterness with which the foe has fed me. Lift up my downward looking mind to Thee, and take it out of the pit of perdition, for I have no repentance, I have no compunction, I have no consoling tears, which uplift children to their heritage. My mind has been darkened through earthly passions, I cannot look up to Thee in pain. I cannot warm myself with tears of love for Thee. But, O Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good gifts, give me thorough repentance and a diligent heart to seek Thee; grant me Thy grace, and renew in me the lineaments of Thy image. I have forsaken Thee - do not forsake me! Come out to seek me; lead me up to Thy pasturage and number me among the lambs of Thy chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Thy Holy Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.
CANON
To the Most Holy Mother of God
Troparia, tone 4: Let us, sinful and humbled, now earnestly run to the Mother of God, and let us fall down in repentance, crying from the depth of our soul: O Lady, help, have compassion on us! Make haste, we are perishing from the multitude of our sins. Turn not Thy servants empty away, for we have thee as our only hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Never, O Mother of God, will we cease to speak of thy powers, unworthy as we are. For if thou didst not intercede in prayer, who would have delivered us from so many dangers? Who would have kept us free until now? Let us never forsake thee, our Lady, for thou ever savest thy servants from all perils.
Canon, tone 8:
Song 1.
Eirmos: When Israel passed through the water as dry land, and had escaped the malice of the Egyptians, they cried: Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Distressed by many temptations, I fly for refuge to thee, seeking salvation. O Mother of the Word, and Virgin, bring me safely through dangers and difficulties.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Outbursts of passion trouble me and fill my soul with great despondency. Calm it, O Maiden, by the peace of thy Son and God, O all-innocent one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I implore thee who gavest birth to our Saviour and God, O Virgin, to deliver me from perils. For to thee I now run, lifting up my mind and soul.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sick in body and soul, make me worthy of the divine visitation, and of thy care, O only Mother of God, for thou art good and the bearer of the Good One.
Song 3.
Eirmos: O Lord, Creator of the vault of Heaven and Builder of the Church, strengthen me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, O Support of the faithful, O only Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
I have chosen thee to be the protection and intercession of my life, O Virgin, Mother of God. Guide me to thy haven, O cause of all blessings, O support of the faithful, O only praise of all.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I pray thee, O Virgin, to dispel the tumult of my soul and the storm of my grief; for thou, O Bride of God, didst bear Christ, the Prince of Peace, O only immaculate one.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O thou who didst bear the Benefactor and Author of good things, pour on all the riches of well-doing and good conduct; all is possible to thee, for thou gavest birth to Christ, mighty in power, O divinely blessed one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep thy servants from conflicts, O Mother of God, for we all fly for refuge to thee after God, as an impregnable wall and protection.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I am tortured by grievous sicknesses and morbid passions: O Virgin, help me! For I know thee to be the inexhaustible, unfailing treasury of healings, O all-blameless one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion, Tone 2: O fervent prayer and invincible wall, O fountain of mercy and refuge for mankind, we earnestly cry to thee: O Mother of God, O Sovereign Lady, forestall and deliver us from dangers, O only speedy intercessor.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works and glorify Thy divine nature.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O thou who didst bear the Lord Pilot, still the storm of my sins, and the turmoil of my passions, O Bride of God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I call upon the abyss of thy compassion - grant it me, for thou didst bear the kind-hearted One and Saviour of all who sing to thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Enjoying thy gifts, O all-pure one, we sing a song of thanksgiving to thee, knowing thee to be the Mother of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As I lie on the bed of my pain and sickness, help me, for thou art a lover of goodness and the only Ever-Virgin Mother of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee, O all-hymned one, as our hope and support and unshakable wall of salvation, we are delivered from every difficulty.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Enlighten us by Thy commandments, O Lord, and by Thy uplifted arm grant us Thy peace, O Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Fill my heart with gladness, O pure one, by giving me thy pure joy, O thou who didst bear the Cause of gladness.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Deliver us from conflicts, O pure Mother of God, who didst bear our Eternal Redemption and the Peace that passes all understanding.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Dispel the darkness of my sins, O Bride of God, by the radiance of thy splendour, for thou hast borne the Divine and Eternal Light.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.Amen.
Heal, O pure one, the disease of my passions, when thou hast made me worthy of thy visitation, and grant me health by thy intercession.
Song 6.
Eirmos: I will pour out my prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will confess my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life has drawn near to hell, and like Jonah I will pray: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O Virgin, implore thy Son and Lord Who from death and corruption has saved my nature, captured by corruption and death, by giving Himself to death, to deliver me from my enemies' evil actions.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I know thee as the intercessor and safest guardian of my life, O Virgin, who puttest a stop to the swarm of temptations and drivest off the insolent onsets of devils; and I pray continually: Deliver me from the corruption of my passions.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
We have thee as a wall of refuge and the perfect salvation of our souls and release from our afflictions, O Maiden, and we ever rejoice in thy light. O Sovereign Lady keep us safe now from passions and conflicts.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Now I lie on a bed of infirmities, and there is no healing for my flesh; but I pray to thee, O gracious Lady, who didst bear God and the Saviour of the world and the Healer of sicknesses: Raise me up from the corruption of disease.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, tone 6: O unfailing intercessor of Christians, O constant mediatress before the Creator, despise not the cry of prayer of us sinners; but, of thy goodness, come speedily to the help of us who in faith call upon thee. Hasten to offer swift intercession and prayer (for us), O Mother of God, who ever intercedest for those who honour thee.
Another Kontakion, tone 6: We have no other help, we have no other hope, but thee, O pure Mother of God - help us! In thee we hope, and of thee we boast, for we are thy slaves. Let us not be put to shame.
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from, Judea, the Children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Wishing to accomplish our salvation, Thou didst dwell in the womb of the Virgin, O Saviour, and didst reveal her to the world as the mediatress: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O pure mother who didst bear the Lover of Mercy, implore Him to deliver from sins and from defilements of the soul those who with faith cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou hast shown her who gave birth to Thee to be a treasury of salvation, fountain of incorruption, tower of safety, and door of repentence to those who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, grant healing for the weakness of our bodies and for the sickness of our souls to those who with love appeal to Thy divine protection, O Virgin, who for us didst bear Christ the Saviour.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven Whom hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Disregard not, O Virgin, those who need thy help and who sing and exalt thee, O Maiden, throughout the ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thou healest the pains of my body and the infirmities of my soul, O Virgin, that I may praise thee, O pure one, for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou pourest a wealth of healing, O Virgin, on those who with faith sing to thee and extol thy ineffable childbearing.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou drivest away the assaults of temptations and the attacks of passions, O Virgin; therefore we sing to thee in all ages.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with the bodiless Choirs we magnify thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Turn not away from the torrent of my tears, O Virgin, who didst bear Christ Who dried all tears from every face.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who didst receive the Fulness of Joy and banish the grief of sin.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Be the haven and mediation and the unshakable wall, the refuge and the protection and the gladness, O Virgin, of all who fly to thee for refuge.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
With the rays of thy light, O Virgin, enlighten those who with true faith confess thee to be the Mother of God, and banish the darkness of ignorance.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In the place of suffering, O Virgin, heal me, humbled by infirmity, and transform me from sickness to health.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God.
Accept from us thy unworthy servants, O all-powerful for good, immaculate, Sovereign Lady, Mother of God, these honorable gifts, which can be offered only to thee, who art the one chosen out of all generations, and who hast become higher than all creation, heavenly and earthly. For through thee the Lord of Powers was with us, and through thee we came to know the Son of God, and were granted His holy Body and most pure Blood. Therefore thou art blessed by all generations, the Favourite of God, more radiant than the Cherubim, and more honorable than the Seraphim. And now, O all-hymned, most holy Mother of God, cease not to pray for us, thy unworthy servants, to be delivered from every snare of the subtle one, and from all besetting sins, and preserve us unharmed from every poisonous temptation of the devil. But preserve us to the end uncondemned by thy prayers; for saved by thy help and protection, we send up glory, praise, thanksgiving and adoration for all, to the One God, in Trinity and Creator of all, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CANON OF PREPARATION
for Holy Communion.
Heavenly King... Trisagion: All-holy Trinity... Our Father... Lord have mercy (12 times). O come let us worship... (Thrice). Psalm 50:
Song 1. Tone 2.
Eirmos: Come, O you people, let us sing a song to Christ our God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the nation which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; for He is glorious.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May Thy holy Body be for me the bread of eternal life, O gracious Lord, and may Thy precious Blood be a remedy for my many forms of sickness.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Defiled by misguided deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood, but make me worthy of them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the unploughed Corn which saves the world, grant that I may be saved by eating it.
Song 3.
Eirmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none good but Thee, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the dross from my heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may come with fear and faith, O Lord, to the communion Thy divine gifts.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of my transgressions, for communion with the Holy Spirit and for Eternal Life, O Lover of men, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Lady, Altar of the Bread of Life, which for mercy's sake came down from on high and gave new life to the world, make even me, who am unworthy, worthy now with fear to eat it and live.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come, not as an Ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O most merciful One. Who wast incarnate for us, Thou didst will to be slain as a Sheep for the sins of men; therefore I implore Thee to blot out my offenses.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, and make me worthy, O Lord, to partake of Thy divine mystical Supper, wretched as I am.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Intercede for me also, O Lady, with Him Who came from thy womb, and keep me, thy slave, pure and blameless that I may be sanctified by obtaining the spiritual pearl.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Giver of light and Sovereign Creator of the worlds, guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know no other God than Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, let it be to Thy wicked servant. Abide in me as Thou didst promise; for lo, I am eating Thy divine Body and drinking Thy Blood.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of Thy Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may Thy Blood be the cleansing of my sinful soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, holy tabernacle of the scent of Heaven, make me by Thy prayers, a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the Sacrament of thy Son.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart and body, and grant me uncondemned, O Lord, to approach the fearful Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Grant estrangement from passions, and the assistance of Thy grace, and assurance of life by the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Word of God and God, sanctify the whole of me as I now approach Thy divine Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Holy Mother.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the Bread which is Thy Body and Thy divine Blood, and to partake, O Lord, of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries, wretched as I am, and may it not be to me for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.
Song 7.
Eirmos: The wise children did not adore the golden idol, but went themselves into the flame and defied the pagan gods. They prayed in the midst of the flame, and an Angel bedewed them: The prayer of your lips has been heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May the communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the source of all goodness, O Christ, be to me light and life and dispassion and the means of progress and proficiency in divine virtue, O only Good One, that I may glorify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies, wants, and every sorrow, I now draw near with trembling, love and reverence, O Lover of men, to Thy immortal and divine Mysteries, singing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of Divine Grace and gavest birth incomprehensibly to the Saviour Christ, I thy servant, unclean as I am, now beseech thee, O pure one: Cleanse me who now wish to approach the immaculate Mysteries, from all defilement of body and spirit.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children, and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, who am desperate, to be a participant now of Thy heavenly, dread and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of Thy divine Mystical Supper, O my Saviour and God.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
I fly for refuge to Thy compassion, O Good One, and I cry to Thee with fear: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I in Thee as Thou saidst; for lo, confiding in Thy mercy, I eat Thy Body and drink Thy Blood.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I tremble, taking fire, lest I should burn as wax and hay. O dread Mystery! O Divine Compassion! How can I who am clay partake of the divine Body and Blood and become incorruptible!
Song 9.
Eirmos: The Son of the Eternal Father, God and Lord, has appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; therefore the all-hymned Mother of God we magnify.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
The Lord is good. O taste and see! For of old He became like us for us, and once offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father and is perpetually slain, sanctifying communicants.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Lord; may I be enlightened and saved; may I become by the communion of the Holy Mysteries Thy dwelling, having Thee with the Father and the Spirit living within me, O most merciful Benefactor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
May Thy most precious Body and Blood, my Saviour, be to me as fire and light, consuming the fuel of sin and burning the thorns of my passions, enlightening the whole of me to adore Thy Divinity.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of thy pure blood. Therefore, all generations sing to thee, O Lady, and throngs of heavenly minds glorify thee. For through thee we have clearly seen Him Who is Lord of all united essentially with mankind.
And in the morning the special psalms and prayers to be read before Holy Communion.
CANON
To the Guardian Angel
Troparion: O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by Thee, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O holy Lady, Mother of our God, thou didst amazingly bear the Creator of all: with my Guardian Angel always pray His kindness to save my soul inhibited and bound by passions, and grant me remission of sins.
Canon, tone 8.
Song 1.
Eirmos: Let us sing to the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone has triumphed gloriously.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Grant me, Thy servant, O Saviour, worthily to sing a song and to praise the fleshless Angel, my Guide and Guardian.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I lay alone in folly and idleness, O my Guide and Guardian; forsake not me who am perishing.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Guide my mind by thy prayer to fulfil the commandments of God, and to receive from God remission of sins, and teach me to hate all wickedness, I pray thee.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: With my Guardian Angel, O Virgin, pray for me thy servant to the Bountiful One, and teach me to fulfill the commandments of thy Son and my Creator.
Song 3.
Eirmos: Thou art the strengthening of all who come to Thee, O Lord, Thou art the Light of those in darkness, and my spirit sings of Thee.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
All my thoughts and my soul I have committed to thee, O my Guardian; deliver me from all attacks of the enemy.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
The enemy troubles and tramples on me, and teaches me to follow my own desires; but, O my Guide, forsake not the dying.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Grant me to sing with thanksgiving and fervour to my Creator and God, and to thee my good Angel Guardian: O my deliverer, rescue me from foes that trouble me.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Heal, O immaculate one, the most painful wounds of my soul, and drive away the enemies ever fighting against me.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion: From the love of my soul I cry to thee, O Guardian of my soul, my most holy Angel! Protect and guard me always from the hunting of the evil one, and guide me to the heavenly life; teach me and enlighten me and strengthen me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, who gavest birth without seed to the Lord of all, pray Him with my Guardian Angel to deliver me from all doubt, and to give to my soul feeling and light, and to cleanse me from sin, for thou alone art a quick defender.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works, and glorify Thy divine nature.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Pray to God the Lover of men, and leave me not, O my Guardian, but ever keep my life in peace, and grant me the invincible salvation.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
As the defender and guardian of my life I received thee from God, O Angel. I pray thee, O holy one, free me from all harm.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Cleanse my foulness by thy holiness, O my Guardian, and may I be drawn from the left side by thy prayers, and become a partaker of glory.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Perplexity confronts me through the evil surrounding me, O immaculate one, but deliver me from it speedily, for I run only to thee.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord; save us, for Thou art our God, and other than Thee we know none.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
As thou hast boldness towards God, my holy Guardian, pray Him to deliver me from the evils which offend me.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
O radiant light, make radiant my soul, my Guide and Guardian Angel, given me by God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep me awake who sleep from the burden of my sins, O Angel of God, and by thy prayers raise me up to glorify Him.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady Mary, Virgin Mother of God, O hope of the faithful, subdue the attacks of the enemy, and to those who sing to thee give joy.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Grant me a garment of Light, O Thou Who wrappest Thyself in Light for a garment, most merciful Christ our God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Deliver me from every misfortune and accident and save me from sorrow, I pray, O holy Angel, given to me as my good Guardian by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Enlighten my mind, O good one, and illumine me, I pray thee, O holy Angel, and teach me to think always positively and profitably.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Calm my heart from present disturbance, and strengthen me to be awake to the good, O my Guardian, and guide me miraculously in quietness of life.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: The Word of God dwelt in thee, O Mother of God, and showed thee to men as the heavenly ladder. For by thee the Most High descended to us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Have compassion on me, O holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, and leave me not, impure as I am, but irradiate me with the Divine Light, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Oekos: Grant my soul, humiliated by many temptations, the ineffable Heavenly Glory, O holy intercessor and singer with the Choirs of fleshless Powers of God. Have mercy and keep me, and illumine my soul with good thoughts, that I may be enriched by thy glory, O my Angel; subdue my foes who wish me evil, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from Judea, the children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Have mercy and pray for me, O Angel of the Lord, for I have thee as my defender for the whole of my life, the Guide and Guardian, given me by God forever.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Let not my sinful pilgrim soul, given thee chaste by God, be murdered by robbers, O Holy Angel, but lead it to the way of repentance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
My whole soul is disgraced by evil thoughts and acts, but make haste, O my Guide, and grant me healing with good thoughts, that I may always follow the right way.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
To Jesus: Fill with wisdom and divine strength all who cry with faith, through the Mother of God, to Thee, O Personal Wisdom of the Highest: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven, Whom Hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Strengthen the life of thy servant and never leave me, O gracious Angel, sent by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I ever hymn thee, O Good Angel, Guide and Guardian of my soul, most blessed spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Be my Veil and Visor in the Judgment Day of all men, when all deeds, good and evil, will be tried by fire.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Be the help and peace of thy servant, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, and leave me not bereft of thy protection.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with Fleshless Choir we magnify thee.
O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Have mercy on me, O my only Saviour, for Thou art merciful and kind-hearted, and make me a member of the Choirs of the Righteous.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Grant me ever to think and do only what is useful, O Angel of the Lord, that I may be undefiled and strong in infirmity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Having boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray Him, with the other Angels, to have mercy on me, wretched as I am.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Virgin, who hast great boldness towards Him Who took flesh of thee, deliver me from attachments and grant me forgiveness and salvation by thy prayers.
Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of Christ, I fall down and pray to thee, my holy Guardian, given me from holy Baptism for the protection of my sinful body and soul. By my laziness and bad habits, I have angered thy most pure light, and have driven thee away from me by all my shameful deeds, lies, slanders, envy, condemnation, scorn, disobedience, brotherly-hatred, grudges, love of money, adultery, anger, meanness, greed, excess, talkativeness, negative and evil thoughts, proud ways, dissolute madness, having self-will in all the desires of the flesh. O my evil will, which even the dumb animals do not follow! How canst thou look at me or approach me who am like a stinking dog? With what eyes, O Angel of Christ, wilt thou look at me so badly snared in evil deeds? How can I ask forgiveness for my bitter, evil and wicked deeds, into which I fall every day and night, and every hour? But I fall down and pray, O my holy Guardian: pity me, thy sinful and unworthy servant (Name). Be my helper and protector against my wicked enemy, by thy holy prayers, and make me a partaker of the Kingdom of God with all the Saints, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, saint greater than the saints!
Rejoice, ark made golden by the Spirit!
Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of Life!
Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings!
Rejoice, adorable boast of devoted priests!
Rejoice, unshaken tower of the Church!
Rejoice, impregnable wall of the Kingdom!
Rejoice, thou through whom we obtain our victories!
Rejoice, thou before whom our foes fall prostrate!
Rejoice, healing of my body!
Rejoice, salvation of my soul!
Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 13
O all-praised Mother who didst bear the Word holiest of all the Saints, accept this our offering, and deliver us from all offense, and redeem from future torment those who cry in unison to thee:
Alleluia. (Thrice)
And again Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
Prayer to our Most Holy Lady
MOTHER of GOD
My most gracious Queen, my hope, Mother of God, shelter of orphans, and intercessor of travellers, strangers and pilgrims, joy of those in sorrow, protectress of the wronged, see my distress, see my affliction! Help me, for I am helpless. Feed me, for I am a stranger and pilgrim. Thou knowest my offence; forgive and resolve it as thou wilt. For I know no other help but thee, no other intercessor, no gracious consoler but thee, O Mother of God, to guard and protect me throughout the ages. Amen.
CANON
To our Lord Jesus Christ. Tone 2
Song 1.
Eirmos: In the deep of old the infinite Power overwhelmed Pharoah's whole army. But the Incarnate Word annihilated pernicious sin. Exceedingly glorious is the Lord, for gloriously has He been glorified.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
Sweetest Jesus Christ, longsuffering Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, Jesus, and make sweet my heart, O Most Merciful One, I ask Thee, Jesus my Saviour, that being saved by Thee, I may glorify Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, open to me the door of repentance, O Jesus, Lover of men, and accept me as I throw myself at Thy feet, Jesus, my Saviour, and fervently implore the forgiveness of my sins.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, snatch me from the hand of deceitful satan, O Jesus, and make me stand on the Right of Thy glory, O Jesus my Saviour; from the Left deliver me.
Most Holy Mother of God save. us.
Theotokion: O Lady who bore Jesus our God, pray for us worthless slaves, that by thy prayers, O immaculate one, we who are defiled may be delivered from torment, O spotless one, and enjoy everlasting glory.
Song 3.
Eirmos : By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God and none righteous but Thee, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Lover of men, hear Thy slave calling with compunction; and deliver me, Jesus, from condemnation and punishment, O only Patient One, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Receive Thy slave, O my Jesus, who prostrates himself with tears, my Jesus, and deliver me, O Lord, from hell, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, the time Thou gavest me I have squandered in passions, O my Jesus. Reject me not, O my Jesus, but call me, I pray, O Lord, O Sweetest Jesus, and save me!
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Virgin who gavest birth to my Jesus, implore Him to save me from hell. Thou art the only patroness of the afflicted, O thou who art full of divine grace. And make me worthy of the life that is free from old age, O all-innocent one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion (Sitting hymn): O Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst save the prodigal. Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst accept the harlot. And now have mercy on me, most merciful Jesus; have compassion and save me, O Jesus my Benefactor, as Thou hadst compassion on Manasseh, my Jesus, only Lover of men.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Having thy intercession, O most pure one, and delivered by thy prayers, and protected by the Cross of thy Son, we duly devoutly magnify thee.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a virgin didst Thou come, not as an ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy Power, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, my Jesus, I pray, and snatch me from the hand of soul-corrupting satan, my gracious Jesus, and save me.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my sweetest Jesus, I have sinned. My compassionate Jesus, save me who run to Thy protection, and make me worthy of Thy Kingdom, O most patient Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
No one has sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched as I am; but now I bow down and pray: Save me, O my Jesus, and bequeath me, my Jesus, life.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O all-hymned Virgin who bore the Lord Jesus, implore Him to deliver from torment all who sing to thee and call thee supremely Mother of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: O Thou Who art the Light of those lying in darkness, and the salvation of the hopeless, O Christ my Saviour, I rise early to pray to Thee, O King of Peace. Enlighten me with Thy radiance, for I know no other God than Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Thou art the light of my mind and the salvation of my despairing soul, my Jesus, my Saviour! Deliver me who cry to Thee, from torment and hell. Save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Completely cast down to shameful passions, my Jesus, I now cry: Stretch down to me, my Jesus, a helping hand, and pluck me out as I cry: save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Carrying about a mind defiled, I call to Thee, O Jesus: cleanse me from the dirt of sin, and redeem me who slipped down to the depths of vice through ignorance, and save me, O Saviour, my Jesus, I pray.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Maiden Mother of God who bore Jesus, implore Him to save all Orthodox monks and people, and to deliver from hell those who cry: We know no stronger intercession than thine.
Song 6.
Eirmos : Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O most merciful Christ, my Jesus, accept me who confess my sins, O Lord, and save me, O Jesus, and snatch me, O Jesus, from corruption.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, no one else has been so dissolute as I, wretched as I am, O Jesus Lover of men, but save me, O Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, I have surpassed with my passions the harlot and the prodigal, Manasseh and the publican, O my Jesus, and the robber and the Ninevites, O Jesus.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who conceivedst my Jesus Christ, O only undefiled and immaculate Virgin, cleanse me defiled as I am, even now by hyssop of thy prayers.
Lord have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Sweetest Jesus, Light of of the world, enlighten the eyes of my soul, O Son of God, with the divine vision of Thy splendour, that I may praise Thee, the unwaning Light.
Song 7.
Eirmos: When the golden idol was worshipped in the plain of Dura, Thy three children despised the godless order. Thrown into the fire, they were bedewed and sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O Christ Jesus, no one on earth has ever sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched and dissolute as I am. But I cry to Thee, my Jesus, have compassion on me as I sing: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, nail me down with the fear of Thee, I pray, O my Jesus, and guide me to Thy calm haven, O my compassionate Jesus, that saved by Thee I may sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, ten thousand times I promised Thee repentance, my Jesus, but wretch that I am, I deceived Thee. Therefore I cry to Thee, my Jesus: Enlighten my still unfeeling soul, O Christ, who art the God of our fathers.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who gavest birth to Jesus Christ wondrously and above nature, O all - innocent one, implore Him, O Maiden, to forgive me all the sins that I have committed against my nature, that saved I may cry: Blessed art thou who didst conceive God in the flesh.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I implore Thee, O my Jesus: as Thou didst redeem the harlot from many sins, likewise redeem me, O Christ my Jesus, and cleanse my foul soul, O my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, having yielded to dumb and irrational pleasures, I have become dumb and irrational, O my Jesus, and wretch that I am, I have truly become pitifully like the animals, O Saviour. Therefore, O Jesus, deliver me from dumbness and animality.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, I fell into the hands of soul-corrupting thieves who have now stripped me of my divinely woven garment, O my Jesus, and I am lying all bruised and wounded. O my Christ, pour on me oil and wine.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mary, Mother of God, who ineffably bore the Christ, my Jesus and God, implore Him always to save from dangers thy servants and thy singers, O chaste Virgin!
Song 9.
Eirmos: God the Word, God of God, Who by ineffable wisdom came to create Adam anew after his grievous fall to corruption through eating and Who took flesh beyond all telling from the Holy Virgin for our sake - Him we faithful with one accord magnify in song.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I have surpassed, O my Jesus, Manasseh and the publican, the harlot and the prodigal, O compassionate Jesus, and the robber, O my Jesus, through all my shameful and perverse deeds, O Jesus, but outwit me, my Jesus, and save me!
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
My Jesus, I have outdone by my pitiful passions, wretched as I am, all Who have sinned from Adam, O Jesus, before the Law and in the Law, my Jesus, and after the Law and Grace; but save me by Thy judgments, my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Let me not be divorced from Thy ineffable glory, my Jesus, and let me not be assigned to the Left Hand, sweetest Jesus; but set me on the Right Hand with Thy sheep and give me rest, O Christ my Jesus, in Thy divine compassion.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mother of God who bore Jesus, only Immaculate Virgin Mary, invoke Him, O pure one, as thy Son and Creator, to deliver all who resort to thee from temptations, dangers and future fire.
Exapostelarion: O Jesus, Giver of Wisdom and Understanding, Feeder of beggars, Protector of Orphans, Healer of the sick, heal and illumine my heart, O Jesus, covered with the wounds of sin and corruption of passions, and save me. O Jesus!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Enlighten my mind and transfigure my heart, O Virgin, with the radiance of the Light which shone through thee, dispelling the darkness of sin and dissolving the gloom of my indolence.
Prayer to Jesus Christ.
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, my God, through Thy ineffable love for men Thou wast wrapped in flesh, at the end of the ages, from the EverVirgin Mary. We glorify Thy saving providence and care for us, Thy servants, O Lord. We praise Thee through Whom we have learned to know the Father. We bless Thee through Whom the Holy Spirit came into the world. We bow to Thy most Holy Mother who served for the dread mystery of Thy Incarnation. We praise the Angelic Choir as the servants and singers of Thy Majesty. We beatify Saint John the Forerunner who baptized Thee, O Lord. We honour also the Prophets who announced Thee. We glorify Thy Holy Apostles. We celebrate the Martyrs. We praise Thy Priests. We venerate Thy Saints and sing to all the Just. We, Thy servants, offer to Thee, our all-generous God, this countless and unutterable Divine Choir as intercessors, and pray: Grant us the forgiveness of our sins for the sake of all Thy Saints, but especially for the sake of Thy holy generosity, for Thou art blessed for ever.
CANON OF REPENTANCE
To our Lord Jesus Christ
Song 1. Tone 6.
Eirmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Now I, a burdened sinner, approach Thee, my Lord and God. But I dare not raise my eyes to Heaven. I only pray, saying: Give me, O Lord, the sense to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O woe is me, a sinner! Wretched am I above all men. There is no penitence in me. Give me, O Lord, tears to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Foolish, wretched man, you are wasting your time in idleness! Think of your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly over your deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, look upon me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me to the way of repentance, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Song 3.
Eirmos: There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Good One, and strengthened us on the rock of Thy confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
When the thrones are set at the dread judgment, then the deeds of all men will be exposed. Then alas for the sinners sent to torment! And knowing that, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous will rejoice, but the sinners will weep. Then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before the end dawns, repent of your evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Woe is me, a great sinner, who have defiled myself by my deeds and thoughts. Not a tear-drop do I have, because of my hard-heartedness. Now raise yourself from the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Lo, thy Son calls, O Lady, and teaches us what is good. But, sinful as I am, I always flee from the good. But do thou, O merciful one, have mercy on me, that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Sedalion, tone 6:I think of the awful day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer the Immortal King? How shall I, a prodigal, dare to look at the Judge? O gracious Father, Only-Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Bound now with many chains of sins, and inhibited by cruel passions, I have recourse to thee, my salvation, and cry: Help me, O Virgin, Mother of God.
Song 4.
Eirmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the holy Church divinely sings, crying with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Broad is the way here and conducive to indulging in pleasures, but how bitter it will be on the last day when the soul is separated from the body! Beware of pleasures, man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why do you wrong the poor? Why do you withhold the wage of the hired servant? Why do you not love your brother? Why do you run after pride and lust? And so, stop these things, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O thoughtless man! How long will you busy yourself like a bee, accumulating your fortune? For it will perish like dust and ashes soon. But seek rather the Kingdom of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady, Mother of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Strengthen me in the virtues and keep me safe, lest sudden death take me by surprise. And bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Remember, wretched man, how you are enslaved to lies, calumnies, theft, infirmities, wild beasts and fears, on account of your sins. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
My members tremble, for with all of them I have sinned: with my eyes in looking, with my ears in hearing, with my tongue in speaking evil, and by surrendering the whole of myself to hell. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou didst receive the prodigal and the robber who repented, O Saviour, and I alone have succumbed to sinful sloth and have become enslaved to evil deeds. O my sinful soul, is this what you have desired?
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Wonderful and speedy helper of all men, help me. Mother of God, unworthy as I am, for my sinful soul desires that.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, I run to calm haven, and cry to Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, O Most Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I have lived my life wantonly on earth and have delivered my soul to darkness. But now I implore Thee, O merciful Lord, free me from this work of the enemy and give me the knowledge to do Thy will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Who does such things as I do? For just like a swine lying in the mud, so I serve sin. But do Thou, O Lord, pull me out of this vileness and give me the heart to do Thy commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Rise, wretched man, to God and, remembering your sins, fall down before your Creator, weeping and groaning, for He is merciful and will grant you to know His will.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Mother of God, protect me from evil visible and invisible, O immaculate one, and accept my prayers and convey them to thy Son, that He may grant me the sense to do His will.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: O my soul, why do you become rich in sins? Why do you do the will of the devil? On what do you set your hope? Stop these things and turn to God with tears, and cry: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Oekos: Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the awful judgment of your God and Creator. For terrible Angels will seize you, my soul, and will lead you into the eternal fire. And so, before your death, repent and cry: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Song 7.
Eirmos: An Angel made the furnace throw dew on the holy Children. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Do not hope, my soul, for corruptible wealth, and for what is unjustly collected. For you do not know to whom you will leave it all. But cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in your physical health, and in your quickly-passing beauty. For you see that the strong and the young die. But say: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom prepared for the saints, and the outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Fall down, my soul, before the Mother of God, and pray to her; for she is quick to help those who repent. She prays to Christ, her Son and our God, and has mercy on me who am unworthy.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Thou didst make flame sprinkle the Saints with dew, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest. Thee we exalt throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
How can I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my brother lying in his coffin, inglorious and hideous. What, then, do I expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end. (2)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins. Where shall I find myself? Therefore I cry: grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer and preserve me from sudden death; and grant me repentance before my end.
Song 9.
Eirmos: It is impossible for men to see God, upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O all-pure one, did the Word incarnate appear to men, and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him, and thee we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I now have recourse to you, holy Angels, Archangels, and all the Heavenly Hosts who stand at the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He may save my soul from eternal torment.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Now I turn to you with tears, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and holy prelates, and all Christ's elect: help me at the judgment, that He may save my soul from the power of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now I lift my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous and all the saints, who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, help me who have strong hope in thee; implore thy Son that He may place me on His right hand, unworthy as I am, when He sits to judge the living and the dead. Amen.
Prayer after the Canon
Lord Christ our God, Who hast healed my passions through Thy Passion, and hast cured my wounds through Thy wounds, grant me who have sinned greatly against Thee tears of compunction. Transform my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Thy Holy Blood from the bitterness with which the foe has fed me. Lift up my downward looking mind to Thee, and take it out of the pit of perdition, for I have no repentance, I have no compunction, I have no consoling tears, which uplift children to their heritage. My mind has been darkened through earthly passions, I cannot look up to Thee in pain. I cannot warm myself with tears of love for Thee. But, O Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good gifts, give me thorough repentance and a diligent heart to seek Thee; grant me Thy grace, and renew in me the lineaments of Thy image. I have forsaken Thee - do not forsake me! Come out to seek me; lead me up to Thy pasturage and number me among the lambs of Thy chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Thy Holy Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.
CANON
To the Most Holy Mother of God
Troparia, tone 4: Let us, sinful and humbled, now earnestly run to the Mother of God, and let us fall down in repentance, crying from the depth of our soul: O Lady, help, have compassion on us! Make haste, we are perishing from the multitude of our sins. Turn not Thy servants empty away, for we have thee as our only hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Never, O Mother of God, will we cease to speak of thy powers, unworthy as we are. For if thou didst not intercede in prayer, who would have delivered us from so many dangers? Who would have kept us free until now? Let us never forsake thee, our Lady, for thou ever savest thy servants from all perils.
Canon, tone 8:
Song 1.
Eirmos: When Israel passed through the water as dry land, and had escaped the malice of the Egyptians, they cried: Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Distressed by many temptations, I fly for refuge to thee, seeking salvation. O Mother of the Word, and Virgin, bring me safely through dangers and difficulties.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Outbursts of passion trouble me and fill my soul with great despondency. Calm it, O Maiden, by the peace of thy Son and God, O all-innocent one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I implore thee who gavest birth to our Saviour and God, O Virgin, to deliver me from perils. For to thee I now run, lifting up my mind and soul.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sick in body and soul, make me worthy of the divine visitation, and of thy care, O only Mother of God, for thou art good and the bearer of the Good One.
Song 3.
Eirmos: O Lord, Creator of the vault of Heaven and Builder of the Church, strengthen me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, O Support of the faithful, O only Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
I have chosen thee to be the protection and intercession of my life, O Virgin, Mother of God. Guide me to thy haven, O cause of all blessings, O support of the faithful, O only praise of all.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I pray thee, O Virgin, to dispel the tumult of my soul and the storm of my grief; for thou, O Bride of God, didst bear Christ, the Prince of Peace, O only immaculate one.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O thou who didst bear the Benefactor and Author of good things, pour on all the riches of well-doing and good conduct; all is possible to thee, for thou gavest birth to Christ, mighty in power, O divinely blessed one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep thy servants from conflicts, O Mother of God, for we all fly for refuge to thee after God, as an impregnable wall and protection.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I am tortured by grievous sicknesses and morbid passions: O Virgin, help me! For I know thee to be the inexhaustible, unfailing treasury of healings, O all-blameless one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion, Tone 2: O fervent prayer and invincible wall, O fountain of mercy and refuge for mankind, we earnestly cry to thee: O Mother of God, O Sovereign Lady, forestall and deliver us from dangers, O only speedy intercessor.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works and glorify Thy divine nature.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O thou who didst bear the Lord Pilot, still the storm of my sins, and the turmoil of my passions, O Bride of God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I call upon the abyss of thy compassion - grant it me, for thou didst bear the kind-hearted One and Saviour of all who sing to thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Enjoying thy gifts, O all-pure one, we sing a song of thanksgiving to thee, knowing thee to be the Mother of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As I lie on the bed of my pain and sickness, help me, for thou art a lover of goodness and the only Ever-Virgin Mother of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee, O all-hymned one, as our hope and support and unshakable wall of salvation, we are delivered from every difficulty.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Enlighten us by Thy commandments, O Lord, and by Thy uplifted arm grant us Thy peace, O Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Fill my heart with gladness, O pure one, by giving me thy pure joy, O thou who didst bear the Cause of gladness.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Deliver us from conflicts, O pure Mother of God, who didst bear our Eternal Redemption and the Peace that passes all understanding.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Dispel the darkness of my sins, O Bride of God, by the radiance of thy splendour, for thou hast borne the Divine and Eternal Light.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.Amen.
Heal, O pure one, the disease of my passions, when thou hast made me worthy of thy visitation, and grant me health by thy intercession.
Song 6.
Eirmos: I will pour out my prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will confess my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life has drawn near to hell, and like Jonah I will pray: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O Virgin, implore thy Son and Lord Who from death and corruption has saved my nature, captured by corruption and death, by giving Himself to death, to deliver me from my enemies' evil actions.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I know thee as the intercessor and safest guardian of my life, O Virgin, who puttest a stop to the swarm of temptations and drivest off the insolent onsets of devils; and I pray continually: Deliver me from the corruption of my passions.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
We have thee as a wall of refuge and the perfect salvation of our souls and release from our afflictions, O Maiden, and we ever rejoice in thy light. O Sovereign Lady keep us safe now from passions and conflicts.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Now I lie on a bed of infirmities, and there is no healing for my flesh; but I pray to thee, O gracious Lady, who didst bear God and the Saviour of the world and the Healer of sicknesses: Raise me up from the corruption of disease.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, tone 6: O unfailing intercessor of Christians, O constant mediatress before the Creator, despise not the cry of prayer of us sinners; but, of thy goodness, come speedily to the help of us who in faith call upon thee. Hasten to offer swift intercession and prayer (for us), O Mother of God, who ever intercedest for those who honour thee.
Another Kontakion, tone 6: We have no other help, we have no other hope, but thee, O pure Mother of God - help us! In thee we hope, and of thee we boast, for we are thy slaves. Let us not be put to shame.
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from, Judea, the Children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Wishing to accomplish our salvation, Thou didst dwell in the womb of the Virgin, O Saviour, and didst reveal her to the world as the mediatress: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O pure mother who didst bear the Lover of Mercy, implore Him to deliver from sins and from defilements of the soul those who with faith cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou hast shown her who gave birth to Thee to be a treasury of salvation, fountain of incorruption, tower of safety, and door of repentence to those who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, grant healing for the weakness of our bodies and for the sickness of our souls to those who with love appeal to Thy divine protection, O Virgin, who for us didst bear Christ the Saviour.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven Whom hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Disregard not, O Virgin, those who need thy help and who sing and exalt thee, O Maiden, throughout the ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thou healest the pains of my body and the infirmities of my soul, O Virgin, that I may praise thee, O pure one, for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou pourest a wealth of healing, O Virgin, on those who with faith sing to thee and extol thy ineffable childbearing.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou drivest away the assaults of temptations and the attacks of passions, O Virgin; therefore we sing to thee in all ages.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with the bodiless Choirs we magnify thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Turn not away from the torrent of my tears, O Virgin, who didst bear Christ Who dried all tears from every face.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who didst receive the Fulness of Joy and banish the grief of sin.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Be the haven and mediation and the unshakable wall, the refuge and the protection and the gladness, O Virgin, of all who fly to thee for refuge.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
With the rays of thy light, O Virgin, enlighten those who with true faith confess thee to be the Mother of God, and banish the darkness of ignorance.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In the place of suffering, O Virgin, heal me, humbled by infirmity, and transform me from sickness to health.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God.
Accept from us thy unworthy servants, O all-powerful for good, immaculate, Sovereign Lady, Mother of God, these honorable gifts, which can be offered only to thee, who art the one chosen out of all generations, and who hast become higher than all creation, heavenly and earthly. For through thee the Lord of Powers was with us, and through thee we came to know the Son of God, and were granted His holy Body and most pure Blood. Therefore thou art blessed by all generations, the Favourite of God, more radiant than the Cherubim, and more honorable than the Seraphim. And now, O all-hymned, most holy Mother of God, cease not to pray for us, thy unworthy servants, to be delivered from every snare of the subtle one, and from all besetting sins, and preserve us unharmed from every poisonous temptation of the devil. But preserve us to the end uncondemned by thy prayers; for saved by thy help and protection, we send up glory, praise, thanksgiving and adoration for all, to the One God, in Trinity and Creator of all, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CANON OF PREPARATION
for Holy Communion.
Heavenly King... Trisagion: All-holy Trinity... Our Father... Lord have mercy (12 times). O come let us worship... (Thrice). Psalm 50:
Song 1. Tone 2.
Eirmos: Come, O you people, let us sing a song to Christ our God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the nation which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; for He is glorious.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May Thy holy Body be for me the bread of eternal life, O gracious Lord, and may Thy precious Blood be a remedy for my many forms of sickness.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Defiled by misguided deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood, but make me worthy of them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the unploughed Corn which saves the world, grant that I may be saved by eating it.
Song 3.
Eirmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none good but Thee, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the dross from my heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may come with fear and faith, O Lord, to the communion Thy divine gifts.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of my transgressions, for communion with the Holy Spirit and for Eternal Life, O Lover of men, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Lady, Altar of the Bread of Life, which for mercy's sake came down from on high and gave new life to the world, make even me, who am unworthy, worthy now with fear to eat it and live.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come, not as an Ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O most merciful One. Who wast incarnate for us, Thou didst will to be slain as a Sheep for the sins of men; therefore I implore Thee to blot out my offenses.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, and make me worthy, O Lord, to partake of Thy divine mystical Supper, wretched as I am.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Intercede for me also, O Lady, with Him Who came from thy womb, and keep me, thy slave, pure and blameless that I may be sanctified by obtaining the spiritual pearl.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Giver of light and Sovereign Creator of the worlds, guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know no other God than Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, let it be to Thy wicked servant. Abide in me as Thou didst promise; for lo, I am eating Thy divine Body and drinking Thy Blood.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of Thy Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may Thy Blood be the cleansing of my sinful soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, holy tabernacle of the scent of Heaven, make me by Thy prayers, a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the Sacrament of thy Son.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart and body, and grant me uncondemned, O Lord, to approach the fearful Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Grant estrangement from passions, and the assistance of Thy grace, and assurance of life by the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Word of God and God, sanctify the whole of me as I now approach Thy divine Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Holy Mother.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the Bread which is Thy Body and Thy divine Blood, and to partake, O Lord, of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries, wretched as I am, and may it not be to me for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.
Song 7.
Eirmos: The wise children did not adore the golden idol, but went themselves into the flame and defied the pagan gods. They prayed in the midst of the flame, and an Angel bedewed them: The prayer of your lips has been heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May the communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the source of all goodness, O Christ, be to me light and life and dispassion and the means of progress and proficiency in divine virtue, O only Good One, that I may glorify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies, wants, and every sorrow, I now draw near with trembling, love and reverence, O Lover of men, to Thy immortal and divine Mysteries, singing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of Divine Grace and gavest birth incomprehensibly to the Saviour Christ, I thy servant, unclean as I am, now beseech thee, O pure one: Cleanse me who now wish to approach the immaculate Mysteries, from all defilement of body and spirit.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children, and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, who am desperate, to be a participant now of Thy heavenly, dread and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of Thy divine Mystical Supper, O my Saviour and God.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
I fly for refuge to Thy compassion, O Good One, and I cry to Thee with fear: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I in Thee as Thou saidst; for lo, confiding in Thy mercy, I eat Thy Body and drink Thy Blood.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I tremble, taking fire, lest I should burn as wax and hay. O dread Mystery! O Divine Compassion! How can I who am clay partake of the divine Body and Blood and become incorruptible!
Song 9.
Eirmos: The Son of the Eternal Father, God and Lord, has appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; therefore the all-hymned Mother of God we magnify.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
The Lord is good. O taste and see! For of old He became like us for us, and once offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father and is perpetually slain, sanctifying communicants.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Lord; may I be enlightened and saved; may I become by the communion of the Holy Mysteries Thy dwelling, having Thee with the Father and the Spirit living within me, O most merciful Benefactor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
May Thy most precious Body and Blood, my Saviour, be to me as fire and light, consuming the fuel of sin and burning the thorns of my passions, enlightening the whole of me to adore Thy Divinity.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of thy pure blood. Therefore, all generations sing to thee, O Lady, and throngs of heavenly minds glorify thee. For through thee we have clearly seen Him Who is Lord of all united essentially with mankind.
And in the morning the special psalms and prayers to be read before Holy Communion.
CANON
To the Guardian Angel
Troparion: O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by Thee, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O holy Lady, Mother of our God, thou didst amazingly bear the Creator of all: with my Guardian Angel always pray His kindness to save my soul inhibited and bound by passions, and grant me remission of sins.
Canon, tone 8.
Song 1.
Eirmos: Let us sing to the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone has triumphed gloriously.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Grant me, Thy servant, O Saviour, worthily to sing a song and to praise the fleshless Angel, my Guide and Guardian.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I lay alone in folly and idleness, O my Guide and Guardian; forsake not me who am perishing.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Guide my mind by thy prayer to fulfil the commandments of God, and to receive from God remission of sins, and teach me to hate all wickedness, I pray thee.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: With my Guardian Angel, O Virgin, pray for me thy servant to the Bountiful One, and teach me to fulfill the commandments of thy Son and my Creator.
Song 3.
Eirmos: Thou art the strengthening of all who come to Thee, O Lord, Thou art the Light of those in darkness, and my spirit sings of Thee.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
All my thoughts and my soul I have committed to thee, O my Guardian; deliver me from all attacks of the enemy.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
The enemy troubles and tramples on me, and teaches me to follow my own desires; but, O my Guide, forsake not the dying.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Grant me to sing with thanksgiving and fervour to my Creator and God, and to thee my good Angel Guardian: O my deliverer, rescue me from foes that trouble me.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Heal, O immaculate one, the most painful wounds of my soul, and drive away the enemies ever fighting against me.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion: From the love of my soul I cry to thee, O Guardian of my soul, my most holy Angel! Protect and guard me always from the hunting of the evil one, and guide me to the heavenly life; teach me and enlighten me and strengthen me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, who gavest birth without seed to the Lord of all, pray Him with my Guardian Angel to deliver me from all doubt, and to give to my soul feeling and light, and to cleanse me from sin, for thou alone art a quick defender.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works, and glorify Thy divine nature.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Pray to God the Lover of men, and leave me not, O my Guardian, but ever keep my life in peace, and grant me the invincible salvation.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
As the defender and guardian of my life I received thee from God, O Angel. I pray thee, O holy one, free me from all harm.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Cleanse my foulness by thy holiness, O my Guardian, and may I be drawn from the left side by thy prayers, and become a partaker of glory.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Perplexity confronts me through the evil surrounding me, O immaculate one, but deliver me from it speedily, for I run only to thee.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord; save us, for Thou art our God, and other than Thee we know none.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
As thou hast boldness towards God, my holy Guardian, pray Him to deliver me from the evils which offend me.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
O radiant light, make radiant my soul, my Guide and Guardian Angel, given me by God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep me awake who sleep from the burden of my sins, O Angel of God, and by thy prayers raise me up to glorify Him.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady Mary, Virgin Mother of God, O hope of the faithful, subdue the attacks of the enemy, and to those who sing to thee give joy.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Grant me a garment of Light, O Thou Who wrappest Thyself in Light for a garment, most merciful Christ our God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Deliver me from every misfortune and accident and save me from sorrow, I pray, O holy Angel, given to me as my good Guardian by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Enlighten my mind, O good one, and illumine me, I pray thee, O holy Angel, and teach me to think always positively and profitably.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Calm my heart from present disturbance, and strengthen me to be awake to the good, O my Guardian, and guide me miraculously in quietness of life.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: The Word of God dwelt in thee, O Mother of God, and showed thee to men as the heavenly ladder. For by thee the Most High descended to us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Have compassion on me, O holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, and leave me not, impure as I am, but irradiate me with the Divine Light, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Oekos: Grant my soul, humiliated by many temptations, the ineffable Heavenly Glory, O holy intercessor and singer with the Choirs of fleshless Powers of God. Have mercy and keep me, and illumine my soul with good thoughts, that I may be enriched by thy glory, O my Angel; subdue my foes who wish me evil, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from Judea, the children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Have mercy and pray for me, O Angel of the Lord, for I have thee as my defender for the whole of my life, the Guide and Guardian, given me by God forever.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Let not my sinful pilgrim soul, given thee chaste by God, be murdered by robbers, O Holy Angel, but lead it to the way of repentance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
My whole soul is disgraced by evil thoughts and acts, but make haste, O my Guide, and grant me healing with good thoughts, that I may always follow the right way.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
To Jesus: Fill with wisdom and divine strength all who cry with faith, through the Mother of God, to Thee, O Personal Wisdom of the Highest: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven, Whom Hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Strengthen the life of thy servant and never leave me, O gracious Angel, sent by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I ever hymn thee, O Good Angel, Guide and Guardian of my soul, most blessed spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Be my Veil and Visor in the Judgment Day of all men, when all deeds, good and evil, will be tried by fire.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Be the help and peace of thy servant, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, and leave me not bereft of thy protection.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with Fleshless Choir we magnify thee.
O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Have mercy on me, O my only Saviour, for Thou art merciful and kind-hearted, and make me a member of the Choirs of the Righteous.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Grant me ever to think and do only what is useful, O Angel of the Lord, that I may be undefiled and strong in infirmity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Having boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray Him, with the other Angels, to have mercy on me, wretched as I am.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Virgin, who hast great boldness towards Him Who took flesh of thee, deliver me from attachments and grant me forgiveness and salvation by thy prayers.
Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of Christ, I fall down and pray to thee, my holy Guardian, given me from holy Baptism for the protection of my sinful body and soul. By my laziness and bad habits, I have angered thy most pure light, and have driven thee away from me by all my shameful deeds, lies, slanders, envy, condemnation, scorn, disobedience, brotherly-hatred, grudges, love of money, adultery, anger, meanness, greed, excess, talkativeness, negative and evil thoughts, proud ways, dissolute madness, having self-will in all the desires of the flesh. O my evil will, which even the dumb animals do not follow! How canst thou look at me or approach me who am like a stinking dog? With what eyes, O Angel of Christ, wilt thou look at me so badly snared in evil deeds? How can I ask forgiveness for my bitter, evil and wicked deeds, into which I fall every day and night, and every hour? But I fall down and pray, O my holy Guardian: pity me, thy sinful and unworthy servant (Name). Be my helper and protector against my wicked enemy, by thy holy prayers, and make me a partaker of the Kingdom of God with all the Saints, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Hour
Reader:
Reader:
Come, let us worship God our King;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
(1st Troparion, if there be more than one – read by the Reader.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
(2nd Troparion, if there be more than one; 1st Troparion, if only one – read by the Reader.)
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
What shall we call thee, O full of grace? Heaven - for thou didst shine forth the Sun of Righteousness. Paradise - For thou has blossomed forth the flower of incorruption. Virgin - for thou hast remained incorrupt. Pure Mother - for thou hast held in thy holy embrace a Son who is God of all. Beseech Him to save our souls.
Psalm 118 (119):133-5
Psalm 118 (119):133-5
Order my steps according to Thy word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the false accusation of men, and I will keep Thy commandments.
Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes.
Psalm 70 (1):8
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that I may sing Thy glory and majesty all the day long.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal. Have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most-holy Trinity: Have mercy on us. Lord: Cleanse us from our sins. Master: Pardon our transgressions. Holy One: visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
(Kontakion – read by the Reader)
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prayer of the Hours
Thou who at every season and every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; Who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come.
O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our bodies. Correct our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all tribulations, evil, and distress. Surround us with Thy holy angels; that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith, and unto the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory. For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
Priest:
O God, take pity on us and bless us, and show the light of Thy countenance upon us, and have mercy upon us.
Reader:
Amen.
Priest:
O Christ the true Light that enlighteneth and sanctified every man that comes into the world. Let the light of Thy countenance shine upon us, that in it we might behold the unapproachable light. Guide our footsteps in the keeping of Thy commandments, by the prayers of Thy Most-pure Mother and of all Thy Saints. Amen.
(According to custom, the following Kontakion to the Theotokos is sung. On a Great Feast, the Kontakion of the Feast is sung instead.)
Choir:
(Tone 8) O victorious leader of triumphant host. We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos. As you possess invincible might set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Priest:
Glory to Thee, O Christ God, 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.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Father, bless.
Priest:
May Christ our True God, through the prayers of His Most-pure Mother, of our venerable and God- bearing Fathers and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good and the Lover of Mankind.
Choir: Amen.
Third Hour
Priest:
Third Hour
Priest:
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen. Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee.
O heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere and fill all things, the Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us and cleanse us from every blemish, and save our souls, O Good One.
O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages.
O Most--Holy Trinity: Have mercy on us. Lord: Cleanse us from our sins. Master: Pardon our transgressions. Holy One: visit us and heal our infirmities, for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages.
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.
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 the ages of ages.
Amen. Lord, have mercy. (twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Reader:
Reader:
Come, let us worship God our King;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
(1st Troparion, if there be more than one – read by the Reader.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
(2nd Troparion, if there be more than one; 1st Troparion, if only one – read by the Reader.)
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, thou art the true vine, that hast put forth the fruit of life. We pray thee, O Lady, intercede together the Apostles and all the Saints, that mercy may be granted to our souls.
Psalm 67 (68):20-21
Blessed be the Lord. Blessed be the Lord from day to day, and may the God of our salvation prosper us, for He is our God, the God of salvation.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal. Have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most-holy Trinity: Have mercy on us. Lord: Cleanse us from our sins. Master: Pardon our transgressions. Holy One: visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prayer of the Hours
Thou who at every season and every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; Who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come.
O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our bodies. Correct our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all tribulations, evil, and distress. Surround us with Thy holy angels; that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith, and unto the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory. For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
Priest:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us.
Reader:
Amen.
Prayer of St. Mardarius
O God the Master, Father Almighty, O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, and Thou, O Holy Spirit, one God-head, one Power, have mercy upon me a sinner, and according to Thy divine judgement save me, Thine unworthy servant: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Hour
Reader:
Reader:
Come, let us worship God our King;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
As there is no boldness in us because of the multitude of our sins, do thou, O Virgin Theotokos, intercede with the Son whom thou hast borne, for the entreaty of a mother has great power to win the favour of the Master. Despise not, O all-venerable Lady, the prayers of sinners, for He who took upon Himself to suffer for our sake is merciful and strong to save.
As there is no boldness in us because of the multitude of our sins, do thou, O Virgin Theotokos, intercede with the Son whom thou hast borne, for the entreaty of a mother has great power to win the favour of the Master. Despise not, O all-venerable Lady, the prayers of sinners, for He who took upon Himself to suffer for our sake is merciful and strong to save.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prayer of the Hours
Thou who at every season and every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; Who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come.
O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our bodies. Correct our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all tribulations, evil, and distress. Surround us with Thy holy angels; that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith, and unto the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory. For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
Priest:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us.
Reader:
Amen.
Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O God, the Lord of hosts, and Author of all creation, who in Thine ineffable tender mercy hast sent down Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our kind, and through His Holy Cross hast thorn up the handwriting of our sins and thereby triumphed over the princes and dominions of darkness:
Do Thou, O Master, who lovest mankind, accept these prayers of thanksgiving and supplication even from us sinners, and deliver us from every deadly and dark transgression and from all the visible and invisible enemies that seek to do us harm. Nail our flesh with the fear of Thee, and let not our hearts incline to evil words or thoughts. But wound our souls with Thy love, that ever gazing upon Thee, guided by Thy light and beholding Thee, the eternal Light that no man can approach, we may send up unceasing praises and thanks unto Thee, the Father without beginning, together with Thine Only-begotten Son and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ninth Hour
Priest:
Priest:
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen. Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee.
O heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere and fill all things, the Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us and cleanse us from every blemish, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages.
O Most--Holy Trinity: Have mercy on us. Lord: Cleanse us from out sins. Master: Pardon our transgressions. Holy One: visit us and heal our infirmities, for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages.
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.
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 the ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God;
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
(1st Troparion, if there be more than one – read by the Reader.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
(2nd Troparion, if there be more than one; 1st Troparion, if only one – read by the Reader.)
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Thou Who for our sake wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O Good One, and didst despoil death by death, and, as God, didst reveal the resurrection. Disdain not them which Thou hast fashioned with Thine hand; show forth Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who gave Thee birth, who intercedeth for us; and do Thou, our Saviour, save a despairing people.
Song of the Three – vs. 11-12
Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy holy name's sake, and neither disannul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, for Abraham's sake, Thy beloved; and for Isaac's sake, Thy servant; and for Israel's, Thy Holy One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal. Have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most-holy Trinity: Have mercy on us. Lord: Cleanse us from our sins. Master: Pardon our transgressions. Holy One: visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prayer of the Hours
Thou who at every season and every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; Who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come.
O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our bodies. Correct our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all tribulations, evil, and distress. Surround us with Thy holy angels; that, guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith, and unto the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory. For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless.
Priest:
O God, take pity on us and bless us, and show the light of Thy countenance upon us, and have mercy on us.
Reader:
Amen.
Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who art long-suffering in the face of our transgressions, and Who hast brought us even unto this present hour, wherein Thou didst hang upon the life-giving tree, and didst make a way into paradise for the wise thief, and by death didst destroy death: Be gracious unto us sinners and Thine unworthy servants; for we have sinned and committed iniquity, and are not worthy to lift up our eyes and behold the height of heaven, for we have abandoned the way of Thy righteousness, and have walked in the desires of our hearts.
But we beseech Thy boundless goodness: Spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy mercy and save us for Thy holy name's sake; for our days were consumed in vanity. Rescue us from the hand of the adversary, and forgive us our sins, and mortify our carnal mind; that, putting aside the old man, we may be clad with the new, and live for Thee, our Master and Benefactor; and that thus by following in Thy commandments, we may attain to rest everlasting, wherein is the dwelling-place of all them that rejoice. For Thou art indeed the true joy and gladness of them that love Thee, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we send up glory, with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thy Most-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
Sunday Troparia and Kontakia
TONE 1:
Troparion: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and when the soldiers were guarding Thy pure Body, O Saviour, Thou didst rise on the third day and give life to the world. Therefore, the Powers of Heaven cried to Thee, O Giver of life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O only Lover of men!
Kontakion: Thou didst rise as God from the tomb with glory and with Thyself didst raise the world, and the nature of men sings to Thee as God, and death has vanished, and Adam dances for joy, O Lord, and Eve, now freed from her fetters rejoices, crying: Thou, O Christ, art He Who givest to all resurrection.
TONE 2:
Troparion: When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise from the tomb, all-powerful Saviour, and seeing the miracle, hell was terrified, and the dead rose, whilst creation at the sight of it rejoices with Thee, and Adam exults, and the world, O my Saviour, ever sings to Thee.
TONE 3:
Troparion: Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord has done a mighty act with His arm. He has trampled death by death and become the First-born of the dead, He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted the world His great mercy.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise today from the grave, O Merciful One, and hast led us out of the gates of death. Today Adam dances for joy and Eve rejoices, and with them the Prophets and Patriarchs unceasingly sing of the divine triumph of Thy power.
TONE 4:
Troparion: When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the glad tidings of the Resurrection and cast off the ancestral curse, they exultingly told the Apostles: Death is despoiled, Christ our God has risen and is giving the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave, as God, raised the earth-born from their chains, and shattered the gates of hell; and He rose as Lord on the third day.
TONE 5:
Troparion: Let us, the faithful, praise and adore the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, Who for our salvation was born of a Virgin. For He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Kontakion: Thou didst descend into hell, my Saviour, and having shattered its gates, as All Powerful, Thou didst raise the dead with Thyself, as Creator, and didst deliver Adam from the curse, O Lover of men. Therefore, we all cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord.
TONE 6:
Troparion: The Angelic Hosts were before Thy tomb, the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood in the sepulchre looking for Thy pure Body. Thou didst despoil hell, for Thou wast not tempted by it. Thou didst come and meet the Virgin to give life. O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having raised all the dead from the valleys of darkness by His life-giving hand, Christ our God granted resurrection to the human dough. For He is the Saviour of all, the Resurrection and Life and God of all.
TONE 7:
Troparion: Thou hast destroyed death by Thy Cross, Thou hast opened Paradise to the thief. Thou hast changed the lamentation of the Myrrbearers into joy, and Thou hast commanded Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou, O Christ our God, hast risen and grantest the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: No longer can the dominion of death hold mortals, for Christ has come down and has shattered and broken its power. Hell is bound, and the Prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: The Saviour has appeared to those who have faith. Come out, you faithful, for the Resurrection.
TONE 8:
Troparion: Thou didst come down from on high, Merciful Saviour, and accept burial for three days, that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having risen from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam, and Eve dances with joy at Thy Resurrection. And all the ends of the earth keep festival at Thy Rising from the dead, O Most Merciful One.
Troparia, Kontakia, Prayers and Stichiras from the Lenten Triodion
PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE
After Matin Gospel, Troparion, tone 8: Open to me the doors of repentance, O Life-giver. For my spirit rises early to pray towards Thy holy temple, bearing the temple of my body all defiled. But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion: Make straight for me the paths of salvation, O Mother of God. For I have profaned my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my whole life in easy-going indifference. But by thy intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.
Tone 6: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. When I think of the multitude of ghastly things I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble at the fearful day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Thy loving kindness; like David I cry to Thee: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.
(Note: These penitential songs are sung on Sundays during the Great Fast from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee to the fifth week.)
Kontakion, tone 4: Let us avoid the proud speaking of the Pharisee and learn humility from the groans of the Publican, and let us cry in penitence: O Saviour of the world, be merciful to Thy servants.
THE PRODIGAL SON
Kontakion, tone 3: Having foolishly abandoned Thy paternal glory, I have squandered on vices the wealth Thou gavest me. Therefore I cry to Thee, O compassionate Father, receive me who repent, and treat me as one of Thy hired servants.
MEAT FARE OR RELATIVES' SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 8: O Thou Who with wisdom profound orderest all things with love, and Who givest to all what is needful, O only Creator, give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, for on Thee they have set their hope, our Maker and Builder, and our God.
Konlakion. tone 8: With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
MEAT FARE OR JUDGMENT SUNDAY
Konlakion, tone 1: When Thou comest to earth with glory, O God, and all things tremble, then a river of fire will flow before Thy Judgment Seat, and the books will be opened, and the hidden things made public. Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire and grant me to stand at Thy right hand, O most just Judge.
SATURDAY OF CHEESE FARE
Troparion, tone 4: O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to Thy gentleness, take not Thy mercy from us, but by their prayers guide our life in peace.
Kontakion, tone 8: Thou hast made the company of our God-bearing Fathers illustrious as preachers of piety and silencers of impiety, O Lord, and they light up the world. By their intercessions keep in perfect peace those who magnify and glorify Thee, that they may praise Thee and sing to Thee: Alleluia.
CHEESE FARE OR FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
Kontakion, tone 6: O Lord, Who art the guide to wisdom, the bestower of prudence, the instructor of the thoughtless, and the protector of the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart. Give me the gift of expression, O Thou Who art the Word of the Father; for behold I will not prevent my lips from crying to Thee: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.
The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking. Prostration.
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant. Prostration.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant. Prostration.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.
O God, cleanse me, a sinner. (12 times, with a bow made for each)
Then the entire prayer:
Then the entire prayer:
O Lord and Master of my life . . . with one prostration made at the end.
(Note: This prayer is read in the Hours of Wednesday and Friday of Cheese Fare Week and in all services of the Great Fast, except those of Saturday and Sunday.)
FIRST WEEK OF THE GREAT FAST
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing hear, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Great Martyr St. Theodore the Tyrian -
Troparion, tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! In a fountain of flame the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced as in refreshing water. For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, he was offered as sweet bread to the Trinity. By his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, for thou art eternally invincible.
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Sunday of Orthodoxy -
Troparion, tone 2: We worship Thy immaculate Image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our sins, O Christ God; for of Thy own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst created. Therefore we thankfully cry to Thee: Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, by coming to save the world.
Kontakion, tone 8: The illimitable Word of the Father accepted limitations by incarnation from thee, O Mother of God; and He transformed our defiled image to its original state and transfused it with the divine beauty. But we confess and give thanks for our salvation, and we proclaim it by deed and word.
SECOND SUNDAY
- St. Gregory Palamas -
Troparion, tone 8: Light of Orthodoxy, pillar and doctor of the Church, adornment of monks, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory the wonderworker, praise of Thessalonica, preacher of grace, ever pray that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion, tone 2: Organ of wisdom, holy and divine, bright clarion of theology, we praise thee in harmony, O divine speaker Gregory: But as a mind standing before the First Mind, direct our mind to Him, father, that we may cry: Rejoice, preacher of grace!
Kontaklon of the Sunday, tone 4: Now is the time for action, judgment is at our doors. So let us rise and fast, and let us offer tears of compunction with almsgiving, crying: We have sinned more than the sand of the sea. But forgive us all, O Creator, that we may receive incorruptible crowns.
THIRD SUNDAY
- Sunday of the Cross -
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Another Kontakion, tone 7: No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a glorious extinction has come upon it, the wood of the Cross. The sting has been drawn from death and the victory from hell. And Thou, my Saviour, didst come and shout to those in hell: Enter Paradise again.
FOURTH SUNDAY
- St. John of the Ladder -
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst prove to be a freeman of the desert, an angel in a body, and a wonder-worker, O our God - bearing Father John. By fasting, vigil and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength, glory to Him Who crowned thee, glory to Him Who works through thee healings for all.
Kontakion, tone 1: Offering ever-blossoming fruits of learning from thy book, O wise one, thou delightest the hearts of those who study it seriously, O blessed one. For it is a ladder which leads up from the earth to the heavenly and abiding glory souls who with faith honour thee.
THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete -
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! . . .(See First Week of the Great Fast)
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Mother of God -
Troparion, tone 8: Having mystically received knowledge of the divine order, the Bodiless One flew with haste and stopped at the house of Joseph, and said to the Virgin: Lo, He Who bowed the heavens by His descent is contained wholly and unchanged in thee. And as I beheld Him in thy womb taking the form of a servant, I marvel and cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from terrors. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
FIFTH SUNDAY
- St. Mary of Egypt -
Troparion, tone 8: In thee, O Mother, was carefully preserved what is according to the Image. For thou didst take the Cross and follow Christ. By so doing thou didst teach us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul as an immortal thing. Therefore, St. Mary, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.
Kontakion, tone 4: Having escaped the fog of sin, and having illumined thy heart with the light of penitence, O glorious one, thou didst come to Christ and didst offer to Him His immaculate and holy Mother as a merciful intercessor. Hence thou hast found remission for transgressions, and with the angels thou ever rejoicest.
LAZARUS SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge of the general resurrection before Thy Passion, O Christ our God, by raising Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, we too, like the children, carry the symbols of victory and cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion, tone 2: Christ, the joy of all, the truth, the light, the life, the resurrection of the world, in His goodness appeared to those on earth, and He became an image of the Resurrection and grants to all divine forgiveness.
ENTRY OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM - PALM SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge. . . (See Lazarus Saturday)
Another Troparion, tone 4: As by Baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were granted immortal life, and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontaklon, tone 6: On the throne in heaven and riding a colt on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the chorus of the children who cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.
Passion Week Troparia
HOLY AND GREAT MONDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find awake and watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find idle and careless. Beware, then, my soul, lest thou be weighed down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death and shut out of the Kingdom. But awake and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, O God: through the intercessions of the Bodiless Ones, save us. (Sung three times; however, the ending the third time is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.)
Kontakion, tone 8: Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, but his noble son was sitting in a chariot and honoured as a king. For when he refused to be enslaved by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was glorified by Him Who sees the hearts of men and bestows an incorruptible crown.
HOLY AND GREAT TUESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom ... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: through the intercessions of the Forerunner, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 2: Realizing the hour of reckoning, O my soul, and fearing tlie cutting down of the fig tree, work diligently with the talent that has been given thee O wretched one. Watch and pray that we may not remain outside the bride chamber of Christ.
HOLY AND GREAT WEDNESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: by the power of Thy Cross, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 4: I have sinned more than the harlot, O Good One, and I come to Thee with none of her showers of tears. But praying in silence, I fall down before Thee and lovingly embrace Thy immaculate feet, that as the Lord Thou mayest grant me forgiveness of sins as I cry to Thee, O Saviour: Deliver me from the mire of my evil deeds.
HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY
Troparion, tone 8: When Thy glorious Disciples were enlightened at the supper by the feet washing, then the impious Judas was darkened with the disease of avarice, and he delivered Thee, the Just Judge, to the lawless judges. See, O lover of money, this man through money came to hang himself. Flee the insatiable desire which dared to do such things to the Master. O Lord, Who art good towards all, glory to Thee.
Konlakion, tone 2: Having taken bread in his hand, the traitor secretly stretches it out, and takes a price for Him Who with His own hands made man. And Judas remained an incorrigible slave and liar.
HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY
Troparion, tone 4: Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law by Thy precious Blood. By being nailed to the Cross and pierced with the Spear, Thou hast poured immortality on mankind. O our Saviour, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Come, let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us. For Him it was Whom Mary beheld on the Tree, and said: Even though Thou endurest the cross, Thou art my Son and my God.
Troparia, tone 2:
(Vespers and Saturday Matins)
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It, laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
The Angel stood by the tomb and cried to the Myrrh-bearing women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself free from corruption.
HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY
Troparia, tone 2: Noble Joseph ... When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee. The Angel...
Kontakion, tone 2: He Who closed the abyss is seen as dead and wrapped in a shroud and spices; He, the Immortal, as mortal is laid in the tomb; women came to anoint Him, and they wept bitterly and exclaimed: This is the ever-blessed Sabbath on which Christ, Who fell asleep, shall rise on the third day.
Troparia and Kontakia for Easter Period and Pentecostarion
ST. THOMAS' SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 7: When the tomb was sealed, Thou, the Life, O Christ our God, didst rise up from the grave; and when the doors were closed, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand among the disciples, and through them renew a right spirit in us, according to Thy mercy.
Kontakion, tone 8: With his inquisitive right hand, Thomas probed Thy life-giving side, O Christ our God. For when Thou didst enter, the doors being shut, with the rest of the Apostles he cried to Thee: Thou art my Lord and my God.
SUNDAY OF THE MYRRHBEARERS
Troparia, tone 2:
When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee.
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the Tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
To the myrrbearing women at the sepulchre an Angel appeared and cried: Myrrh is fit for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a Stranger to corruption. So cry: The Lord has risen, granting to the world great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 2: Thou didst command the Myrrbearers to rejoice, O Christ our God, Thou didst dry the tears of our first mother Eve by Thy Resurrection, and Thou didst command the Apostles to preach: The Saviour has risen from the tomb.
SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
Kontakion, tone 3: By Thy divine presence, O Lord, raise my soul which is terribly paralyzed by all kinds of sins and misguided actions, as of old Thou didst raise the paralytic, that saved I may cry to Thee: O compassionate Christ, glory to Thy power.
MID - PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Having come to the middle of the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the streams of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry to all: Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink. O Christ our God, Source of Life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 4: When the Feast of the law was half over, O Lord and Creator of all, Thou didst say to the bystanders, O Christ our God: Come and draw the water of immortality. Therefore we fall down before Thee and cry with faith: Grant us Thy bounties, for Thou art the Source of our Life.
SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Kontakion, tone 8: Having come to the well by faith, the Samaritan woman beheld Thee, the Water of Wisdom, of which she drank lavishly, and inherited the kingdom on high, where her praises are sung eternally.
SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
Kontakion, tone 4: Having the eyes of my soul blinded, I come to Thee, O Christ, like the man blind from birth, and with repentance I cry to Thee: Thou art the bright Light of those in darkness.
ASCENSION
Troparion, tone 4: Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Kontakion, tone 6: Having accomplished for us Thy mission and united things on earth with things in heaven, Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, being nowhere separated from those who love Thee, but remaining everpresent with us and calling: I am with you and no one is against you.
HOLY FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
Troparion, tone 8: Most glorious art Thou, O Christ our God, Who didst establish our fathers, as torch-bearers on earth and through them didst guide us all to the true faith. Most Compassionate One, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: The preaching of the Apostles, and the dogmas of the fathers, confirmed the one faith of the Church. And wearing the garment of truth, woven from heavenly theology, she rightly dispenses and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. Lover of men, glory to Thee.
Koniakion, tone 8: When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations, but when He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity. And with one accord we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
ALL SAINTS
Troparion, tone 4: In all the world, O Christ our God, Thy Church is adorned with the blood of Thy martyrs as with purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to Thee: Send down Thy compassion to Thy people, grant peace to Thy community, and to our souls the great mercy.
Kontaldon, tone 8: The universe offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Planter of Creation, the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers, O Most Merciful One, through the Mother of God keep Thy Church, Thy estate, in deep peace.
ALL SAINTS OF RUSSIA
Troparion, tone 8: As a beautiful fruit of the sowing of Thy salvation, the land of Russia offers to Thee, O Lord, all the Saints that have shone in it. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in deep peace, through the Mother of God, O Most Merciful One.
Kontakion, tone 3: Today the choir of the Saints who pleased God in our land stands before us in Church and invisibly prays for us to God. With them the Angels glorify Him, and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them; and they all pray together for us to the eternal God.
Troparia and Kontakia of the Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God
SEPTEMBER
8th
The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady,
Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Mother of God, has brought joy to all the world; for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, Who, having dissolved the curse, has given His blessing, and having abolished death, has granted us life eternal.
Kontakion, tone 4: Joakim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death, O Immaculate One, by thy holy nativity. And thy people, redeemed from the guilt of sin, celebrate thy birth by crying to thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Mother of God and the nurse of our life.
14th
The Elevation of the Precious
and Life-giving Cross.
and Life-giving Cross.
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
NOVEMBER
21st
The Presentation in the Temple of our
Most Holy Lady, Mother of God
and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Most Holy Lady, Mother of God
and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the prelude of God's good-will and the prophecy of the salvation of men. The Virgin appears openly in the temple of God and fortells Christ to all. So let us cry to her with loud voices: Rejoice, thou who art the fulfilment of the Creator's providence.
Konlakion, tone 4: The most pure Temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the glory of God, today enters into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace that is in the Divine Spirit. And the Angels of God sing of her: This is the heavenly tabernacle.
DECEMBER
25th
The Nativity of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Christ our God, rose upon the world as the light of knowledge; for through it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Sunrise from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 3: The Virgin today gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels and shepherds glorify Him, and wise men journey with a star. For a young Child is born for us, Who is the eternal God.
JANUARY
6th
The Holy Theophany, Epiphany,
or Baptism of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
or Baptism of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: When Thou wast baptised in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity made its appearance. For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, when He called Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of the word. O Christ our God Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
Konlakion, tone 4: Thou hast appeared today to the world, and Thy light, O Lord, has been signed upon us who with full knowledge sing to Thee. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Unapproachable Light.
FEBRUARY
2nd
The Meeting or Presentation of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, Mother of God and Virgin, for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, to give light to those in darkness. Rejoice thou also, righteous elder, who didst take in thy arms the Redeemer of our souls who also gives us the grace of resurrection.
Kontaldon, tone 1: Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin's womb by Thy birth and bless Simeon's hands as was fitting, hast now come to us and saved us, O Christ our God. But grant peace in the midst of wars to Thy community, and strengthen the Church which Thou hast loved, O only Lover of men.
MARCH
25th
The Annunciation of our Most Holy
Lady, the Mother of God.
Lady, the Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces grace. So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
AUGUST
6th
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 7: When Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, Thou didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thy everlasting light illumine also us sinners through the intercessions of the Mother of God. Giver of Light, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 7: Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they were capable, that when they should see Thee crucified, they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary and might proclaim to the world that Thou art indeed the reflection of the Father.
15th
Dormition or Assumption of the
Most Holy Mother of God.
Most Holy Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 1: In giving birth thou didst keep thy virginity, and in thy assumption thou didst not forsake the world, O Mother of God. Thou didst pass on to life, since thou art the Mother of Life, and by thy intercessions thou redeemest our souls from death.
Kontakion, tone 2: The grave and death could not hold the Mother of God, who is sleepless in her intercessions and an unchanging hope in her meditations. For as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life by Him Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.
Daily Troparia and Kontakia
MONDAY
Commemoration of the Holy Angels.
Troparion: Supreme Leaders of the Heavenly Hosts, we implore you that by your prayers you will encircle us, unworthy as we are, with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory, and guard us who fall down before you and fervently cry: Deliver us from dangers, for you are the commanders of the Powers above.
Kontakion: Supreme Leaders of God's armies and ministers of the divine glory, princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of men, ask what is good for us and great mercy, as Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.
TUESDAY
Commemoration of St. John the Baptist.
Troparion: The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner, for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom thou didst proclaim. Then having endured great suffering for the Truth, thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell, the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh takes away the sin of the world and grants us the great mercy.
Kontakion: O Prophet of God and Forerunner of Grace, having obtained thy head from the earth as a most sacred rose, we are always receiving healings; for still as of old in the world thou preachest repentance.
WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
Commemoration of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Troparion: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
THURSDAY
Commemoration of the Holy Apostles and St. Nicholas.
Troparion: Holy Apostles, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant to our souls the forgiveness of our sins.
Kontakion to St. Nicholas: The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance. Therefore thou hast won the heights by humility, riches by poverty. Holy Father Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion to the Holy Apostles: Thou hast taken the firm and divinely inspired Preachers, O Lord, the top Apostles, for the enjoyment of Thy blessings and for repose. For Thou hast accepted their labours and death as above every burnt offering, O Thou Who alone knowest the secrets of our hearts.
SATURDAY
Commemoration of the Mother of God, all Saints, the Faithful Departed.
Daily Troparia and Kontakia
MONDAY
Commemoration of the Holy Angels.
Troparion: Supreme Leaders of the Heavenly Hosts, we implore you that by your prayers you will encircle us, unworthy as we are, with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory, and guard us who fall down before you and fervently cry: Deliver us from dangers, for you are the commanders of the Powers above.
Kontakion: Supreme Leaders of God's armies and ministers of the divine glory, princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of men, ask what is good for us and great mercy, as Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.
TUESDAY
Commemoration of St. John the Baptist.
Troparion: The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner, for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom thou didst proclaim. Then having endured great suffering for the Truth, thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell, the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh takes away the sin of the world and grants us the great mercy.
Kontakion: O Prophet of God and Forerunner of Grace, having obtained thy head from the earth as a most sacred rose, we are always receiving healings; for still as of old in the world thou preachest repentance.
WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
Commemoration of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Troparion: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
THURSDAY
Commemoration of the Holy Apostles and St. Nicholas.
Troparion: Holy Apostles, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant to our souls the forgiveness of our sins.
Kontakion to St. Nicholas: The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance. Therefore thou hast won the heights by humility, riches by poverty. Holy Father Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion to the Holy Apostles: Thou hast taken the firm and divinely inspired Preachers, O Lord, the top Apostles, for the enjoyment of Thy blessings and for repose. For Thou hast accepted their labours and death as above every burnt offering, O Thou Who alone knowest the secrets of our hearts.
SATURDAY
Commemoration of the Mother of God, all Saints, the Faithful Departed.
Troparion for all Saints: Apostles, Martyrs, and Prophets, holy Hierarchs, Saints and Righteous, having fought the good fight and kept the faith you have boldness towards the Saviour. Intercede for us with Him, for He is good, we pray, that He may save our souls.
Troparion for the Faithful Departed: Remember the souls of Thy servants, O Lord, for Thou art good, and insofar as they sinned in this life, forgive them; for no one is sinless but Thee, Who canst also give rest to the departed.
Kontakion for the Faithful Departed: With the Saints, give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
Kontakion for Martyrs: The world offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Father of creation, the God-bearing Martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers through the Mother of God keep Thy Church in deep peace, O Most Merciful One.
Sunday Troparia and Kontakia
TONE 1:
Troparion: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and when the soldiers were guarding Thy pure Body, O Saviour, Thou didst rise on the third day and give life to the world. Therefore, the Powers of Heaven cried to Thee, O Giver of life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O only Lover of men!
Kontakion: Thou didst rise as God from the tomb with glory and with Thyself didst raise the world, and the nature of men sings to Thee as God, and death has vanished, and Adam dances for joy, O Lord, and Eve, now freed from her fetters rejoices, crying: Thou, O Christ, art He Who givest to all resurrection.
TONE 2:
Troparion: When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise from the tomb, all-powerful Saviour, and seeing the miracle, hell was terrified, and the dead rose, whilst creation at the sight of it rejoices with Thee, and Adam exults, and the world, O my Saviour, ever sings to Thee.
TONE 3:
Troparion: Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord has done a mighty act with His arm. He has trampled death by death and become the First-born of the dead, He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted the world His great mercy.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise today from the grave, O Merciful One, and hast led us out of the gates of death. Today Adam dances for joy and Eve rejoices, and with them the Prophets and Patriarchs unceasingly sing of the divine triumph of Thy power.
TONE 4:
Troparion: When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the glad tidings of the Resurrection and cast off the ancestral curse, they exultingly told the Apostles: Death is despoiled, Christ our God has risen and is giving the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave, as God, raised the earth-born from their chains, and shattered the gates of hell; and He rose as Lord on the third day.
TONE 5:
Troparion: Let us, the faithful, praise and adore the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, Who for our salvation was born of a Virgin. For He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Kontakion: Thou didst descend into hell, my Saviour, and having shattered its gates, as All Powerful, Thou didst raise the dead with Thyself, as Creator, and didst deliver Adam from the curse, O Lover of men. Therefore, we all cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord.
TONE 6:
Troparion: The Angelic Hosts were before Thy tomb, the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood in the sepulchre looking for Thy pure Body. Thou didst despoil hell, for Thou wast not tempted by it. Thou didst come and meet the Virgin to give life. O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having raised all the dead from the valleys of darkness by His life-giving hand, Christ our God granted resurrection to the human dough. For He is the Saviour of all, the Resurrection and Life and God of all.
TONE 7:
Troparion: Thou hast destroyed death by Thy Cross, Thou hast opened Paradise to the thief. Thou hast changed the lamentation of the Myrrbearers into joy, and Thou hast commanded Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou, O Christ our God, hast risen and grantest the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: No longer can the dominion of death hold mortals, for Christ has come down and has shattered and broken its power. Hell is bound, and the Prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: The Saviour has appeared to those who have faith. Come out, you faithful, for the Resurrection.
TONE 8:
Troparion: Thou didst come down from on high, Merciful Saviour, and accept burial for three days, that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having risen from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam, and Eve dances with joy at Thy Resurrection. And all the ends of the earth keep festival at Thy Rising from the dead, O Most Merciful One.
Troparia and Kontakia of the Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God
SEPTEMBER
8th
The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady,
Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Mother of God, has brought joy to all the world; for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, Who, having dissolved the curse, has given His blessing, and having abolished death, has granted us life eternal.
Kontakion, tone 4: Joakim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death, O Immaculate One, by thy holy nativity. And thy people, redeemed from the guilt of sin, celebrate thy birth by crying to thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Mother of God and the nurse of our life.
14th
The Elevation of the Precious
and Life-giving Cross.
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
NOVEMBER
21st
The Presentation in the Temple of our
Most Holy Lady, Mother of God
and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the prelude of God's good-will and the prophecy of the salvation of men. The Virgin appears openly in the temple of God and fortells Christ to all. So let us cry to her with loud voices: Rejoice, thou who art the fulfilment of the Creator's providence.
Konlakion, tone 4: The most pure Temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the glory of God, today enters into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace that is in the Divine Spirit. And the Angels of God sing of her: This is the heavenly tabernacle.
DECEMBER
25th
The Nativity of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Christ our God, rose upon the world as the light of knowledge; for through it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Sunrise from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 3: The Virgin today gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels and shepherds glorify Him, and wise men journey with a star. For a young Child is born for us, Who is the eternal God.
JANUARY
6th
The Holy Theophany, Epiphany,
or Baptism of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: When Thou wast baptised in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity made its appearance. For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, when He called Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of the word. O Christ our God Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
Konlakion, tone 4: Thou hast appeared today to the world, and Thy light, O Lord, has been signed upon us who with full knowledge sing to Thee. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Unapproachable Light.
FEBRUARY
2nd
The Meeting or Presentation of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, Mother of God and Virgin, for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, to give light to those in darkness. Rejoice thou also, righteous elder, who didst take in thy arms the Redeemer of our souls who also gives us the grace of resurrection.
Kontaldon, tone 1: Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin's womb by Thy birth and bless Simeon's hands as was fitting, hast now come to us and saved us, O Christ our God. But grant peace in the midst of wars to Thy community, and strengthen the Church which Thou hast loved, O only Lover of men.
MARCH
25th
The Annunciation of our Most Holy
Lady, the Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces grace. So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
AUGUST
6th
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 7: When Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, Thou didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thy everlasting light illumine also us sinners through the intercessions of the Mother of God. Giver of Light, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 7: Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they were capable, that when they should see Thee crucified, they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary and might proclaim to the world that Thou art indeed the reflection of the Father.
15th
Dormition or Assumption of the
Most Holy Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 1: In giving birth thou didst keep thy virginity, and in thy assumption thou didst not forsake the world, O Mother of God. Thou didst pass on to life, since thou art the Mother of Life, and by thy intercessions thou redeemest our souls from death.
Kontakion, tone 2: The grave and death could not hold the Mother of God, who is sleepless in her intercessions and an unchanging hope in her meditations. For as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life by Him Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.
Passion Week Troparia
HOLY AND GREAT MONDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find awake and watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find idle and careless. Beware, then, my soul, lest thou be weighed down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death and shut out of the Kingdom. But awake and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, O God: through the intercessions of the Bodiless Ones, save us. (Sung three times; however, the ending the third time is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.)
Kontakion, tone 8: Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, but his noble son was sitting in a chariot and honoured as a king. For when he refused to be enslaved by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was glorified by Him Who sees the hearts of men and bestows an incorruptible crown.
HOLY AND GREAT TUESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom ... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: through the intercessions of the Forerunner, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 2: Realizing the hour of reckoning, O my soul, and fearing tlie cutting down of the fig tree, work diligently with the talent that has been given thee O wretched one. Watch and pray that we may not remain outside the bride chamber of Christ.
HOLY AND GREAT WEDNESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: by the power of Thy Cross, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 4: I have sinned more than the harlot, O Good One, and I come to Thee with none of her showers of tears. But praying in silence, I fall down before Thee and lovingly embrace Thy immaculate feet, that as the Lord Thou mayest grant me forgiveness of sins as I cry to Thee, O Saviour: Deliver me from the mire of my evil deeds.
HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY
Troparion, tone 8: When Thy glorious Disciples were enlightened at the supper by the feet washing, then the impious Judas was darkened with the disease of avarice, and he delivered Thee, the Just Judge, to the lawless judges. See, O lover of money, this man through money came to hang himself. Flee the insatiable desire which dared to do such things to the Master. O Lord, Who art good towards all, glory to Thee.
Konlakion, tone 2: Having taken bread in his hand, the traitor secretly stretches it out, and takes a price for Him Who with His own hands made man. And Judas remained an incorrigible slave and liar.
HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY
Troparion, tone 4: Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law by Thy precious Blood. By being nailed to the Cross and pierced with the Spear, Thou hast poured immortality on mankind. O our Saviour, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Come, let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us. For Him it was Whom Mary beheld on the Tree, and said: Even though Thou endurest the cross, Thou art my Son and my God.
Troparia, tone 2:
(Vespers and Saturday Matins)
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It, laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
The Angel stood by the tomb and cried to the Myrrh-bearing women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself free from corruption.
HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY
Troparia, tone 2: Noble Joseph ... When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee. The Angel...
Kontakion, tone 2: He Who closed the abyss is seen as dead and wrapped in a shroud and spices; He, the Immortal, as mortal is laid in the tomb; women came to anoint Him, and they wept bitterly and exclaimed: This is the ever-blessed Sabbath on which Christ, Who fell asleep, shall rise on the third day.
Troparia, Kontakia, Prayers and Stichiras from the Lenten Triodion
PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE
After Matin Gospel, Troparion, tone 8: Open to me the doors of repentance, O Life-giver. For my spirit rises early to pray towards Thy holy temple, bearing the temple of my body all defiled. But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion: Make straight for me the paths of salvation, O Mother of God. For I have profaned my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my whole life in easy-going indifference. But by thy intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.
Tone 6: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. When I think of the multitude of ghastly things I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble at the fearful day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Thy loving kindness; like David I cry to Thee: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.
(Note: These penitential songs are sung on Sundays during the Great Fast from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee to the fifth week.)
Kontakion, tone 4: Let us avoid the proud speaking of the Pharisee and learn humility from the groans of the Publican, and let us cry in penitence: O Saviour of the world, be merciful to Thy servants.
THE PRODIGAL SON
Kontakion, tone 3: Having foolishly abandoned Thy paternal glory, I have squandered on vices the wealth Thou gavest me. Therefore I cry to Thee, O compassionate Father, receive me who repent, and treat me as one of Thy hired servants.
MEAT FARE OR RELATIVES' SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 8: O Thou Who with wisdom profound orderest all things with love, and Who givest to all what is needful, O only Creator, give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, for on Thee they have set their hope, our Maker and Builder, and our God.
Konlakion. tone 8: With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
MEAT FARE OR JUDGMENT SUNDAY
Konlakion, tone 1: When Thou comest to earth with glory, O God, and all things tremble, then a river of fire will flow before Thy Judgment Seat, and the books will be opened, and the hidden things made public. Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire and grant me to stand at Thy right hand, O most just Judge.
SATURDAY OF CHEESE FARE
Troparion, tone 4: O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to Thy gentleness, take not Thy mercy from us, but by their prayers guide our life in peace.
Kontakion, tone 8: Thou hast made the company of our God-bearing Fathers illustrious as preachers of piety and silencers of impiety, O Lord, and they light up the world. By their intercessions keep in perfect peace those who magnify and glorify Thee, that they may praise Thee and sing to Thee: Alleluia.
CHEESE FARE OR FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
Kontakion, tone 6: O Lord, Who art the guide to wisdom, the bestower of prudence, the instructor of the thoughtless, and the protector of the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart. Give me the gift of expression, O Thou Who art the Word of the Father; for behold I will not prevent my lips from crying to Thee: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.
The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking. Prostration.
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant. Prostration.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.
O God, cleanse me, a sinner. (12 times, with a bow made for each)
Then the entire prayer:
O Lord and Master of my life . . . with one prostration made at the end.
(Note: This prayer is read in the Hours of Wednesday and Friday of Cheese Fare Week and in all services of the Great Fast, except those of Saturday and Sunday.)
FIRST WEEK OF THE GREAT FAST
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing hear, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Great Martyr St. Theodore the Tyrian -
Troparion, tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! In a fountain of flame the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced as in refreshing water. For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, he was offered as sweet bread to the Trinity. By his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, for thou art eternally invincible.
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Sunday of Orthodoxy -
Troparion, tone 2: We worship Thy immaculate Image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our sins, O Christ God; for of Thy own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst created. Therefore we thankfully cry to Thee: Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, by coming to save the world.
Kontakion, tone 8: The illimitable Word of the Father accepted limitations by incarnation from thee, O Mother of God; and He transformed our defiled image to its original state and transfused it with the divine beauty. But we confess and give thanks for our salvation, and we proclaim it by deed and word.
SECOND SUNDAY
- St. Gregory Palamas -
Troparion, tone 8: Light of Orthodoxy, pillar and doctor of the Church, adornment of monks, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory the wonderworker, praise of Thessalonica, preacher of grace, ever pray that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion, tone 2: Organ of wisdom, holy and divine, bright clarion of theology, we praise thee in harmony, O divine speaker Gregory: But as a mind standing before the First Mind, direct our mind to Him, father, that we may cry: Rejoice, preacher of grace!
Kontaklon of the Sunday, tone 4: Now is the time for action, judgment is at our doors. So let us rise and fast, and let us offer tears of compunction with almsgiving, crying: We have sinned more than the sand of the sea. But forgive us all, O Creator, that we may receive incorruptible crowns.
THIRD SUNDAY
- Sunday of the Cross -
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Another Kontakion, tone 7: No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a glorious extinction has come upon it, the wood of the Cross. The sting has been drawn from death and the victory from hell. And Thou, my Saviour, didst come and shout to those in hell: Enter Paradise again.
FOURTH SUNDAY
- St. John of the Ladder -
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst prove to be a freeman of the desert, an angel in a body, and a wonder-worker, O our God - bearing Father John. By fasting, vigil and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength, glory to Him Who crowned thee, glory to Him Who works through thee healings for all.
Kontakion, tone 1: Offering ever-blossoming fruits of learning from thy book, O wise one, thou delightest the hearts of those who study it seriously, O blessed one. For it is a ladder which leads up from the earth to the heavenly and abiding glory souls who with faith honour thee.
THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete -
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! . . .(See First Week of the Great Fast)
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Mother of God -
Troparion, tone 8: Having mystically received knowledge of the divine order, the Bodiless One flew with haste and stopped at the house of Joseph, and said to the Virgin: Lo, He Who bowed the heavens by His descent is contained wholly and unchanged in thee. And as I beheld Him in thy womb taking the form of a servant, I marvel and cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from terrors. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
FIFTH SUNDAY
- St. Mary of Egypt -
Troparion, tone 8: In thee, O Mother, was carefully preserved what is according to the Image. For thou didst take the Cross and follow Christ. By so doing thou didst teach us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul as an immortal thing. Therefore, St. Mary, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.
Kontakion, tone 4: Having escaped the fog of sin, and having illumined thy heart with the light of penitence, O glorious one, thou didst come to Christ and didst offer to Him His immaculate and holy Mother as a merciful intercessor. Hence thou hast found remission for transgressions, and with the angels thou ever rejoicest.
LAZARUS SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge of the general resurrection before Thy Passion, O Christ our God, by raising Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, we too, like the children, carry the symbols of victory and cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion, tone 2: Christ, the joy of all, the truth, the light, the life, the resurrection of the world, in His goodness appeared to those on earth, and He became an image of the Resurrection and grants to all divine forgiveness.
ENTRY OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM - PALM SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge. . . (See Lazarus Saturday)
Another Troparion, tone 4: As by Baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were granted immortal life, and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontaklon, tone 6: On the throne in heaven and riding a colt on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the chorus of the children who cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.
Troparia and Kontakia for Easter Period and Pentecostarion
HOLY PASCHA
Troparion (Special Melody)Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Kontakion, tone 8: Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of death! In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming "Rejoice" to the Myrrhbearing Women, granting peace to Thine Apostles, and bestowng resurrection of the fallen.
ST. THOMAS' SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 7: When the tomb was sealed, Thou, the Life, O Christ our God, didst rise up from the grave; and when the doors were closed, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand among the disciples, and through them renew a right spirit in us, according to Thy mercy.
Kontakion, tone 8: With his inquisitive right hand, Thomas probed Thy life-giving side, O Christ our God. For when Thou didst enter, the doors being shut, with the rest of the Apostles he cried to Thee: Thou art my Lord and my God.
SUNDAY OF THE MYRRHBEARERS
Troparia, tone 2:
When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee.
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the Tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
To the myrrbearing women at the sepulchre an Angel appeared and cried: Myrrh is fit for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a Stranger to corruption. So cry: The Lord has risen, granting to the world great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 2: Thou didst command the Myrrbearers to rejoice, O Christ our God, Thou didst dry the tears of our first mother Eve by Thy Resurrection, and Thou didst command the Apostles to preach: The Saviour has risen from the tomb.
SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
Kontakion, tone 3: By Thy divine presence, O Lord, raise my soul which is terribly paralyzed by all kinds of sins and misguided actions, as of old Thou didst raise the paralytic, that saved I may cry to Thee: O compassionate Christ, glory to Thy power.
MID - PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Having come to the middle of the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the streams of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry to all: Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink. O Christ our God, Source of Life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 4: When the Feast of the law was half over, O Lord and Creator of all, Thou didst say to the bystanders, O Christ our God: Come and draw the water of immortality. Therefore we fall down before Thee and cry with faith: Grant us Thy bounties, for Thou art the Source of our Life.
SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Kontakion, tone 8: Having come to the well by faith, the Samaritan woman beheld Thee, the Water of Wisdom, of which she drank lavishly, and inherited the kingdom on high, where her praises are sung eternally.
SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
Kontakion, tone 4: Having the eyes of my soul blinded, I come to Thee, O Christ, like the man blind from birth, and with repentance I cry to Thee: Thou art the bright Light of those in darkness.
ASCENSION
Troparion, tone 4: Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Kontakion, tone 6: Having accomplished for us Thy mission and united things on earth with things in heaven, Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, being nowhere separated from those who love Thee, but remaining everpresent with us and calling: I am with you and no one is against you.
HOLY FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
Troparion, tone 8: Most glorious art Thou, O Christ our God, Who didst establish our fathers, as torch-bearers on earth and through them didst guide us all to the true faith. Most Compassionate One, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: The preaching of the Apostles, and the dogmas of the fathers, confirmed the one faith of the Church. And wearing the garment of truth, woven from heavenly theology, she rightly dispenses and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. Lover of men, glory to Thee.
Koniakion, tone 8: When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations, but when He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity. And with one accord we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
ALL SAINTS
Troparion, tone 4: In all the world, O Christ our God, Thy Church is adorned with the blood of Thy martyrs as with purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to Thee: Send down Thy compassion to Thy people, grant peace to Thy community, and to our souls the great mercy.
Kontaldon, tone 8: The universe offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Planter of Creation, the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers, O Most Merciful One, through the Mother of God keep Thy Church, Thy estate, in deep peace.
ALL SAINTS OF RUSSIA
Troparion, tone 8: As a beautiful fruit of the sowing of Thy salvation, the land of Russia offers to Thee, O Lord, all the Saints that have shone in it. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in deep peace, through the Mother of God, O Most Merciful One.
Kontakion, tone 3: Today the choir of the Saints who pleased God in our land stands before us in Church and invisibly prays for us to God. With them the Angels glorify Him, and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them; and they all pray together for us to the eternal God.
MORNING PRAYERS
On rising, make the sign of the Cross and say:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on 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.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Troparia to the Holy Trinity
As we rise from sleep we worship Thee, O good and powerful Lord, and to Thee we sing the Angel's hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having raised me from bed and sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind, and open my heart and lips to praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be laid bare; but at midnight let us cry with fear: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times.)
Prayer of St. Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity
As I rise from sleep I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, for through Thy great goodness and patience Thou wast not angered with me, an idler and sinner, nor hast Thou destroyed me in my sins, but hast shown Thy usual love for men, and when I was prostrate in despair, Thou hast raised me to keep the morning watch and glorify Thy power. And now enlighten my mind's eye and open my mouth to study Thy words and understand Thy commandments and do Thy will and sing to Thee in heartfelt adoration and praise Thy Most Holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I realize my iniquity, and my sin is before me continually. Against Thee only have I sinned I and done evil in Thy sight, that Thou mayest be justified in Thy words and win when Thou art judged.For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother desire me. For, lo, Thou lovest truth; the unknown and secret things of Thy wis dom Thou hast made known to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy face, I and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and confirm me with a princely spirit. I shall teach Thy ways to the lawless and the godless will return to Thee. Deliver me from blood, O God - O God of my salvation - and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; but burnt offerings do not please Thee. The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humble heart God will not despise. Gladden Sion, O Lord, with Thy good will; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then Thou wilt be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the oblation and burnt offerings; then they will offer calves on Thine altar.
The Creed (Symbol of Faith)
I believe in one God, 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 the Father before all ages; Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, of One Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man: And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried: And He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures: And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: And He is coming again with glory to judge the living and the dead; And His Kingdom will have no end: And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of the Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is equally worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets: And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the Dead; And the life of the Age to come. Amen.
Troparion for the Faithful Departed: Remember the souls of Thy servants, O Lord, for Thou art good, and insofar as they sinned in this life, forgive them; for no one is sinless but Thee, Who canst also give rest to the departed.
Kontakion for the Faithful Departed: With the Saints, give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
Kontakion for Martyrs: The world offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Father of creation, the God-bearing Martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers through the Mother of God keep Thy Church in deep peace, O Most Merciful One.
Sunday Troparia and Kontakia
TONE 1:
Troparion: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and when the soldiers were guarding Thy pure Body, O Saviour, Thou didst rise on the third day and give life to the world. Therefore, the Powers of Heaven cried to Thee, O Giver of life: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom! Glory to Thy Providence, O only Lover of men!
Kontakion: Thou didst rise as God from the tomb with glory and with Thyself didst raise the world, and the nature of men sings to Thee as God, and death has vanished, and Adam dances for joy, O Lord, and Eve, now freed from her fetters rejoices, crying: Thou, O Christ, art He Who givest to all resurrection.
TONE 2:
Troparion: When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise from the tomb, all-powerful Saviour, and seeing the miracle, hell was terrified, and the dead rose, whilst creation at the sight of it rejoices with Thee, and Adam exults, and the world, O my Saviour, ever sings to Thee.
TONE 3:
Troparion: Let the Heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for the Lord has done a mighty act with His arm. He has trampled death by death and become the First-born of the dead, He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted the world His great mercy.
Kontakion: Thou didst rise today from the grave, O Merciful One, and hast led us out of the gates of death. Today Adam dances for joy and Eve rejoices, and with them the Prophets and Patriarchs unceasingly sing of the divine triumph of Thy power.
TONE 4:
Troparion: When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the glad tidings of the Resurrection and cast off the ancestral curse, they exultingly told the Apostles: Death is despoiled, Christ our God has risen and is giving the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave, as God, raised the earth-born from their chains, and shattered the gates of hell; and He rose as Lord on the third day.
TONE 5:
Troparion: Let us, the faithful, praise and adore the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, Who for our salvation was born of a Virgin. For He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
Kontakion: Thou didst descend into hell, my Saviour, and having shattered its gates, as All Powerful, Thou didst raise the dead with Thyself, as Creator, and didst deliver Adam from the curse, O Lover of men. Therefore, we all cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord.
TONE 6:
Troparion: The Angelic Hosts were before Thy tomb, the guards became as dead men, and Mary stood in the sepulchre looking for Thy pure Body. Thou didst despoil hell, for Thou wast not tempted by it. Thou didst come and meet the Virgin to give life. O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having raised all the dead from the valleys of darkness by His life-giving hand, Christ our God granted resurrection to the human dough. For He is the Saviour of all, the Resurrection and Life and God of all.
TONE 7:
Troparion: Thou hast destroyed death by Thy Cross, Thou hast opened Paradise to the thief. Thou hast changed the lamentation of the Myrrbearers into joy, and Thou hast commanded Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou, O Christ our God, hast risen and grantest the world the great mercy.
Kontakion: No longer can the dominion of death hold mortals, for Christ has come down and has shattered and broken its power. Hell is bound, and the Prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: The Saviour has appeared to those who have faith. Come out, you faithful, for the Resurrection.
TONE 8:
Troparion: Thou didst come down from on high, Merciful Saviour, and accept burial for three days, that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee.
Kontakion: Having risen from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam, and Eve dances with joy at Thy Resurrection. And all the ends of the earth keep festival at Thy Rising from the dead, O Most Merciful One.
Troparia and Kontakia of the Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God
SEPTEMBER
8th
The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady,
Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Mother of God, has brought joy to all the world; for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, Who, having dissolved the curse, has given His blessing, and having abolished death, has granted us life eternal.
Kontakion, tone 4: Joakim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death, O Immaculate One, by thy holy nativity. And thy people, redeemed from the guilt of sin, celebrate thy birth by crying to thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Mother of God and the nurse of our life.
14th
The Elevation of the Precious
and Life-giving Cross.
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
NOVEMBER
21st
The Presentation in the Temple of our
Most Holy Lady, Mother of God
and Ever-Virgin Mary.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the prelude of God's good-will and the prophecy of the salvation of men. The Virgin appears openly in the temple of God and fortells Christ to all. So let us cry to her with loud voices: Rejoice, thou who art the fulfilment of the Creator's providence.
Konlakion, tone 4: The most pure Temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the glory of God, today enters into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace that is in the Divine Spirit. And the Angels of God sing of her: This is the heavenly tabernacle.
DECEMBER
25th
The Nativity of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 4: Thy birth, O Christ our God, rose upon the world as the light of knowledge; for through it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Sunrise from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 3: The Virgin today gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels and shepherds glorify Him, and wise men journey with a star. For a young Child is born for us, Who is the eternal God.
JANUARY
6th
The Holy Theophany, Epiphany,
or Baptism of our Lord and God
and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: When Thou wast baptised in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity made its appearance. For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, when He called Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of the word. O Christ our God Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
Konlakion, tone 4: Thou hast appeared today to the world, and Thy light, O Lord, has been signed upon us who with full knowledge sing to Thee. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Unapproachable Light.
FEBRUARY
2nd
The Meeting or Presentation of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 1: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, Mother of God and Virgin, for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, to give light to those in darkness. Rejoice thou also, righteous elder, who didst take in thy arms the Redeemer of our souls who also gives us the grace of resurrection.
Kontaldon, tone 1: Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin's womb by Thy birth and bless Simeon's hands as was fitting, hast now come to us and saved us, O Christ our God. But grant peace in the midst of wars to Thy community, and strengthen the Church which Thou hast loved, O only Lover of men.
MARCH
25th
The Annunciation of our Most Holy
Lady, the Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 4: Today is the beginning of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces grace. So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
AUGUST
6th
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Troparion, tone 7: When Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, Thou didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thy everlasting light illumine also us sinners through the intercessions of the Mother of God. Giver of Light, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 7: Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they were capable, that when they should see Thee crucified, they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary and might proclaim to the world that Thou art indeed the reflection of the Father.
15th
Dormition or Assumption of the
Most Holy Mother of God.
Troparion, tone 1: In giving birth thou didst keep thy virginity, and in thy assumption thou didst not forsake the world, O Mother of God. Thou didst pass on to life, since thou art the Mother of Life, and by thy intercessions thou redeemest our souls from death.
Kontakion, tone 2: The grave and death could not hold the Mother of God, who is sleepless in her intercessions and an unchanging hope in her meditations. For as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life by Him Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.
Passion Week Troparia
HOLY AND GREAT MONDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find awake and watching, but unworthy is he whom He shall find idle and careless. Beware, then, my soul, lest thou be weighed down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death and shut out of the Kingdom. But awake and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy, art Thou, O God: through the intercessions of the Bodiless Ones, save us. (Sung three times; however, the ending the third time is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.)
Kontakion, tone 8: Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, but his noble son was sitting in a chariot and honoured as a king. For when he refused to be enslaved by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, he was glorified by Him Who sees the hearts of men and bestows an incorruptible crown.
HOLY AND GREAT TUESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom ... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: through the intercessions of the Forerunner, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 2: Realizing the hour of reckoning, O my soul, and fearing tlie cutting down of the fig tree, work diligently with the talent that has been given thee O wretched one. Watch and pray that we may not remain outside the bride chamber of Christ.
HOLY AND GREAT WEDNESDAY
Troparion, tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom... (as Monday with the ending the first two times: by the power of Thy Cross, save us. The third ending is: through the Mother of God, have mercy on us).
Kontakion, tone 4: I have sinned more than the harlot, O Good One, and I come to Thee with none of her showers of tears. But praying in silence, I fall down before Thee and lovingly embrace Thy immaculate feet, that as the Lord Thou mayest grant me forgiveness of sins as I cry to Thee, O Saviour: Deliver me from the mire of my evil deeds.
HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY
Troparion, tone 8: When Thy glorious Disciples were enlightened at the supper by the feet washing, then the impious Judas was darkened with the disease of avarice, and he delivered Thee, the Just Judge, to the lawless judges. See, O lover of money, this man through money came to hang himself. Flee the insatiable desire which dared to do such things to the Master. O Lord, Who art good towards all, glory to Thee.
Konlakion, tone 2: Having taken bread in his hand, the traitor secretly stretches it out, and takes a price for Him Who with His own hands made man. And Judas remained an incorrigible slave and liar.
HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY
Troparion, tone 4: Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the Law by Thy precious Blood. By being nailed to the Cross and pierced with the Spear, Thou hast poured immortality on mankind. O our Saviour, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: Come, let us all praise Him Who was crucified for us. For Him it was Whom Mary beheld on the Tree, and said: Even though Thou endurest the cross, Thou art my Son and my God.
Troparia, tone 2:
(Vespers and Saturday Matins)
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It, laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
The Angel stood by the tomb and cried to the Myrrh-bearing women: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself free from corruption.
HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY
Troparia, tone 2: Noble Joseph ... When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee. The Angel...
Kontakion, tone 2: He Who closed the abyss is seen as dead and wrapped in a shroud and spices; He, the Immortal, as mortal is laid in the tomb; women came to anoint Him, and they wept bitterly and exclaimed: This is the ever-blessed Sabbath on which Christ, Who fell asleep, shall rise on the third day.
Troparia, Kontakia, Prayers and Stichiras from the Lenten Triodion
PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE
After Matin Gospel, Troparion, tone 8: Open to me the doors of repentance, O Life-giver. For my spirit rises early to pray towards Thy holy temple, bearing the temple of my body all defiled. But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion: Make straight for me the paths of salvation, O Mother of God. For I have profaned my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my whole life in easy-going indifference. But by thy intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.
Tone 6: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. When I think of the multitude of ghastly things I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble at the fearful day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Thy loving kindness; like David I cry to Thee: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.
(Note: These penitential songs are sung on Sundays during the Great Fast from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee to the fifth week.)
Kontakion, tone 4: Let us avoid the proud speaking of the Pharisee and learn humility from the groans of the Publican, and let us cry in penitence: O Saviour of the world, be merciful to Thy servants.
THE PRODIGAL SON
Kontakion, tone 3: Having foolishly abandoned Thy paternal glory, I have squandered on vices the wealth Thou gavest me. Therefore I cry to Thee, O compassionate Father, receive me who repent, and treat me as one of Thy hired servants.
MEAT FARE OR RELATIVES' SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 8: O Thou Who with wisdom profound orderest all things with love, and Who givest to all what is needful, O only Creator, give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, for on Thee they have set their hope, our Maker and Builder, and our God.
Konlakion. tone 8: With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
MEAT FARE OR JUDGMENT SUNDAY
Konlakion, tone 1: When Thou comest to earth with glory, O God, and all things tremble, then a river of fire will flow before Thy Judgment Seat, and the books will be opened, and the hidden things made public. Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire and grant me to stand at Thy right hand, O most just Judge.
SATURDAY OF CHEESE FARE
Troparion, tone 4: O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to Thy gentleness, take not Thy mercy from us, but by their prayers guide our life in peace.
Kontakion, tone 8: Thou hast made the company of our God-bearing Fathers illustrious as preachers of piety and silencers of impiety, O Lord, and they light up the world. By their intercessions keep in perfect peace those who magnify and glorify Thee, that they may praise Thee and sing to Thee: Alleluia.
CHEESE FARE OR FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
Kontakion, tone 6: O Lord, Who art the guide to wisdom, the bestower of prudence, the instructor of the thoughtless, and the protector of the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart. Give me the gift of expression, O Thou Who art the Word of the Father; for behold I will not prevent my lips from crying to Thee: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.
The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking. Prostration.
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant. Prostration.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.
O God, cleanse me, a sinner. (12 times, with a bow made for each)
Then the entire prayer:
O Lord and Master of my life . . . with one prostration made at the end.
(Note: This prayer is read in the Hours of Wednesday and Friday of Cheese Fare Week and in all services of the Great Fast, except those of Saturday and Sunday.)
FIRST WEEK OF THE GREAT FAST
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing hear, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Great Martyr St. Theodore the Tyrian -
Troparion, tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! In a fountain of flame the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced as in refreshing water. For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, he was offered as sweet bread to the Trinity. By his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, for thou art eternally invincible.
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
- Sunday of Orthodoxy -
Troparion, tone 2: We worship Thy immaculate Image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our sins, O Christ God; for of Thy own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst created. Therefore we thankfully cry to Thee: Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, by coming to save the world.
Kontakion, tone 8: The illimitable Word of the Father accepted limitations by incarnation from thee, O Mother of God; and He transformed our defiled image to its original state and transfused it with the divine beauty. But we confess and give thanks for our salvation, and we proclaim it by deed and word.
SECOND SUNDAY
- St. Gregory Palamas -
Troparion, tone 8: Light of Orthodoxy, pillar and doctor of the Church, adornment of monks, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory the wonderworker, praise of Thessalonica, preacher of grace, ever pray that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion, tone 2: Organ of wisdom, holy and divine, bright clarion of theology, we praise thee in harmony, O divine speaker Gregory: But as a mind standing before the First Mind, direct our mind to Him, father, that we may cry: Rejoice, preacher of grace!
Kontaklon of the Sunday, tone 4: Now is the time for action, judgment is at our doors. So let us rise and fast, and let us offer tears of compunction with almsgiving, crying: We have sinned more than the sand of the sea. But forgive us all, O Creator, that we may receive incorruptible crowns.
THIRD SUNDAY
- Sunday of the Cross -
Troparion, tone 1: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion, tone 4: O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Another Kontakion, tone 7: No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a glorious extinction has come upon it, the wood of the Cross. The sting has been drawn from death and the victory from hell. And Thou, my Saviour, didst come and shout to those in hell: Enter Paradise again.
FOURTH SUNDAY
- St. John of the Ladder -
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst prove to be a freeman of the desert, an angel in a body, and a wonder-worker, O our God - bearing Father John. By fasting, vigil and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength, glory to Him Who crowned thee, glory to Him Who works through thee healings for all.
Kontakion, tone 1: Offering ever-blossoming fruits of learning from thy book, O wise one, thou delightest the hearts of those who study it seriously, O blessed one. For it is a ladder which leads up from the earth to the heavenly and abiding glory souls who with faith honour thee.
THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete -
Kontakion, tone 6: My soul, my soul, arise! . . .(See First Week of the Great Fast)
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK
- The Mother of God -
Troparion, tone 8: Having mystically received knowledge of the divine order, the Bodiless One flew with haste and stopped at the house of Joseph, and said to the Virgin: Lo, He Who bowed the heavens by His descent is contained wholly and unchanged in thee. And as I beheld Him in thy womb taking the form of a servant, I marvel and cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.
Kontakion, tone 8: Queen of the Heavenly Host, defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from terrors. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
FIFTH SUNDAY
- St. Mary of Egypt -
Troparion, tone 8: In thee, O Mother, was carefully preserved what is according to the Image. For thou didst take the Cross and follow Christ. By so doing thou didst teach us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, but to care for the soul as an immortal thing. Therefore, St. Mary, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.
Kontakion, tone 4: Having escaped the fog of sin, and having illumined thy heart with the light of penitence, O glorious one, thou didst come to Christ and didst offer to Him His immaculate and holy Mother as a merciful intercessor. Hence thou hast found remission for transgressions, and with the angels thou ever rejoicest.
LAZARUS SATURDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge of the general resurrection before Thy Passion, O Christ our God, by raising Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, we too, like the children, carry the symbols of victory and cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion, tone 2: Christ, the joy of all, the truth, the light, the life, the resurrection of the world, in His goodness appeared to those on earth, and He became an image of the Resurrection and grants to all divine forgiveness.
ENTRY OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM - PALM SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 1: Thou didst give a pledge. . . (See Lazarus Saturday)
Another Troparion, tone 4: As by Baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were granted immortal life, and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Kontaklon, tone 6: On the throne in heaven and riding a colt on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the chorus of the children who cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.
Troparia and Kontakia for Easter Period and Pentecostarion
HOLY PASCHA
Troparion (Special Melody)Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Kontakion, tone 8: Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of death! In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming "Rejoice" to the Myrrhbearing Women, granting peace to Thine Apostles, and bestowng resurrection of the fallen.
ST. THOMAS' SUNDAY
Troparion, tone 7: When the tomb was sealed, Thou, the Life, O Christ our God, didst rise up from the grave; and when the doors were closed, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand among the disciples, and through them renew a right spirit in us, according to Thy mercy.
Kontakion, tone 8: With his inquisitive right hand, Thomas probed Thy life-giving side, O Christ our God. For when Thou didst enter, the doors being shut, with the rest of the Apostles he cried to Thee: Thou art my Lord and my God.
SUNDAY OF THE MYRRHBEARERS
Troparia, tone 2:
When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee.
Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the Tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy.
To the myrrbearing women at the sepulchre an Angel appeared and cried: Myrrh is fit for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a Stranger to corruption. So cry: The Lord has risen, granting to the world great mercy.
Kontakion, tone 2: Thou didst command the Myrrbearers to rejoice, O Christ our God, Thou didst dry the tears of our first mother Eve by Thy Resurrection, and Thou didst command the Apostles to preach: The Saviour has risen from the tomb.
SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
Kontakion, tone 3: By Thy divine presence, O Lord, raise my soul which is terribly paralyzed by all kinds of sins and misguided actions, as of old Thou didst raise the paralytic, that saved I may cry to Thee: O compassionate Christ, glory to Thy power.
MID - PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Having come to the middle of the Feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the streams of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry to all: Let him who thirsts come to Me and drink. O Christ our God, Source of Life, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 4: When the Feast of the law was half over, O Lord and Creator of all, Thou didst say to the bystanders, O Christ our God: Come and draw the water of immortality. Therefore we fall down before Thee and cry with faith: Grant us Thy bounties, for Thou art the Source of our Life.
SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Kontakion, tone 8: Having come to the well by faith, the Samaritan woman beheld Thee, the Water of Wisdom, of which she drank lavishly, and inherited the kingdom on high, where her praises are sung eternally.
SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
Kontakion, tone 4: Having the eyes of my soul blinded, I come to Thee, O Christ, like the man blind from birth, and with repentance I cry to Thee: Thou art the bright Light of those in darkness.
ASCENSION
Troparion, tone 4: Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Kontakion, tone 6: Having accomplished for us Thy mission and united things on earth with things in heaven, Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, being nowhere separated from those who love Thee, but remaining everpresent with us and calling: I am with you and no one is against you.
HOLY FATHERS OF THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
Troparion, tone 8: Most glorious art Thou, O Christ our God, Who didst establish our fathers, as torch-bearers on earth and through them didst guide us all to the true faith. Most Compassionate One, glory to Thee.
Kontakion, tone 8: The preaching of the Apostles, and the dogmas of the fathers, confirmed the one faith of the Church. And wearing the garment of truth, woven from heavenly theology, she rightly dispenses and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8: Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. Lover of men, glory to Thee.
Koniakion, tone 8: When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations, but when He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity. And with one accord we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.
ALL SAINTS
Troparion, tone 4: In all the world, O Christ our God, Thy Church is adorned with the blood of Thy martyrs as with purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to Thee: Send down Thy compassion to Thy people, grant peace to Thy community, and to our souls the great mercy.
Kontaldon, tone 8: The universe offers to Thee, O Lord, as the Planter of Creation, the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. By their prayers, O Most Merciful One, through the Mother of God keep Thy Church, Thy estate, in deep peace.
ALL SAINTS OF RUSSIA
Troparion, tone 8: As a beautiful fruit of the sowing of Thy salvation, the land of Russia offers to Thee, O Lord, all the Saints that have shone in it. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in deep peace, through the Mother of God, O Most Merciful One.
Kontakion, tone 3: Today the choir of the Saints who pleased God in our land stands before us in Church and invisibly prays for us to God. With them the Angels glorify Him, and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them; and they all pray together for us to the eternal God.
MORNING PRAYERS
On rising, make the sign of the Cross and say:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on 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.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Troparia to the Holy Trinity
As we rise from sleep we worship Thee, O good and powerful Lord, and to Thee we sing the Angel's hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having raised me from bed and sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind, and open my heart and lips to praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be laid bare; but at midnight let us cry with fear: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times.)
Prayer of St. Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity
As I rise from sleep I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, for through Thy great goodness and patience Thou wast not angered with me, an idler and sinner, nor hast Thou destroyed me in my sins, but hast shown Thy usual love for men, and when I was prostrate in despair, Thou hast raised me to keep the morning watch and glorify Thy power. And now enlighten my mind's eye and open my mouth to study Thy words and understand Thy commandments and do Thy will and sing to Thee in heartfelt adoration and praise Thy Most Holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I realize my iniquity, and my sin is before me continually. Against Thee only have I sinned I and done evil in Thy sight, that Thou mayest be justified in Thy words and win when Thou art judged.For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother desire me. For, lo, Thou lovest truth; the unknown and secret things of Thy wis dom Thou hast made known to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy face, I and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and confirm me with a princely spirit. I shall teach Thy ways to the lawless and the godless will return to Thee. Deliver me from blood, O God - O God of my salvation - and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; but burnt offerings do not please Thee. The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humble heart God will not despise. Gladden Sion, O Lord, with Thy good will; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then Thou wilt be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the oblation and burnt offerings; then they will offer calves on Thine altar.
The Creed (Symbol of Faith)
I believe in one God, 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 the Father before all ages; Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, of One Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man: And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried: And He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures: And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: And He is coming again with glory to judge the living and the dead; And His Kingdom will have no end: And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of the Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is equally worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets: And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the Dead; And the life of the Age to come. Amen.
First Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in I Thy sight; deliver me from the evil I one, and may Thy will be in me, that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation, and praise Thy holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep, I offer Thee, O Saviour, the midnight song, and I fall down and cry unto Thee: grant me not to fall asleep in the death of sin, but have compassion on me, O Thou Who wast voluntarily crucified, and hasten to raise me who am prostrate in idleness, and save me in prayer and intercession, and after the night's sleep, bless me with a sinless day O Christ, our God, and save me.
Third Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep I hasten to Thee, O Lord, Lover of men, and by Thy loving-kindness I strive to do Thy work, and I pray to Thee: help me at all times, in everything, and deliver me from every evil thing of the world and every attack of the devil, and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, the Giver and Provider of everything good, and all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I send up glory, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O Lord, Who in Thy abundant goodness and Thy great compassion hast granted me, Thy servant, to pass the time of this night without the temptation of any opposing evil, Lord and Creator of all, by Thy true light and with an enlightened heart grant me to do Thy will, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Almighty Lord God, Who dost receive from Thy Heavenly Powers the thrice-holy hymn, receive also from me, Thy unworthy servant, this song of the night, and grant me every year of my life and at every hour to send up glory to Thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the Powers and of all flesh, Who livest in the highest and carest for the humble, Who searchest our hearts and affections, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; eternal and everliving Light, in Whom is no change nor shadow of variation; O Immortal King, receive our prayers which at the present time we offer to Thee from unclean lips, trusting in the multitude of Thy mercies. Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, consciously or unconsciously, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass the night of the whole present life with wakeful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the radiant day of the appearing of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory to render to each according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those keeping festival and the unspeakable delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy Face. For Thou art the true Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation sings to Thee throughout the ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Basil ihe Great
We bless Thee, O most high God and Lord of mercy, Who art ever doing numberless great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful; Who grantest to us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh.We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us with our sins, but hast loved us as ever, and though we are sunk in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify Thy power. Therefore we implore Thy incomparable goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able undistracted to sing and confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with Thy only-begotten Son, and Thy all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Midnight Song to the Most Holy Mother of God
I sing thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and pray to thee to grace my mind. Teach me to step right in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen me to keep awake in song and dispel the dream of despondency. Release me, bound with bonds of sin, O bride of God, by thy prayers. Guard me by night and also by day, and drive away my foes who defeat me. O Bearer of God, the Giver of Life, enliven me who am deadened by passions. O bearer of the unfailing Light, enlighten my blinded soul. O Marvellous Palace of the Master, make me a house of the Divine Spirit. O Mother of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul. Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life. Deliver me from eternal fire, from wicked war and from hell. Expose me guilty as I am of many sins. Renew me, grown old from senseless sins, O most Immaculate One. Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for me to the Lord of all. Grant me to receive the joys of Heaven with all the Saints. O most holy Virgin, hear the voice of thy unprofitable servant. Grant me torrents of tears, O most Pure One, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to Thee unceasingly. Strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the Angels, raise me above this world's confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly Tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O All-Immaculate One. Deliver me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede to Christ to Whom is due honour with adoration, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
My most merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Thy great love Thou didst come down and take flesh to save all. And again, O Saviour, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee, for if Thou shouldst save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty. Indeed, in Thy infinite compassion and unspeakable mercy, Thou O my Christ hast said: Whoever believes in Me shall live and never see death. If faith in Thee saves the desperate, save me, for Thou art my God and Creator. Impute my faith instead of deeds, O my God, for Thou wilt find no deeds which could justify me, but may my faith suffice for all my deeds. May it answer for and acquit me, and may it make me a partaker of Thy eternal glory. And may satan not seize me, O Word, and boast that he has torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ, my Saviour, whether I will or not, save me. Make haste, quick, quick, for I perish. Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Grant me, O Lord, to love Thee now as once I loved sin, and also to work for Thee without idleness, as I worked before for deceptive satan. But supremely shall I work for Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Guardian Angel of Human Life
O Holy Angel, interceding for my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor shrink from me for my intemperance. Give no place for the subtle demon to master me through the violence of my mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation. O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched body and soul, forgive me for all the insults I have given thee every day of my life, and for whatever sins I may have committed during the past night. Protect me during the present day, and guard me from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may strengthen me in His fear, and make me, His slave, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God
My most holy Lady, Mother of God, by thy holy and all-powerful prayers banish from me, thy humble, wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all impure, evil and blasphemous thoughts out of my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from my many cruel memories and deeds, and free me from all their bad effects; for blessed art thou by all generations, and glorified is thy most honorable name to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers to the Mother of God
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
Under thy tender compassion we run, O Mother of God, reject not our prayer in our trouble, but deliver us from harm, only pure, only blessed one.
Most glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer to thy Son and our God and pray that through thee He may save our souls.
Prayer for Intercession to the Angelic Hosts
O Heavenly Hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners.
Prayer for Intercession to all Saints
O glorious Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us sinners.
Prayerful Invocation to the Saint whose Name we bear
Pray for me Saint.... (name), for with fervour I come to thee, speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
The Troparion to the Cross
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over all enemies to Orthodox Christians and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
It is truly meet and right to bless thee, the Ever-Blessed and Most Pure Virgin and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who in virginity didst bear God the Word, thee, true Mother of God, we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
God be gracious to us and bless us, and shine Thy countenance upon us and have mercy upon us.
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
INTERCESSION Commemoration of the Living and Departed
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thy mercies and bounties which are from all eternity, and through which Thou didst become man and didst will to suffer crucifixion and death for the salvation of those who rightly believe in Thee, and having risen from the dead didst ascend into heaven, and sittest at the right hand of God the Father and regardest the humble entreaties of those who call upon Thee with all their heart: incline Thy ear, and hear the humble prayer of me, Thy worthless servant, as the fragrance of spiritual incense, which I offer to Thee for all people. And first remember Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which Thou hast provided through Thy Precious Blood. Confirm, strengthen, extend, and increase her, and keep her in peace, and for ever proof against the power of hell. Calm the dissensions of the Churches, and foil the plans of the powers of darkness, dispel the prejudice of the nations, and quickly ruin and root out the risings of heresy, and frustrate them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our president and all in authority throughout the world, commanders-in-chief of armies and navies and airfleets, governors of provinces and cities, and all the Christ-loving navies, armies and police; protect their power with peace, and subdue under their feet every enemy and foe, and speak peace and blessing in their hearts for Thy Holy Church, and for all Thy people, and grant that in their calm we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life in true belief, in all piety and honesty. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, the Priests and Deacons, and all who serve in the Church, and whom Thou hast ordained to feed Thy spiritual flock; and by their prayers, have mercy on me, a sinner. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our father (parish priest or abbot of monastery), with all his brethren in Christ, and by their prayers have mercy on me, wretch that I am. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my Spiritual Father (name) and by his prayers forgive me my sins. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all workers in this holy community, our brethren and all manual workers, and lay-workers, and farm labourers of this monastery, and all Christians. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my parents (names), my brothers and sisters and all my relatives, and the neighbours of my family, and friends - and grant them Thy worldly and spiritual goods. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy according to the multitude of Thy bounties, on all priests, monks and nuns, and on all living in virginity, devotion and fasting, in monasteries, in deserts, in caves, on mountains, on pillars, in hermitages, in the clefts of rocks, and right faith in every place of Thy dominion, and devoutly serving Thee, and praying to Thee. Lighten their burden, console them in their afflictions, and grant them strength, power and perseverance in their struggle, and by their prayers grant me remission of sins. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and destitute, the orphans and widows, the leper colonies, epileptics and spastics, and those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation, captives and exiles, in mines and prisons and reformatories, and especially on those of Thy servants suffering persecution for Thy sake and for the Orthodox Faith from godless peoples, apostates and heretics. Visit, strengthen, comfort, and heal them, and by Thy power quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors, who have mercy on us and feed us, and relieve us of anxiety by giving us alms, and entrust us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them; and give them Thy grace, and grant them all their requests which conduce to salvation, and the attainment of eternal joy. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the Fathers and Sisters, and our Brotherhood, and on all Orthodox Christians who are messengers and missionaries in Thy service, and are travelling. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have offended or scandalized by my madness or inadvertence, and whom I have turned from the way of salvation, and whom I have led into evil and harmful deeds. By Thy divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and do me harm, and let them not perish through me, a sinner. Bow.
Illumine with the light of grace all apostates from the Orthodox Faith, and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and draw them to Thyself, and unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. Bow.
For Those Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, those who have departed from this life, Orthodox kings and queens, princes and princesses, Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, Priests and Deacons and those who have served Thee in the Monastic State, and the laity of the Church, and the blessed founders of all Churches and monasteries, and grant them rest with the Saints in Thy eternal dwellings. Bow.
Prayer of Rememberance for Parents Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants who have departed in sleep, my parents (names), and all my relatives according to the flesh; forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary; grant them the Kingdom and a part in Thy eternal joys, and the delight of Thy blessed and everlasting life. Bow.
Prayer for Monastery Brotherhood
Remember, O Lord, also all Fathers and Sisters and members of our Brotherhood who have departed in sleep with the hope of resurrection and eternal life, and all Orthodox Christians who lie here and in all the world, and with Thy Saints give them repose where the light of Thy Face shines and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and the Lover of men. Amen. Bow.
At the end, say three times:
Grant, O Lord, remission of all sins to our Fathers, Brothers and Sisters departed in the faith and hope of resurrection, and grant them memory eternal.
PRAYERS DURING THE DAY
At the Commencement of Any Work.
Bless, O Lord. or:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of Thy Eternal Father, Thou hast said with Thy most holy lips: "Without Me, you can do nothing." My Lord and my God, in faith I embrace Thy words with my heart and soul, and bow before Thy goodness; help me, a sinner, to do in union with Thee this work which I am about to begin, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the Completion of Any Work.
Glory to Thee, O Lord.or:
Thou, O my Christ, art the sum and fullness of all that is good; fill my soul with joy and gladness, and save me, for Thou alone art all-merciful. Amen.
Before Lessons.
Most gracious Lord! Send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to grant us intelligence and strengthen the powers of our soul, that we may attend to the instruction given us, and grow up to glorify Thee, our Creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people.
After Lessons.
We thank Thee, our Creator, that Thou hast granted us Thy grace to attend to this instruction. Bless our parents and teachers who are leading us to knowledge of good, and grant us energy and strength to persevere in our studies.
Before Breakfast.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Names sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
After Breakfast
It is meet and right to bless thee, the ever-blessed and all-pure Virgin and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who in virginity didst bear God the Word, thee, true Mother of God, we magnify.
Before the Noon Meal.
Our Father . . .
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God . . . (See Prayers before Breakfast)
After the Noon Meal.
We thank Thee, 0 Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly gifts; deprive us not of Thy heavenly kingdom, but as Thou earnest among Thy disciples, O Saviour, and gavest them peace, come to us and save us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory . . . now . . .
Before the Evening Meal.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live for ever.
Glory . . . now . . .
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God . . .
After the Evening Meal.
Glory . . . now . . .
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
God is with us by His grace and love for man, always, now and ever, and the ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYERS BEFORE SLEEP
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and of our holy and God-bearing fathers and of all the Saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the -ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on 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.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Troparia.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. For at a loss for any plea we sinners offer to Thee, our Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for our trust is in Thee. Be not very angry with us, remember not our sins; but even now regard us, in Thy tender compassion, and deliver us from our enemies. For Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy Hands, and we call on Thy Name.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Open the door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Mother of God, that we who put our hope in thee may not perish. Through thee, may we be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of Christian people.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Then the following prayers in order, with attention and compunction.
Prayer of St. Macarius the Great to God the Father
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Antioch to our Lord Jesus Christ
O All-Ruler, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Thou Who art perfect, never in Thy great mercy leave me, but ever abide in me, Thy servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not to the revolt of the serpent and leave me not to the will of satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. Lord, adorable God, Holy King, Jesus Christ, guard me asleep by the unwaning light, Thy Holy Spirit, by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of Thy Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of Thy Word. Enlighten my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in Thy humility. And rouse me in good time to glorify Thee, for Thou art supremely glorified, with Thy eternal Father, and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian to the Most Holy Spirit
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on Thy sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I humanly committed today, and not only humanly but even worse than a beast - my voluntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by Thy Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have got angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled my brother or quarrelled with him, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the attraction of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of my brother's sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember - for I have done all this and much more - have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on me Thy wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in Thy goodness and love for men, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify Thy most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
Prayer
O Lord, our God, in Thy goodness and love for men forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed or thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send Thy Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For Thou art the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose Name we invoke above every name, grant us preparing for sleep relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all temptations and dark pleasures. Stop the rushing of passions, and quench the burning of bodily tensions. Grant us to live chastely in word and act, that we may live a life of heroic virtue and not fall away from Thy promised blessings. For Thou art blessed for ever. Amen.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
(Supplicatory prayers corresponding to 24 hours of the day.)
Day
Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly joys. Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice and stony insensibility. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened. Lord, I being human have sinned, but Thou being the generous God, have mercy on me, knowing the sickness of my soul. Lord, send Thy grace to my help, that I may glorify Thy holy Name. Lord Jesus Christ, write me Thy servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a good end. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me by Thy grace to make a good start. Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace. Lord of heaven and earth remember me, Thy sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.
Night
O Lord, accept me in penitence. O Lord, leave me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me good thoughts. O Lord, grant me tears and remembrance of death and compunction. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. O Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of Thee in my heart. O Lord, grant me to love Thee with all my mind and soul, and always to do Thy will. O Lord, protect me from certain people, and demons, and passions, and from every other harmful thing. O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou actest as Thou wilt; may Thy will be also in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen.
Prayer
our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honourable Mother, Thy fleshless Angels, Thy Prophet and Forerunner and Baptizer, all the God-inspired Apostles, the radiant and victorious Martyrs, the holy and God-bearing Fathers, and by the prayers of all Saints, deliver me from the besetting presence of the devil. My Lord and Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should be converted and live, grant also conversion to me, wretched and unworthy, snatch me from the jaws of the pernicious serpent, who is ravening to devour me and drag me down to hell alive. My Lord, my Comfort, Who wast clothed in corruptible flesh for my miserable sake, deliver me from misery and grant comfort to my miserable soul. Implant in my heart to fulfil Thy commandments, and forsake my evil deeds, and to receive Thy joys. Save me, for I hope in Thee, O Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession to the Most Holy Mother of God
O good Mother of the good King, most pure and blessed Virgin Mary, pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God on my passionate soul and guide me in good works by thy prayers, that I may pass the rest of my life without defilement, and find paradise through thee, O Virgin Mother of God, who alone art pure and blessed.
Prayer of Intercession to the holy Guardian Angel
O Angel of Christ, my holy Guardian and Protector of my soul and body, forgive me all my sins of today. Deliver me from all the wiles of the enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest present me worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints. Amen.
(Here one says a prayer to one's Patron Saint.)
Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.
Most glorious, Ever-Virgin, blessed, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He may save our souls.
I put all my hope in thee, O Mother of God. Guard me under thy protection. O Virgin Mother of God, despise not me, a sinner, needing thy help and protection, and have mercy on me, for my soul hopes in thee.
Prayer
(Lucking the opportunity of asking pardon of each person.)
O God, absolve, remit, and pardon our voluntary and involuntary sins, in word and deed, known and unknown, by day and by night, in mind and thought; forgive us all, in Thy goodness and love for men.
Prayer of Intercession
O Lord, Lover of men, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good to those who do good. Grant our brothers and relatives their saving petitions and eternal life. Visit the sick and grant them healing. Guide those at sea. Travel with travellers. Struggle alongside the Orthodox. To those who serve and are kind to us, grant remission of sins. On those who have charged us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them, have mercy according to Thy great mercy. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen asleep, and grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shines. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches and grant them their saving petitions and eternal life. Remember also, O Lord, us Thy humble, sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of knowledge of Thyself, and guide us in the way of Thy commandments, by the prayers of our immaculate Lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Thy Saints, for Thou art blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Daily Confession of Sins
I confess to Thee, my Lord, God and Creator, to the One glorified and worshipped in Holy Trinity, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all my sins which I have committed all the days of my life, at every hour, in the present and in the past, day and night, in thought, word and deed; by gluttony, drunkenness, secret eating, idle talking, despondency, indolence, contradiction, neglect, aggressiveness, self love, hoarding, stealing, lying, dishonesty, curiosity, jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, and remembering wrongs, hatred, mercenariness; and by all my senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch; and all other sins, spiritual and bodily, through which I have angered Thee, 'my God and Creator, and caused injustice to my neighbours. Sorrowing for this, but determined to repent, I stand guilty before Thee, my God. Only help me, my Lord and God, I humbly pray Thee with tears. Forgive my past sins by Thy mercy, and absolve me from all I have confessed in Thy presence, for Thou art good and the Lover of men. Amen.
Prayer of St. John of Damascus.
(To be said pointing at the bed.)
O Lord, Lover of men, is this bed to be my coffin, or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Here the coffin lies before me, and here death confronts me. I fear, O Lord, Thy Judgment and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger Thee, and Thy immaculate Mother, and all the Heavenly Powers, and my holy Guardian Angel. I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love, but deserve condemnation and every torment. But, whether I want it or not, save me, O Lord. For to save a good man is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy of Thy mercy. But show the wonder of Thy mercy on me, a sinner. In this reveal Thy love for men, lest my wickedness prevail over Thy unutterable goodness and mercy. And order my life as Thou wilt.
(As sleep is the image of death, at night we pray for the departed.)
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
(When about to lie down in bed, say:)
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest I sleep in death, and lest my enemy say: I have prevailed over him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Be my soul's Defender, O God, for I step over many snares. Deliver me from them and save me, O Good One, in Thy love for men.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us not silently hymn the most glorious Mother of God, holiest of holy Angels, but confess her with heart and mouth to be the Mother of God, for she truly bore God incarnate for us, and prays without ceasing for our souls. Amen.
Kiss your cross, and make the sign of the Cross from head to foot of the bed and from two sides, and then say:
Prayer to the Venerable Cross
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on thee, Who went down to hell and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His venerable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.
(Just before getting into bed, say:)
Guard me, O Lord, by the power of Thy holy and life-giving Cross, and keep me from all evil.
(Just before yielding yourself up to sleep, say:)
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I surrender my spirit and body; bless me, save me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.
Before retiring (or if one prefers, before beginning prayers) go through all the points suggested below in your mind and memory.
1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed, and recall to memory: where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures, and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care your thoughts, words and deeds from morning till evening.
3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him. Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good things.
4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you, and promise Him firmly never to do this evil again.
5. Implore your Creator with tears to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night, and to enable you on the coming day to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it, and put a stone in its place for Christ's sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying: Some did not sleep at all.
Prayer for our enemies.
(Written by St. Nicolai of Zica, an Orthodox Bishop, while being imprisoned and tortured by the Nazis in a prison camp.)
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into Thy embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world.
Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath Thy tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life,they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of Thy garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to Thee may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins: arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and my enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand.
But a son blesses them, for he understands. For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life. Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Amen
THE ORDER FOR READING CANONS AND AKATHISTS WHEN ALONE
Before commencing any rule of prayer, and at its completion, the following reverences are made (prostrations or bows), called "The Seven Bow Beginning."
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (bow)
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (bow)
Having created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. (bow)
I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. (bow)
My sovereign, most holy Mother of God, save me, a sinner, (bow)
O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. (bow)
Holy Apostle (or martyr, or holy father Name) pray to God for me. (bow)
Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King... to Our Father... (See Morning Prayers)
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory... Now ...
O come, let us worship ...
Psalm 50.
The Symbol of Faith.
Then the Canons and Akathists are read as follows:
A) If one Canon or Akathist is to be read it is read straight through.
B) If more than one Canon is to be read, the first Song of the first Canon is read. If the Refrain before the final or last two Troparia is Glory... Now ... , it is replaced by the Refrain of the Canon and "Most Holy Mother of God, save us" (the latter comes before a Troparion to the Virgin). The first Song of the second Canon is read, beginning with the Refrain (the Eirmios of the first Canon only is read), etc. Glory... and Now... are used only as Refrains before the last two Troparia (or last Troparion) of the final Canon to be read. Then the third Song of the first Canon, beginning with the Eirmos, etc. After the third Song: Lord have mercy (3), Glory... Now... Sedalions. When there are more than one Canon, the Kontakion(s) of the second and any additional ones are read after the Sedalions. Glory... Now... is read before the final verses. Then Songs 4, 5 and 6 are read. After Song 6: Lord, have mercy. (3), Glory... Now ... Kontakion of the first Canon. Then Songs 7, 8 and 9 are read.
C) If an Akathist is read with the Canon (s), it is included after Song 6. All Kontakions of the Canon (s) are read after Song 3 in this case.
After Song 9:
It is meet and right... (See p. 36)
Trisagion to Our Father ...
Have mercy on us... and the rest of the Prayers Before Sleep.
If no other prayers are to be read, the closing is as follows:
It is meet and right...
Prayer(s) following the Canon (s).
Trisagion to Our Father...
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory... Now...
More Honourable than the Cherubim...
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Those who are preparing for Holy Communion are obliged to read three Canons and one Akathist the evening before. Usually read are the Canons to the Saviour, the Mother of God, and the Guardian Angel (in that order), and either an Akathist to the Saviour or to the Mother of God. Those who desire to carry out this evening rule of prayer daily receive great spiritual benefit from) doing so.
THE TALE OF THE FIVE PRAYERS
From the times of the Apostles, Christians of all ages, when entering upon a task, began it with prayer, and the end of it they also hallowed with prayerful thanksgiving to the Lord, in Whom we live and move and have our being. And let us do the same, beloved reader.
But not having the gift of effectual prayer, let us recall and commit to memory what once was offered to the Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of the inspired heart of the great Russian man of prayer, our father among the Saints, Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslav.
I am sure that for you, as for me, in offering to your attention "The Tale of The Five Prayers" the work of the great Bishop, it will be both welcome and useful, especially in the view of the wonderful promises which it contains. So hear this tale, my beloved reader.
You will not blame me for offering you in this Tale something new - it is not mine, and not new, but only fundamentally and completely forgotten, forgive me that I have disturbed the dust of ages: but this dust is holy ...
***
One of the holy fathers, standing in prayer and being in ecstasy, heard the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the Immaculate and Holy Mother of God, His Mother, saying to her: "Tell me, My Mother, which were the greatest of your sufferings, when you lived in the world, which you suffered for My sake?" The Immaculate One replied: "My Son and God, five times I have endured my greatest suffering for you: First, when I heard from the Prophet Simeon that you were to be killed; Second, when I looked for you in Jerusalem, and did not see you for three days; Third, when I heard that you were seized and bound by the Jews; Fourth, when I saw you on the Cross crucified between the robbers; Fifth, when I saw you placed in the Tomb." And the Lord said to her: "I tell you. My Mother, whoever reads every day each of your sufferings with My prayer, i.e. 'Our Father,' for the first suffering I will give the knowledge of his sins and sorrow for them; for the second, I will give the forgiveness of all his sins; for the third, I will restore to him the virtues lost through sin; for the fourth, I will refresh him at death with my Divine Body and Blood; for the fifth, I will appear to him Myself at his death, and receive his soul into eternal life. Amen."
***
After this vision of the Holy Father, the following prayers were added by St. Dimitri:
At the beginning of the five prayers:
"Glory to Thee, Christ my God, that Thou hast not destroyed me a sinner, with my sins, but even till now hast borne -with my sin."
Bow
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep me this day without sin. Grant, O Lord, that I may not anger Thee, my Creator, in thought, word or deed, but that all my actions, counsels and thoughts may be to the glory of Thy Holy Name."
Bow
"God be merciful to me, a sinner, throughout my whole life. In my passing and after death, forsake me not."
Bow
Falling low on the earth, say:
"Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, accept me, dead in mind and soul, accept me, a sinful prodigal, impure in soul and body. Take from me all shameless enmity and resistance, and turn not Thy Face from me, O Lord, nor say: I know not who thou art. But hear the voice of my prayer: save me, for Thou hast a wealth of compassion and desirest not the death of a sinner. I will never leave Thee nor depart from Thee, my Creator, till Thou hearest me and givest me forgiveness of all my sins, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, the intercession of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven, of my holy and glorious Guardian Angel, of Thy Forerunner and Prophet, the Baptist John, of the God-speaking Apostles, of the holy and victorious martyrs, of our Reverend and God-fearing fathers, and all Thy Saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner."
Heavenly King, Comforter,...
Holy God, Holy Mighty,...
Our Father...
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
First Prayer
"O merciful Mother, Virgin Mary, I thy sinful and unprofitable servant, remembering thy suffering on hearing from the Prophet Simeon of the merciless murder of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, offer thee this prayer and the Angelic Salutation. Accept it in honour and memory of thy suffering, and pray thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant me the knowledge of my sins and sorrow for them."
Bow
Second Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
"O Divinely-blessed and Immaculate Maiden, Mother and Virgin, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst lose thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple, and for three days didst not see Him. Pray and beg of Him the forgiveness and remission of all my sins, O only Blessed One."
Bow
Third Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
"O Mother of Light, most blessed Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering on hearing that thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, had been seized and bound. Pray Him to restore to me the virtues lost through sin, that I may magnify thee, O Most Pure One, for ever."
Bow
Fourth Prayer
Our Father ...
Virgin Mother ...
"O Fountain of Mercy, Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross between the robbers. Pray Him, O Lady, to grant me the gift of His mercy in the hour of my death, and to refresh me with His Divine Body and Blood, that I may glorify thee, my Defender, for ever."
Bow
Fifth Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother . ..
"O my Hope, Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, placed in the Tomb. Pray Him, O Lady, to appear to me in the hour of my death, and to receive my soul into eternal life. Amen."
Bow
An Orthodox Rosary
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in I Thy sight; deliver me from the evil I one, and may Thy will be in me, that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation, and praise Thy holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep, I offer Thee, O Saviour, the midnight song, and I fall down and cry unto Thee: grant me not to fall asleep in the death of sin, but have compassion on me, O Thou Who wast voluntarily crucified, and hasten to raise me who am prostrate in idleness, and save me in prayer and intercession, and after the night's sleep, bless me with a sinless day O Christ, our God, and save me.
Third Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep I hasten to Thee, O Lord, Lover of men, and by Thy loving-kindness I strive to do Thy work, and I pray to Thee: help me at all times, in everything, and deliver me from every evil thing of the world and every attack of the devil, and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, the Giver and Provider of everything good, and all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I send up glory, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O Lord, Who in Thy abundant goodness and Thy great compassion hast granted me, Thy servant, to pass the time of this night without the temptation of any opposing evil, Lord and Creator of all, by Thy true light and with an enlightened heart grant me to do Thy will, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Almighty Lord God, Who dost receive from Thy Heavenly Powers the thrice-holy hymn, receive also from me, Thy unworthy servant, this song of the night, and grant me every year of my life and at every hour to send up glory to Thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the Powers and of all flesh, Who livest in the highest and carest for the humble, Who searchest our hearts and affections, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; eternal and everliving Light, in Whom is no change nor shadow of variation; O Immortal King, receive our prayers which at the present time we offer to Thee from unclean lips, trusting in the multitude of Thy mercies. Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, consciously or unconsciously, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass the night of the whole present life with wakeful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the radiant day of the appearing of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory to render to each according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those keeping festival and the unspeakable delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy Face. For Thou art the true Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation sings to Thee throughout the ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Basil ihe Great
We bless Thee, O most high God and Lord of mercy, Who art ever doing numberless great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful; Who grantest to us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh.We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us with our sins, but hast loved us as ever, and though we are sunk in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify Thy power. Therefore we implore Thy incomparable goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able undistracted to sing and confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with Thy only-begotten Son, and Thy all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Midnight Song to the Most Holy Mother of God
I sing thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and pray to thee to grace my mind. Teach me to step right in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen me to keep awake in song and dispel the dream of despondency. Release me, bound with bonds of sin, O bride of God, by thy prayers. Guard me by night and also by day, and drive away my foes who defeat me. O Bearer of God, the Giver of Life, enliven me who am deadened by passions. O bearer of the unfailing Light, enlighten my blinded soul. O Marvellous Palace of the Master, make me a house of the Divine Spirit. O Mother of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul. Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life. Deliver me from eternal fire, from wicked war and from hell. Expose me guilty as I am of many sins. Renew me, grown old from senseless sins, O most Immaculate One. Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for me to the Lord of all. Grant me to receive the joys of Heaven with all the Saints. O most holy Virgin, hear the voice of thy unprofitable servant. Grant me torrents of tears, O most Pure One, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to Thee unceasingly. Strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the Angels, raise me above this world's confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly Tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O All-Immaculate One. Deliver me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede to Christ to Whom is due honour with adoration, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
My most merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Thy great love Thou didst come down and take flesh to save all. And again, O Saviour, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee, for if Thou shouldst save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty. Indeed, in Thy infinite compassion and unspeakable mercy, Thou O my Christ hast said: Whoever believes in Me shall live and never see death. If faith in Thee saves the desperate, save me, for Thou art my God and Creator. Impute my faith instead of deeds, O my God, for Thou wilt find no deeds which could justify me, but may my faith suffice for all my deeds. May it answer for and acquit me, and may it make me a partaker of Thy eternal glory. And may satan not seize me, O Word, and boast that he has torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ, my Saviour, whether I will or not, save me. Make haste, quick, quick, for I perish. Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Grant me, O Lord, to love Thee now as once I loved sin, and also to work for Thee without idleness, as I worked before for deceptive satan. But supremely shall I work for Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Guardian Angel of Human Life
O Holy Angel, interceding for my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor shrink from me for my intemperance. Give no place for the subtle demon to master me through the violence of my mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation. O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched body and soul, forgive me for all the insults I have given thee every day of my life, and for whatever sins I may have committed during the past night. Protect me during the present day, and guard me from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may strengthen me in His fear, and make me, His slave, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God
My most holy Lady, Mother of God, by thy holy and all-powerful prayers banish from me, thy humble, wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all impure, evil and blasphemous thoughts out of my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from my many cruel memories and deeds, and free me from all their bad effects; for blessed art thou by all generations, and glorified is thy most honorable name to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers to the Mother of God
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
Under thy tender compassion we run, O Mother of God, reject not our prayer in our trouble, but deliver us from harm, only pure, only blessed one.
Most glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer to thy Son and our God and pray that through thee He may save our souls.
Prayer for Intercession to the Angelic Hosts
O Heavenly Hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners.
Prayer for Intercession to all Saints
O glorious Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us sinners.
Prayerful Invocation to the Saint whose Name we bear
Pray for me Saint.... (name), for with fervour I come to thee, speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
The Troparion to the Cross
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over all enemies to Orthodox Christians and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
It is truly meet and right to bless thee, the Ever-Blessed and Most Pure Virgin and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who in virginity didst bear God the Word, thee, true Mother of God, we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
God be gracious to us and bless us, and shine Thy countenance upon us and have mercy upon us.
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
INTERCESSION Commemoration of the Living and Departed
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thy mercies and bounties which are from all eternity, and through which Thou didst become man and didst will to suffer crucifixion and death for the salvation of those who rightly believe in Thee, and having risen from the dead didst ascend into heaven, and sittest at the right hand of God the Father and regardest the humble entreaties of those who call upon Thee with all their heart: incline Thy ear, and hear the humble prayer of me, Thy worthless servant, as the fragrance of spiritual incense, which I offer to Thee for all people. And first remember Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which Thou hast provided through Thy Precious Blood. Confirm, strengthen, extend, and increase her, and keep her in peace, and for ever proof against the power of hell. Calm the dissensions of the Churches, and foil the plans of the powers of darkness, dispel the prejudice of the nations, and quickly ruin and root out the risings of heresy, and frustrate them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our president and all in authority throughout the world, commanders-in-chief of armies and navies and airfleets, governors of provinces and cities, and all the Christ-loving navies, armies and police; protect their power with peace, and subdue under their feet every enemy and foe, and speak peace and blessing in their hearts for Thy Holy Church, and for all Thy people, and grant that in their calm we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life in true belief, in all piety and honesty. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, the Priests and Deacons, and all who serve in the Church, and whom Thou hast ordained to feed Thy spiritual flock; and by their prayers, have mercy on me, a sinner. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our father (parish priest or abbot of monastery), with all his brethren in Christ, and by their prayers have mercy on me, wretch that I am. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my Spiritual Father (name) and by his prayers forgive me my sins. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all workers in this holy community, our brethren and all manual workers, and lay-workers, and farm labourers of this monastery, and all Christians. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my parents (names), my brothers and sisters and all my relatives, and the neighbours of my family, and friends - and grant them Thy worldly and spiritual goods. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy according to the multitude of Thy bounties, on all priests, monks and nuns, and on all living in virginity, devotion and fasting, in monasteries, in deserts, in caves, on mountains, on pillars, in hermitages, in the clefts of rocks, and right faith in every place of Thy dominion, and devoutly serving Thee, and praying to Thee. Lighten their burden, console them in their afflictions, and grant them strength, power and perseverance in their struggle, and by their prayers grant me remission of sins. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and destitute, the orphans and widows, the leper colonies, epileptics and spastics, and those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation, captives and exiles, in mines and prisons and reformatories, and especially on those of Thy servants suffering persecution for Thy sake and for the Orthodox Faith from godless peoples, apostates and heretics. Visit, strengthen, comfort, and heal them, and by Thy power quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors, who have mercy on us and feed us, and relieve us of anxiety by giving us alms, and entrust us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them; and give them Thy grace, and grant them all their requests which conduce to salvation, and the attainment of eternal joy. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the Fathers and Sisters, and our Brotherhood, and on all Orthodox Christians who are messengers and missionaries in Thy service, and are travelling. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have offended or scandalized by my madness or inadvertence, and whom I have turned from the way of salvation, and whom I have led into evil and harmful deeds. By Thy divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation. Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and do me harm, and let them not perish through me, a sinner. Bow.
Illumine with the light of grace all apostates from the Orthodox Faith, and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and draw them to Thyself, and unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. Bow.
For Those Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, those who have departed from this life, Orthodox kings and queens, princes and princesses, Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, Priests and Deacons and those who have served Thee in the Monastic State, and the laity of the Church, and the blessed founders of all Churches and monasteries, and grant them rest with the Saints in Thy eternal dwellings. Bow.
Prayer of Rememberance for Parents Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants who have departed in sleep, my parents (names), and all my relatives according to the flesh; forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary; grant them the Kingdom and a part in Thy eternal joys, and the delight of Thy blessed and everlasting life. Bow.
Prayer for Monastery Brotherhood
Remember, O Lord, also all Fathers and Sisters and members of our Brotherhood who have departed in sleep with the hope of resurrection and eternal life, and all Orthodox Christians who lie here and in all the world, and with Thy Saints give them repose where the light of Thy Face shines and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and the Lover of men. Amen. Bow.
At the end, say three times:
Grant, O Lord, remission of all sins to our Fathers, Brothers and Sisters departed in the faith and hope of resurrection, and grant them memory eternal.
PRAYERS DURING THE DAY
At the Commencement of Any Work.
Bless, O Lord. or:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of Thy Eternal Father, Thou hast said with Thy most holy lips: "Without Me, you can do nothing." My Lord and my God, in faith I embrace Thy words with my heart and soul, and bow before Thy goodness; help me, a sinner, to do in union with Thee this work which I am about to begin, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the Completion of Any Work.
Glory to Thee, O Lord.or:
Thou, O my Christ, art the sum and fullness of all that is good; fill my soul with joy and gladness, and save me, for Thou alone art all-merciful. Amen.
Before Lessons.
Most gracious Lord! Send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to grant us intelligence and strengthen the powers of our soul, that we may attend to the instruction given us, and grow up to glorify Thee, our Creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people.
After Lessons.
We thank Thee, our Creator, that Thou hast granted us Thy grace to attend to this instruction. Bless our parents and teachers who are leading us to knowledge of good, and grant us energy and strength to persevere in our studies.
Before Breakfast.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Names sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
After Breakfast
It is meet and right to bless thee, the ever-blessed and all-pure Virgin and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who in virginity didst bear God the Word, thee, true Mother of God, we magnify.
Before the Noon Meal.
Our Father . . .
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God . . . (See Prayers before Breakfast)
After the Noon Meal.
We thank Thee, 0 Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly gifts; deprive us not of Thy heavenly kingdom, but as Thou earnest among Thy disciples, O Saviour, and gavest them peace, come to us and save us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory . . . now . . .
Before the Evening Meal.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live for ever.
Glory . . . now . . .
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Christ God . . .
After the Evening Meal.
Glory . . . now . . .
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
God is with us by His grace and love for man, always, now and ever, and the ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYERS BEFORE SLEEP
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and of our holy and God-bearing fathers and of all the Saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the -ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on 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.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Troparia.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. For at a loss for any plea we sinners offer to Thee, our Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for our trust is in Thee. Be not very angry with us, remember not our sins; but even now regard us, in Thy tender compassion, and deliver us from our enemies. For Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy Hands, and we call on Thy Name.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Open the door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Mother of God, that we who put our hope in thee may not perish. Through thee, may we be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of Christian people.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Then the following prayers in order, with attention and compunction.
Prayer of St. Macarius the Great to God the Father
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Antioch to our Lord Jesus Christ
O All-Ruler, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Thou Who art perfect, never in Thy great mercy leave me, but ever abide in me, Thy servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not to the revolt of the serpent and leave me not to the will of satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. Lord, adorable God, Holy King, Jesus Christ, guard me asleep by the unwaning light, Thy Holy Spirit, by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of Thy Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of Thy Word. Enlighten my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in Thy humility. And rouse me in good time to glorify Thee, for Thou art supremely glorified, with Thy eternal Father, and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian to the Most Holy Spirit
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on Thy sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I humanly committed today, and not only humanly but even worse than a beast - my voluntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by Thy Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have got angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled my brother or quarrelled with him, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the attraction of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of my brother's sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember - for I have done all this and much more - have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on me Thy wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in Thy goodness and love for men, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify Thy most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
Prayer
O Lord, our God, in Thy goodness and love for men forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed or thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send Thy Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For Thou art the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose Name we invoke above every name, grant us preparing for sleep relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all temptations and dark pleasures. Stop the rushing of passions, and quench the burning of bodily tensions. Grant us to live chastely in word and act, that we may live a life of heroic virtue and not fall away from Thy promised blessings. For Thou art blessed for ever. Amen.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
(Supplicatory prayers corresponding to 24 hours of the day.)
Day
Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly joys. Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice and stony insensibility. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened. Lord, I being human have sinned, but Thou being the generous God, have mercy on me, knowing the sickness of my soul. Lord, send Thy grace to my help, that I may glorify Thy holy Name. Lord Jesus Christ, write me Thy servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a good end. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me by Thy grace to make a good start. Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace. Lord of heaven and earth remember me, Thy sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.
Night
O Lord, accept me in penitence. O Lord, leave me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me good thoughts. O Lord, grant me tears and remembrance of death and compunction. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. O Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of Thee in my heart. O Lord, grant me to love Thee with all my mind and soul, and always to do Thy will. O Lord, protect me from certain people, and demons, and passions, and from every other harmful thing. O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou actest as Thou wilt; may Thy will be also in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen.
Prayer
our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honourable Mother, Thy fleshless Angels, Thy Prophet and Forerunner and Baptizer, all the God-inspired Apostles, the radiant and victorious Martyrs, the holy and God-bearing Fathers, and by the prayers of all Saints, deliver me from the besetting presence of the devil. My Lord and Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should be converted and live, grant also conversion to me, wretched and unworthy, snatch me from the jaws of the pernicious serpent, who is ravening to devour me and drag me down to hell alive. My Lord, my Comfort, Who wast clothed in corruptible flesh for my miserable sake, deliver me from misery and grant comfort to my miserable soul. Implant in my heart to fulfil Thy commandments, and forsake my evil deeds, and to receive Thy joys. Save me, for I hope in Thee, O Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession to the Most Holy Mother of God
O good Mother of the good King, most pure and blessed Virgin Mary, pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God on my passionate soul and guide me in good works by thy prayers, that I may pass the rest of my life without defilement, and find paradise through thee, O Virgin Mother of God, who alone art pure and blessed.
Prayer of Intercession to the holy Guardian Angel
O Angel of Christ, my holy Guardian and Protector of my soul and body, forgive me all my sins of today. Deliver me from all the wiles of the enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest present me worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints. Amen.
(Here one says a prayer to one's Patron Saint.)
Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.
Most glorious, Ever-Virgin, blessed, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He may save our souls.
I put all my hope in thee, O Mother of God. Guard me under thy protection. O Virgin Mother of God, despise not me, a sinner, needing thy help and protection, and have mercy on me, for my soul hopes in thee.
Prayer
(Lucking the opportunity of asking pardon of each person.)
O God, absolve, remit, and pardon our voluntary and involuntary sins, in word and deed, known and unknown, by day and by night, in mind and thought; forgive us all, in Thy goodness and love for men.
Prayer of Intercession
O Lord, Lover of men, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good to those who do good. Grant our brothers and relatives their saving petitions and eternal life. Visit the sick and grant them healing. Guide those at sea. Travel with travellers. Struggle alongside the Orthodox. To those who serve and are kind to us, grant remission of sins. On those who have charged us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them, have mercy according to Thy great mercy. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen asleep, and grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shines. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches and grant them their saving petitions and eternal life. Remember also, O Lord, us Thy humble, sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of knowledge of Thyself, and guide us in the way of Thy commandments, by the prayers of our immaculate Lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Thy Saints, for Thou art blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Daily Confession of Sins
I confess to Thee, my Lord, God and Creator, to the One glorified and worshipped in Holy Trinity, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all my sins which I have committed all the days of my life, at every hour, in the present and in the past, day and night, in thought, word and deed; by gluttony, drunkenness, secret eating, idle talking, despondency, indolence, contradiction, neglect, aggressiveness, self love, hoarding, stealing, lying, dishonesty, curiosity, jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, and remembering wrongs, hatred, mercenariness; and by all my senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch; and all other sins, spiritual and bodily, through which I have angered Thee, 'my God and Creator, and caused injustice to my neighbours. Sorrowing for this, but determined to repent, I stand guilty before Thee, my God. Only help me, my Lord and God, I humbly pray Thee with tears. Forgive my past sins by Thy mercy, and absolve me from all I have confessed in Thy presence, for Thou art good and the Lover of men. Amen.
Prayer of St. John of Damascus.
(To be said pointing at the bed.)
O Lord, Lover of men, is this bed to be my coffin, or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Here the coffin lies before me, and here death confronts me. I fear, O Lord, Thy Judgment and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger Thee, and Thy immaculate Mother, and all the Heavenly Powers, and my holy Guardian Angel. I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love, but deserve condemnation and every torment. But, whether I want it or not, save me, O Lord. For to save a good man is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy of Thy mercy. But show the wonder of Thy mercy on me, a sinner. In this reveal Thy love for men, lest my wickedness prevail over Thy unutterable goodness and mercy. And order my life as Thou wilt.
(As sleep is the image of death, at night we pray for the departed.)
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
(When about to lie down in bed, say:)
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest I sleep in death, and lest my enemy say: I have prevailed over him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Be my soul's Defender, O God, for I step over many snares. Deliver me from them and save me, O Good One, in Thy love for men.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us not silently hymn the most glorious Mother of God, holiest of holy Angels, but confess her with heart and mouth to be the Mother of God, for she truly bore God incarnate for us, and prays without ceasing for our souls. Amen.
Kiss your cross, and make the sign of the Cross from head to foot of the bed and from two sides, and then say:
Prayer to the Venerable Cross
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on thee, Who went down to hell and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His venerable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.
(Just before getting into bed, say:)
Guard me, O Lord, by the power of Thy holy and life-giving Cross, and keep me from all evil.
(Just before yielding yourself up to sleep, say:)
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I surrender my spirit and body; bless me, save me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.
Before retiring (or if one prefers, before beginning prayers) go through all the points suggested below in your mind and memory.
1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed, and recall to memory: where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures, and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care your thoughts, words and deeds from morning till evening.
3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him. Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good things.
4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you, and promise Him firmly never to do this evil again.
5. Implore your Creator with tears to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night, and to enable you on the coming day to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it, and put a stone in its place for Christ's sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying: Some did not sleep at all.
Prayer for our enemies.
(Written by St. Nicolai of Zica, an Orthodox Bishop, while being imprisoned and tortured by the Nazis in a prison camp.)
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Enemies have driven me into Thy embrace more than friends have.
Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.
Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world.
Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath Thy tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty, they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life,they have demolished it and driven me out.
Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of Thy garment.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to Thee may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins: arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;
ah, so that I may for once be freed from self deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.
Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.
One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.
It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.
Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and my enemies.
A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand.
But a son blesses them, for he understands. For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life. Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.
Amen
THE ORDER FOR READING CANONS AND AKATHISTS WHEN ALONE
Before commencing any rule of prayer, and at its completion, the following reverences are made (prostrations or bows), called "The Seven Bow Beginning."
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (bow)
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (bow)
Having created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. (bow)
I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. (bow)
My sovereign, most holy Mother of God, save me, a sinner, (bow)
O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. (bow)
Holy Apostle (or martyr, or holy father Name) pray to God for me. (bow)
Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King... to Our Father... (See Morning Prayers)
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory... Now ...
O come, let us worship ...
Psalm 50.
The Symbol of Faith.
Then the Canons and Akathists are read as follows:
A) If one Canon or Akathist is to be read it is read straight through.
B) If more than one Canon is to be read, the first Song of the first Canon is read. If the Refrain before the final or last two Troparia is Glory... Now ... , it is replaced by the Refrain of the Canon and "Most Holy Mother of God, save us" (the latter comes before a Troparion to the Virgin). The first Song of the second Canon is read, beginning with the Refrain (the Eirmios of the first Canon only is read), etc. Glory... and Now... are used only as Refrains before the last two Troparia (or last Troparion) of the final Canon to be read. Then the third Song of the first Canon, beginning with the Eirmos, etc. After the third Song: Lord have mercy (3), Glory... Now... Sedalions. When there are more than one Canon, the Kontakion(s) of the second and any additional ones are read after the Sedalions. Glory... Now... is read before the final verses. Then Songs 4, 5 and 6 are read. After Song 6: Lord, have mercy. (3), Glory... Now ... Kontakion of the first Canon. Then Songs 7, 8 and 9 are read.
C) If an Akathist is read with the Canon (s), it is included after Song 6. All Kontakions of the Canon (s) are read after Song 3 in this case.
After Song 9:
It is meet and right... (See p. 36)
Trisagion to Our Father ...
Have mercy on us... and the rest of the Prayers Before Sleep.
If no other prayers are to be read, the closing is as follows:
It is meet and right...
Prayer(s) following the Canon (s).
Trisagion to Our Father...
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory... Now...
More Honourable than the Cherubim...
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Those who are preparing for Holy Communion are obliged to read three Canons and one Akathist the evening before. Usually read are the Canons to the Saviour, the Mother of God, and the Guardian Angel (in that order), and either an Akathist to the Saviour or to the Mother of God. Those who desire to carry out this evening rule of prayer daily receive great spiritual benefit from) doing so.
THE TALE OF THE FIVE PRAYERS
From the times of the Apostles, Christians of all ages, when entering upon a task, began it with prayer, and the end of it they also hallowed with prayerful thanksgiving to the Lord, in Whom we live and move and have our being. And let us do the same, beloved reader.
But not having the gift of effectual prayer, let us recall and commit to memory what once was offered to the Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of the inspired heart of the great Russian man of prayer, our father among the Saints, Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslav.
I am sure that for you, as for me, in offering to your attention "The Tale of The Five Prayers" the work of the great Bishop, it will be both welcome and useful, especially in the view of the wonderful promises which it contains. So hear this tale, my beloved reader.
You will not blame me for offering you in this Tale something new - it is not mine, and not new, but only fundamentally and completely forgotten, forgive me that I have disturbed the dust of ages: but this dust is holy ...
***
One of the holy fathers, standing in prayer and being in ecstasy, heard the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the Immaculate and Holy Mother of God, His Mother, saying to her: "Tell me, My Mother, which were the greatest of your sufferings, when you lived in the world, which you suffered for My sake?" The Immaculate One replied: "My Son and God, five times I have endured my greatest suffering for you: First, when I heard from the Prophet Simeon that you were to be killed; Second, when I looked for you in Jerusalem, and did not see you for three days; Third, when I heard that you were seized and bound by the Jews; Fourth, when I saw you on the Cross crucified between the robbers; Fifth, when I saw you placed in the Tomb." And the Lord said to her: "I tell you. My Mother, whoever reads every day each of your sufferings with My prayer, i.e. 'Our Father,' for the first suffering I will give the knowledge of his sins and sorrow for them; for the second, I will give the forgiveness of all his sins; for the third, I will restore to him the virtues lost through sin; for the fourth, I will refresh him at death with my Divine Body and Blood; for the fifth, I will appear to him Myself at his death, and receive his soul into eternal life. Amen."
***
After this vision of the Holy Father, the following prayers were added by St. Dimitri:
At the beginning of the five prayers:
"Glory to Thee, Christ my God, that Thou hast not destroyed me a sinner, with my sins, but even till now hast borne -with my sin."
Bow
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep me this day without sin. Grant, O Lord, that I may not anger Thee, my Creator, in thought, word or deed, but that all my actions, counsels and thoughts may be to the glory of Thy Holy Name."
Bow
"God be merciful to me, a sinner, throughout my whole life. In my passing and after death, forsake me not."
Bow
Falling low on the earth, say:
"Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, accept me, dead in mind and soul, accept me, a sinful prodigal, impure in soul and body. Take from me all shameless enmity and resistance, and turn not Thy Face from me, O Lord, nor say: I know not who thou art. But hear the voice of my prayer: save me, for Thou hast a wealth of compassion and desirest not the death of a sinner. I will never leave Thee nor depart from Thee, my Creator, till Thou hearest me and givest me forgiveness of all my sins, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, the intercession of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven, of my holy and glorious Guardian Angel, of Thy Forerunner and Prophet, the Baptist John, of the God-speaking Apostles, of the holy and victorious martyrs, of our Reverend and God-fearing fathers, and all Thy Saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner."
Heavenly King, Comforter,...
Holy God, Holy Mighty,...
Our Father...
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
First Prayer
"O merciful Mother, Virgin Mary, I thy sinful and unprofitable servant, remembering thy suffering on hearing from the Prophet Simeon of the merciless murder of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, offer thee this prayer and the Angelic Salutation. Accept it in honour and memory of thy suffering, and pray thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant me the knowledge of my sins and sorrow for them."
Bow
Second Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
"O Divinely-blessed and Immaculate Maiden, Mother and Virgin, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst lose thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple, and for three days didst not see Him. Pray and beg of Him the forgiveness and remission of all my sins, O only Blessed One."
Bow
Third Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
"O Mother of Light, most blessed Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering on hearing that thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, had been seized and bound. Pray Him to restore to me the virtues lost through sin, that I may magnify thee, O Most Pure One, for ever."
Bow
Fourth Prayer
Our Father ...
Virgin Mother ...
"O Fountain of Mercy, Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross between the robbers. Pray Him, O Lady, to grant me the gift of His mercy in the hour of my death, and to refresh me with His Divine Body and Blood, that I may glorify thee, my Defender, for ever."
Bow
Fifth Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother . ..
"O my Hope, Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, placed in the Tomb. Pray Him, O Lady, to appear to me in the hour of my death, and to receive my soul into eternal life. Amen."
Bow
An Orthodox Rosary
Although the Rosary is associated with Catholics, it is believed by some Orthodox to be originally an Orthodox form of prayer that fell out of common practice in the East, but was adopted by the West. Some trace it to the eighth century. One form of it comes from St. Seraphim of Sarov. There are 15 meditations, each accompanied by 10 Hail Mary's (Eastern version, as below), followed by the Lord's Prayer and the Jesus Prayer. The prayers given with the meditations below are those of St. Seraphim of Sarov, as reported by one of his spiritual sons.
For those who wish to give it an opening and a closing, as is done in the West, it can be begun with the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer, three Trisagions and a Glory Be. And can close with “It is truly meet to call thee blessed” in place of the “Salve Regina.” These have been incorporated below.
Opening
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father….
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have Mercy on Us. (3x)
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have Mercy on Us. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Meditation 1- The Birth of the Theotokos
(“Let us remember the birth of the Mother of God. Let us pray for mothers, fathers, and children.”)
(“Let us remember the birth of the Mother of God. Let us pray for mothers, fathers, and children.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 2- The Presentation of the Theotokos
(“Let us remember the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God. Let us pray for those who have lost their way and fallen away from the church.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 3- The Annunciation of the Lord's Birth
(“Let us remember the Annunciation of the Blessed Mother of God-let us pray for the soothing of sorrows and the consolation of those who grieve.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 4- The Meeting of the Theotokos and St. Elizabeth
(“Let us remember the meeting of the Blessed Virgin with the righteous Elizabeth. Let us pray for the reunion of the separated, for those whose dear ones or children are living away from them or missing.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 5- The Birth of the Lord
(“Let us remember the Birth of Christ. Let us pray for the rebirth of souls, for new life in Christ.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 6- The Prophecy of St. Simeon
(“Let us remember the Feast of the Purification of the Lord, and the words uttered by St. Simeon: Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also (Luke 2:35). Let us pray that the Mother of God will meet our souls at the hour of our death, and will contrive that we receive the Holy Sacrament with our last breath, and will lead our souls through the terrible torments.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 7- The Flight into Egypt
(“Let us remember the flight of the Mother of God with the God-Child into Egypt. Let us pray that the Mother of God will help us avoid temptation in this life and deliver us from misfortunes.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 8- The Boy-Christ among the Doctors
(“Let us remember the disappearance of the twelve-year old boy Jesus in Jerusalem and the sorrow of the Mother of God on this account. Let us pray, begging the Mother of God for the constant repetition of the Jesus Prayer.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 9- The Wedding of Cana
(“Let us remember-the miracle performed in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord turned water into wine at the words of the Mother of God: They have no wine (John 2:3). Let us ask the Mother of God for help in our affairs and deliverance from need.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 10- The Crucifixion of the Lord
(“Let us remember the Mother of God standing at the Cross of the Lord, when grief pierced through her heart like a sword. Let us pray to the Mother of God for the strengthening of our Souls and the banishment of despondency.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 11- The Resurrection of the Lord
(“Let us remember the Resurrection of Christ and ask the Mother of God in prayer to resurrect our souls and give us a new courage for spiritual feats.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 12- The Ascension of the Lord into Heaven
(“Let us remember the Ascension of Christ, at which the Mother of God was present. Let us pray and ask the Queen of Heaven to raise up our souls from earthly and worldly amusements and direct them to striving for higher things.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 13- Pentecost
(“Let us remember the Upper Room and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Mother of God. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (Psalm 51).”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 14- The Dormition of the Virgin Theotokos
(“Let us remember the Assumption of the Blessed Mother of God, and ask for a peaceful and serene end.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Meditation 15- The Crowning of the Theotokos by the Blessed Trinity
(“Let us remember the glory of the Mother of God, with which the Lord crowned her after her removal from earth to heaven. Let us pray to the Queen of Heaven not to abandon the faithful who are on earth but to defend them from every evil, covering them with her honoring and protecting veil.”)
Mother of God and Virgin, hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls. (10x)
Our Father…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Closing
It is truly meet to bless you,
O Theotokos,
ever-blessed and most pure,
and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim,
and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim,
without defilement you gave birth to God the Word.
True Theotokos we magnify you!
The Great Litany
To be said or sung, kneeling, standing, or in procession; before the Eucharist or after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer; or separately; especially in Lent and on Rogation days.
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us.
Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by thy mercy preserve us, for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightening and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and submission to the Law; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of thy Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
We sinners do beseech the to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church Universal in the right way,
We beesech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to send forth laborers into thy harvest, and to draw all mankind into thy kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive thy Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants, the President of the United States (or "of this nation"), and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which thou givest us to do with singleness of heart as thy servants, and for the common good,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labor or their travel,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with thy presence those who are failing and infirm,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all mankind,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to grant that, in the fellowship of [ N._____ and] all the saints, we may attain to thy heavenly kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Grant us thy peace.
O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
or
Kyrie Eleison.
Christe Eleison.
Kyrie Eleison.
O Lord, let thy mercy be showed upon us;
As we do put our trust in thee.
Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have asked faithfully according to thy will, may be obtained effectually, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.
Amen.
Collects and Prayer for all occasions
Most of the following collects were culled from the Book of Common Prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours
Of the Holy Trinity
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Holy Spirit
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Angels
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Incarnation
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for the Church
For the Church
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Growth
To be said or sung, kneeling, standing, or in procession; before the Eucharist or after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer; or separately; especially in Lent and on Rogation days.
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us.
Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by thy mercy preserve us, for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightening and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and submission to the Law; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of thy Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
We sinners do beseech the to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church Universal in the right way,
We beesech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to send forth laborers into thy harvest, and to draw all mankind into thy kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive thy Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants, the President of the United States (or "of this nation"), and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which thou givest us to do with singleness of heart as thy servants, and for the common good,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labor or their travel,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with thy presence those who are failing and infirm,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all mankind,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to grant that, in the fellowship of [ N._____ and] all the saints, we may attain to thy heavenly kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Grant us thy peace.
O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
or
Kyrie Eleison.
Christe Eleison.
Kyrie Eleison.
O Lord, let thy mercy be showed upon us;
As we do put our trust in thee.
Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have asked faithfully according to thy will, may be obtained effectually, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.
Amen.
Collects and Prayer for all occasions
Most of the following collects were culled from the Book of Common Prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours
Of the Holy Trinity
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Spirit
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Holy Spirit
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Of the Holy Angels
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Of the Incarnation
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for the Church
For the Church
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Unity of the Church
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Growth
Father, you cut down the unfruitful branch for burning and prune the fertile to make it bear more fruit. Make us grow like laden olive trees in your domain, firmly rooted in the power and mercy of your Son, so that you may gather from us fruit worthy of eternal life. Amen.
For Mercy on the Church
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Peace to the Church
Almighty God, who has knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech you, to your whole Church in paradise and on earth, your light and your peace. Amen.
Clergy and People
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace: and, that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For those to be ordained
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the choice of fit persons for the ministry
O God, you led your holy Apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Monastic Orders and Vocations
O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that by their prayer and service they may enrich your Church, and by their life and worship may glorify your Name; for you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Church Musicians and Artists
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all Baptized Christians
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For all Christians in their vocation
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of you holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Diocese
O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishops(s) _____ [and _____ ], and other clergy, and all the people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sacred Scriptures
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for Missions
1. Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before your for all members of you holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
4. Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
5. O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and mean and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
7. Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
8. Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
9. Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
10. Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11. Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
12. Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayers for Humanity
For All Sorts and Conditions of Men
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Future of the Human Race
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all people may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers for Family and Personal Life
For Families
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who sets the solitary in families: we commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a husband and wife
Almighty God, giver of life and love, bless _____ and _____. Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. And so knit their wills together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may live together in love and peace all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Care of Children
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Aged
Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Young Persons
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those Who Live Alone
Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Absent
O God, whose fatherly care reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth: we humbly ask you graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to you, may be bound together by your love in the communion of your Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Travelers
O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel [in particular _____ ]; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those We Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Social Order
For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Social Justice
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communitius and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Social Service
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Agriculture
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits for the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Education
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For Schools and Colleges
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities [and especially ______ ], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Good Use of Leisure
O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our body and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Cities
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Towns and Rural Areas
Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas [especially _____ ]; and grant that all the people of this nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.
For Commerce and Industry
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Poor and the Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Oppressed
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Victims of Addiction
O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.
For Prisons and Correctional Institutions
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit the jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.
Prayers for the Natural Order
For Joy in God's Creation
O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Knowledge of God's Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For the Conservation of Natural Resources
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Harvest of Lands and Waters
O gracious Father, who opens your hand and fills all things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let your Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show your loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what you give, that men and women everywhere may give you thanks; through Christ the Lord. Amen.
For fruitful seasons
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: we humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For stewardship of creation
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Rain
O God, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Right Use of God's Gifts
Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for National Life
For our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Liberty
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Book Antiqua of the United States and all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Lord, whose glory is in all the world: we commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the Book Antiqua of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
For Congress or a State Legislature
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: we beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled (or in the Legislature of this State, or Commonwealth), that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Courts of Justice
Almighty God, who sits on the throne judging right: we humbly beseech you to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give to them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of you alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Local Government
Almighty God our heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this State (Commonwealth, City, County, Town, _______) the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (*or* of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience
O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, the merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Help In Time Of Need
For Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Peace
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I give to you; my peace I leave with you": Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
For Peace
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Peace
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Faith
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Love
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
For Faith, Hope and Love
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: we humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Grace
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that, running to obtain your promises, we may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Mercy
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Perseverance
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Strength
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Strength
Almighty God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, grant us to be strengthened with might by his Holy Spirit, that, Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.
For Courage
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Trust in Jesus
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of this redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Trust in God
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Mind of Christ
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Love of Heavenly Things
Grant, Lord, that we not to be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Love of Heavenly Things
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For True Repentance
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us a new and contrite heart, that worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For True Religion
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Backslidden
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Knowledge of God
Almighty god, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son the Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Right Thinking
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
To Do God's Will
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Readiness
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For God's Blessing
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Holy Name
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Freedom from Fear
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our cares on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested in your Son Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Vocation in Daily Work
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Freedom from Sin
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son the Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Protection
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in our supplications and prayers, and dispose us towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Protection
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that, being ready both in mind and body, we may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Protection
Almighty God, you know that we have no power to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Gifts from God
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son's Name: we beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to your will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessities, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that we may know and understand what things we ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Recommitment
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in your servants the covenant you made with us at our Baptism. Send us forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before us; through Jesus Christ your Son oure Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me, I pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Worthiness
Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Discipleship
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Personal Ministry
O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
For Specific Occasions
At Baptism
Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you turned us from the old life of sin: Grant that we, being reborn to new life in him, may live in righteousness and holiness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At Confirmation
Grant, Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, may be renewed in your Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At a Wedding
O gracious and everliving God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For a Birthday
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant _____ as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Birthday
Watch over your child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Child Not Yet Baptized
O eternal God, you have promised to be a father to a thousand generations of those who love and fear you: Bless this child and preserve his life; receive him and enable him to receive you, that through the Sacrament of Baptism he may become the child of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Child Already Baptized
Into your hands, O God, we place your child _____. Support him in his successes and in his failures, in his joys and in his sorrows. As he grows in age, may he grow in grace, and in the knowledge of his Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
At the Consecration of a Church
Almighty God, we thank you for making us in your image, to share in the ordering of your world. Receive the work of our hands in this place, now to be set apart for your worship, the building up of the living, and the remembrance of the dead, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
On the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church
Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the dedication of this house of prayer: we give you thanks for the fellowship of those who have worshipped in this place, and we pray that all who seek you here may find you, and be filled with your joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For a Church Convention
Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and other clergy and the laity here (or now, or soon to be) assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For a Church Convention or Meeting
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel [in ____.] for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Election of a Bishop or other Minister
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese (or, rector for this parish), that they may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those About to be Baptized or to Renew their Baptismal Covenant
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Labor Day
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Before Worship
O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ the Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion (Prayer of Humble Access)
We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion
Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
After Receiving Communion
God our Father, whose Son the Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
After Communion
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
After Receiving Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament has left to us a memorial of your passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of your redemption; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
After Worship
Grant, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through your grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Daily Devotions
Morning
1. O Lord, heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with your mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that , being ordered by your governance, we may do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2. O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Noonday
1. Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
2. Almighty Savior, who at noonday called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: Illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Evening
1. O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: Thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and grant us your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.
3. Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen.
4. Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
5.O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Before Retiring (Compline)
1. Lighten our darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snare of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
5. O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
For Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by your death did take away the sting of death: Grant to your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you, and wake up to your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
For Saturdays
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon all who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship tomorrow may give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Saturday Evening
Thank you, O God, for revealing your Son Jesus Christ to us by the light of his resurrection: Grant that as we sing your glory at the close of this day, our joy may abound in the morning as we celebrate the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Sundays
O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Sunday Morning
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Sunday Evening
Lord God, whose Son the Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared a place for us in the new Jerusalem: Grant that, as we have given thanks this day for his resurrection, we may praise you in that City of which he is the light; and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Grace at Meals
Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all your mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bless, O Lord, your gifts to our use and us to your service; for Christ's sake. Amen.
Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us food to sustain our life and make our hearts glad; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For these and all his mercies, God's holy Name be blessed and praised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Sick
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those (or N._____ , ) for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: we humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servant N._____ for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of your mercy; comfort him with a sense of your goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In your good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that he may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Recovery from Sickness
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant _____ the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant N._____ , that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Child
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child N._____ , and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: we commend to your loving care this child N._____ Relieve his pain, guard him from all danger, restore to him your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for you dear Name's sake. Amen.
Before an Operation
Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant _____ in his suffering, and bless the means made use of for his cure. Fill his heart with confidence that, though at times he may be afraid, he yet may put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Strengthen your servant _____ , O God, to do what he has to do and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength and Confidence
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant _____ , and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sanctification of Illness
Sanctify, O Lord, the sickness of your servant _____ , that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith and seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may live with you in everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Doctors and Nurses
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving for a Beginning of Recovery
O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: we give you thanks for giving our brother (sister) _____ both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him, we pray, the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life and conduct that he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for a Person near Death
Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Blessings for the Sick Person
The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for use by a Sick Person
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
In Pain
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father's will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, the Lord and my God. Amen.
For Sleep
O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
At Time Of Death
For the Departed
Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant N. _____ ; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant N. _____ Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven proclaimed, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord": Multiply the manifold blessings of your love, to those who rest in Jesus , that the good work which you began in them may be made perfect in the day of Jesus Christ. And of your mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve you on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend your servant N._____ , our dear brother (sister), as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merciful Savior, beseeching you that he may be precious in your sight. Wash him, we pray you, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that, whatsoever defilements he may have contracted in the midst of this earthly life being purged and done away, he may be presented pure and without spot before you; through the merits of Jesus Christ your only Son the Lord. Amen.
Remember your servant, O Lord, according to the favor which you bear to your people; and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: we give you thanks for all your servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them your mercy and the light of your presence; and give us such a lively sense of your righteous will, that the work which you have begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ your Son the Lord. Amen.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we beseech you, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered to our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with you our God; and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the King of saints, we praise and magnify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all other your righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we beseech you that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death, between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead, to your holy Church peace and concord, and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray you, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Burial of an Adult
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant N. _____ , being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant N. _____ , and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day my brother (sister) N. _____. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Burial of a Child
O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust N._____ to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with N. _____ and N. _____ in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we pray, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered to our ancestors, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the Catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a religious and holy hope, in favor with you, our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For The Bereaved
O merciful Father, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy, nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon him, and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
Merciful God, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life: Raise us, we humbly pray, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; that when we depart this life we may rest in him, and at the resurrection receive that blessing which your Ill-beloved Son shall then pronounce: "Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world." Grant this, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Everliving God, strengthen and sustain N. _____ , that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Always
Holy Spirit, open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts, that we may grow closer to you through joy and through suffering. Be with us in the fullness of your power as new members are added to your household, as we grow in grace through the years, when we are joined in marriage, when we turn to you in sickness or special need, and, at the last, when we are committed into the Father's hands.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
For Mercy on the Church
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Peace to the Church
Almighty God, who has knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech you, to your whole Church in paradise and on earth, your light and your peace. Amen.
Clergy and People
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace: and, that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For those to be ordained
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the choice of fit persons for the ministry
O God, you led your holy Apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Monastic Orders and Vocations
O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that by their prayer and service they may enrich your Church, and by their life and worship may glorify your Name; for you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Church Musicians and Artists
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For all Baptized Christians
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For all Christians in their vocation
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of you holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Diocese
O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishops(s) _____ [and _____ ], and other clergy, and all the people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sacred Scriptures
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for Missions
1. Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before your for all members of you holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
4. Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
5. O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and mean and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
7. Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
8. Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
9. Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
10. Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11. Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
12. Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayers for Humanity
For All Sorts and Conditions of Men
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Future of the Human Race
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all people may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers for Family and Personal Life
For Families
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who sets the solitary in families: we commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a husband and wife
Almighty God, giver of life and love, bless _____ and _____. Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. And so knit their wills together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may live together in love and peace all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Care of Children
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Aged
Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Young Persons
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those Who Live Alone
Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Absent
O God, whose fatherly care reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth: we humbly ask you graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to you, may be bound together by your love in the communion of your Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Travelers
O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel [in particular _____ ]; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those We Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Social Order
For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Social Justice
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communitius and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Social Service
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Agriculture
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits for the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Education
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For Schools and Colleges
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities [and especially ______ ], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Good Use of Leisure
O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our body and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Cities
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Towns and Rural Areas
Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas [especially _____ ]; and grant that all the people of this nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.
For Commerce and Industry
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Poor and the Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Oppressed
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Victims of Addiction
O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.
For Prisons and Correctional Institutions
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit the jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.
Prayers for the Natural Order
For Joy in God's Creation
O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Knowledge of God's Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For the Conservation of Natural Resources
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Harvest of Lands and Waters
O gracious Father, who opens your hand and fills all things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let your Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show your loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what you give, that men and women everywhere may give you thanks; through Christ the Lord. Amen.
For fruitful seasons
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: we humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For stewardship of creation
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Rain
O God, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Right Use of God's Gifts
Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for National Life
For our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Liberty
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Book Antiqua of the United States and all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Lord, whose glory is in all the world: we commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the Book Antiqua of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
For Congress or a State Legislature
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: we beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled (or in the Legislature of this State, or Commonwealth), that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Courts of Justice
Almighty God, who sits on the throne judging right: we humbly beseech you to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give to them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of you alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Local Government
Almighty God our heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this State (Commonwealth, City, County, Town, _______) the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (*or* of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience
O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, the merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Help In Time Of Need
For Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Peace
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I give to you; my peace I leave with you": Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly city, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
For Peace
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Peace
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Faith
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Love
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
For Faith, Hope and Love
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: we humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Grace
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that, running to obtain your promises, we may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Grace
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Mercy
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Perseverance
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Strength
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Strength
Almighty God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, grant us to be strengthened with might by his Holy Spirit, that, Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.
For Courage
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Trust in Jesus
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of this redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Trust in God
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Mind of Christ
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Love of Heavenly Things
Grant, Lord, that we not to be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Love of Heavenly Things
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For True Repentance
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us a new and contrite heart, that worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For True Religion
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Backslidden
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Knowledge of God
Almighty god, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son the Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Right Thinking
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
To Do God's Will
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Readiness
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For God's Blessing
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Holy Name
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Freedom from Fear
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our cares on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested in your Son Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Vocation in Daily Work
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Freedom from Sin
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son the Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Protection
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in our supplications and prayers, and dispose us towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Protection
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that, being ready both in mind and body, we may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Protection
Almighty God, you know that we have no power to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Gifts from God
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son's Name: we beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to your will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessities, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Answering of Prayer
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that we may know and understand what things we ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Recommitment
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in your servants the covenant you made with us at our Baptism. Send us forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before us; through Jesus Christ your Son oure Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me, I pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Worthiness
Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Discipleship
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Personal Ministry
O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
For Specific Occasions
At Baptism
Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, you turned us from the old life of sin: Grant that we, being reborn to new life in him, may live in righteousness and holiness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At Confirmation
Grant, Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, may be renewed in your Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At a Wedding
O gracious and everliving God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For a Birthday
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant _____ as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Birthday
Watch over your child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Child Not Yet Baptized
O eternal God, you have promised to be a father to a thousand generations of those who love and fear you: Bless this child and preserve his life; receive him and enable him to receive you, that through the Sacrament of Baptism he may become the child of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Child Already Baptized
Into your hands, O God, we place your child _____. Support him in his successes and in his failures, in his joys and in his sorrows. As he grows in age, may he grow in grace, and in the knowledge of his Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
At the Consecration of a Church
Almighty God, we thank you for making us in your image, to share in the ordering of your world. Receive the work of our hands in this place, now to be set apart for your worship, the building up of the living, and the remembrance of the dead, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
On the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church
Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the dedication of this house of prayer: we give you thanks for the fellowship of those who have worshipped in this place, and we pray that all who seek you here may find you, and be filled with your joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For a Church Convention
Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and other clergy and the laity here (or now, or soon to be) assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For a Church Convention or Meeting
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel [in ____.] for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Election of a Bishop or other Minister
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese (or, rector for this parish), that they may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those About to be Baptized or to Renew their Baptismal Covenant
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Labor Day
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Before Worship
O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ the Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion (Prayer of Humble Access)
We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Before Receiving Communion
Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
After Receiving Communion
God our Father, whose Son the Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
After Communion
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
After Receiving Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament has left to us a memorial of your passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of your redemption; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
After Worship
Grant, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through your grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Daily Devotions
Morning
1. O Lord, heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with your mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that , being ordered by your governance, we may do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2. O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Noonday
1. Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
2. Almighty Savior, who at noonday called your servant Saint Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles: Illumine the world with the radiance of your glory, that all nations may come and worship you; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Evening
1. O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: Thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and grant us your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.
3. Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen.
4. Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
5.O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Before Retiring (Compline)
1. Lighten our darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snare of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
5. O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
For Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by your death did take away the sting of death: Grant to your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you, and wake up to your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
For Saturdays
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon all who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship tomorrow may give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Saturday Evening
Thank you, O God, for revealing your Son Jesus Christ to us by the light of his resurrection: Grant that as we sing your glory at the close of this day, our joy may abound in the morning as we celebrate the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Sundays
O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
For Sunday Morning
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Sunday Evening
Lord God, whose Son the Savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death and prepared a place for us in the new Jerusalem: Grant that, as we have given thanks this day for his resurrection, we may praise you in that City of which he is the light; and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Grace at Meals
Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all your mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bless, O Lord, your gifts to our use and us to your service; for Christ's sake. Amen.
Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us food to sustain our life and make our hearts glad; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For these and all his mercies, God's holy Name be blessed and praised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Sick
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those (or N._____ , ) for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: we humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servant N._____ for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of your mercy; comfort him with a sense of your goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In your good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that he may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Recovery from Sickness
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant _____ the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant N._____ , that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Child
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child N._____ , and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: we commend to your loving care this child N._____ Relieve his pain, guard him from all danger, restore to him your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for you dear Name's sake. Amen.
Before an Operation
Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant _____ in his suffering, and bless the means made use of for his cure. Fill his heart with confidence that, though at times he may be afraid, he yet may put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Strengthen your servant _____ , O God, to do what he has to do and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength and Confidence
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant _____ , and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sanctification of Illness
Sanctify, O Lord, the sickness of your servant _____ , that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith and seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may live with you in everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Doctors and Nurses
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving for a Beginning of Recovery
O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: we give you thanks for giving our brother (sister) _____ both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him, we pray, the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life and conduct that he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for a Person near Death
Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Blessings for the Sick Person
The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for use by a Sick Person
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
In Pain
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father's will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, the Lord and my God. Amen.
For Sleep
O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
At Time Of Death
For the Departed
Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant N. _____ ; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant N. _____ Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven proclaimed, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord": Multiply the manifold blessings of your love, to those who rest in Jesus , that the good work which you began in them may be made perfect in the day of Jesus Christ. And of your mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve you on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend your servant N._____ , our dear brother (sister), as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merciful Savior, beseeching you that he may be precious in your sight. Wash him, we pray you, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that, whatsoever defilements he may have contracted in the midst of this earthly life being purged and done away, he may be presented pure and without spot before you; through the merits of Jesus Christ your only Son the Lord. Amen.
Remember your servant, O Lord, according to the favor which you bear to your people; and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: we give you thanks for all your servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them your mercy and the light of your presence; and give us such a lively sense of your righteous will, that the work which you have begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ your Son the Lord. Amen.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we beseech you, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered to our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with you our God; and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the King of saints, we praise and magnify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all other your righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we beseech you that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death, between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead, to your holy Church peace and concord, and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray you, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Burial of an Adult
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant N. _____ , being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant N. _____ , and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day my brother (sister) N. _____. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Burial of a Child
O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust N._____ to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with N. _____ and N. _____ in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we pray, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served you in our generation, we may be gathered to our ancestors, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the Catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a religious and holy hope, in favor with you, our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For The Bereaved
O merciful Father, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy, nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon him, and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
Merciful God, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life: Raise us, we humbly pray, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; that when we depart this life we may rest in him, and at the resurrection receive that blessing which your Ill-beloved Son shall then pronounce: "Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world." Grant this, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Everliving God, strengthen and sustain N. _____ , that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Always
Holy Spirit, open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts, that we may grow closer to you through joy and through suffering. Be with us in the fullness of your power as new members are added to your household, as we grow in grace through the years, when we are joined in marriage, when we turn to you in sickness or special need, and, at the last, when we are committed into the Father's hands.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE NINE ODES
THE FIRST ODE
An Ode of Moses in the Exodus. (Exodus 15: 119)
When he had altogether drowned Pharaoh in the deep, Moses said, Let us sing unto the Lord, for He is gloriously glorified.
When he had altogether drowned Pharaoh in the deep, Moses said, Let us sing unto the Lord, for He is gloriously glorified.
Let us sing unto the Lord, for He is gloriously glorified; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.
He was to me a helper and protector for salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
The Lord breaking wars; LORD is His name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his hosts hath He cast into the sea; the chosen mounted captains hath He plunged into the Red Sea.
He covered them with the sea; they sank into the depths as a stone.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy; and in the abundance of Thy glory hast Thou crushed the adversaries.
Thou sentest forth Thy wrath; it consumed them as stubble.
And through the breath of Thine anger the waters parted asunder; the waters were congealed as a wall, the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea.
He was to me a helper and protector for salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
The Lord breaking wars; LORD is His name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his hosts hath He cast into the sea; the chosen mounted captains hath He plunged into the Red Sea.
He covered them with the sea; they sank into the depths as a stone.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy; and in the abundance of Thy glory hast Thou crushed the adversaries.
Thou sentest forth Thy wrath; it consumed them as stubble.
And through the breath of Thine anger the waters parted asunder; the waters were congealed as a wall, the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea.
For 14 verses
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, I will satisfy my soul, I will destroy with my sword; my right hand shall have the dominion.
Thou sentest forth Thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty water.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, I will satisfy my soul, I will destroy with my sword; my right hand shall have the dominion.
Thou sentest forth Thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty water.
For 12 verses
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, marvellous in glories, doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand; the earth swallowed them.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, marvellous in glories, doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand; the earth swallowed them.
For 10 verses
Thou in Thy righteousness hast guided this Thy people which Thou hast redeemed; Thou calledst them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
The nations heard, and were angry; pangs took hold upon the inhabitants of Philistia.
Thou in Thy righteousness hast guided this Thy people which Thou hast redeemed; Thou calledst them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
The nations heard, and were angry; pangs took hold upon the inhabitants of Philistia.
For 8 verses
Then the princes of Edom made haste, the princes also of the Moabites; trembling took hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.
Let fear and trembling fall upon them; by the greatness of Thine arm let them become as stone,
Then the princes of Edom made haste, the princes also of the Moabites; trembling took hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.
Let fear and trembling fall upon them; by the greatness of Thine arm let them become as stone,
For 6 verses
Till Thy people pass over, O Lord; till they pass over, this people, which Thou hast purchased.
Bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance; in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary which Thy hands have prepared.
Till Thy people pass over, O Lord; till they pass over, this people, which Thou hast purchased.
Bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance; in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary which Thy hands have prepared.
For 4 verses
The Lord reigneth for ever and ever.
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry ground in the midst of the sea.
The Lord reigneth for ever and ever.
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry ground in the midst of the sea.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE SECOND ODE
It should be noted that the Second Ode is never chanted, except only in Great Lent, during which on Tuesday only it is chanted to the end. And for each of the troparia of the Second Ode of the Canon we say, Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
An Ode of Moses in the Deuteronomy. (Deut. 32: 143)
After the Law had been written, again an Ode of Moses.
After the Law had been written, again an Ode of Moses.
Attend, O ye heaven, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
Let my teaching be looked for as the rain, and let my words come down as the dew, as a shower upon the grass, and as the snow upon the green herb.
For I have called upon the name of the Lord. Ascribe ye majesty unto our God.
As for our God, His works are true, and all His ways are judgment.
God is faithful, and there is no unrighteousness in Him; just and holy is the Lord.
Have not children that are blameworthy sinned against Him? O perverse and crooked generation, do ye thus requite the Lord?
This is a foolish people, and unwise; did not He Himself thy Father take thee for His own, and make thee, and fashion thee?
Remember the days of old, consider the years of generations and generations.
Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thine elders, and they will tell thee.
When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God.
And Jacob His people became the Lord's portion; Israel was the lot of His inheritance.
He satisfied him in the wilderness, in burning thirst, and in a waterless land. He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.
As an eagle watcheth over his nest, and yearneth over his young, and spreading abroad his wings, receiveth them, and taketh them up upon his back;
So the Lord alone did lead them, and there was no strange God with them.
He brought them up on the strength of the land; He fed them with the increase of the fields.
He suckled them with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the solid rock,
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs and rams, of calves and kids, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and they drank wine, the blood of the grape.
So Jacob ate, and was filled; and the beloved one kicked, he waxed fat, he grew thick and broad; then he forsook God Which made him, and departed from God his Saviour.
They provoked Me to anger with strange gods, and embittered Me with their abominations.
They sacrificed unto demons, not to God; to gods whom they knew not; to new gods recently arisen, whom their fathers knew not.
Thou hast forsaken God that begat thee, and hast forgotten God that feedeth thee.
And the Lord saw, and was jealous; and was provoked to wrath by His sons and daughters.
And He said, I will turn away My face from them, and I will shew what will come upon them in the latter days; for it is a perverse generation, sons in whom there is no faith.
They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not God, they have provoked Me to anger with their idols; and I will move them to jealousy with that which is not a nation; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell; it shall consume the land, with its increase; it shall set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
I will heap evils upon them, I will perfect Mine arrows against them.
They shall consume away in famine, and the devouring of birds; the bending down of their backs shall be irremediable; I will send forth the teeth of beasts upon them, with the rage of creeping things upon the ground.
The sword without shall bereave them of children, and fear shall issue out of their inner chambers. The young man shall perish with the maiden, the suckling with him that hath waxed old.
I said, I would scatter them, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men,
Were it not for the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries live long, and join against them; lest they say, Our own high hand, and not the Lord, hath done all this.
For it is a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them; they have not the wit to understand all this.
Let them admit this in a time that is to come,
How shall one chase a thousand, and two put tens of thousands to flight, except that God yielded them up, and the Lord surrendered them?
For their gods are not as our God; and our enemies are void of understanding.
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and their vine branch of Gomorrha; their grape is a grape of gall; their cluster is one of bitterness to them.
Their wine is the rage of serpents, and the incurable rage of asps.
Lo, is not all this laid up in store with Me, and sealed up among My treasures?
In the day of vengeance will I recompense, whensoever their foot shall stumble, for the day of their calamity is at hand. And the things prepared for you are close at hand.
For the Lord shall judge His people, and be entreated concerning His servants.
For He saw that they were palsied, and had failed in their invasion, and that they were become feeble.
And the Lord said, Where are their gods, in whom they trusted?
The fat of whose sacrifices ye ate, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you, and be your protectors.
Behold now, behold, I am, and there is no God with Me. I will kill, and make alive; I will smite, and I will heal; neither is there any that shall deliver out of My hands.
For I will lift up My hand unto heaven, and swear by My right hand; and I will say, I live for ever.
For I will whet My sword like lightning, and Mine hand shall take hold on judgment; I will render judgment to My enemies, and will repay them that hate Me.
I will make Mine arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall devour flesh, even the blood of the wounded, and of the captivity, from the heads of the princes of the enemy.
Be glad with Him, O ye heavens, and let all the angels of God worship Him.
Be glad, O ye nations, with His people, and let all the sons of God be strengthened in him; for He will avenge the blood of His sons, and will render judgment and vengeance upon His enemies; and He will reward them that hate Him; and the Lord shall purge the land of His people.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE THIRD ODE
A prayer of Hannah, the mother of Samuel the Prophet. (1 Kings 2: 110)
The barren one wonderfully beareth a son and praiseth God, Holy art Thou, O Lord, and my spirit praiseth Thee.
A prayer of Hannah, the mother of Samuel the Prophet. (1 Kings 2: 110)
The barren one wonderfully beareth a son and praiseth God, Holy art Thou, O Lord, and my spirit praiseth Thee.
My heart is established in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in my God, my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; I am glad in Thy salvation.
For there is none holy as the Lord, for there is none righteous as our God, and there is none holy beside Thee.
Boast not, and utter not proud things, let not arrogant talk come out of your mouth.
For there is none holy as the Lord, for there is none righteous as our God, and there is none holy beside Thee.
Boast not, and utter not proud things, let not arrogant talk come out of your mouth.
For fourteen verses
For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and a God that prepareth His own ways.
The bow of the mighty hath waxed feeble, and the weak have girded themselves with strength.
For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and a God that prepareth His own ways.
The bow of the mighty hath waxed feeble, and the weak have girded themselves with strength.
For twelve verses
They that were full of bread have sunk to lowliness, and the hungry have forsaken the land; for the barren hath borne seven, and she that had many children is waxen feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; He bringeth down to hell, and bringeth up.
They that were full of bread have sunk to lowliness, and the hungry have forsaken the land; for the barren hath borne seven, and she that had many children is waxen feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; He bringeth down to hell, and bringeth up.
For ten verses
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich; He bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the needy from the earth, and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill, to seat him with the mighty of the people; and He maketh him inherit the throne of glory.
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich; He bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the needy from the earth, and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill, to seat him with the mighty of the people; and He maketh him inherit the throne of glory.
For eight verses
He granteth his petition unto him that prayeth, and hath blessed the years of the righteous.
For the mighty man shall not be strong in his own strength; the Lord shall weaken his adversary; the Lord is holy.
He granteth his petition unto him that prayeth, and hath blessed the years of the righteous.
For the mighty man shall not be strong in his own strength; the Lord shall weaken his adversary; the Lord is holy.
For six verses
Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches.
But him that boasteth, let him make his boast in this: that he hath understanding, and knoweth the Lord; and that He worketh judgment and righteousness in the midst of the earth.
Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches.
But him that boasteth, let him make his boast in this: that he hath understanding, and knoweth the Lord; and that He worketh judgment and righteousness in the midst of the earth.
For four verses
The Lord hath gone up into the heavens, and hath
thundered; He shall judge the ends of the earth, for He is righteous.
And He shall give strength unto our kings, and exalt the horn of His anointed.
thundered; He shall judge the ends of the earth, for He is righteous.
And He shall give strength unto our kings, and exalt the horn of His anointed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE FOURTH ODE
A prayer of Habbakuk the Prophet. (Hab. 3: 219)
Declare, O Habbakuk, the Word's kenosis. Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
O Lord, I have heard Thy report, and was afraid; O Lord, I considered Thy works, and was amazed.
Between the two living creatures shalt Thou be known; when the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth; when my soul is troubled, in Thine anger shalt Thou remember mercy.
God shall come from Teman, and the Holy One from the shady and densely wooded mount.
His virtue hath covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.
And His brightness shall be as the light; horns are in His hands, and He hath established a mighty love of His strength.
Before His face shall the Word proceed, and He shall go forth for instruction at His feet.
He stood, and the earth was moved; He beheld, and the nations melted away.
The mountains were burst asunder violently, the everlasting hills melted away at His eternal going forth.
I looked upon the tents of the Ethiopians because of troubles; the tabernacles also of the land of Midian were dismayed.
Wast Thou angry, O Lord, with the rivers; or was Thy wrath against the rivers, or Thine attack against the sea? For Thou wilt mount upon Thine horses, and Thy chariots are salvation.
Thou shalt bend thy bow, thou shalt bend it against sceptres; the land of rivers shall be rent asunder, saith the Lord.
They shall see Thee, and the nations shall be in travail, while Thou scatterest the courses of the waters; the deep uttered her voice, and lifted up the height of her form on high.
The sun was lifted up, and the moon stood still in her course; at the light Thy darts shall go forth, at the brightness of the gleaming of Thy weapons.
Between the two living creatures shalt Thou be known; when the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth; when my soul is troubled, in Thine anger shalt Thou remember mercy.
God shall come from Teman, and the Holy One from the shady and densely wooded mount.
His virtue hath covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.
And His brightness shall be as the light; horns are in His hands, and He hath established a mighty love of His strength.
Before His face shall the Word proceed, and He shall go forth for instruction at His feet.
He stood, and the earth was moved; He beheld, and the nations melted away.
The mountains were burst asunder violently, the everlasting hills melted away at His eternal going forth.
I looked upon the tents of the Ethiopians because of troubles; the tabernacles also of the land of Midian were dismayed.
Wast Thou angry, O Lord, with the rivers; or was Thy wrath against the rivers, or Thine attack against the sea? For Thou wilt mount upon Thine horses, and Thy chariots are salvation.
Thou shalt bend thy bow, thou shalt bend it against sceptres; the land of rivers shall be rent asunder, saith the Lord.
They shall see Thee, and the nations shall be in travail, while Thou scatterest the courses of the waters; the deep uttered her voice, and lifted up the height of her form on high.
The sun was lifted up, and the moon stood still in her course; at the light Thy darts shall go forth, at the brightness of the gleaming of Thy weapons.
For fourteen verses
With threatening shalt Thou bring low the earth, and in anger shalt Thou break down the nations.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, Thou art come to save Thine anointed ones. Thou didst bring death upon the heads of the transgressors, Thou didst bring bands upon their neck.
With threatening shalt Thou bring low the earth, and in anger shalt Thou break down the nations.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, Thou art come to save Thine anointed ones. Thou didst bring death upon the heads of the transgressors, Thou didst bring bands upon their neck.
For twelve verses
Thou didst cut asunder the heads of the mighty in their madness; they shall tremble in themselves, they shall burst their bridles, as the poor man devouring in secret.
And Thou hast mounted upon Thine horses in the sea, and they trouble the many waters.
Thou didst cut asunder the heads of the mighty in their madness; they shall tremble in themselves, they shall burst their bridles, as the poor man devouring in secret.
And Thou hast mounted upon Thine horses in the sea, and they trouble the many waters.
For ten verses
I kept watch, and my heart was troubled, at the voice of the prayer of my lips; and trembling entered into my bones, and my strength was troubled within me.
I will rest in the day of mine affliction, that I may go up to the people of my sojourning.
I kept watch, and my heart was troubled, at the voice of the prayer of my lips; and trembling entered into my bones, and my strength was troubled within me.
I will rest in the day of mine affliction, that I may go up to the people of my sojourning.
For eight verses
For the fig tree shall not bear fruit, and there shall be no fruit on the vines.
The labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food.
For the fig tree shall not bear fruit, and there shall be no fruit on the vines.
The labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food.
For six verses
The sheep have failed from their pasture, and there are no oxen at the cribs.
But I will be exult in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Saviour.
The sheep have failed from their pasture, and there are no oxen at the cribs.
But I will be exult in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Saviour.
For four verses
The Lord my God is my strength, and He will stablish my feet unto perfection.
He mounteth me upon high places, that I may conquer by His song.
The Lord my God is my strength, and He will stablish my feet unto perfection.
He mounteth me upon high places, that I may conquer by His song.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE FIFTH ODE
A prayer of Isaiah the Prophet. (Is. 26: 920)
Isaiah' prophecy, which is also his prayer: O Lord our God, grant us peace.
A prayer of Isaiah the Prophet. (Is. 26: 920)
Isaiah' prophecy, which is also his prayer: O Lord our God, grant us peace.
Out of the night my spirit waketh at dawn unto Thee, O God;
for Thy commandments are a light upon the earth.
Learn righteousness, all ye that dwell upon the earth.
For the ungodly hath come to an end; none that learneth righteousness upon the earth shall be able to do the truth; let the ungodly be taken away, that he see not the glory of the Lord.
O Lord, Thine arm is lifted up, and they knew it not; but when they know it, let them be ashamed.
for Thy commandments are a light upon the earth.
Learn righteousness, all ye that dwell upon the earth.
For the ungodly hath come to an end; none that learneth righteousness upon the earth shall be able to do the truth; let the ungodly be taken away, that he see not the glory of the Lord.
O Lord, Thine arm is lifted up, and they knew it not; but when they know it, let them be ashamed.
For fourteen verses
Zeal shall lay hold upon an untaught people, and now fire shall devour the adversaries.
O Lord our God, grant us Thy peace, for Thou hast rendered all things unto us.
Zeal shall lay hold upon an untaught people, and now fire shall devour the adversaries.
O Lord our God, grant us Thy peace, for Thou hast rendered all things unto us.
For twelve verses
O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession. O Lord, we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy name.
But the dead shall not see life, neither shall physicians raise them up; therefore hast Thou brought wrath upon them, and hast slain them, and hast taken every man of them away.
O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession. O Lord, we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy name.
But the dead shall not see life, neither shall physicians raise them up; therefore hast Thou brought wrath upon them, and hast slain them, and hast taken every man of them away.
For ten verses
Bring more evils upon them, Lord; bring more evils upon them that are glorious upon the earth.
O Lord, in affliction we remembered Thee; with small affliction was Thy chastening toh us.
Bring more evils upon them, Lord; bring more evils upon them that are glorious upon the earth.
O Lord, in affliction we remembered Thee; with small affliction was Thy chastening toh us.
For eight verses
And as a woman in travail draweth nigh to be delivered, and crieth out in her travail, so have we become to Thy beloved.
We have conceived, O Lord, because of Thy fear, and have travailed, and have brought forth the spirit of Thy salvation, which we have wrought upon the earth.
And as a woman in travail draweth nigh to be delivered, and crieth out in her travail, so have we become to Thy beloved.
We have conceived, O Lord, because of Thy fear, and have travailed, and have brought forth the spirit of Thy salvation, which we have wrought upon the earth.
For six verses
We shall not fall, but all those that dwell upon the earth shall fall.
The dead shall arise, and they that are in the tombs shall awake, and they that are upon the earth shall rejoice.
We shall not fall, but all those that dwell upon the earth shall fall.
The dead shall arise, and they that are in the tombs shall awake, and they that are upon the earth shall rejoice.
For four verses
For the dew which Thou sendest is healing unto them; but the land of the ungodly shall perish.
Go, my people, enter into thy chamber, shut thy door, hide thyself for a little season, until the anger of the Lord shall be overpast.
For the dew which Thou sendest is healing unto them; but the land of the ungodly shall perish.
Go, my people, enter into thy chamber, shut thy door, hide thyself for a little season, until the anger of the Lord shall be overpast.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE SIXTH ODE
A prayer of Jonah the prophet (Jon. 2: 310)
As Thou didst save the prophet Jonah, save us also. O Lord. From out of the sea monster Jonah cried aloud and said,
A prayer of Jonah the prophet (Jon. 2: 310)
As Thou didst save the prophet Jonah, save us also. O Lord. From out of the sea monster Jonah cried aloud and said,
I cried to the Lord in my affliction, and He hearkened to me; Thou heardest my cry and my voice out of the belly of Hades.
For ten verses
Thou didst cast me away into the depths of the heart of the sea, and the waves compassed me about.
All Thy waves and billows have passed over me.
Thou didst cast me away into the depths of the heart of the sea, and the waves compassed me about.
All Thy waves and billows have passed over me.
For eight verses
And I said, I am cast out from the sight of Thine eyes; shall I indeed I look again to Thy holy temple?
Water is poured about me, even to my soul; the uttermost deep hath compassed me about; my head went down into the clefts of the mountains; I went down into the earth, whose bars are everlasting barriers.
And I said, I am cast out from the sight of Thine eyes; shall I indeed I look again to Thy holy temple?
Water is poured about me, even to my soul; the uttermost deep hath compassed me about; my head went down into the clefts of the mountains; I went down into the earth, whose bars are everlasting barriers.
For six verses
But let my life come up from corruption, unto Thee, O Lord my God.
When my soul was failing within me, I remembered the Lord; yea, let my prayer come unto Thee, unto Thy holy temple.
But let my life come up from corruption, unto Thee, O Lord my God.
When my soul was failing within me, I remembered the Lord; yea, let my prayer come unto Thee, unto Thy holy temple.
For four verses
They that observe vanities and lies have forsaken their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of praise and thanksgiving; whatsoever I have vowed, I will pay unto Thee for my salvation, O Lord.
They that observe vanities and lies have forsaken their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of praise and thanksgiving; whatsoever I have vowed, I will pay unto Thee for my salvation, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE SEVENTH ODE
A prayer of the holy three children. (Dan. 3: 2656)
The praise of the three youths putteth out the flame. Blessed art Thou, our God, and the God of our fathers.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages.
For Thou art righteous in all the things that Thou hast done for us; yea, true are all Thy works, and upright are Thy ways, and all Thy judgments are true.
In all the things that Thou hast brought upon us, and upon Jerusalem the holy city of our fathers, Thou hast executed true judgments; for according to truth and judgment didst Thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.
For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from Thee, and in all things have we trespassed; and we have not hearkened unto Thy commandments, nor kept them; neither have we done as Thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.
Wherefore all that Thou hast done to us, and all that Thou hast brought upon us, Thou hast done in true judgment; and Thou hast delivered us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to a king that is unjust, and the most wicked in all the earth.
And now we cannot open our mouth; we are become a shame and reproach to Thy servants, and to them that worship Thee.
Deliver us not up for ever, for Thy holy name's sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant; and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, for the sake of Abraham Thy beloved, and Isaac Thy servant, and Israel Thy holy one;
To whom Thou hast said that Thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.
For we, O Master, are become less than any nation, and we are brought low in all the earth this day because of our sins.
Nor is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or whole burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to sacrifice before Thee, that we may obtain mercy.
Nevertheless, in a contrite soul and an humble spirit let us be accepted.
Like as in whole burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice this day be acceptable in Thy sight; and hereafter let it be performed before Thee; for there is no shame to them that put their trust in Thee.
And now we follow Thee with our whole heart, and we fear Thee, and we seek Thy face; put us not to shame.
But deal with us according to Thy meekness, and according to the multitude of Thy mercy.
Deliver us according to Thy marvellous works, and give glory to Thy name, O Lord.
And let all them that do evils unto Thy servants be confounded, and let them be ashamed in all their might; and let their strength be broken.
For fourteen verses
And let them know that Thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world.
And the king's servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the furnace hot with naptha, pitch and tow, and wood of the vine.
And let them know that Thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world.
And the king's servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the furnace hot with naptha, pitch and tow, and wood of the vine.
For twelve verses
And the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits; and it brake forth, and burned those of the Chaldeans that it found about the furnace.
But the angel of the Lord came down to be with Azarias and his companions in the furnace, and drave the flame of the fire out of the furnace.
And the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits; and it brake forth, and burned those of the Chaldeans that it found about the furnace.
But the angel of the Lord came down to be with Azarias and his companions in the furnace, and drave the flame of the fire out of the furnace.
For ten verses
And made the midst of the furnace as it had been the whistling of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor brought grief, nor troubled them.
Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, and blessed, and glorified God in the furnace, saying,
And made the midst of the furnace as it had been the whistling of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor brought grief, nor troubled them.
Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, and blessed, and glorified God in the furnace, saying,
The hymn, which the three youths sang.
For eight verses
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
And blessed is the holy name of Thy glory, which is praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
And blessed is the holy name of Thy glory, which is praised and exalted above all for ever.
For six verses
Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy holy glory, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou that beholdest the deeps, that sittest upon the cherubim, and and praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy holy glory, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou that beholdest the deeps, that sittest upon the cherubim, and and praised and exalted above all for ever.
For four verses
Blessed art Thou on the throne of the glory of Thy kingdom, and praised and exalted above all for ever. Blessed art Thou in the firmament of heaven, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art Thou on the throne of the glory of Thy kingdom, and praised and exalted above all for ever. Blessed art Thou in the firmament of heaven, and praised and exalted above all for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE EIGHTH ODE
The hymn of the holy three children. (Dan. 3: 5788)
Praise the Master, ye creatures which He hath made. Praise the Lord, ye works of His, and exalt Him exceedingly unto the ages.
Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, all ye angels of the Lord, and ye heavens of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, all ye waters that are above the heavens, and all ye powers of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye sun and moon, and ye stars of heaven: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, and all ye winds: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye fire and heat, ye winter cold and summer heat: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye falls of dew and snow, ye ice and cold: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, all ye angels of the Lord, and ye heavens of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, all ye waters that are above the heavens, and all ye powers of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye sun and moon, and ye stars of heaven: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, and all ye winds: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye fire and heat, ye winter cold and summer heat: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye falls of dew and snow, ye ice and cold: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
For fourteen verses
Bless the Lord, O ye frosts and snows, ye lightning and clouds: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye light and darkness, ye night and day: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye frosts and snows, ye lightning and clouds: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye light and darkness, ye night and day: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
For twelve verses
Bless the Lord, O ye earth, ye mountains and hills, and all things that spring up therein: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye fountains, ye seas and floods, ye monsters of the sea, and all things that move in the waters: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye earth, ye mountains and hills, and all things that spring up therein: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye fountains, ye seas and floods, ye monsters of the sea, and all things that move in the waters: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
For ten verses
Bless the Lord, all ye winged creatures of the air, ye beasts and all cattle: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye sons of men; let Israel bless the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, all ye winged creatures of the air, ye beasts and all cattle: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye sons of men; let Israel bless the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
For eight verses
Bless the Lord, O ye priests of the Lord, ye servants of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye spirits and souls of the just, ye holy and humble of heart: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye priests of the Lord, ye servants of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye spirits and souls of the just, ye holy and humble of heart: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
For six verses
Bless the Lord, O Ananias, Azarias and Misael: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye apostles, ye prophets and martyrs of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O Ananias, Azarias and Misael: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Bless the Lord, O ye apostles, ye prophets and martyrs of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
For four verses
Let us bless the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Lord: let us praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Let us praise, and bless, and worship the Lord: praising the Lord, and exalting Him above all for ever.
Let us bless the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Lord: let us praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Let us praise, and bless, and worship the Lord: praising the Lord, and exalting Him above all for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE NINTH ODE
The song of the Theotokos. (Luke 1: 46-55)
The maiden mother praiseth her Son and God. Let us magnify the Theotokos with hymns.
The song of the Theotokos. (Luke 1: 46-55)
The maiden mother praiseth her Son and God. Let us magnify the Theotokos with hymns.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name; and His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with His arm, he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree; He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers; to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name; and His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with His arm, he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree; He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers; to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
The prayer of Zachariah, the father of the Forerunner. (Luke 1: 6879)
Zachariah blesseth the birth of his son.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people,
For twelve verses
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David.
As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began,
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David.
As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began,
For ten verses
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us,
To perform mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us,
To perform mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,
For eight verses
The oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
The oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
For six verses
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God,
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God,
For four verses
Whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.
Whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-10
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 suffer persecution
for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice and be glad
for great is your reward in heaven.
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 suffer persecution
for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice and be glad
for great is your reward in heaven.
Benedictus - Luke 1: 68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Nunc Dimittis - Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
God Our Saviour - Ephesians 1:3-10
Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him before the world began
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ,
in the fulness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Firstborn of all Creation - Colossians 1:12-20
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
He rescued us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
thrones and dominations, principalities and powers.
All things were created through him and for him:
he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the Church.
He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead,
and so he is pre-eminent above all.
For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him,
and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself.
Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things,
both on Earth and in the heavens.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
He rescued us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
thrones and dominations, principalities and powers.
All things were created through him and for him:
he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the Church.
He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead,
and so he is pre-eminent above all.
For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him,
and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself.
Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things,
both on Earth and in the heavens.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
A Song of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading,
kept in heaven for you.
Who are being protected by the power of God
through faith for a salvation,
ready to be revealed in the last time.
You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors
not with perishable things like silver or gold
But with the precious blood of Christ
like that of a lamb without spot or stain.
Through him you have confidence in God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading,
kept in heaven for you.
Who are being protected by the power of God
through faith for a salvation,
ready to be revealed in the last time.
You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors
not with perishable things like silver or gold
But with the precious blood of Christ
like that of a lamb without spot or stain.
Through him you have confidence in God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
A Song of Christ the Servant
1 Peter 2:21b-25
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, *
that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, *
when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
When he suffered, he did not threaten, *
but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, *
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
1 Peter 2:21b-25
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, *
that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, *
when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
When he suffered, he did not threaten, *
but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, *
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his wounds, you have been healed,
for you were straying like sheep, *
but have now returned
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
for you were straying like sheep, *
but have now returned
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
A Song of Repentance - 1 John 1:5-9
This is the message we have heard from Christ
and proclaim to you: *
that God is light,
in whom there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with God
while we walk in darkness, *
we lie and do not do what is true.
But if we walk in the light
as He is in the light, *
we have fellowship with one another.
And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, *
cleanses us from all our sins.
If we say that we have no sin, *
we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, *
the One who is faithful and just will forgive us
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
and proclaim to you: *
that God is light,
in whom there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with God
while we walk in darkness, *
we lie and do not do what is true.
But if we walk in the light
as He is in the light, *
we have fellowship with one another.
And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, *
cleanses us from all our sins.
If we say that we have no sin, *
we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, *
the One who is faithful and just will forgive us
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
A Song to the Lamb Dignus es
Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore.
for ever and for evermore.
The Judgment of God - Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
Who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
You have begun your reign.
The nations have raged in anger,
But then came your day of wrath
And the moment to judge the dead:
The time to reward your servants the prophets
And the holy ones who revere you,
The great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
The reign of our God and the authority
Of his Anointed One,
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
Who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
And by the word of their testimony;
Love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
And you that dwell therein!
Magna et mirabilia - Revelation 15:3-4
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
The Angelus
The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary.
And She conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Lord, Pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of an angel, so by His + Cross, and Passion, we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Amen.
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
The Angelus
The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary.
And She conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Lord, Pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of an angel, so by His + Cross, and Passion, we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Amen.
Phos hilaron
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Pascha nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therfore let us keep the feast,
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therfore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Other Canticles
77 Phos Hilaron - A Song of the Light
O gladdening light,
of the holy glory of the immortal Father
heavenly, holy, blessed,
O Jesus Christ.
Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
and see the evening light
we give praise to God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Worthy are you at all times
to be worshipped with holy voices,
O Son of God and giver of life:
therefore all the world glorifies you.
For an alternative version, see here.
78 Gloria in Excelsis - A Song of God's Glory
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
79 Te Deum Laudamus - A Song of the Church
1We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as the Lord;
2all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
3To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
4Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
5The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
6The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
7Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
8You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
9When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the Virgin's womb.
10You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
11You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
12Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
The canticle may end here.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
All Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you.
AllWe praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
AllHave mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy,
Allfor we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
Alllet us never be put to shame.
80 A Song of Ephrem the Syrian
1Behold: Fire and Spirit in the womb that bore you: •
Behold: Fire and Spirit in the river where you were baptized.
2Fire and Spirit in our baptism: •
In the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit.
3In your Bread is hidden a Spirit not to be eaten, •
In your Wine dwells a Fire not to be drunk.
4Spirit in your Bread, Fire in your Wine, •
A wonder set apart, yet received by our lips.
5How wonderful your footsteps, walking on the waters! •
You subdued the great sea beneath your feet.
6Yet to a little stream you subjected your head, •
Bending down to be baptized in it.
7The stream was like John who performed the baptism in it, •
In their smallness each an image of the other.
8To the stream so little, to the servant so weak, •
The Lord of them both subjected himself.
81 Salus Aeterna - Saviour Eternal
Saviour eternal,
life of the world unfailing,
light everlasting
and our true redemption.
Taking our humanity
in your loving freedom,
you rescued our lost earth
and filled the world with joy.
By your first advent justify us,
by your second, set us free:
that when the great light dawns
and you come as judge of all,
we may be robed in immortality
and ready, Lord, to follow
in your footsteps blest, wherever they may lead.
after the Advent Sequence
82 A Song of Anselm
1Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you; •
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
2Often you weep over our sins and our pride, •
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
3You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, •
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
4Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life; •
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
5Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; •
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
6Your warmth gives life to the dead, •
your touch makes sinners righteous.
7Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; •
in your love and tenderness remake us.
8In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness, •
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
from Anselm of Canterbury
83 Victimae Paschali - A Song of the Resurrection
Come, Christians, bring your sacrifice of praise
to Jesus Christ, our conquering victim and our Easter king.
Jesus, the sinless lamb, has saved the sinful flock
and reconciled us to the Father.
AllDeath and life have wrestled
in a wondrous fight,
the leader of the living
fell to the powers of night
dead, yet he reigns in power
his strange victory to share.
Speak, Mary, friend of Christ,
what did you see on sorrow's road?
Tell us your story.
All'I saw the tomb of the living Christ.
I saw his resurrection glory.
I saw the witnessing angels.
I saw the head-cloth and the shroud.
Christ my hope has risen,
and goes before his own to Galilee.'
Trust Mary, believers,
for only she has truth to tell,
unlike the falsifying crowd
of rumour-makers and deceivers.
AllWe know that Christ is truly risen,
defeating death and hell's dark thrall,
so conquering king, have mercy on us all.
Alleluia.
after the Easter Sequence
84 A Song of Francis of Assisi
1Most High, all powerful, good Lord, •
to you be praise, glory, honour and all blessing.
2Only to you, Most High, do they belong •
and no one is worthy to call upon your name.
3May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially brother sun, •
through whom you lighten the day for us.
4He is beautiful and radiant with great splendour; •
he signifies you, O Most High.
5Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars: •
clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.
6Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind; •
for air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,
by which you give sustenance to your creatures.
7Be praised, my Lord, for sister water, •
who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.
8Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire,
by whom the night is illumined for us: •
he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.
9Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, mother earth,
who sustains and governs us •
and produces diverse fruits
and coloured flowers and grass.
10Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you •
and who bear weakness and tribulation.
11Blessed are those who bear them in peace: •
for you, Most High, they will be crowned.
12Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body, •
from which no one living is able to flee;
woe to those who are dying in mortal sin.
13Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will, •
for the second death will do them no harm.
14Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks •
and serve him with great humility.
85 Veni Sancte Spiritus - Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit;
send down from heaven's height
your radiant light.
Come, lamp of every heart,
come, parent of the poor;
all gifts are yours.
Comforter beyond all comforting,
sweet unexpected guest,
sweetly refresh.
Rest in hard labour,
coolness in heavy heat,
hurt souls' relief.
Refill the secret hearts
of your faithful,
O most blessed light.
Without your holy power
nothing can bear your light,
nothing is free from sin.
Wash all that is filthy,
water all that is parched,
heal what is hurt within.
Bend all that is rigid,
warm all that has frozen hard,
lead back the lost.
Give to your faithful ones,
who come in simple trust,
your sevenfold mystery.
Give virtue its reward,
give, in the end, salvation
and joy that has no end.
after the Golden Sequence
86 A Song of Julian of Norwich
1God chose to be our mother in all things •
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humble and most pure,
in the Virgin's womb.
2God, the perfect wisdom of all, •
arrayed himself in this humble place.
3Christ came in our poor flesh •
to share a mother's care.
4Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; •
our true mother, Jesus,
bears us for joy and endless life.
5Christ carried us within him in love and travail, •
until the full time of his passion.
6And when all was completed
and he had carried us so for joy, •
still all this could not satisfy
the power of his wonderful love.
7All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, •
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.
87 Saviour of the World
1Jesus, Saviour of the world,
come to us in your mercy: •
we look to you to save and help us.
2By your cross and your life laid down,
you set your people free: •
we look to you to save and help us.
3When they were ready to perish, you saved your disciples: •
we look to you to come to our help.
4In the greatness of your mercy, loose us from our chains, •
forgive the sins of all your people.
5Make yourself known as our Saviour and mighty deliverer; •
save and help us that we may praise you.
6Come now and dwell with us, Lord Christ Jesus: •
hear our prayer and be with us always.
7And when you come in your glory: •
make us to be one with you
and to share the life of your kingdom.
THE DIVINE LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED
During the Holy Great 40-day Fast, when the priest is to celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified on Wednesday and Friday, or other prescribed week days, at the Proskomede on the preceding Sunday, he does everything as usual, but after he cuts the first bread, sacrifices it, and pierces it, he cuts a sufficient number of additional breads, saying as he cuts each one:
In remembrance... As a sheep He was led ... In His humility. .. And who shall declare ... For His life is taken away ... Sacrificed . . .
and
One of the soldiers ...
He then places them on the diskos beside the first bread.
so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Other Canticles
77 Phos Hilaron - A Song of the Light
O gladdening light,
of the holy glory of the immortal Father
heavenly, holy, blessed,
O Jesus Christ.
Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
and see the evening light
we give praise to God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Worthy are you at all times
to be worshipped with holy voices,
O Son of God and giver of life:
therefore all the world glorifies you.
For an alternative version, see here.
78 Gloria in Excelsis - A Song of God's Glory
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
79 Te Deum Laudamus - A Song of the Church
1We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as the Lord;
2all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
3To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
4Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
5The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
6The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
7Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
8You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
9When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the Virgin's womb.
10You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
11You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
12Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
The canticle may end here.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
All Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you.
AllWe praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
AllHave mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy,
Allfor we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
Alllet us never be put to shame.
80 A Song of Ephrem the Syrian
1Behold: Fire and Spirit in the womb that bore you: •
Behold: Fire and Spirit in the river where you were baptized.
2Fire and Spirit in our baptism: •
In the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit.
3In your Bread is hidden a Spirit not to be eaten, •
In your Wine dwells a Fire not to be drunk.
4Spirit in your Bread, Fire in your Wine, •
A wonder set apart, yet received by our lips.
5How wonderful your footsteps, walking on the waters! •
You subdued the great sea beneath your feet.
6Yet to a little stream you subjected your head, •
Bending down to be baptized in it.
7The stream was like John who performed the baptism in it, •
In their smallness each an image of the other.
8To the stream so little, to the servant so weak, •
The Lord of them both subjected himself.
81 Salus Aeterna - Saviour Eternal
Saviour eternal,
life of the world unfailing,
light everlasting
and our true redemption.
Taking our humanity
in your loving freedom,
you rescued our lost earth
and filled the world with joy.
By your first advent justify us,
by your second, set us free:
that when the great light dawns
and you come as judge of all,
we may be robed in immortality
and ready, Lord, to follow
in your footsteps blest, wherever they may lead.
after the Advent Sequence
82 A Song of Anselm
1Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you; •
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
2Often you weep over our sins and our pride, •
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
3You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, •
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
4Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life; •
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
5Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; •
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
6Your warmth gives life to the dead, •
your touch makes sinners righteous.
7Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; •
in your love and tenderness remake us.
8In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness, •
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
from Anselm of Canterbury
83 Victimae Paschali - A Song of the Resurrection
Come, Christians, bring your sacrifice of praise
to Jesus Christ, our conquering victim and our Easter king.
Jesus, the sinless lamb, has saved the sinful flock
and reconciled us to the Father.
AllDeath and life have wrestled
in a wondrous fight,
the leader of the living
fell to the powers of night
dead, yet he reigns in power
his strange victory to share.
Speak, Mary, friend of Christ,
what did you see on sorrow's road?
Tell us your story.
All'I saw the tomb of the living Christ.
I saw his resurrection glory.
I saw the witnessing angels.
I saw the head-cloth and the shroud.
Christ my hope has risen,
and goes before his own to Galilee.'
Trust Mary, believers,
for only she has truth to tell,
unlike the falsifying crowd
of rumour-makers and deceivers.
AllWe know that Christ is truly risen,
defeating death and hell's dark thrall,
so conquering king, have mercy on us all.
Alleluia.
after the Easter Sequence
84 A Song of Francis of Assisi
1Most High, all powerful, good Lord, •
to you be praise, glory, honour and all blessing.
2Only to you, Most High, do they belong •
and no one is worthy to call upon your name.
3May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially brother sun, •
through whom you lighten the day for us.
4He is beautiful and radiant with great splendour; •
he signifies you, O Most High.
5Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars: •
clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.
6Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind; •
for air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,
by which you give sustenance to your creatures.
7Be praised, my Lord, for sister water, •
who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.
8Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire,
by whom the night is illumined for us: •
he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.
9Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, mother earth,
who sustains and governs us •
and produces diverse fruits
and coloured flowers and grass.
10Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you •
and who bear weakness and tribulation.
11Blessed are those who bear them in peace: •
for you, Most High, they will be crowned.
12Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body, •
from which no one living is able to flee;
woe to those who are dying in mortal sin.
13Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will, •
for the second death will do them no harm.
14Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks •
and serve him with great humility.
85 Veni Sancte Spiritus - Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit;
send down from heaven's height
your radiant light.
Come, lamp of every heart,
come, parent of the poor;
all gifts are yours.
Comforter beyond all comforting,
sweet unexpected guest,
sweetly refresh.
Rest in hard labour,
coolness in heavy heat,
hurt souls' relief.
Refill the secret hearts
of your faithful,
O most blessed light.
Without your holy power
nothing can bear your light,
nothing is free from sin.
Wash all that is filthy,
water all that is parched,
heal what is hurt within.
Bend all that is rigid,
warm all that has frozen hard,
lead back the lost.
Give to your faithful ones,
who come in simple trust,
your sevenfold mystery.
Give virtue its reward,
give, in the end, salvation
and joy that has no end.
after the Golden Sequence
86 A Song of Julian of Norwich
1God chose to be our mother in all things •
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humble and most pure,
in the Virgin's womb.
2God, the perfect wisdom of all, •
arrayed himself in this humble place.
3Christ came in our poor flesh •
to share a mother's care.
4Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; •
our true mother, Jesus,
bears us for joy and endless life.
5Christ carried us within him in love and travail, •
until the full time of his passion.
6And when all was completed
and he had carried us so for joy, •
still all this could not satisfy
the power of his wonderful love.
7All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, •
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.
87 Saviour of the World
1Jesus, Saviour of the world,
come to us in your mercy: •
we look to you to save and help us.
2By your cross and your life laid down,
you set your people free: •
we look to you to save and help us.
3When they were ready to perish, you saved your disciples: •
we look to you to come to our help.
4In the greatness of your mercy, loose us from our chains, •
forgive the sins of all your people.
5Make yourself known as our Saviour and mighty deliverer; •
save and help us that we may praise you.
6Come now and dwell with us, Lord Christ Jesus: •
hear our prayer and be with us always.
7And when you come in your glory: •
make us to be one with you
and to share the life of your kingdom.
THE DIVINE LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED
During the Holy Great 40-day Fast, when the priest is to celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified on Wednesday and Friday, or other prescribed week days, at the Proskomede on the preceding Sunday, he does everything as usual, but after he cuts the first bread, sacrifices it, and pierces it, he cuts a sufficient number of additional breads, saying as he cuts each one:
In remembrance... As a sheep He was led ... In His humility. .. And who shall declare ... For His life is taken away ... Sacrificed . . .
and
One of the soldiers ...
He then places them on the diskos beside the first bread.
Then he pours wine and water into the holy chalice, saying the customary words, and he covers the diskos and the chalice, and he censes them, saying the Prayer of Oblation. Then he begins the Divine Liturgy and celebrates as usual.
When he signs the breads at the invocation of the Holy Spirit, he says: "And make this bread . . .," in the singular, as Christ is one; he does not say "these breads" in the plural. When he elevates, he elevates them all together, and he breaks the first one offered, and lays the part IC in the holy chalice and pours in warm water as usual.
Then taking the holy spoon in his right hand, he dips it into the holy Blood; with his left hand he takes one of the other Breads, touches it with the holy spoon, which has been moistened with the holy Blood, in the form of a cross on the side on which the cross is traced, under the soft part, and places it in the artophorion (or other suitable container). Then he takes the others and does the same with each, and puts them all away in the artophorion. Then the priest prays as usual, communicates as usual, and completes the Divine Liturgy as usual.
On the day of the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts:
At the reading of the Hours, the priest, wearing the epitrachelion, stands before the holy doors and begins: "Blessed is our God . . ., "
The reader: "Amen." After Our Father the priest says the exclamation and goes into the sanctuary.
And then Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours, and finally the Typical Psalms are read.
At Third Hour, after the psalms, Alleluia and Lord, have mercy, the priest standing before the holy doors, says:
O Lord, who at the third hour didst send down thine all-holy Spirit upon thine Apostles, take not the same from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto thee.
The choir repeats the same.
Priest, verse A: A clean heart create in me, O God, and a right spirit renew in my inmost parts.
Choir: O Lord, who at the third hour . . .
Priest, verse B: Cast me not away from thy face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Choir: O Lord, who at the third hour . . .
Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Choir: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
At Sixth Hour, the priest says alternately with the choir, as in Third Hour:
O thou who, on the sixth day and hour, didst nail to the cross the sin which Adam, through presumption, committed in Paradise, tear asunder also the handwriting of our iniquities, 0 Christ God, and save us.
Verse A: Give heed to my prayer, O God, and disregard not my supplication.
Verse B: I have called unto God, and the Lord hath heartened unto me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
At Ninth Hour, the priest says alternately with the choir, as in Third Hour:
O thou who, at the ninth hour, for our sake, didst taste of death in the flesh, mortify the presumption of our flesh, O Christ God, and save us.
Verse A: Let my prayer come nigh before thee, 0 Lord, give me understanding, according to thy word.
Verse B: Let my petition come before thee, 0 Lord; according to thy word, deliver me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
At each hour, after More honorable than the Cherubim . . ., the priest, before the holy doors, exclaims:
O God, be compassionate unto us, and bless us, and make thy face to shine upon us, and have mercy on us.
Reader: Amen.
Then the priest says the Prayer of St. Ephraim of Syria:
O Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of idleness, of meddling (faintheartedness or despondency in Slavonic), of love of power, and of idle words, grant me not. great reverence
But the spirit of continence, of humility, of patience and of love, do thou grant unto me thy servant. great reverence
Yea, 0 Lord and King, grant me to perceive mine own offenses, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art thou unto ages of ages. Amen. great reverence
Then twelve little references, saying at each:
O God, cleanse thou me a sinner.
And again the whole prayer without division to the end and then one great reverence.
At Third and Sixth Hours, and then at the Typica, the prayer, O Lord and Master of my life, is read with sixteen references, as described above, but at Ninth Hour the prayer is read through only once with the corresponding three great references.
When there are Prophecies at the Hours, the priest says: Let us attend. Then Wisdom, and Let us attend.
Toward the end of the Typica, the priest enters the sanctuary, and vests in his priestly vestments, signing them and kissing them only, saying nothing except, Let us pray to the Lord, over each vestment.
The reader reads the Trisagion, Our Father. . ., then Lord, have mercy, twelve times, All-holy Trinity. . ., after which the holy doors are opened. The priest says: Wisdom, the choir: Meet is it in truth . . ., the priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us; the choir: More honorable than the Cherubim ... ; the priest: Glory to thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to thee; choir: Glory ... Now and .. . Lord, have mercy. thrice, and Bless, and the priest gives the dismissal.
In the dismissal, the priest remembers the saint of the temple, and of the day. Then the holy doors are closed.
THE DIVINE LITURGY
OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
The priest and the deacon make three reverences before the holy table, saying only: O God, cleanse thou me a sinner and have mercy on me. And they kiss the holy Gospels, the holy table, and the cross on the holy table. And the deacon, taking the priest's leave, goes out and stands in his customary place, and exclaims:
Bless, Master.
The priest, standing before the holy table inside the sanctuary, exclaims:
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.
And then the reader: Come, let us worship. . . thrice, and he reads the Introductory Psalm. The priest, standing before the holy doors, with head uncovered, says the Prayers of Light, that is, of Vespers, beginning with the fourth prayer, the first three being said after the litanies.
Fourth Prayer
O thou to whom the holy Powers sing with unending hymns and unceasing doxologies, fill our mouths with thy praise, that we may magnify thy holy name. And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those that fear thee in truth and keep thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all thy Saints.
For to thee belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer
O Lord, Lord, who upholdest all things in the most pure hollow of thy hand, who art long-suffering toward us all, and repentest thee at our wickedness, remember thy compassion and thy mercy. Look upon us with thy goodness; grant unto us also by thy grace, through the remainder of the present day, to avoid the divers subtle snares of the Evil One, and keep our lives unassailed, through the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.
Through the mercy and love of man of thine onlybegotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Prayer
O God, great and wonderful, who with goodness indescribable and rich providence orderest all things, and grantest unto us earthly goods, who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already granted unto us, and hast made us to shun all harm during that part of the present day which is past, grant that we may also fulfill the remainder of this day blamelessly before thy holy glory, and hymn thee, our God, who alone art good and lovest man.
For thou art our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Prayer
O great and most high God, who alone hast immortality, and dwellest in light unapproachable, who hast fashioned all creation in wisdom, who hast divided the light from the darkness, and hast set the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night, who hast also vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour to come before thy presence with confession and to present unto thee our evening doxology, do thou thyself, 0 Lord, Lover of man, direct our prayer as incense before thee, and accept it for an odor of sweet fragrance, and grant that our present evening and coming night be peaceful. Clothe us with the armor of light. Deliver us from the fear of night, and from everything that walketh in darkness, and grant that the sleep that thou hast given for the repose of our infirmity may be free from every fantasy of the Devil. Yea, O Master of all, Leader of the good, may we, being moved to compunction upon our beds, remember thy name in the night. And, enlightened by the exercise of thy commandments, may we rise up in joyfulness of soul to the glorification of thy goodness, and offer supplications and prayers unto thy tenderness of heart, for our own sins and those of all thy people, whom do thou look upon in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos.
For thou art a good God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
At the conclusion of the Introductory Psalm, the deacon says the litany:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our [lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., (and/or [the Right Reverend] Bishop N.,) for the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the President of (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
(That He may aid them and subdue under their feet every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.)
For this city (or this village), for every city and country, and for those who in faith dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For favorable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For travelers by sea, by land, and by air, for the sick and the suffering, for captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
The Prayer of the First Antiphon
O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and of great mercy, give heed to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Guide us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth. Gladden our hearts that we may fear thy holy name. For thou art great and workest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among the gods there is none like unto thee, 0 Lord, powerful in mercy, and good in might, to help and to comfort and to save all those who hope in thy holy name.
Exclamation:
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And after the exclamation, the 18th kathisma is read: Unto the Lord did I cry when I was afflicted... and reverences are made at Alleluia. At each antiphon, there is a little litany by the deacon with an exclamation by the priest.
At the beginning of the kathisma, the priest comes to the prothesis and takes the presanctified Bread from the artophorion, and places it with great reverence on the holy diskos. He then pours wine and water into the holy cup as usual, but he says nothing. Taking the censer, he censes the star-cover and veils, and covers them, saying nothing at all except, Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. The Gif ts are presanctified, and the sacrificed is accomplished.
If the Presanctified Lamb is kept on the holy table, its transferal to the prothesis table is usually done as follows:
The priest takes the Presanctified Lamb from the artophorion, and lays it with great reverence on the holy diskos. And, having censed the star-cover and the first veil, he covers the holy Bread, saying nothing. (This is done during the singing of the first antiphon,)
After this, preceded by the deacon with a lighted candle, the priest censes the holy table in cross-form thrice. (This is done during the singing of the second antiphon.) And, having made a profound reverence before the holy Gifts, the priest places the holy diskos on his head, and preceded by the deacon with a candle and the censer, bears them to the prothesis table. (This is done during the singing of the third antiphon.)
Then he pours wine together with water into the holy cup as usual. saying nothing. And taking the censer, he censes the veils, and he covers the diskos and the cup saying nothing, not even the prayer of oblation, but only: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
The priest takes the Presanctified Lamb from the artophorion, and lays it with great reverence on the holy diskos. And, having censed the star-cover and the first veil, he covers the holy Bread, saying nothing. (This is done during the singing of the first antiphon,)
After this, preceded by the deacon with a lighted candle, the priest censes the holy table in cross-form thrice. (This is done during the singing of the second antiphon.) And, having made a profound reverence before the holy Gifts, the priest places the holy diskos on his head, and preceded by the deacon with a candle and the censer, bears them to the prothesis table. (This is done during the singing of the third antiphon.)
Then he pours wine together with water into the holy cup as usual. saying nothing. And taking the censer, he censes the veils, and he covers the diskos and the cup saying nothing, not even the prayer of oblation, but only: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer of the Second Antiphon
O Lord, in thy displeasure rebuke us not, neither chasten us in thy wrath, but deal with us according to thy tenderness, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts unto the knowledge of thy truth, and grant unto us that the remainder of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints.
Exclamation:
For thine is the strength, and thine are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer of the Third Antiphon
O Lord our God, remember us thy sinful and unprofitable servants when we call upon thy holy (, venerable) name, and put us not to shame in our expectation of thy mercy, but grant us, OLord, all our petitions which are unto salvation, and make us worthy to love and fear thee with all our hearts, and to do thy will in all things.
Exclamation:
For thou art a good God who lovest man, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
The priest exclaims:
For thou art our God, the God who hath mercy and saveth, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
After the kathisma, the Lord, I have called is sung, and the deacon censes in the usual order. When the singers begin Glory... Now and . . ., the holy doors are opened. The entrance is made with the censer. When the Gospel is to be read, on the feast of the temple, or of a saint, or in Passion Week, then the entrance is made with the Gospel Book. The deacon says quietly to the priest: Let us pray to the Lord. And the priest reads the prayer of the entrance.
Prayer of the Entrance:
In the evening, and in the morning, and at noonday, we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray thee, O Master of all, O Lord who lovest man, direct thou our prayer before thee as incense, and incline not our hearts to words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all that seek after our souls. For upon thee, Lord, O Lord, are our eyes, and in thee have we put our hope. Put us not to shame, O our God.
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After the conclusion of the stichera, the deacon or the priest exclaims, saying:
Wisdom. Attend. And the choir sings, O Joyful Light . . .
Deacon: Let us attend. Priest: Peace be to all. Deacon: Wisdom. And the reader reads the prokeimenon.
Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: The reading from the book of Genesis. And the deacon: Let us attend. Then the reader reads the selection from Genesis (or Exodus).
The deacon: Wisdom. And then the reader reads the second prokeimenon.
Then the deacon exclaims:
Command.
After this has been done, the priest, taking the candlestick with its candle and the censer in both hands, facing the east, says in a loud voice:
Wisdom. Attend.
Then, turning toward the west, to the people, he says:
The light of Christ enlighteneth all men.
Reader: The reading from the book of Proverbs (or Job)
Deacon: Let us attend.
And the reader reads the prophecies. If it is on a day on which there is to be a vigil or polyeleon, the prophecies of the feast or of the saint are read.
After their completion, the priest says:
Peace be to thee.
Deacon: Wisdom.
The reader sings:
Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
And after the reader sings, the choir sings the same.
Then the reader, verse A:
Lord, I have called unto thee, hear me; attend to the voice of my prayer, when I call unto thee.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed . . .
Reader: verse B:
Set a watch, O Lord, upon my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed
The reader, verse C:
Incline not my heart to words of evil, to contrive excuses for sins.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed ...
And again the reader sings:
Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee.
And the choir sings:
The lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
It should be noted that when the reader sings Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee, all the people in the temple and in the sanctuary remain on their knees in prayer. When he begins The lifting up of my hands. . . they stand. At the singing of Let my prayer be directed . . . after the other verses, all those on the same side as the choir singing, stand, while the other choir and the people on the corresponding side kneel. The priest, standing before the holy table in the sanctuary, takes the censer and censes. When they sing Incline not my heart. . ., he goes to the prothesis and censes the Presanctif ied Gifts. At the last Let my prayer be directed, he gives up the censer and he himself kneels praying.
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer of the Second Antiphon
O Lord, in thy displeasure rebuke us not, neither chasten us in thy wrath, but deal with us according to thy tenderness, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts unto the knowledge of thy truth, and grant unto us that the remainder of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints.
Exclamation:
For thine is the strength, and thine are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer of the Third Antiphon
O Lord our God, remember us thy sinful and unprofitable servants when we call upon thy holy (, venerable) name, and put us not to shame in our expectation of thy mercy, but grant us, OLord, all our petitions which are unto salvation, and make us worthy to love and fear thee with all our hearts, and to do thy will in all things.
Exclamation:
For thou art a good God who lovest man, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
The priest exclaims:
For thou art our God, the God who hath mercy and saveth, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
After the kathisma, the Lord, I have called is sung, and the deacon censes in the usual order. When the singers begin Glory... Now and . . ., the holy doors are opened. The entrance is made with the censer. When the Gospel is to be read, on the feast of the temple, or of a saint, or in Passion Week, then the entrance is made with the Gospel Book. The deacon says quietly to the priest: Let us pray to the Lord. And the priest reads the prayer of the entrance.
Prayer of the Entrance:
In the evening, and in the morning, and at noonday, we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray thee, O Master of all, O Lord who lovest man, direct thou our prayer before thee as incense, and incline not our hearts to words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all that seek after our souls. For upon thee, Lord, O Lord, are our eyes, and in thee have we put our hope. Put us not to shame, O our God.
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After the conclusion of the stichera, the deacon or the priest exclaims, saying:
Wisdom. Attend. And the choir sings, O Joyful Light . . .
Deacon: Let us attend. Priest: Peace be to all. Deacon: Wisdom. And the reader reads the prokeimenon.
Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: The reading from the book of Genesis. And the deacon: Let us attend. Then the reader reads the selection from Genesis (or Exodus).
The deacon: Wisdom. And then the reader reads the second prokeimenon.
Then the deacon exclaims:
Command.
After this has been done, the priest, taking the candlestick with its candle and the censer in both hands, facing the east, says in a loud voice:
Wisdom. Attend.
Then, turning toward the west, to the people, he says:
The light of Christ enlighteneth all men.
Reader: The reading from the book of Proverbs (or Job)
Deacon: Let us attend.
And the reader reads the prophecies. If it is on a day on which there is to be a vigil or polyeleon, the prophecies of the feast or of the saint are read.
After their completion, the priest says:
Peace be to thee.
Deacon: Wisdom.
The reader sings:
Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
And after the reader sings, the choir sings the same.
Then the reader, verse A:
Lord, I have called unto thee, hear me; attend to the voice of my prayer, when I call unto thee.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed . . .
Reader: verse B:
Set a watch, O Lord, upon my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed
The reader, verse C:
Incline not my heart to words of evil, to contrive excuses for sins.
Choir: Let my prayer be directed ...
And again the reader sings:
Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee.
And the choir sings:
The lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
It should be noted that when the reader sings Let my prayer be directed as incense before thee, all the people in the temple and in the sanctuary remain on their knees in prayer. When he begins The lifting up of my hands. . . they stand. At the singing of Let my prayer be directed . . . after the other verses, all those on the same side as the choir singing, stand, while the other choir and the people on the corresponding side kneel. The priest, standing before the holy table in the sanctuary, takes the censer and censes. When they sing Incline not my heart. . ., he goes to the prothesis and censes the Presanctif ied Gifts. At the last Let my prayer be directed, he gives up the censer and he himself kneels praying.
At the completion of the above, we make three reverences, saying customarily:
O Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of idleness, of meddling (faintheartedness or despondency in Slavonic), of love of power, and of idle words, grant me not. great reverence
But the spirit of continence, of humility, of patience, and of love, do thou grant unto me thy servant. great reverence
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to perceive mine own offenses, and not to judge my brother; for blessed are thou unto ages of ages. Amen. great reverence
If it be the feast of a saint, or if the feast of the temple occurs on a fasting day, then the deacon or the priest says: Let us attend, and the reader reads the prokeimenon of the epistle. And he reads the epistle, and Alleluia is sung. Then the Gospel is read.
O Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of idleness, of meddling (faintheartedness or despondency in Slavonic), of love of power, and of idle words, grant me not. great reverence
But the spirit of continence, of humility, of patience, and of love, do thou grant unto me thy servant. great reverence
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to perceive mine own offenses, and not to judge my brother; for blessed are thou unto ages of ages. Amen. great reverence
If it be the feast of a saint, or if the feast of the temple occurs on a fasting day, then the deacon or the priest says: Let us attend, and the reader reads the prokeimenon of the epistle. And he reads the epistle, and Alleluia is sung. Then the Gospel is read.
The holy doors are closed, and the deacon says the litany:
Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, 0 God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
(Again we pray for pious Orthodox Christians.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice)
Again we pray for our [lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., (and/or for our [lord, the Right Reverend] Bishop N.), and for all our brethren in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Prayer of Fervent Supplication
O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication of thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercies, and send down thy compassions upon us and upon all thy people, who await of thee a rich mercy.
Again we pray for the President of the United States, and for all civil authorites, and for the armed forces.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the founders of this holy church (or Monastery), and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed before, who lie here and everywhere.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and revered temple, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people present who await of thee a great and rich mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Exclamation
For thou art a merciful God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Then the deacon says this litany:
Pray ye unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Ye faithful, pray for the catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord may have mercy on them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may instruct them in. the word of truth.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may unite them unto His holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer for the Catechumens
O God our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, who wiliest that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon thy servants the catechumens and deliver them from their former delusion and from the wiles of the adversary. And call them unto life eternal, enlightening their souls and bodies and numbering them with thy rational flock, which is called by thy holy name.
Exclamation:
That with us they also may glorify thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And the priest spreads out the antimension.
Deacon:
As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, 0 God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
(Again we pray for pious Orthodox Christians.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice)
Again we pray for our [lord, the Most Blessed] Metropolitan N., for our [lord, the Most Reverend] Archbishop N., (and/or for our [lord, the Right Reverend] Bishop N.), and for all our brethren in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Prayer of Fervent Supplication
O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication of thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercies, and send down thy compassions upon us and upon all thy people, who await of thee a rich mercy.
Again we pray for the President of the United States, and for all civil authorites, and for the armed forces.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the founders of this holy church (or Monastery), and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed before, who lie here and everywhere.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and revered temple, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people present who await of thee a great and rich mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Exclamation
For thou art a merciful God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Then the deacon says this litany:
Pray ye unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Ye faithful, pray for the catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord may have mercy on them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may instruct them in. the word of truth.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may unite them unto His holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer for the Catechumens
O God our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, who wiliest that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon thy servants the catechumens and deliver them from their former delusion and from the wiles of the adversary. And call them unto life eternal, enlightening their souls and bodies and numbering them with thy rational flock, which is called by thy holy name.
Exclamation:
That with us they also may glorify thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And the priest spreads out the antimension.
Deacon:
As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
The above dismissal is said only until Wednesday of the fourth week of the Fast. Beginning with Wednesday of Mid-fast, after the priest says That with us they also may glorify . . ., the following petitions are said by the deacon:
As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are preparing for illumination, draw near. Pray, ye who are preparing for illumination.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Ye faithful, for the brethren who are making ready for holy illumination and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord our God may establish and strengthen them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may enlighten them with the light of knowledge and piety.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may vouchsafe unto them in due time the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruptibility.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may beget them with water and the Spirit.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may bestow upon them the perfection of the faith.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may number them with His holy and elect flock.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
As many as are preparing for illumination, bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer for Those who are Making Ready for Holy Illumination
Reveal, 0 Master, thy countenance to those who are preparing for holy illumination and who long to put away the pollution of sin. Enlighten their minds. Secure them in the faith. Establish them in hope. Perfect them in love. Show them to be honorable members of thy Christ, who gave himself as a deliverance for our souls.
Exclamation:
For thou art our Illumination, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
As many as are preparing for illumination, depart; ye who are preparing for illumination, depart; as many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
As many as are catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are preparing for illumination, draw near. Pray, ye who are preparing for illumination.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Ye faithful, for the brethren who are making ready for holy illumination and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord our God may establish and strengthen them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may enlighten them with the light of knowledge and piety.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may vouchsafe unto them in due time the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruptibility.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may beget them with water and the Spirit.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may bestow upon them the perfection of the faith.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That He may number them with His holy and elect flock.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, 0 God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
As many as are preparing for illumination, bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
Prayer for Those who are Making Ready for Holy Illumination
Reveal, 0 Master, thy countenance to those who are preparing for holy illumination and who long to put away the pollution of sin. Enlighten their minds. Secure them in the faith. Establish them in hope. Perfect them in love. Show them to be honorable members of thy Christ, who gave himself as a deliverance for our souls.
Exclamation:
For thou art our Illumination, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
As many as are preparing for illumination, depart; ye who are preparing for illumination, depart; as many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
First Prayer of the Faithful
O God, great and praiseworthy, who by the lifecreating death of thy Christ, hast translated us from corruption to incorruption, do thou free all our senses from deadly passions, set over them as a good guide the understanding that is within us. And let our eyes abstain from every evil sight, our hearing be inaccessible to idle words, and our tongues be purged of unseemly speech. Make clean our I ips which praise thee, 0 Lord; make our hands refrain from base deeds, and to work only that which is wellpleasing to thee, fortifying our members and minds by thy grace.
Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom.
The priest exclaims:
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Second Prayer of the Faithful
O Master, holy and exceeding good, we implore thee, who art rich in mercy, be gracious to us sinners, and make us worthy of the reception of thine only-begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For, behold, his immaculate Body and life-creating Blood, entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth on this mystical table, by multitudes of heavenly hosts invisibly escorted. Grant us to partake of them without condemnation, that through them our mental sight may be illumined and we may become children of the light and of the day.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The priest exclaims:
Through the gift of thy Christ, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and lifecreating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. And they sing:
Now the Powers of heaven with us invisibly do worship. For, behold, the King of glory doth enter. Behold, the mystical sacrifice all accomplished is escorted in. Let us with faith and longing draw near that we may become partakers of life eternal. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
While this is being sung, the deacon enters the sanctuary on the north side, opens the holy doors, and censes the holy table, the holy prothesis, and the priest. And standing together, they say Now the Powers of heaven . . . thrice
And having made three prostrations, they go to the prothesis, and the priest takes the aer, and lays it on the shoulder of the deacon; then he takes the holy diskos with the Divine Mysteries in his right hand, and holds it on his own head; he takes the chalice containing the wine in his left hand.
The deacon, with the censer only, goes ahead, censing frequently. As they go, they say nothing. And, having entered, the priest places the Mysteries as usual on the holy table, and he takes the veils from the holy Gifts and covers them with the aer, saying nothing over them. He only censes them.
O God, great and praiseworthy, who by the lifecreating death of thy Christ, hast translated us from corruption to incorruption, do thou free all our senses from deadly passions, set over them as a good guide the understanding that is within us. And let our eyes abstain from every evil sight, our hearing be inaccessible to idle words, and our tongues be purged of unseemly speech. Make clean our I ips which praise thee, 0 Lord; make our hands refrain from base deeds, and to work only that which is wellpleasing to thee, fortifying our members and minds by thy grace.
Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom.
The priest exclaims:
For to thee belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon:
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Second Prayer of the Faithful
O Master, holy and exceeding good, we implore thee, who art rich in mercy, be gracious to us sinners, and make us worthy of the reception of thine only-begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For, behold, his immaculate Body and life-creating Blood, entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth on this mystical table, by multitudes of heavenly hosts invisibly escorted. Grant us to partake of them without condemnation, that through them our mental sight may be illumined and we may become children of the light and of the day.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The priest exclaims:
Through the gift of thy Christ, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and lifecreating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. And they sing:
Now the Powers of heaven with us invisibly do worship. For, behold, the King of glory doth enter. Behold, the mystical sacrifice all accomplished is escorted in. Let us with faith and longing draw near that we may become partakers of life eternal. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
While this is being sung, the deacon enters the sanctuary on the north side, opens the holy doors, and censes the holy table, the holy prothesis, and the priest. And standing together, they say Now the Powers of heaven . . . thrice
And having made three prostrations, they go to the prothesis, and the priest takes the aer, and lays it on the shoulder of the deacon; then he takes the holy diskos with the Divine Mysteries in his right hand, and holds it on his own head; he takes the chalice containing the wine in his left hand.
The deacon, with the censer only, goes ahead, censing frequently. As they go, they say nothing. And, having entered, the priest places the Mysteries as usual on the holy table, and he takes the veils from the holy Gifts and covers them with the aer, saying nothing over them. He only censes them.
Then according to current practice, we again say:
O Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of idleness, of meddling (faintheartedness or despondency in Slavonic), of love of power, and of idle words, grant me not. reverence
But the spirit of continence, of humility, of patience, and of love, do thou grant unto me thy servant. great reverence
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to perceive mine own offenses, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art thou unto ages of ages. Amen. great reverence Then the holy doors are closed, and the curtain is drawn usually halfway.
Then the deacon, taking the priest's leave, goes out to the usual place and says these petitions:
Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the precious Gifts which have been set forth and presanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That our God, who loveth man, receiving them upon His holy, most heavenly, and ideal altar, for an odor of spiritual fragrance, will send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The priest prays:
O God of unutterable and unseen Mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who hast revealed the service of this liturgy to us, who hast set us sinners, through thy great love of man, to offer to thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, do thou thyself, 0 invisible King, who doest things great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, which cannot be numbered, look upon us, thine unworthy servants, who stand at, this holy altar as at thy Cherubimic throne, upon which resteth thine only-begotten Son and our God, in the dread Mysteries that are set forth, and having freed us all and all thy faithful people from uncleanness, sanctify all our souls and bodies with the sanctification which cannot be taken away, that partaking with a clean conscience, with faces unashamed, with heart illumined, of these divine, sanctified Things, and by them being given life, we may be united to thy Christ Himself, our true God, who hath said, Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him, that thy Word, 0 Lord, dwelling within us and sojourning among us, we may become a temple of thine all-holy and adorable Spirit, redeemed from every diabolical wile, wrought either by deed, or word, or thought, and may obtain the good things promised to us, with all thy Saints, who always have been well-pleasing to thee.
Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
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, 0 Lord.
And vouchsafe, 0 Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God and Father, and to say:
People:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The priest exclaims:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest:
Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon:
Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
The priest, bowing his head, prays:
O God, who alone art good and tenderhearted, who dwellest on high, who lookest upon the humble, look with the eye of thy tenderheartedness upon all thy people and keep them. Make us all worthy without condemnation to partake of these thy life-creating Mysteries, for unto thee have we bowed our heads, awaiting from thee thy rich mercy.
Exclamation:
Through the grace and compassion and love of man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest prays:
Attend, 0 Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, 0 thou who sittest together with the Father above, and who art invisibly present here with us. And vouchsafe, by thy strong hand, to impart to us thine immaculate Body and thy precious Blood, and through us, to all thy people.
After the prayer, the priest and the deacon make three references saying:
O God, cleanse thou me a sinner.
The priest, the Divine Gifts being covered, puts his hand under the aer and touches the life-creating Bread with great reverence and fear.
And the deacon says:
Let us attend.
The priest exclaims:
The Presanctified Holy Things are for the holy.
Choir:
One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The curtain is drawn. Then the priest lays aside the holy aer. The deacon enters the sanctuary, and, standing close to the priest, says:
Break, Master, the holy Bread.
The priest breaks it, with great heed, into four parts, saying:
Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken and not disunited, which is ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.
And he puts a portion into the chalice, saying nothing. Then the deacon pours warm water into the chalice, saying nothing, and stands a little apart.
And the choir sings the koinonikon:
O taste and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
If readings from the Apostle and Gospel for a saint or for the temple are prescribed, then also the other koinonikon is sung.
The priest says:
Deacon, draw near.
And the deacon approaches, making a devout reverence and asking forgiveness, and he says:
Lo, I draw near to our immortal King and God.
And: Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
The priest, taking a portion of the holy Mysteries, gives it to the deacon, saying:
To thee, the deacon, Name, is imparted the precious and holy and immaculate Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life eternal.
And the deacon, having kissed his hand, withdraws and stands behind the holy table, and bowing his head, he prays, like the priest, saying, I believe, O Lord... and the rest. Similarly, the priest, taking a portion of the holy Mysteries, says:
The precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the priest, Name, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. Amen.
And bowing his head, he prays, saying:
I believe, 0 Lord, and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. And I believe that this is thine own immaculate Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray thee, have mercy on me, and pardon my trespasses, voluntary and involuntary, in word, or in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, and make me worthy without condemnation to partake of thine immaculate Mysteries unto forgiveness of sins and unto life eternal.
Then:
Of thy mystical Supper, 0 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, 0 Lord, in thy kingdom.
Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy holy Mysteries, 0 Lord, but unto healing of soul and body.
And thus they partake of the holy Mysteries with fear and all wariness.
Then the priest, taking the sponge, wipes his hand, saying: Glory to thee, O God. thrice. And having kissed the sponge, he lays it in its place. Then taking the holy chalice with the veil in both hands, he drinks from it, saying nothing. Then he wipes his mouth and the holy chalice with the veil, which is in his hands, and sets the holy chalice on the holy table. And having taken the antidoron, he washes his hands and lips. And the deacon does not drink from the cup at this time, but after the Prayer behind the Ambo, and after consuming the remaining particles of the holy Mysteries.
If a priest serves alone without a deacon, then, after having partaken of the holy Mysteries, he does not drink from the cup, nor does he take the antidoron, but only after the completion of the Liturgy and after consuming the holy Mysteries.
The deacon, then, taking the holy diskos, brings it up over the holy chalice and puts the Holy Things into it, and, having made three reverences, he opens the holy doors, and taking the holy chalice, says:
With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.
The choir sings:
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will be continually in my mouth. [O taste the Bread of heaven and the Cup of life and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia.Alleluia. Alleluia.]
Then there is the communion of the faithful as at the Liturgy of John Chrysostom.
Then the priest says:
Save, 0 God, thy people, and bless thine inheritance.
And the priest, having censed the Holy Things, gives the censer to the deacon, and, having taken the holy diskos, he sets it on the deacon's head, and the deacon, taking it with reverence, shall look out the doors saying nothing, and go forth to the prothesis and shall set it down.
The priest, having made a reverence, takes the holy chalice, and, turning toward the doors, looks toward the people, saying secretly:
Blessed is our God,
And exclaiming:
Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
And he takes the Holy Things to the prothesis.
Choir: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may hymn thy glory, for thou hast made us worthy to partake of thy holy, immortal and life-creating (immaculate in Greek) Mysteries. Preserve us in thy holiness, that all the day long we may meditate on thy righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The deacon says:
Attend! Having received the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, and life-creating dread Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Having asked that the whole evening be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
The priest prays secretly:
We give thanks unto thee, 0 Savior, God of all, for all the good things thou hast granted unto us, and for the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ, and we pray thee, 0 Master, who lovest man, keep us under the shelter of thy wings. And grant that even unto our last breath we may worthily partake of thy holy Things, unto illumination of soul and body, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.
Exclamation:
For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
Choir: In the name of the Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Prayer behind the Ambo, said aloud:
O Almighty Master, who in wisdom hast fashioned all creation, who through thine ineffable providence and great goodness hast led us to these all-revered days for purification of souls and bodies, for restraint of passions, and for hope of the resurrection, who during the forty days didst put into the hands of thy servitor Moses the tables in letters divinely inscribed, grant unto us also, 0 Good One, to fight the good fight, to complete the course of the fast, to preserve the faith undivided, to crush the heads of invisible serpents, to be shown to be conquerors of sins, and, without condemnation also to attain unto and to worship the holy resurrection. For blessed and glorified is thine allhonorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more. thrice Glory... Now and. .. and Psalm 33: 1 will bless the Lord at all times ...
Prayer said when the Holy Things are Consumed:
O Lord our God, who hast led us to these most solemn days, and hast made us communicants of thy dread Mysteries, join us to thy reasonable flock, and show us to be heirs of thy kingdom, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And the priest comes out, and standing in the usual place, distributes the antidoron.
And then he says:
The blessing of the Lord and His mercy be upon you through His grace and love of man always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest:
Glory to thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to thee.
Choir: Glory... Now and... Lord, have mercy. thrice Bless.
Priest:
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate Mother, and of our father among the Saints, Gregory Dialogus, (and the rest according to the day of the week, and also the saint of the temple and of the day) and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth man.
This dismissal is given up to Passion Week, during which the proper dismissal is said. After the dismissal, the prayers of thanksgiving are said.
Then: Lord, now lettest thou... the Trisagion, and after Our Father ...
Priest: For thine is the kingdom .
The troparion, tone 4:
A canon of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence hath the truth of thy deeds shown thee to be to thy flock. Thus didst thou by humility obtain exaltation, by thy poverty riches. 0 Father Gregory, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Glory... Now and . . . , the Theotokion:
O Protection of Christians that is not put to shame, unchanging Mediation before the Creator, despise not the voice of the sinners' prayer, but in that thou art good, come quickly to help us who call upon thee in faith, make speed to intercede and make haste to supplicate, 0 Theotokos, who dost ever protect those that honor thee.
End of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
The Coptic Liturgy
(of Saint Basil)
O Lord and Master of my life, the spirit of idleness, of meddling (faintheartedness or despondency in Slavonic), of love of power, and of idle words, grant me not. reverence
But the spirit of continence, of humility, of patience, and of love, do thou grant unto me thy servant. great reverence
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to perceive mine own offenses, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art thou unto ages of ages. Amen. great reverence Then the holy doors are closed, and the curtain is drawn usually halfway.
Then the deacon, taking the priest's leave, goes out to the usual place and says these petitions:
Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For the precious Gifts which have been set forth and presanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That our God, who loveth man, receiving them upon His holy, most heavenly, and ideal altar, for an odor of spiritual fragrance, will send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The priest prays:
O God of unutterable and unseen Mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who hast revealed the service of this liturgy to us, who hast set us sinners, through thy great love of man, to offer to thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, do thou thyself, 0 invisible King, who doest things great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, which cannot be numbered, look upon us, thine unworthy servants, who stand at, this holy altar as at thy Cherubimic throne, upon which resteth thine only-begotten Son and our God, in the dread Mysteries that are set forth, and having freed us all and all thy faithful people from uncleanness, sanctify all our souls and bodies with the sanctification which cannot be taken away, that partaking with a clean conscience, with faces unashamed, with heart illumined, of these divine, sanctified Things, and by them being given life, we may be united to thy Christ Himself, our true God, who hath said, Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him, that thy Word, 0 Lord, dwelling within us and sojourning among us, we may become a temple of thine all-holy and adorable Spirit, redeemed from every diabolical wile, wrought either by deed, or word, or thought, and may obtain the good things promised to us, with all thy Saints, who always have been well-pleasing to thee.
Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir: Grant this, 0 Lord.
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, 0 Lord.
And vouchsafe, 0 Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God and Father, and to say:
People:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The priest exclaims:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest:
Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon:
Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
The priest, bowing his head, prays:
O God, who alone art good and tenderhearted, who dwellest on high, who lookest upon the humble, look with the eye of thy tenderheartedness upon all thy people and keep them. Make us all worthy without condemnation to partake of these thy life-creating Mysteries, for unto thee have we bowed our heads, awaiting from thee thy rich mercy.
Exclamation:
Through the grace and compassion and love of man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest prays:
Attend, 0 Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, 0 thou who sittest together with the Father above, and who art invisibly present here with us. And vouchsafe, by thy strong hand, to impart to us thine immaculate Body and thy precious Blood, and through us, to all thy people.
After the prayer, the priest and the deacon make three references saying:
O God, cleanse thou me a sinner.
The priest, the Divine Gifts being covered, puts his hand under the aer and touches the life-creating Bread with great reverence and fear.
And the deacon says:
Let us attend.
The priest exclaims:
The Presanctified Holy Things are for the holy.
Choir:
One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The curtain is drawn. Then the priest lays aside the holy aer. The deacon enters the sanctuary, and, standing close to the priest, says:
Break, Master, the holy Bread.
The priest breaks it, with great heed, into four parts, saying:
Broken and divided is the Lamb of God, which is broken and not disunited, which is ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.
And he puts a portion into the chalice, saying nothing. Then the deacon pours warm water into the chalice, saying nothing, and stands a little apart.
And the choir sings the koinonikon:
O taste and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
If readings from the Apostle and Gospel for a saint or for the temple are prescribed, then also the other koinonikon is sung.
The priest says:
Deacon, draw near.
And the deacon approaches, making a devout reverence and asking forgiveness, and he says:
Lo, I draw near to our immortal King and God.
And: Impart unto me, Master, the precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
The priest, taking a portion of the holy Mysteries, gives it to the deacon, saying:
To thee, the deacon, Name, is imparted the precious and holy and immaculate Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto forgiveness of thy sins and unto life eternal.
And the deacon, having kissed his hand, withdraws and stands behind the holy table, and bowing his head, he prays, like the priest, saying, I believe, O Lord... and the rest. Similarly, the priest, taking a portion of the holy Mysteries, says:
The precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the priest, Name, unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life eternal. Amen.
And bowing his head, he prays, saying:
I believe, 0 Lord, and I confess, that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. And I believe that this is thine own immaculate Body, and that this is thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray thee, have mercy on me, and pardon my trespasses, voluntary and involuntary, in word, or in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, and make me worthy without condemnation to partake of thine immaculate Mysteries unto forgiveness of sins and unto life eternal.
Then:
Of thy mystical Supper, 0 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, 0 Lord, in thy kingdom.
Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy holy Mysteries, 0 Lord, but unto healing of soul and body.
And thus they partake of the holy Mysteries with fear and all wariness.
Then the priest, taking the sponge, wipes his hand, saying: Glory to thee, O God. thrice. And having kissed the sponge, he lays it in its place. Then taking the holy chalice with the veil in both hands, he drinks from it, saying nothing. Then he wipes his mouth and the holy chalice with the veil, which is in his hands, and sets the holy chalice on the holy table. And having taken the antidoron, he washes his hands and lips. And the deacon does not drink from the cup at this time, but after the Prayer behind the Ambo, and after consuming the remaining particles of the holy Mysteries.
If a priest serves alone without a deacon, then, after having partaken of the holy Mysteries, he does not drink from the cup, nor does he take the antidoron, but only after the completion of the Liturgy and after consuming the holy Mysteries.
The deacon, then, taking the holy diskos, brings it up over the holy chalice and puts the Holy Things into it, and, having made three reverences, he opens the holy doors, and taking the holy chalice, says:
With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.
The choir sings:
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will be continually in my mouth. [O taste the Bread of heaven and the Cup of life and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia.Alleluia. Alleluia.]
Then there is the communion of the faithful as at the Liturgy of John Chrysostom.
Then the priest says:
Save, 0 God, thy people, and bless thine inheritance.
And the priest, having censed the Holy Things, gives the censer to the deacon, and, having taken the holy diskos, he sets it on the deacon's head, and the deacon, taking it with reverence, shall look out the doors saying nothing, and go forth to the prothesis and shall set it down.
The priest, having made a reverence, takes the holy chalice, and, turning toward the doors, looks toward the people, saying secretly:
Blessed is our God,
And exclaiming:
Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
And he takes the Holy Things to the prothesis.
Choir: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may hymn thy glory, for thou hast made us worthy to partake of thy holy, immortal and life-creating (immaculate in Greek) Mysteries. Preserve us in thy holiness, that all the day long we may meditate on thy righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The deacon says:
Attend! Having received the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, and life-creating dread Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Having asked that the whole evening be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, 0 Lord.
The priest prays secretly:
We give thanks unto thee, 0 Savior, God of all, for all the good things thou hast granted unto us, and for the communion of the holy Body and Blood of thy Christ, and we pray thee, 0 Master, who lovest man, keep us under the shelter of thy wings. And grant that even unto our last breath we may worthily partake of thy holy Things, unto illumination of soul and body, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.
Exclamation:
For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
Choir: In the name of the Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Prayer behind the Ambo, said aloud:
O Almighty Master, who in wisdom hast fashioned all creation, who through thine ineffable providence and great goodness hast led us to these all-revered days for purification of souls and bodies, for restraint of passions, and for hope of the resurrection, who during the forty days didst put into the hands of thy servitor Moses the tables in letters divinely inscribed, grant unto us also, 0 Good One, to fight the good fight, to complete the course of the fast, to preserve the faith undivided, to crush the heads of invisible serpents, to be shown to be conquerors of sins, and, without condemnation also to attain unto and to worship the holy resurrection. For blessed and glorified is thine allhonorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more. thrice Glory... Now and. .. and Psalm 33: 1 will bless the Lord at all times ...
Prayer said when the Holy Things are Consumed:
O Lord our God, who hast led us to these most solemn days, and hast made us communicants of thy dread Mysteries, join us to thy reasonable flock, and show us to be heirs of thy kingdom, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And the priest comes out, and standing in the usual place, distributes the antidoron.
And then he says:
The blessing of the Lord and His mercy be upon you through His grace and love of man always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest:
Glory to thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to thee.
Choir: Glory... Now and... Lord, have mercy. thrice Bless.
Priest:
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate Mother, and of our father among the Saints, Gregory Dialogus, (and the rest according to the day of the week, and also the saint of the temple and of the day) and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth man.
This dismissal is given up to Passion Week, during which the proper dismissal is said. After the dismissal, the prayers of thanksgiving are said.
Then: Lord, now lettest thou... the Trisagion, and after Our Father ...
Priest: For thine is the kingdom .
The troparion, tone 4:
A canon of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence hath the truth of thy deeds shown thee to be to thy flock. Thus didst thou by humility obtain exaltation, by thy poverty riches. 0 Father Gregory, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Glory... Now and . . . , the Theotokion:
O Protection of Christians that is not put to shame, unchanging Mediation before the Creator, despise not the voice of the sinners' prayer, but in that thou art good, come quickly to help us who call upon thee in faith, make speed to intercede and make haste to supplicate, 0 Theotokos, who dost ever protect those that honor thee.
End of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
The Coptic Liturgy
(of Saint Basil)
The Offertory
The Prayer of Reparation
(The priest recites inaudibly the prayer of preparation of altar): Lord, who knows the hearts of all, who is Holy, and who rests amid the saints; who alone is without sin, and who is mighty to forgive sins; You, O Lord, know my unworthiness, my unfitness, and my unmeetness, unto this, Your holy service; and I have no boldness that I should draw near and open my mouth before Your holy glory; but according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, pardon me a sinner, and grant unto me the I may find grace and mercy at this hour, and send me straight form high (here he uncovers the chalice, and arranges it upon the alter, together with the paten and the spoon, continuing mean while) that I may begin, and may be made fit, and may finish Your holy service according to Your pleasure, according to the good pleasure of Your will, and for a sweet Saviour of incense. Even so, O our Lord; be with us, take part with us in this; bless us; for You are the forgiveness of our sins, the light of our souls, our life, and our strength and our confidence; You are He unto whom we ascribe praise, and glory, and worship, O Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen. (He continues immediately, and still inaudibly with the prayer after the preparation of the altar): You, O Lord, have taught us this great mystery of salvation. You have called us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to be servants of Your holy altar. O You, our Lord, make us meet, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to finish this service; so that, without falling into condemnation before Your great Glory, we may offer up unto You a sacrifice of praise, glory, and great beauty, in Your sanctuary. O God, who gives grace, who sends forth salvation, who works all in all, grant, O Lord, that our sacrifice may be accepted before You for my sins, and for the ignorances of Your people; for, behold it is holy, according to the gift of Your Holy Spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom becomes You glory, and honour and worship, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Prayer of Reparation
(The priest recites inaudibly the prayer of preparation of altar): Lord, who knows the hearts of all, who is Holy, and who rests amid the saints; who alone is without sin, and who is mighty to forgive sins; You, O Lord, know my unworthiness, my unfitness, and my unmeetness, unto this, Your holy service; and I have no boldness that I should draw near and open my mouth before Your holy glory; but according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, pardon me a sinner, and grant unto me the I may find grace and mercy at this hour, and send me straight form high (here he uncovers the chalice, and arranges it upon the alter, together with the paten and the spoon, continuing mean while) that I may begin, and may be made fit, and may finish Your holy service according to Your pleasure, according to the good pleasure of Your will, and for a sweet Saviour of incense. Even so, O our Lord; be with us, take part with us in this; bless us; for You are the forgiveness of our sins, the light of our souls, our life, and our strength and our confidence; You are He unto whom we ascribe praise, and glory, and worship, O Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen. (He continues immediately, and still inaudibly with the prayer after the preparation of the altar): You, O Lord, have taught us this great mystery of salvation. You have called us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to be servants of Your holy altar. O You, our Lord, make us meet, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to finish this service; so that, without falling into condemnation before Your great Glory, we may offer up unto You a sacrifice of praise, glory, and great beauty, in Your sanctuary. O God, who gives grace, who sends forth salvation, who works all in all, grant, O Lord, that our sacrifice may be accepted before You for my sins, and for the ignorances of Your people; for, behold it is holy, according to the gift of Your Holy Spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom becomes You glory, and honour and worship, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Procession of the Lamb
PRIEST: Glory and honour, honour and glory to the all-Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace and edification unto the one, only, holy catholic and apostolic church of God. Amen. Remember, O Lord those who have brought unto You these gifts, those on whose behalf they have been brought, and those by whom they have been brought. Give them all the heavenly reward.
DEACON: Pray for these holy and precious gifts, our sacrifices and those who have brought them. Lord have mercy.
CONGREGATION:
Alleluia. this is the Alleluia: fai pe pi eho-oo eta
day which the Lord ep Chois thamiof: maren thelil
has made, let us rejoice en ten oonof emmon enkhitf:
and be glad in it. O Ep Chois ek-e nahmen:
O Lord save us, O Lord O Ep Chois ek-e sooten nen moit:
straighten our ways. Ef-esmaro-oot enje fi ethnioo
Blessed is He who comes khen ef raan
in the name of the Lord. em ep Chois:
Alleluia. Alleluia.
PRIEST: In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Blessed be God the Father the Pantocrator. Amen.
DEACON: Amen.
PRIEST: Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
DEACON: Amen.
PRIEST: Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Amen.
DEACON: Amen. One is the Holy Father, One is the Holy Son, One is the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed be the Lord God forever. Amen. Praise the Lord, all you nations: praise Him, all you peoples for His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord endures for ever. Amen, Alleluia.
CONGREGATION:
Glory be to the Father, Doxa patri ke eyou
and to the Son, Ke Agiou Epnevmati.
and to the Holy Spirit, Ke nin ke a-ee ke
now and forever and Ke yes tos e-onas
to the age of all ages. Ton e-onon.
Amen, Alleluia. Amen, Alleluia.
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshlil.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: Glory and honour, honour and glory to the all-Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace and edification unto the one, only, holy catholic and apostolic church of God. Amen. Remember, O Lord those who have brought unto You these gifts, those on whose behalf they have been brought, and those by whom they have been brought. Give them all the heavenly reward.
DEACON: Pray for these holy and precious gifts, our sacrifices and those who have brought them. Lord have mercy.
CONGREGATION:
Alleluia. this is the Alleluia: fai pe pi eho-oo eta
day which the Lord ep Chois thamiof: maren thelil
has made, let us rejoice en ten oonof emmon enkhitf:
and be glad in it. O Ep Chois ek-e nahmen:
O Lord save us, O Lord O Ep Chois ek-e sooten nen moit:
straighten our ways. Ef-esmaro-oot enje fi ethnioo
Blessed is He who comes khen ef raan
in the name of the Lord. em ep Chois:
Alleluia. Alleluia.
PRIEST: In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Blessed be God the Father the Pantocrator. Amen.
DEACON: Amen.
PRIEST: Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
DEACON: Amen.
PRIEST: Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Amen.
DEACON: Amen. One is the Holy Father, One is the Holy Son, One is the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed be the Lord God forever. Amen. Praise the Lord, all you nations: praise Him, all you peoples for His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord endures for ever. Amen, Alleluia.
CONGREGATION:
Glory be to the Father, Doxa patri ke eyou
and to the Son, Ke Agiou Epnevmati.
and to the Holy Spirit, Ke nin ke a-ee ke
now and forever and Ke yes tos e-onas
to the age of all ages. Ton e-onon.
Amen, Alleluia. Amen, Alleluia.
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshlil.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to pnevmati soo.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
DEACON:
Pray. Prosevexaste.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST: O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we thank you for every condition, concerning every condition, and in every condition. For you have covered us,helped us, guarded us, accepted us to You, spared us, supported us, and have brought us to this hour.
DEACON: Pray that God have mercy and compassion upon us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and prayers of his saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times, and make us worthy to partake of the communion of his holy and blessed mysteries, for the remission of our sins.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST: Therefore we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Philanthropic one, grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life, in all peace with your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan the counsel of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us, and from all your people, and form this table, and from this holy place that is yours. But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is you who have given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and philanthropy of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: (inaudibly) Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the co-eternal Logos of the unblemished Father who is of one essence with him and the Holy Spirit. For you are the living bread which came down from heaven and did aforetime make yourself a Lamb without spot, for the life of the world. We ask and entreat your goodness, O philanthropic One (here the priest points with his hand to the bread set before him on the paten) Show your face upon this bread (and here he points to the wine set before him in the chalice) and upon this cup, which we have set upon (here he points to the altar) this, your priestly table. (and her he makes the sign of the cross three times over the bread and wine together, saying at first signing) Bless them, (at the second signing) sanctify them, (and at the third signing) purify them and change them (her he points with his hand to the bead in particular) in order that this bread, on the one hand may become indeed your holy Body (here he points with his hand to the chalice in particular)and the mixture on the other hand, which is in this cup, indeed your precious Blood, and may they become for all of us a partaking, healing, and salvation of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. For you are our God and glory is due unto you with Your Good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Saved, Amen. And with your spirit.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
DEACON:
Pray. Prosevexaste.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST: O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we thank you for every condition, concerning every condition, and in every condition. For you have covered us,helped us, guarded us, accepted us to You, spared us, supported us, and have brought us to this hour.
DEACON: Pray that God have mercy and compassion upon us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and prayers of his saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times, and make us worthy to partake of the communion of his holy and blessed mysteries, for the remission of our sins.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST: Therefore we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Philanthropic one, grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life, in all peace with your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan the counsel of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us, and from all your people, and form this table, and from this holy place that is yours. But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is you who have given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, by the grace, compassion and philanthropy of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: (inaudibly) Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the co-eternal Logos of the unblemished Father who is of one essence with him and the Holy Spirit. For you are the living bread which came down from heaven and did aforetime make yourself a Lamb without spot, for the life of the world. We ask and entreat your goodness, O philanthropic One (here the priest points with his hand to the bread set before him on the paten) Show your face upon this bread (and here he points to the wine set before him in the chalice) and upon this cup, which we have set upon (here he points to the altar) this, your priestly table. (and her he makes the sign of the cross three times over the bread and wine together, saying at first signing) Bless them, (at the second signing) sanctify them, (and at the third signing) purify them and change them (her he points with his hand to the bead in particular) in order that this bread, on the one hand may become indeed your holy Body (here he points with his hand to the chalice in particular)and the mixture on the other hand, which is in this cup, indeed your precious Blood, and may they become for all of us a partaking, healing, and salvation of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. For you are our God and glory is due unto you with Your Good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Saved, Amen. And with your spirit.
The Absolution of Ministers
PRIEST: May your servants, ministers of this day, the hegomen, the priest, the deacons, the clergy, all the people and my weak self, be absolved from the mouth of the all-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and from the mouth of the one only holy catholic and apostolic church, and form the mouth of the beholder-of-God the evangelist Saint Mark the apostle and martyr, the patriarch Saint Severus, our teacher Dioscorus, Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, Saint Peter the priest- martyr and the high priest, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Cyril, Saint Basil, and Saint Gregory, and form the mouths of the three hundred and eighteen assembled at Nicea, the one hundred and fifty at Constantinople, and the two hundred at Ephesus, and form the mouth of our honoured father, the high priest Abba....., and from the mouth of my abject self. For blessed and full of glory is Your holy name, O Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: May your servants, ministers of this day, the hegomen, the priest, the deacons, the clergy, all the people and my weak self, be absolved from the mouth of the all-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and from the mouth of the one only holy catholic and apostolic church, and form the mouth of the beholder-of-God the evangelist Saint Mark the apostle and martyr, the patriarch Saint Severus, our teacher Dioscorus, Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, Saint Peter the priest- martyr and the high priest, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Cyril, Saint Basil, and Saint Gregory, and form the mouths of the three hundred and eighteen assembled at Nicea, the one hundred and fifty at Constantinople, and the two hundred at Ephesus, and form the mouth of our honoured father, the high priest Abba....., and from the mouth of my abject self. For blessed and full of glory is Your holy name, O Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Prayer of incense of the Pauline Epistle
PRIEST:(inaudibly) O God the great and the eternal, without beginning and without end, great in His counsel and mighty in His works, who is in all places, dwells with every one. Be with us also, our Master, in this hour and stand in the midst of us all. Purify our hearts and sanctify our souls. Cleanse us from all sins which we have done willingly and unwillingly and grant to us to offer before you rational sacrifices and sacrifices of blessing.
DEACON: Pray for our sacrifice and for those who bring it.
PRIEST: And a spiritual incense entering within the veil in the holy place of your holies. And we ask you, O our Master, remember O Lord...(as in the offering of incense.)
The hymn of the Censer
This censer of pure Tai shori en noob en katharos:
gold, bearing the Etfai kha pi aromata: et khen
aroma, is in the hands of nen jij en Aaron pi owib: ef
Aaron the priest, offering up tali oo esthoinoofi epshoi ejen
incense on the altar. pi ma en ershooshi.
The hymn of the Intercessions
Through the Hiten ni presvia ente ti
intercessions of the The-otokos: Ethowab
Theotokos, Saint Mary, Maria: Ep Chois: ari
O Lord, grant us the ehmot nan em pi ko
forgiveness of our sins. evol ente nen novi.
PRIEST:(inaudibly) O God the great and the eternal, without beginning and without end, great in His counsel and mighty in His works, who is in all places, dwells with every one. Be with us also, our Master, in this hour and stand in the midst of us all. Purify our hearts and sanctify our souls. Cleanse us from all sins which we have done willingly and unwillingly and grant to us to offer before you rational sacrifices and sacrifices of blessing.
DEACON: Pray for our sacrifice and for those who bring it.
PRIEST: And a spiritual incense entering within the veil in the holy place of your holies. And we ask you, O our Master, remember O Lord...(as in the offering of incense.)
The hymn of the Censer
This censer of pure Tai shori en noob en katharos:
gold, bearing the Etfai kha pi aromata: et khen
aroma, is in the hands of nen jij en Aaron pi owib: ef
Aaron the priest, offering up tali oo esthoinoofi epshoi ejen
incense on the altar. pi ma en ershooshi.
The hymn of the Intercessions
Through the Hiten ni presvia ente ti
intercessions of the The-otokos: Ethowab
Theotokos, Saint Mary, Maria: Ep Chois: ari
O Lord, grant us the ehmot nan em pi ko
forgiveness of our sins. evol ente nen novi.
Through the Hiten ni presvia ente pi:
intercessions of the shashf en arshi-angelos:
seven archangels and nem ni tagma en ep
the heavenly orders, ooranion: Ep Chois: ari
O Lord, grant us the ehmot nan em pi ko
forgiveness of our sins. evol ente nen novi.
intercessions of the shashf en arshi-angelos:
seven archangels and nem ni tagma en ep
the heavenly orders, ooranion: Ep Chois: ari
O Lord, grant us the ehmot nan em pi ko
forgiveness of our sins. evol ente nen novi.
Through the prayers of Hiten ni evki ente na
my masters and fathers, chois en yoti en
the apostles, and the Apostolos: nem ep sepi
rest of the disciples, ente ni Mathitis:
O Lord, grant us the Ep Chois, ari ehmot nan
forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko enol ente nen novi.
my masters and fathers, chois en yoti en
the apostles, and the Apostolos: nem ep sepi
rest of the disciples, ente ni Mathitis:
O Lord, grant us the Ep Chois, ari ehmot nan
forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko enol ente nen novi.
Through the prayers of Hiten ni enki ente pi
the beholder-of-God Theorimos en
the evangelist Mark the Evangelistis: Markos pi
apostle, O Lord, grant Apostolos: Ep Chois:
us the forgiveness of ari ehmot nan em pi ko
our sins. evol ente nen novi.
the beholder-of-God Theorimos en
the evangelist Mark the Evangelistis: Markos pi
apostle, O Lord, grant Apostolos: Ep Chois:
us the forgiveness of ari ehmot nan em pi ko
our sins. evol ente nen novi.
Through the prayers of Hiten ni evki ente pi
the victorious martyr athloforos em martiros:
my lord the prince pa chois ep ooro
George, O Lord, grant Ge-orgios: Ep Chois:
us the forgiveness of ari ehmot nan em pi ko
our sins. evol ente nen novi.
the victorious martyr athloforos em martiros:
my lord the prince pa chois ep ooro
George, O Lord, grant Ge-orgios: Ep Chois:
us the forgiveness of ari ehmot nan em pi ko
our sins. evol ente nen novi.
Through the prayers of Hiten ni evki ente ni
the saints of this day, ethowab ente pai eho-oo:
each by his name, pi owai pi owai kata pef
O Lord, grant us the raan. Ep Chois: ari ehmotnan
forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko evol ente nen novi.
the saints of this day, ethowab ente pai eho-oo:
each by his name, pi owai pi owai kata pef
O Lord, grant us the raan. Ep Chois: ari ehmotnan
forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko evol ente nen novi.
Through their prayers Hiten no enki areh ep
Keep the life of our onkh em pen yot
honored father, the ettayoot: en arshi-erves
high priest, Papa Abba Papa Abba...., Ep
O Lord, grant us ari ehmot nan
the forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko evol ente nen novi.
Keep the life of our onkh em pen yot
honored father, the ettayoot: en arshi-erves
high priest, Papa Abba Papa Abba...., Ep
O Lord, grant us ari ehmot nan
the forgiveness of our sins. em pi ko evol ente nen novi.
We worship You Ten oo-osht Emmok:
O Christ with Your O Pi khristos: nem
good father and the Pek Yot en Aghathos:
Holy Spirit for you nem pi pnevma
have come and Ehtowab: je ak ee ak
saved us. soti emmon nai nan.
O Christ with Your O Pi khristos: nem
good father and the Pek Yot en Aghathos:
Holy Spirit for you nem pi pnevma
have come and Ehtowab: je ak ee ak
saved us. soti emmon nai nan.
The Pauline Epistle
READER: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to .... His blessings be upon us, Amen.
(after the Pauline Epistle is read, he says:) The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
(while the deacon is reading the Pauline Epistle, the priest says the following prayer inaudibly) O God of knowledge, giver of wisdom, who brings to light the hidden things of darkness, and gives the word to them that preach the gospel with great power, who of your goodness has called upon Paul, who was for some time a persecutor, to be a chosen vessel; And was pleased in him that he should become a chosen apostle and preacher of the gospel, O Christ our God. We ask you also now, O you the good and philanthropic one, graciously grant us and all your people a mind free from wondering and a clear understanding that we may learn and understand how profitable are your holy teachings which are read to us now after him. And as he followed your example, O Prince of life, so make us to be like him in deed and in faith, that we may glorify your holy name and ever glory in your cross. And unto you we stand up glory, honor and worship with your good father and the Holy spirit the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
READER: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to .... His blessings be upon us, Amen.
(after the Pauline Epistle is read, he says:) The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
(while the deacon is reading the Pauline Epistle, the priest says the following prayer inaudibly) O God of knowledge, giver of wisdom, who brings to light the hidden things of darkness, and gives the word to them that preach the gospel with great power, who of your goodness has called upon Paul, who was for some time a persecutor, to be a chosen vessel; And was pleased in him that he should become a chosen apostle and preacher of the gospel, O Christ our God. We ask you also now, O you the good and philanthropic one, graciously grant us and all your people a mind free from wondering and a clear understanding that we may learn and understand how profitable are your holy teachings which are read to us now after him. And as he followed your example, O Prince of life, so make us to be like him in deed and in faith, that we may glorify your holy name and ever glory in your cross. And unto you we stand up glory, honor and worship with your good father and the Holy spirit the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Catholic Epistle
READER: The Catholic Epistle from the Epistle of our teacher... his blessing be upon us all. Amen.
(after the Catholic Epistle is read, he says:) Do not love the world, nor things which are in the world. The world shall pass away and all its desires; but he who does the will of God shall abide forever. Amen.
(During the reading of the Catholic Epistle, the priest says the following prayer inaudibly:) O Lord God, who has revealed unto us through your holy apostles, the mastery of the gospel of the glory of your Christ, and has given unto them according to the power of the infinite gift of your grace, that they should proclaim among all nations the glad news so the unsearchable riches of your mercy, we ask you, O our Lord, make us worthy to have a share and inheritance with them. Graciously, grant unto us always to walk in their footsteps: and to imitate their struggle, and to have communion with them in the sweat which they had for godliness sake. Keep your holy church, which You founded through them, and bless the lambs of your flock and make to increase this vine, which your right hand has planted; in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom are due unto you glory, honour, dominion and worship with him and the Holy Spirit the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Praxis Response
Hail to you, Mary, Shere ne Maria: ti
the fair dove, Who has etchrompi ethnessos:
borne unto us God thi etas misi nan: em
the Logos. Ef Nooti pi Logos.
READER: The Catholic Epistle from the Epistle of our teacher... his blessing be upon us all. Amen.
(after the Catholic Epistle is read, he says:) Do not love the world, nor things which are in the world. The world shall pass away and all its desires; but he who does the will of God shall abide forever. Amen.
(During the reading of the Catholic Epistle, the priest says the following prayer inaudibly:) O Lord God, who has revealed unto us through your holy apostles, the mastery of the gospel of the glory of your Christ, and has given unto them according to the power of the infinite gift of your grace, that they should proclaim among all nations the glad news so the unsearchable riches of your mercy, we ask you, O our Lord, make us worthy to have a share and inheritance with them. Graciously, grant unto us always to walk in their footsteps: and to imitate their struggle, and to have communion with them in the sweat which they had for godliness sake. Keep your holy church, which You founded through them, and bless the lambs of your flock and make to increase this vine, which your right hand has planted; in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom are due unto you glory, honour, dominion and worship with him and the Holy Spirit the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
The Praxis Response
Hail to you, Mary, Shere ne Maria: ti
the fair dove, Who has etchrompi ethnessos:
borne unto us God thi etas misi nan: em
the Logos. Ef Nooti pi Logos.
The Praxis
READER: The Acts of our fathers the apostles, May their holy blessing be with us all. Amen.
(after the Acts of the Apostles is read, he says:) The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty and be confirmed in the holy church of God. Amen.
(the priest says the following prayer inaudibly during the reading of the Acts) O God, who accepted the sacrifice of Abraham, and prepared for him a lamb in place of Isaac, even so accept now at our hand, O our Lord, this sacrifice of incense, and send down upon us in return your abundant mercy and make us pure from all pollution of sin and make us worthy to serve in holiness and righteousness before Your goodness all the days of our life.
(the "Synxadrium" (the chronicle of the saints) is read, then the congregation sings)
The Hymn of the Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Agios O the-os:
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros;
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos;
born of the Virgin, O ek partheno gennethis:
have mercy upon us. elsison imas.
READER: The Acts of our fathers the apostles, May their holy blessing be with us all. Amen.
(after the Acts of the Apostles is read, he says:) The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty and be confirmed in the holy church of God. Amen.
(the priest says the following prayer inaudibly during the reading of the Acts) O God, who accepted the sacrifice of Abraham, and prepared for him a lamb in place of Isaac, even so accept now at our hand, O our Lord, this sacrifice of incense, and send down upon us in return your abundant mercy and make us pure from all pollution of sin and make us worthy to serve in holiness and righteousness before Your goodness all the days of our life.
(the "Synxadrium" (the chronicle of the saints) is read, then the congregation sings)
The Hymn of the Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Agios O the-os:
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros;
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos;
born of the Virgin, O ek partheno gennethis:
have mercy upon us. elsison imas.
Holy God, Holy Agios O theos:
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros;
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos:
crucified for us, O stavrothis di imas:
have mercy upon us. eleison imas.
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros;
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos:
crucified for us, O stavrothis di imas:
have mercy upon us. eleison imas.
Holy God, Holy Agios O theos:
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros:
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos:
form the dead and O anastas ek ton nekron:
ascended into the heavens Ke anelthon ees toos
have mercy upon us. ooranoos: eleison imas.
Mighty, Holy Agios Ees-shiros:
Immortal, who was Agios Athanatos:
form the dead and O anastas ek ton nekron:
ascended into the heavens Ke anelthon ees toos
have mercy upon us. ooranoos: eleison imas.
Glory be to the Father Doxa patri ke eio:
and to the Son and to ke Agio pnevmati:
the Holy Spirit, both ke nin ke a-ee: ke ees
now and always, and toos e-onas ton
unto the ages of ages. e-onon: Amen.
Amen. O Holy Trinity Agia Trias;
have mercy upon us. eleison imas.
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshill.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to pnevmati soo.
and to the Son and to ke Agio pnevmati:
the Holy Spirit, both ke nin ke a-ee: ke ees
now and always, and toos e-onas ton
unto the ages of ages. e-onon: Amen.
Amen. O Holy Trinity Agia Trias;
have mercy upon us. eleison imas.
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshill.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to pnevmati soo.
The Prayer for the Gospel
PRIEST: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, who said to his saintly, honoured disciples and holy apostles, Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and to act according to your holy gospels through the prayers of your saints.
DEACON: Pray for the holy gospel.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleyson.
PRIEST: Remember also, O our Master, all those who have bidden us to remember them in our supplications and prayers which we offer up unto you, O Lord our God. Those who have already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For you are the life of us all, the salvation of us all, the hope of us all, the healing of us all, and the resurrection of us all.
(and he continues inaudibly) And to you we send up the glory, and the honour and the adoration, together with your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with you. Now and at all times and unto the age of all ages Amen.
DEACON: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the holy gospel.
PRIEST: Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord.
READER: Bless, O Lord, the reading of the holy gospel, according to ..
CONGREGATION: Glory to You, O Lord.
READER: Our Lord, God, Saviour, and king of us all, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, to whom is glory forever. (the Gospel is read:)
CONGREGATION: Glory to you, O Lord.
PRIEST :(Inaudibly) O You, who are long-suffering, abundant in mercy and true, receive our prayers and supplications, receive our petitions, repentance and confession upon your holy undefiled altar in heaven; may we be made worthy to hear your holy gospel and may we keep your precepts and commandments and bring forth fruit therein a hundred-fold, sixty-fold and thirty-fold, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Remember, O Lord the sick of your people that you have visited them with mercies and compassion, heal them. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who are traveling, bring them back to their own in peace and safety. Remember O Lord, the air of heaven and the fruits of the earth, bless them. Remember, O Lord, the water of the rivers, bless them, raise them to their measure according to your grace. Remember, O Lord, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field, bless them. Remember, O Lord, the safety of the people and the beasts. Remember, O Lord, the safety of this place, which is yours, and every place and every monastery of our Orthodox fathers. Remember, O Lord, the king (president) of our land, your servant, keep him in peace, justice and might. Remember, O Lord, those who are in captivity, save them all. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the Orthodox faith, repose all their souls. Remember, O Lord, those who have been brought unto you these gifts, those on whose behalf they have brought, and those by whom they have been brought, give them all the heavenly reward. Remember, O Lord, those who are distressed in hardships and oppressions, save them from all their hardships. Remember, O Lord, the catechumens of your people, have mercy upon them; confirm their faith in you; uproot all traces of idolatry form their hearts. Your law, your fear, your commandments, your truths, and your holy precepts, establish in their hearts. Grant that they know the steadfastness of the preaching they have received. And in the set time, may they be worthy of the washing of the new birth for the remission of their sins; as you prepare them to be a temple of your Holy Spirit, by the grace, compassion, and philanthropy (love of mankind) of your only-Begotten Son, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, who said to his saintly, honoured disciples and holy apostles, Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and to act according to your holy gospels through the prayers of your saints.
DEACON: Pray for the holy gospel.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleyson.
PRIEST: Remember also, O our Master, all those who have bidden us to remember them in our supplications and prayers which we offer up unto you, O Lord our God. Those who have already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For you are the life of us all, the salvation of us all, the hope of us all, the healing of us all, and the resurrection of us all.
(and he continues inaudibly) And to you we send up the glory, and the honour and the adoration, together with your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with you. Now and at all times and unto the age of all ages Amen.
DEACON: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the holy gospel.
PRIEST: Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord.
READER: Bless, O Lord, the reading of the holy gospel, according to ..
CONGREGATION: Glory to You, O Lord.
READER: Our Lord, God, Saviour, and king of us all, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, to whom is glory forever. (the Gospel is read:)
CONGREGATION: Glory to you, O Lord.
PRIEST :(Inaudibly) O You, who are long-suffering, abundant in mercy and true, receive our prayers and supplications, receive our petitions, repentance and confession upon your holy undefiled altar in heaven; may we be made worthy to hear your holy gospel and may we keep your precepts and commandments and bring forth fruit therein a hundred-fold, sixty-fold and thirty-fold, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Remember, O Lord the sick of your people that you have visited them with mercies and compassion, heal them. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who are traveling, bring them back to their own in peace and safety. Remember O Lord, the air of heaven and the fruits of the earth, bless them. Remember, O Lord, the water of the rivers, bless them, raise them to their measure according to your grace. Remember, O Lord, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field, bless them. Remember, O Lord, the safety of the people and the beasts. Remember, O Lord, the safety of this place, which is yours, and every place and every monastery of our Orthodox fathers. Remember, O Lord, the king (president) of our land, your servant, keep him in peace, justice and might. Remember, O Lord, those who are in captivity, save them all. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the Orthodox faith, repose all their souls. Remember, O Lord, those who have been brought unto you these gifts, those on whose behalf they have brought, and those by whom they have been brought, give them all the heavenly reward. Remember, O Lord, those who are distressed in hardships and oppressions, save them from all their hardships. Remember, O Lord, the catechumens of your people, have mercy upon them; confirm their faith in you; uproot all traces of idolatry form their hearts. Your law, your fear, your commandments, your truths, and your holy precepts, establish in their hearts. Grant that they know the steadfastness of the preaching they have received. And in the set time, may they be worthy of the washing of the new birth for the remission of their sins; as you prepare them to be a temple of your Holy Spirit, by the grace, compassion, and philanthropy (love of mankind) of your only-Begotten Son, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
Prayer of the Veil
PRIEST :(Inaudibly) O God, who in Your unspeakable love toward mankind sent Your Only-Begotten Son into the world, that He might bring the lost sheep home unto You, we ask You, O our Lord, thrust us not behind You when we offer this awesome and bloodless sacrifice. For we put no trust in our righteousness but in Your mercy, whereby, You have given life to our race. We pray and entreat Your goodness, O philanthropic One, that this mystery which You have appointed unto us for salvation may not be unto condemnation unto us or unto any of Your people, but unto the washing away of our sins and forgiveness of our negligence and unto the glory and honour of Your holy name, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now, and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: In the wisdom of God, let us attend. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. In truth..
PRIEST :(Inaudibly) O God, who in Your unspeakable love toward mankind sent Your Only-Begotten Son into the world, that He might bring the lost sheep home unto You, we ask You, O our Lord, thrust us not behind You when we offer this awesome and bloodless sacrifice. For we put no trust in our righteousness but in Your mercy, whereby, You have given life to our race. We pray and entreat Your goodness, O philanthropic One, that this mystery which You have appointed unto us for salvation may not be unto condemnation unto us or unto any of Your people, but unto the washing away of our sins and forgiveness of our negligence and unto the glory and honour of Your holy name, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now, and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: In the wisdom of God, let us attend. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. In truth..
The Orthodox Creed
CONGREGATION: We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man. And he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended into the heavens; he sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in his glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.
CONGREGATION: We believe in one God, God the Father, the Pantocrator, who created heaven and earth, and all things seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man. And he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, ascended into the heavens; he sits at the right hand of his Father, and He is coming again in his glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.
The Prayer of Reconciliation
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshlil.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: O God the Great and the Eternal, who formed man in incorruption, and death which entered into the world by the envy of the devil, you have destroyed, by the life-giving manifestation of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord God and saviour Jesus Christ. You have filled the earth with the heavenly peace, by which the hosts of angels glorify you saying,"Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will toward men".
DEACON: Pray for perfect peace, love and the holy apostolic kisses.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: According to your good will, O God fill our hearts with your peace. Cleanse us from all blemish, all guile, all hypocrisy, all malice and the remembrance of evil entailing death. And make us all worthy, O our Master, to greet one another with a holy kiss, that without falling into condemnation, we may partake, of your immortal and heavenly gift in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(And he continue Inaudibly) Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen
DEACON: Greet one another with a holy kiss. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Yes, Lord, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, hear us and have mercy upon us. Offer, offer, offer in order. Stand with trembling. Look towards the east. Let us attend.
CONGREGATION: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins. We worship you, O Christ, with your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for you have come and saved us. A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST: The Lord be with you all.
CONGREGATION: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: Lift up your hearts.
CONGREGATION: We have them with the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
CONGREGATION: It is meet and right.
PRIEST: Meet and right, meet and right, truly, indeed, it is meet and right. O You, who are, Master, Lord, God of truth, being before the ages and reigning forever, who dwells in the highest and looks upon the lowly, who has created the heaven, the earth, the sea and all is therein. The Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, by whom you have created all things, seen and unseen. Who sits upon the throne of his glory, and who is worshipped by all the holy power.
DEACON: You who are seated, stand.
PRIEST: Before whom stand the angels, the archangels, the principalities, the authorities, the thrones, the dominion and the powers.
DEACON: Look towards the east.
PRIEST: You are he around whom stand the Cherubim full of eyes, and the Seraphim with six wings praising continuously without ceasing saying.
DEACON: Let us attend.
CONGREGATION: The Cherubim worship you, and the Seraphim glorify you, Proclaiming and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your holy glory.
PRIEST: Agios (Holy), Agios, Agios. Holy, Holy, Holy, truly O Lord, our God, who formed us, created us and placed us in the paradise of joy. When we disobeyed your commandment by the guile of the serpent, we fell from eternal life, and were exiled from the paradise of joy. You have not abandoned us to the end, but have always visited us through your holy prophets, and in the last days, you did manifest yourself to us, who were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, through your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who of the Holy Spirit and of the holy Virgin Mary.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: Was incarnate and became man, and taught us the ways of salvation. He granted us the birth from on high through water and Spirit. He made us unto himself a congregation, and sanctified us by your Holy Spirit; He loved his own who are in the world, and gave himself up for our salvation unto death which reigned over us, whereby we were bound and sold on account of our sins, he descended into Hades through the cross
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe.
PRIEST: He rose form the dead on the third day; He ascended into the heavens and sat at your right hand, O Father; He has appointed a day for recompense, on which He will appear to judge the world in righteousness and give each one according to his deeds.
CONGREGATION: According to your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins.
PRIEST:
Pray. Eshlil.
DEACON:
Stand up for prayer. Epi prosevki stathite.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: O God the Great and the Eternal, who formed man in incorruption, and death which entered into the world by the envy of the devil, you have destroyed, by the life-giving manifestation of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord God and saviour Jesus Christ. You have filled the earth with the heavenly peace, by which the hosts of angels glorify you saying,"Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will toward men".
DEACON: Pray for perfect peace, love and the holy apostolic kisses.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: According to your good will, O God fill our hearts with your peace. Cleanse us from all blemish, all guile, all hypocrisy, all malice and the remembrance of evil entailing death. And make us all worthy, O our Master, to greet one another with a holy kiss, that without falling into condemnation, we may partake, of your immortal and heavenly gift in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(And he continue Inaudibly) Through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you with him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen
DEACON: Greet one another with a holy kiss. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Yes, Lord, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, hear us and have mercy upon us. Offer, offer, offer in order. Stand with trembling. Look towards the east. Let us attend.
CONGREGATION: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins. We worship you, O Christ, with your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for you have come and saved us. A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST: The Lord be with you all.
CONGREGATION: And with your spirit.
PRIEST: Lift up your hearts.
CONGREGATION: We have them with the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
CONGREGATION: It is meet and right.
PRIEST: Meet and right, meet and right, truly, indeed, it is meet and right. O You, who are, Master, Lord, God of truth, being before the ages and reigning forever, who dwells in the highest and looks upon the lowly, who has created the heaven, the earth, the sea and all is therein. The Father of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, by whom you have created all things, seen and unseen. Who sits upon the throne of his glory, and who is worshipped by all the holy power.
DEACON: You who are seated, stand.
PRIEST: Before whom stand the angels, the archangels, the principalities, the authorities, the thrones, the dominion and the powers.
DEACON: Look towards the east.
PRIEST: You are he around whom stand the Cherubim full of eyes, and the Seraphim with six wings praising continuously without ceasing saying.
DEACON: Let us attend.
CONGREGATION: The Cherubim worship you, and the Seraphim glorify you, Proclaiming and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your holy glory.
PRIEST: Agios (Holy), Agios, Agios. Holy, Holy, Holy, truly O Lord, our God, who formed us, created us and placed us in the paradise of joy. When we disobeyed your commandment by the guile of the serpent, we fell from eternal life, and were exiled from the paradise of joy. You have not abandoned us to the end, but have always visited us through your holy prophets, and in the last days, you did manifest yourself to us, who were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, through your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who of the Holy Spirit and of the holy Virgin Mary.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: Was incarnate and became man, and taught us the ways of salvation. He granted us the birth from on high through water and Spirit. He made us unto himself a congregation, and sanctified us by your Holy Spirit; He loved his own who are in the world, and gave himself up for our salvation unto death which reigned over us, whereby we were bound and sold on account of our sins, he descended into Hades through the cross
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe.
PRIEST: He rose form the dead on the third day; He ascended into the heavens and sat at your right hand, O Father; He has appointed a day for recompense, on which He will appear to judge the world in righteousness and give each one according to his deeds.
CONGREGATION: According to your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins.
The Institution Narrative
PRIEST: He instituted for us this great mystery of godliness. For being determined to give himself up to death for the life of the world.
CONGREGATION: We believe.
PRIEST: He took bread into his holy, spotless, unblemished, blessed and life-giving hands.
CONGREGATION: We believe that this is true. Amen.
PRIEST: He looked up towards heaven to you, O God, who are his Father and Master of every one. He gave thanks,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: He blessed it,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And he sanctified it.
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe, we confess, and we glorify.
PRIEST: He broke it, gave it to his own holy disciples and saintly apostles saying "Take, eat of it all of you. For this is My Body, which shall be broken for you and for many, to be given for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me."
CONGREGATION: This is true. Amen.
PRIEST: Likewise also the cup after supper He mixed it of wine and water. He gave thanks,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: He blessed it,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And He sanctified it.
CONGREGATION: Amen. Again, we believe, we confess, and we glorify.
PRIEST: He tasted, and gave it also to his own holy disciples and saintly apostles saying "Take, drink of it all of you. For this is my Blood for the new covenant which shall be shed for you and many, to be given for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me."
CONGREGATION: This is also true. Amen.
PRIEST: For every time you shall eat of this bread and drink of this cup, you proclaim my death, confess my resurrection and remember me till I come.
CONGREGATION: Amen. Amen. Amen. Your death, O Lord, we proclaim. Your holy resurrection and ascension, we confess. We praise You, we bless You, we thank You, O Lord, and we entreat You, O our God.
PRIEST: Therefore, as we also commemorate his holy passion, his resurrection form the dead, His ascension into heavens, his sitting at your hand, O Father, and his second coming which shall be form the heavens, awesome and full of glory; we offer unto you your oblations form what is your, for every condition, concerning every condition and in every condition.
DEACON: Worship God in fear and trembling.
CONGREGATION: We praise you, we bless you, we serve you, we worship you.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) And we ask you, O Lord, our God, we, your sinful and unworthy servants. We worship you by the pleasure of your goodness, that your Holy Spirit descend upon us upon these gifts set forth, and purify them, change them and manifest them as a sanctification of your saints.
DEACON: Let us attend. Amen.
PRIEST: And this bread he makes into his Holy Body.
CONGREGATION: We believe.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, given for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who shall partake of him.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And this cup also, into the precious Blood of his new covenant.
CONGREGATION: Again, we believe. Amen.
PRIEST: Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, given for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who shall partake of him.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
PRIEST: He instituted for us this great mystery of godliness. For being determined to give himself up to death for the life of the world.
CONGREGATION: We believe.
PRIEST: He took bread into his holy, spotless, unblemished, blessed and life-giving hands.
CONGREGATION: We believe that this is true. Amen.
PRIEST: He looked up towards heaven to you, O God, who are his Father and Master of every one. He gave thanks,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: He blessed it,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And he sanctified it.
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe, we confess, and we glorify.
PRIEST: He broke it, gave it to his own holy disciples and saintly apostles saying "Take, eat of it all of you. For this is My Body, which shall be broken for you and for many, to be given for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me."
CONGREGATION: This is true. Amen.
PRIEST: Likewise also the cup after supper He mixed it of wine and water. He gave thanks,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: He blessed it,
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And He sanctified it.
CONGREGATION: Amen. Again, we believe, we confess, and we glorify.
PRIEST: He tasted, and gave it also to his own holy disciples and saintly apostles saying "Take, drink of it all of you. For this is my Blood for the new covenant which shall be shed for you and many, to be given for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me."
CONGREGATION: This is also true. Amen.
PRIEST: For every time you shall eat of this bread and drink of this cup, you proclaim my death, confess my resurrection and remember me till I come.
CONGREGATION: Amen. Amen. Amen. Your death, O Lord, we proclaim. Your holy resurrection and ascension, we confess. We praise You, we bless You, we thank You, O Lord, and we entreat You, O our God.
PRIEST: Therefore, as we also commemorate his holy passion, his resurrection form the dead, His ascension into heavens, his sitting at your hand, O Father, and his second coming which shall be form the heavens, awesome and full of glory; we offer unto you your oblations form what is your, for every condition, concerning every condition and in every condition.
DEACON: Worship God in fear and trembling.
CONGREGATION: We praise you, we bless you, we serve you, we worship you.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) And we ask you, O Lord, our God, we, your sinful and unworthy servants. We worship you by the pleasure of your goodness, that your Holy Spirit descend upon us upon these gifts set forth, and purify them, change them and manifest them as a sanctification of your saints.
DEACON: Let us attend. Amen.
PRIEST: And this bread he makes into his Holy Body.
CONGREGATION: We believe.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, given for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who shall partake of him.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: And this cup also, into the precious Blood of his new covenant.
CONGREGATION: Again, we believe. Amen.
PRIEST: Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, given for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who shall partake of him.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
The Seven Short Prayers
PRIEST: Make us all worthy, O our Master, to partake, of your holies unto the purification of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. That we may become one body and one spirit, and may have a share and an inheritance with all the saints who have pleased you since the beginning. Remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
DEACON: Pray for the peace of the one holy catholic and apostolic Orthodox church of God.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: This which you have acquired unto yourself with the precious Blood of your Christ. Keep her in peace, with all the Orthodox bishops who are in her. Foremost, remember, O Lord, our blessed and honoured father, the archbishop our patriarch Abba......
DEACON: Pray for our high priest Papa Abba..., pope, and patriarch and archbishop of the great city of Alexandria; and for our Orthodox bishops.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison..
PRIEST: And those who rightly define the word of truth with him, grant them unto your holy church to shepherd your flock in peace. Remember, O Lord, the Orthodox hegemonies, priests and deacons.
DEACON: Pray for the hegemonies, priests, deacons, subdeacons, and the seven orders of the church of God.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: And all the ministers, all who are in virginity, and the purity of all your faithful people, Remember, O Lord, to have mercy upon us all.
CONGREGATION: Have mercy upon us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator.
PRIEST: Remember, O Lord, the safety of this holy place, which is yours, and every place and every monastery of our Orthodox fathers.
DEACON: Pray for the safety of the world and of this city of ours and of all cities, districts, islands and monasteries.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: And those who dwell therein in Gods faith.
PRIEST: Graciously accord, O Lord, the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field this year, bless them.
DEACON: Pray for the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the rising of the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field, that Christ our God may bless them, bring them to perfection in peace without harm, and forgive us our sins.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
PRIEST: Raise them to their measure according to your grace. Give joy to the face of the earth. May its furrows be abundantly watered and its fruits be plentiful. Prepare it for sowing and harvesting. Manage our life as deemed fit. Bless the crown of the year with your goodness for the sake of the poor of your people, the widow, the orphan, the traveler, the stranger, and for the sake of us all who entreat you and seek your holy name. For the eyes of every one wait upon you, for you give them their food in due season. Deal with us according to your goodness, O you who give food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we too, having sufficiency in every thing always, may abound in every good deed.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: Remember O Lord, those who have brought unto you these gifts, those on whose behalf they have been brought, and those by whom they have been brought. Give them all the heavenly reward.
DEACON: Pray for these holy and precious gifts, our sacrifices and those who have brought them.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: Make us all worthy, O our Master, to partake, of your holies unto the purification of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. That we may become one body and one spirit, and may have a share and an inheritance with all the saints who have pleased you since the beginning. Remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
DEACON: Pray for the peace of the one holy catholic and apostolic Orthodox church of God.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: This which you have acquired unto yourself with the precious Blood of your Christ. Keep her in peace, with all the Orthodox bishops who are in her. Foremost, remember, O Lord, our blessed and honoured father, the archbishop our patriarch Abba......
DEACON: Pray for our high priest Papa Abba..., pope, and patriarch and archbishop of the great city of Alexandria; and for our Orthodox bishops.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison..
PRIEST: And those who rightly define the word of truth with him, grant them unto your holy church to shepherd your flock in peace. Remember, O Lord, the Orthodox hegemonies, priests and deacons.
DEACON: Pray for the hegemonies, priests, deacons, subdeacons, and the seven orders of the church of God.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: And all the ministers, all who are in virginity, and the purity of all your faithful people, Remember, O Lord, to have mercy upon us all.
CONGREGATION: Have mercy upon us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator.
PRIEST: Remember, O Lord, the safety of this holy place, which is yours, and every place and every monastery of our Orthodox fathers.
DEACON: Pray for the safety of the world and of this city of ours and of all cities, districts, islands and monasteries.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: And those who dwell therein in Gods faith.
PRIEST: Graciously accord, O Lord, the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field this year, bless them.
DEACON: Pray for the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the rising of the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs and the plants of the field, that Christ our God may bless them, bring them to perfection in peace without harm, and forgive us our sins.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
PRIEST: Raise them to their measure according to your grace. Give joy to the face of the earth. May its furrows be abundantly watered and its fruits be plentiful. Prepare it for sowing and harvesting. Manage our life as deemed fit. Bless the crown of the year with your goodness for the sake of the poor of your people, the widow, the orphan, the traveler, the stranger, and for the sake of us all who entreat you and seek your holy name. For the eyes of every one wait upon you, for you give them their food in due season. Deal with us according to your goodness, O you who give food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we too, having sufficiency in every thing always, may abound in every good deed.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
PRIEST: Remember O Lord, those who have brought unto you these gifts, those on whose behalf they have been brought, and those by whom they have been brought. Give them all the heavenly reward.
DEACON: Pray for these holy and precious gifts, our sacrifices and those who have brought them.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kyrie Eleison.
The Commemoration Of The Saints
PRIEST: As this, O Lord, is the command of your Only-Begotten Son, that we share in the commemoration of your saints, graciously accord, O Lord, to remember all the saints who have pleased you since the beginning: our holy fathers the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, the preachers, the evangelists, the martyrs, the confessors and all the spirits of the righteous who were consummated in the faith. Most of all, the pure, full of glory, ever-virgin, holy Theotokos, Saint Mary, who in truth, gave birth to God the Logos. And Saint John the forerunner, Baptist and martyr; Saint Stephen the archdeacon, the protomartyr; the beholder-of-God Saint Mark, the evangelist the apostle and martyr; the patriarch Saint Severus; our teacher Dioscorus; Saint Athanasius the Apostolic; Saint Peter the priest-martyr and the high priest; Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Theodosuius, Saint Theophilus, Saint Demetrius, Saint Cyril, Saint Basil, Saint Gregory the theologian, Saint Gregory the wonder-worker, Saint Gregory the Armenian; the three hundred and eighteen assembled at Nicea, the one hundred at Ephesus; our righteous father great Abba Antony, the righteous Abba Paul, the three saints Abba Macarii, and all their children the cross-bearers, our father Abba John the hegomen; our father Abba Pishoi the righteous perfect man, the beloved of our good Saviour; our father Abba Paul of Tammoh and Ezekiel his disciple; my masters the Roman fathers Saints Maximus and Domitius; the forty nine martyrs the elders of Shiheet; the strong Saint Abba Moses; John Kame the priest; our father Abba Daniel the hegomen; our father Abba Isidore the priest; our father Abba Pachom, of the Koinonia, and Theodore his disciple; our father Abba Shenoute the archimandrite and Abba Wissa his disciple. And all choir of your saints, through whose prayers and supplications, have mercy on us all and save us, for the sake of your holy name, which is called upon us.
DEACON: Let those who read, recite the names of our holy fathers, the patriarchs who have fallen asleep; O Lord repose their souls and forgive us our sins.
PRIEST: (the priest says the following Diptych inaudibly) Remember also, O Lord, all those who have fallen asleep and reposed in the priesthood and in the order of laity. Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, sustain them in a green pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy, the place our of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away in the light of your saints.
PRIEST: Those, O Lord, and everyone whose names we have mentioned, and those whose names we have not mentioned, those whom each one has in mind, and those who are not in our minds, those who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ, graciously, O Lord, remember the souls of your servants (here the priest mentions the names of the departed).
DEACON: Pray for our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ since the beginning, our holy fathers the archbishops, our fathers the bishops, our fathers the hegomens, our fathers the priest, our brethren the deacons, our fathers the monks and our fathers the laymen, and for the full repose of the Christians, that Christ our God may repose all their souls in the paradise of joy, and we too accord mercy unto us and forgive us our sins.
PRIEST: Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sustain them in a geen pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy, the place our of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away in the light of your saints.
CONGREGATION: May their holy blessing be with us. Amen. Glory to you, O Lord. Glory be to you. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us. Lord repose them. Amen.
PRIEST: Those, O Lord, whose souls you have taken, repose them in the paradise of joy, in the region of the living forever, in the heavenly Jerusalem, in that place, and we too, who are sojourners in this place, keep us in your faith, and grant us your peace unto the end.
CONGREGATION: As it was, and shall be, form generation to generation, and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: Lead us throughout the way into your kingdom, that as in this so also in all things your great and holy name be glorified, blessed and exalted, in every thing honoured and blessed, together with Jesus Christ, your beloved son and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: As this, O Lord, is the command of your Only-Begotten Son, that we share in the commemoration of your saints, graciously accord, O Lord, to remember all the saints who have pleased you since the beginning: our holy fathers the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, the preachers, the evangelists, the martyrs, the confessors and all the spirits of the righteous who were consummated in the faith. Most of all, the pure, full of glory, ever-virgin, holy Theotokos, Saint Mary, who in truth, gave birth to God the Logos. And Saint John the forerunner, Baptist and martyr; Saint Stephen the archdeacon, the protomartyr; the beholder-of-God Saint Mark, the evangelist the apostle and martyr; the patriarch Saint Severus; our teacher Dioscorus; Saint Athanasius the Apostolic; Saint Peter the priest-martyr and the high priest; Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Theodosuius, Saint Theophilus, Saint Demetrius, Saint Cyril, Saint Basil, Saint Gregory the theologian, Saint Gregory the wonder-worker, Saint Gregory the Armenian; the three hundred and eighteen assembled at Nicea, the one hundred at Ephesus; our righteous father great Abba Antony, the righteous Abba Paul, the three saints Abba Macarii, and all their children the cross-bearers, our father Abba John the hegomen; our father Abba Pishoi the righteous perfect man, the beloved of our good Saviour; our father Abba Paul of Tammoh and Ezekiel his disciple; my masters the Roman fathers Saints Maximus and Domitius; the forty nine martyrs the elders of Shiheet; the strong Saint Abba Moses; John Kame the priest; our father Abba Daniel the hegomen; our father Abba Isidore the priest; our father Abba Pachom, of the Koinonia, and Theodore his disciple; our father Abba Shenoute the archimandrite and Abba Wissa his disciple. And all choir of your saints, through whose prayers and supplications, have mercy on us all and save us, for the sake of your holy name, which is called upon us.
DEACON: Let those who read, recite the names of our holy fathers, the patriarchs who have fallen asleep; O Lord repose their souls and forgive us our sins.
PRIEST: (the priest says the following Diptych inaudibly) Remember also, O Lord, all those who have fallen asleep and reposed in the priesthood and in the order of laity. Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, sustain them in a green pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy, the place our of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away in the light of your saints.
PRIEST: Those, O Lord, and everyone whose names we have mentioned, and those whose names we have not mentioned, those whom each one has in mind, and those who are not in our minds, those who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ, graciously, O Lord, remember the souls of your servants (here the priest mentions the names of the departed).
DEACON: Pray for our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ since the beginning, our holy fathers the archbishops, our fathers the bishops, our fathers the hegomens, our fathers the priest, our brethren the deacons, our fathers the monks and our fathers the laymen, and for the full repose of the Christians, that Christ our God may repose all their souls in the paradise of joy, and we too accord mercy unto us and forgive us our sins.
PRIEST: Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sustain them in a geen pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy, the place our of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away in the light of your saints.
CONGREGATION: May their holy blessing be with us. Amen. Glory to you, O Lord. Glory be to you. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us. Lord repose them. Amen.
PRIEST: Those, O Lord, whose souls you have taken, repose them in the paradise of joy, in the region of the living forever, in the heavenly Jerusalem, in that place, and we too, who are sojourners in this place, keep us in your faith, and grant us your peace unto the end.
CONGREGATION: As it was, and shall be, form generation to generation, and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: Lead us throughout the way into your kingdom, that as in this so also in all things your great and holy name be glorified, blessed and exalted, in every thing honoured and blessed, together with Jesus Christ, your beloved son and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
Introduction To The Fraction
PRIEST: Again let us give thanks unto God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for also he has made us worthy now to stand up in this holy place, to lift up our hands and to serve his holy name. Let us also ask him to make us worthy of the communion and partaking of his divine and immortal mysteries.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The holy body.
CONGREGATION: We worship your holy body.
PRIEST: And the Precious blood.
CONGREGATION: And your precious blood.
PRIEST: Of his Christ, the Pantocrator, the Lord, our God.
DEACON: Amen, Amen. Pray.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with you spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: Again let us give thanks unto God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for also he has made us worthy now to stand up in this holy place, to lift up our hands and to serve his holy name. Let us also ask him to make us worthy of the communion and partaking of his divine and immortal mysteries.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The holy body.
CONGREGATION: We worship your holy body.
PRIEST: And the Precious blood.
CONGREGATION: And your precious blood.
PRIEST: Of his Christ, the Pantocrator, the Lord, our God.
DEACON: Amen, Amen. Pray.
CONGREGATION:
Lord have mercy. Kirie Eleyson.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with you spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
Fraction
PRIEST: O Master, Lord our God, the great and the eternal, who are wondrous in glory; who keeps his covenant and his mercy unto them who love him with all their heart; who has given to us redemption from sins through his only-begotten son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, the life of everyone, the help of those who flee to him, the hope of those who cry unto him. Before whom stand thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands of holy angels and archangels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim and all the innumerable host of the heavenly powers. O God, who has sanctified these gifts which are set fourth, through the coming down upon them of your holy spirit, you have purified them. Purify us also, our Master, form our sins, the hidden and manifest; and every thought which is not pleasing to your goodness, God the philanthropic one, may it be far from us. Purify our souls, our bodies, our spirits, our hearts, our eyes, our understanding, our thoughts and our consciences, so that with a pure heart, and enlightened soul, and unashamed face, a faith unfeigned, a perfect love, and firm hope, we may dare with boldness without fear to pray to you, O God the holy Father who are in the heavens and say: Our Father....
CONGREGATION: Our father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our bread of the morrow, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us form evil. In Christ Jesus our Lord. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Yes, we ask you, O good father, who loves goodness, lead us not into temptation, nor let any iniquity get the rule over us but deliver us from worthless works and form the thoughts, motions, sights and touch thereof. Destroy the tempter and drive him away. Rebuke also his movements implanted in us, and cut off from us all impulses which drag us into sin. And deliver us by your holy power, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the Life-giver, who is of one essence with you now, and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: Bow your heads to the Lord.
CONGREGATION: Before you, O Lord.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly: Prayer of submission) The grace of the beneficence of your only-begotten son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ are now fulfilled. We have confessed his saving passion, we have preached his death, we have believed in his resurrection, and the mystery is accomplished. We give thanks to you, O Lord God the Pantocrator for your mercy is great upon us, for you have prepared for us those things which the angels desire to behold. We ask and entreat your goodness, O Philanthropic One, that since you have purified us all, you join us unto Yourself, through our partaking of your divine mysteries. That we may become filled with your holy spirit with the longing for your true love, may we speak of your glory at all times, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, is of one essence with you, now, and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: Let us attend in the fear of God.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly: absolution to the father) O Master, Lord God the Pantocrator, healer of our souls, our bodies, and spirits, you are he who said unto our father Peter through the mouth of your only-begotten son, "You are Peter, upon this rock I will build y church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. That which you will bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens, and that which you will loose upon the earth shall be loosed in the heavens. Therefore, O Lord, let your servants, my fathers, my brethren and my own weakness, be absolved by my mouth, through your holy spirit, O you, good and Philanthropic one. O God, who takes away the sin of the world, hasten, to accept the repentance of your servants for a light of understanding and forgiveness of sins. For you are a compassionate and merciful God; you are patient; your mercy is great and true. If we have sinned against you either by word or by deeds, pardon and forgive us, as a good and Philanthropic one. O God, absolve us and all your people form every sin, form every curse, form every denial, form every false oath, and from every encounter with the heretics and the heathens. O our Lord, grant us a reason, power and understanding to flee from any evil deed of the adversary, and grant us to do what is pleasing unto you at all times. Inscribe our names with all the choir of your saints in the kingdom of the heavens, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the Life- giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Remember, O Lord, my own weakness and forgive my many sins, and where transgression has abounded, let your grace be multiplied in abundance. Because of my own sins and the abomination of my heart, deprive not your people of the grace of your holy spirit. Absolve us and absolve all your people form every sin, from every curse, from every denial, from every false oath, and from every encounter with the heretics and the heathens. O our Lord, grant us a reason, power and understanding to flee from any evil deed of the adversary, and grant us to do what is pleasing unto your at all times. Inscribe our names with all the choir of your saints in the kingdom of the heavens, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the life-giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen
HERE the PRIEST prays the litanies for peace and fathers inaudibly and litany for congregation audibly.
PRIEST: Remember, O Lord, our congregations; bless them.
DEACON: Saved, Amen. And with your spirit. In the fear of God, let us attend.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
PRIEST: The holies for the holy. Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONGREGATION: One is the All-Holy Father. One is the All-Holy Son. One is the All-Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: The holy Body, and the precious and true Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The holy and precious Body and the true Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The Body and the Blood of Emmanuel our God, this is in truth. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe.
PRIEST: O Master, Lord our God, the great and the eternal, who are wondrous in glory; who keeps his covenant and his mercy unto them who love him with all their heart; who has given to us redemption from sins through his only-begotten son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, the life of everyone, the help of those who flee to him, the hope of those who cry unto him. Before whom stand thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands of holy angels and archangels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim and all the innumerable host of the heavenly powers. O God, who has sanctified these gifts which are set fourth, through the coming down upon them of your holy spirit, you have purified them. Purify us also, our Master, form our sins, the hidden and manifest; and every thought which is not pleasing to your goodness, God the philanthropic one, may it be far from us. Purify our souls, our bodies, our spirits, our hearts, our eyes, our understanding, our thoughts and our consciences, so that with a pure heart, and enlightened soul, and unashamed face, a faith unfeigned, a perfect love, and firm hope, we may dare with boldness without fear to pray to you, O God the holy Father who are in the heavens and say: Our Father....
CONGREGATION: Our father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our bread of the morrow, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us form evil. In Christ Jesus our Lord. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Yes, we ask you, O good father, who loves goodness, lead us not into temptation, nor let any iniquity get the rule over us but deliver us from worthless works and form the thoughts, motions, sights and touch thereof. Destroy the tempter and drive him away. Rebuke also his movements implanted in us, and cut off from us all impulses which drag us into sin. And deliver us by your holy power, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the Life-giver, who is of one essence with you now, and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: Bow your heads to the Lord.
CONGREGATION: Before you, O Lord.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly: Prayer of submission) The grace of the beneficence of your only-begotten son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ are now fulfilled. We have confessed his saving passion, we have preached his death, we have believed in his resurrection, and the mystery is accomplished. We give thanks to you, O Lord God the Pantocrator for your mercy is great upon us, for you have prepared for us those things which the angels desire to behold. We ask and entreat your goodness, O Philanthropic One, that since you have purified us all, you join us unto Yourself, through our partaking of your divine mysteries. That we may become filled with your holy spirit with the longing for your true love, may we speak of your glory at all times, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, is of one essence with you, now, and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
DEACON: Let us attend in the fear of God.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly: absolution to the father) O Master, Lord God the Pantocrator, healer of our souls, our bodies, and spirits, you are he who said unto our father Peter through the mouth of your only-begotten son, "You are Peter, upon this rock I will build y church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. That which you will bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens, and that which you will loose upon the earth shall be loosed in the heavens. Therefore, O Lord, let your servants, my fathers, my brethren and my own weakness, be absolved by my mouth, through your holy spirit, O you, good and Philanthropic one. O God, who takes away the sin of the world, hasten, to accept the repentance of your servants for a light of understanding and forgiveness of sins. For you are a compassionate and merciful God; you are patient; your mercy is great and true. If we have sinned against you either by word or by deeds, pardon and forgive us, as a good and Philanthropic one. O God, absolve us and all your people form every sin, form every curse, form every denial, form every false oath, and from every encounter with the heretics and the heathens. O our Lord, grant us a reason, power and understanding to flee from any evil deed of the adversary, and grant us to do what is pleasing unto you at all times. Inscribe our names with all the choir of your saints in the kingdom of the heavens, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the Life- giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
PRIEST: (Inaudibly) Remember, O Lord, my own weakness and forgive my many sins, and where transgression has abounded, let your grace be multiplied in abundance. Because of my own sins and the abomination of my heart, deprive not your people of the grace of your holy spirit. Absolve us and absolve all your people form every sin, from every curse, from every denial, from every false oath, and from every encounter with the heretics and the heathens. O our Lord, grant us a reason, power and understanding to flee from any evil deed of the adversary, and grant us to do what is pleasing unto your at all times. Inscribe our names with all the choir of your saints in the kingdom of the heavens, in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom the glory, the honour, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto you, with him and the holy spirit, the life-giver who is of one essence with you, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen
HERE the PRIEST prays the litanies for peace and fathers inaudibly and litany for congregation audibly.
PRIEST: Remember, O Lord, our congregations; bless them.
DEACON: Saved, Amen. And with your spirit. In the fear of God, let us attend.
CONGREGATION: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
PRIEST: The holies for the holy. Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONGREGATION: One is the All-Holy Father. One is the All-Holy Son. One is the All-Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRIEST:
Peace be with all. Irini pasi.
CONGREGATION:
And with your spirit. Ke to Pnevmati soo.
PRIEST: The holy Body, and the precious and true Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The holy and precious Body and the true Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
PRIEST: The Body and the Blood of Emmanuel our God, this is in truth. Amen.
CONGREGATION: Amen. We believe.
The Confession
PRIEST: Amen. Amen. Amen. I believe, I believe, I believe and confess to the last breath, that this is the life-giving body that your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ took from our lady, the lady of us all, the holy Theotokos Saint May. He made it one with his divinity without mingling, without confusion and without alteration. He witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate. He gave it up for us upon the holy wood of the cross, of his own will, for us all. Truly I believe that his divinity parted not from his humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye. Given for us for salvation, remission of sins and eternal life to those who partake of him. I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen.
HERE the PRIEST worships saying: That every glory, honor, and worship..
DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen. I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen. Pray for us and for all the Christians who said to us concerning them, remember us in the house of the Lord. The peace and love of Jesus Christ be with you. Sing. Alleluia. Pray for the worthy communion of the immaculate heavenly, and holy mysteries. Lord have mercy.
CONGREGATION: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to You.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
in the Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany
For the liturgical use
drafted by the Liturgical Commission
and edited by the Bishop and Standing Committee
Bremberger Brothers Publishing House Munich
1995
Second edition 1997
© Liturgical Commission of the Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany 1995
The present publication is the official altar book of the Old Catholic diocese in Germany; this church has been in full communion with the Anglican Communion since the 1931 Bonn Agreement. It is therefore fitting that the book which is used in the parishes of this diocese – and in many a Roman Catholic or Lutheran parish in Germany, in convents, and in Old Catholic parishes in other countries – should be made available in an English version to bishops, liturgists, and other interested people in the Anglican Communion and beyond.
The aim of this English version is to allow those who are interested and unable to use the original German book a look into the heart of this part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The original intention had been to present a form which would lend itself to being instantly used in a liturgical setting. For reasons quite beyond the justification of anyone involved in this endeavour, a thorough revision of the draft translation has proved not to be possible without a delay which would be intolerable. It is for this motive that this present version is made available.
The texts do not exactly correspond to a Cranmerian style. This is not only due to the virtual impossibility to revise them, as outlined above, but also in order to offer a glimpse into the spirituality and thinking at present alive in this church. It may serve as an invitation to receive some inspiration when it comes to the contents of a particular day or season. This is also the reason why, although the entire book has been copyrighted by the Liturgical Commission, permission has been given freely and officially to use the texts contained in this publication as a resource. After all, official liturgical texts are not the property of any one body or church, let alone any individual, but the vehicle for the entire people of God to worship God. If anyone desires to use a text from this collection, the Liturgical Commission appreciates a reference to the altar book of this diocese, but does not restrict the use otherwise or will make it dependent upon prior inquiry and approval. It is satisfied if any one text should indeed serve its purpose of bringing the voice of the people of God to the One whom to worship is our primary task and glory.
As should be the normal case among sister churches, some Anglican churches, in particular The Anglican Church of Canada, have graciously given permission to use some of their texts in a German translation for being included among the prayers contained in the German altar book. In case an English text has been used as a source in its entirety, the original place has been indicated; in most instances, the original English version appears here, too. In other cases, the version presented here is an English rendering of what the Liturgical Commission has made of the original text. Those reading and using the English version should therefore always consult their Anglican sources for a particular text, should it look even remotely familiar. In case the English version (at least literally) corresponds to the Anglican source, the copyright is still held by the respective authority, and the text re-translated into English is in this case not in the public domain.
A history of the origins of this book and a broad interpretation of its contents can be found in an article by Thaddeus A. Schnitker, "Die Feier der Eucharistie: Das neue alt-katholische Eucharistiebuch", in Liturgisches Jahrbuch, 45 (1995), 238-249.
Inquiries, comments or any correspondence about this book may be addressed to The Chaplain to the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 28, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
The Incarnation
First Sunday of Advent
Collect
Living God, come to save us. Free us from the power of sin and injustice, and help us to walk in the way of justice to meet Christ so that he may find us awake when he comes, he, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father, whatever we are and have comes from you. Accept our prayers and gifts as signs that we are yours through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
Living and life-giving God, you have again fed us at the table of your Son. May we, in the power of this food, go to meet your Son who will lead us to you, Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord.
Second Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir us up, holy and strong God, that we may serve you with ready hearts. Do not let the daily tasks and cares prevent us from meeting your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good God, we bring our gifts and pray: come and help us in our helplessness and limits through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
Father, we thank you for your word and for the meal which me received. Teach us who joined in this celebration to see the world with your eyes and to love what remains more than what passes away
through Christ, our Lord.
For Weekdays in Advent I (until 16 December inclusively)
Collect
Eternal God, you announce your coming in the midst of our dark age. Make us watchful that we count on you in everything and trust you through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
God, our Father, it is through your mercy that we have become a new creation in Christ. Do not turn your eyes from us. Heal all the wounds of our guilt by the coming of your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
Gracious God, may your grace precede our efforts and follow our works, that we may obtain help for our lives and with great desire expect the coming of your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
God of light, let your glory shine in our hearts and take the shadows of death of our sins away, that we may be revealed as children of light when your Son comes, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of our lives, we come before you with prayers and gifts. Whatever we have comes from you. We ask you to call us to your table in the coming kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, you have given us new strength by your word and the bread of life. Lead us through this dark age and turn our eyes to the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord.
Third Sunday of Advent
Collect
God, our Father, light and joy come into the world by your Son. Help us to give this light and this joy to others so that all people may experience your loving-kindness. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, giver of all good things, we bring these gifts before you as your Son has commanded us. Give to all the world the salvation which you have promised through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I or II
Prayer after Communion
God of mercy, we have experienced in this holy meal how good you are to us. You free us from all guilt. Approaching the coming feast with much joy we thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir up your power, our God, and come. Let your mercy help us that we do not fail to meet your Son by our idleness and languor. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father in heaven, what we bring is your gift. Accept these gifts and bless them. We praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent II
Prayer after Communion
God, source of all joy, we thank you for having given us, in this meal, a share in your life now already. Make us expect the coming of your Son in joy and be the more eager in your service the more the feast of his birth is at hand, of Christ, our Lord.
For Weekdays in Advent II (after 16 December)
Collect
God, our Father, in these days we prepare ourselves to celebrate the incarnation of your Son in a dignified manner. Let our prayer come to you and bless our efforts that our life be renewed and find new roots in you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Collect
O Father, you alone are God. In Jesus Christ, your Son you come to us helpless and yet, you are stronger than all powers of this world. We ask you in these days: Strengthen us by your Word and Sacrament until he comes again, your Son Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
Father in heaven, we pray: In these days prepare our hearts to be a home for your Son that we may receive him with us and praise and magnify you in joy through him who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Christmas -- In the Night
Collect
God, source of all life, the radiance of your divine light has dawned upon us in this holy night. Grant that we perceive and keep this mystery in faith until we shall see your glory unveiled. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in joy and thanksgiving we offer our gifts and pray: Let us grow into the likeness of your Son whom you have given us, Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
God, close to us, we rejoice over the birth of our Saviour. Grant that we follow him in all the ways of our lives und come to your eternal joy through him, Christ, our Lord.
Christmas Day I
Collect
All-merciful Father, your Word became flesh and brought us your light. Help us to pass on this light. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of peace, fill these gifts of the earth with your blessing. Unite us in this holy meal with your Son and grant us your loving-kindness through him, Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God, we give you thanks. As you have given us your Son and united us with him in this meal, so preserve our joy and our gratitude through him, Christ, our Lord.
Christmas Day II
Collect BAS *
God, you wonderfully created us in your image and likeness and yet more wonderfully restored us. May we share the divine life of your Son who humbled himself to share our humanity. This we ask you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good God, accept our prayers and offers and this whole world with its weal and woe for which, out of love, you gave your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father in heaven, we thank you that you have made us glad by the birth of your Son and nourished us in this meal. Yours is the glory for ever.
Between Christmas and Epiphany
First Sunday after Christmas (Sunday in the Octave)
Collect
God, our Father, your Son has become like us in every respect and shown us the way of life. Make us share his mind and pass on his mercy and loving-kindness. We ask you this through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Octave Day of Christmas (1 January)
Collect
God and creator, you care for the work of your hands and meet us in Jesus Christ, our brother, who brings your salvation to the poor, release to the captives and joy to those who mourn. Open us, we ask you, to the mystery of his birth, give us faith and bless our lives, so that the world may know what you began among us in Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Second Sunday after Christmas
Collect
God of light, you illumine all who believe in you. Reveal yourself to us that we may know you and turn our hearts to you. This we ask you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
The Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion are the following or taken from those of Christmas.
On the Octave Day, the prayers for New Year's Day may also be taken.
Collect (on Weekdays)
God, source of all life, you made your Son take our flesh that he may set the world free from the powers of evil. Give us a share, we ask you, in the freedom of your children through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Our God, you sanctify the world by the incarnation of your Son. Accept our gifts and make us perceive what you have prepared for those who love you, through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas I
Prayer after Communion
God and Father, rejoicing over the birth of our Saviour we have celebrated his meal. For his sake give us the power to offer you our whole life through him, Christ, our Lord.
The Epiphany
Collect
God, hidden and yet present, today you have made the glory of your Son appear in our lowliness and have made him known as the saviour of the world. As you brought the wise men to him from afar, so bring us ever closer to him our Lord and brother Jesus Christ. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, all worship, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Father of all light, like the wise men we bring our worship and our gifts to you. Accept us, with all we are and have, by him who appeared today, Christ, our Lord.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, great God, for the gifts of your love. Illumine, we pray, all the ways of our lives with your light which has shone on us in Christ, our Lord.
In places where The Epiphany is not a bank holiday and there is no (evening) eucharist, this feast will be celebrated on the Sunday next to 6 January.
The Sundays of the Baptism of Jesus and of the Wedding at Cana are always celebrated on the two Sundays after the celebration of The Epiphany.
If The Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday after 6 January, the Sunday of the Wedding at Cana supersedes the Third Sunday after Epiphany (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time).
Weekdays after The Epiphany
Collect
God, shepherd of your people, you call and gather a people serving you from all the nations of the earth. Establish your gentle rule over all who sit in darkness and the shadow of death that they may know and praise you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father, you show yourself to all who seek you. Give us an experience of the life of your Son in the fellowship and communion of this bread and this cup until you gather us into your kingdom through him, Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God of never-ending love, we thank you for the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Strengthen us by this meal on our way to you through Christ, our Lord.
Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus (First Sunday after The Epiphany)
Collect
God of loving-kindness, at his baptism in the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your beloved Son. Grant to us, who have been born again by the water and the Holy Spirit, to live as your sons and daughters through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accept our gifts and grant us your Holy Spirit who came down on Jesus at his baptism. We ask this through him, Christ, our Lord.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
Good God, you have given us your word, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Help us to listen to your Son that we may not only be called your children but are in truth through him, Christ, our Lord. we thank you for the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Strengthen us by this meal on our way to you through Christ, our Lord.
Weekdays after the Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus
Collect
Eternal God, your only Son, born of you before all times, has visibly appeared in our flesh. As he has become like us, so create our inmost being anew after his image. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our creator, this bread and this wine are tokens of our love to you. Accept them through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God, your Son has commanded us this celebration as a memorial to him. Preserve in us the longing for this meal and make us live from it, until you bring the world and times to fulfilment through Christ, our Lord.
Sunday of the Wedding at Cana (Second Sunday after The Epiphany)
Collect
God, friend of life and joy, you revealed your glory and majesty to us in Jesus. Make us look at him, hear his word and follow him in faith. This we ask through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of life, the gifts which we have prepared are tokens of our dedication to you. As bread and wine are sanctified in the power of the Spirit, so sanctify us also according to the image of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
Good God, we thank you for your life-giving Word and for the fellowship with your Son. Make us one of heart and soul by your Spirit, and lead us, in the strength of this food, to the marriage banquet of eternal life through Christ, our Lord.
Weekdays after the Sunday of the Wedding at Cana
Collect
God, creator of world and human beings, your goodness and loving-kindness have appeared on earth in your only Son. Open our eyes, we ask you, for his signs and strengthen our faith in the power of your love through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God and Father, the bread and the wine on this altar are tokens of our dedication. Be in our midst when we celebrate the meal of your Son until he comes again, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, giver of all good gifts, in the bread which we broke, and in the cup which we shared, you have given us a sign of your coming kingdom. May the gift which we have received bear fruit in our lives through Christ, our Lord.
Easter
Lent
Ash Wednesday
The liturgy of this day is characterised by penitence. There is no penitential act in the opening part of the liturgy.
Collect
Faithful God, we begin this period of remembrance and of preparation for Easter, putting our trust in you. We ask you: Be with us and lead us in these forty days, that we turn to you, listen to your word and serve you in our fellow humans through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst, now and for ever.
or:
God of mercy and forgiveness, do not leave us in these days of penitence. Assist us with you healing Spirit, that with ready hearts we may walk on the way which your Son has shown us, Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Blessing and Imposition of the Ashes
The following intercessions may be used after the sermon.
Litany of Penitence, I
Priest:
Christ is our saviour and intercedes for us with the Father. Let us pray to him that he may forgive our sins and cleanse us from all that is wrong.
Reader 1:
You have been sent to bring the good news to the poor and to lift up those who are bowed down. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You have come to call sinners, not the just. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You have forgiven the sins of the sinful woman because she has shown great love to you. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You did not refrain from sharing with tax collectors and sinners. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You carried back the lost sheep to the flock on your shoulders. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You did not judge the woman caught in adultery, but made her go her way in peace. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You called Zacchaeus the tax collector to penitence and to new life. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You promised Paradise to the penitent criminal when you hung on the cross. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Or:
Litany of Penitence, I (BAS *)
Priest:
Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you, to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
Reader:
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We have been deaf to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you, O God, all our unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for the wrong we have done; for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Restore us, O God of mercy. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Prayer over the Ashes and the Imposition of Ashes
Priest:
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are close to the lowly and rejoice over all who turn around. Incline your ears to our prayers and bless all who will carry the sign of + these ashes. Help us to spend the forty days of penitence in the mind of Jesus Christ. Forgive us our sins, renew us in the image of your Son and grant us life eternal through his resurrection. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
All:
Amen.
The ashes are sprinkled with holy water. Then the priest applies the ashes to all who come forward, speaking to each:
Repent, and believe in the good news. (Cf. Mk 1.15)
Or:
Remember that you are dust,
and to dust you shall return. (Cf. Gen 3.19)
The clergy come forward to receive the ashes last of all. One of them applies the ashes to the presider with the words above.
While the ashes are imposed, hymns or anthems may be sung.
After the imposition the priest and those who helped wash their hands.
The service continues with the offertory.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, look upon these gifts, signs of our readiness to turn around. Give us love toward each other without which we cannot exist before you. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent I
Prayer after Communion
God, our salvation, give us an ever deeper experience of what this meal means for our lives, and let the forty days until Easter become for us an acceptable time through Christ, our Lord.
First Sunday of Lent
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you prayed and fasted forty days in the wilderness and resisted temptation. We ask you: Be with us when we are weak, and send us your Spirit that we may know and overcome what separates us from you, who with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit are with us all the days and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
We thank you, our God, for all that you have entrusted to us. Bless these gifts and grant us to serve our sisters and brothers in the power of your love through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent I
Prayer after Communion
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Jesus you have given us the bread that gives life to the world. We thank you for it and ask: Repel self-indulgence and lack of love from our midst and lead us by your love to eternal salvation in him, Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Gracious God, for the sake of your Son you forgive the sinners their sins and grant the just their reward. We acknowledge our failure; have pity on us in our weakness and forgive us what we have done wrong. We ask this through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you resisted temptation. Forgive us when we are weak, and send us your Spirit that we may know and overcome what separates us from you, who with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit are with us all the days and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Good Father and eternal God, you have gathered us at the table of your Son and strengthened us with your gifts. Grant us as everlasting salvation what we have celebrated under this hidden sign, the fellowship in your Spirit with Christ, who is praised now and for ever.
Second Sunday of Lent
Collect
God, our Father, on the mountain you testified to Jesus as your beloved Son and ordered us to listen to him. Nourish us with his word and purify the eyes of our hearts that we may be able to recognise his glory. We praise you through him in the Holy Spirit now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Blessed are you, Lord, creator of the world. Yours is all that we are and have. Accept these signs of our thanks to your honour through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Transfiguration
Prayer after Communion
God of light and life, you have given us a share in the glory of your Son. We thank you that we may experience now already what you have prepared for us in the life eternal through Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Holy God, you rejoice over all who turn around to you. Turn our hearts to you and give us new eagerness in the Holy Spirit, that we may remain steadfast in the faith and be ready to do the good through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life to death. But we want to stick to our lives and keep them. We ask you: Take us with you on your way that we may find the true life with you. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, you have strengthened us at the table of your Son with the word and the bread of life. You have given us a share in his life and in his glory. We thank you and ask: Be with us with your Spirit, and strengthen our hope in the eternal fulfilment with you through Christ, our Lord.
Third Sunday of Lent
Collect
God, full of compassion and mercy, you know our human poverty. Look on our need and grant us forgiveness. Keep your hand over us and prevent us from all dangers that might threaten us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
We ask you, O God, to look on our gifts, signs of our devotion. Accept them and give us strength to care for each other in love through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent II
Prayer after Communion
God, Father of the poor and needy, you have strengthened us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. You want to be with us on all our ways through this time. We thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Holy God, we cannot prove ourselves before you with what we do. Help us to overcome with your grace whatever presses us down. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life for the life of the world. Make us partakers of your mystery that only whose life is given will find life. To you be blessing, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, as you have given us your word and the bread of life, we thank you for your goodness and pray: be with us throughout these forty days of preparation and help us to live from the gospel through Christ, our Lord.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Collect
All-merciful Father, in your Son you wonderfully reconciled humanity with you. Give us the courage of faith that with a glad heart we may meet you through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, friend of life, we offer you our gifts in joyful expectation of Easter. Grant that this joy may become visible also in our lives through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent II
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, God, our salvation, for this food and for your word, the true light enlightening every human being. Heal the blindness of our hearts that we may know what is right before you, and sincerely love you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Father in heaven, you sent your Son into the world that he might overcome the power of evil. Strengthen us that we may not be overcome by the temptations. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gather your church on earth and have the word of reconciliation proclaimed in it. Send us your Spirit that we may receive the good news in our hearts and live together as children of our Father in heaven. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Good God, your word which we heard and the meal which we celebrated render your mighty acts alive in our midst. We thank you and we ask you to complete what you have begun in us through Christ, our brother and Lord.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Collect
Our Father in heaven, for love to the world your Son has handed himself over to death. Make us abide in his love and live from it. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, giver of all good gifts, we offer you bread and wine, the signs of your goodness with which you feed us. We thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Passion I
Prayer after Communion
Great God, in the celebration of the eucharist you give us communion with you and with each other. Make us living members of the body of your Son who has become one with us in this meal, Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Wonderful and merciful God, in the passion and death of your Son you have shown your love to the world. Open our eyes for the mystery of our salvation through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life for the life of the world. Make us partakers of your mystery that only whose life is given will find life. To you be blessing, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, you have strengthened us with your word and sacrament. Let your power be strong in us that we may serve you and each other in joy and patience, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and work now and for ever.
The Holy Week
Palm Sunday
The double character of this day, the celebration of the entrance of Jesus and the celebration of the of the eucharist with the memorial of the passion of Jesus, should be kept.
In places where there are enough worshippers, the celebration of the entrance of Jesus should be held in a way that they gather in front of the church or another suitable place and walk behind the cross. They will experience that the branches are not something "consecrated by magic" but blessed branches with which we extend our hands to vote for Jesus. The branch that is put behind the cross at home reminds us of this confession.
If for serious reasons the celebration is to be shortened, it makes sense to celebrate the liturgy of the word according to each reading year and, at the place of the collect, to bless the branches.
Blessing of the Branches and Solemn Entrance
The congregation stands in a semi-circle before the cross.
Opening acclamation
Liturgical Greeting
(A short introduction is possible.)
Prayer over the Congregation and the Branches
God, our Father, we confess our adherence to Jesus, your Son, our only Lord. Bless us and these branches with which we intend to show that we belong to Jesus, and make us ready to follow him with our cross in steadfast faithfulness, today and all days of our lives until the end of eternity.
A hymn or anthem can be sung during the distribution of the branches.
Gospel of the Entrance of Jesus
The pericopes are indicated in the liturgical calendar.
Procession
The congregation enters the church behind the cross that has been adorned. Incense and candles accompany the cross and book of gospels.
At the procession and the entrance, the traditional anthem Gloria, laus et honor is sung.
Celebration of the Eucharist
Collect
God, great and incomprehensible, in obedience to your will your Son, our redeemer, took our flesh. He humbled himself and accepted the shame of the cross. Give us the strength to follow him on the way of passion that we may get a share in his resurrection. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of mercy, through the passion of your Son you grant us the forgiveness which we do not deserve for our deeds. Accept these gifts as signs of our trust in your mercy through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Passion of the Lord II
Prayer after Communion
God of heaven and earth, you have strengthened your congregation with your word and sacrament. We ask you: let your power be strong in us that we worthily serve you in our lives and bear fruit in patience. To you be glory for ever.
On the Weekdays of Holy Week
Collect
Good God and Father, you gave your Son over to passion and death to give us a share in his life. Make us contemplate his sacrifice these days and always remain in your love through him, Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, many people acclaimed you when you entered Jerusalem and yet abandoned you afterwards. We ask you: make us stay with you and confess that we are yours when there is protest and temptation. To you be glory for ever.
Preface of the Passion of the Lord II
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, in this meal we have celebrated the memorial of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Strengthen us through the power of this food in our anxieties and temptations, and lead us through the death to the life that remains, through Christ, our Lord.
Maundy Thursday
We celebrate the evening of the last supper of Jesus and the beginning of the passion at Gethsemani: fear, betrayal and arrest.
Today especially, the Gloria in excelsis should be sung with its full text and not substituted by a paraphrase.
After the Gloria, the organ and bells remain silent.
At the washing of the feet, Ubi caritas may be sung.
In the intercessions, prayers should be made for the congregations of our own diocese as well as the ecumenical neighbouring congregations.
The celebration of the eucharist ends with the prayer after communion.
The blessing will not be given until the paschal vigil.
If there is a distribution of holy communion on Good Friday, the eucharistic bread is reserved from the celebration today. Where possible, opportunity should be given for silent prayer, meditation and the reading of the farewell discourses of Jesus (John 14-17).
Collect
God of mercy and consolation, on the evening before he suffered your dear Son instituted the meal of his love as the symbol of the new and everlasting covenant with you. Give us the fullness of your compassion and love, and make us extend it to the sisters and brothers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst, now and for ever.
Or:
Great God, our Father, we share the bread and receive the body of Jesus Christ, your Son. Make us live in love and peace from its power, for we are his body in this world. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good Father, on this day your Son gave us an example of his serving love. Let our gifts be a sign of our readiness to accept each other as you have accepted us in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and brother.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, good God, that today we have been strengthened for our own way in the supper of your Son. Continue to gather us for the fellowship with him, until, at the heavenly supper of eternal life, we praise and magnify you for ever.
Good Friday
The day of the passion and death of Jesus is celebrated with a liturgy of the word. This can be done in every parish and community as it may also be presided by a deacon or reader.
It makes sense to celebrate the liturgy in the afternoon, at the hour of death of Jesus.
The opening and dismissal are simple: There is no singing during the entrance, the organ does not play. The ministers kneel or (prostrate) before the nude altar. After silent prayer, the collect follows. After a prayer concluding the liturgy, all leave the worship building in silence.
The liturgy of the word has two climaxes: the reading of the passion and the solemn intercessions. The veneration of the cross (and the distribution of holy communion) marks the end. In some places, the veneration of the cross immediately follows the passion or after the sermon. The solemn intercessions are said before the (uncovered) cross and finished by the Lord's prayer (with the distribution of holy communion possibly following).
The passion may be read with several roles. It may be interrupted at suitable places by verses of the hymn O sacred head, sore wounded.
As a matter of principle, all the four versions of the passion are to be proclaimed in the parishes in the course of the years; should it not be possible to read the respective version on Palm Sunday, the passion according to the gospel of John may be substituted by a synoptic version.
A passion hymn or chorale may be sung before the sermon.
Collect
God, our Father, you did not abandon us to the power of darkness but in your mercy redeemed us. Protect, free and sanctify us by your Son who suffered and died for us and whom you drew out of death, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in the unity of the Holy Sprit lives and works now and for ever.
Intercessions
Form I
(Presider:)
Lord Jesus Christ, grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying that we might have life, we call upon you.
(Reader 1)
For all who call themselves Christians, after you, for the churches in their divisions and separation, and for their work for fellowship and unity; for all men and women to whom a special ministry has been given; for our diocese and our parishes.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Draw us all to you. Help us to live according to your gospel and to be one in you.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the peoples of this earth and their governments, for the Council of Europe, the United Nations and all parliaments, for the authorities in politics, economy and society, for all suffering from war and the consequences of war, for the persecuted and all who live in lack of freedom and in oppression.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Grant to the peoples the spirit of reconciliation and guide their feet into the way of justice and peace.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who have lost their faith, and for all who do not find faith because we are in their way of seeing you.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Make the light of your gospel shine, and make us faithful witnesses of your salvation.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the young people in our parish, in the churches and in the world.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Give them confidence. Let us shape our society in a way that they may grow into a world and a church which enable them to have life and a future.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who are in the shadow side of life: for the handicapped and sick, for the elderly and lonely, for the single parents and for the children without families, for the unemployed and for all who are disregarded, marginalised or excluded by us.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Be close to them and lead people to them who have open ears and hearts for their needs.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who do no longer see a road, for the desperate and helpless, for all who have been disappointed, exploited and betrayed by people, who have fled into stubbornness of heart or addiction, who have become caught in guilt, who see themselves abandoned by God.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Take them into your cry on the cross and give them a share in your new life.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who suffer from injustice, for the hungry and exploited people who by the work of their hands and with the fruits of their fields must create our abundance; and for ourselves being prisoners of our thoughtlessness and our claims.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Help us to respect the dignity of humans and their right to live and to share the gifts of the earth with each other.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the whole creation groaning in labour pains and hoping for redemption; for all who care for its integrity and for all who suffer from its destruction.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Help us to experience that we are stewards only and that your good gift belongs to all, to the children and the children's children everywhere in the world.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the dying and the dead, for all who have given us life and faith, for all in whose death we share in guilt by indifference, hardness of heart and our way of life.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Lead them through your death to unending life.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Presider)
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father did not leave you in death. He raised you and exalted you to this right hand. Intercede for us and stay with us on all our ways. To you be glory and honour and praise now and for ever.
Form II
Instead of the silence for prayer between the intention and the collect, a sung acclamation may be the answer, e.g. a triple Lord, have mercy or Kyrie, eleison.
1. For the holy Church
Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy Church of God, that our Lord and God grant it peace in all the world, unite and protect it and grant us a life in quietness and safety, to the praise of his name.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, eternal God, in Christ you revealed your glory to all peoples. Protect what your mercy has created, that your Church in all the world may persevere in steadfast faith. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
2. For our Bishop
Let us pray for our Bishop N., the fellowship of bishops, all men and women in the apostolic ministry and for all the people of God.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, your Spirit sanctifies and governs the whole body of the Church. Hear our prayer for our Bishop and for all who minister in your Church. Give them the grace to serve you faithfully. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
3. For the catechumens
Let us also pray for all who prepare for baptism: Our God and Father may open their hearts for his word, he grant them the forgiveness of sins in baptism and receive them into his house that they may find life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everlasting God, you continue to lead people to your Church. Grant to all who prepare for baptism to grow in faith and in knowledge. Let them be born again from the spring of baptism and accept them as your children. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
4. For the unity of the Christians
Let us pray for all brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, that our Lord and God may lead them on the way to truth and unity them in the unity of the holy Church.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, you alone can overcome the division and grant the unity. Have mercy on your Christian people, sanctified by the one baptism. Unite them in the faith in your Son and in the bond of love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
5. For all who do not believe in Christ
Let us pray for all who do not believe in Christ, that the Holy Spirit illumine them and lead them on the way of salvation.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, assist all who do not con
LITURGY OF ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF THE ATHENIANS
Liturgiarum Orien. Collectio E. Renaudoti. T. ii. p. 201.
translated by Rev. John Parker.
PRIEST: Amen. Amen. Amen. I believe, I believe, I believe and confess to the last breath, that this is the life-giving body that your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ took from our lady, the lady of us all, the holy Theotokos Saint May. He made it one with his divinity without mingling, without confusion and without alteration. He witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate. He gave it up for us upon the holy wood of the cross, of his own will, for us all. Truly I believe that his divinity parted not from his humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye. Given for us for salvation, remission of sins and eternal life to those who partake of him. I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen.
HERE the PRIEST worships saying: That every glory, honor, and worship..
DEACON: Amen. Amen. Amen. I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen. Pray for us and for all the Christians who said to us concerning them, remember us in the house of the Lord. The peace and love of Jesus Christ be with you. Sing. Alleluia. Pray for the worthy communion of the immaculate heavenly, and holy mysteries. Lord have mercy.
CONGREGATION: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to You.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
in the Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany
For the liturgical use
drafted by the Liturgical Commission
and edited by the Bishop and Standing Committee
Bremberger Brothers Publishing House Munich
1995
Second edition 1997
© Liturgical Commission of the Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany 1995
The present publication is the official altar book of the Old Catholic diocese in Germany; this church has been in full communion with the Anglican Communion since the 1931 Bonn Agreement. It is therefore fitting that the book which is used in the parishes of this diocese – and in many a Roman Catholic or Lutheran parish in Germany, in convents, and in Old Catholic parishes in other countries – should be made available in an English version to bishops, liturgists, and other interested people in the Anglican Communion and beyond.
The aim of this English version is to allow those who are interested and unable to use the original German book a look into the heart of this part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The original intention had been to present a form which would lend itself to being instantly used in a liturgical setting. For reasons quite beyond the justification of anyone involved in this endeavour, a thorough revision of the draft translation has proved not to be possible without a delay which would be intolerable. It is for this motive that this present version is made available.
The texts do not exactly correspond to a Cranmerian style. This is not only due to the virtual impossibility to revise them, as outlined above, but also in order to offer a glimpse into the spirituality and thinking at present alive in this church. It may serve as an invitation to receive some inspiration when it comes to the contents of a particular day or season. This is also the reason why, although the entire book has been copyrighted by the Liturgical Commission, permission has been given freely and officially to use the texts contained in this publication as a resource. After all, official liturgical texts are not the property of any one body or church, let alone any individual, but the vehicle for the entire people of God to worship God. If anyone desires to use a text from this collection, the Liturgical Commission appreciates a reference to the altar book of this diocese, but does not restrict the use otherwise or will make it dependent upon prior inquiry and approval. It is satisfied if any one text should indeed serve its purpose of bringing the voice of the people of God to the One whom to worship is our primary task and glory.
As should be the normal case among sister churches, some Anglican churches, in particular The Anglican Church of Canada, have graciously given permission to use some of their texts in a German translation for being included among the prayers contained in the German altar book. In case an English text has been used as a source in its entirety, the original place has been indicated; in most instances, the original English version appears here, too. In other cases, the version presented here is an English rendering of what the Liturgical Commission has made of the original text. Those reading and using the English version should therefore always consult their Anglican sources for a particular text, should it look even remotely familiar. In case the English version (at least literally) corresponds to the Anglican source, the copyright is still held by the respective authority, and the text re-translated into English is in this case not in the public domain.
A history of the origins of this book and a broad interpretation of its contents can be found in an article by Thaddeus A. Schnitker, "Die Feier der Eucharistie: Das neue alt-katholische Eucharistiebuch", in Liturgisches Jahrbuch, 45 (1995), 238-249.
Inquiries, comments or any correspondence about this book may be addressed to The Chaplain to the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 28, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
The Incarnation
First Sunday of Advent
Collect
Living God, come to save us. Free us from the power of sin and injustice, and help us to walk in the way of justice to meet Christ so that he may find us awake when he comes, he, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father, whatever we are and have comes from you. Accept our prayers and gifts as signs that we are yours through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
Living and life-giving God, you have again fed us at the table of your Son. May we, in the power of this food, go to meet your Son who will lead us to you, Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord.
Second Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir us up, holy and strong God, that we may serve you with ready hearts. Do not let the daily tasks and cares prevent us from meeting your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good God, we bring our gifts and pray: come and help us in our helplessness and limits through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
Father, we thank you for your word and for the meal which me received. Teach us who joined in this celebration to see the world with your eyes and to love what remains more than what passes away
through Christ, our Lord.
For Weekdays in Advent I (until 16 December inclusively)
Collect
Eternal God, you announce your coming in the midst of our dark age. Make us watchful that we count on you in everything and trust you through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
God, our Father, it is through your mercy that we have become a new creation in Christ. Do not turn your eyes from us. Heal all the wounds of our guilt by the coming of your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
Gracious God, may your grace precede our efforts and follow our works, that we may obtain help for our lives and with great desire expect the coming of your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
God of light, let your glory shine in our hearts and take the shadows of death of our sins away, that we may be revealed as children of light when your Son comes, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of our lives, we come before you with prayers and gifts. Whatever we have comes from you. We ask you to call us to your table in the coming kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, you have given us new strength by your word and the bread of life. Lead us through this dark age and turn our eyes to the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord.
Third Sunday of Advent
Collect
God, our Father, light and joy come into the world by your Son. Help us to give this light and this joy to others so that all people may experience your loving-kindness. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, giver of all good things, we bring these gifts before you as your Son has commanded us. Give to all the world the salvation which you have promised through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent I or II
Prayer after Communion
God of mercy, we have experienced in this holy meal how good you are to us. You free us from all guilt. Approaching the coming feast with much joy we thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Collect
Stir up your power, our God, and come. Let your mercy help us that we do not fail to meet your Son by our idleness and languor. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father in heaven, what we bring is your gift. Accept these gifts and bless them. We praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Advent II
Prayer after Communion
God, source of all joy, we thank you for having given us, in this meal, a share in your life now already. Make us expect the coming of your Son in joy and be the more eager in your service the more the feast of his birth is at hand, of Christ, our Lord.
For Weekdays in Advent II (after 16 December)
Collect
God, our Father, in these days we prepare ourselves to celebrate the incarnation of your Son in a dignified manner. Let our prayer come to you and bless our efforts that our life be renewed and find new roots in you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Collect
O Father, you alone are God. In Jesus Christ, your Son you come to us helpless and yet, you are stronger than all powers of this world. We ask you in these days: Strengthen us by your Word and Sacrament until he comes again, your Son Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Collect
Father in heaven, we pray: In these days prepare our hearts to be a home for your Son that we may receive him with us and praise and magnify you in joy through him who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Christmas -- In the Night
Collect
God, source of all life, the radiance of your divine light has dawned upon us in this holy night. Grant that we perceive and keep this mystery in faith until we shall see your glory unveiled. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in joy and thanksgiving we offer our gifts and pray: Let us grow into the likeness of your Son whom you have given us, Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
God, close to us, we rejoice over the birth of our Saviour. Grant that we follow him in all the ways of our lives und come to your eternal joy through him, Christ, our Lord.
Christmas Day I
Collect
All-merciful Father, your Word became flesh and brought us your light. Help us to pass on this light. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of peace, fill these gifts of the earth with your blessing. Unite us in this holy meal with your Son and grant us your loving-kindness through him, Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God, we give you thanks. As you have given us your Son and united us with him in this meal, so preserve our joy and our gratitude through him, Christ, our Lord.
Christmas Day II
Collect BAS *
God, you wonderfully created us in your image and likeness and yet more wonderfully restored us. May we share the divine life of your Son who humbled himself to share our humanity. This we ask you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good God, accept our prayers and offers and this whole world with its weal and woe for which, out of love, you gave your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas II
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father in heaven, we thank you that you have made us glad by the birth of your Son and nourished us in this meal. Yours is the glory for ever.
Between Christmas and Epiphany
First Sunday after Christmas (Sunday in the Octave)
Collect
God, our Father, your Son has become like us in every respect and shown us the way of life. Make us share his mind and pass on his mercy and loving-kindness. We ask you this through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Octave Day of Christmas (1 January)
Collect
God and creator, you care for the work of your hands and meet us in Jesus Christ, our brother, who brings your salvation to the poor, release to the captives and joy to those who mourn. Open us, we ask you, to the mystery of his birth, give us faith and bless our lives, so that the world may know what you began among us in Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Second Sunday after Christmas
Collect
God of light, you illumine all who believe in you. Reveal yourself to us that we may know you and turn our hearts to you. This we ask you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
The Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion are the following or taken from those of Christmas.
On the Octave Day, the prayers for New Year's Day may also be taken.
Collect (on Weekdays)
God, source of all life, you made your Son take our flesh that he may set the world free from the powers of evil. Give us a share, we ask you, in the freedom of your children through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Our God, you sanctify the world by the incarnation of your Son. Accept our gifts and make us perceive what you have prepared for those who love you, through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Christmas I
Prayer after Communion
God and Father, rejoicing over the birth of our Saviour we have celebrated his meal. For his sake give us the power to offer you our whole life through him, Christ, our Lord.
The Epiphany
Collect
God, hidden and yet present, today you have made the glory of your Son appear in our lowliness and have made him known as the saviour of the world. As you brought the wise men to him from afar, so bring us ever closer to him our Lord and brother Jesus Christ. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, all worship, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Father of all light, like the wise men we bring our worship and our gifts to you. Accept us, with all we are and have, by him who appeared today, Christ, our Lord.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, great God, for the gifts of your love. Illumine, we pray, all the ways of our lives with your light which has shone on us in Christ, our Lord.
In places where The Epiphany is not a bank holiday and there is no (evening) eucharist, this feast will be celebrated on the Sunday next to 6 January.
The Sundays of the Baptism of Jesus and of the Wedding at Cana are always celebrated on the two Sundays after the celebration of The Epiphany.
If The Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday after 6 January, the Sunday of the Wedding at Cana supersedes the Third Sunday after Epiphany (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time).
Weekdays after The Epiphany
Collect
God, shepherd of your people, you call and gather a people serving you from all the nations of the earth. Establish your gentle rule over all who sit in darkness and the shadow of death that they may know and praise you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father, you show yourself to all who seek you. Give us an experience of the life of your Son in the fellowship and communion of this bread and this cup until you gather us into your kingdom through him, Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God of never-ending love, we thank you for the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Strengthen us by this meal on our way to you through Christ, our Lord.
Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus (First Sunday after The Epiphany)
Collect
God of loving-kindness, at his baptism in the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your beloved Son. Grant to us, who have been born again by the water and the Holy Spirit, to live as your sons and daughters through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accept our gifts and grant us your Holy Spirit who came down on Jesus at his baptism. We ask this through him, Christ, our Lord.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
Good God, you have given us your word, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Help us to listen to your Son that we may not only be called your children but are in truth through him, Christ, our Lord. we thank you for the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Strengthen us by this meal on our way to you through Christ, our Lord.
Weekdays after the Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus
Collect
Eternal God, your only Son, born of you before all times, has visibly appeared in our flesh. As he has become like us, so create our inmost being anew after his image. We ask this of you, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our creator, this bread and this wine are tokens of our love to you. Accept them through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Merciful God, your Son has commanded us this celebration as a memorial to him. Preserve in us the longing for this meal and make us live from it, until you bring the world and times to fulfilment through Christ, our Lord.
Sunday of the Wedding at Cana (Second Sunday after The Epiphany)
Collect
God, friend of life and joy, you revealed your glory and majesty to us in Jesus. Make us look at him, hear his word and follow him in faith. This we ask through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of life, the gifts which we have prepared are tokens of our dedication to you. As bread and wine are sanctified in the power of the Spirit, so sanctify us also according to the image of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
Good God, we thank you for your life-giving Word and for the fellowship with your Son. Make us one of heart and soul by your Spirit, and lead us, in the strength of this food, to the marriage banquet of eternal life through Christ, our Lord.
Weekdays after the Sunday of the Wedding at Cana
Collect
God, creator of world and human beings, your goodness and loving-kindness have appeared on earth in your only Son. Open our eyes, we ask you, for his signs and strengthen our faith in the power of your love through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives among us now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God and Father, the bread and the wine on this altar are tokens of our dedication. Be in our midst when we celebrate the meal of your Son until he comes again, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, giver of all good gifts, in the bread which we broke, and in the cup which we shared, you have given us a sign of your coming kingdom. May the gift which we have received bear fruit in our lives through Christ, our Lord.
Easter
Lent
Ash Wednesday
The liturgy of this day is characterised by penitence. There is no penitential act in the opening part of the liturgy.
Collect
Faithful God, we begin this period of remembrance and of preparation for Easter, putting our trust in you. We ask you: Be with us and lead us in these forty days, that we turn to you, listen to your word and serve you in our fellow humans through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst, now and for ever.
or:
God of mercy and forgiveness, do not leave us in these days of penitence. Assist us with you healing Spirit, that with ready hearts we may walk on the way which your Son has shown us, Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Blessing and Imposition of the Ashes
The following intercessions may be used after the sermon.
Litany of Penitence, I
Priest:
Christ is our saviour and intercedes for us with the Father. Let us pray to him that he may forgive our sins and cleanse us from all that is wrong.
Reader 1:
You have been sent to bring the good news to the poor and to lift up those who are bowed down. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You have come to call sinners, not the just. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You have forgiven the sins of the sinful woman because she has shown great love to you. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You did not refrain from sharing with tax collectors and sinners. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You carried back the lost sheep to the flock on your shoulders. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You did not judge the woman caught in adultery, but made her go her way in peace. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 1:
You called Zacchaeus the tax collector to penitence and to new life. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Reader 2:
You promised Paradise to the penitent criminal when you hung on the cross. Christ, hear us.
All:
Christ, graciously hear us.
Or:
Litany of Penitence, I (BAS *)
Priest:
Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you, to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
Reader:
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We have been deaf to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you, O God, all our unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
We confess to you our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for the wrong we have done; for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Accept our repentance for our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Reader:
Restore us, O God of mercy. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
All:
Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Prayer over the Ashes and the Imposition of Ashes
Priest:
God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are close to the lowly and rejoice over all who turn around. Incline your ears to our prayers and bless all who will carry the sign of + these ashes. Help us to spend the forty days of penitence in the mind of Jesus Christ. Forgive us our sins, renew us in the image of your Son and grant us life eternal through his resurrection. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
All:
Amen.
The ashes are sprinkled with holy water. Then the priest applies the ashes to all who come forward, speaking to each:
Repent, and believe in the good news. (Cf. Mk 1.15)
Or:
Remember that you are dust,
and to dust you shall return. (Cf. Gen 3.19)
The clergy come forward to receive the ashes last of all. One of them applies the ashes to the presider with the words above.
While the ashes are imposed, hymns or anthems may be sung.
After the imposition the priest and those who helped wash their hands.
The service continues with the offertory.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, look upon these gifts, signs of our readiness to turn around. Give us love toward each other without which we cannot exist before you. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent I
Prayer after Communion
God, our salvation, give us an ever deeper experience of what this meal means for our lives, and let the forty days until Easter become for us an acceptable time through Christ, our Lord.
First Sunday of Lent
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you prayed and fasted forty days in the wilderness and resisted temptation. We ask you: Be with us when we are weak, and send us your Spirit that we may know and overcome what separates us from you, who with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit are with us all the days and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
We thank you, our God, for all that you have entrusted to us. Bless these gifts and grant us to serve our sisters and brothers in the power of your love through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent I
Prayer after Communion
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Jesus you have given us the bread that gives life to the world. We thank you for it and ask: Repel self-indulgence and lack of love from our midst and lead us by your love to eternal salvation in him, Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Gracious God, for the sake of your Son you forgive the sinners their sins and grant the just their reward. We acknowledge our failure; have pity on us in our weakness and forgive us what we have done wrong. We ask this through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you resisted temptation. Forgive us when we are weak, and send us your Spirit that we may know and overcome what separates us from you, who with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit are with us all the days and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Good Father and eternal God, you have gathered us at the table of your Son and strengthened us with your gifts. Grant us as everlasting salvation what we have celebrated under this hidden sign, the fellowship in your Spirit with Christ, who is praised now and for ever.
Second Sunday of Lent
Collect
God, our Father, on the mountain you testified to Jesus as your beloved Son and ordered us to listen to him. Nourish us with his word and purify the eyes of our hearts that we may be able to recognise his glory. We praise you through him in the Holy Spirit now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Blessed are you, Lord, creator of the world. Yours is all that we are and have. Accept these signs of our thanks to your honour through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Transfiguration
Prayer after Communion
God of light and life, you have given us a share in the glory of your Son. We thank you that we may experience now already what you have prepared for us in the life eternal through Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Holy God, you rejoice over all who turn around to you. Turn our hearts to you and give us new eagerness in the Holy Spirit, that we may remain steadfast in the faith and be ready to do the good through Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life to death. But we want to stick to our lives and keep them. We ask you: Take us with you on your way that we may find the true life with you. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, you have strengthened us at the table of your Son with the word and the bread of life. You have given us a share in his life and in his glory. We thank you and ask: Be with us with your Spirit, and strengthen our hope in the eternal fulfilment with you through Christ, our Lord.
Third Sunday of Lent
Collect
God, full of compassion and mercy, you know our human poverty. Look on our need and grant us forgiveness. Keep your hand over us and prevent us from all dangers that might threaten us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
We ask you, O God, to look on our gifts, signs of our devotion. Accept them and give us strength to care for each other in love through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent II
Prayer after Communion
God, Father of the poor and needy, you have strengthened us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. You want to be with us on all our ways through this time. We thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Holy God, we cannot prove ourselves before you with what we do. Help us to overcome with your grace whatever presses us down. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life for the life of the world. Make us partakers of your mystery that only whose life is given will find life. To you be blessing, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God, our Father, as you have given us your word and the bread of life, we thank you for your goodness and pray: be with us throughout these forty days of preparation and help us to live from the gospel through Christ, our Lord.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Collect
All-merciful Father, in your Son you wonderfully reconciled humanity with you. Give us the courage of faith that with a glad heart we may meet you through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, friend of life, we offer you our gifts in joyful expectation of Easter. Grant that this joy may become visible also in our lives through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of Lent II
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, God, our salvation, for this food and for your word, the true light enlightening every human being. Heal the blindness of our hearts that we may know what is right before you, and sincerely love you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Father in heaven, you sent your Son into the world that he might overcome the power of evil. Strengthen us that we may not be overcome by the temptations. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and works with you now and for ever.
Or:
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gather your church on earth and have the word of reconciliation proclaimed in it. Send us your Spirit that we may receive the good news in our hearts and live together as children of our Father in heaven. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Good God, your word which we heard and the meal which we celebrated render your mighty acts alive in our midst. We thank you and we ask you to complete what you have begun in us through Christ, our brother and Lord.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Collect
Our Father in heaven, for love to the world your Son has handed himself over to death. Make us abide in his love and live from it. We ask this through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and works now and for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God, giver of all good gifts, we offer you bread and wine, the signs of your goodness with which you feed us. We thank and praise you through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Passion I
Prayer after Communion
Great God, in the celebration of the eucharist you give us communion with you and with each other. Make us living members of the body of your Son who has become one with us in this meal, Christ, our Lord.
On Weekdays
Collect
Wonderful and merciful God, in the passion and death of your Son you have shown your love to the world. Open our eyes for the mystery of our salvation through him, Jesus Christ, your Son and our brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst now and for ever.
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your life for the life of the world. Make us partakers of your mystery that only whose life is given will find life. To you be blessing, praise and glory now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, you have strengthened us with your word and sacrament. Let your power be strong in us that we may serve you and each other in joy and patience, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and work now and for ever.
The Holy Week
Palm Sunday
The double character of this day, the celebration of the entrance of Jesus and the celebration of the of the eucharist with the memorial of the passion of Jesus, should be kept.
In places where there are enough worshippers, the celebration of the entrance of Jesus should be held in a way that they gather in front of the church or another suitable place and walk behind the cross. They will experience that the branches are not something "consecrated by magic" but blessed branches with which we extend our hands to vote for Jesus. The branch that is put behind the cross at home reminds us of this confession.
If for serious reasons the celebration is to be shortened, it makes sense to celebrate the liturgy of the word according to each reading year and, at the place of the collect, to bless the branches.
Blessing of the Branches and Solemn Entrance
The congregation stands in a semi-circle before the cross.
Opening acclamation
Liturgical Greeting
(A short introduction is possible.)
Prayer over the Congregation and the Branches
God, our Father, we confess our adherence to Jesus, your Son, our only Lord. Bless us and these branches with which we intend to show that we belong to Jesus, and make us ready to follow him with our cross in steadfast faithfulness, today and all days of our lives until the end of eternity.
A hymn or anthem can be sung during the distribution of the branches.
Gospel of the Entrance of Jesus
The pericopes are indicated in the liturgical calendar.
Procession
The congregation enters the church behind the cross that has been adorned. Incense and candles accompany the cross and book of gospels.
At the procession and the entrance, the traditional anthem Gloria, laus et honor is sung.
Celebration of the Eucharist
Collect
God, great and incomprehensible, in obedience to your will your Son, our redeemer, took our flesh. He humbled himself and accepted the shame of the cross. Give us the strength to follow him on the way of passion that we may get a share in his resurrection. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and gives life for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of mercy, through the passion of your Son you grant us the forgiveness which we do not deserve for our deeds. Accept these gifts as signs of our trust in your mercy through Christ, our Lord.
Preface of the Passion of the Lord II
Prayer after Communion
God of heaven and earth, you have strengthened your congregation with your word and sacrament. We ask you: let your power be strong in us that we worthily serve you in our lives and bear fruit in patience. To you be glory for ever.
On the Weekdays of Holy Week
Collect
Good God and Father, you gave your Son over to passion and death to give us a share in his life. Make us contemplate his sacrifice these days and always remain in your love through him, Jesus Christ, who in the unity of the Holy Spirit lives and gives life now and for ever.
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, many people acclaimed you when you entered Jerusalem and yet abandoned you afterwards. We ask you: make us stay with you and confess that we are yours when there is protest and temptation. To you be glory for ever.
Preface of the Passion of the Lord II
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, in this meal we have celebrated the memorial of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Strengthen us through the power of this food in our anxieties and temptations, and lead us through the death to the life that remains, through Christ, our Lord.
Maundy Thursday
We celebrate the evening of the last supper of Jesus and the beginning of the passion at Gethsemani: fear, betrayal and arrest.
Today especially, the Gloria in excelsis should be sung with its full text and not substituted by a paraphrase.
After the Gloria, the organ and bells remain silent.
At the washing of the feet, Ubi caritas may be sung.
In the intercessions, prayers should be made for the congregations of our own diocese as well as the ecumenical neighbouring congregations.
The celebration of the eucharist ends with the prayer after communion.
The blessing will not be given until the paschal vigil.
If there is a distribution of holy communion on Good Friday, the eucharistic bread is reserved from the celebration today. Where possible, opportunity should be given for silent prayer, meditation and the reading of the farewell discourses of Jesus (John 14-17).
Collect
God of mercy and consolation, on the evening before he suffered your dear Son instituted the meal of his love as the symbol of the new and everlasting covenant with you. Give us the fullness of your compassion and love, and make us extend it to the sisters and brothers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives in our midst, now and for ever.
Or:
Great God, our Father, we share the bread and receive the body of Jesus Christ, your Son. Make us live in love and peace from its power, for we are his body in this world. To you be glory for ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Good Father, on this day your Son gave us an example of his serving love. Let our gifts be a sign of our readiness to accept each other as you have accepted us in Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and brother.
Proper Preface
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, good God, that today we have been strengthened for our own way in the supper of your Son. Continue to gather us for the fellowship with him, until, at the heavenly supper of eternal life, we praise and magnify you for ever.
Good Friday
The day of the passion and death of Jesus is celebrated with a liturgy of the word. This can be done in every parish and community as it may also be presided by a deacon or reader.
It makes sense to celebrate the liturgy in the afternoon, at the hour of death of Jesus.
The opening and dismissal are simple: There is no singing during the entrance, the organ does not play. The ministers kneel or (prostrate) before the nude altar. After silent prayer, the collect follows. After a prayer concluding the liturgy, all leave the worship building in silence.
The liturgy of the word has two climaxes: the reading of the passion and the solemn intercessions. The veneration of the cross (and the distribution of holy communion) marks the end. In some places, the veneration of the cross immediately follows the passion or after the sermon. The solemn intercessions are said before the (uncovered) cross and finished by the Lord's prayer (with the distribution of holy communion possibly following).
The passion may be read with several roles. It may be interrupted at suitable places by verses of the hymn O sacred head, sore wounded.
As a matter of principle, all the four versions of the passion are to be proclaimed in the parishes in the course of the years; should it not be possible to read the respective version on Palm Sunday, the passion according to the gospel of John may be substituted by a synoptic version.
A passion hymn or chorale may be sung before the sermon.
Collect
God, our Father, you did not abandon us to the power of darkness but in your mercy redeemed us. Protect, free and sanctify us by your Son who suffered and died for us and whom you drew out of death, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in the unity of the Holy Sprit lives and works now and for ever.
Intercessions
Form I
(Presider:)
Lord Jesus Christ, grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying that we might have life, we call upon you.
(Reader 1)
For all who call themselves Christians, after you, for the churches in their divisions and separation, and for their work for fellowship and unity; for all men and women to whom a special ministry has been given; for our diocese and our parishes.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Draw us all to you. Help us to live according to your gospel and to be one in you.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the peoples of this earth and their governments, for the Council of Europe, the United Nations and all parliaments, for the authorities in politics, economy and society, for all suffering from war and the consequences of war, for the persecuted and all who live in lack of freedom and in oppression.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Grant to the peoples the spirit of reconciliation and guide their feet into the way of justice and peace.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who have lost their faith, and for all who do not find faith because we are in their way of seeing you.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Make the light of your gospel shine, and make us faithful witnesses of your salvation.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the young people in our parish, in the churches and in the world.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Give them confidence. Let us shape our society in a way that they may grow into a world and a church which enable them to have life and a future.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who are in the shadow side of life: for the handicapped and sick, for the elderly and lonely, for the single parents and for the children without families, for the unemployed and for all who are disregarded, marginalised or excluded by us.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Be close to them and lead people to them who have open ears and hearts for their needs.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who do no longer see a road, for the desperate and helpless, for all who have been disappointed, exploited and betrayed by people, who have fled into stubbornness of heart or addiction, who have become caught in guilt, who see themselves abandoned by God.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Take them into your cry on the cross and give them a share in your new life.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For all who suffer from injustice, for the hungry and exploited people who by the work of their hands and with the fruits of their fields must create our abundance; and for ourselves being prisoners of our thoughtlessness and our claims.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Help us to respect the dignity of humans and their right to live and to share the gifts of the earth with each other.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the whole creation groaning in labour pains and hoping for redemption; for all who care for its integrity and for all who suffer from its destruction.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Help us to experience that we are stewards only and that your good gift belongs to all, to the children and the children's children everywhere in the world.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Reader 1)
For the dying and the dead, for all who have given us life and faith, for all in whose death we share in guilt by indifference, hardness of heart and our way of life.
(Silence)
(Reader 2)
Lead them through your death to unending life.
Let us pray to the Lord.
[Lord, have mercy; or Kyrie, eleison]
(Presider)
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father did not leave you in death. He raised you and exalted you to this right hand. Intercede for us and stay with us on all our ways. To you be glory and honour and praise now and for ever.
Form II
Instead of the silence for prayer between the intention and the collect, a sung acclamation may be the answer, e.g. a triple Lord, have mercy or Kyrie, eleison.
1. For the holy Church
Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy Church of God, that our Lord and God grant it peace in all the world, unite and protect it and grant us a life in quietness and safety, to the praise of his name.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, eternal God, in Christ you revealed your glory to all peoples. Protect what your mercy has created, that your Church in all the world may persevere in steadfast faith. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
2. For our Bishop
Let us pray for our Bishop N., the fellowship of bishops, all men and women in the apostolic ministry and for all the people of God.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, your Spirit sanctifies and governs the whole body of the Church. Hear our prayer for our Bishop and for all who minister in your Church. Give them the grace to serve you faithfully. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
3. For the catechumens
Let us also pray for all who prepare for baptism: Our God and Father may open their hearts for his word, he grant them the forgiveness of sins in baptism and receive them into his house that they may find life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everlasting God, you continue to lead people to your Church. Grant to all who prepare for baptism to grow in faith and in knowledge. Let them be born again from the spring of baptism and accept them as your children. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
4. For the unity of the Christians
Let us pray for all brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, that our Lord and God may lead them on the way to truth and unity them in the unity of the holy Church.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, you alone can overcome the division and grant the unity. Have mercy on your Christian people, sanctified by the one baptism. Unite them in the faith in your Son and in the bond of love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
5. For all who do not believe in Christ
Let us pray for all who do not believe in Christ, that the Holy Spirit illumine them and lead them on the way of salvation.
Bent your knees.
Silence
Rise.
Almighty, everliving God, assist all who do not con
LITURGY OF ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF THE ATHENIANS
Liturgiarum Orien. Collectio E. Renaudoti. T. ii. p. 201.
translated by Rev. John Parker.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE, from the 1896 edition:
This Liturgy (of the Syrian Jacobite Church) gives the doctrine of Dionysius in a liturgical form. The Greek original might be restored from the writings of Dionysius. No one could reasonably doubt that the Author of the Writings and the Liturgy was the same. This Liturgy should be compared with the Coptic Liturgy of Dionysius, Bishop of Athens, disciple of Paul, and with the Liturgy of St. Basil, adapted from this, as used by the Uniate [sic] Copts, translated by the Marquess of Bute.
In my opinion, this Liturgy was written for the therapeutæ near Alexandria, described by Philo in his "Contemplative Life", who were Christians; who occupied themselves with the contemplation of the Divine Names, and the heavenly Hierarchy. It was written not earlier than the death of James, Apostle and Martyr, A.D. 42, and probably not later than A.D. 67, when Dionysius, at the request of St. Paul, left Athens to meet the Apostle at Rome, for the purpose of being sent by him to Gaul.
A note of primitive antiquity is found in the description of the Church, as "from one end of the earth to the other." There is no "one, only, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church," as in the later Liturgy of St. Basil. Some expressions are obscure, from the Latin Version, and it would be rash, without profound study, to venture to suggest the Greek text.
In consequence of this, and other Liturgies, and his excellent writings, Dionysius was frequently commemorated in the diptychs as one of the Doctors of the Church.
(EDITOR'S NOTE 1997: Rev. Parker's view of the Liturgy below as a First Century document has been shared by few scholars, in his day or afterwards. Most would say that it dates from no earlier than the Fifth Century, and may well have been simply culled from the works of St. Dionysius rather than actually written by the author of the Areopagetic Writings. Even so, it is interesting in that it conveys the essentially liturgical feel of Areopagite mystical theology, something often missed by Western commentators. -- N. Redington)
This Liturgy (of the Syrian Jacobite Church) gives the doctrine of Dionysius in a liturgical form. The Greek original might be restored from the writings of Dionysius. No one could reasonably doubt that the Author of the Writings and the Liturgy was the same. This Liturgy should be compared with the Coptic Liturgy of Dionysius, Bishop of Athens, disciple of Paul, and with the Liturgy of St. Basil, adapted from this, as used by the Uniate [sic] Copts, translated by the Marquess of Bute.
In my opinion, this Liturgy was written for the therapeutæ near Alexandria, described by Philo in his "Contemplative Life", who were Christians; who occupied themselves with the contemplation of the Divine Names, and the heavenly Hierarchy. It was written not earlier than the death of James, Apostle and Martyr, A.D. 42, and probably not later than A.D. 67, when Dionysius, at the request of St. Paul, left Athens to meet the Apostle at Rome, for the purpose of being sent by him to Gaul.
A note of primitive antiquity is found in the description of the Church, as "from one end of the earth to the other." There is no "one, only, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church," as in the later Liturgy of St. Basil. Some expressions are obscure, from the Latin Version, and it would be rash, without profound study, to venture to suggest the Greek text.
In consequence of this, and other Liturgies, and his excellent writings, Dionysius was frequently commemorated in the diptychs as one of the Doctors of the Church.
(EDITOR'S NOTE 1997: Rev. Parker's view of the Liturgy below as a First Century document has been shared by few scholars, in his day or afterwards. Most would say that it dates from no earlier than the Fifth Century, and may well have been simply culled from the works of St. Dionysius rather than actually written by the author of the Areopagetic Writings. Even so, it is interesting in that it conveys the essentially liturgical feel of Areopagite mystical theology, something often missed by Western commentators. -- N. Redington)
THE LITURGY OF SAINT DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF THE ATHENIANS.
THE PRAYER BEFORE THE PAX:
PRIEST:
O Lord God,
Who art simplex, not compound,
And hidden in essence sublime!
God the Father,
From Whom all paternity which is in heaven and earth is named,
Source of Divinity, of those who participate in the Divine Nature,
And Perfector of those who attain perfection;
Good above all good,
And Beautiful above all beautiful;
Peaceful repose,
Peace, Concord and Union of all souls;
Compose the dissensions which divide us from one another,
And lead them back to an union with charity,
Which has a kind of similitude to Thy sublime essence:
And as Thou art One above all,
And we, one, through the unanimity of a good mind;
That we may be found before Thee simplex and not divided,
Whilst celebrating this mystery;
And that through the embraces of Charity and bonds of Love,
We may be spiritually one,
Both with ourselves and with one another,
Through that Thy Peace pacifying all;
Through the Grace and Compassion and Love towards man
Of Thine Only-begotten Son;
Through Whom, and with Whom is due to Thee,
Glory, honour and dominion,
With Thy Most Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Pax (to all).
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: Let each one give the Peace.
PRIEST: All ... , etc.
DEACON: Post ... , etc.
R: Before Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST:
Giver of Holiness,
And distributor of every good, O Lord,
Who sanctifiest every rational creature
With sanctification, which is from Thee;
Sanctify, through Thy Holy Spirit,
Us Thy servants, who bow before Thee;
Free us from all servile passions of sin,
From envy, treachery, deceit, hatred, enmities,
And from him, who works the same,
That we may be worthy,
Holily to complete the ministry
Of these life-giving Sacraments,
Through the heavenly Pontiff, Jesus Christ,
Thine Only-begotten Son,
Through Whom, and with Whom, is due to Thee,
Glory and honour.
R. Amen.
PRIEST: Essentially existing, and from all ages;
Whose nature is incomprehensible,
Who art near and present to all,
Without any change of Thy sublimity;
Whose goodness every existing thing longs for and desires;
The intelligible indeed, and creature endowed with intelligence,
Through intelligence;
Those endowed with sense,
Through their senses;
Who, although Thou art One essentially,
Nevertheless art present with us,
And amongst us,
In this hour,
In which Thou hast called and led us to these Thy holy mysteries;
And hast made us worthy to stand before the sublime throne of Thy majesty,
And to handle the sacred vessels of Thy ministry with our impure hands:
Take away from us, O Lord,
The cloke of iniquity in which we are enfolded,
As from Jesus, the son of Josedec the High Priest,
Thou didst take away the filthy garments, [Zech. 3:4],
And adorn us with piety and justice,
As Thou didst adorn him with a vestment of glory;
That clothed with Thee alone,
As it were with a garment,
And being like temples crowned with glory,
We may see Thee unveiled
With a mind divinely illuminated,
And may feast,
Whilst we, by communicating therein,
Enjoy this sacrifice set before us;
And render to Thee glory and praise.
R: Amen.
DEACON: Let us stand becomingly.
R: The Mercies of God ..., etc.
PRIEST: Charity..., etc.
R: And with thy spirit.
PRIEST: Lift up your hearts.
R: We lift them to the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
R: It is meet and right..., etc.
PRIEST (bending low):
For truly the celebration of Thy benefits,
O Lord,
Surpasses the powers of mind, of speech, and of thought;
Neither is sufficient every mouth, mind and tongue,
To glorify Thee worthily.
For, by Thy word the heavens were made,
And by the breath of Thy mouth all the celestial powers;
All the lights in the firmament,
Sun and moon,
Sea and dry land, and whatever is in them.
The voiceless, by their silence,
The vocal by their voices, words, and hymns,
Perpetually bless Thee;
Because Thou art essentially good and beyond all praise,
Existing in Thy essence incomprehensibly.
This visible and sensible creature praises thee,
And also that intellectual, placed above sensible perception.
Heaven and earth glorify Thee.
Sea and air proclaim Thee.
The sun, in his course, praises Thee;
The Moon, in her changes, venerates Thee.
Troops of Archangels,
And hosts of Angels;
Those virtues,
More sublime than the world and mental faculty,
Send benedictions to Thine abode.
Rays of light, eminent and hidden,
Send their sanctus to Thy glory.
Principalities and Orders praise Thee, with their Jubilate.
Powers and dominions venerate Thee.
Virtues, Thrones, and Seats inaccessible exalt Thee.
Splendors of light --
Eternal mirrors without flaw --
Holy essences --
Recipients of wisdom sublime, beyond all --
Investigators of the will hidden from all --
In clearest modulations of inimitable tones --
And by voices becoming a rational creature --
Many eyed Cherubim of most subtle movement, bless Thee.
Seraphim, furnished with six wings intertwined,
Cry "Sanctus!" unto Thee.
Those very ones,
Who veil their faces with their wings,
And cover their feet with wings,
And flying on every side,
And clapping with their wings,
(That they may not be devoured by Thy devouring fire)
Sing one to another with equal harmony of all
, Sweet chants, pure from every thing material,
Rendering to Thee eternal glory;
Crying with one hymn, worthy of God, and saying:
R: Holy Holy Holy,
Lord of Sabbaoth,
Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory.
Blessed is He that cometh in the Lord's Name;
Hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST (bending):
Holy art Thou, O God the Father,
Omnipotent,
Maker and Creator of every creature
Invisible and visible, and sensible;
Holy art Thou, O God, the Only-begotten Son,
Power and Wisdom of the Father,
Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Holy art Thou, O God, the Holy Spirit,
Perfector and Sanctifier of Saints;
Triad, Holy and Undivided --
Co-essential and of equal glory,
Whose compassion towards our race is most effusive.
Thou art holy, and making all things holy.
Who didst not leave that our very race in exile from Paradise,
(Although in the mean-time involved in every kind of sin),
But wast manifested to it by the Word,
Who, in the presence of the world, suffered extreme poverty;
It in very truth, He, the Word, took,
Being made like to it in all things, sin excepted,
That it might make Him prepared beforehand unto holiness,
And disposed for this life-giving feast.
PRIEST (now raising his voice):
Who being conceived formed and configured by the Holy Spirit,
And from virgin blood of the Virgin Mary, holy genitrix of God,
Was born indeed Man,
And from the pure and most holy body of the same,
And receiving Deity in Flesh,
Whilst the law and properties of nature were preserved,
But in a manner beyond nature,
And was acknowledged God in the Spirit, and Man in the flesh;
And inasmuch as the Word existed before the ages, from Thee,
As was worthy of God,
Was born,
And by power and miracles,
Such as became the Maker of all,
Was testified that He was such,
From the very fact that He has freely imparted
A complete healing and a perfect salvation to the whole human race.
Likewise,
In the end and consummation of His dispensation on our behalf
And before His saving Cross,
He took bread into His pure and holy hands,
And looked to Thee, O God the Father;
Giving thanks, He blessed, sanctified, brake
And gave to His disciples, the holy Apostles, saying,
"Take and eat from it
And believe that it is my body,
That same, which for you and for many is broken and given,
For the expiation of faults, the remission of sins, and eternal life."
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Likewise, in the same manner,
Over the cup also,
Which He mingled with wine and water,
He gave thanks, blessed, sanctified
And gave to the same disciples and holy apostles, saying,
"Take, drink from it, all of you,
And believe that this is My blood of the new covenant,
Which is shed and given for you and for many,
For the expiation of faults, remission of sins, and eternal life."
R: Amen
PRIEST: Himself also, through the same holy Apostles,
Gave a precept
To the whole company and congregation of the faithful saying,
"This do to the memory of Me,
And as oft as ye shall eat this bread
And drink the commixture which is this cup,
And shall celebrate this feast,
Ye shall perform a commemoration of My death
Until I come."
R: Of Thy death, O Lord, We perform a memorial.
PRIEST: Obeying, then, Thy soverign precept,
And celebrating a commemoration of Thy death and resurrection,
Through this sacrifice in perpetual mystery,
We await also Thy second coming,
The renovation of our race,
And the vivification of our mortality.
For, not simply,
But with glory worthy of God,
In Spirit ineffable,
Thou wilt terribly come,
And seated upon the lofty throne of Thy majesty,
Thou wilt exact the acknowledgement of Thy royal power,
From all things created and made:
And justly, Thou wilt take vengeance for Thy image
Upon those who have corrupted it
Through evil passions.
This sacrifice, here celebrated,
We commemorate to Thee, O Lord,
And the sufferings which Thou didst endure on the Cross for us.
Be propitious, O Good, and Lover of men,
In that hour full of fear and trembling,
To this congregation of those adoring Thee,
And to all sons of the holy Church,
Bought by Thy precious Blood.
May coals of fire
Be kept from those who are tinged with Thy Blood,
And sealed by Thy sacraments in Thy holy Name,
As formerly the Babylonian flame
From the youths of the house of Hanania;
For neither do we know others beside Thee, O God,
Nor in other have we hope of attaining salvation,
Since indeed Thou art the Helper and Saviour of our race;
And on this account, our wise Church,
Through all our lips and tongues, implores Thee,
And through Thee, and with Thee, Thy Father, saying:
R: Have mercy.
PRIEST: We also...
DEACON: How tremendous is this hour...
(The Priest bending, says the prayer of the invocation of the Holy Spirit.)
PRIEST: I invoke Thee, O God the Father,
Have mercy upon us,
And wash away, through Thy grace,
The uncleanness of my evil deeds;
Destroy, through Thy mercy,
What I have done, worthy of wrath;
For I do not extend my hands to Thee with presumption,
For I am not able even to look to heaven
On account of the multitude of my iniquities
And the filth of my wickedness.
But, strengthening my mind,
In Thy loving-kindness, grace and long-suffering,
I crave Thy holy Spirit, That Thou wouldst send Him upon me,
And upon these oblations, here set forth,
And upon Thy faithful people.
PRIEST: Hear me, O Lord...
R: Kyrie eleison, (three times).
PRIEST: Through His alighting upon them,
And His overshadowing,
May He make this bread indeed living body,
And procuring life to our souls;
Body salutary --
Body celestial --
Body saving our souls and bodies --
Body of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ --
For remission of sins, and eternal life,
For those receiving it.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: And the commixture, which is in this cup,
May He make living blood,
And procuring life to all our souls;
Blood salutory --
Blood celestial --
Blood saving our souls and bodies --
Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,
For remission of sins to those receiving them.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Further, according to the tradition,
And Divine recommendation
Of those, who were eye witnesses of Thy mysteries,
And interpreters of Thy wonderful acts,
We offer this Eucharist before Thee, O Lord,
And through it we commemorate Thy charity towards us,
And the universal dispensation
Of Thine Only-begotten One, in this world,
That Thou wouldst also be reminded through it
Of Thy mercy, cognate and natural to Thee,
Which, at all hours, is shed upon Thy creatures,
And wouldst snatch us from the wrath,
Reserved for the wicked;
And from the punishments
Of those who work iniquity;
And from the cruel attack of demons,
Who attack our souls, when we shall go hence;
And wouldst make us worthy of Thy kingdom,
And the habitations of those
Who have kept Thy precepts;
And we will render to Thee,
Glory and the giving of thanks... (etc.)
R: Amen
PRIEST (bending): By Thy words, that cannot lie,
And by Thy most true teachings,
Thou hast said, O Lord,
That great is the joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.
Rejoice then now, O Lord,
In the conversion of Thy servants, who stand here before Thee;
Add also, exultation over us,
To the souls of the pious and just Fathers --
Patriarchs -- Prophets -- Apostles --
Preachers -- Evangelists -- Martyrs --
Confessors -- Zealots of Divine Worship --
Benefactors -- Givers of Alms --
Of those who minister to the necessities of the poor --
And from all,
May there be one act of praise today,
Before Thee, at this holy Altar, and in the heavenly Jerusalem.
(Elevating his voice)
And on account of these,
And other things of the same kind,
May Thy holy Church,
Which is from one end of the earth to the other,
Be established, and preserved in tranquillity and peace,
In doctrines evangelical and apostolical,
By Divine Hierarchs,
Rightly dispensing the word of truth,
And instructing, by the dogmas of true religion:
Through holy Priests,
Who embrace the word of life,
And carry themselves illustriously
In dispensing Thy celestial mysteries:
Through Deacons,
Who are modest,
And perform the pure and royal ministry without flaw:
Through true, faithful ones,
Who occupy themselves in words and acts worthy of a Christian:
Through choirs of virgins of each sex,
Bearing about in their members
The life-giving mortification of Thy Only-begotten Son.
And from hence, in one troop,
May we all be sent to that Church,
The Jerusalem of the firstborn,
Whose names are written in the heavens,
And there let us spiritually glorify Thee,
O God the Father, and Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
Assist also, O Lord,
All those who assist Thy Holy Church,
By offerings - by tenths - by ministry -
And by oblations;
And those also, who ask the prayers of our littleness,
Give to them the object of those their prayers, O Lord, Lover of men.
(raising his voice): Send also perfect attention and full health
To all those who have the charge of the poor,
Who provide food for orphans and widows,
And visit the infirm and afflicted.
Restore to them, here indeed abundance and goods,
There also delights incorruptible,
Because thou art Lord of each age,
And distributor of immense reward.
And to Thee beseems beneficence,
Both here and there,
And to Thine Only-begotten Son.
R:Amen.
PRIEST (bending): Restrain, O King of Kings, the wrath of kings,
Mitigate the fury of soldiers,
Take away wars and seditions,
Cast down the pride of heretics,
And the sentences pronounced against us by Justice,
May Thy love for mankind overcome,
And turn into the gentleness of benignity;
(raising his voice): Tranquillity and Peace from Thee,
Concede to the earth and all its inhabitants;
Visit it with Thy benefits and the care of Thy mercy,
With a good and temperate condition of atmosphere,
Copiousness of fruits, and abundance of crops,
And variety of flowers;
Preserve it from all pests of fury,
And all unjust attacks of enemies, both spiritual and sensible,
That without any injury of passion,
We may sing perpend hymns of praise to Thee
And to Thine Only-begotten Son.
R: Amen.
PRIEST (bending): At this altar,
And at that more exalted one in heaven,
May there be a good remembrance
Of all those, who, out of the world, have pleased Thee -
Chiefly indeed of the Holy Genitrix of God,
Of John the Messenger, Baptist and Forerunner,
Of Peter and Paul, and of the holy company of Apostles,
Of Stephen also,
And of the whole multitude of Martyrs,
And of all those, who,
Before them, with them and after them,
Have pleased, and do please Thee.
(raising his voice)
And since indeed Thou art Omnipotent,
To the company of those beloved ones and to Thy family,
Join our weakness, O Lord,
To that blessed congregation
To this Divine part,
That, through them may be received
Our oblations and prayers,
Before the lofty throne of Thy Majesty,
Inasmuch as we are weak and infirm,
And wanting in confidence before Thee.
Forsooth, our sin and our righteousness
Are as nothing
In comparison with the ocean,
Broad and immense,
Of Thy mercy.
Looking then into the hearts of each,
Send to each one good returns for their petitions,
That in all and in each
May be adored and praised Thy Majesty,
And that of Thine Only-begotten Son.
R:Amen.
PRIEST (bending): Remember, O Lord, all Bishops, Doctors, and Prelates
Of Thy holy Church,
Those, who from James, Apostle, Bishop and Matyr,
To this present day,
Have pleased, and do please Thee.
(raising his voice):
Engraft in us, O Lord,
Their true faith and their zeal for the true religion;
Their sincere charity without defect;
Their morals without stain;
In order that, adhering to their footsteps,
We may be partakers of their reward,
And of the crowns of victory
Which are prepared for them in Thy heavenly kingdom,
And there, together with them,
We may sing to Thee, Glory unceasing,
And to Thy Only-begotten Son.
R: Amen
PRIEST (bending): Remember, O Lord,
All those who are fallen asleep,
Who have laid themselves down in Thy hope,
In the true faith.
More especially, and by name,
Our Fathers, Brothers and Masters,
And those, on behalf of whom, and by favour of whom,
This holy oblation is offered --
(raising his voice):
Join, O Lord, their names,
With the names of Thy Saints
In the blessed habitation of those,
Who feast and rejoice in Thee;
Not recalling against them the memory of their sins,
Nor bringing to their memory
The things which they have foolishly done.
For no one is tied to the flesh,
And at the same time, innocent in Thy sight.
For One alone has been seen on earth without sin,
Jesus Christ, Thine Only-begotten Son;
Simplex, who came to composition,
Through whom we also have hope of obtaining mercy.
R: Keep quiet.
PRIEST (bending): Remitting our and their voluntary sins,
Knowingly or ignorantly committed.
Be propitious, O Lord, Lover of men.
(raising his voice):
And grant to us a peaceful end,
Departure with mercy,
That we may stand without fault on the right hand;
And, with open face, and confidence,
Run to meet the arising of Thine Only-begotten Son,
and His second and glorious manifestation from heaven;
And may hear from Him, that blessed voice,
Which He shall pronounce at the last day to the Blessed:
"Blessed of my Father
Receive the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom,"
That in this, as in all,
May be glorified and praised, Thy most venerated Name.
R: That... , etc.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
[The Priest breaks the Host, and says the prayer, before "Our Father."]
PRIEST: Father of all,
And Beginning,
Which is above all things --
Light eternal, and Fountain of Light,
Which illuminates all natures endowed with reason;
Who callest the poor from the dust,
And raisest the beggar from the dunghill;
And hast called us, lost, rejected and infirm,
To the liberty and household dignity of Thy sons,
Through Thy beloved Son, grant to us,
That we may appear in Thy sight, holy sons,
And not unworthy of the name;
And may also perform all our ministry
After a blameless manner;
And with purity of soul,
And cleanliness of intellect,
And with a godly mind,
Whenever we invoke Thee,
God the Father Omnipotent,
Holy and heavenly,
We pray and say,
Our Father, which art in heaven.
R: 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 trepasses
As we forgive those that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
PRIEST: Free us, Thy servants and sons,
From all temptations,
Most difficult, and surpassing our forces;
And from all griefs,
Which can bring loss to our body or soul.
Guard us, at the same time from the evil one,
And from his universal power,
And from his most pernicious devices.
For Thou art King of all,
And to Thee we render glory.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: Before (Ante).
R: Before Thee, O Lord. (Coram.)
PRIEST: Look, O Lord, upon Thy faithful people,
Who bend before Thee,
And await Thy gift,
And contemplate the deposit
Of the Sacraments of Thy Only-begotten,
O God the Father.
Take not away Thy grace from us,
And cast us not away from Thy ministry,
And from participation in Thy sacraments,
But prepare us,
That we may be pure and without flaw,
And worthy of this feast;
And that, with a conscience unblameable,
We may ever enjoy His precious body and blood;
And in a life, glorious and endless,
May recline in a spiritual habitation,
And may feast at the table of Thy kingdom,
And may render to Thee glory and praise.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: With fear.
PRIEST: Holy things to holy persons.
R: One holy Father.
DEACON: Let us stand becomingly.
PRIEST: Before Thee.
We give thanks to Thee, O Lord,
And with grateful mind
We acknowledge Thy loving-kindness;
Because, from nothing,
Thou hast led us forth to that which we are,
And hast made us members of Thy household,
And sons of Thy sacraments;
And hast entrusted this religious ministry to us,
And hast made us worthy of this spiritual table.
Preserve in us, O Lord,
The deposit of Thy Divine Mysteries,
That we may frame and complete our life in Thy sight,
After the fashion of the angels;
That we may be secured and inseparable
Through the reception of Thy holy (mysteries);
Performing Thy great and perfect will,
And may be found ready for that last consummation,
And to stand before Thy Majesty,
And may be made worthy of the pleasure of Thy kingdom,
Through the grace, mercy and love towards man,
Of Thy Only-begotten Son,
Through Whom, and with Whom, is due to Thee,
Glory, honour, and dominion,
With Thy Most Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: After (Post).
R: Before Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST: O Christ, the King of Glory,
And Father of the Age to come;
Holy Sacrifice;
Heavenly Hierarch;
Lamb of God,
Who takest away the sin of the world,
Spare the sins of Thy people,
And dismiss the foolishness of Thy flock.
Preserve us, through the communication of Thy Sacraments,
From every sin,
Whether it be committed by word, or thought, or deed;
And from whatever makes us far
From the familiarity of Thy household,
That our bodies may be guarded by Thy body,
And our souls renewed through Thy sacraments.
And may Thy benediction, O Lord,
Be in our whole man, within and without;
And may Thou be glorified in us,
And by us,
And may Thy right hand rest upon us,
And that of Thy blessed Father,
And of Thy most holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
DEACON: Bless, O Lord.!
The Anaphora of Hippolytus of Rome
THE PRAYER BEFORE THE PAX:
PRIEST:
O Lord God,
Who art simplex, not compound,
And hidden in essence sublime!
God the Father,
From Whom all paternity which is in heaven and earth is named,
Source of Divinity, of those who participate in the Divine Nature,
And Perfector of those who attain perfection;
Good above all good,
And Beautiful above all beautiful;
Peaceful repose,
Peace, Concord and Union of all souls;
Compose the dissensions which divide us from one another,
And lead them back to an union with charity,
Which has a kind of similitude to Thy sublime essence:
And as Thou art One above all,
And we, one, through the unanimity of a good mind;
That we may be found before Thee simplex and not divided,
Whilst celebrating this mystery;
And that through the embraces of Charity and bonds of Love,
We may be spiritually one,
Both with ourselves and with one another,
Through that Thy Peace pacifying all;
Through the Grace and Compassion and Love towards man
Of Thine Only-begotten Son;
Through Whom, and with Whom is due to Thee,
Glory, honour and dominion,
With Thy Most Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Pax (to all).
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: Let each one give the Peace.
PRIEST: All ... , etc.
DEACON: Post ... , etc.
R: Before Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST:
Giver of Holiness,
And distributor of every good, O Lord,
Who sanctifiest every rational creature
With sanctification, which is from Thee;
Sanctify, through Thy Holy Spirit,
Us Thy servants, who bow before Thee;
Free us from all servile passions of sin,
From envy, treachery, deceit, hatred, enmities,
And from him, who works the same,
That we may be worthy,
Holily to complete the ministry
Of these life-giving Sacraments,
Through the heavenly Pontiff, Jesus Christ,
Thine Only-begotten Son,
Through Whom, and with Whom, is due to Thee,
Glory and honour.
R. Amen.
PRIEST: Essentially existing, and from all ages;
Whose nature is incomprehensible,
Who art near and present to all,
Without any change of Thy sublimity;
Whose goodness every existing thing longs for and desires;
The intelligible indeed, and creature endowed with intelligence,
Through intelligence;
Those endowed with sense,
Through their senses;
Who, although Thou art One essentially,
Nevertheless art present with us,
And amongst us,
In this hour,
In which Thou hast called and led us to these Thy holy mysteries;
And hast made us worthy to stand before the sublime throne of Thy majesty,
And to handle the sacred vessels of Thy ministry with our impure hands:
Take away from us, O Lord,
The cloke of iniquity in which we are enfolded,
As from Jesus, the son of Josedec the High Priest,
Thou didst take away the filthy garments, [Zech. 3:4],
And adorn us with piety and justice,
As Thou didst adorn him with a vestment of glory;
That clothed with Thee alone,
As it were with a garment,
And being like temples crowned with glory,
We may see Thee unveiled
With a mind divinely illuminated,
And may feast,
Whilst we, by communicating therein,
Enjoy this sacrifice set before us;
And render to Thee glory and praise.
R: Amen.
DEACON: Let us stand becomingly.
R: The Mercies of God ..., etc.
PRIEST: Charity..., etc.
R: And with thy spirit.
PRIEST: Lift up your hearts.
R: We lift them to the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
R: It is meet and right..., etc.
PRIEST (bending low):
For truly the celebration of Thy benefits,
O Lord,
Surpasses the powers of mind, of speech, and of thought;
Neither is sufficient every mouth, mind and tongue,
To glorify Thee worthily.
For, by Thy word the heavens were made,
And by the breath of Thy mouth all the celestial powers;
All the lights in the firmament,
Sun and moon,
Sea and dry land, and whatever is in them.
The voiceless, by their silence,
The vocal by their voices, words, and hymns,
Perpetually bless Thee;
Because Thou art essentially good and beyond all praise,
Existing in Thy essence incomprehensibly.
This visible and sensible creature praises thee,
And also that intellectual, placed above sensible perception.
Heaven and earth glorify Thee.
Sea and air proclaim Thee.
The sun, in his course, praises Thee;
The Moon, in her changes, venerates Thee.
Troops of Archangels,
And hosts of Angels;
Those virtues,
More sublime than the world and mental faculty,
Send benedictions to Thine abode.
Rays of light, eminent and hidden,
Send their sanctus to Thy glory.
Principalities and Orders praise Thee, with their Jubilate.
Powers and dominions venerate Thee.
Virtues, Thrones, and Seats inaccessible exalt Thee.
Splendors of light --
Eternal mirrors without flaw --
Holy essences --
Recipients of wisdom sublime, beyond all --
Investigators of the will hidden from all --
In clearest modulations of inimitable tones --
And by voices becoming a rational creature --
Many eyed Cherubim of most subtle movement, bless Thee.
Seraphim, furnished with six wings intertwined,
Cry "Sanctus!" unto Thee.
Those very ones,
Who veil their faces with their wings,
And cover their feet with wings,
And flying on every side,
And clapping with their wings,
(That they may not be devoured by Thy devouring fire)
Sing one to another with equal harmony of all
, Sweet chants, pure from every thing material,
Rendering to Thee eternal glory;
Crying with one hymn, worthy of God, and saying:
R: Holy Holy Holy,
Lord of Sabbaoth,
Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory.
Blessed is He that cometh in the Lord's Name;
Hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST (bending):
Holy art Thou, O God the Father,
Omnipotent,
Maker and Creator of every creature
Invisible and visible, and sensible;
Holy art Thou, O God, the Only-begotten Son,
Power and Wisdom of the Father,
Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Holy art Thou, O God, the Holy Spirit,
Perfector and Sanctifier of Saints;
Triad, Holy and Undivided --
Co-essential and of equal glory,
Whose compassion towards our race is most effusive.
Thou art holy, and making all things holy.
Who didst not leave that our very race in exile from Paradise,
(Although in the mean-time involved in every kind of sin),
But wast manifested to it by the Word,
Who, in the presence of the world, suffered extreme poverty;
It in very truth, He, the Word, took,
Being made like to it in all things, sin excepted,
That it might make Him prepared beforehand unto holiness,
And disposed for this life-giving feast.
PRIEST (now raising his voice):
Who being conceived formed and configured by the Holy Spirit,
And from virgin blood of the Virgin Mary, holy genitrix of God,
Was born indeed Man,
And from the pure and most holy body of the same,
And receiving Deity in Flesh,
Whilst the law and properties of nature were preserved,
But in a manner beyond nature,
And was acknowledged God in the Spirit, and Man in the flesh;
And inasmuch as the Word existed before the ages, from Thee,
As was worthy of God,
Was born,
And by power and miracles,
Such as became the Maker of all,
Was testified that He was such,
From the very fact that He has freely imparted
A complete healing and a perfect salvation to the whole human race.
Likewise,
In the end and consummation of His dispensation on our behalf
And before His saving Cross,
He took bread into His pure and holy hands,
And looked to Thee, O God the Father;
Giving thanks, He blessed, sanctified, brake
And gave to His disciples, the holy Apostles, saying,
"Take and eat from it
And believe that it is my body,
That same, which for you and for many is broken and given,
For the expiation of faults, the remission of sins, and eternal life."
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Likewise, in the same manner,
Over the cup also,
Which He mingled with wine and water,
He gave thanks, blessed, sanctified
And gave to the same disciples and holy apostles, saying,
"Take, drink from it, all of you,
And believe that this is My blood of the new covenant,
Which is shed and given for you and for many,
For the expiation of faults, remission of sins, and eternal life."
R: Amen
PRIEST: Himself also, through the same holy Apostles,
Gave a precept
To the whole company and congregation of the faithful saying,
"This do to the memory of Me,
And as oft as ye shall eat this bread
And drink the commixture which is this cup,
And shall celebrate this feast,
Ye shall perform a commemoration of My death
Until I come."
R: Of Thy death, O Lord, We perform a memorial.
PRIEST: Obeying, then, Thy soverign precept,
And celebrating a commemoration of Thy death and resurrection,
Through this sacrifice in perpetual mystery,
We await also Thy second coming,
The renovation of our race,
And the vivification of our mortality.
For, not simply,
But with glory worthy of God,
In Spirit ineffable,
Thou wilt terribly come,
And seated upon the lofty throne of Thy majesty,
Thou wilt exact the acknowledgement of Thy royal power,
From all things created and made:
And justly, Thou wilt take vengeance for Thy image
Upon those who have corrupted it
Through evil passions.
This sacrifice, here celebrated,
We commemorate to Thee, O Lord,
And the sufferings which Thou didst endure on the Cross for us.
Be propitious, O Good, and Lover of men,
In that hour full of fear and trembling,
To this congregation of those adoring Thee,
And to all sons of the holy Church,
Bought by Thy precious Blood.
May coals of fire
Be kept from those who are tinged with Thy Blood,
And sealed by Thy sacraments in Thy holy Name,
As formerly the Babylonian flame
From the youths of the house of Hanania;
For neither do we know others beside Thee, O God,
Nor in other have we hope of attaining salvation,
Since indeed Thou art the Helper and Saviour of our race;
And on this account, our wise Church,
Through all our lips and tongues, implores Thee,
And through Thee, and with Thee, Thy Father, saying:
R: Have mercy.
PRIEST: We also...
DEACON: How tremendous is this hour...
(The Priest bending, says the prayer of the invocation of the Holy Spirit.)
PRIEST: I invoke Thee, O God the Father,
Have mercy upon us,
And wash away, through Thy grace,
The uncleanness of my evil deeds;
Destroy, through Thy mercy,
What I have done, worthy of wrath;
For I do not extend my hands to Thee with presumption,
For I am not able even to look to heaven
On account of the multitude of my iniquities
And the filth of my wickedness.
But, strengthening my mind,
In Thy loving-kindness, grace and long-suffering,
I crave Thy holy Spirit, That Thou wouldst send Him upon me,
And upon these oblations, here set forth,
And upon Thy faithful people.
PRIEST: Hear me, O Lord...
R: Kyrie eleison, (three times).
PRIEST: Through His alighting upon them,
And His overshadowing,
May He make this bread indeed living body,
And procuring life to our souls;
Body salutary --
Body celestial --
Body saving our souls and bodies --
Body of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ --
For remission of sins, and eternal life,
For those receiving it.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: And the commixture, which is in this cup,
May He make living blood,
And procuring life to all our souls;
Blood salutory --
Blood celestial --
Blood saving our souls and bodies --
Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,
For remission of sins to those receiving them.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Further, according to the tradition,
And Divine recommendation
Of those, who were eye witnesses of Thy mysteries,
And interpreters of Thy wonderful acts,
We offer this Eucharist before Thee, O Lord,
And through it we commemorate Thy charity towards us,
And the universal dispensation
Of Thine Only-begotten One, in this world,
That Thou wouldst also be reminded through it
Of Thy mercy, cognate and natural to Thee,
Which, at all hours, is shed upon Thy creatures,
And wouldst snatch us from the wrath,
Reserved for the wicked;
And from the punishments
Of those who work iniquity;
And from the cruel attack of demons,
Who attack our souls, when we shall go hence;
And wouldst make us worthy of Thy kingdom,
And the habitations of those
Who have kept Thy precepts;
And we will render to Thee,
Glory and the giving of thanks... (etc.)
R: Amen
PRIEST (bending): By Thy words, that cannot lie,
And by Thy most true teachings,
Thou hast said, O Lord,
That great is the joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.
Rejoice then now, O Lord,
In the conversion of Thy servants, who stand here before Thee;
Add also, exultation over us,
To the souls of the pious and just Fathers --
Patriarchs -- Prophets -- Apostles --
Preachers -- Evangelists -- Martyrs --
Confessors -- Zealots of Divine Worship --
Benefactors -- Givers of Alms --
Of those who minister to the necessities of the poor --
And from all,
May there be one act of praise today,
Before Thee, at this holy Altar, and in the heavenly Jerusalem.
(Elevating his voice)
And on account of these,
And other things of the same kind,
May Thy holy Church,
Which is from one end of the earth to the other,
Be established, and preserved in tranquillity and peace,
In doctrines evangelical and apostolical,
By Divine Hierarchs,
Rightly dispensing the word of truth,
And instructing, by the dogmas of true religion:
Through holy Priests,
Who embrace the word of life,
And carry themselves illustriously
In dispensing Thy celestial mysteries:
Through Deacons,
Who are modest,
And perform the pure and royal ministry without flaw:
Through true, faithful ones,
Who occupy themselves in words and acts worthy of a Christian:
Through choirs of virgins of each sex,
Bearing about in their members
The life-giving mortification of Thy Only-begotten Son.
And from hence, in one troop,
May we all be sent to that Church,
The Jerusalem of the firstborn,
Whose names are written in the heavens,
And there let us spiritually glorify Thee,
O God the Father, and Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
Assist also, O Lord,
All those who assist Thy Holy Church,
By offerings - by tenths - by ministry -
And by oblations;
And those also, who ask the prayers of our littleness,
Give to them the object of those their prayers, O Lord, Lover of men.
(raising his voice): Send also perfect attention and full health
To all those who have the charge of the poor,
Who provide food for orphans and widows,
And visit the infirm and afflicted.
Restore to them, here indeed abundance and goods,
There also delights incorruptible,
Because thou art Lord of each age,
And distributor of immense reward.
And to Thee beseems beneficence,
Both here and there,
And to Thine Only-begotten Son.
R:Amen.
PRIEST (bending): Restrain, O King of Kings, the wrath of kings,
Mitigate the fury of soldiers,
Take away wars and seditions,
Cast down the pride of heretics,
And the sentences pronounced against us by Justice,
May Thy love for mankind overcome,
And turn into the gentleness of benignity;
(raising his voice): Tranquillity and Peace from Thee,
Concede to the earth and all its inhabitants;
Visit it with Thy benefits and the care of Thy mercy,
With a good and temperate condition of atmosphere,
Copiousness of fruits, and abundance of crops,
And variety of flowers;
Preserve it from all pests of fury,
And all unjust attacks of enemies, both spiritual and sensible,
That without any injury of passion,
We may sing perpend hymns of praise to Thee
And to Thine Only-begotten Son.
R: Amen.
PRIEST (bending): At this altar,
And at that more exalted one in heaven,
May there be a good remembrance
Of all those, who, out of the world, have pleased Thee -
Chiefly indeed of the Holy Genitrix of God,
Of John the Messenger, Baptist and Forerunner,
Of Peter and Paul, and of the holy company of Apostles,
Of Stephen also,
And of the whole multitude of Martyrs,
And of all those, who,
Before them, with them and after them,
Have pleased, and do please Thee.
(raising his voice)
And since indeed Thou art Omnipotent,
To the company of those beloved ones and to Thy family,
Join our weakness, O Lord,
To that blessed congregation
To this Divine part,
That, through them may be received
Our oblations and prayers,
Before the lofty throne of Thy Majesty,
Inasmuch as we are weak and infirm,
And wanting in confidence before Thee.
Forsooth, our sin and our righteousness
Are as nothing
In comparison with the ocean,
Broad and immense,
Of Thy mercy.
Looking then into the hearts of each,
Send to each one good returns for their petitions,
That in all and in each
May be adored and praised Thy Majesty,
And that of Thine Only-begotten Son.
R:Amen.
PRIEST (bending): Remember, O Lord, all Bishops, Doctors, and Prelates
Of Thy holy Church,
Those, who from James, Apostle, Bishop and Matyr,
To this present day,
Have pleased, and do please Thee.
(raising his voice):
Engraft in us, O Lord,
Their true faith and their zeal for the true religion;
Their sincere charity without defect;
Their morals without stain;
In order that, adhering to their footsteps,
We may be partakers of their reward,
And of the crowns of victory
Which are prepared for them in Thy heavenly kingdom,
And there, together with them,
We may sing to Thee, Glory unceasing,
And to Thy Only-begotten Son.
R: Amen
PRIEST (bending): Remember, O Lord,
All those who are fallen asleep,
Who have laid themselves down in Thy hope,
In the true faith.
More especially, and by name,
Our Fathers, Brothers and Masters,
And those, on behalf of whom, and by favour of whom,
This holy oblation is offered --
(raising his voice):
Join, O Lord, their names,
With the names of Thy Saints
In the blessed habitation of those,
Who feast and rejoice in Thee;
Not recalling against them the memory of their sins,
Nor bringing to their memory
The things which they have foolishly done.
For no one is tied to the flesh,
And at the same time, innocent in Thy sight.
For One alone has been seen on earth without sin,
Jesus Christ, Thine Only-begotten Son;
Simplex, who came to composition,
Through whom we also have hope of obtaining mercy.
R: Keep quiet.
PRIEST (bending): Remitting our and their voluntary sins,
Knowingly or ignorantly committed.
Be propitious, O Lord, Lover of men.
(raising his voice):
And grant to us a peaceful end,
Departure with mercy,
That we may stand without fault on the right hand;
And, with open face, and confidence,
Run to meet the arising of Thine Only-begotten Son,
and His second and glorious manifestation from heaven;
And may hear from Him, that blessed voice,
Which He shall pronounce at the last day to the Blessed:
"Blessed of my Father
Receive the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom,"
That in this, as in all,
May be glorified and praised, Thy most venerated Name.
R: That... , etc.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
[The Priest breaks the Host, and says the prayer, before "Our Father."]
PRIEST: Father of all,
And Beginning,
Which is above all things --
Light eternal, and Fountain of Light,
Which illuminates all natures endowed with reason;
Who callest the poor from the dust,
And raisest the beggar from the dunghill;
And hast called us, lost, rejected and infirm,
To the liberty and household dignity of Thy sons,
Through Thy beloved Son, grant to us,
That we may appear in Thy sight, holy sons,
And not unworthy of the name;
And may also perform all our ministry
After a blameless manner;
And with purity of soul,
And cleanliness of intellect,
And with a godly mind,
Whenever we invoke Thee,
God the Father Omnipotent,
Holy and heavenly,
We pray and say,
Our Father, which art in heaven.
R: 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 trepasses
As we forgive those that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
PRIEST: Free us, Thy servants and sons,
From all temptations,
Most difficult, and surpassing our forces;
And from all griefs,
Which can bring loss to our body or soul.
Guard us, at the same time from the evil one,
And from his universal power,
And from his most pernicious devices.
For Thou art King of all,
And to Thee we render glory.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: Before (Ante).
R: Before Thee, O Lord. (Coram.)
PRIEST: Look, O Lord, upon Thy faithful people,
Who bend before Thee,
And await Thy gift,
And contemplate the deposit
Of the Sacraments of Thy Only-begotten,
O God the Father.
Take not away Thy grace from us,
And cast us not away from Thy ministry,
And from participation in Thy sacraments,
But prepare us,
That we may be pure and without flaw,
And worthy of this feast;
And that, with a conscience unblameable,
We may ever enjoy His precious body and blood;
And in a life, glorious and endless,
May recline in a spiritual habitation,
And may feast at the table of Thy kingdom,
And may render to Thee glory and praise.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: With fear.
PRIEST: Holy things to holy persons.
R: One holy Father.
DEACON: Let us stand becomingly.
PRIEST: Before Thee.
We give thanks to Thee, O Lord,
And with grateful mind
We acknowledge Thy loving-kindness;
Because, from nothing,
Thou hast led us forth to that which we are,
And hast made us members of Thy household,
And sons of Thy sacraments;
And hast entrusted this religious ministry to us,
And hast made us worthy of this spiritual table.
Preserve in us, O Lord,
The deposit of Thy Divine Mysteries,
That we may frame and complete our life in Thy sight,
After the fashion of the angels;
That we may be secured and inseparable
Through the reception of Thy holy (mysteries);
Performing Thy great and perfect will,
And may be found ready for that last consummation,
And to stand before Thy Majesty,
And may be made worthy of the pleasure of Thy kingdom,
Through the grace, mercy and love towards man,
Of Thy Only-begotten Son,
Through Whom, and with Whom, is due to Thee,
Glory, honour, and dominion,
With Thy Most Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace.
R: And with thy spirit.
DEACON: After (Post).
R: Before Thee, O Lord.
PRIEST: O Christ, the King of Glory,
And Father of the Age to come;
Holy Sacrifice;
Heavenly Hierarch;
Lamb of God,
Who takest away the sin of the world,
Spare the sins of Thy people,
And dismiss the foolishness of Thy flock.
Preserve us, through the communication of Thy Sacraments,
From every sin,
Whether it be committed by word, or thought, or deed;
And from whatever makes us far
From the familiarity of Thy household,
That our bodies may be guarded by Thy body,
And our souls renewed through Thy sacraments.
And may Thy benediction, O Lord,
Be in our whole man, within and without;
And may Thou be glorified in us,
And by us,
And may Thy right hand rest upon us,
And that of Thy blessed Father,
And of Thy most holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
DEACON: Bless, O Lord.!
The Anaphora of Hippolytus of Rome
The following Anaphora is from The Apostolic Tradition, written by Hippolytus of Rome in approximately AD 215. It reports earlier practices, and was written for the purpose of preserving apostolic tradition. In Hippolytus' work, it is used for the ordination of a bishop.
Bishop: The Lord be with you.
Bishop: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Bishop: Lift up your hearts.
People: We have them with the Lord.
Bishop: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
People: It is proper and just.
Bishop: We give thanks to you God,
through your beloved son Jesus Christ,
whom you sent to us in former times
as Savior, Redeemer, and Messenger of your Will,
who is your inseparable Word,
through whom you made all,
and in whom you were well-pleased,
whom you sent from heaven into the womb of a virgin,
who, being conceived within her, was made flesh,
and appeared as your Son,
born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin.
It is he who, fulfilling your will
and acquiring for you a holy people,
extended his hands in suffering,
in order to liberate from sufferings
those who believe in you.
Who, when he was delivered to voluntary suffering,
in order to dissolve death,
and break the chains of the devil,
and tread down hell,
and bring the just to the light,
and set the limit,
and manifest the resurrection,
taking the bread, and giving thanks to you, said,
"Take, eat, for this is my body which is broken for you."
Likewise the chalice, saying,
This is my blood which is shed for you.
Whenever you do this, do this in memory of me.
Therefore, remembering his death and resurrection,
we offer to you the bread and the chalice,
giving thanks to you, who has made us worthy
to stand before you and to serve as your priests.
And we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit
to the oblation of your Holy Church.
In their gathering together,
give to all those who partake of your holy mysteries the fullness of the Holy Spirit,
toward the strengthening of the faith in truth,
that we may praise you and glorify you,
through your son Jesus Christ,
through whom to you be glory and honor,
Father and Son,
with the Holy Spirit,
in your Holy Church,
now and throughout the ages of the ages.
Amen.
THE SARUM LITURGY
or
The Ordinary
and
The Canon
of the Mass
According to the Use
of the Church of Salisbury
The Sarum Rite was a variant of the Roman Rite which was used in the British Isles before the schism of Church of England and the Catholic Church. It was used at the Cathedral of Salisbury (called “Sarum”), in southern England in the late Middle Ages; and in many other places in England from the 13th to the 16th century.The first Book of Common Prayer in 1549 was largely based on this rite, and it is the root of the rites of the Anglican and Episcopal churches. There were many variations of the Sarum Rite. Prior to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, there was no single rite used universally in England. This particular version of the Mass is a compilation from several different versions, all of which are quite similar.
THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS
When mass is about to be said, while the priest puts on the sacred vestments, let him say the hymn; Creator Spirit, come. etc.
V. Send forth thy Spirit.
R. And thou wilt renew the face of the earth.
Collect for Purity. — O God, to whom every heart is open and every desire known, and whom no secret escapes, purify by the infusion of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of our heart; that we may merit perfectly to love and worthily to praise thee: through Christ.
Then let the antiphon follow : — I will go to the altar.
through your beloved son Jesus Christ,
whom you sent to us in former times
as Savior, Redeemer, and Messenger of your Will,
who is your inseparable Word,
through whom you made all,
and in whom you were well-pleased,
whom you sent from heaven into the womb of a virgin,
who, being conceived within her, was made flesh,
and appeared as your Son,
born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin.
It is he who, fulfilling your will
and acquiring for you a holy people,
extended his hands in suffering,
in order to liberate from sufferings
those who believe in you.
Who, when he was delivered to voluntary suffering,
in order to dissolve death,
and break the chains of the devil,
and tread down hell,
and bring the just to the light,
and set the limit,
and manifest the resurrection,
taking the bread, and giving thanks to you, said,
"Take, eat, for this is my body which is broken for you."
Likewise the chalice, saying,
This is my blood which is shed for you.
Whenever you do this, do this in memory of me.
Therefore, remembering his death and resurrection,
we offer to you the bread and the chalice,
giving thanks to you, who has made us worthy
to stand before you and to serve as your priests.
And we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit
to the oblation of your Holy Church.
In their gathering together,
give to all those who partake of your holy mysteries the fullness of the Holy Spirit,
toward the strengthening of the faith in truth,
that we may praise you and glorify you,
through your son Jesus Christ,
through whom to you be glory and honor,
Father and Son,
with the Holy Spirit,
in your Holy Church,
now and throughout the ages of the ages.
Amen.
THE SARUM LITURGY
or
The Ordinary
and
The Canon
of the Mass
According to the Use
of the Church of Salisbury
The Sarum Rite was a variant of the Roman Rite which was used in the British Isles before the schism of Church of England and the Catholic Church. It was used at the Cathedral of Salisbury (called “Sarum”), in southern England in the late Middle Ages; and in many other places in England from the 13th to the 16th century.The first Book of Common Prayer in 1549 was largely based on this rite, and it is the root of the rites of the Anglican and Episcopal churches. There were many variations of the Sarum Rite. Prior to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, there was no single rite used universally in England. This particular version of the Mass is a compilation from several different versions, all of which are quite similar.
THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS
When mass is about to be said, while the priest puts on the sacred vestments, let him say the hymn; Creator Spirit, come. etc.
V. Send forth thy Spirit.
R. And thou wilt renew the face of the earth.
Collect for Purity. — O God, to whom every heart is open and every desire known, and whom no secret escapes, purify by the infusion of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of our heart; that we may merit perfectly to love and worthily to praise thee: through Christ.
Then let the antiphon follow : — I will go to the altar.
43 Judica me, Deus
1
Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?
3
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
4
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
6
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Antiphon. I will go to the altar of God, to God who makes glad my youth.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
Our Father….
Hail Mary…
The Priest now recites the Introit for the day, followed by "Glory be to the Father, etc." as usual. Then, ascending to the step below the Altar, the Priest and servers shall say the Confession. The Priest says the Lord’s Prayer silently, and then, aloud:,
V. And lead us not into temptation,
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Let us confess unto the Lord, for He is good:
R. And His mercy endureth for ever..
Priest: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Servers: The Almighty God have mercy upon you, and pardon all your sins, deliver you from all evil, preserve and confirm you in good, and lead you to everlasting life.
Priest. Amen.
Servers: I confess to God, to blessed Mary, to all the saints and to you: because I have sinned too much by thought, word, and deed by my fault: I pray, holy Mary, all the saints of God, and you to pray for me.
Priest: Absolution and remission of all your sins, space for true repentance, amendment of life, grace, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit, the Almighty and merciful God grant to you.
Servers: Amen. Amen.
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. From this time forth, for evermore.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. From this time forth, for evermore.
Let us pray.
A prayer is then said. The priest kisses the deacon, and afterwards the subdeacon, saying:
Receive the kiss of peace and of love that you may be meet to perform the sacred offices at the holy altar.
And this is always observed through the whole year: unless only in masses for the dead, and in the Easter Triduum.
These things performed, let the torchbearers remove the candlesticks with the candles to the step of the altar, then let the priest approach to the altar, and say at the middle of the altar with inaudible voice, and body bowed, and hands joined:
Let us pray.
Take away from us, O Lord, all our iniquities, that we may be worthy to enter into the holy of holies with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.
Then let the priest raise himself up, and kiss the altar, and this in the middle, and sign himself on his own face, so saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Kyrie is then said in triples.
A prayer is then said. The priest kisses the deacon, and afterwards the subdeacon, saying:
Receive the kiss of peace and of love that you may be meet to perform the sacred offices at the holy altar.
And this is always observed through the whole year: unless only in masses for the dead, and in the Easter Triduum.
These things performed, let the torchbearers remove the candlesticks with the candles to the step of the altar, then let the priest approach to the altar, and say at the middle of the altar with inaudible voice, and body bowed, and hands joined:
Let us pray.
Take away from us, O Lord, all our iniquities, that we may be worthy to enter into the holy of holies with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.
Then let the priest raise himself up, and kiss the altar, and this in the middle, and sign himself on his own face, so saying:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Kyrie is then said in triples.
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Christe, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
The deacon places incense in the censer.
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Christe, eleyson
R. Christe, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
R. Kyrie, eleyson
V. Kyrie, eleyson
The deacon places incense in the censer.
Deacon:Bless ye.
Priest: The Lord. By Him may it be sanctified in whose honour it will be burned. In the name of the Father, &c.
The rubric directs the Deacon to deliver the censer to the Priest, kissing his hand, and the Priest to incense the altar in the middle and on both sides. The Priest then is to be incensed by the Deacon, and “the office of the Mass” is to follow.
Then let the ministers in order approach to the altar: first, the two torchbearers walking together, then the incense bearers; afterwards the subdeacon, then the deacon; after him the priest. This done, let the priest and his own ministers take seats prepared for them, and wait until the Gloria in excelsis, which should always be commenced at the middle of the altar whenever it is said.
GLORY be to God on high,
While the Congregation continues the Gloria, the Priest goes to the right corner of the Altar and says the Gloria in a low voice.
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We worship Thee, We glorify Thee, We give thanks to Thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
This ended, and the sign of the cross having been made on his own face, let the priest turn to the people, and elevating his arms a little, and joining his hands say:
The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
And again, let the priest turn to the altar and say:
Let us pray.
Then the Collect.
And if any memorials are to be observed, let the priest say again: Let us pray, as above. And when there are many collects to be said, then let all the prayers which follow be said under one, Through the Lord, and one, Let us pray: so however that he ought not to exceed the septenary number, according to the use of the Church of Sarum. [Here follow directions as to postures and the side of the altar on which the priest is to stand, with various exceptions.] After the introit of the mass, let one of the wax-bearers carry the bread, the wine, and the water, which are appointed for the ministration of the Eucharist. But let the other bear the lavabo [basin for the holy water], with water and the lavabo towels.
The Lector then reads the Epistle (save where the Lesson is read instead), beginning thus:
THE reading of the Epistle of Blessed N. the Apostle to the N.
The appropriate combination of Gradual, Alleluya, Sequence and Tract are now said privately by the Priest, who then receives the bread and wine with the chalice. Going thence to the right corner of the Altar, he prepares the gifts for the administration of the Eucharist. When the water is presented to the Priest for blessing, he answers:
in secret, The Lord. May it be blessed by Him, out of Whose side there came blood and water. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
When the chalice and bread have been prepared, they are placed on the right corner of the Altar.
The Priest now goes to the center of the Altar and bows before it, while saying:
in secret, The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily announce the Holy Gospel of God. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Taking up the Gospel book, the Priest turns to the people and says:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
While announcing the Gospel, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb, first on the Gospel book, next on his forehead, and lastly on his breast.
The Continuation of the Gospel according to N.
GLORY be to God on high,
While the Congregation continues the Gloria, the Priest goes to the right corner of the Altar and says the Gloria in a low voice.
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, We bless Thee, We worship Thee, We glorify Thee, We give thanks to Thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
This ended, and the sign of the cross having been made on his own face, let the priest turn to the people, and elevating his arms a little, and joining his hands say:
The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
And again, let the priest turn to the altar and say:
Let us pray.
Then the Collect.
And if any memorials are to be observed, let the priest say again: Let us pray, as above. And when there are many collects to be said, then let all the prayers which follow be said under one, Through the Lord, and one, Let us pray: so however that he ought not to exceed the septenary number, according to the use of the Church of Sarum. [Here follow directions as to postures and the side of the altar on which the priest is to stand, with various exceptions.] After the introit of the mass, let one of the wax-bearers carry the bread, the wine, and the water, which are appointed for the ministration of the Eucharist. But let the other bear the lavabo [basin for the holy water], with water and the lavabo towels.
The Lector then reads the Epistle (save where the Lesson is read instead), beginning thus:
THE reading of the Epistle of Blessed N. the Apostle to the N.
The appropriate combination of Gradual, Alleluya, Sequence and Tract are now said privately by the Priest, who then receives the bread and wine with the chalice. Going thence to the right corner of the Altar, he prepares the gifts for the administration of the Eucharist. When the water is presented to the Priest for blessing, he answers:
in secret, The Lord. May it be blessed by Him, out of Whose side there came blood and water. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
When the chalice and bread have been prepared, they are placed on the right corner of the Altar.
The Priest now goes to the center of the Altar and bows before it, while saying:
in secret, The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily announce the Holy Gospel of God. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Taking up the Gospel book, the Priest turns to the people and says:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
While announcing the Gospel, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb, first on the Gospel book, next on his forehead, and lastly on his breast.
The Continuation of the Gospel according to N.
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
The Gospel ended, let the Book be kissed, after which the Priest returns to the center of the Altar. The Priest now intones the Creed as follows:
I BELIEVE in One God,
The Creed is then continued by the Congregation:
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: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
Here all incline towards the Altar, while saying,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
Here all incline again towards the Altar, saying,
And was made man.
Here all incline a third time, saying,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He 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 I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life: Who proceeds from the Father and the Son: Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified: Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, Here all again incline, saying, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Creed ended, the Priest turns towards the People and says,
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Turning back to the Altar, the Priest then says,
Let us pray.
The Priest next says the Offertory for the day. After the Offertory, the Priest places the chalice with the paten and sacrifice in its accustomed place in the midst of the Altar; and bowing for a space, elevates the chalice with both hands, offering the sacrifice to God, while saying this prayer of oblation:
Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which I, an unworthy sinner, offer in honour of thee, of the blessed Virgin and all the saints, for my sins and offences, and for the salvation of the living, and the rest of all the faithful dead. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let this new sacrifice be acceptable to the omnipotent God.
This done, he replaces the chalice, and puts the bread reverently upon the corporal in front of the chalice, and having kissed the paten, places it upon the Altar to the right of the sacrifice, and covers the chalice, bread and paten with corporals.
The Priest next goes to the right corner of the Altar, and washes his hands, saying,
Cleanse me, O Lord, from all iniquity of my body and soul, that clean I may be able to fulfil the holy work of the Lord.
Then let him return, and standing before the altar with inclined head and body, with joined hands, let him say:
Let us be accepted, O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and in a contrite mind, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight that it may be received by thee this day, and may please thee, O Lord, my God.
And raising himself let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, and giving a benediction on the other side of the sacrifice; afterwards let him sign himself, saying:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then let the priest turn to the people, and with a loud voice say:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and likewise yours may be acceptable to our Lord God.
Response: May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart and thy lips, and the Lord accept worthily this sacrifice of praise from thy hands for our sins and offences.
Turning again to the altar, the Priest says the Secret prayers, according to the number of Collects that were said, beginning:
Let us pray.
The Priest continues the prayers in a low voice till the end, when he says aloud,
World without end. Amen.
The Gospel ended, let the Book be kissed, after which the Priest returns to the center of the Altar. The Priest now intones the Creed as follows:
I BELIEVE in One God,
The Creed is then continued by the Congregation:
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: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
Here all incline towards the Altar, while saying,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
Here all incline again towards the Altar, saying,
And was made man.
Here all incline a third time, saying,
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He 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 I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life: Who proceeds from the Father and the Son: Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified: Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, Here all again incline, saying, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Creed ended, the Priest turns towards the People and says,
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Turning back to the Altar, the Priest then says,
Let us pray.
The Priest next says the Offertory for the day. After the Offertory, the Priest places the chalice with the paten and sacrifice in its accustomed place in the midst of the Altar; and bowing for a space, elevates the chalice with both hands, offering the sacrifice to God, while saying this prayer of oblation:
Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which I, an unworthy sinner, offer in honour of thee, of the blessed Virgin and all the saints, for my sins and offences, and for the salvation of the living, and the rest of all the faithful dead. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let this new sacrifice be acceptable to the omnipotent God.
This done, he replaces the chalice, and puts the bread reverently upon the corporal in front of the chalice, and having kissed the paten, places it upon the Altar to the right of the sacrifice, and covers the chalice, bread and paten with corporals.
The Priest next goes to the right corner of the Altar, and washes his hands, saying,
Cleanse me, O Lord, from all iniquity of my body and soul, that clean I may be able to fulfil the holy work of the Lord.
Then let him return, and standing before the altar with inclined head and body, with joined hands, let him say:
Let us be accepted, O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and in a contrite mind, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight that it may be received by thee this day, and may please thee, O Lord, my God.
And raising himself let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, and giving a benediction on the other side of the sacrifice; afterwards let him sign himself, saying:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then let the priest turn to the people, and with a loud voice say:
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and likewise yours may be acceptable to our Lord God.
Response: May the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate thy heart and thy lips, and the Lord accept worthily this sacrifice of praise from thy hands for our sins and offences.
Turning again to the altar, the Priest says the Secret prayers, according to the number of Collects that were said, beginning:
Let us pray.
The Priest continues the prayers in a low voice till the end, when he says aloud,
World without end. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
The Priest elevates his hands, saying,
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We have lift them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.
Here the preface is read.
It is meet and right, true and just that we should always and everywhere give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
Ordinary Preface
Through whom angels praise thy Majesty, Principalities adore, Powers tremble. The heavens, and heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim with united exultation praise thee. With whom we pray that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, in suppliant confession, saying:
Sanctus
R. And with thy spirit.
The Priest elevates his hands, saying,
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We have lift them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.
Here the preface is read.
It is meet and right, true and just that we should always and everywhere give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
Ordinary Preface
Through whom angels praise thy Majesty, Principalities adore, Powers tremble. The heavens, and heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim with united exultation praise thee. With whom we pray that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, in suppliant confession, saying:
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Then immediately joining his hands, and raising his eyes, let him begin:
Therefore most merciful Father, suppliant we beg and beseech thee, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.
Here let the priest rising kiss the altar on the right hand of the sacrifice, saying: that thou wouldst receive and bless these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted sacrifices.
Here let the priest rising kiss the altar on the right hand of the sacrifice, saying: that thou wouldst receive and bless these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted sacrifices.
And the signs being made over the chalice, let him elevate his own hands, saying thus:
Which we offer unto thee, in the first place for thy holy Catholic Church, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pacify, preserve, unite, and govern it; throughout the whole world, with thy servants N. our Pope, and our Bishop N. (i. e. only his own Bishop) and our King N. and all the orthodox, and all upholders of the Catholic and Apostolic faith.
Here let him pray in commemoration of the living:
Remember, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. and all present, whose faith and devotion to thee is known: for whom we offer unto thee, or who themselves offer to thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, and all theirs for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety and render their own thanks to thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
Communicating and venerating the memory in the first place, of the glorious Virgin Mary, the mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ; But also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Laurentius, Crisogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian; and all thy saints:
by whose merits and prayers grant that in all things we may be defended by the help of thy protection. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here let the priest look with great veneration upon the Host, saying:
We therefore beseech thee, 0 Lord, that being appeased thou wouldst accept this oblation of our servitude, as also of all thy family, and dispose our days in thy peace, and command that we may be delivered from eternal damnation, and numbered in the flock of thy elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here again let him look upon the Host, saying: Which oblation do thou, O Almighty God, we beseech thee, vouchsafe in all respects to make +hallowed, +approved, +ratified, reasonable, and acceptable, that it may be made unto us the +body and +blood of thy most dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here let the priest raise himself, and join his hands, and after wipe his fingers, and elevate the chalice, saying:
Which we offer unto thee, in the first place for thy holy Catholic Church, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pacify, preserve, unite, and govern it; throughout the whole world, with thy servants N. our Pope, and our Bishop N. (i. e. only his own Bishop) and our King N. and all the orthodox, and all upholders of the Catholic and Apostolic faith.
Here let him pray in commemoration of the living:
Remember, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. and all present, whose faith and devotion to thee is known: for whom we offer unto thee, or who themselves offer to thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, and all theirs for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety and render their own thanks to thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
Communicating and venerating the memory in the first place, of the glorious Virgin Mary, the mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ; But also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Laurentius, Crisogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian; and all thy saints:
by whose merits and prayers grant that in all things we may be defended by the help of thy protection. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here let the priest look with great veneration upon the Host, saying:
We therefore beseech thee, 0 Lord, that being appeased thou wouldst accept this oblation of our servitude, as also of all thy family, and dispose our days in thy peace, and command that we may be delivered from eternal damnation, and numbered in the flock of thy elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here again let him look upon the Host, saying: Which oblation do thou, O Almighty God, we beseech thee, vouchsafe in all respects to make +hallowed, +approved, +ratified, reasonable, and acceptable, that it may be made unto us the +body and +blood of thy most dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here let the priest raise himself, and join his hands, and after wipe his fingers, and elevate the chalice, saying:
Who, the day before he suffered, took bread in his reverent and holy hands, and lifting his eyes to heaven (here let him raise his own eyes), to you his own omnipotent Father, giving thanks to thee, he +blessed, he brake (here let him touch the host, saying) and gave it to his own disciples, saying, Take and eat ye all of this, for this is my body.
These words ought to be spoken with one breath, and under one utterance, without any pause. After these words, let the priest bow to the host, and afterwards raise it above his forehead, that it may be seen by the people, and reverently let him replace it before the chalice in the manner of a cross made by the same. And then let him uncover the chalice and hold it between his hands, not disuniting his thumb from his forefinger, save only while he blesses, saying thus:—
In like manner after supper, taking this excellent chalice in his own holy and reverent hands; also to thee (here he bows, saying) giving thanks, he +blessed, and gave to his own disciples, saying: Receive and drink ye all of it (here let the priest elevate it a little, saying) for this is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal Testament, the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. (Here let him elevate the cup as high as the breast, or above the head, saying) As often as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me. (Here let him replace the cup, and raise his arms in the form of a cross, the fingers being joined until the words of thy gifts.)
Wherefore, both we thy servants, O Lord, as also thy holy people, keeping in mind as well the blessed passion of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension too, into Heaven, offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy gifts and endowments, a +pure Host, a +holy Host, an +immaculate Host: the +holy bread of eternal life, and the +cup of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which thy High Priest Melchisedech offered to thee, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host.
Here let the priest, with body bowed down and hands holden across, say:
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, to command these things to be borne by the hands of thy holy angel to the altar above in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us (here rising, let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, saying) as shall receive from this participation of the altar the holy +body and +blood of thy Son, (Here let him sign himself on the face, saying) may be filled with grace and heavenly +benediction. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him pray for the dead.
Remember also, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To them, O Lord, and to all resting in Christ, we beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him strike his own breast once, saying,
These words ought to be spoken with one breath, and under one utterance, without any pause. After these words, let the priest bow to the host, and afterwards raise it above his forehead, that it may be seen by the people, and reverently let him replace it before the chalice in the manner of a cross made by the same. And then let him uncover the chalice and hold it between his hands, not disuniting his thumb from his forefinger, save only while he blesses, saying thus:—
In like manner after supper, taking this excellent chalice in his own holy and reverent hands; also to thee (here he bows, saying) giving thanks, he +blessed, and gave to his own disciples, saying: Receive and drink ye all of it (here let the priest elevate it a little, saying) for this is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal Testament, the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. (Here let him elevate the cup as high as the breast, or above the head, saying) As often as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me. (Here let him replace the cup, and raise his arms in the form of a cross, the fingers being joined until the words of thy gifts.)
Wherefore, both we thy servants, O Lord, as also thy holy people, keeping in mind as well the blessed passion of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension too, into Heaven, offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy gifts and endowments, a +pure Host, a +holy Host, an +immaculate Host: the +holy bread of eternal life, and the +cup of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which thy High Priest Melchisedech offered to thee, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host.
Here let the priest, with body bowed down and hands holden across, say:
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, to command these things to be borne by the hands of thy holy angel to the altar above in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us (here rising, let him kiss the altar on the right of the sacrifice, saying) as shall receive from this participation of the altar the holy +body and +blood of thy Son, (Here let him sign himself on the face, saying) may be filled with grace and heavenly +benediction. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him pray for the dead.
Remember also, O Lord, thy servants, N. and N. who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To them, O Lord, and to all resting in Christ, we beseech thee to grant a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same our Lord Christ. Amen.
Here let him strike his own breast once, saying,
To us also, sinners, thy servants, hoping from the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Pelicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cזcilia, Anastasia, with all thy saints; into whose fellowship admit us, we beseech thee, not as the weigher of our merit but as the bestower of pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Through whom, 0 Lord, thou dost create all these good things (Here let the priest sign the cup thrice, saying) dost +sanctify, +vivify, +bless, and bestow them upon us. (Here let the priest uncover the cup, and make the sign of the cross with the host five times, first beyond the cup on every side, secondly even with the cup, thirdly within the cup, fourthly as the first, fifthly before the cup.) Through +him, and with +him, and in +him, be all honour and glory to thee, God the Father Almighty. in the unity of the Holy +Spirit. (Here let the priest cover the chalice and hold his hands still upon the altar until the Pater Noster is said, so saying:) World without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
Taught by thy saving precepts, and formed by divine instruction, we presume to say (Here let the deacon take the paten, and hold it uncovered on the right side of the priest, with his arm stretched out on high, as far as to, Grant propitiously. Here let the priest lift up his hand, saying:
Our Father, &c. And lead us not into temptation.
Let the choir respond: But deliver us from evil. The priest, privately, Amen.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints.
Here let the deacon give the paten to the priest kissing his hand, and let the priest kiss the paten; afterwards let him place it to his left eye, then to the right. Afterwards let him make the cross with the paten above his head, and then lay it in its own place, saying:
Let us pray.
Taught by thy saving precepts, and formed by divine instruction, we presume to say (Here let the deacon take the paten, and hold it uncovered on the right side of the priest, with his arm stretched out on high, as far as to, Grant propitiously. Here let the priest lift up his hand, saying:
Our Father, &c. And lead us not into temptation.
Let the choir respond: But deliver us from evil. The priest, privately, Amen.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints.
Here let the deacon give the paten to the priest kissing his hand, and let the priest kiss the paten; afterwards let him place it to his left eye, then to the right. Afterwards let him make the cross with the paten above his head, and then lay it in its own place, saying:
Graciously grant peace in our days: that assisted with the help of thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance.
Here let him uncover the chalice, and take the body with a bow, transposing it into the hollow of the chalice, retaining it between his forefingers and thumbs, and let him break it into three parts, (the first breaking) whilst he says:
Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son; (the second breaking:,) Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the holy Spirit, God.
Here let him hold two pieces in the left hand, and the third piece in his right hand upon the top of the chalice, so saying with a clear voice: world without end. Amen.
Here let him make three crosses within the chalice with the third part of the host, saying: The peace of the +Lord be always with you.
Let the choir respond, and with thy spirit.
At the saying of the Agnus, let the deacon and subdeacon approach to the priest both on the right, the deacon. the nearer, the subdeacon more remote, and let them say privately:
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Here signing with the cross, let him place the said third part of the host in the sacrament of the blood, saying thus:
Be this holy commixture of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to me and to all receiving it, salvation of mind and body; and a salutary preparation for the meriting and embracing of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before the peace is given, let the priest say: O Lord, holy Father, Almighty and eternal, grant to me that I may so worthily receive this holy body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that I may merit to receive through this the remission of all my sins, and to be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and to have thy peace. Because thou art God alone, and there is none other beside thee, whose glorious kingdom shall remain for ever. Amen.
Here let the priest kiss the corporals on the right side, and the top of the chalice, and afterwards the deacon saying:
At the saying of the Agnus, let the deacon and subdeacon approach to the priest both on the right, the deacon. the nearer, the subdeacon more remote, and let them say privately:
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Here signing with the cross, let him place the said third part of the host in the sacrament of the blood, saying thus:
Be this holy commixture of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ to me and to all receiving it, salvation of mind and body; and a salutary preparation for the meriting and embracing of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before the peace is given, let the priest say: O Lord, holy Father, Almighty and eternal, grant to me that I may so worthily receive this holy body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that I may merit to receive through this the remission of all my sins, and to be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and to have thy peace. Because thou art God alone, and there is none other beside thee, whose glorious kingdom shall remain for ever. Amen.
Here let the priest kiss the corporals on the right side, and the top of the chalice, and afterwards the deacon saying:
Peace be to thee and to the Church of God.
Answer: And with thy spirit.
Let the deacon, on the right hand of the priest, receive the pax from him, and extend it to the subdeacon: Then, at the step of the choir, let the deacon himself bear the pax to the rectors of the choir: and let them convey the pax to the choir, each one to his own part, beginning from the seniors. After the giving of the pax, let the priest say the following prayers privately, before he communicates himself: holding the host in both hands:
Let the deacon, on the right hand of the priest, receive the pax from him, and extend it to the subdeacon: Then, at the step of the choir, let the deacon himself bear the pax to the rectors of the choir: and let them convey the pax to the choir, each one to his own part, beginning from the seniors. After the giving of the pax, let the priest say the following prayers privately, before he communicates himself: holding the host in both hands:
O God the Father, the Fountain and Origin of all goodness, thou, who, moved by compassion for us, didst will thine only begotten Son to descend to the low places of the world, and to take our flesh, whom I unworthy hold here in my hands: (Here let the priest bow to the host, saying:) I adore thee, I glorify thee, I praise thee, with the complete intention of the heart: and pray that thou mayest not forsake thy servants, but pardon our sins: that with pure heart and chaste body we may deserve to serve thee: who art alone the living God, and the true. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of the Father, the Holy Ghost cooperating, through thy death, hast given life to the world, deliver me, I beseech thee, by this most holy body and this thy blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils: and make me so always to obey all thy commandments, and never permit me to be separated from thee for ever. Who livest and reignest God, with God the Father, and the same holy Spirit: through all eternity. Amen.
Let not the sacrament of thy body and blood, 0 Lord Jesus, which, although unworthy, I presume to receive, be to me for judgment and condemnation, but may it avail, through thy mercy, for the salvation of my body and soul. Amen.
To the body let him say, with humility, before he receives it:
Hail eternally, O most holy flesh of Christ: to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness.
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ be to thee, a sinner, the way and the life. In the name of the Father, and of’ the Son, anti of the Holy Ghost.
Here let him receive the body, first having made the sign of the cross with the body itself before his mouth. Then let him say to the blood, with great devotion:
Hail for eternity, celestial beverage, to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, a never-failing remedy to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, &c.
Here let him receive the blood: which being taken, let him bow and say with devotion the following prayer:
I render thanks to thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty eternal God: who hast refreshed me from the most sacred body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ: And I beseech that this sacrament of our salvation, which, unworthy sinner as I am, I have received, may not come to me to judgment nor to condemnation for my deserts, but to the perfecting of body and soul to eternal life. Amen.
Which said, let the priest go to the right hand of the altar with the cup between his hands, his fingers being still joined as before, and let the subdeacon approach and pour into the cup the wine and water; and let the priest rinse his hands lest any remains of the body or blood should be on his fingers or in the cup. After the first ablution or effusion, this prayer is said:
Let us take, O Lord, with a pure mind that which we receive with the mouth, and from a temporal gift let it be to us an eternal remedy.
Here let him cleanse his fingers in the hollow of the chalice, with the wine poured in by the subdeacon, which being drunk up, let the prayer follow:
Let this communion. O Lord, purge us from crime and make us to be partakers of the heavenly remedy.
After the taking of the ablutions, let the priest place the cup upon the paten, that if anything remain it may drop down; and afterwards bowing, let him say: Let us adore the sign of the cross, by which we have received the sacrament of salvation. Then let him wash his hands: let the deacon meanwhile fold up the corporal. The hands washed, and the priest having returned to the right side of the altar, let the deacon reach the cup to the mouth of the priest to receive whatever may have remained in it. But afterwards let him say with his ministers the communion. Then making the sign of the cross on his face, let the priest turn to the people, and with his arms raised a little, and hands joined, say:
The Lord be with you.
Then turning to the altar, let him say:
Let us pray.
Then let him say the post-communion, according to the number and order of the aforesaid prayers before the epistles. Having finished the last post-communion, and make the sign of the cross on his forehead, let the priest again turn to the people, and say:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of the Father, the Holy Ghost cooperating, through thy death, hast given life to the world, deliver me, I beseech thee, by this most holy body and this thy blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils: and make me so always to obey all thy commandments, and never permit me to be separated from thee for ever. Who livest and reignest God, with God the Father, and the same holy Spirit: through all eternity. Amen.
Let not the sacrament of thy body and blood, 0 Lord Jesus, which, although unworthy, I presume to receive, be to me for judgment and condemnation, but may it avail, through thy mercy, for the salvation of my body and soul. Amen.
To the body let him say, with humility, before he receives it:
Hail eternally, O most holy flesh of Christ: to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness.
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ be to thee, a sinner, the way and the life. In the name of the Father, and of’ the Son, anti of the Holy Ghost.
Here let him receive the body, first having made the sign of the cross with the body itself before his mouth. Then let him say to the blood, with great devotion:
Hail for eternity, celestial beverage, to me before all things, and above all things, the greatest sweetness. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to me, a sinner, a never-failing remedy to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, &c.
Here let him receive the blood: which being taken, let him bow and say with devotion the following prayer:
I render thanks to thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty eternal God: who hast refreshed me from the most sacred body and blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ: And I beseech that this sacrament of our salvation, which, unworthy sinner as I am, I have received, may not come to me to judgment nor to condemnation for my deserts, but to the perfecting of body and soul to eternal life. Amen.
Which said, let the priest go to the right hand of the altar with the cup between his hands, his fingers being still joined as before, and let the subdeacon approach and pour into the cup the wine and water; and let the priest rinse his hands lest any remains of the body or blood should be on his fingers or in the cup. After the first ablution or effusion, this prayer is said:
Let us take, O Lord, with a pure mind that which we receive with the mouth, and from a temporal gift let it be to us an eternal remedy.
Here let him cleanse his fingers in the hollow of the chalice, with the wine poured in by the subdeacon, which being drunk up, let the prayer follow:
Let this communion. O Lord, purge us from crime and make us to be partakers of the heavenly remedy.
After the taking of the ablutions, let the priest place the cup upon the paten, that if anything remain it may drop down; and afterwards bowing, let him say: Let us adore the sign of the cross, by which we have received the sacrament of salvation. Then let him wash his hands: let the deacon meanwhile fold up the corporal. The hands washed, and the priest having returned to the right side of the altar, let the deacon reach the cup to the mouth of the priest to receive whatever may have remained in it. But afterwards let him say with his ministers the communion. Then making the sign of the cross on his face, let the priest turn to the people, and with his arms raised a little, and hands joined, say:
The Lord be with you.
Then turning to the altar, let him say:
Let us pray.
Then let him say the post-communion, according to the number and order of the aforesaid prayers before the epistles. Having finished the last post-communion, and make the sign of the cross on his forehead, let the priest again turn to the people, and say:
The Lord be with you.
Then let the deacon say:
Let us bless the Lord.
Then let the deacon say:
Let us bless the Lord.
But at another time is said:
Go, you are dismissed.
And as often as it is said: Go, you are dismissed, it is always said in turning towards the people; and when, Let us bless the Lord, or May he rest in peace, ought to be said, it is said turning to the altar.
These things said, let the priest with body bowed, and hands joined, say inaudibly before the middle of the altar this prayer:
Let this performance of my homage be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I unworthy have presented before the eyes of thy Majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and a propitiation through thy mercy to me, and to all of those for whom I have offered it. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Which ended, let the priest raise himself up, signing himself on his face, saying:
In the name of the Father, &c.
And so the reverence having been made, thus clothed, with the censer bearers and other ministers, let them return in the same order, in which they approached to the altar, at the beginning of the service, and immediately after the Deo Gratias, let the ninth hour be commenced in the choir when it is said after mass. But the priest in returning should say the gospel: In the beginning [John 1:1-14].
Go, you are dismissed.
And as often as it is said: Go, you are dismissed, it is always said in turning towards the people; and when, Let us bless the Lord, or May he rest in peace, ought to be said, it is said turning to the altar.
These things said, let the priest with body bowed, and hands joined, say inaudibly before the middle of the altar this prayer:
Let this performance of my homage be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I unworthy have presented before the eyes of thy Majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and a propitiation through thy mercy to me, and to all of those for whom I have offered it. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Which ended, let the priest raise himself up, signing himself on his face, saying:
In the name of the Father, &c.
And so the reverence having been made, thus clothed, with the censer bearers and other ministers, let them return in the same order, in which they approached to the altar, at the beginning of the service, and immediately after the Deo Gratias, let the ninth hour be commenced in the choir when it is said after mass. But the priest in returning should say the gospel: In the beginning [John 1:1-14].
JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE
Morning Prayer
Invitatory
The Invitatory opens the first Office of the day. If the Office of Readings is the first Office of the day, begin below.
Lord, open my lips.
- And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Morning Prayer
Invitatory
The Invitatory opens the first Office of the day. If the Office of Readings is the first Office of the day, begin below.
Lord, open my lips.
- And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Psalm 95 is the traditional Invitatory Psalm. Psalm 24, 67, or 100 may be substituted.
Antiphon: Alleluia, come, let us worship the Lord, the King of Apostles, alleluia.
Morning Prayer
Psalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
Morning Prayer
Psalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
HYMN
Let all on earth their voices raise,
Resounding heaven's praise,
To him who gave apostles grace
To run their glorious race.
Of Gospel truth they bore the light
To brighten earthly night;
May we that heav'nly light impart
To ev'ry mind and heart.
Praise God the Father and the Son
And Spirit Three in One,
Who sent these men with holy fire
All mankind to inspire. Amen.
Melody: Saint Peter C.M.; A. R. Reingale, 1799-1877 Text: Exultet Orbis Gaudiis, 10th century; Translator: Roger Nachtwey, 1965; Midi: Cyberhymnal
Resounding heaven's praise,
To him who gave apostles grace
To run their glorious race.
Of Gospel truth they bore the light
To brighten earthly night;
May we that heav'nly light impart
To ev'ry mind and heart.
Praise God the Father and the Son
And Spirit Three in One,
Who sent these men with holy fire
All mankind to inspire. Amen.
Melody: Saint Peter C.M.; A. R. Reingale, 1799-1877 Text: Exultet Orbis Gaudiis, 10th century; Translator: Roger Nachtwey, 1965; Midi: Cyberhymnal
PSALMODY
Antiphon: As he was walking along, Jesus saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, and he called them.
Antiphon: Immediately, they left their nets and their father and followed him.
Canticle - Daniel 3:57-88,56
Let all creatures praise the Lord
All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5)
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord.
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord.
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord.
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Let all creatures praise the Lord
All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5)
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord.
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord.
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord.
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Antiphon: Immediately, they left their nets and their father and followed him.
Antiphon: You shall drink from the cup I drink from and you shall be baptized as I am baptized.
RESPONSORY
You have made them rulers over all the earth.
- You have made them rulers over all the earth.
They will always remember your name,O Lord,
- over all the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
- You have made them rulers over all the earth.
BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphon: Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up to a high mountain where they could be alone, and he was transfigured before them.
INTERCESSIONS
Beloved friends, we have inherited heaven along with the apostles. Let us give thanks to the Father for all his gifts:
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord
Praise be to you, Lord, for the banquet of Christ's body and blood given us through the apostles,
- which refreshes us and gives us life
- which refreshes us and gives us life
Praise be to you, Lord, for the feast of your word prepared for us by the apostles,
- giving us light and joy.
- giving us light and joy.
Praise be to you, Lord, for your holy Church, founded on the apostles,
- where we are gathered together into your community.
- where we are gathered together into your community.
Praise be to you, Lord, for the cleansing power of baptism and penance that you have entrusted to your apostles,
- through which we are cleansed of our sins.
- through which we are cleansed of our sins.
Our Father…
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Readings
for the Feast of
ST. JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE
Feast
July 25
Feast
July 25
MASS
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Mt 4: 18, 21
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee,
Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother
mending their nets and he called them.
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee,
Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother
mending their nets and he called them.
GLORIA
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
Qui sיminant in lבcrimis, in exsultatiףne metent.
Qui sיminant in lבcrimis, in exsultatiףne metent.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
ALLELUIA Cf. John 15:16
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Cleanse us, Lord, by the saving baptism of your Son's Passion,
so that on the Feast of Saint James,
whom you willed to be the first among the Apostles
to drink of Christ’s chalice of suffering,
we may offer a sacrifice pleasing to you.
Through Christ our Lord.
PREFACE
Preface I of the Apostles
Preface II of the Apostles
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
They drank the chalice of the Lord,
and became the friends of God.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Help us, O Lord, we pray,
through the intercession of the blessed Apostle James,
on whose feast day we have received with joy your holy gifts.
Through Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING OF THE APOSTLES
May God, who has granted you
to stand firm on apostolic foundations,
graciously bless you through the glorious merits
of the holy Apostle James.
R. Amen.
And may he who endowed you
with the teaching and example of the Apostles,
make you, under their protection,
witnesses to the truth before all.
R. Amen.
So that through the intercession of the Apostles,
you may inherit the eternal homeland,
for by their teaching you possess firmness of faith.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.
The Feast of St. James the Greater
Orthodox Divine Liturgy
Troparion - Tone 8
As a soldier of the Lord you were ranked among the choir of apostles. Together with your brother, O James, you clung wholeheartedly to the Savior. Armed with the power of the Spirit you preached him to all and were slain by the sword. Therefore we sing your praises!
Troparion - Tone 3
You were a chosen apostle of Christ And the only brother of the beloved Theologian. Most praised James, ask remission of sins and great mercy For those who sing hymns to you.
Kontakion - Tone 2
You heard the voice of God calling you And turned away from the love of your father. With your brother you hastened after Christ, O glorious James. With him, you were counted worthy to behold the Lord's divine Transfiguration!
As a soldier of the Lord you were ranked among the choir of apostles. Together with your brother, O James, you clung wholeheartedly to the Savior. Armed with the power of the Spirit you preached him to all and were slain by the sword. Therefore we sing your praises!
Troparion - Tone 3
You were a chosen apostle of Christ And the only brother of the beloved Theologian. Most praised James, ask remission of sins and great mercy For those who sing hymns to you.
Kontakion - Tone 2
You heard the voice of God calling you And turned away from the love of your father. With your brother you hastened after Christ, O glorious James. With him, you were counted worthy to behold the Lord's divine Transfiguration!
Eucharist
Episcopal Church
Collect:O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading
Jeremiah 45:1-5
The word that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, "Woe is me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest." Thus you shall say to him, "Thus says the LORD: I am going to break down what I have built, and pluck up what I have planted-- that is, the whole land. And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for I am going to bring disaster upon all flesh, says the LORD; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go."
Psalm 7:1-10 Domine, Deus meus
1
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; *
save and deliver me from all who pursue me;
2
Lest like a lion they tear me in pieces *
and snatch me away with none to deliver me.
3
O LORD my God, if I have done these things: *
if there is any wickedness in my hands,
4
If I have repaid my friend with evil, *
or plundered him who without cause is my enemy;
5
Then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, *
trample my life into the ground,
and lay my honor in the dust.
6
Stand up, O LORD, in your wrath; *
rise up against the fury of my enemies.
7
Awake, O my God, decree justice; *
let the assembly of the peoples gather round you.
8
Be seated on your lofty throne, O Most High; *
O LORD, judge the nations.
9
Give judgment for me according to my righteousness, O LORD, *
and according to my innocence, O Most High.
10
Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the righteous; *
for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.
1
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; *
save and deliver me from all who pursue me;
2
Lest like a lion they tear me in pieces *
and snatch me away with none to deliver me.
3
O LORD my God, if I have done these things: *
if there is any wickedness in my hands,
4
If I have repaid my friend with evil, *
or plundered him who without cause is my enemy;
5
Then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, *
trample my life into the ground,
and lay my honor in the dust.
6
Stand up, O LORD, in your wrath; *
rise up against the fury of my enemies.
7
Awake, O my God, decree justice; *
let the assembly of the peoples gather round you.
8
Be seated on your lofty throne, O Most High; *
O LORD, judge the nations.
9
Give judgment for me according to my righteousness, O LORD, *
and according to my innocence, O Most High.
10
Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the righteous; *
for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.
JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE
July 3
July 3
O God, come to my assistance
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
TERCE
Antiphon on Psalms: Go forth and proclaim the good news of the kingdom; and freely share with others what God has given you.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
READING 2 Cor. 5:19-20
God has entrusted to us the news of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ's name is: be reconciled to God.
Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth.
- Their words to the ends of the world.
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.
SEXT
Antiphon on Psalms: Know that I am with you always, even until the end of the world.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
READING Acts 5:12a,14
Through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders occurred among the people. Nevertheless, more and more believers, men and women in great numbers, were continually added to the Lord.
The Apostles held fast to Christ's message.
- They kept the precepts he gave them.
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.
NONES
Antiphon on Psalms: By your trusting acceptance of trials, you will gain true life.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
Psalms of the Day, or Complementary Psalms.
READING Acts 5:41-42
The apostles left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name. They preached every day both in the Temple and in private houses, and their proclamation of the Good News of Christ Jesus was never interrupted.
Rejoice and be glad says the Lord,
- for your names are written in heaven.
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.
Antiphon: Go forth and proclaim the good news of the kingdom; and freely share with others what God has given you.
Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
To the Lord in the hour of my distress
I call and he answers me.
O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,
from the tongue of the deceitful.
What shall he repay you in return,
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors arrows sharpened
and coals, red-hot, blazing.
Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech,
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Long enough have I been dwelling
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for fighting. Glory...
Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble!
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel's guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade;
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil,
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming
both now and for ever. Glory...
Psalm 122
The holy city, Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
Let us go to God's house.
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is,
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgment
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
Peace be to your homes!
For love of my brethren and friends
I say: Peace upon you.
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good. Glory...
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
To the Lord in the hour of my distress
I call and he answers me.
O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,
from the tongue of the deceitful.
What shall he repay you in return,
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors arrows sharpened
and coals, red-hot, blazing.
Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech,
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Long enough have I been dwelling
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for fighting. Glory...
Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble!
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel's guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade;
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil,
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming
both now and for ever. Glory...
Psalm 122
The holy city, Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
Let us go to God's house.
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is,
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgment
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
Peace be to your homes!
For love of my brethren and friends
I say: Peace upon you.
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good. Glory...
Antiphon: Go forth and proclaim the good news of the kingdom; and freely share with others what God has given you.
JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE
Evening PrayerPsalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
Evening PrayerPsalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
HYMN
The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
the apostles' glory, let us sing,
and all, with hearts of gladness, raise
due hymns of thankful love and praise.
Their faith in Christ the Lord prevailed;
their hope, a light that never failed;
their love ablaze o'er pathways trod
To lead them to the eternal God.
In them the Father's glory shone,
in them the will of God the Son,
in them exults the Holy Ghost,
through them rejoice the heav'enly host.
To thee, Redeemer, now we cry,
that thou wouldst join to them on high
thy servants, who this grace implore,
for ever and for evermore.
Melody: King's Majesty L.M. Music: Graham George, 1941 Text: Saint Ambrose, d. 397 Translator: J.M. Neale, d. 1866
the apostles' glory, let us sing,
and all, with hearts of gladness, raise
due hymns of thankful love and praise.
Their faith in Christ the Lord prevailed;
their hope, a light that never failed;
their love ablaze o'er pathways trod
To lead them to the eternal God.
In them the Father's glory shone,
in them the will of God the Son,
in them exults the Holy Ghost,
through them rejoice the heav'enly host.
To thee, Redeemer, now we cry,
that thou wouldst join to them on high
thy servants, who this grace implore,
for ever and for evermore.
Melody: King's Majesty L.M. Music: Graham George, 1941 Text: Saint Ambrose, d. 397 Translator: J.M. Neale, d. 1866
PSALMODY
Antiphon: Jesus took Peter, James and John with him, and he became fearful and began to tremble.
Psalm 116:10-19
I trusted, even when I said:
I am sorely afflicted,
and when I said in my alarm:
No man can be trusted.
How can I repay the Lord
for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory...
I trusted, even when I said:
I am sorely afflicted,
and when I said in my alarm:
No man can be trusted.
How can I repay the Lord
for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory...
Antiphon: Jesus took Peter, James and John with him, and he became fearful and began to tremble.
Antiphon: Then he said to them: Stay awake and pray that you may not be tempted.
Psalm 126
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: "What marvels
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.Glory...
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: "What marvels
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.Glory...
Antiphon: Then he said to them: Stay awake and pray that you may not be tempted.
Antiphon: King Herod began persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James, the brother of John.
READING Ephesians 4:13
Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature
RESPONSORY
Tell all the nations how glorious God is.
- Tell all the nations how glorious God is.
Make known his wonders to every people
- how glorious God is.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
- Tell all the nations how glorious God is.
MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you must be the slave of all.
INTERCESSIONS
My brothers and sisters, we build on the foundation of the Apostles. Let us pray to our almighty Father for his holy people and say:
Be mindful of your Church, O Lord.
Father, you wanted your Son to be seen first by the apostles
after the resurrection from the dead.
- We ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.
You sent your Son to preach your good news to the poor,
- help us to preach this Gospel to every creature.
You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life,
- grant that we who work at sowing the seed may share the joy of the harvest.
You sent your Son to reconcile all to you through his blood,
- help us all to work toward achieving this reconciliation.
Your Son sits at your right hand in heaven,
- Let the dead enter your kingdom of joy.
after the resurrection from the dead.
- We ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.
You sent your Son to preach your good news to the poor,
- help us to preach this Gospel to every creature.
You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life,
- grant that we who work at sowing the seed may share the joy of the harvest.
You sent your Son to reconcile all to you through his blood,
- help us all to work toward achieving this reconciliation.
Your Son sits at your right hand in heaven,
- Let the dead enter your kingdom of joy.
Our Father…
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE
Office of Readings
Invitatory
The Invitatory opens the first Office of the day. If Morning Prayer is the first Office of the day, begin below.
Lord, open my lips.
- And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
The Invitatory opens the first Office of the day. If Morning Prayer is the first Office of the day, begin below.
Lord, open my lips.
- And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Psalm 95 is the traditional Invitatory Psalm. Psalm 24, 67, or 100 may be substituted.
Antiphon: Alleluia, come, let us worship the Lord, the King of Apostles, alleluia.
Office of Readings
Psalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalter, Common of the Apostles
God, come to my assistance.
- Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
Your hand, O Lord, has guided
Your Church from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written
So clearly on each page;
Our fathers praised your goodness,
And we their deeds record;
And both to this bear witness:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your heralds brought glad tidings
To greatest and to least;
They told all men to hasten
To share the great King’s feast;
And this was all their teaching
In every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Through many days of darkness,
Through many scenes of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely
To guard the Christian life;
Their gospel of redemption,
Sin pardoned, man restored,
Was all in this enfolded:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave your work undone;
With all your strength to help us,
The vict’ry shall be won;
And then by men and angels
Your name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Melody: Thornbury 76.76.D; Music: Basil Harwood, 1859-1949; Text: Edward H. Plumptre, 1821-1891, alt. by Anthony G. Petti; Midi: Cyberhymnal
Your Church from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written
So clearly on each page;
Our fathers praised your goodness,
And we their deeds record;
And both to this bear witness:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your heralds brought glad tidings
To greatest and to least;
They told all men to hasten
To share the great King’s feast;
And this was all their teaching
In every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Through many days of darkness,
Through many scenes of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely
To guard the Christian life;
Their gospel of redemption,
Sin pardoned, man restored,
Was all in this enfolded:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave your work undone;
With all your strength to help us,
The vict’ry shall be won;
And then by men and angels
Your name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Melody: Thornbury 76.76.D; Music: Basil Harwood, 1859-1949; Text: Edward H. Plumptre, 1821-1891, alt. by Anthony G. Petti; Midi: Cyberhymnal
PSALMODY
Antiphon 1: Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Antiphon 2: They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.
Antiphon 3: God's holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God's glory.
Antiphon 2: They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.
Antiphon 3: God's holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God's glory.
RESPONSORY John 15:15; Matthew 13:11, 16
I no longer call you servants, but my friends,
– for I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been revealed to you;
blessed are your eyes because they see
and your ears because they hear.
– For I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
I no longer call you servants, but my friends,
– for I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been revealed to you;
blessed are your eyes because they see
and your ears because they hear.
– For I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
SECOND READING
From a homily on Matthew by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
(Hom. 65,2-4: PL 58, 619-627)
(Hom. 65,2-4: PL 58, 619-627)
Sharers in the suffering of Chris
The sons of Zebedee press Christ: "Promise that one may sit at your right side and the other at your left." What does he do? He wants to show them that it is not a spiritual gift for which they are asking, and that if they knew what their request involved, they would never dare make it. So he says: "You do not know what you are asking," that is, what a great and splendid thing it is and how much beyond the reach even of the heavenly powers. Then he continues: "Can you drink the cup which I must drink and be baptised with the baptism which I must undergo?" He is saying: “You talk of sharing honours and rewards with me, but I must talk of struggle and toil. Now is not the time for rewards or the time for my glory to be revealed. Earthly life is the time for bloodshed, war and danger”.
Consider how by his manner of questioning he exhorts and draws them. He does not say: “Can you face being slaughtered? Can you shed your blood?” How does he put his question? "Can you drink the cup?" Then he makes it attractive by adding: "which I must drink," so that the prospect of sharing it with him may make them more eager. He also calls his suffering a baptism, to show that it will effect a great cleansing of the entire world. The disciples answer him: "We can!" Fervour makes them answer promptly, though they really do not know what they are saying but still think they will receive what they ask for.
How does Christ reply? "You will indeed drink my cup and be baptised with my baptism." He is really prophesying a great blessing for them, since he is telling them: “You will be found worthy of martyrdom; you will suffer what I suffer and end your life with a violent death, thus sharing all with me. "But seats at my right and left are not mine to give; they belong to those for whom the Father has prepared them."” Thus, after lifting their minds to higher goals and preparing them to meet and overcome all that will make them desolate, he sets them straight on their request.
"Then the other ten became angry at the two brothers." See how imperfect they all are: the two who tried to get ahead of the other ten, and the ten who were jealous of the two! But, as I said before, show them to me at a later date in their lives, and you will see that all these impulses and feelings have disappeared. Read how John, the very man who here asks for the first place, will always yield to Peter when it comes to preaching and performing miracles in the Acts of the Apostles. James, for his part, was not to live very much longer; for from the beginning he was inspired by great fervour and, setting aside all purely human goals, rose to such splendid heights that he straightway suffered martyrdom.
RESPONSORY
These men while on earth founded the Church of Christ with their own blood.
- They drank the cup of the Lord.
and became the friends of God.
Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
- They drank the cup of the Lord.
and became the friends of God.
their words to the ends of the world.
- They drank the cup of the Lord.
and became the friends of God.
CANTICLE TE DEUM
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R. govern and uphold them, now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you;
R. we praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin;
R. have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope;
R. and we shall never hope in vain.
The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted.
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R. govern and uphold them, now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you;
R. we praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin;
R. have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope;
R. and we shall never hope in vain.
The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted.
COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles
by the blood of Saint James,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith
and constantly sustained by his protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.
Morning Prayer
Feast of St. James the Greater
Lord open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One
Have mercy on us (3x)
Have mercy on us (3x)
Opening
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:19-22
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:19-22
Antiphon: The Lord is glorious in his Saints; Come let us adore him.
Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)
Come let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Today you would hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Today you would hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
Antiphon: The Lord is glorious in his Saints; Come let us adore him.
The Psalms
Ant. 1: As he was walking along, Jesus saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, and he called them.
Ant. 2: Immediately, they left their nets and their father and followed him.
Ant. 3: You shall drink from the cup I drink from and you shall be baptized as I am baptized.
63:1-8 Deus, Deus meus
Ant. 3: You shall drink from the cup I drink from and you shall be baptized as I am baptized.
Ant. 3: You shall drink from the cup I drink from and you shall be baptized as I am baptized.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold,
my refuge on the day of trouble,
to you shall the nations come
from the ends of the earth and say:
Our ancestors have inherited nothing but lies,
worthless things in which there is no profit.
Can mortals make for themselves gods?
Such are no gods!
‘Therefore I am surely going to teach them, this time I am going to teach them my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.’
my refuge on the day of trouble,
to you shall the nations come
from the ends of the earth and say:
Our ancestors have inherited nothing but lies,
worthless things in which there is no profit.
Can mortals make for themselves gods?
Such are no gods!
‘Therefore I am surely going to teach them, this time I am going to teach them my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.’
Canticle
God Our Saviour - Ephesians 1:3-10
Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him before the world began
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ,
in the fulness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
God Our Saviour - Ephesians 1:3-10
Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him before the world began
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ,
in the fulness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Second Reading
Mark 1:14-20
Mark 1:14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. .
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. .
Second Canticle
Benedictus
Benedictus
Antiphon: Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up to a high mountain where they could be alone, and he was transfigured before them.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Antiphon: Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up to a high mountain where they could be alone, and he was transfigured before them.
Collect:
O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Personal Prayers and Thanksgivings
Intercessions
Dearly beloved brethren, since we have received from the Apostles a heavenly inheritance, let us cry out in gratitude to the Father for all his gifts:
- Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.
Praise to you, Lord, for the feast of body and blood that was handed down to us by the Apostles:
- it refreshes us and gives us life. (R.)
Praise to you for the feast of your word that was prepared for us by the Apostles:
- it fills us with light and brings us joy. (R.)
Praise to you for your holy Church, founded upon the Apostles:
- it draws us together into one body. (R.)
Praise to you for the purification of baptism and penitence, which we believe in together with the Apostles:
- it washes us clean of all sin. (R.)
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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Dearly beloved brethren, since we have received from the Apostles a heavenly inheritance, let us cry out in gratitude to the Father for all his gifts:
- Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.
Praise to you, Lord, for the feast of body and blood that was handed down to us by the Apostles:
- it refreshes us and gives us life. (R.)
Praise to you for the feast of your word that was prepared for us by the Apostles:
- it fills us with light and brings us joy. (R.)
Praise to you for your holy Church, founded upon the Apostles:
- it draws us together into one body. (R.)
Praise to you for the purification of baptism and penitence, which we believe in together with the Apostles:
- it washes us clean of all sin. (R.)
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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Closing Prayer:
Almighty and ever-living God,
with the blood of Saint James
you consecrated the offering of the first-fruits of the Apostles.
Grant that your Church may draw strength from his martyrdom
and thrive by his intercession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Almighty and ever-living God,
with the blood of Saint James
you consecrated the offering of the first-fruits of the Apostles.
Grant that your Church may draw strength from his martyrdom
and thrive by his intercession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Evening Prayer
Feast of St. James the Greater
Feast of St. James the Greater
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One.
Have mercy on us (3x)
Have mercy on us (3x)
To some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself. - Ephesians 4:11-13
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:4)
Phos Hilaron
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Ant. 1: Jesus took Peter, James and John with him, and he became fearful and began to tremble.
Ant. 3: King Herod began persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James, the brother of John.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
אין תגובות:
הוסף רשומת תגובה