Order Before Holy Baptism
Prayers at the Making of a Catechumen
The Priest divests him (her) that comes to be illuminated of robes and shoes and faces him (her) eastward, barefoot and clad in a single garment, hands down. Then, breathing thrice on his (her) face and signing him (her) thrice on the forehead and breast, the Priest says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Laying his hand upon his (her) head, the Priest says:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: In Your Name, O Lord God of Truth, and in the Name of Your Only-Begotten Son, and of Your Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon this Your servant (Name), who has bee" accounted worthy to flee unto Your Holy Name and to be sheltered under the shadow of Your wings. Remove far from him (her) that ancient error, and fill him (her) I with faith and hope and love that is in You, that he (she) may know that You alone are the True God, and Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit.
Grant him (her) to walk in Your commandments, and to observe those things that are acceptable before You; for if a man does such he shall find life in them. Inscribe him (her) in Your Book of Life, and unite him (her) to the flock of Your inheritance. Let Your Holy Name be glorified in him (her) and that of Your well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Your Life-creating Spirit. Let Your eyes look over him (her) in mercy, and Your ears be ever attentive unto the voice of his (her) prayer. Let him (her) ever rejoice in the works of his (her) hands, and in all his (her) generation, that he (she) may give thanks to You, worshipping and glorifying Your great and Most High Name, and may ever praise You all the days of his (her) life. For all the Powers of Heaven praise You, and Yours is the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Exorcism
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: The Lord rebukes you, O devil, He that came into the world and made His dwelling among men, that He might cast down your tyranny, and deliver men; He that upon the Tree triumphed over the opposing powers, when the sun was darkened, and the earth was shaken, and the tombs were opened, and the bodies of the Saints arose; He that by death destroyed Death, and overcame him that held the might of death, that is, even you, O devil. I adjure you by the Living God, Who has shown forth the Tree of Life, and posted the Cherubim, and the flaming sword that turns about to guard this: be rebuked, and depart, for I forbid you, through Him that walks on the waves of the sea as upon the dry land, Who forbade the storm of the winds, Whose glance dries up the deep, and Whose threatenings melt the mountains; for it is He Himself that now forbids you through us.
Be afraid, and depart, and absent yourself from this creature, and come not back, neither hide yourself in him (her), nor encounter him (her), nor influence him (her) either by night or by day, nor in the morning or at noon; but get you hence to your own Tartarus, until the appointed day of Judgment. Fear God , Who sits on the throne of the Cherubim, and looks upon the depths, before Whom tremble Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim; Whom Heaven and earth fear, the sea, and all that live therein.
Come forth, and depart from the sealed and newly-enlisted soldier of Christ our God; for I adjure you by Him that rides upon the wings of the winds, Who makes His Angels spirits and His Ministers a flame of fire. Come forth, and from this creature which He fashioned depart with all your power and might; for glorified is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Exorcism
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: God, the Holy, the Terrible, and the Glorious, Who concerning all His works and strength is incomprehensible and unsearchable, Who Himself has ordained for you O devil, the retribution of eternal torment, through us, His unworthy servants, commands you, and all your cooperating might to go forth from him (her) that is newly sealed in the Name of our Lord God and Savior Christ.
Therefore, you all evil, unclean, abominable, loathsome and alien spirit, I adjure you by the power of Jesus Christ, Who has all authority in Heaven and on earth, Who says to the deaf and dumb demon, "Get out of the man, and enter no more into him." Depart, know the vainness of your might, which had not power even over the swine!
Remember Him Who bade you, at your request, to enter into the herd of swine. Fear God, at Whose command the earth was established upon the waters; Who has founded the Heavens, and fixed the mountains with a line, and the valleys with a measure; Who has placed the sand for a boundary to the sea, and made safe paths through the waters; Who touched the mountains and they smoked; Who clothed Himself with Light as with a garment; Who has stretched out the Heavens as with a curtain; Who covers His upper rooms with waters; Who has founded the earth on her firm foundations, so that it shall not be moved forever; Who calls up the waters of the seas, and sprinkles it on the face of the earth.
Come out! Depart from him (her) who is now being made ready for Holy Illumination; I adjure you by the saving Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Precious Blood and All-Pure Body, and by His terrible Coming Again for He shall come and not tarry, to judge all the earth, and shall punish you and your cooperating might in the Gehenna of fire, consigning you to the outer darkness where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched; for of Christ is the Might, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Exorcism
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord of Sabaoth, the God of Israel, Who heals every sickness and every wound, Look down upon this Your servant (Name); search out and try him (her), driving away from him (her) every operation of the devil. Rebuke the unclean spirits and expel them, cleansing the work of Your hands; and, using Your trenchant energy, beat down Satan under his (her) feet, giving him (her) victory over him, and over his unclean spirits; so that, obtaining the mercy that comes from You, he (she) may be accounted worthy of Your Immortal and Heavenly Mysteries, and may send up all glory to You, to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer
You, the Existing Sovereign Master and Lord, Who made man after Your own image and likeness and gave to him power of eternal life; and when he had fallen through sin did not disdain him, but did provide for him through the Incarnation of Your Christ, the salvation of the world. Redeeming this Your creature from the yoke of the Enemy, receive him (her) into Your heavenly Kingdom. Open the eyes of his (her) understanding, so that the Illumination of Your Gospel may dawn upon him (her). Yoke unto his (her) life a shining Angel to deliver him (her) from every plot directed against him (her) by the Adversary, from encounter with evil, from the noon-day demon, and from evil dreams.
And the Priest breathes on his (her) forehead, on his (her) mouth, and on his (her) breast, saying:
Drive out from him (her) every evil and unclean spirit, hiding and lurking in his (her) heart. (This he does and says thrice.) The spirit of error, the spirit of evil, the spirit of idolatry and of all covetousness that works according to the teaching of the devil. Make him (her) a reason-endowed sheep of the holy Flock of Your Christ, and honorable member of Your Church, a hallowed vessel, a child of Light, and heir of Your Kingdom. So that, having ordered his (her) life according to Your commandments, and having guarded the Seal and kept it unbroken, and having preserved his (her) garment undefiled, he (she) may attain unto the blessedness of the Saints of Your Kingdom. Through the Grace and Compassion and Manbefriending Love of Your Only-Begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then the Priest turns him (her) that is to be baptized to face westward, unclothed, barefoot hands upraised. If the person is a child, the Sponsor holding him (her) faces West. the Priest then says thrice:
Do you renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his worship, and all his angels, and all his pomp?
Each time the Catechumen (or the Sponsor if the person to be baptized is a child or a foreigner) answers and says:
I do renounce him.
Again the Priest asks him (her) that is to be baptized:
(3 times) Have you renounced Satan?
And the Catechumen or the Sponsor answers (3 times):
I have renounced him.
After the third time, the Priest says:
Then blow and spit upon him.
And this being done, the Priest turns the Catechumen to the East with lowered hands, and repeats the following three times:
Do you join Christ?
The question is answered three times:
I do join Him.
Again the Priest asks three times:
Have you joined Christ?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I have joined Him.
Again the Priest asks:
And do you believe in Him?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I believe in Him as King and as God.
After the completion of the Creed, the Priest asks thrice: Have you joined Christ?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I have joined Him.
Then the Priest says: Then bow before Him and worship Him.
Catechumen (or Sponsor) bows down, saying: I bow down before the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Trinity One in Essence and Undivided.
Priest: Blessed is God Who desires that all people should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master, Lord our God, call this Your servant! (Name) to Your Holy Illumination, and account him (her) worthy of this great Grace and Your Holy Baptism. Put off from him (her the old man, and renew him unto everlasting life; fill him (her) with the power of Your Holy Spirit, unto union with Your Christ; that he (she) may no longer be a child of the body, but a child of Your Kingdom; through the good pleasure and Grace of Your Only-Begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Apolysis Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to You. Christ our True God... Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
The Service of Holy Baptism
The Priest enters the Altar and arrays himself in white vestments. While the candles are being lit, he takes up the Censer, goes to the Font, and censes round about. And giving up the Censer, he makes a Reverence.
Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
After each petition: Lord have mercy.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name'), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy, and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may be hallowed by the might, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be sent down upon it the Grace of Redemption, the blessing of the Jordan; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may come down upon this water the cleansing operation of the Supersubstantial Trinity; let us pray to the Lord.
That we may be illumined with the Light of Knowledge and Piety through the descent of the Holy Spirit; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may prove effectual for the averting of every plot of visible and invisible enemies; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) that is about to be baptized herein may become worthy of the incorruptible Kingdom; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) that now comes to holy Illumination, and for his (her) salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may prove to be a child of Light, and an inheritor of eternal blessings; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may grow in, and become a partaker of the Death and Resurrection of Christ our God; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may preserve the garment of Baptism, and the earnest of the Spirit undefiled and blameless in the terrible Day of Christ our God; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may be for him (her) a laver of Regeneration unto the remission of sins, and a garment of incorruption; let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord may listen to the voice of our prayer; let us pray to the Lord. That He may deliver him (her) and us from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Your Grace. Calling to remembrance our all-holy, pure, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Priest: (inaudibly) Let us pray to the Lord. O compassionate and merciful God, Who tries the heart and reigns, and Who alone knows the secrets of men, for no deed is secret in Your sight, but all things are exposed and naked in Your eyesight: do You Yourself, Who perceives that which concerns me, neither turn away Your face from me, but overlook my offenses in this hour, O You that overlook the sins of men that they repent.
Wash away the defilement of my body and the stain of my soul. Sanctify me wholly by Your all-effectual, invisible might, and by Your spiritual right hand, lest, by preaching liberty to others, and offering this in the perfect faith of Your unspeakable love for humankind, I may be condemned as a servant of sin. Nay, Sovereign Master that alone are good and loving, let me not be turned away humbled and shamed, but send forth to me power from on high, and strengthen me for the ministration of this Your present, great, and most heavenly Mystery.
Form the Image of Your Christ in him (her) who is about to be born again through my humility. Build him (her) on the foundation of Your Apostles and Prophets. Cast him (her) not down, but plant him (her) as a plant of truth in Your Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Pluck him (her) not out, that, by) his (her) advancing in piety, by the same may be glorified 1 Your Most Holy Name, of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Blessing of the Baptismal Waters
The Priest reads aloud:
Great are You, O Lord, and wondrous are Your works, and no word will suffice to hymn Your wonders.(3) For by Your Will have You out of nothingness brought all things into being and by Your power sustain all creation and by Your Providence direct the world. You from the four elements have formed creation and have crowned the cycle of the year with the four seasons; all the spiritual powers tremble before You; the sun praises You; the: moon glorifies You; the stars in their courses meet with You; the Light hearkens unto You; the depths shudder at Your presence; the springs of water serve You; You have stretched out the Heavens as a curtain; You have founded the earth upon the waters; You have bounded the sea with sand; You have poured forth the air for breathing; the angelic Powers minister unto You; the Choirs of Archangels worship before You; the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, as they stand and fly around You, veil themselves with fear of Your unapproachable Glory; for You, being boundless and beginningless and unutterable, did come down on earth, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; for You O Master, through the tenderness of Your Mercy, could not endure the race of men tormented by the devil, but You did come and saved us.
We confess Your Grace; we proclaim Your beneficence; we do not hide Your Mercy; You have set at liberty the generations of our nature; You did hallow the virginal Womb by Your Birth; all creation praises You, Who did manifest Yourself, for You were seen upon the earth, and did sojourn with men. You hallowed the streams of Jordan, sending down from the Heavens Your Holy Spirit, and crushed the heads of dragons that lurked therein. DO YOU YOURSELF, O LOVING KING, BE PRESENT NOW ALSO THROUGH THE DESCENT OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT AND HALLOW THIS WATER (3). And give to it the Grace of Redemption, the Blessing of Jordan. Make it a fountain of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a loosing of sins, a healing of sicknesses, a destruction of demons, unapproachable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might; and let them that take counsel together against Your creature flee there from, for I have called upon Your Name, O Lord, which is wonderful, and glorious, and terrible unto adversaries.
And he signs the water thrice, dipping his fingers in it; and breathing upon it, he says:
LET ALL ADVERSE POWERS BE CRUSHED BENEATH THE SIGNING OF YOUR MOST PRECIOUS CROSS (3).
We pray You, O Lord, let every airy and invisible specter withdraw itself from us, and let not a demon of darkness conceal himself in this water; neither let an evil spirit, bringing obscurity of purpose and rebellious thoughts, descend into it with him (her) that is about to be baptized.
But do You, O Master of All, declare this water to be water of redemption, water of sanctification, a cleansing of flesh and spirit, a loosing of bonds, a forgiveness of sins, an illumination of soul, a laver of regeneration, a renewal of the spirit, a gift of sonship, a garment of incorruption, a fountain of life. For You have said, O Lord: "Wash, and be clean; put away evil from your souls."
You have bestowed upon us regeneration from on high by water and the spirit. Manifest Yourself, O Lord, in this water, and grant that he (she) that is to be baptized may be transformed therein to the putting away of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and to the putting on of the new, which is renewed according to the Image of Him that created him (her).
That, being planted in the likeness of Your death through Baptism, he (she) may become a sharer of Your Resurrection; and, preserving the Gift of Your Holy Spirit, and increasing the deposit of Grace, he (she) may attain unto prize of his (her) high calling, and accounted among the number of the first-born, whose names are written in Heaven, in You our God and Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be all Glory and Might, together with Your Eternal Father and with Your All; Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
The Priest breathes thrice upon the Oil and signs it thrice, while it is held by the Godparent.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Blessing of the Oil
Sovereign Lord and Master, God of our Fathers, Who did send to them in the Ark of Noah a dove bearing a twig of olive in its beak as a sign of reconciliation and salvation from the Flood, and through these things prefigured the Mystery of Grace; and thereby have filled them that were under the Law with the Holy Spirit, and perfected them that are under Grace: do You Yourself bless this Oil by the power (+) and operation (+) and descent of the Holy Spirit (+) that it may become an anointing of incorruption, a shield of righteousness, a renewal of soul and body, and averting of every operation of the devil, to the removal of all evils from them that are anointed with it in faith, or that are partakers of it.
To Your Glory, and to that of Your Only-Begotten Son, and of Your All; Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us attend.
The Priest, singing Alleluia thrice with the People, makes three Crosses with the Oil upon the water. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is God that enlightens and sanctifies every man that comes into the world, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest pours some Oil into the hands of the Godparent. He then takes Oil and makes the Sign of the Cross on the child's forehead, breast, and between his (her) shoulders, saying:
The servant of God (Name)* is anointed with the Oil of Gladness, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And he signs his (her) breast and between his (her) shoulders, saying: For healing of soul and body. And on the ears, saying: For the hearing of Faith. And on the feet, saying:
That he (she) may walk in the paths of Your commandments. And on the hands, saying: Your hands have made me, and fashioned me.
The Baptizing
When he has anointed the whole body, the Priest baptizes him (her), holding him (her) erect, and looking to wards the East, says:
The servant of God (Name) is baptized in the Name of the Father. Amen. And of the Son, Amen. And of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
At each invocation the Priest immerses him (her) and raises him (her) up again. After the baptizing, the Priest places the child in a linen sheet held by the Godparent.
Psalm 31
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.(3) Blessed is the man whom the Lord imputes not sin, and in whose mouth there is no guile. Because I have kept silence, my bones waxed old through my crying all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me. I was turned into lowliness while the thorn was fastened in me. My sin I have acknowledged, and my iniquity I have not hid. I said, "I will confess against myself my sin unto the Lord." And You forgave the ungodliness of my heart. For this shall everyone who is holy pray to You in a seasonable time; moreover in a flood of many waters shall the billows not come nigh to him.
For You are my refuge from the tribulation which surrounds me. O my rejoicing, deliver me from them that have encircled me. The Lord says: "I will give you understanding, and will teach you in this My way which you shall go; I will fix My eyes on you. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding. With bit and bridle would you bind their jaws; lest they come near to you." Many are the scourges of the sinner, but with mercy shall I encircle them that hope on the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you that are upright of heart.
The Priest says the Prayer of Confirmation.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Prayer of Confirmation
Blessed are You, Lord God Almighty, Fountain of Blessings, Sun of Righteousness, Who made to shine forth for those in darkness a light of salvation through the manifestation of Your Only-Begotten Son and our God, granting unto us, though we are unworthy, blessed cleansing in Holy Water, and divine sanctification in the Life; effecting Anointing; Who now also has been well-pleased to regenerate this Your servant newly illuminated through Water and Spirit, giving him (her) forgiveness of his (her) voluntary and involuntary sins: do You Yourself, Sovereign Master, Compassionate King of All, bestow upon him (her) also the Seal of Your omnipotent and adorable Holy Spirit, and the Communion of the Holy Body and Most Precious Blood of Your Christ; keep him (her) in Your sanctification; confirm him (her) in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him (her) from the Evil One and all his devices; preserve his (her) soul, through Your saving fear, in purity and righteousness, that in every work and word, being acceptable before You, he (she) may become a child and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom.
For You are our God, the God of Mercy and Salvation, and to You do we send up Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And after the Prayer of Confirmation, the Priest chrismates the baptized and he makes on the person the Sign of the Cross with the Holy Chrism (Holy Myron), on the forehead, the eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, the ears, the breast, the hands, and the feet. At each anointing and sealing, he says:
THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
The Priest invests the baptized in a new clean robe, saying:
Clothed is the servant of God (Name) with the garment of righteousness, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Troparion, in Tone 8
A robe of divine light bestow upon me, O You that for vesture array Yourself with Light; and bestow many mercies, O Christ our God, who are plenteous in mercy.
Then the Priest makes, together with the Godparent and the child, circumambulation around the Font, three times; and for each of the three rounds the Choir sings: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.(3)
Glory ... Both now...
As many... Alleluia.
Priest: Louder.
Choir: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.
Priest: Let us attend.
The Prokeimenon in Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the Protector of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
Priest: Wisdom!
The Epistle The Reader: The Reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. (Rom. 6:3-11)
Priest: Let us attend.
The Reader: Brethren, do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Priest: Peace be to you that read. And to your spirit.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Priest: Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all (+).
Choir: And with your spirit.
The Gospel
Priest: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. Let us attend. (Matt. 28:16-20)
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord; Glory to You.
Priest: At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded to you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord; Glory to You.
The Ablution
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest says the Prayer:
You that through Holy Baptism have granted forgiveness of sins to this Your servant, bestowing on him (her) a life of regeneration: do You Yourself, Sovereign Master and Lord, be pleased that the Light of Your countenance evermore shine in his (her) heart; maintain the shield of his (her) faith against the plotting of enemies; preserve in him (her) the garment of incorruption, which he (she) has put on undefiled and unstained; preserve in him (her) the Seal of Your Grace, being gracious unto us, and unto him (her) according to the multitude of Your compassions, for glorified and blessed is Your all-honorable and majestic Name: of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master and Lord our God, Who through the baptismal Font bestows heavenly Illumination to them that are baptized; Who has regenerated this Your servant bestowing upon him (her) forgiveness of his (her) voluntary and involuntary sins; do You lay upon him (her) Your mighty hand, and guard him (her) in the power of Your goodness. Preserve unspotted his (her) pledge of' Faith in You. Account him (her) worthy of Life everlasting and Your good favor. For You are our sanctification and to You do we send up all Glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: He (She) that has put on You, O Christ, with us bows his (her) head unto You; ever protect him (her) a warrior invincible against them who vainly raise up enmity against him (her), or, as might be, against us; and by Your Crown of Incorruption at the last declare us all to be the victorious ones. For Yours it is to have mercy and to save, and unto You, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, do we send up all Glory, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest loosens the child's girdle and garment, and, joining the ends of these, he soaks them with clean water and sprinkles the child, saying aloud: You are justified; you are illumined. And taking a new sponge dipped in water, the Priest wipes his (her) head, the breast, and the rest, saying:
You are baptized; you are illuminated; you are anointed with the Holy Myrrh, you are hallowed; you are washed clean, in the Name of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Tonsure
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master and Lord our God, Who honored man with Your own Image, providing him with reason; endowed soul and comely body, that the body might serve the reason; endowed soul; for You did set his head on high, and therein planted the greater number of the senses, which impede not one another, covering the head that it might not be injured by the changes of the weather, and did fit all the members serviceably thereunto, that by all it might render thanks unto You, the excellent Artist; do You Yourself, O Sovereign Master, Who by the Vessel of Your Election, Paul the Apostle, to do all things unto Your Glory, bless (+) this Your servant (Name), who is come now to make offering the firstlings of hair shorn from his (her) head; and bless his (her) Sponsor (+); granting them in all things to be diligent followers of Your Law, and to do all those things that are well pleasing unto You, for a merciful and loving God are You, and to You do we send up all Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Priest lays his right hand upon the head of the child and prays:
O Lord our God, Who through the fulfillment of the baptismal Font have, by Your Goodness, sanctified them that believe in You: (+) do You bless this child here present, and may Your blessings come down upon his (her) head; as You did bless the head of Your servant David the King through the Prophet Samuel, (+) so also bless the head of this servant (Name), through the hand of me, the unworthy Priest, visiting him (her) with Your Holy Spirit, that as he (she) goes forward to the prime of his (her) years, and the gray hairs of old age, he (she) may send up Glory to You, beholding the good things of Jerusalem all the days of his (her) life. For to You are due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest shears him (her) in the form of a Cross, snipping off four locks of hair, front, back, and over each ear, cross-fashion, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is shorn in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy. We beseech You, listen, and have mercy.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Again let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, and salvation for the servants of God, the newly illumined (Name), the Godparents, and all those who have come here together for this holy Sacrament. For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up all Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Apolysis
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our hope; glory to You.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Master, bid the blessing.
Priest: He Who deigned to be baptized in the Jordan by John for our salvation, Christ our true God; through the intercessions of Its all; pure Mother, of the holy and glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, of the holy, glorious all; praiseworthy Apostles, (Name of Saint whose name the child has received), and of all the Saints; have mercy and save us as our good and loving Lord. Through the prayers of our holy Fathers...
Choir: Amen.
The Service of Betrothal
The priest stands before the Royal Doors, looking towards the two who are to be Betrothed; and they stand outside the Royal Doors, the man to the right, and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Altar are placed the two rings. The priest takes up the censer and censes the holy icons, the bridal pair, and the people.
Then the priest asks the bride is she wishes to marry the groom, and the groom if he wishes to marry the bride. The priest then says:
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God; and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy; and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name) and the servant of God (Name) who now pledge themselves to one another, and for their salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be promised unto them children for the continuation of their race, granting unto them all their prayers unto salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That He send down upon them love perfect and peaceful, and give them His protection; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may keep them in oneness of mind, and in steadfastness of the Faith; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may bless them in harmony and perfect trust; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may keep the course and manner of their life blameless; let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord God may grant unto them an honorable marriage and a bed undefiled; let us pray to the Lord.
That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever; Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Choir: To You, O God.
Priest: (aloud) For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: (aloud) O God eternal, Who has brought together into unity the things which before had been separate, and in so doing impose on them an indissoluble bond of love, Who did bless Isaac and Rebecca, declaring them to be the inheritors of Your promise: do You Yourself (+) bless these Your servants (Name) and (Name), directing them into every good work.
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up all Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all. (+)
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who espoused the Church as a pure virgin called from out of the Gentiles, bless this Betrothal (+), uniting these Your servants, keeping them in peace and oneness of mind.
For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Then the Priest takes the rings, blesses them, makes with them the Sign of the Cross over the man's head, and says:
The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.
Then with the rings the Priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the woman's head, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.
At the third time, the Priest puts the woman's ring on the man's right finger, and the man's ring on the woman's right finger.
Then the Groomsman exchanges the rings thrice.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who accompanied the servant of the patriarch Abraham to Mesopotamia, when he was sent to espouse a wife for his lord Isaac, and did reveal to him a sign by the drawing of water to betroth Rebecca; do You Yourself bless the betrothal of these Your servants (Name) and (Name) and confirm the word that has been spoken by them; for You, O Lord, from the beginning have created male and female, and by You is a woman joined to a man for assistance and for the continuation of the human race.
Therefore, O Lord God, Who have sent forth Your truth to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, who were Your elect, do You give regard unto this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and seal their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love. For You, O Lord, have declared that a pledge is to be given and held inviolate in all things. By a ring Joseph was given might in Egypt; by a ring Daniel was exalted in Babylon; by a ring the truth of Thamar was made manifest; by a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion upon His prodigal son, for He said, "Put a ring upon his right hand, kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice."
Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. Yea, by the word of Your truth were the Heavens established and the earth set upon her sure foundations; and the right hands of Your servants shall be blessed by Your mighty word, and by Your uplifted arm. Wherefore, O Sovereign Lord, do You Yourself bless this putting on of rings with Your heavenly benediction; and may Your Angel go before them all the days of their life, for You are He that blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Service of the Crowning - The Service of Marriage
If the Coronation follows the Betrothal immediately, then after the "Amen" of the Ekphonesis ("For You are He that blesses and sanctifies ..."), the Priest censes in front of the Altar, and goes out and censes the Ikonostasion. The Processional Psalm is then sung.
The Processional Psalm
Priest (P): Blessed is everyone that fears the Lord.
The Choir sings after each stikhos:
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: That walks in His ways,
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: For you shall eat the labor of your hands.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Blessed are you, and it shall be well with you.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of your house.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Your children like young olive plants around your table.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Behold! The man shall be blessed that fears the Lord.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: The Lord shall bless you out of Zion, and you shall see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Yea! You shall see your children's children, and peace be upon Israel.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
Turning towards the East and raising the Holy Gospel, the Priest says:
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
During the Easter season "Christ is risen" is sung thrice.
The Priest says the Synapte, and the Choir responds to each petition by singing "Lord have mercy.
Priest:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God; and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House; and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy; and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
For the servants of God (Name) and (Name), who are now being joined to one another in the community of Marriage, and for their salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That this marriage may be blessed as was that of Cana of Galilee; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be given unto them soberness of life, and fruit of the womb as may be most expedient for them; let us pray to the Lord.
That they may rejoice in the beholding of sons and daughters; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be granted unto them the happiness of abundant fertility, and a course of life blameless and unashamed; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be granted unto them and unto us all prayers that tend unto salvation; let us pray to the Lord
That both they and we may be delivered from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all‑holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever‑Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Choir:
To You, O God.
Priest:
For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
And the Priest says aloud the following:
O God most pure, Author of all creation, Who through Your man-befriending love transformed a rib of Adam the forefather into a woman, and blessed them and said, "Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the earth," and, by the conjoining, declared them both to be one member, for because of this a man shall forsake his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh‑and whom God has joined together let not man put asunder;
Who did also bless Your servant Abraham, and opened the womb of Sara, and made him the father of many nations; Who bestowed Isaac upon Rebecca, and blessed her offspring; Who joined Jacob and Rachel, and from them made manifest the twelve patriarchs; Who yoked Joseph and Asenath together, and as the fruit of generation did bestow upon them Ephrem and Manasse; Who accepted Zacharias and Elizabeth, and declared their offspring the Forerunner;
Who out of the root of Jesse, according to the flesh, produced the Ever‑Virgin Mary, and from her were Incarnate-born for the salvation of the human race; Who through Your unspeakable Grace and plentiful goodness were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, that You might show a lawful union, and a generation there from, is according to Your Will; do You Yourself, O Most Holy Master, accept the prayer of us, Your servants; and as You were present there, be present also here with Your invisible protection.
Bless (+) this marriage and grant unto these Your servants (Name) and (Name) a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for one another in a bond of peace, offspring long‑lived, fair fame by reason of their children, and a crown of glory that does not fade away.
Account them worthy to see their children's children. Keep their wedlock safe against every hostile scheme; give them of the dew from the Heavens above, and of the fatness of the earth. Fill their houses with bountiful food, and with every good thing, that they may have to give to them that are in need, bestowing also on them that are here assembled with us all their supplications that are unto salvation.
For a God of mercy and of compassion, and of manbefriending love are You, and to You do we send up Glory: as to Your eternal Father and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
The Priest says aloud the following:
Prayer
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Holy Celebrant of mystical and pure marriage, Maker of the laws that govern earthly bodies, Guardian of incorruption, Kindly protector of the means of life: do You Yourself now, O Master, Who in the beginning created man, and appointed him as the king of creation, and said, "It is not good for man to be alone upon the earth; let us make a helpmate for him‑" then, taking one of his ribs, made woman, whom when Adam saw, he said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, for she was taken out of her man.
For this cause shall a man forsake his father and his mother, and cleave unto his wife, and two shall be one flesh‑" and "whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder." And now, O Master, Lord our God, send down Your heavenly Grace upon these Your servants, (Name) and (Name), and grant unto this woman to be in all things subject unto the man, and to this Your servant to be at the head of the woman that they live according to Your Will.
(+) Bless them. O Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Isaac and Rebecca. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Prophets. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Joseph and Asenath. (+) Bless them O Lord our God, as You blessed Moses and Zipporah Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Joakim and Anna. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved Noah in the Ark.
Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved Jonah in the jaw of the sea beast. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved the holy Three Children from the fire, when You sent down upon them the dew of the Heavens. And may that joy come upon them which the blessed Helen had when she found the Precious Cross. Remember them, O Lord our God, as You remembered Enoch, Shem, and Elias.
Remember them, O Lord our God, as You remembered Your holy Forty Martyrs, sending down upon them the crowns from the Heavens. Remember them, O Lord our God, and the parents who have reared them, for the prayers of parents confirm the foundation of houses. Remember, O Lord our God, the wedding company that here have come together, to be present at this rejoicing.
Remember, O Lord our God, Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and bless them. Give to them fruit of the womb, fair children, concord of soul and body. Exalt them as the cedars of Lebanon, and as well‑cultured vine; bestow on them a rich store of sustenance, so that having a sufficiency of all things for themselves, they may abound in every good work that is good and acceptable before You. Let them behold their children's children as newly planted olive trees round about their table; and, being accepted before You, let them shine as stars in the Heavens, in You, our Lord, to Whom are due all Glory, honor, and worship as to Your eternal Father, and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
And the Priest says aloud the following:
Holy God, Who fashioned man from the dust, and from his rib fashioned woman, and joined her to him as a helpmate for him, for it was seemly unto Your Majesty for man not to be alone upon the earth, do You Yourself, O Sovereign Lord, stretch forth Your hand from Your holy dwelling place, and join* together this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), for by You is a wife joined to her husband. Join them together in oneness of mind; crown them with wedlock into one flesh; grant to them the fruit of the womb, and the gain of well favored children, for Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
*When this is said, the priest joins their right hands.
Choir: Amen.
After the Amen, the Priest, taking up the Crowns, crowns first the Bridegroom, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is crowned for the servant of God, (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)
And he crowns the Bride, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is crowned for the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)
The Priest takes the Crown of the Groom in his right hand, and the Crown of the Bride in his left, and places them on their heads while he intones:
O Lord, our God, crown them with glory and honor.
The Epistle
Priest:
Let us attend.
Reader:
Prokeimenon, in Tone 8
You have set upon their heads crowns of precious stones.
They asked life of You, and You gave it to them.
Priest:
Wisdom!
Reader:
The Reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. (5:20‑33)
Priest:
Let us attend.
Reader:
Brethren, give thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be also subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Priest:
Peace be to you who read.
Reader:
And with your spirit.
Choir:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O Lord, You shall keep us and You shall preserve us from this generation forth and forever.
The Holy Gospel
Priest:
Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Peace be to all. (+)
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (John 2: 1 ‑11)
Choir:
Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
Priest:
At that time there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Choir:
Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
The Priest gives the Book of the Gospels to the Bride and the Groom to be kissed, and then continues with the following petitions. After each, the Choir responds thrice with "Lord have mercy. "
Let us say with all our soul and all our mind, let us say:
O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again let us pray for the servants of God, (Name) and
(Name), that they may have mercy, life, health, peace, safety, salvation, pardon and remission of their sins.
Priest:
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Priest (facing the married couple):
O Lord our God, Who in Your saving Providence did promise in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable by Your presence, do You Yourself preserve in peace and oneness of mind these Your servants (Name) and (Name), whom You are well pleased should be joined to one another. Declare their marriage honorable. Preserve their bed undefiled. Grant that their life together be with be without spot of sin. And assure that they may be worthy to attain unto a ripe old age, keeping Your commandments in a pure heart.
For You are our God, the God to have mercy and save, and to You do we send up all Glory, as to Your Eternal Father, and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Help us; save us; have mercy on us, and keep Us, O God, by Your Grace.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
That the whole day may be kept perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless; let us ask of the Lord.
Choir responds to each petition saying: O Lord, grant this prayer.
An Angel of Peace, a faithful Guide, a Guardian of our souls and bodies; let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and offenses; let us ask of the Lord.
All things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the whole world; let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance; let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, without shame, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ; let us ask of the Lord.
Asking for the unity of the Faith and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
And account us worthy, O Sovereign Lord, with boldness and without condemnation to dare call on You, the Heavenly God, as Father, and to say:
Choir:
Our Father, Who are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Peace (+) be to all.
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir:
To You, O Lord.
Then the common cup is offered.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
The Priest blesses the cup saying this prayer:
O God, Who by Your might create all things, and confirm the universe, and adorn the crown of all things created by You, do You, with Your spiritual blessing (+), bless also this common cup given to them that are joined in the community of marriage.
For blessed is Your Holy Name, and glorified is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Then the Priest gives them to drink thrice from the cup, first to the man, then to the woman, chanting:
I will drink from the cup of salvation; I will call upon the name of the Lord.
Then he takes the Bridal Pair, while the Groomsman holds the Crowns behind and above them, and leads them in a circle around the Analogion thrice. The people sing:
The Dance of Isaiah, in Tone 5
O Isaiah, dance your joy, for the Virgin was indeed with child; and brought to birth a Son, that Emmanuel, Who came as both God and man; Day‑at‑the‑Dawn is the Name He bears, and by extolling Him, We hail the Virgin as blessed.
Hear us, you martyred Saints, who fought the good fight, gaining crowns: entreat the Lord to shed His tender mercy on our souls.
Glory to You, O Christ our God, Your Apostles' proudest boast and treasure of Your Martyrs' joy, Who to all proclaimed the Consubstantial Trinity.
Then the Priest removes the Crowns, taking first that of the Groom and saying:
Be magnified, O Bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as was Jacob. Go your way in peace, performing in righteousness the commandments of God.
He takes the Crown of the Bride and says:
And you, O Bride, be magnified as was Sarah, and rejoiced as was Rebecca, and increased as Rachel, being glad in your husband, keeping the paths of the Law, for so God is well pleased.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Now the Priest says this prayer:
O God our God, Who was present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, do You (+) also bless these' Your servants, who, by Your Providence, are joined in the community of marriage. Bless their comings‑in and their goings‑out. Replenish their life with all good things. (Here the priest lifts the crowns from the heads of the bride and groom and places them on the table.) Accept their crowns in Your Kingdom unsoiled and undefiled; and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Peace be to all.
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir:
To You, O Lord.
Priest:
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; the All‑Holy, Consubstantial and Life‑creating Trinity; One Godhead and Kingdom; bless (+) you; grant to you long life, well-favored children, progress in life and in Faith; replenish you with all the good things of the earth, and count you worthy of the promised blessings, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all the Saints.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Glory to You, O Christ our God and our hope: glory to You.
Reader:
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Holy Father, Bless.
Priest:
He, Who by His presence in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be honorable, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all‑pure Mother, of the holy, glorious, and all‑praiseworthy Apostles, of the holy, God‑crowned and Equal‑to‑the‑Apostles Constantine and Helen, of the Holy, great Martyr Procopios, and of all the holy Saints, have mercy on us and save us, as our good and loving Lord.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ Our God, Have Mercy on us and save us.
Choir:
Amen.
Communion of the Sick
A small table shall be placed near the bed of the sick one it shall be covered with a clean white linen cloth, and on it shall be placed an Ikon of the Lord Jesus Christ, a lighted candle, a glass of water, a spoon, and a napkin.
The Priest shall take a particle of the Reserved Holy Mystery, put it into a Cup, and pour therein a little wine (to soften the Particle as much as may be sufficient for the sick one to receive).
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Trisagion Prayers (see page 32). All; Holy Trinity... Our Father. . .
For Yours is the Kingdom ... both now. . .
People:Amen. Lord have mercy (12). Glory . . . both now ...
(+) O come, let us worship and fall down before 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.
The Symbol of the Faith
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten, Begotten' of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten not made, of One Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made; Who for us and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was I made man.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose according to the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again in glory to judge both the quick and the dead; and His Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; Who spoke through the Prophets. I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Priest recites the Communion troparia:
O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker of Your mystic Supper, for I shall not betray Your mysteries to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but with the thief I will confess You, "Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom."
Glory ...
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Treasury of Blessings and Bountiful Giver of Life, Who are in all places and fill all things, come, take Your abode in us' cleansing us of every sin, and, of Your goodness, O Lord, save our souls.
Both now ... Amen.
Theotokion
We acknowledged Him God, Who was incarnate of you, O Virgin Theotokos: intercede with Him to save our souls.
People: Lord have mercy (12).
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who alone has the power to forgive sins, and are our Loving God, overlook, we beseech You, the transgressions of Your servant (Name), whether of knowledge or ignorance, granting to him (her) to partake without condemnation of Your immaculate Mysteries, not unto judgment, nor to the increase of sins, but to the cleansing of soul and body, and to the inheritance of Your Kingdom; for You are his (her) help and a firm wall and bulwark against the Adversary, and the purification of his (her) iniquities; for You are our merciful and Manbefriending God, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, into the house of my soul; for it is all deserted and in ruins, and You have not in me a fitting place to rest Your head; but since You desire to abide with me, 1, trusting in Your compassion, have come to You; bid the doors of my unworthy lips to open, that I may be satisfied with You alone; enter into me, and cleanse me from every bodily and spiritual defilement; be You my Helper and Defender, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, through the intercessions and supplications of our all; pure Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints' who in their generation have been well pleasing unto You, for Blessed are You to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
People: I believe and confess, O Lord, that You are in truth the Christ, the Son of the Living God, that came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief; and I believe that This is truly Your own immaculate Body, and this is Your own Precious Blood; wherefore, I pray you, have mercy on me, and forgive all my transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary, of thought, word, and deed; of knowledge and ignorance; and account me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of sins and unto everlasting Life. Amen.
When the Confession of the sick one has been heard, Absolution given, the Priest prepares for the Partaking. Spreading the Paten under the chin of the sick one, the Priest gives to him (her) the Holy Mysteries, saying:
The servant of God (Name) partakes of the Precious and All; Holy Body and Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins and everlasting Life.
Lo! This has touched your lips, and your iniquities shall be taken away, and your sin purged.
After the Partaking, the Priest says:
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, the Glory of Your people Israel.
Troparion of the Day
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Lord God most merciful have compassion on you. The Lord Jesus Christ bestow on you every good desire. The Lord Almighty deliver you from every calamity. The Lord teach you. The Lord give you understanding. The Lord help you; the Lord save you. The Lord protect you the Lord keep you; the Lord cleanse you. The Lord fill you with spiritual joy. The Lord be Defender of your soul and body. The Lord, as compassionate and loving, give to you forgiveness of sins. The Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on you in the day of judgment and bless you all the days of your life.
Glory ... both now... Amen.
Theotokion of the Day
Through the prayers of all the Saints, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, and of the Theotokos, grant us Your peace and have mercy on us, for You alone are compassionate.
Blessing
The blessing (+) of the Lord, through His Divine Grace and manbefriending love, come upon you always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen
Thanksgiving after Communion
People: Glory to You, our God, glory to You. (3)
Priest: I thank You, O Lord my God, Who has granted unto me, though unworthy, to receive Your all; pure and Holy Gifts. May Your Holy Body give profit unto me to everlasting, and Your Precious Blood unto remission of sins; may this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health and gladness, and at Your dread Second Coming, render me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your Majesty, with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good and life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of Your all; pure Mother, and of all the Saints.
People: Amen.
Communion of the Sick in a Hospital
Priest:
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All; Holy Trinity: have mercy on us; Lord, be gracious unto our sins; Master, pardon our offenses; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Our Father, Who are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the remission of sins of the servant of God (Name) and the forgiveness of all his (her) voluntary and involuntary transgressions; let us pray to the Lord.
That He will deliver him (her) and us from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all; holy, pure, exceedingly blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
For to You are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who alone has the power to forgive sins, and are our Loving God, overlook, we beseech You, the transgressions of Your servant (Name), whether of knowledge or ignorance, granting to him (her) to partake without condemnation of Your immaculate Mysteries, not unto judgment, nor to the increase
of sins, but to the cleansing of soul and body, and to the inheritance of Your Kingdom; for You are his (her) help and a firm wall and bulwark against the Adversary, and the purification of his (her) iniquities; for You are our merciful and Man befriending God, and to You do we send up Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Priest recites the Communion troparia:
O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker of Your mystic Supper, for I shall not betray Your mysteries to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but with the thief I will confess You, "Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom."
When the Confession of the sick one has been heard, Absolution given, the Priest prepares for the Partaking, Spreading the Paten under the chin of the sick one, the Priest gives to him (her) the Holy Mysteries, saying:
The servant of God (Name) partakes of the Precious and All; Holy Body and Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins and everlasting Life.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Let Your holy Body, O Lord, be unto Life Everlasting for me, and Your precious Blood unto remission of sins. Let this holy Eucharist be a source of joy and gladness for me. At Your second coming make me worthy of standing at Your right hand, through intercessions of your holy Mother, the Theotokos, and all your Saints. Amen.
Dismissal
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
Prayers in Times of Trouble
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
(+) O Lord of Powers, be with us, for in the time of trouble we have no other help but You.
O Lord, God of Powers, have mercy on us.
Priest
O God, our help in time of need, Who are just and merciful, and Who inclines to the supplications of His people;
Look down upon us, miserable sinners, have mercy on us, and deliver us from the trouble that now besets us, for which we acknowledge we are deservedly suffering.
We acknowledge and believe, O Lord, that all the trials of this life are disposed by You for our chastisement, when we drift away from You, and disobey Your commandments;
Deal with us not according to our iniquities, but according to Your manifold mercies, for we are the works of Your hands, and You know our weaknesses:
Grant, we beseech You, Your divine helping Grace, and endow us with patience and strength to endure our tribulations with complete submission to Your Will;
You know our misery and sufferings, and to You, our only hope and refuge, we flee for relief and comfort, trusting in Your infinite love and compassion, that in due time,
When You know best, You will deliver us from this trouble, and turn our distress into comfort,
When we shall rejoice in Your mercy, and exalt and praise Your Holy Name (+) O Father, Son and Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Sub-Diaconate
At the conclusion of Orthros the candidate is brought before the bishop at the throne, and the symmartyria (canonical testimonial) is read. The bishop then makes the sign of the Cross three times over the candidate, saying:
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: Lord, our God, Who through the one and same Holy Spirit distribute gifts of grace to each one whom You have chosen; Who have given to the Church different orders; and have established different degrees of ministry therein for the service of Your holy, pure Mysteries; and Who through Your ineffable foreknowledge have ordained this Your servant (name) worthy to serve in Your holy Church. Preserve him, Lord, uncondemned in all things.
Grant that he may love the beauty of Your house, standing before the doors of Your holy temple, and lighting the lamps of the dwelling place of Your glory. Plant him in Your holy Church like a fruitful olive tree bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Make him Your perfect servant at the time of Your Second Coming, that he may receive the reward of those who are pleasing in Your sight.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The newly-ordained subdeacon stands before the bishop, holding a pitcher of water in his right hand, and a bowl in his left, with a towel placed over his left arm. The bishop washes his hands, and then splashes water in the face of the subdeacon. While he does these things, the subdeacon intones:
Subdeacon: All who are faithful. (3)
The newly-ordained subdeacon is led before the icon of the Lord Jesus Christ to prayerfully await the moment of ordination to the Diaconate.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Diaconate
During the Liturgy, after the Hierarch has intoned "And may the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all," two Deacons exit, and bring the Subdeacon is before the Hierarch. They stand on the solea, facing the Hierarch who stands in the Beautiful Gate.
1st Deacon: Command
2nd Deacon: All command
1st Deacon: Command, Holy Master, the one who presents himself before you.
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
The subdeacon addresses the bishop, then the bishop counsels the subdeacon. Afterwards, the subdeacon is brought into the sanctuary, and led by the deacons, circles the altar three times while the clergy sing:
Clergy: Hear us, you martyred Saints who have fought the good fight and received crowns, entreat the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.
Glory to you, Christ our God, the Apostles' boast and pride, the Martyrs' fervent joy whose preaching is the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah dance with joy, for the Virgin is indeed with child and brought forth a son, Emmanuel. Who came both as God and man, Day-at-the-Dawn is his name, and by magnifying him, we call the Virgin blessed.
They bring the Candidate to the Hierarch at the front of the Altar. The Subdeacon kneels before the Altar placing his hands on the Altar and his head upon his hands. The Hierarch makes the sign of the Cross three times over his head. After the Deacon proclaims, "Let us be attentive!" the Hierarch places his hand on the head of the Subdeacon and recites the Prayer, "The Divine grace…”
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Bishop: The divine grace, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, ordains the most devout Subdeacon (name) to the office of Deacon. Let us, therefore, pray for him, that the grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
The clergy in the Holy of Holies say:
Clergy: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: Lord our God, in Your providence You send your Holy Spirit upon those who are ordained by Your unsearchable power to become servants to minister Your Pure Mysteries, do You Lord, look upon this man whom You have consented to be ordained by me to the service of the Diaconate and preserve him in all humility, that he may hold the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
Grant to him the grace which You gave to Stephen, Your first martyr, whom You called first to the ministry of Your Diaconate. Make him worthy to please You as he serves You in the office which you, in your goodness, bestowed upon him. For those who minister well prepare themselves for good reward; and proclaim him Your perfect servant.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The first deacon recites the following petitions in a low voice while the clergy in the Holy of Holies slowly respond "Lord, have mercy."
1st Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (Name), and our Bishop (Name) for his priesthood, sustenance, sojourn, peace, health, salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name of the new deacon), who has now been ordained a deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That God who loves mankind will grant to him a pure and blameless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord.
For this parish and this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most-blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Chanters: To You, O Lord.
Bishop: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
While the 1st deacon intones the petitions, the bishop reads the following prayer with his hand still on the new deacon's head:
Bishop: O God our Savior, by your immortal voice You established the office of the diaconate through Your Apostles and showed forth the First martyr Stephen whom You elected first to fulfill the work of a deacon. It is written in your holy Gospel, "whoever would be first among you, let him be your servant." Lord of all fill this, Your servant, whom you have consented to enter the ministry of a deacon with the totality of faith, love, power, and sanctification by the descent of Your Holy and Life-giving Spirit. For not through the laying on of my hands, but by the divine visitation of your rich mercies grace is bestowed upon your worthy ones; that he, liberated from every sin, may stand blameless by You in the awesome Day of Judgment and receive the true reward of Your promise.
For You are our God, and to You we ascribe glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
Everyone stands and the bishop proclaims the newly-ordained Deacon "Axios!" ("worthy") to which the congregation responds "Axios!"
The bishop will hold up each item of the deacon's vestments and again proclaim "Axios!" each time to which the congregation also responds "Axios!" and vests the new deacon.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Priesthood
During the Divine Liturgy, after the completion of the Cherubic Hymn following the Great Entrance, two priests exit, and bring the deacon before the bishop. They stand on the solea, facing the bishop who stands in the Royal Doors.
1st Priest: Command.
2nd Priest: All Command.
1st Priest: Command, holy Master, the one who is now being presented to you.
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
The deacon addresses the bishop, then the bishop counsels the bishop. Afterwards, the deacon is brought into the sanctuary, and led by the priests, circles the altar three times while the clergy sing:
Clergy: Hear us, you martyred Saints who have fought the good fight and received crowns, entreat the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.
Glory to you, Christ our God, the Apostles' boast and pride, the
Martyrs' fervent joy whose preaching is the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah dance with joy, for the Virgin is indeed with child and
brought forth a son, Emmanuel. Who came both as God and man, Day-at-the-Dawn is his name, and by magnifying him, we call the Virgin blessed.
They bring the candidate to the bishop, who makes the sign of the cross three times over his head. The deacon kneels before the altar placing his hands on the altar and his head upon his hands. After the 1st deacon proclaims, "Let us be attentive!" the bishop places his hand on the head of the deacon and recites the prayer, "The Divine grace ..."
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Bishop: The divine grace, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, ordains the most devout Deacon (name) to the office of Priest. Let us, therefore, pray for him, that the grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
The clergy in the Holy of Holies say:
Clergy: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: O God without beginning or end, Who are before every created thing, and Who honors with the title of Presbyter those whom You deem worthy to serve the word of Your truth in the divine ministry of this order: You, the same sovereign Master, preserve in purity of life and in unswerving faith this man whom You have been pleased to ordain through me by the laying on of hands, graciously imparting to him the great grace of Your Holy Spirit, making him wholly Your servant, well-pleasing to You in all things, and worthily exercising this great honor of the Priesthood which You conferred upon him by the power of Your wisdom.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The senior priest recites the following petitions in a low voice while the clergy in the Holy of Holies slowly respond "Lord, have mercy."
1st Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Prayers at the Making of a Catechumen
The Priest divests him (her) that comes to be illuminated of robes and shoes and faces him (her) eastward, barefoot and clad in a single garment, hands down. Then, breathing thrice on his (her) face and signing him (her) thrice on the forehead and breast, the Priest says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Laying his hand upon his (her) head, the Priest says:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: In Your Name, O Lord God of Truth, and in the Name of Your Only-Begotten Son, and of Your Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon this Your servant (Name), who has bee" accounted worthy to flee unto Your Holy Name and to be sheltered under the shadow of Your wings. Remove far from him (her) that ancient error, and fill him (her) I with faith and hope and love that is in You, that he (she) may know that You alone are the True God, and Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit.
Grant him (her) to walk in Your commandments, and to observe those things that are acceptable before You; for if a man does such he shall find life in them. Inscribe him (her) in Your Book of Life, and unite him (her) to the flock of Your inheritance. Let Your Holy Name be glorified in him (her) and that of Your well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Your Life-creating Spirit. Let Your eyes look over him (her) in mercy, and Your ears be ever attentive unto the voice of his (her) prayer. Let him (her) ever rejoice in the works of his (her) hands, and in all his (her) generation, that he (she) may give thanks to You, worshipping and glorifying Your great and Most High Name, and may ever praise You all the days of his (her) life. For all the Powers of Heaven praise You, and Yours is the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Exorcism
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: The Lord rebukes you, O devil, He that came into the world and made His dwelling among men, that He might cast down your tyranny, and deliver men; He that upon the Tree triumphed over the opposing powers, when the sun was darkened, and the earth was shaken, and the tombs were opened, and the bodies of the Saints arose; He that by death destroyed Death, and overcame him that held the might of death, that is, even you, O devil. I adjure you by the Living God, Who has shown forth the Tree of Life, and posted the Cherubim, and the flaming sword that turns about to guard this: be rebuked, and depart, for I forbid you, through Him that walks on the waves of the sea as upon the dry land, Who forbade the storm of the winds, Whose glance dries up the deep, and Whose threatenings melt the mountains; for it is He Himself that now forbids you through us.
Be afraid, and depart, and absent yourself from this creature, and come not back, neither hide yourself in him (her), nor encounter him (her), nor influence him (her) either by night or by day, nor in the morning or at noon; but get you hence to your own Tartarus, until the appointed day of Judgment. Fear God , Who sits on the throne of the Cherubim, and looks upon the depths, before Whom tremble Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim; Whom Heaven and earth fear, the sea, and all that live therein.
Come forth, and depart from the sealed and newly-enlisted soldier of Christ our God; for I adjure you by Him that rides upon the wings of the winds, Who makes His Angels spirits and His Ministers a flame of fire. Come forth, and from this creature which He fashioned depart with all your power and might; for glorified is the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Exorcism
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: God, the Holy, the Terrible, and the Glorious, Who concerning all His works and strength is incomprehensible and unsearchable, Who Himself has ordained for you O devil, the retribution of eternal torment, through us, His unworthy servants, commands you, and all your cooperating might to go forth from him (her) that is newly sealed in the Name of our Lord God and Savior Christ.
Therefore, you all evil, unclean, abominable, loathsome and alien spirit, I adjure you by the power of Jesus Christ, Who has all authority in Heaven and on earth, Who says to the deaf and dumb demon, "Get out of the man, and enter no more into him." Depart, know the vainness of your might, which had not power even over the swine!
Remember Him Who bade you, at your request, to enter into the herd of swine. Fear God, at Whose command the earth was established upon the waters; Who has founded the Heavens, and fixed the mountains with a line, and the valleys with a measure; Who has placed the sand for a boundary to the sea, and made safe paths through the waters; Who touched the mountains and they smoked; Who clothed Himself with Light as with a garment; Who has stretched out the Heavens as with a curtain; Who covers His upper rooms with waters; Who has founded the earth on her firm foundations, so that it shall not be moved forever; Who calls up the waters of the seas, and sprinkles it on the face of the earth.
Come out! Depart from him (her) who is now being made ready for Holy Illumination; I adjure you by the saving Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Precious Blood and All-Pure Body, and by His terrible Coming Again for He shall come and not tarry, to judge all the earth, and shall punish you and your cooperating might in the Gehenna of fire, consigning you to the outer darkness where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched; for of Christ is the Might, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Exorcism
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord of Sabaoth, the God of Israel, Who heals every sickness and every wound, Look down upon this Your servant (Name); search out and try him (her), driving away from him (her) every operation of the devil. Rebuke the unclean spirits and expel them, cleansing the work of Your hands; and, using Your trenchant energy, beat down Satan under his (her) feet, giving him (her) victory over him, and over his unclean spirits; so that, obtaining the mercy that comes from You, he (she) may be accounted worthy of Your Immortal and Heavenly Mysteries, and may send up all glory to You, to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer
You, the Existing Sovereign Master and Lord, Who made man after Your own image and likeness and gave to him power of eternal life; and when he had fallen through sin did not disdain him, but did provide for him through the Incarnation of Your Christ, the salvation of the world. Redeeming this Your creature from the yoke of the Enemy, receive him (her) into Your heavenly Kingdom. Open the eyes of his (her) understanding, so that the Illumination of Your Gospel may dawn upon him (her). Yoke unto his (her) life a shining Angel to deliver him (her) from every plot directed against him (her) by the Adversary, from encounter with evil, from the noon-day demon, and from evil dreams.
And the Priest breathes on his (her) forehead, on his (her) mouth, and on his (her) breast, saying:
Drive out from him (her) every evil and unclean spirit, hiding and lurking in his (her) heart. (This he does and says thrice.) The spirit of error, the spirit of evil, the spirit of idolatry and of all covetousness that works according to the teaching of the devil. Make him (her) a reason-endowed sheep of the holy Flock of Your Christ, and honorable member of Your Church, a hallowed vessel, a child of Light, and heir of Your Kingdom. So that, having ordered his (her) life according to Your commandments, and having guarded the Seal and kept it unbroken, and having preserved his (her) garment undefiled, he (she) may attain unto the blessedness of the Saints of Your Kingdom. Through the Grace and Compassion and Manbefriending Love of Your Only-Begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then the Priest turns him (her) that is to be baptized to face westward, unclothed, barefoot hands upraised. If the person is a child, the Sponsor holding him (her) faces West. the Priest then says thrice:
Do you renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his worship, and all his angels, and all his pomp?
Each time the Catechumen (or the Sponsor if the person to be baptized is a child or a foreigner) answers and says:
I do renounce him.
Again the Priest asks him (her) that is to be baptized:
(3 times) Have you renounced Satan?
And the Catechumen or the Sponsor answers (3 times):
I have renounced him.
After the third time, the Priest says:
Then blow and spit upon him.
And this being done, the Priest turns the Catechumen to the East with lowered hands, and repeats the following three times:
Do you join Christ?
The question is answered three times:
I do join Him.
Again the Priest asks three times:
Have you joined Christ?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I have joined Him.
Again the Priest asks:
And do you believe in Him?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I believe in Him as King and as God.
After the completion of the Creed, the Priest asks thrice: Have you joined Christ?
Catechumen (or Sponsor): I have joined Him.
Then the Priest says: Then bow before Him and worship Him.
Catechumen (or Sponsor) bows down, saying: I bow down before the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Trinity One in Essence and Undivided.
Priest: Blessed is God Who desires that all people should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master, Lord our God, call this Your servant! (Name) to Your Holy Illumination, and account him (her) worthy of this great Grace and Your Holy Baptism. Put off from him (her the old man, and renew him unto everlasting life; fill him (her) with the power of Your Holy Spirit, unto union with Your Christ; that he (she) may no longer be a child of the body, but a child of Your Kingdom; through the good pleasure and Grace of Your Only-Begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Apolysis Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to You. Christ our True God... Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
The Service of Holy Baptism
The Priest enters the Altar and arrays himself in white vestments. While the candles are being lit, he takes up the Censer, goes to the Font, and censes round about. And giving up the Censer, he makes a Reverence.
Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
After each petition: Lord have mercy.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name'), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy, and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may be hallowed by the might, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be sent down upon it the Grace of Redemption, the blessing of the Jordan; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may come down upon this water the cleansing operation of the Supersubstantial Trinity; let us pray to the Lord.
That we may be illumined with the Light of Knowledge and Piety through the descent of the Holy Spirit; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may prove effectual for the averting of every plot of visible and invisible enemies; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) that is about to be baptized herein may become worthy of the incorruptible Kingdom; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) that now comes to holy Illumination, and for his (her) salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may prove to be a child of Light, and an inheritor of eternal blessings; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may grow in, and become a partaker of the Death and Resurrection of Christ our God; let us pray to the Lord.
That he (she) may preserve the garment of Baptism, and the earnest of the Spirit undefiled and blameless in the terrible Day of Christ our God; let us pray to the Lord.
That this water may be for him (her) a laver of Regeneration unto the remission of sins, and a garment of incorruption; let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord may listen to the voice of our prayer; let us pray to the Lord. That He may deliver him (her) and us from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Your Grace. Calling to remembrance our all-holy, pure, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Priest: (inaudibly) Let us pray to the Lord. O compassionate and merciful God, Who tries the heart and reigns, and Who alone knows the secrets of men, for no deed is secret in Your sight, but all things are exposed and naked in Your eyesight: do You Yourself, Who perceives that which concerns me, neither turn away Your face from me, but overlook my offenses in this hour, O You that overlook the sins of men that they repent.
Wash away the defilement of my body and the stain of my soul. Sanctify me wholly by Your all-effectual, invisible might, and by Your spiritual right hand, lest, by preaching liberty to others, and offering this in the perfect faith of Your unspeakable love for humankind, I may be condemned as a servant of sin. Nay, Sovereign Master that alone are good and loving, let me not be turned away humbled and shamed, but send forth to me power from on high, and strengthen me for the ministration of this Your present, great, and most heavenly Mystery.
Form the Image of Your Christ in him (her) who is about to be born again through my humility. Build him (her) on the foundation of Your Apostles and Prophets. Cast him (her) not down, but plant him (her) as a plant of truth in Your Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Pluck him (her) not out, that, by) his (her) advancing in piety, by the same may be glorified 1 Your Most Holy Name, of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Blessing of the Baptismal Waters
The Priest reads aloud:
Great are You, O Lord, and wondrous are Your works, and no word will suffice to hymn Your wonders.(3) For by Your Will have You out of nothingness brought all things into being and by Your power sustain all creation and by Your Providence direct the world. You from the four elements have formed creation and have crowned the cycle of the year with the four seasons; all the spiritual powers tremble before You; the sun praises You; the: moon glorifies You; the stars in their courses meet with You; the Light hearkens unto You; the depths shudder at Your presence; the springs of water serve You; You have stretched out the Heavens as a curtain; You have founded the earth upon the waters; You have bounded the sea with sand; You have poured forth the air for breathing; the angelic Powers minister unto You; the Choirs of Archangels worship before You; the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, as they stand and fly around You, veil themselves with fear of Your unapproachable Glory; for You, being boundless and beginningless and unutterable, did come down on earth, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; for You O Master, through the tenderness of Your Mercy, could not endure the race of men tormented by the devil, but You did come and saved us.
We confess Your Grace; we proclaim Your beneficence; we do not hide Your Mercy; You have set at liberty the generations of our nature; You did hallow the virginal Womb by Your Birth; all creation praises You, Who did manifest Yourself, for You were seen upon the earth, and did sojourn with men. You hallowed the streams of Jordan, sending down from the Heavens Your Holy Spirit, and crushed the heads of dragons that lurked therein. DO YOU YOURSELF, O LOVING KING, BE PRESENT NOW ALSO THROUGH THE DESCENT OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT AND HALLOW THIS WATER (3). And give to it the Grace of Redemption, the Blessing of Jordan. Make it a fountain of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a loosing of sins, a healing of sicknesses, a destruction of demons, unapproachable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might; and let them that take counsel together against Your creature flee there from, for I have called upon Your Name, O Lord, which is wonderful, and glorious, and terrible unto adversaries.
And he signs the water thrice, dipping his fingers in it; and breathing upon it, he says:
LET ALL ADVERSE POWERS BE CRUSHED BENEATH THE SIGNING OF YOUR MOST PRECIOUS CROSS (3).
We pray You, O Lord, let every airy and invisible specter withdraw itself from us, and let not a demon of darkness conceal himself in this water; neither let an evil spirit, bringing obscurity of purpose and rebellious thoughts, descend into it with him (her) that is about to be baptized.
But do You, O Master of All, declare this water to be water of redemption, water of sanctification, a cleansing of flesh and spirit, a loosing of bonds, a forgiveness of sins, an illumination of soul, a laver of regeneration, a renewal of the spirit, a gift of sonship, a garment of incorruption, a fountain of life. For You have said, O Lord: "Wash, and be clean; put away evil from your souls."
You have bestowed upon us regeneration from on high by water and the spirit. Manifest Yourself, O Lord, in this water, and grant that he (she) that is to be baptized may be transformed therein to the putting away of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and to the putting on of the new, which is renewed according to the Image of Him that created him (her).
That, being planted in the likeness of Your death through Baptism, he (she) may become a sharer of Your Resurrection; and, preserving the Gift of Your Holy Spirit, and increasing the deposit of Grace, he (she) may attain unto prize of his (her) high calling, and accounted among the number of the first-born, whose names are written in Heaven, in You our God and Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be all Glory and Might, together with Your Eternal Father and with Your All; Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
The Priest breathes thrice upon the Oil and signs it thrice, while it is held by the Godparent.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Blessing of the Oil
Sovereign Lord and Master, God of our Fathers, Who did send to them in the Ark of Noah a dove bearing a twig of olive in its beak as a sign of reconciliation and salvation from the Flood, and through these things prefigured the Mystery of Grace; and thereby have filled them that were under the Law with the Holy Spirit, and perfected them that are under Grace: do You Yourself bless this Oil by the power (+) and operation (+) and descent of the Holy Spirit (+) that it may become an anointing of incorruption, a shield of righteousness, a renewal of soul and body, and averting of every operation of the devil, to the removal of all evils from them that are anointed with it in faith, or that are partakers of it.
To Your Glory, and to that of Your Only-Begotten Son, and of Your All; Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us attend.
The Priest, singing Alleluia thrice with the People, makes three Crosses with the Oil upon the water. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is God that enlightens and sanctifies every man that comes into the world, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest pours some Oil into the hands of the Godparent. He then takes Oil and makes the Sign of the Cross on the child's forehead, breast, and between his (her) shoulders, saying:
The servant of God (Name)* is anointed with the Oil of Gladness, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And he signs his (her) breast and between his (her) shoulders, saying: For healing of soul and body. And on the ears, saying: For the hearing of Faith. And on the feet, saying:
That he (she) may walk in the paths of Your commandments. And on the hands, saying: Your hands have made me, and fashioned me.
The Baptizing
When he has anointed the whole body, the Priest baptizes him (her), holding him (her) erect, and looking to wards the East, says:
The servant of God (Name) is baptized in the Name of the Father. Amen. And of the Son, Amen. And of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
At each invocation the Priest immerses him (her) and raises him (her) up again. After the baptizing, the Priest places the child in a linen sheet held by the Godparent.
Psalm 31
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.(3) Blessed is the man whom the Lord imputes not sin, and in whose mouth there is no guile. Because I have kept silence, my bones waxed old through my crying all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me. I was turned into lowliness while the thorn was fastened in me. My sin I have acknowledged, and my iniquity I have not hid. I said, "I will confess against myself my sin unto the Lord." And You forgave the ungodliness of my heart. For this shall everyone who is holy pray to You in a seasonable time; moreover in a flood of many waters shall the billows not come nigh to him.
For You are my refuge from the tribulation which surrounds me. O my rejoicing, deliver me from them that have encircled me. The Lord says: "I will give you understanding, and will teach you in this My way which you shall go; I will fix My eyes on you. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding. With bit and bridle would you bind their jaws; lest they come near to you." Many are the scourges of the sinner, but with mercy shall I encircle them that hope on the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you that are upright of heart.
The Priest says the Prayer of Confirmation.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Prayer of Confirmation
Blessed are You, Lord God Almighty, Fountain of Blessings, Sun of Righteousness, Who made to shine forth for those in darkness a light of salvation through the manifestation of Your Only-Begotten Son and our God, granting unto us, though we are unworthy, blessed cleansing in Holy Water, and divine sanctification in the Life; effecting Anointing; Who now also has been well-pleased to regenerate this Your servant newly illuminated through Water and Spirit, giving him (her) forgiveness of his (her) voluntary and involuntary sins: do You Yourself, Sovereign Master, Compassionate King of All, bestow upon him (her) also the Seal of Your omnipotent and adorable Holy Spirit, and the Communion of the Holy Body and Most Precious Blood of Your Christ; keep him (her) in Your sanctification; confirm him (her) in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him (her) from the Evil One and all his devices; preserve his (her) soul, through Your saving fear, in purity and righteousness, that in every work and word, being acceptable before You, he (she) may become a child and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom.
For You are our God, the God of Mercy and Salvation, and to You do we send up Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
And after the Prayer of Confirmation, the Priest chrismates the baptized and he makes on the person the Sign of the Cross with the Holy Chrism (Holy Myron), on the forehead, the eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, the ears, the breast, the hands, and the feet. At each anointing and sealing, he says:
THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
The Priest invests the baptized in a new clean robe, saying:
Clothed is the servant of God (Name) with the garment of righteousness, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Troparion, in Tone 8
A robe of divine light bestow upon me, O You that for vesture array Yourself with Light; and bestow many mercies, O Christ our God, who are plenteous in mercy.
Then the Priest makes, together with the Godparent and the child, circumambulation around the Font, three times; and for each of the three rounds the Choir sings: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.(3)
Glory ... Both now...
As many... Alleluia.
Priest: Louder.
Choir: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.
Priest: Let us attend.
The Prokeimenon in Tone 3
The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the Protector of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
Priest: Wisdom!
The Epistle The Reader: The Reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. (Rom. 6:3-11)
Priest: Let us attend.
The Reader: Brethren, do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Priest: Peace be to you that read. And to your spirit.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Priest: Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all (+).
Choir: And with your spirit.
The Gospel
Priest: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. Let us attend. (Matt. 28:16-20)
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord; Glory to You.
Priest: At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded to you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord; Glory to You.
The Ablution
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest says the Prayer:
You that through Holy Baptism have granted forgiveness of sins to this Your servant, bestowing on him (her) a life of regeneration: do You Yourself, Sovereign Master and Lord, be pleased that the Light of Your countenance evermore shine in his (her) heart; maintain the shield of his (her) faith against the plotting of enemies; preserve in him (her) the garment of incorruption, which he (she) has put on undefiled and unstained; preserve in him (her) the Seal of Your Grace, being gracious unto us, and unto him (her) according to the multitude of Your compassions, for glorified and blessed is Your all-honorable and majestic Name: of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master and Lord our God, Who through the baptismal Font bestows heavenly Illumination to them that are baptized; Who has regenerated this Your servant bestowing upon him (her) forgiveness of his (her) voluntary and involuntary sins; do You lay upon him (her) Your mighty hand, and guard him (her) in the power of Your goodness. Preserve unspotted his (her) pledge of' Faith in You. Account him (her) worthy of Life everlasting and Your good favor. For You are our sanctification and to You do we send up all Glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: He (She) that has put on You, O Christ, with us bows his (her) head unto You; ever protect him (her) a warrior invincible against them who vainly raise up enmity against him (her), or, as might be, against us; and by Your Crown of Incorruption at the last declare us all to be the victorious ones. For Yours it is to have mercy and to save, and unto You, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life; creating Spirit, do we send up all Glory, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest loosens the child's girdle and garment, and, joining the ends of these, he soaks them with clean water and sprinkles the child, saying aloud: You are justified; you are illumined. And taking a new sponge dipped in water, the Priest wipes his (her) head, the breast, and the rest, saying:
You are baptized; you are illuminated; you are anointed with the Holy Myrrh, you are hallowed; you are washed clean, in the Name of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Tonsure
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Sovereign Master and Lord our God, Who honored man with Your own Image, providing him with reason; endowed soul and comely body, that the body might serve the reason; endowed soul; for You did set his head on high, and therein planted the greater number of the senses, which impede not one another, covering the head that it might not be injured by the changes of the weather, and did fit all the members serviceably thereunto, that by all it might render thanks unto You, the excellent Artist; do You Yourself, O Sovereign Master, Who by the Vessel of Your Election, Paul the Apostle, to do all things unto Your Glory, bless (+) this Your servant (Name), who is come now to make offering the firstlings of hair shorn from his (her) head; and bless his (her) Sponsor (+); granting them in all things to be diligent followers of Your Law, and to do all those things that are well pleasing unto You, for a merciful and loving God are You, and to You do we send up all Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The Priest lays his right hand upon the head of the child and prays:
O Lord our God, Who through the fulfillment of the baptismal Font have, by Your Goodness, sanctified them that believe in You: (+) do You bless this child here present, and may Your blessings come down upon his (her) head; as You did bless the head of Your servant David the King through the Prophet Samuel, (+) so also bless the head of this servant (Name), through the hand of me, the unworthy Priest, visiting him (her) with Your Holy Spirit, that as he (she) goes forward to the prime of his (her) years, and the gray hairs of old age, he (she) may send up Glory to You, beholding the good things of Jerusalem all the days of his (her) life. For to You are due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Priest shears him (her) in the form of a Cross, snipping off four locks of hair, front, back, and over each ear, cross-fashion, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is shorn in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy. We beseech You, listen, and have mercy.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Again let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, and salvation for the servants of God, the newly illumined (Name), the Godparents, and all those who have come here together for this holy Sacrament. For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up all Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Apolysis
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our hope; glory to You.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Master, bid the blessing.
Priest: He Who deigned to be baptized in the Jordan by John for our salvation, Christ our true God; through the intercessions of Its all; pure Mother, of the holy and glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, of the holy, glorious all; praiseworthy Apostles, (Name of Saint whose name the child has received), and of all the Saints; have mercy and save us as our good and loving Lord. Through the prayers of our holy Fathers...
Choir: Amen.
The Service of Betrothal
The priest stands before the Royal Doors, looking towards the two who are to be Betrothed; and they stand outside the Royal Doors, the man to the right, and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Altar are placed the two rings. The priest takes up the censer and censes the holy icons, the bridal pair, and the people.
Then the priest asks the bride is she wishes to marry the groom, and the groom if he wishes to marry the bride. The priest then says:
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God; and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy; and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name) and the servant of God (Name) who now pledge themselves to one another, and for their salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be promised unto them children for the continuation of their race, granting unto them all their prayers unto salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That He send down upon them love perfect and peaceful, and give them His protection; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may keep them in oneness of mind, and in steadfastness of the Faith; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may bless them in harmony and perfect trust; let us pray to the Lord.
That He may keep the course and manner of their life blameless; let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord God may grant unto them an honorable marriage and a bed undefiled; let us pray to the Lord.
That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever; Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Choir: To You, O God.
Priest: (aloud) For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: (aloud) O God eternal, Who has brought together into unity the things which before had been separate, and in so doing impose on them an indissoluble bond of love, Who did bless Isaac and Rebecca, declaring them to be the inheritors of Your promise: do You Yourself (+) bless these Your servants (Name) and (Name), directing them into every good work.
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up all Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all. (+)
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who espoused the Church as a pure virgin called from out of the Gentiles, bless this Betrothal (+), uniting these Your servants, keeping them in peace and oneness of mind.
For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Then the Priest takes the rings, blesses them, makes with them the Sign of the Cross over the man's head, and says:
The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.
Then with the rings the Priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the woman's head, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.
At the third time, the Priest puts the woman's ring on the man's right finger, and the man's ring on the woman's right finger.
Then the Groomsman exchanges the rings thrice.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who accompanied the servant of the patriarch Abraham to Mesopotamia, when he was sent to espouse a wife for his lord Isaac, and did reveal to him a sign by the drawing of water to betroth Rebecca; do You Yourself bless the betrothal of these Your servants (Name) and (Name) and confirm the word that has been spoken by them; for You, O Lord, from the beginning have created male and female, and by You is a woman joined to a man for assistance and for the continuation of the human race.
Therefore, O Lord God, Who have sent forth Your truth to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, who were Your elect, do You give regard unto this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and seal their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love. For You, O Lord, have declared that a pledge is to be given and held inviolate in all things. By a ring Joseph was given might in Egypt; by a ring Daniel was exalted in Babylon; by a ring the truth of Thamar was made manifest; by a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion upon His prodigal son, for He said, "Put a ring upon his right hand, kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice."
Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. Yea, by the word of Your truth were the Heavens established and the earth set upon her sure foundations; and the right hands of Your servants shall be blessed by Your mighty word, and by Your uplifted arm. Wherefore, O Sovereign Lord, do You Yourself bless this putting on of rings with Your heavenly benediction; and may Your Angel go before them all the days of their life, for You are He that blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Service of the Crowning - The Service of Marriage
If the Coronation follows the Betrothal immediately, then after the "Amen" of the Ekphonesis ("For You are He that blesses and sanctifies ..."), the Priest censes in front of the Altar, and goes out and censes the Ikonostasion. The Processional Psalm is then sung.
The Processional Psalm
Priest (P): Blessed is everyone that fears the Lord.
The Choir sings after each stikhos:
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: That walks in His ways,
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: For you shall eat the labor of your hands.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Blessed are you, and it shall be well with you.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of your house.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Your children like young olive plants around your table.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Behold! The man shall be blessed that fears the Lord.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: The Lord shall bless you out of Zion, and you shall see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
P: Yea! You shall see your children's children, and peace be upon Israel.
Glory to You, O our God, Glory to You.
Turning towards the East and raising the Holy Gospel, the Priest says:
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
During the Easter season "Christ is risen" is sung thrice.
The Priest says the Synapte, and the Choir responds to each petition by singing "Lord have mercy.
Priest:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God; and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy House; and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.
For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy; and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.
For the servants of God (Name) and (Name), who are now being joined to one another in the community of Marriage, and for their salvation; let us pray to the Lord.
That this marriage may be blessed as was that of Cana of Galilee; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be given unto them soberness of life, and fruit of the womb as may be most expedient for them; let us pray to the Lord.
That they may rejoice in the beholding of sons and daughters; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be granted unto them the happiness of abundant fertility, and a course of life blameless and unashamed; let us pray to the Lord.
That there may be granted unto them and unto us all prayers that tend unto salvation; let us pray to the Lord
That both they and we may be delivered from tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all‑holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever‑Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Choir:
To You, O God.
Priest:
For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
And the Priest says aloud the following:
O God most pure, Author of all creation, Who through Your man-befriending love transformed a rib of Adam the forefather into a woman, and blessed them and said, "Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the earth," and, by the conjoining, declared them both to be one member, for because of this a man shall forsake his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh‑and whom God has joined together let not man put asunder;
Who did also bless Your servant Abraham, and opened the womb of Sara, and made him the father of many nations; Who bestowed Isaac upon Rebecca, and blessed her offspring; Who joined Jacob and Rachel, and from them made manifest the twelve patriarchs; Who yoked Joseph and Asenath together, and as the fruit of generation did bestow upon them Ephrem and Manasse; Who accepted Zacharias and Elizabeth, and declared their offspring the Forerunner;
Who out of the root of Jesse, according to the flesh, produced the Ever‑Virgin Mary, and from her were Incarnate-born for the salvation of the human race; Who through Your unspeakable Grace and plentiful goodness were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, that You might show a lawful union, and a generation there from, is according to Your Will; do You Yourself, O Most Holy Master, accept the prayer of us, Your servants; and as You were present there, be present also here with Your invisible protection.
Bless (+) this marriage and grant unto these Your servants (Name) and (Name) a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for one another in a bond of peace, offspring long‑lived, fair fame by reason of their children, and a crown of glory that does not fade away.
Account them worthy to see their children's children. Keep their wedlock safe against every hostile scheme; give them of the dew from the Heavens above, and of the fatness of the earth. Fill their houses with bountiful food, and with every good thing, that they may have to give to them that are in need, bestowing also on them that are here assembled with us all their supplications that are unto salvation.
For a God of mercy and of compassion, and of manbefriending love are You, and to You do we send up Glory: as to Your eternal Father and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
The Priest says aloud the following:
Prayer
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Holy Celebrant of mystical and pure marriage, Maker of the laws that govern earthly bodies, Guardian of incorruption, Kindly protector of the means of life: do You Yourself now, O Master, Who in the beginning created man, and appointed him as the king of creation, and said, "It is not good for man to be alone upon the earth; let us make a helpmate for him‑" then, taking one of his ribs, made woman, whom when Adam saw, he said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, for she was taken out of her man.
For this cause shall a man forsake his father and his mother, and cleave unto his wife, and two shall be one flesh‑" and "whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder." And now, O Master, Lord our God, send down Your heavenly Grace upon these Your servants, (Name) and (Name), and grant unto this woman to be in all things subject unto the man, and to this Your servant to be at the head of the woman that they live according to Your Will.
(+) Bless them. O Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Isaac and Rebecca. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Prophets. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Joseph and Asenath. (+) Bless them O Lord our God, as You blessed Moses and Zipporah Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Joakim and Anna. (+) Bless them, O Lord our God, as You blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved Noah in the Ark.
Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved Jonah in the jaw of the sea beast. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as You preserved the holy Three Children from the fire, when You sent down upon them the dew of the Heavens. And may that joy come upon them which the blessed Helen had when she found the Precious Cross. Remember them, O Lord our God, as You remembered Enoch, Shem, and Elias.
Remember them, O Lord our God, as You remembered Your holy Forty Martyrs, sending down upon them the crowns from the Heavens. Remember them, O Lord our God, and the parents who have reared them, for the prayers of parents confirm the foundation of houses. Remember, O Lord our God, the wedding company that here have come together, to be present at this rejoicing.
Remember, O Lord our God, Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and bless them. Give to them fruit of the womb, fair children, concord of soul and body. Exalt them as the cedars of Lebanon, and as well‑cultured vine; bestow on them a rich store of sustenance, so that having a sufficiency of all things for themselves, they may abound in every good work that is good and acceptable before You. Let them behold their children's children as newly planted olive trees round about their table; and, being accepted before You, let them shine as stars in the Heavens, in You, our Lord, to Whom are due all Glory, honor, and worship as to Your eternal Father, and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
And the Priest says aloud the following:
Holy God, Who fashioned man from the dust, and from his rib fashioned woman, and joined her to him as a helpmate for him, for it was seemly unto Your Majesty for man not to be alone upon the earth, do You Yourself, O Sovereign Lord, stretch forth Your hand from Your holy dwelling place, and join* together this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), for by You is a wife joined to her husband. Join them together in oneness of mind; crown them with wedlock into one flesh; grant to them the fruit of the womb, and the gain of well favored children, for Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
*When this is said, the priest joins their right hands.
Choir: Amen.
After the Amen, the Priest, taking up the Crowns, crowns first the Bridegroom, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is crowned for the servant of God, (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)
And he crowns the Bride, saying:
The servant of God (Name) is crowned for the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)
The Priest takes the Crown of the Groom in his right hand, and the Crown of the Bride in his left, and places them on their heads while he intones:
O Lord, our God, crown them with glory and honor.
The Epistle
Priest:
Let us attend.
Reader:
Prokeimenon, in Tone 8
You have set upon their heads crowns of precious stones.
They asked life of You, and You gave it to them.
Priest:
Wisdom!
Reader:
The Reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. (5:20‑33)
Priest:
Let us attend.
Reader:
Brethren, give thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be also subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Priest:
Peace be to you who read.
Reader:
And with your spirit.
Choir:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O Lord, You shall keep us and You shall preserve us from this generation forth and forever.
The Holy Gospel
Priest:
Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Peace be to all. (+)
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (John 2: 1 ‑11)
Choir:
Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
Priest:
At that time there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Choir:
Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
The Priest gives the Book of the Gospels to the Bride and the Groom to be kissed, and then continues with the following petitions. After each, the Choir responds thrice with "Lord have mercy. "
Let us say with all our soul and all our mind, let us say:
O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again let us pray for the servants of God, (Name) and
(Name), that they may have mercy, life, health, peace, safety, salvation, pardon and remission of their sins.
Priest:
For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Priest (facing the married couple):
O Lord our God, Who in Your saving Providence did promise in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable by Your presence, do You Yourself preserve in peace and oneness of mind these Your servants (Name) and (Name), whom You are well pleased should be joined to one another. Declare their marriage honorable. Preserve their bed undefiled. Grant that their life together be with be without spot of sin. And assure that they may be worthy to attain unto a ripe old age, keeping Your commandments in a pure heart.
For You are our God, the God to have mercy and save, and to You do we send up all Glory, as to Your Eternal Father, and Your All‑Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Help us; save us; have mercy on us, and keep Us, O God, by Your Grace.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
That the whole day may be kept perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless; let us ask of the Lord.
Choir responds to each petition saying: O Lord, grant this prayer.
An Angel of Peace, a faithful Guide, a Guardian of our souls and bodies; let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and offenses; let us ask of the Lord.
All things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the whole world; let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance; let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, without shame, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ; let us ask of the Lord.
Asking for the unity of the Faith and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
And account us worthy, O Sovereign Lord, with boldness and without condemnation to dare call on You, the Heavenly God, as Father, and to say:
Choir:
Our Father, Who are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Peace (+) be to all.
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir:
To You, O Lord.
Then the common cup is offered.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
The Priest blesses the cup saying this prayer:
O God, Who by Your might create all things, and confirm the universe, and adorn the crown of all things created by You, do You, with Your spiritual blessing (+), bless also this common cup given to them that are joined in the community of marriage.
For blessed is Your Holy Name, and glorified is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Then the Priest gives them to drink thrice from the cup, first to the man, then to the woman, chanting:
I will drink from the cup of salvation; I will call upon the name of the Lord.
Then he takes the Bridal Pair, while the Groomsman holds the Crowns behind and above them, and leads them in a circle around the Analogion thrice. The people sing:
The Dance of Isaiah, in Tone 5
O Isaiah, dance your joy, for the Virgin was indeed with child; and brought to birth a Son, that Emmanuel, Who came as both God and man; Day‑at‑the‑Dawn is the Name He bears, and by extolling Him, We hail the Virgin as blessed.
Hear us, you martyred Saints, who fought the good fight, gaining crowns: entreat the Lord to shed His tender mercy on our souls.
Glory to You, O Christ our God, Your Apostles' proudest boast and treasure of Your Martyrs' joy, Who to all proclaimed the Consubstantial Trinity.
Then the Priest removes the Crowns, taking first that of the Groom and saying:
Be magnified, O Bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as was Jacob. Go your way in peace, performing in righteousness the commandments of God.
He takes the Crown of the Bride and says:
And you, O Bride, be magnified as was Sarah, and rejoiced as was Rebecca, and increased as Rachel, being glad in your husband, keeping the paths of the Law, for so God is well pleased.
Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir:
Lord have mercy.
Now the Priest says this prayer:
O God our God, Who was present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, do You (+) also bless these' Your servants, who, by Your Providence, are joined in the community of marriage. Bless their comings‑in and their goings‑out. Replenish their life with all good things. (Here the priest lifts the crowns from the heads of the bride and groom and places them on the table.) Accept their crowns in Your Kingdom unsoiled and undefiled; and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Peace be to all.
Choir:
And to your spirit.
Priest:
Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
Choir:
To You, O Lord.
Priest:
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; the All‑Holy, Consubstantial and Life‑creating Trinity; One Godhead and Kingdom; bless (+) you; grant to you long life, well-favored children, progress in life and in Faith; replenish you with all the good things of the earth, and count you worthy of the promised blessings, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all the Saints.
Choir:
Amen.
Priest:
Glory to You, O Christ our God and our hope: glory to You.
Reader:
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Holy Father, Bless.
Priest:
He, Who by His presence in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be honorable, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all‑pure Mother, of the holy, glorious, and all‑praiseworthy Apostles, of the holy, God‑crowned and Equal‑to‑the‑Apostles Constantine and Helen, of the Holy, great Martyr Procopios, and of all the holy Saints, have mercy on us and save us, as our good and loving Lord.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ Our God, Have Mercy on us and save us.
Choir:
Amen.
Communion of the Sick
A small table shall be placed near the bed of the sick one it shall be covered with a clean white linen cloth, and on it shall be placed an Ikon of the Lord Jesus Christ, a lighted candle, a glass of water, a spoon, and a napkin.
The Priest shall take a particle of the Reserved Holy Mystery, put it into a Cup, and pour therein a little wine (to soften the Particle as much as may be sufficient for the sick one to receive).
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Trisagion Prayers (see page 32). All; Holy Trinity... Our Father. . .
For Yours is the Kingdom ... both now. . .
People:Amen. Lord have mercy (12). Glory . . . both now ...
(+) O come, let us worship and fall down before 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.
The Symbol of the Faith
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten, Begotten' of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten not made, of One Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made; Who for us and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was I made man.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose according to the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again in glory to judge both the quick and the dead; and His Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; Who spoke through the Prophets. I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Priest recites the Communion troparia:
O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker of Your mystic Supper, for I shall not betray Your mysteries to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but with the thief I will confess You, "Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom."
Glory ...
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Treasury of Blessings and Bountiful Giver of Life, Who are in all places and fill all things, come, take Your abode in us' cleansing us of every sin, and, of Your goodness, O Lord, save our souls.
Both now ... Amen.
Theotokion
We acknowledged Him God, Who was incarnate of you, O Virgin Theotokos: intercede with Him to save our souls.
People: Lord have mercy (12).
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who alone has the power to forgive sins, and are our Loving God, overlook, we beseech You, the transgressions of Your servant (Name), whether of knowledge or ignorance, granting to him (her) to partake without condemnation of Your immaculate Mysteries, not unto judgment, nor to the increase of sins, but to the cleansing of soul and body, and to the inheritance of Your Kingdom; for You are his (her) help and a firm wall and bulwark against the Adversary, and the purification of his (her) iniquities; for You are our merciful and Manbefriending God, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, into the house of my soul; for it is all deserted and in ruins, and You have not in me a fitting place to rest Your head; but since You desire to abide with me, 1, trusting in Your compassion, have come to You; bid the doors of my unworthy lips to open, that I may be satisfied with You alone; enter into me, and cleanse me from every bodily and spiritual defilement; be You my Helper and Defender, and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, through the intercessions and supplications of our all; pure Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints' who in their generation have been well pleasing unto You, for Blessed are You to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
People: I believe and confess, O Lord, that You are in truth the Christ, the Son of the Living God, that came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief; and I believe that This is truly Your own immaculate Body, and this is Your own Precious Blood; wherefore, I pray you, have mercy on me, and forgive all my transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary, of thought, word, and deed; of knowledge and ignorance; and account me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of sins and unto everlasting Life. Amen.
When the Confession of the sick one has been heard, Absolution given, the Priest prepares for the Partaking. Spreading the Paten under the chin of the sick one, the Priest gives to him (her) the Holy Mysteries, saying:
The servant of God (Name) partakes of the Precious and All; Holy Body and Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins and everlasting Life.
Lo! This has touched your lips, and your iniquities shall be taken away, and your sin purged.
After the Partaking, the Priest says:
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, the Glory of Your people Israel.
Troparion of the Day
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Lord God most merciful have compassion on you. The Lord Jesus Christ bestow on you every good desire. The Lord Almighty deliver you from every calamity. The Lord teach you. The Lord give you understanding. The Lord help you; the Lord save you. The Lord protect you the Lord keep you; the Lord cleanse you. The Lord fill you with spiritual joy. The Lord be Defender of your soul and body. The Lord, as compassionate and loving, give to you forgiveness of sins. The Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on you in the day of judgment and bless you all the days of your life.
Glory ... both now... Amen.
Theotokion of the Day
Through the prayers of all the Saints, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, and of the Theotokos, grant us Your peace and have mercy on us, for You alone are compassionate.
Blessing
The blessing (+) of the Lord, through His Divine Grace and manbefriending love, come upon you always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen
Thanksgiving after Communion
People: Glory to You, our God, glory to You. (3)
Priest: I thank You, O Lord my God, Who has granted unto me, though unworthy, to receive Your all; pure and Holy Gifts. May Your Holy Body give profit unto me to everlasting, and Your Precious Blood unto remission of sins; may this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health and gladness, and at Your dread Second Coming, render me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your Majesty, with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good and life; creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of Your all; pure Mother, and of all the Saints.
People: Amen.
Communion of the Sick in a Hospital
Priest:
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All; Holy Trinity: have mercy on us; Lord, be gracious unto our sins; Master, pardon our offenses; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Our Father, Who are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.
For the remission of sins of the servant of God (Name) and the forgiveness of all his (her) voluntary and involuntary transgressions; let us pray to the Lord.
That He will deliver him (her) and us from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by Your Grace.
Calling to remembrance our all; holy, pure, exceedingly blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints; let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
For to You are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who alone has the power to forgive sins, and are our Loving God, overlook, we beseech You, the transgressions of Your servant (Name), whether of knowledge or ignorance, granting to him (her) to partake without condemnation of Your immaculate Mysteries, not unto judgment, nor to the increase
of sins, but to the cleansing of soul and body, and to the inheritance of Your Kingdom; for You are his (her) help and a firm wall and bulwark against the Adversary, and the purification of his (her) iniquities; for You are our merciful and Man befriending God, and to You do we send up Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Priest recites the Communion troparia:
O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker of Your mystic Supper, for I shall not betray Your mysteries to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but with the thief I will confess You, "Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom."
When the Confession of the sick one has been heard, Absolution given, the Priest prepares for the Partaking, Spreading the Paten under the chin of the sick one, the Priest gives to him (her) the Holy Mysteries, saying:
The servant of God (Name) partakes of the Precious and All; Holy Body and Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins and everlasting Life.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Let Your holy Body, O Lord, be unto Life Everlasting for me, and Your precious Blood unto remission of sins. Let this holy Eucharist be a source of joy and gladness for me. At Your second coming make me worthy of standing at Your right hand, through intercessions of your holy Mother, the Theotokos, and all your Saints. Amen.
Dismissal
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
Prayers in Times of Trouble
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
(+) O Lord of Powers, be with us, for in the time of trouble we have no other help but You.
O Lord, God of Powers, have mercy on us.
Priest
O God, our help in time of need, Who are just and merciful, and Who inclines to the supplications of His people;
Look down upon us, miserable sinners, have mercy on us, and deliver us from the trouble that now besets us, for which we acknowledge we are deservedly suffering.
We acknowledge and believe, O Lord, that all the trials of this life are disposed by You for our chastisement, when we drift away from You, and disobey Your commandments;
Deal with us not according to our iniquities, but according to Your manifold mercies, for we are the works of Your hands, and You know our weaknesses:
Grant, we beseech You, Your divine helping Grace, and endow us with patience and strength to endure our tribulations with complete submission to Your Will;
You know our misery and sufferings, and to You, our only hope and refuge, we flee for relief and comfort, trusting in Your infinite love and compassion, that in due time,
When You know best, You will deliver us from this trouble, and turn our distress into comfort,
When we shall rejoice in Your mercy, and exalt and praise Your Holy Name (+) O Father, Son and Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Sub-Diaconate
At the conclusion of Orthros the candidate is brought before the bishop at the throne, and the symmartyria (canonical testimonial) is read. The bishop then makes the sign of the Cross three times over the candidate, saying:
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: Lord, our God, Who through the one and same Holy Spirit distribute gifts of grace to each one whom You have chosen; Who have given to the Church different orders; and have established different degrees of ministry therein for the service of Your holy, pure Mysteries; and Who through Your ineffable foreknowledge have ordained this Your servant (name) worthy to serve in Your holy Church. Preserve him, Lord, uncondemned in all things.
Grant that he may love the beauty of Your house, standing before the doors of Your holy temple, and lighting the lamps of the dwelling place of Your glory. Plant him in Your holy Church like a fruitful olive tree bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Make him Your perfect servant at the time of Your Second Coming, that he may receive the reward of those who are pleasing in Your sight.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The newly-ordained subdeacon stands before the bishop, holding a pitcher of water in his right hand, and a bowl in his left, with a towel placed over his left arm. The bishop washes his hands, and then splashes water in the face of the subdeacon. While he does these things, the subdeacon intones:
Subdeacon: All who are faithful. (3)
The newly-ordained subdeacon is led before the icon of the Lord Jesus Christ to prayerfully await the moment of ordination to the Diaconate.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Diaconate
During the Liturgy, after the Hierarch has intoned "And may the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all," two Deacons exit, and bring the Subdeacon is before the Hierarch. They stand on the solea, facing the Hierarch who stands in the Beautiful Gate.
1st Deacon: Command
2nd Deacon: All command
1st Deacon: Command, Holy Master, the one who presents himself before you.
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
The subdeacon addresses the bishop, then the bishop counsels the subdeacon. Afterwards, the subdeacon is brought into the sanctuary, and led by the deacons, circles the altar three times while the clergy sing:
Clergy: Hear us, you martyred Saints who have fought the good fight and received crowns, entreat the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.
Glory to you, Christ our God, the Apostles' boast and pride, the Martyrs' fervent joy whose preaching is the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah dance with joy, for the Virgin is indeed with child and brought forth a son, Emmanuel. Who came both as God and man, Day-at-the-Dawn is his name, and by magnifying him, we call the Virgin blessed.
They bring the Candidate to the Hierarch at the front of the Altar. The Subdeacon kneels before the Altar placing his hands on the Altar and his head upon his hands. The Hierarch makes the sign of the Cross three times over his head. After the Deacon proclaims, "Let us be attentive!" the Hierarch places his hand on the head of the Subdeacon and recites the Prayer, "The Divine grace…”
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Bishop: The divine grace, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, ordains the most devout Subdeacon (name) to the office of Deacon. Let us, therefore, pray for him, that the grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
The clergy in the Holy of Holies say:
Clergy: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: Lord our God, in Your providence You send your Holy Spirit upon those who are ordained by Your unsearchable power to become servants to minister Your Pure Mysteries, do You Lord, look upon this man whom You have consented to be ordained by me to the service of the Diaconate and preserve him in all humility, that he may hold the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
Grant to him the grace which You gave to Stephen, Your first martyr, whom You called first to the ministry of Your Diaconate. Make him worthy to please You as he serves You in the office which you, in your goodness, bestowed upon him. For those who minister well prepare themselves for good reward; and proclaim him Your perfect servant.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The first deacon recites the following petitions in a low voice while the clergy in the Holy of Holies slowly respond "Lord, have mercy."
1st Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (Name), and our Bishop (Name) for his priesthood, sustenance, sojourn, peace, health, salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name of the new deacon), who has now been ordained a deacon, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That God who loves mankind will grant to him a pure and blameless diaconate, let us pray to the Lord.
For this parish and this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most-blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Chanters: To You, O Lord.
Bishop: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
While the 1st deacon intones the petitions, the bishop reads the following prayer with his hand still on the new deacon's head:
Bishop: O God our Savior, by your immortal voice You established the office of the diaconate through Your Apostles and showed forth the First martyr Stephen whom You elected first to fulfill the work of a deacon. It is written in your holy Gospel, "whoever would be first among you, let him be your servant." Lord of all fill this, Your servant, whom you have consented to enter the ministry of a deacon with the totality of faith, love, power, and sanctification by the descent of Your Holy and Life-giving Spirit. For not through the laying on of my hands, but by the divine visitation of your rich mercies grace is bestowed upon your worthy ones; that he, liberated from every sin, may stand blameless by You in the awesome Day of Judgment and receive the true reward of Your promise.
For You are our God, and to You we ascribe glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
Everyone stands and the bishop proclaims the newly-ordained Deacon "Axios!" ("worthy") to which the congregation responds "Axios!"
The bishop will hold up each item of the deacon's vestments and again proclaim "Axios!" each time to which the congregation also responds "Axios!" and vests the new deacon.
The Holy Sacrament of Ordination to the Priesthood
During the Divine Liturgy, after the completion of the Cherubic Hymn following the Great Entrance, two priests exit, and bring the deacon before the bishop. They stand on the solea, facing the bishop who stands in the Royal Doors.
1st Priest: Command.
2nd Priest: All Command.
1st Priest: Command, holy Master, the one who is now being presented to you.
Bishop: In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (3)
The deacon addresses the bishop, then the bishop counsels the bishop. Afterwards, the deacon is brought into the sanctuary, and led by the priests, circles the altar three times while the clergy sing:
Clergy: Hear us, you martyred Saints who have fought the good fight and received crowns, entreat the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.
Glory to you, Christ our God, the Apostles' boast and pride, the
Martyrs' fervent joy whose preaching is the consubstantial Trinity.
O Isaiah dance with joy, for the Virgin is indeed with child and
brought forth a son, Emmanuel. Who came both as God and man, Day-at-the-Dawn is his name, and by magnifying him, we call the Virgin blessed.
They bring the candidate to the bishop, who makes the sign of the cross three times over his head. The deacon kneels before the altar placing his hands on the altar and his head upon his hands. After the 1st deacon proclaims, "Let us be attentive!" the bishop places his hand on the head of the deacon and recites the prayer, "The Divine grace ..."
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Bishop: The divine grace, which always heals that which is infirm and completes that which is lacking, ordains the most devout Deacon (name) to the office of Priest. Let us, therefore, pray for him, that the grace of the All-Holy Spirit may come upon him.
The clergy in the Holy of Holies say:
Clergy: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bishop: O God without beginning or end, Who are before every created thing, and Who honors with the title of Presbyter those whom You deem worthy to serve the word of Your truth in the divine ministry of this order: You, the same sovereign Master, preserve in purity of life and in unswerving faith this man whom You have been pleased to ordain through me by the laying on of hands, graciously imparting to him the great grace of Your Holy Spirit, making him wholly Your servant, well-pleasing to You in all things, and worthily exercising this great honor of the Priesthood which You conferred upon him by the power of Your wisdom.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
The senior priest recites the following petitions in a low voice while the clergy in the Holy of Holies slowly respond "Lord, have mercy."
1st Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (Name), and our Bishop (Name) for his priesthood, sustenance, sojourn, peace, health, salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name of the new presbyter), who has now been ordained a presbyter, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (Name), and our Bishop (Name) for his priesthood, sustenance, sojourn, peace, health, salvation, and for the works of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God (Name of the new presbyter), who has now been ordained a presbyter, and for his salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That God who loves mankind will grant to him a pure and blameless priesthood, let us pray to the Lord.
For this parish and this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most-blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Chanters: To You, O Lord.
Bishop: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
While the Senior Priest intones the petitions, the Hierarch reads the following prayer with his hand still on the new presbyter’s head:
Bishop: O God, great in might and inscrutable in wisdom, marvelous in counsel above the sons of men: You the same Lord, fill with the gift of Your Holy Spirit this man whom it has pleased You to advance to the degree of Priest; that he may become worthy to stand in innocence before Your altar, to proclaim the Gospel of Your kingdom, to minister the word of Your truth, to offer to You spiritual gifts and sacrifices; to renew Your people through the font of regeneration, that when he shall go to meet You, at the second coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, he may receive the reward of good stewardship in the order given to him, through the plenitude of Your goodness.
For blessed and glorified is Your all-holy and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
Everyone stands. The bishop proclaims the newly-ordained priest "Axios!" ("worthy") to which the congregation responds "Axios!"
The bishop will hold up each item of the Priest's vestments and again proclaim "Axios!" each time to which the congregation also responds "Axios!" and vests the new priest.
After the consecration of the Eucharist, the bishop places the body of Christ into the new priest's hands with the following admonition:
Bishop: Receive this Divine Trust, and guard it until the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, at which time He will demand It from you.
For this parish and this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most-blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.
Chanters: To You, O Lord.
Bishop: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
While the Senior Priest intones the petitions, the Hierarch reads the following prayer with his hand still on the new presbyter’s head:
Bishop: O God, great in might and inscrutable in wisdom, marvelous in counsel above the sons of men: You the same Lord, fill with the gift of Your Holy Spirit this man whom it has pleased You to advance to the degree of Priest; that he may become worthy to stand in innocence before Your altar, to proclaim the Gospel of Your kingdom, to minister the word of Your truth, to offer to You spiritual gifts and sacrifices; to renew Your people through the font of regeneration, that when he shall go to meet You, at the second coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, he may receive the reward of good stewardship in the order given to him, through the plenitude of Your goodness.
For blessed and glorified is Your all-holy and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever and to the ages of ages.
Chanters: Amen.
Everyone stands. The bishop proclaims the newly-ordained priest "Axios!" ("worthy") to which the congregation responds "Axios!"
The bishop will hold up each item of the Priest's vestments and again proclaim "Axios!" each time to which the congregation also responds "Axios!" and vests the new priest.
After the consecration of the Eucharist, the bishop places the body of Christ into the new priest's hands with the following admonition:
Bishop: Receive this Divine Trust, and guard it until the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, at which time He will demand It from you.
Memorials and Funerals
Funeral Service for Infants
The Trisagion for the Dead
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader
Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All;Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake, and have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who is in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia
Tone 4
With the spirits of the righteous made perfect give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior; and keep it safe in that life of blessedness that is lived with You, O Friend of Man.
In the place of Your rest, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul; of Your servant, for You alone are Immortal.
Glory to the Father ...
You are our God Who went down to Hades to loose the pains of the dead that were there; give rest also to the I soul of Your servant.
Both now. .
O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate, that in maiden-motherhood brought forth God, intercede for his (her) soul that he (she) may have mercy and salvation.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children . . .
For older children
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Let the Lord establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell; receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said: "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to You, O God, our hope; glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
On the way to the church the Holy God (3) is sung slowly.
In Church
Priest:
Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then the Ah, the blameless in the way ... (see page 102); the Eulogetaria, Blessed are You, O Lord (page 105); followed by With the saints give rest (page 106).
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Blessed is the way wherein you walk today, for there is prepared for you a place of rest. (3)
Unto You, O Lord, will I cry.
The reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. (Rom. 6:9-11)
Brethren, we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Priest:
Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace
be to all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
The reading from the Holy Gospel of St. Luke. (Luke 18: 15-17, 26-27) Let us attend.
At that time, they were bringing even infants to him, that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children ... For only Yours . . .
For older children
Have mercy on us, O God .(see page 99) Again we pray for the repose ... Let the Lord God establish ...
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Apolysis.
Glory to You, O God, our hope; glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
At the farewell the following are sung:
Tone 8
Who would not lament for you, my child, as your end journey begins from this world to another home? For while still a little child, all too soon from your mother's arms, as might a birdling on speeding wing upborne, are you departed to Him that made all things. O child, who from lament could refrain when he beholds your lovely face, which was like a gladsome rose, now fading fast away?
Who would not with groaning sighs, my child, and floods of clamorous tears mourn the wealth of your comeliness and the beauty shining forth from the innocence of your heart? For like a caravel which leaves no wake behind, so are you vanished, and from my eyes are sped. Come, my beloved friends, kinsfolk, neighbors, now draw nigh to join with me in the kiss of last farewell, and bear him (her) to his (her) grave. Priest
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
At the grave
The Trisagion is sung. (See 'Trisagion for the Dead')
Funeral Service for Infants During Renewal Week
Similar to that service on pages 119-125 except that instead of O God of all spirits we say O Lord Who watches over children The Epistle and Gospel readings are those of the service for infants.
Funeral Service for Infants
The Trisagion for the Dead
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader
Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All;Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake, and have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who is in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia
Tone 4
With the spirits of the righteous made perfect give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior; and keep it safe in that life of blessedness that is lived with You, O Friend of Man.
In the place of Your rest, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul; of Your servant, for You alone are Immortal.
Glory to the Father ...
You are our God Who went down to Hades to loose the pains of the dead that were there; give rest also to the I soul of Your servant.
Both now. .
O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate, that in maiden-motherhood brought forth God, intercede for his (her) soul that he (she) may have mercy and salvation.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children . . .
For older children
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Let the Lord establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell; receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said: "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to You, O God, our hope; glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
On the way to the church the Holy God (3) is sung slowly.
In Church
Priest:
Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Then the Ah, the blameless in the way ... (see page 102); the Eulogetaria, Blessed are You, O Lord (page 105); followed by With the saints give rest (page 106).
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Blessed is the way wherein you walk today, for there is prepared for you a place of rest. (3)
Unto You, O Lord, will I cry.
The reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. (Rom. 6:9-11)
Brethren, we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Priest:
Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace
be to all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
The reading from the Holy Gospel of St. Luke. (Luke 18: 15-17, 26-27) Let us attend.
At that time, they were bringing even infants to him, that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children ... For only Yours . . .
For older children
Have mercy on us, O God .(see page 99) Again we pray for the repose ... Let the Lord God establish ...
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (Name), for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
For only Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All; Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Apolysis.
Glory to You, O God, our hope; glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, I and all; praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and theophoric Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of His holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers ...
At the farewell the following are sung:
Tone 8
Who would not lament for you, my child, as your end journey begins from this world to another home? For while still a little child, all too soon from your mother's arms, as might a birdling on speeding wing upborne, are you departed to Him that made all things. O child, who from lament could refrain when he beholds your lovely face, which was like a gladsome rose, now fading fast away?
Who would not with groaning sighs, my child, and floods of clamorous tears mourn the wealth of your comeliness and the beauty shining forth from the innocence of your heart? For like a caravel which leaves no wake behind, so are you vanished, and from my eyes are sped. Come, my beloved friends, kinsfolk, neighbors, now draw nigh to join with me in the kiss of last farewell, and bear him (her) to his (her) grave. Priest
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
At the grave
The Trisagion is sung. (See 'Trisagion for the Dead')
Funeral Service for Infants During Renewal Week
Similar to that service on pages 119-125 except that instead of O God of all spirits we say O Lord Who watches over children The Epistle and Gospel readings are those of the service for infants.
Funeral Service
Priest: Blessed is our Lord God, always; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The First Stasis, in Tone 6
Ah, the blameless in the way. Alleluia. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. Alleluia. My soul is worn with endless longing for Your judgments at all times. Alleluia. My soul has slumbered from sorrow; strengthen me with Your words. Alleluia. Incline my heart unto Your testimonies, and not unto covetousness. Alleluia. Despair took hold on me because of sinners that forsake Your Law. Alleluia. I am a partaker with all that fear You, and with them that keep Your commandments. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; listen, and have mercy. Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life; and for the forgiveness of his (her), every transgression, voluntary; and involuntary. Let the Lord establish his (her), soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her), sins; let us ask of Christ our immortal King and our God. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Second Stasis, in Tone 5
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandments. Have mercy on me, O Lord. For I am become as a bottle in the frost; yet Your statutes have not forgotten. Have mercy on me, O Lord. I am Yours, O save me; for after Your statutes have I sought. Have mercy on me, O Lord. From Your judgments I have not declined, for You have set a Law for me. Have mercy on me, O Lord. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, forever, in return for Your mercies. Have mercy on me, O Lord. It is time to serve the Lord; but they have violated Your law. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
Glory … Both now … Have mercy on me Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Stasis, in Tone 8
And have mercy upon me. Alleluia. Look upon me, and have mercy on me. According to the judgment of them that love Your Name. Alleluia. I am young and accounted as nothing. Your statutes have I not forgotten. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Your mercy; According to Your judgments quicken me. Alleluia. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, and because of Your words my heart has been afraid. Alleluia.
My soul shall live, and shall praise You, And Your judgments will help me. Alleluia.
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. For You are the Resurrection and the Life and the Repose of Your servant (Name) O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages:
Choir: Amen.
Evlogetaria for the Dead
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
The Choir of the Saints has found the Fountain of Life, and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance: the sheep that was lost am I; call me up to You, O Savior,and save me.
If there are more than three priests, each repeats after reach "Troparion ": "Let us pray to the Lord," followed by "For You are the Resurrection and the Life."
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
You Who of old did fashion me out of nothingness, and with Your Image divine did honor me; but because of transgression of Your commandments did return me again to the earth where I was taken; lead me back to be refashioned into that ancient beauty of Your Likeness.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Image am I of Your unutterable glory, though I bear the scars of my stumblings. Have compassion on me, the work of Your hands, O Sovereign Lord, and cleanse me through Your loving-kindness; and the homeland of my heart's desire bestow on me by making me a citizen of Paradise.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Give rest, O God, unto Your servant, and appoint for him (her) a place in Paradise; where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and the just will shine forth like stars; to Your servant that is sleeping now do You give rest, overlooking all his (her) offenses.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The Trinal Radiance of One Godhead with reverent song acclaiming let us cry; Holy are You, O Eternal Father, and Son also Eternal, and Spirit Divine; shine with Your light on us who with faith adore You; and from the fire eternal rescue us.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Hail, O Gracious Lady, that in the flesh bears God for salvation of all; and through whom the human race has found salvation: through You may we find Paradise, Theotokos, our Lady pure and blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; Glory to You, O God.
Tone 8
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of servant where there is not pain, nor any sorrow, nor any sighing, but Life everlasting.
Composed by St. John of Damascus
Tone I
Where is the pleasure in life which is unmixed with sorrow? Where the glory which on earth has stood firm and unchanged? All things are weaker than shadow, all more illusive than dreams; comes one fell stroke, and Death in turn, prevails over all these vanities. Wherefore in the Light, O Christ, of Your countenance, the sweetness of Your beauty, to him (her) whom You have chosen grant repose, for You are the Friend of Mankind.
Tone 2
Like a blossom that wastes away, and like a dream that passes and is gone, so is every mortal into dust resolved; but again, when the trumpet sounds its call, as though at a quaking of the earth, all the dead shall arise and go forth to meet You, O Christ our God: on that day, O Lord, for him (her) whom You have withdrawn from among us appoint a place in the tents of Your Saints; yea, for the spirit of Your servant, O Christ.
Another in Tone 2
Alas! What an agony the soul endures when from the body it is parting; how many are her tears for weeping, but there is none that will show compassion: unto the angels she turns with downcast eyes; useless are her supplications; and unto men she extends her imploring hands, but finds none to bring her rescue. Thus, my beloved brethren, let us all ponder well how brief is the span of our life; and peaceful rest for him (her) that now is gone, let us ask of Christ, and also His abundant mercy for our souls.
Tone 3
Vanity are all the works and quests of man, and they have no being after death has come; our wealth is with us no longer. How can our glory go with us? For when death has come all these things are vanished clean away. Wherefore to Christ the Immortal King let us cry, "To him (her) that has departed grant repose where a home is prepared for all those whose hearts You have filled with gladness."
Tone 4
Terror truly past compare is by the mystery of death inspired; now the soul and the body part, disjoined by resistless might, and their concord is broken; and the bond of nature which made them live and grow as one, now by the edict of God is rest in twain. Wherefore now we implore Your aid grant that Your servant now gone to rest where the just that are Yours abide, Life-bestower and Friend of Mankind.
Tone 4
Where is now our affection for earthly things? Where is now the alluring pomp of transient questing? Where is now our gold, and our silver? Where is now the surging crowd of domestics, and their busy cries? All is dust, all is ashes, all is shadow. Wherefore draw near that we may cry to our immortal King,"Lord, Your everlasting blessings vouchsafe unto him (her) that now has gone away. bringing him (her) to repose in that blessedness which never grows old."
Tone 5
I Called to mind the Prophet who shouted, "I am but earth and ash." And once again I looked with attention on the tombs, and I saw the bones therein which of flesh were naked; and I said, "Which indeed is he that is king? Or which is soldier? Which is the wealthy, which the needy? Which the righteous, or which the sinner?" But to Your servant, O Lord, grant that with the righteous he (she) may repose.
Tone 6
My beginning and foundation was the form; bestowing Word of Your commandment; for it pleased You to make me by compounding visible and invisible nature into a living thing. Out of earth was my body formed and made, but a soul You gave me by the Divine and Life-creating in-breathing. Wherefore, O Christ, to Your servant in the land of the living, in the courts of the righteous, do You grant repose.
Tone 7
Bring to his (her) rest, O our Savior, You giver of life, our brother (sister) whom You have withdrawn from this transient world, for he (she) lifts up his (her) voice to cry: "Glory to You."
Another in Tone 7
When in Your own image and likeness You in the beginning did create and fashion man, You gave him a home in Paradise, and made him the chief of your creation. But by the devil's envy, alas, beguiled to eat the fruit forbidden, transgressor then of Your commandments he became; wherefore back to earth,from which he first was taken, You did sentence him to return again, O Lord, and to pray You to give him rest.
Tone 8
Weep, and with tears lament when with understanding I think on death, and see how in the graves there sleeps the beauty which once for us was fashioned in the image of God, but now is shapeless, ignoble, and bare of all the graces. O how strange a thing; what is this mystery which concerns us humans? Why were we given up to decay? And why to death united in wedlock? Truly, as it is written, these things come to pass by ordinance of God, Who to him (her), now gone gives rest.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The death which You have endured, O Lord, is become the harbinger of deathlessness; if You had not been laid in Your tomb, then would not the gates of Paradise have been opened;wherefore to him (her), now gone from us give rest, for You are the Friend of Mankind.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin chaste and holy, Gateway of the Word, Mother of our God, make supplication that his (her) soul find mercy.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Blessed is the way wherein you walk today, for there is prepared for you a place of rest. (3)
Unto You, O Lord, will I cry.
The Epistle
Priest:Wisdom!
The reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. (I Thess. 4:13-18)
Priest:Wisdom. Let us attend.
Reader: Brethren, we would not have you ignorant concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Priest: Peace be to you who reads.
Reader: And with your spirit.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel
Priest: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel of St. John. (John 5:24‑30)
Let us attend.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: The Lord said to those Jews which had come to him: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life 'in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him the authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You listen and have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name) departed this life; and for the forgiveness of him (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. Lord have mercy.
Let the Lord God establish him (her) soul where the just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and remission of him (her) sins: let us ask of Christ our Immortal King and our God. Lord have mercy. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The first-ranking priest approaches the deceased and says the following prayer in a loud voice; the other priests present simultaneously say the same prayer inaudibly.
O God of all spirits and flesh, Who has trodden down death, destroying the power of the devil, bestowing life on Your world. to the soul of Your servant (Name) departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning are fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our good and loving God forgive, seeing that there is no man that shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin: Your righteousness, and Your law is truth.
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up Glory, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Each of the priests in turn blesses the deceased and says:
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up Glory, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
If the Funeral Service is presided over by a Bishop, he then says the following Prayer of Absolution.
Prayers of Absolution
For the loosing from every curse and interdict, read for the deceased person by the Bishop.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who by Your unutterable wisdom have fashioned man out of the dust and transformed him into comeliness and beauty; and have adorned him, as a precious and heavenly creature, for doxology and magnificence of Your glory and Kingdom, in that You brought him into existence as a being fashioned according to Your image and likeness; and Who, when he had transgressed the commandment of Your ordinance, and kept it not, although he participated in Your image, gave command for this reason, as God of our fathers, to prevent evil from becoming immortal, decreeing that his composite and mixture, this bond which You made for joining body and soul unbreakably, should be sundered by Your divine Will, and be dissolved; so that the soul would withdraw where it had required existence, and there abide until the general Resurrection; whereas the body would break up into the elements out of which it had first been compounded; for this reason we pray You, the beginning-less Father, and Your Only; Begotten Son, and Your All-Holy, Consubstantial and Life-creating Spirit, that endured not to see the work of Your fashioning swallowed up by destruction, but rather let the body indeed be dissolved into the elements,and let the soul be appointed a place in the Choir of the Just: Yea, O Lord our God, let Your Immeasurable mercy prevail, and Your man befriending love which is beyond compare; and if this servant has incurred the curse of father or mother, or a ban invoked upon himself (herself); or if he (she) has provoked any priest to bitter severity, and from him has incurred a ban unbreakable; or if he (she) has incurred a Bishop's very grievous interdict, but through thoughtlessness and needlessness has failed to obtain forgiveness; do You forgive him (her) through me, Your sinful and unworthy servant; and let his (her) body indeed dissolve into its elements, but his (her) soul do You appoint to dwell in the tents of the Saints. Yea, O Lord our God, Who to Your holy Disciples and Apostles gave this authority for granting remission of sins, and did say that whatsoever things they would bind and loose, those things would be bound and would be loosed; and Who through them in Your man befriending love has caused to be transmitted to us also, unworthy though we be, the same gift in equal measure; loose this Your servant (Name), now fallen asleep from sin of soul and body, and make him (her) to be now forgiven in this present world and in the world to come;through the intercessions of Your all-pure and Ever Virgin Mother, and of all the Saints. Amen.
Second Prayer of Absolution
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Greatly merciful Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who after Your holy, third-day resurrection from the dead gave to Your holy Disciples and Apostles the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the authority of Your Grace both to bind and to loose the sins of men, so that bound in Heaven would be whatsoever things through them might be bound on earth, and likewise loosed in Heaven whatsoever things; through them might be loosed; and gave also that as their successors, we, Your deficient and unworthy servants, should have, by Your unutterable and man befriending love, this same exceedingly holy Gift and Grace from You, so that we in like manner should both bind and loose the things that happen to be done among Your people; Yourself, All-Good King, through me, Your humble and unprofitable servant, forgive this Your servant whatsoever mistakes as a human being he (she) has made in this present life: remit for him (her) whatsoever sins he (she) has committed in word, deed, and thought: and loose him (her) also from any ban which in any wise whatsoever has come upon him (her), whether he (she) himself (herself) out of recklessness or by some other fault has bound it upon himself (herself); or, by a Bishop or another, when, because of the envy and cooperation of the Evil One, he (she) stumbled into so grievous a state: be well pleased, as alone Good and greatly merciful, that his (her) soul be appointed a place with the Saints which from everlasting have been well pleasing to You, but that his (her) body be given to the nature which You have fashioned; for blessed and glorified are You to the ages. Amen.
Apolysis
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope; glory to You.
Choir: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Father, give the blessing.
Priest: May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless,pure, and holy Mother; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; may He give rest to our brother (sister), who has departed from us, and number him (her) among the just and holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Everlasting be your memory, O our brother, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3).
For women:
Everlasting be your memory, O our sister, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3).
And the Choir begins the Stikhera of the Last Kiss, singing as many as may be needed to fill up the time until all have said Farewell.
Tone 2
Brethren, come, and let us a farewell kiss give to him (her) whom death has taken, and offer thanks to God. For he (she) has departed from the bosom of his (her) kin; and he (she) hastens to burial, no longer remembering vanity, nor yet the flesh which is often sore distressed. Where are now his (her) kindred and comrades? Now is come the hour of partings: let us pray to the Lord to bring him (her) to his (her) rest.
Tone 2
Brethren, what at this last moment means your distress of parting, your wailing? What means your funeral dirge? Come, and give a kiss to him (her) so lately with us: for consigned to the grave is he (she) with stone is he (she) to be covered. Darkness is his (her) dwelling place; he (she) with the dead is entombed. Come, all you his (her) kindred and comrades: now is come the hour of parting. Let us pray to the Lord to bring him (her) to his (her) rest.
Theotokion
Mother of the never setting Sun, Parent of our God, O preserve them that set their hope on you; intercede, we pray you, with our greatly gracious Lord, that repose may be granted him (her) that now is departed. In that habitation where repose the souls of the Just: and unto everlasting remembrance set him (her) in the courts of the Righteous, made all-blameless, as the heir of blessings divine.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Looking on me as I lie here prone before you, voiceless and unbreathing, mourn for me, everyone; brethren and friends, kindred, and you who knew me well; for but yesterday with you I was talking, and suddenly there came upon me the fearful hour of death: therefore come, all you that long for me, and kiss me with the last kiss of parting. For no longer shall I walk with you, nor talk with you henceforth: for to the Judge I go, where no person is valued for his (her) earthly station: Yea, slave and master together stand before Him, king and soldier, rich man and poor man, all accounted of equal rank: for each one, according to his (her) own deeds shall be glorified, or shall be put to shame. Therefore I beg you all, and implore you, to offer prayer unceasingly for me to Christ our God, that I be not assigned for my sins to the place of torment; but that He assign me to the place where there is Light of Life.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 6
Through the prayers of her that gave You birth, O Christ, and the prayers of Your Forerunner, of Apostles, Prophets, Hierarchs, Ascetics, and of the Righteous, and of all the Saints, to Your sleeping servant do You grant repose.
Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy and save us.
Choir: Amen.
If a Bishop is Presiding, he says:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers …
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Bishop. . .
After the last farewell has been given we proceed to the grave, singing:
I weep, and with tears lament . . .
The Burial
At the gravesite the Trisagion is sung. Then the Priest sprinkles the deceased in the form of the Cross with oil, saying:
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean. You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Then the priest sprinkles the deceased in the form of the Cross with earth, saying:
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell therein. You are dust, and to dust you will return.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers …
Funeral Service During Renewal Week
If any of the brethren dies during the holy week (if' Renewal, we do not sing the customary Funeral Service but that of the Resurrection. This same service is also sung on the Apodosis of Easter. Meanwhile, during the period between the end of Renewal Week and the Apodosis, the regular service is sung except that instead of Holy God we sing Christ is risen. On the way to the church we also sing “Christ is risen. Instead of' Brethren, conic and let us a farewell kiss,” we sing “Resurrection Day is dawning.”
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (3).
Jesus, having risen from the grave, as He foretold, has given us Eternal Life and great Mercy.
Priest
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great
Mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Let the Lord God establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest
O God of all spirits . . . (see page 100).
For You are the Resurrection ...
Apolysis
Glory to You, O God our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all‑praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just, through His goodness and compassion as our merciful God.
Everlasting be your memory, O our brother (sister), who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
In the church
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And then is sung,
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Choir
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (2).
Priest
Have mercy on us, O God ... Again we pray for the repose . . . That the Lord God establish ... (seepage 99).
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection ... (see pp. 104).
Then the katavasia of Easter are sung as follows:
Ode 1, Tone I
Resurrection Day is dawning! Let us shine forth with its light! Pascha, the Lord's own Pascha! For out of death into life, and from earth into His Heaven has Christ our God taken us, in safety singing our triumphal song.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave, as He foretold, has given us Eternal Life and great Mercy.
Priest
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For You are the Resurrection and the Life and the repose of Your servant, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ode 3
Come, of this new drink let us drink deeply. Not such it water a, Prophet once drew from sterile rock, but life immortal which is Christ abundantly pours forth from His grave; in Him we have our strength.
Christ is risen (3) Jesus, having risen Priest
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For You are the Resurrection ...
Ode 4
With us now share our holy watch; let Prophet Habakkuk now stand and for us reveal the first gleaming of the dawn the angel brings with words that pierce our hearts with joy: "This is the day that brings men salvation, for Christ is risen from death as our Almighty Lord."
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 5
Come, and let us rise ere comes the dawning, and bring not myrrh but our praises as offering to the Master; then our eyes shall look on Christ, our radiant Sun of Righteousness, rising to lighten the world with light.
Christ is risen (3) Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 6
You went down into the deeps of the abyss to destroy the cruel bars that for ages held men in weary bondage, O Christ, and as Jonah rose from the sea beast in three days, You are risen from Your grave.
Christ is risen (3) . . . Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 7
The Children from the furnace were saved alive by Him that was born of man, Who as Man knew pain, and by His suffering clothed our flesh with beauty of His immortality; the Lord that alone was blessed by our Fathers, our God exceedingly glorious.
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 8
Now has dawned that day most renowned and most holy, the first of the Sabbaths, hailed as queen and sovereign. Fairest Feast of all feasts and most joyous celebration of all celebrations, when we tell how blessed is Christ unto all ages.
Christ is risen (3) . . . Jesus, having risen . . .
Ode 9
The angel, when he saw Mary Full‑of‑Grace, cried saying:
O holy Maid, I hail you! Yea, once again I hail you, for in the days returning your Son from death has risen; O shine with clear radiance, you new Jerusalem, for now on you is dawning glory from the risen Lord; dance now for joy, and be glad, O Zion; grieve now no more, Maiden Theotokos, but look with joy on your risen Son."
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen . . .
The Exaposteilarion
Tone 2
On You as Man the sleep of death descended, our King and Lord, but in three days are You risen, and raise Adam from decay and have destroyed the might of Death, Pascha of incorruption, salvation of all the world.
Then the Epistle and the Gospel of the day.
People: Glory to You, O Lord; glory to You.
Priest
Have mercy on us . . Again we pray ... (seep. 99)
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O God of all spirits and of every flesh, Who did trod down death and overcome the devil, bestowing life on this Your world, to the soul of this Your servant (Name), departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of fight, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our Good and Loving God forgive; seeing that there is no man who shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth; for You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father and Your All‑Holy, Good and Life‑creating Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
If a bishop is present he reads one of the prayers of absolution:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.
O Lord our God, Who by Your unutterable wisdom have fashioned man out of the dust and transformed him into comeliness and beauty; and have adorned him, as a precious and heavenly creature, for doxology and magnificence of Your glory and Kingdom, in that You brought him into existence as a being fashioned according to Your image and likeness; and Who, when he had transgressed the commandment of Your ordinance, and kept it not, although he participated in Your image, gave command for this reason, as God of our fathers, to prevent evil from becoming immortal, decreeing that his composite and mixture, this bond which You made for joining body and soul unbreakably, should be sundered by Your divine Will, and be dissolved; so that the soul would withdraw where it had required existence, and there abide until the general Resurrection; whereas the body would break up into the elements out of which it had first been compounded; for this reason we pray You, the beginningless Father, and Your Only‑Begotten Son, and Your All‑Holy, Consubstantial and Life‑creating Spirit, that endured not to see the work of Your fashioning swallowed up by destruction, but rather let the body indeed be dissolved into the elements, and let the soul be appointed a place in the Choir of the Just: Yea, O Lord our God, let Your Immeasurable mercy prevail, and Your manbefriending love which is beyond compare; and if this servant has incurred the curse of father or mother, or a ban invoked upon himself (herself); or if he (she) has provoked any priest to bitter severity, and from him has incurred a ban unbreakable; or if he (she) has incurred a Bishop's very grievous interdict, but through thoughtlessness and needlessness has failed to obtain forgiveness; do You forgive him (her) through me, Your sinful and unworthy servant; and let his (her) body indeed dissolve into its elements, but his (her) soul do You appoint to dwell in the tentings of the Saints. Yea, O Lord our God, Who to Your holy Disciples and Apostles gave this authority for granting remission of sins, and did say that whatsoever things they would bind and loose, those things would be bound and would be loosed; and Who through them in Your manbefriending love has caused to be transmitted to us also, unworthy though we be, the same gift in equal measure; loose this Your servant (Name), now fallen asleep from sin of soul and body, and make him (her) to be now forgiven in this present world and in the world to come; through the intercessions of Your all‑pure and Ever Virgin Mother, and of all the Saints. Amen.
Second Prayer of Absolution
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Greatly merciful Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who after Your holy, third‑day resurrection from the dead gave to Your holy Disciples and Apostles the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the authority of Your Grace both to bind and to loose the sins of men, so that bound in Heaven would be whatsoever things through them might be bound on earth, and likewise loosed in Heaven whatsoever things‑ through them might be loosed; and gave also that as their successors, we, Your deficient and unworthy servants, should have, by Your unutterable and manbefriending love, this same exceedingly holy Gift and Grace from You, so that we in like manner should both bind and loose the things that happen to be done among Your people; Yourself, All‑Good King, through me, Your humble and unprofitable servant, forgive this Your servant whatsoever mistakes as a human being he (she) has made in this present life: remit for him (her) whatsoever sins he (she) has committed in word, deed, and thought: and loose him (her) also from any ban which in any wise whatsoever has come upon him (her), whether he (she) himself (herself) out of recklessness or by some other fault has bound it upon himself (herself); or, by a Bishop or another, when, because of the envy and cooperation of the Evil One, he (she) stumbled into so grievous a state: be well pleased, as alone Good and greatly merciful, that his (her) soul be appointed a place with the Saints which from everlasting have been well pleasing to You, but that his (her) body be given to the nature which You have fashioned; for blessed and glorified are You to the ages. Amen.
Priest
Apolysis
Glory to You, O our God and our hope, glory to You. Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, through the intercessions of His spotless, pure, all‑holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all‑praiseworthy Apostles; of the venerable and theophoric Fathers, and of all the Saints, establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from among us in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just; and have mercy on us as our good and loving Lord.
Everlasting be your memory
Instead of the Brethren, come and let us a farewell kiss, we sing the following:
Glory ... both now ...
Resurrection Day is dawning! Let us shine with its light! Pascha, the Lord's own Pascha! For out of death into life, and from earth into His Heaven has Christ our God taken us, in safety singing our triumphal song.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Priest
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Exiting from the church we say:
Resurrection Day is dawning ...
At the grave
The priest reads the Trisagion.
Then he says: You shall sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean. You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell therein. You are dust, and the dust you will return.
Apolysis.
Trisagion for the Dead
"For you are all one in Jesus Christ." --Galatians 3:28
When a pious Orthodox Christian dies, the Clergy are invited by one of his (her) relatives. Coming to the place, where the deceased lies, the Clergy put on their vestments, take up the censer, and begin.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
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 are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, I of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia, Tone 4
With the spirits of the righteous made perfect Give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior; And keep it safe in that life of blessedness That is lived with You, O Friend of Man.
In the place of Your rest, O Lord, Where all Your Saints repose, Give rest also to the soul of Your servant, For You alone are immortal.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
You are our God Who went down to Hades To loose the pains of the dead that were there; Give rest also to the soul of Your servant, O Savior.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate that in maiden-motherhood brought forth God, intercede for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy on us. O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Let the Lord God establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O God of all spirits and of every flesh, Who did trod down death and overcome the devil, bestowing life on this Your world, to the soul of this Your servant (Name), departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our Good and Loving God forgive; seeing that there is no man who shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth; for You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Reader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Holy Father Bless.
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope; glory to You. May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all;praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just, through His goodness and compassion as our merciful God.
For Men: Everlasting be your memory, O our brother, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3)
For women: Everlasting be your memory, O our sister, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
When all things are ready for the funeral, the priest blesses again, and we begin to sing the Trisagion.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Taking up the body, we take it to the church, where it is placed on the solea The priest leads the way, singing the Trisagion and holding the censer.
Memorial Service
THE TRISAGION
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
People: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: All‑holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for the glory of Your name.
People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
People: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
People:Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant. Bestow upon it the blessed life which is from You, O loving Lord.
People:Within Your peace, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are Immortal.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:O Savior, You are our God who descended into Hades and delivered from suffering those who were bound there. Grant rest also to the soul of Your servant.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Most pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede with Him for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (Name), and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: May the Lord God grant that his (her) soul rest where the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of his (her) sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O God of spirits and of all flesh, You have trampled upon death and have abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul of Your departed servant (Name) in a place of light, in a place of repose, in a place of refreshment, where there is no pain, sorrow, and suffering. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin he (she) has committed in thought, word or deed, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
Priest:For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servant (Name), Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your allholy, good and life‑giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest:Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
Priest:May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead and as immortal King has authority over the living and the dead, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of his spotless holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and God‑bearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of his holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints, establish the soul of His servant (Name) departed from us, in the dwelling place of the Saints; grant rest to him (her) in the bosom of Abraham and number him (her) among the righteous.
Priest:May your memory be eternal, dear brother, worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
(For women)
Priest:May your memory be eternal, dear sister, worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
Priest:Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:The choir of Saints has found the fountain of life and the door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance. I am the sheep that is lost: O Savior, call me back and save me.
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:Of old You created me from nothing and honored me with Your divine image. But when I disobeyed Your commandment, O Lord, You cast me down to the earth from where I was taken. Lead me back again to Your likeness, and renew my original beauty.
People:Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:I am an image of Your ineffable glory, though I bear the scars of my transgressions. On Your creation, Master, take pity and cleanse me by Your compassion. Grant me the homeland for which I long and once again make me a citizen of Paradise.
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:Give rest, O God, to Your servant, and place him (her) in Paradise where the choirs of the Saints and the righteous will shine as the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant give rest, O Lord, and forgive all his (her) offenses.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:The threefold radiance of the one God let us praise, and let us shout in song: Holy are You, eternal Father, coeternal Son, and divine Spirit! Illumine us who worship You in faith and deliver us from the eternal fire.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Rejoice, gracious Lady, who for the salvation of all gave birth to God in the flesh, and through whom the human race has found salvation. Through you, pure and blessed Theotokos, may we find Paradise.
People:Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God (3).
Tone Eight
People:With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.
Tone Four
People:Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant. Bestow upon it the blessed life which is from You, O loving One.
People:Within Your peace, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are immortal.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:You are our God who descended into Hades and loosened the pains of those who were chained. Grant rest also, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Most pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede with Him for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great love; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (Name) who has fallen asleep, and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest:May the Lord God place his (her) soulwhere the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of Heaven, and the forgiveness of his (her) sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:O God of spirits and of all flesh, You have trampled down death and have abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul of Your departed servant (Name) in a place of light, in a place of repose, in a place of refreshment, where there is no pain, sorrow, and suffering. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin he (she) has committed in thought, word or deed, for there is no one who lives and is sinless. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
Priest:For You are the resurrection, the life and the repose of Your departed servant (Name), Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your allholy, good and life‑giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest:Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
Priest:May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead and as immortal King has authority over the living and the dead, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of his spotless and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and God‑bearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of his holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the dwelling place of the saints; give rest to him in the, bosom of Abraham and number him (her) among the righteous.
People: Amen.
Priest: May your memory be eternal, dear brother, for you are worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
(For women)
Priest: May your memory be eternal, dear sister, for you are worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
Priest: Blessed is our Lord God, always; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The First Stasis, in Tone 6
Ah, the blameless in the way. Alleluia. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes. Alleluia. My soul is worn with endless longing for Your judgments at all times. Alleluia. My soul has slumbered from sorrow; strengthen me with Your words. Alleluia. Incline my heart unto Your testimonies, and not unto covetousness. Alleluia. Despair took hold on me because of sinners that forsake Your Law. Alleluia. I am a partaker with all that fear You, and with them that keep Your commandments. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; listen, and have mercy. Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life; and for the forgiveness of his (her), every transgression, voluntary; and involuntary. Let the Lord establish his (her), soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her), sins; let us ask of Christ our immortal King and our God. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Second Stasis, in Tone 5
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandments. Have mercy on me, O Lord. For I am become as a bottle in the frost; yet Your statutes have not forgotten. Have mercy on me, O Lord. I am Yours, O save me; for after Your statutes have I sought. Have mercy on me, O Lord. From Your judgments I have not declined, for You have set a Law for me. Have mercy on me, O Lord. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, forever, in return for Your mercies. Have mercy on me, O Lord. It is time to serve the Lord; but they have violated Your law. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
Glory … Both now … Have mercy on me Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Stasis, in Tone 8
And have mercy upon me. Alleluia. Look upon me, and have mercy on me. According to the judgment of them that love Your Name. Alleluia. I am young and accounted as nothing. Your statutes have I not forgotten. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Your mercy; According to Your judgments quicken me. Alleluia. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, and because of Your words my heart has been afraid. Alleluia.
My soul shall live, and shall praise You, And Your judgments will help me. Alleluia.
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy. For You are the Resurrection and the Life and the Repose of Your servant (Name) O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages:
Choir: Amen.
Evlogetaria for the Dead
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
The Choir of the Saints has found the Fountain of Life, and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance: the sheep that was lost am I; call me up to You, O Savior,and save me.
If there are more than three priests, each repeats after reach "Troparion ": "Let us pray to the Lord," followed by "For You are the Resurrection and the Life."
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
You Who of old did fashion me out of nothingness, and with Your Image divine did honor me; but because of transgression of Your commandments did return me again to the earth where I was taken; lead me back to be refashioned into that ancient beauty of Your Likeness.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Image am I of Your unutterable glory, though I bear the scars of my stumblings. Have compassion on me, the work of Your hands, O Sovereign Lord, and cleanse me through Your loving-kindness; and the homeland of my heart's desire bestow on me by making me a citizen of Paradise.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Give rest, O God, unto Your servant, and appoint for him (her) a place in Paradise; where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and the just will shine forth like stars; to Your servant that is sleeping now do You give rest, overlooking all his (her) offenses.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The Trinal Radiance of One Godhead with reverent song acclaiming let us cry; Holy are You, O Eternal Father, and Son also Eternal, and Spirit Divine; shine with Your light on us who with faith adore You; and from the fire eternal rescue us.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Hail, O Gracious Lady, that in the flesh bears God for salvation of all; and through whom the human race has found salvation: through You may we find Paradise, Theotokos, our Lady pure and blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; Glory to You, O God.
Tone 8
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of servant where there is not pain, nor any sorrow, nor any sighing, but Life everlasting.
Composed by St. John of Damascus
Tone I
Where is the pleasure in life which is unmixed with sorrow? Where the glory which on earth has stood firm and unchanged? All things are weaker than shadow, all more illusive than dreams; comes one fell stroke, and Death in turn, prevails over all these vanities. Wherefore in the Light, O Christ, of Your countenance, the sweetness of Your beauty, to him (her) whom You have chosen grant repose, for You are the Friend of Mankind.
Tone 2
Like a blossom that wastes away, and like a dream that passes and is gone, so is every mortal into dust resolved; but again, when the trumpet sounds its call, as though at a quaking of the earth, all the dead shall arise and go forth to meet You, O Christ our God: on that day, O Lord, for him (her) whom You have withdrawn from among us appoint a place in the tents of Your Saints; yea, for the spirit of Your servant, O Christ.
Another in Tone 2
Alas! What an agony the soul endures when from the body it is parting; how many are her tears for weeping, but there is none that will show compassion: unto the angels she turns with downcast eyes; useless are her supplications; and unto men she extends her imploring hands, but finds none to bring her rescue. Thus, my beloved brethren, let us all ponder well how brief is the span of our life; and peaceful rest for him (her) that now is gone, let us ask of Christ, and also His abundant mercy for our souls.
Tone 3
Vanity are all the works and quests of man, and they have no being after death has come; our wealth is with us no longer. How can our glory go with us? For when death has come all these things are vanished clean away. Wherefore to Christ the Immortal King let us cry, "To him (her) that has departed grant repose where a home is prepared for all those whose hearts You have filled with gladness."
Tone 4
Terror truly past compare is by the mystery of death inspired; now the soul and the body part, disjoined by resistless might, and their concord is broken; and the bond of nature which made them live and grow as one, now by the edict of God is rest in twain. Wherefore now we implore Your aid grant that Your servant now gone to rest where the just that are Yours abide, Life-bestower and Friend of Mankind.
Tone 4
Where is now our affection for earthly things? Where is now the alluring pomp of transient questing? Where is now our gold, and our silver? Where is now the surging crowd of domestics, and their busy cries? All is dust, all is ashes, all is shadow. Wherefore draw near that we may cry to our immortal King,"Lord, Your everlasting blessings vouchsafe unto him (her) that now has gone away. bringing him (her) to repose in that blessedness which never grows old."
Tone 5
I Called to mind the Prophet who shouted, "I am but earth and ash." And once again I looked with attention on the tombs, and I saw the bones therein which of flesh were naked; and I said, "Which indeed is he that is king? Or which is soldier? Which is the wealthy, which the needy? Which the righteous, or which the sinner?" But to Your servant, O Lord, grant that with the righteous he (she) may repose.
Tone 6
My beginning and foundation was the form; bestowing Word of Your commandment; for it pleased You to make me by compounding visible and invisible nature into a living thing. Out of earth was my body formed and made, but a soul You gave me by the Divine and Life-creating in-breathing. Wherefore, O Christ, to Your servant in the land of the living, in the courts of the righteous, do You grant repose.
Tone 7
Bring to his (her) rest, O our Savior, You giver of life, our brother (sister) whom You have withdrawn from this transient world, for he (she) lifts up his (her) voice to cry: "Glory to You."
Another in Tone 7
When in Your own image and likeness You in the beginning did create and fashion man, You gave him a home in Paradise, and made him the chief of your creation. But by the devil's envy, alas, beguiled to eat the fruit forbidden, transgressor then of Your commandments he became; wherefore back to earth,from which he first was taken, You did sentence him to return again, O Lord, and to pray You to give him rest.
Tone 8
Weep, and with tears lament when with understanding I think on death, and see how in the graves there sleeps the beauty which once for us was fashioned in the image of God, but now is shapeless, ignoble, and bare of all the graces. O how strange a thing; what is this mystery which concerns us humans? Why were we given up to decay? And why to death united in wedlock? Truly, as it is written, these things come to pass by ordinance of God, Who to him (her), now gone gives rest.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The death which You have endured, O Lord, is become the harbinger of deathlessness; if You had not been laid in Your tomb, then would not the gates of Paradise have been opened;wherefore to him (her), now gone from us give rest, for You are the Friend of Mankind.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin chaste and holy, Gateway of the Word, Mother of our God, make supplication that his (her) soul find mercy.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Blessed is the way wherein you walk today, for there is prepared for you a place of rest. (3)
Unto You, O Lord, will I cry.
The Epistle
Priest:Wisdom!
The reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. (I Thess. 4:13-18)
Priest:Wisdom. Let us attend.
Reader: Brethren, we would not have you ignorant concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Priest: Peace be to you who reads.
Reader: And with your spirit.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel
Priest: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel of St. John. (John 5:24‑30)
Let us attend.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: The Lord said to those Jews which had come to him: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life 'in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him the authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You listen and have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name) departed this life; and for the forgiveness of him (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary. Lord have mercy.
Let the Lord God establish him (her) soul where the just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and remission of him (her) sins: let us ask of Christ our Immortal King and our God. Lord have mercy. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
The first-ranking priest approaches the deceased and says the following prayer in a loud voice; the other priests present simultaneously say the same prayer inaudibly.
O God of all spirits and flesh, Who has trodden down death, destroying the power of the devil, bestowing life on Your world. to the soul of Your servant (Name) departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning are fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our good and loving God forgive, seeing that there is no man that shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin: Your righteousness, and Your law is truth.
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up Glory, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Each of the priests in turn blesses the deceased and says:
For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), O Christ our God; and to You do we send up Glory, as to Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
If the Funeral Service is presided over by a Bishop, he then says the following Prayer of Absolution.
Prayers of Absolution
For the loosing from every curse and interdict, read for the deceased person by the Bishop.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who by Your unutterable wisdom have fashioned man out of the dust and transformed him into comeliness and beauty; and have adorned him, as a precious and heavenly creature, for doxology and magnificence of Your glory and Kingdom, in that You brought him into existence as a being fashioned according to Your image and likeness; and Who, when he had transgressed the commandment of Your ordinance, and kept it not, although he participated in Your image, gave command for this reason, as God of our fathers, to prevent evil from becoming immortal, decreeing that his composite and mixture, this bond which You made for joining body and soul unbreakably, should be sundered by Your divine Will, and be dissolved; so that the soul would withdraw where it had required existence, and there abide until the general Resurrection; whereas the body would break up into the elements out of which it had first been compounded; for this reason we pray You, the beginning-less Father, and Your Only; Begotten Son, and Your All-Holy, Consubstantial and Life-creating Spirit, that endured not to see the work of Your fashioning swallowed up by destruction, but rather let the body indeed be dissolved into the elements,and let the soul be appointed a place in the Choir of the Just: Yea, O Lord our God, let Your Immeasurable mercy prevail, and Your man befriending love which is beyond compare; and if this servant has incurred the curse of father or mother, or a ban invoked upon himself (herself); or if he (she) has provoked any priest to bitter severity, and from him has incurred a ban unbreakable; or if he (she) has incurred a Bishop's very grievous interdict, but through thoughtlessness and needlessness has failed to obtain forgiveness; do You forgive him (her) through me, Your sinful and unworthy servant; and let his (her) body indeed dissolve into its elements, but his (her) soul do You appoint to dwell in the tents of the Saints. Yea, O Lord our God, Who to Your holy Disciples and Apostles gave this authority for granting remission of sins, and did say that whatsoever things they would bind and loose, those things would be bound and would be loosed; and Who through them in Your man befriending love has caused to be transmitted to us also, unworthy though we be, the same gift in equal measure; loose this Your servant (Name), now fallen asleep from sin of soul and body, and make him (her) to be now forgiven in this present world and in the world to come;through the intercessions of Your all-pure and Ever Virgin Mother, and of all the Saints. Amen.
Second Prayer of Absolution
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Greatly merciful Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who after Your holy, third-day resurrection from the dead gave to Your holy Disciples and Apostles the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the authority of Your Grace both to bind and to loose the sins of men, so that bound in Heaven would be whatsoever things through them might be bound on earth, and likewise loosed in Heaven whatsoever things; through them might be loosed; and gave also that as their successors, we, Your deficient and unworthy servants, should have, by Your unutterable and man befriending love, this same exceedingly holy Gift and Grace from You, so that we in like manner should both bind and loose the things that happen to be done among Your people; Yourself, All-Good King, through me, Your humble and unprofitable servant, forgive this Your servant whatsoever mistakes as a human being he (she) has made in this present life: remit for him (her) whatsoever sins he (she) has committed in word, deed, and thought: and loose him (her) also from any ban which in any wise whatsoever has come upon him (her), whether he (she) himself (herself) out of recklessness or by some other fault has bound it upon himself (herself); or, by a Bishop or another, when, because of the envy and cooperation of the Evil One, he (she) stumbled into so grievous a state: be well pleased, as alone Good and greatly merciful, that his (her) soul be appointed a place with the Saints which from everlasting have been well pleasing to You, but that his (her) body be given to the nature which You have fashioned; for blessed and glorified are You to the ages. Amen.
Apolysis
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope; glory to You.
Choir: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Father, give the blessing.
Priest: May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless,pure, and holy Mother; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; of the holy and glorious forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; may He give rest to our brother (sister), who has departed from us, and number him (her) among the just and holy, through His goodness and compassion, as our merciful God.
Everlasting be your memory, O our brother, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3).
For women:
Everlasting be your memory, O our sister, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3).
And the Choir begins the Stikhera of the Last Kiss, singing as many as may be needed to fill up the time until all have said Farewell.
Tone 2
Brethren, come, and let us a farewell kiss give to him (her) whom death has taken, and offer thanks to God. For he (she) has departed from the bosom of his (her) kin; and he (she) hastens to burial, no longer remembering vanity, nor yet the flesh which is often sore distressed. Where are now his (her) kindred and comrades? Now is come the hour of partings: let us pray to the Lord to bring him (her) to his (her) rest.
Tone 2
Brethren, what at this last moment means your distress of parting, your wailing? What means your funeral dirge? Come, and give a kiss to him (her) so lately with us: for consigned to the grave is he (she) with stone is he (she) to be covered. Darkness is his (her) dwelling place; he (she) with the dead is entombed. Come, all you his (her) kindred and comrades: now is come the hour of parting. Let us pray to the Lord to bring him (her) to his (her) rest.
Theotokion
Mother of the never setting Sun, Parent of our God, O preserve them that set their hope on you; intercede, we pray you, with our greatly gracious Lord, that repose may be granted him (her) that now is departed. In that habitation where repose the souls of the Just: and unto everlasting remembrance set him (her) in the courts of the Righteous, made all-blameless, as the heir of blessings divine.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Looking on me as I lie here prone before you, voiceless and unbreathing, mourn for me, everyone; brethren and friends, kindred, and you who knew me well; for but yesterday with you I was talking, and suddenly there came upon me the fearful hour of death: therefore come, all you that long for me, and kiss me with the last kiss of parting. For no longer shall I walk with you, nor talk with you henceforth: for to the Judge I go, where no person is valued for his (her) earthly station: Yea, slave and master together stand before Him, king and soldier, rich man and poor man, all accounted of equal rank: for each one, according to his (her) own deeds shall be glorified, or shall be put to shame. Therefore I beg you all, and implore you, to offer prayer unceasingly for me to Christ our God, that I be not assigned for my sins to the place of torment; but that He assign me to the place where there is Light of Life.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion, Tone 6
Through the prayers of her that gave You birth, O Christ, and the prayers of Your Forerunner, of Apostles, Prophets, Hierarchs, Ascetics, and of the Righteous, and of all the Saints, to Your sleeping servant do You grant repose.
Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy and save us.
Choir: Amen.
If a Bishop is Presiding, he says:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers …
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Bishop. . .
After the last farewell has been given we proceed to the grave, singing:
I weep, and with tears lament . . .
The Burial
At the gravesite the Trisagion is sung. Then the Priest sprinkles the deceased in the form of the Cross with oil, saying:
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean. You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Then the priest sprinkles the deceased in the form of the Cross with earth, saying:
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell therein. You are dust, and to dust you will return.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers …
Funeral Service During Renewal Week
If any of the brethren dies during the holy week (if' Renewal, we do not sing the customary Funeral Service but that of the Resurrection. This same service is also sung on the Apodosis of Easter. Meanwhile, during the period between the end of Renewal Week and the Apodosis, the regular service is sung except that instead of Holy God we sing Christ is risen. On the way to the church we also sing “Christ is risen. Instead of' Brethren, conic and let us a farewell kiss,” we sing “Resurrection Day is dawning.”
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (3).
Jesus, having risen from the grave, as He foretold, has given us Eternal Life and great Mercy.
Priest
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great
Mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Let the Lord God establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest
O God of all spirits . . . (see page 100).
For You are the Resurrection ...
Apolysis
Glory to You, O God our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all‑praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just, through His goodness and compassion as our merciful God.
Everlasting be your memory, O our brother (sister), who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3)
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
In the church
Priest
Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And then is sung,
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Choir
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (2).
Priest
Have mercy on us, O God ... Again we pray for the repose . . . That the Lord God establish ... (seepage 99).
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Priest: For You are the Resurrection ... (see pp. 104).
Then the katavasia of Easter are sung as follows:
Ode 1, Tone I
Resurrection Day is dawning! Let us shine forth with its light! Pascha, the Lord's own Pascha! For out of death into life, and from earth into His Heaven has Christ our God taken us, in safety singing our triumphal song.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Jesus, having risen from the grave, as He foretold, has given us Eternal Life and great Mercy.
Priest
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For You are the Resurrection and the Life and the repose of Your servant, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ode 3
Come, of this new drink let us drink deeply. Not such it water a, Prophet once drew from sterile rock, but life immortal which is Christ abundantly pours forth from His grave; in Him we have our strength.
Christ is risen (3) Jesus, having risen Priest
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
For You are the Resurrection ...
Ode 4
With us now share our holy watch; let Prophet Habakkuk now stand and for us reveal the first gleaming of the dawn the angel brings with words that pierce our hearts with joy: "This is the day that brings men salvation, for Christ is risen from death as our Almighty Lord."
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 5
Come, and let us rise ere comes the dawning, and bring not myrrh but our praises as offering to the Master; then our eyes shall look on Christ, our radiant Sun of Righteousness, rising to lighten the world with light.
Christ is risen (3) Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 6
You went down into the deeps of the abyss to destroy the cruel bars that for ages held men in weary bondage, O Christ, and as Jonah rose from the sea beast in three days, You are risen from Your grave.
Christ is risen (3) . . . Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 7
The Children from the furnace were saved alive by Him that was born of man, Who as Man knew pain, and by His suffering clothed our flesh with beauty of His immortality; the Lord that alone was blessed by our Fathers, our God exceedingly glorious.
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen ...
Ode 8
Now has dawned that day most renowned and most holy, the first of the Sabbaths, hailed as queen and sovereign. Fairest Feast of all feasts and most joyous celebration of all celebrations, when we tell how blessed is Christ unto all ages.
Christ is risen (3) . . . Jesus, having risen . . .
Ode 9
The angel, when he saw Mary Full‑of‑Grace, cried saying:
O holy Maid, I hail you! Yea, once again I hail you, for in the days returning your Son from death has risen; O shine with clear radiance, you new Jerusalem, for now on you is dawning glory from the risen Lord; dance now for joy, and be glad, O Zion; grieve now no more, Maiden Theotokos, but look with joy on your risen Son."
Christ is risen (3) ... Jesus, having risen . . .
The Exaposteilarion
Tone 2
On You as Man the sleep of death descended, our King and Lord, but in three days are You risen, and raise Adam from decay and have destroyed the might of Death, Pascha of incorruption, salvation of all the world.
Then the Epistle and the Gospel of the day.
People: Glory to You, O Lord; glory to You.
Priest
Have mercy on us . . Again we pray ... (seep. 99)
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
O God of all spirits and of every flesh, Who did trod down death and overcome the devil, bestowing life on this Your world, to the soul of this Your servant (Name), departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of fight, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our Good and Loving God forgive; seeing that there is no man who shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth; for You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father and Your All‑Holy, Good and Life‑creating Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
If a bishop is present he reads one of the prayers of absolution:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord, Lord have mercy.
O Lord our God, Who by Your unutterable wisdom have fashioned man out of the dust and transformed him into comeliness and beauty; and have adorned him, as a precious and heavenly creature, for doxology and magnificence of Your glory and Kingdom, in that You brought him into existence as a being fashioned according to Your image and likeness; and Who, when he had transgressed the commandment of Your ordinance, and kept it not, although he participated in Your image, gave command for this reason, as God of our fathers, to prevent evil from becoming immortal, decreeing that his composite and mixture, this bond which You made for joining body and soul unbreakably, should be sundered by Your divine Will, and be dissolved; so that the soul would withdraw where it had required existence, and there abide until the general Resurrection; whereas the body would break up into the elements out of which it had first been compounded; for this reason we pray You, the beginningless Father, and Your Only‑Begotten Son, and Your All‑Holy, Consubstantial and Life‑creating Spirit, that endured not to see the work of Your fashioning swallowed up by destruction, but rather let the body indeed be dissolved into the elements, and let the soul be appointed a place in the Choir of the Just: Yea, O Lord our God, let Your Immeasurable mercy prevail, and Your manbefriending love which is beyond compare; and if this servant has incurred the curse of father or mother, or a ban invoked upon himself (herself); or if he (she) has provoked any priest to bitter severity, and from him has incurred a ban unbreakable; or if he (she) has incurred a Bishop's very grievous interdict, but through thoughtlessness and needlessness has failed to obtain forgiveness; do You forgive him (her) through me, Your sinful and unworthy servant; and let his (her) body indeed dissolve into its elements, but his (her) soul do You appoint to dwell in the tentings of the Saints. Yea, O Lord our God, Who to Your holy Disciples and Apostles gave this authority for granting remission of sins, and did say that whatsoever things they would bind and loose, those things would be bound and would be loosed; and Who through them in Your manbefriending love has caused to be transmitted to us also, unworthy though we be, the same gift in equal measure; loose this Your servant (Name), now fallen asleep from sin of soul and body, and make him (her) to be now forgiven in this present world and in the world to come; through the intercessions of Your all‑pure and Ever Virgin Mother, and of all the Saints. Amen.
Second Prayer of Absolution
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.
Greatly merciful Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who after Your holy, third‑day resurrection from the dead gave to Your holy Disciples and Apostles the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the authority of Your Grace both to bind and to loose the sins of men, so that bound in Heaven would be whatsoever things through them might be bound on earth, and likewise loosed in Heaven whatsoever things‑ through them might be loosed; and gave also that as their successors, we, Your deficient and unworthy servants, should have, by Your unutterable and manbefriending love, this same exceedingly holy Gift and Grace from You, so that we in like manner should both bind and loose the things that happen to be done among Your people; Yourself, All‑Good King, through me, Your humble and unprofitable servant, forgive this Your servant whatsoever mistakes as a human being he (she) has made in this present life: remit for him (her) whatsoever sins he (she) has committed in word, deed, and thought: and loose him (her) also from any ban which in any wise whatsoever has come upon him (her), whether he (she) himself (herself) out of recklessness or by some other fault has bound it upon himself (herself); or, by a Bishop or another, when, because of the envy and cooperation of the Evil One, he (she) stumbled into so grievous a state: be well pleased, as alone Good and greatly merciful, that his (her) soul be appointed a place with the Saints which from everlasting have been well pleasing to You, but that his (her) body be given to the nature which You have fashioned; for blessed and glorified are You to the ages. Amen.
Priest
Apolysis
Glory to You, O our God and our hope, glory to You. Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, through the intercessions of His spotless, pure, all‑holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all‑praiseworthy Apostles; of the venerable and theophoric Fathers, and of all the Saints, establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from among us in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just; and have mercy on us as our good and loving Lord.
Everlasting be your memory
Instead of the Brethren, come and let us a farewell kiss, we sing the following:
Glory ... both now ...
Resurrection Day is dawning! Let us shine with its light! Pascha, the Lord's own Pascha! For out of death into life, and from earth into His Heaven has Christ our God taken us, in safety singing our triumphal song.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Priest
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Exiting from the church we say:
Resurrection Day is dawning ...
At the grave
The priest reads the Trisagion.
Then he says: You shall sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean. You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell therein. You are dust, and the dust you will return.
Apolysis.
Trisagion for the Dead
"For you are all one in Jesus Christ." --Galatians 3:28
When a pious Orthodox Christian dies, the Clergy are invited by one of his (her) relatives. Coming to the place, where the deceased lies, the Clergy put on their vestments, take up the censer, and begin.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name's sake.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
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 are in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name; Your Kingdom come.
Your 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, I of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia, Tone 4
With the spirits of the righteous made perfect Give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior; And keep it safe in that life of blessedness That is lived with You, O Friend of Man.
In the place of Your rest, O Lord, Where all Your Saints repose, Give rest also to the soul of Your servant, For You alone are immortal.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
You are our God Who went down to Hades To loose the pains of the dead that were there; Give rest also to the soul of Your servant, O Savior.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate that in maiden-motherhood brought forth God, intercede for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy on us. O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, listen and have mercy.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God (Name), departed this life, and for the forgiveness of his (her) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Let the Lord God establish his (her) soul where the Just repose; the mercies of God, the Kingdom of the Heavens, and the remission of his (her) sins, let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord have mercy.
Priest: O God of all spirits and of every flesh, Who did trod down death and overcome the devil, bestowing life on this Your world, to the soul of this Your servant (Name), departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away. Every sin by him (her) committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our Good and Loving God forgive; seeing that there is no man who shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth; for You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your servant (Name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Reader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy. Holy Father Bless.
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope; glory to You. May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all;praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give him (her) rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number him (her) among the Just, through His goodness and compassion as our merciful God.
For Men: Everlasting be your memory, O our brother, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory. (3)
For women: Everlasting be your memory, O our sister, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
When all things are ready for the funeral, the priest blesses again, and we begin to sing the Trisagion.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Taking up the body, we take it to the church, where it is placed on the solea The priest leads the way, singing the Trisagion and holding the censer.
Memorial Service
THE TRISAGION
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
People: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: All‑holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for the glory of Your name.
People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
People: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
People:Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant. Bestow upon it the blessed life which is from You, O loving Lord.
People:Within Your peace, O Lord, where all Your Saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are Immortal.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:O Savior, You are our God who descended into Hades and delivered from suffering those who were bound there. Grant rest also to the soul of Your servant.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Most pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede with Him for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (Name), and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: May the Lord God grant that his (her) soul rest where the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of his (her) sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O God of spirits and of all flesh, You have trampled upon death and have abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul of Your departed servant (Name) in a place of light, in a place of repose, in a place of refreshment, where there is no pain, sorrow, and suffering. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin he (she) has committed in thought, word or deed, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
Priest:For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servant (Name), Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your allholy, good and life‑giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest:Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
Priest:May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead and as immortal King has authority over the living and the dead, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of his spotless holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and God‑bearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of his holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints, establish the soul of His servant (Name) departed from us, in the dwelling place of the Saints; grant rest to him (her) in the bosom of Abraham and number him (her) among the righteous.
Priest:May your memory be eternal, dear brother, worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
(For women)
Priest:May your memory be eternal, dear sister, worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
Priest:Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:The choir of Saints has found the fountain of life and the door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance. I am the sheep that is lost: O Savior, call me back and save me.
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:Of old You created me from nothing and honored me with Your divine image. But when I disobeyed Your commandment, O Lord, You cast me down to the earth from where I was taken. Lead me back again to Your likeness, and renew my original beauty.
People:Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:I am an image of Your ineffable glory, though I bear the scars of my transgressions. On Your creation, Master, take pity and cleanse me by Your compassion. Grant me the homeland for which I long and once again make me a citizen of Paradise.
People:Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
People:Give rest, O God, to Your servant, and place him (her) in Paradise where the choirs of the Saints and the righteous will shine as the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant give rest, O Lord, and forgive all his (her) offenses.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:The threefold radiance of the one God let us praise, and let us shout in song: Holy are You, eternal Father, coeternal Son, and divine Spirit! Illumine us who worship You in faith and deliver us from the eternal fire.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Rejoice, gracious Lady, who for the salvation of all gave birth to God in the flesh, and through whom the human race has found salvation. Through you, pure and blessed Theotokos, may we find Paradise.
People:Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God (3).
Tone Eight
People:With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.
Tone Four
People:Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant. Bestow upon it the blessed life which is from You, O loving One.
People:Within Your peace, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are immortal.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
People:You are our God who descended into Hades and loosened the pains of those who were chained. Grant rest also, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant.
People:Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People:Most pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede with Him for the salvation of the soul of your servant.
Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great love; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (Name) who has fallen asleep, and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.
People:Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest:May the Lord God place his (her) soulwhere the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of Heaven, and the forgiveness of his (her) sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
People:Grant this, O Lord.
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord.
People:Lord, have mercy.
Priest:O God of spirits and of all flesh, You have trampled down death and have abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul of Your departed servant (Name) in a place of light, in a place of repose, in a place of refreshment, where there is no pain, sorrow, and suffering. As a good and loving God, forgive every sin he (she) has committed in thought, word or deed, for there is no one who lives and is sinless. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
Priest:For You are the resurrection, the life and the repose of Your departed servant (Name), Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your allholy, good and life‑giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People:Amen.
People:Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Dismissal
Priest:Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
Priest:May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead and as immortal King has authority over the living and the dead, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of his spotless and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and God‑bearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of his holy and righteous friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the saints; establish the soul of His servant (Name), departed from us, in the dwelling place of the saints; give rest to him in the, bosom of Abraham and number him (her) among the righteous.
People: Amen.
Priest: May your memory be eternal, dear brother, for you are worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
(For women)
Priest: May your memory be eternal, dear sister, for you are worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
אין תגובות:
הוסף רשומת תגובה