Prior to the Divine Liturgy, the Matins (Orthros) Service takes place. At the Conclusion of Matins and before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the Great Doxology is sung:
THE GREAT DOXOLOGY
Chanters: Glory to thee who has shown us the light. Glory be to God on high and on earth peace and good will among men!
We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee. We give thanks unto thee for Thy great glory!
O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father almighty; O Lord the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; thou that takest away the sins of the world.
Receive our prayer, O thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father and have mercy on us.
For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.
Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever, yea for ever and ever. Amen.
Vouchsafe, o Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified by thy name for ever. Amen
Lord, thou hast been our refuge in all generations; I said be merciful unto me, heal my soul for I have sinned against thee.
Lord, I have fled unto thee teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.
For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! (3x)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us!
(slowly): Holy God…Holy Mighty…Holy Immortal, have mercy on us!
One of the following two hymns are sung now, ending Matins:
Chanter: Today is salvation come unto the world, let us sing praises to him that arose from the grave, the author of our life. For having by death destroyed death, He hath given us victory and great mercy!
Having risen from the tomb and having burst the bonds of Hades, thou didst loose the condemnation of death, o Lord, releasing all mankind from the snares of the enemy; having manifested thyself to thine apostles, thou didst send them forth to proclaim thee; and through them thou hast grated thy peace unto the civilized world, O thou who alone art plenteous in mercy.
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The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
THE PREPARATION
The priest stand before the holy table and with hands uplifted prays the following quietly:
Priest: O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things: Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and abide in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (2x)
O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
THE OPENING EXCLAMATION
The priest then reverences the Gospel Book and the Holy Table, and then lifting the Gospel Book proclaims:
Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE LITANY OF PEACE (“GREAT LITANY”)
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Lord, have mercy” after each petition.
For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God and the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the lord.
For our father Metropolitan N., our Father Bishop N., the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our president, civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For travelers by sea, by land and by air; for the sick and the suffering, for captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
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 keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos* and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
* This title given to the Virgin Mary – Theotokos or “God-bearer” – universal by at least the third century, is a safeguard of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The One born of Mary is the Divine, Son of God.
The priest says the prayer of the first antiphon quietly:
Priest: O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is boundless, and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: Do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy mercies and compassions.
(Aloud) For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE FIRST ANTIPHONAL HYMN
Chanter: It is good to give thanks unto the lord, and to chant unto Thy name; O Most High (Ps. 91:1)
People: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Chanter: To proclaim Thy mercy in the morning and Thy truth at night. (Ps. 91:2)
People: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Chanter: Upright is the Lord our God, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (Ps.91:13)
People: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Chanter: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
People: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Chanter: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
People: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
THE LITTLE LITANY
At the conclusion of the antiphon, the priest intones the petitions of the little Litany.
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Lord have mercy” to each petition.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The priest says the prayer of the second antiphon quietly.
Priest: O Lord our God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house, glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope on thee.
(aloud) For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE SECOND ANTIPHONAL HYMN
Chanter: The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed with strength and hath girded Himself. (Ps. 92:1)
People: O Son of God, who rose from the dead, save us who sing to thee: Alleluia!
Chanter: For He established the world which shall not be shaken. (Ps. 92:2)
People: O Son of God, who rose from the dead, save us who sing to thee: Alleluia!
Chanter: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days. (Ps. 92:7)
People: O Son of God, who rose from the dead, save us who sing to thee: Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and unto ages and ages. Amen.
(THE HYMN OF ST. JUSTINIAN)
Only-begotten Son and immortal Word of God, who for our salvation willed to be incarnate of the Holy Mother of God and Ever-virgin Mary, who without change became Man and was crucified, who art One of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit. O Christ our God, trampling down death by death, save us!
THE LITTLE LITANY
At the conclusion of the antiphon, the priest intones the petitions of the little litany.
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Lord, have mercy” to each petition.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The priest says the prayer of the second antiphon quietly.
Priest: O thou who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of they truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting.
(aloud) for thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE THIRD ANTIPHON AND PROCESSION WITH
THE GOSPEL (“THE LITTLE ENTRANCE”)
While the people chant the third antiphon, or the Beatitudes if appointed, the priest makes three metanias (bows) before the holy table. The priest takes up the Gospel Book and preceded by the servers, he makes the little entrance, passing the high place and exiting through the north door, saying as he goes:
Priest: O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of angels and archangels for the service of thy glory: Cause that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy angels serving with us and glorifying thy goodness. For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The priest blesses toward the altar, saying quietly:
Priest: Blessed is the entrance to thy holy place, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
When the people have completed chanting the third antiphon, the priest exclaims:
Priest: Wisdom! Let us attend!
The people sing the Entrance Hymn (below) as the priest enters the sanctuary through the holy doors and takes his usual place before the holy table.
THE ENTRANCE HYMN (EISODIKON)
People: [Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.] O Son of God, who art risen from the dead,* save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!
[Other special phrases are used for Feast Days of the Lord]
* On Weekdays: “…who art wondrous in the Saints….”
| The choir, or chanter, chants the appointed hymns (Apolytikia) following the
singing of the Entrance Hymn (On Sundays, refer to your parish bulletin for the text):
“When thou, O Lord was baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness to thee, calling thee His Beloved Son. And the Spirit in the likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, who hath appeared and enlighted the world: Glory to thee!” 4. Kontakion Hymn for Sunday or Festal Period |
Meanwhile the priest says the prayer of the thrice-holy hymn:
Priest: O holy God who restest in the holy place, who art hymned by the seraphim with the thrice-holy cry and glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power, who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being, who hast created man according to thine image and likeness and hast adorned him with every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding, who despisest not the sinner but hast appointed repentance unto salvation, who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, receive even from the mouth of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in thy goodness. Pardon us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life, through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints, who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.
At the conclusion of the Kontakion Hymn, the priest exclaims:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE TRISAGION (“THRICE HOLY” HYMN)
People: 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. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal; have mercy on us!
Priest: With strength!
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us!
THE EPISTLE READING
The reader, carrying the epistle book, proceeds to the center of the solea, facing the altar. After the final chanting of the thrice-holy hymn, or its appointed replacement, priest turns to face the reader and says:
Priest: Let us attend.
Reader: Announces the Prokeimenon (introductory Psalm verse) of the Epistle.
Priest: Wisdom.
Reader: The Reading is from (announces the Epistle reading for the day).
Priest: Let us attend.
During the reading of the Epistle, the priest says the prayer before the Gospel quietly:
Priest: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee. For thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thine unoriginate Father and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Upon the completion of the Epistle Reading , the priest offers the hand cross to the Reader for veneration and exclaims:
Priest: Peace be to thee that readest.
Reader: And with thy spirit.
ALLELUIA BEFORE THE GOSPEL READING
The priest then continuously censes the Gospel Book in preparation for its reading. The people always stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel.
People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Reader: Chants the 1st appointed Psalm Verse.
People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Reader: Chants the 2nd appointed Psalm Verse.
People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE GOSPEL READING
The censing being completed, the priest stands at his place at the holy table, and introduces the reading of the Gospel saying:
Priest: Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
The priest blesses the people, saying:
Priest: Peace be to all.
People: And to thy spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to (N.)
People: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.
Priest: Let us attend!
The Priest chants the appointed gospel reading for the day.
When the gospel lection is completed, the people respond by singing:
People: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.
THE HOMILY (SERMON)
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The priest replaces the gospel book upon the altar and preaches the homily. At the conclusion of the homily, the priest continues:
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Priest: Let us say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord almighty, the God of our Fathers, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray, Thee, hearken and have mercy.
The people respond with “Lord have mercy” three times to this and the following petitions:
People: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Priest: Again we pray for our Father Metropolitan N. and our Father Bishop N.
People: Lord, have mercy (3 times)
Priest: Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Priest: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace health, salvation, and visitation and pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God (names), and all Orthodox Christians of true worship who live and dwell in this community.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Priest: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church and for the servants of God (names) and for all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox Christians departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Priest: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple; for those who serve and those who sing; and for all the people here present, who await Thy great and rich mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Priest: O Lord our God, receive this fervent supplication of thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of thy mercy, and send down thy compassions upon us and upon all they people, who await thy great and rich mercy.
For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and to Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE LITANY OF THE CATECHUMENS
Priest: Pray to the Lord, ye catechumens.
The people respond with “Lord have mercy” to these petitions:
Priest: Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
That he will teach them the word of truth.
That he will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness.
That he will unite them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Save them; have mercy on them; help them; and keep them, O God, by thy grace.
Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The catechumens come forward and the Priest prays the following prayer on behalf of all the faithful:
Priest: O Lord our God, who dwellest on high and regardest the humble, who hast sent forth as the salvation of the race of men thine only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ: Look down upon thy servants the catechumens, who have bowed their necks before thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins and the robe of incorruption. Unite them to thy holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and number them with thine elect flock:
Priest: That with us they may glorify thine all-honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
People: Amen.
The Priest dismisses the catechumens (and they return to their place in the church):*
Priest: As many as are catechumens, depart. Depart, catechumens. As many as are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain.
THE LITANY OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by they grace.
People: Lord have mercy.
* In the ancient church the catechumens did not remain for the completion of the service since they had not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism.
As the people sing “Lord have mercy,” the Priest prays quietly to be made worthy for the ministry of the offering of this holy Eucharist.
Priest: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God of hosts, who hast made us worthy to stand even now before thy holy altar and to fall down before thy compassions for our sins and the ignorance of the people. Receive our supplications, O God; make us worthy to ofer unto the prayers and supplications and bloodless sacrifices for all thy people. And enable us, whom thou hast placed in this ministry, by the power of the Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without offense, in the pure witness of our conscience, to call upon thee at all times and in every place, that hearing us thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the fulness of thy goodness:
Priest: Wisdom! For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE SECOND LITANY OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by they grace.
People: Lord have mercy.
As the people sing “Lord have mercy,” the Priest prays quietly again for his own worthiness and that of all the people.
Priest: Again and oftentimes we fall down before thee and beseech thee, O good One who lovest mankind, that looking down upon our petition thou wilt cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant us to stand blamelessly and without condemnation before thy holy altar. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us growth in life and faith and spiritual understanding. Grant them always blamelessly to serve thee with fear and love and to partake without condemnation of thy holy mysteries and to be accounted worthy of they heavenly kingdom:
Wisdom! That guarded always by thy might we may ascribe glory unto thee: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
ENTRANCE WITH THE HOLY GIFTS (“GREAT ENTRANCE”)
The choir now begins singing the Cherubic Hymn (below), as the priest says the prayer for the Entrance quietly:
(THE CHERUBIC HYMN)
People: Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the Life-creating, life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares.
(PRAYER OF THE GREAT ENTRANCE)
Priest: No one who is bound with the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach or to draw nigh or to serve thee, O King of glory, for to serve thee, is a great and fearful thing even to the heavenly powers. Nevertheless through thine unspeakable and boundless love toward mankind thou didst become man, yet without change or alteration, and as Master of all didst take the name of our High Priest and delivered unto us the ministry of this liturgic and bloodless sacrifice. For thou alone art holy and restest in the heaven and on earth, who art borne on the throne of the cherubim, who art Lord of The seraphim and King of Israel , who alone art holy and restest in the holy place. Wherefore I implore thee who alone art good and art ready to listen: Look down upon me a sinner and thine unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my heart from an evil conscience, and by the power of thy Holy Spirit enable me, who am endues with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy table and perform the sacred mystery of thy holy immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee. Turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy servants, but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant; for thou thyself art he that offereth and is offered, that accepteth and is distributed, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thine unorginate Father, and unto ages of ages.
Amen
The priest then, with hands uplifted, also prays with the words of the Cherubic Hymn (with its conclusion) quietly three times.
Priest: Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, lay aside all worldly cares. (conclusion) That we may receive the King of all invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia.
(THE CENSING)
He then censes around the altar, sanctuary, altar servers, and the people from the holy doors, saying quietly:
Priest: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection: for in that he endured the cross for us he hath destroyed death by death.
(Psalm 50) Have mercy upon me O God, according to thy great mercy: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out mine iniquity. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge mine iniquity: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done that evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou hast loved truth: the unclear and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made clear to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness: the bones which thou hast broken shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and steady me with a guiding spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways: and the impious shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For hadst thou desired sacrifice, I would have given it thee: Thou delightest not in burnt offerings. Sacrifices to God are a contrite spirit: a contrite and humble heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(REVERENCING THE ALTAR)
The priest makes three small prostrations, saying quietly:
Priest: Like the prodigal son, I have sinned against thee, O Saviour. Receive me as I repent, O Father, and have mercy on me, O God.
With the voice of the publican I cry unto thee, O Christ my Saviour. Take pity on me as thou hast on him, and have mercy on me, O God.
The priest reverences the antiminsion (reverencing each of the wounds of Christ: hands, side, and feet; and the bishop’s signature) and holy table.
(ASKING FORGIVENESS)
Priest: Forgive, O God, those who hate us and those who love us.
The priest proceeds to the (prothesis) table upon which are prepared the Holy Gifts (bread and wine to be offered in the Eucharist). Making the final preparations and taking the chalice and diskos in his hands, the priest processes with the altar servers to the back of the nave, and around and up the center aisle, exclaiming:
(INTERCESSIONS OF THE GREAT ENTRANCE)
Deacon: All of you, and all Orthodox Christians, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The people respond “Amen” to this and the rest of the petitions of the Great Entrance.
Priest: Our Father Metropolitan (or Archbishop or bishop) N., our Father Bishop N., and all our brotherhood in Christ, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Our president, civil authorities and armed forces, the Lord God remember in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The Orthodox servant(s) of God, NN., that he (she, they) may have mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The Orthodox servant(s) of God departed this life in the hope of the resurrection and life eternal, NN., the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The priest enters the sanctuary through the holy doors while the people conclude the cherubic hymn.
(CONCLUSION OF THE CHERUBIC HYMN)
People: That we may receive the King of all, who comes invisible upborne by the angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
(PLACING THE GIFTS UPON THE ALTAR)
The priest places the chalice and diskos upon the altar saying quietly:
Priest: The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thine immaculate body from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices and, sorrowing, placed it in a new tomb.
In the grave with the body but in Hades with the soul as God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, thyself uncircumscribed.
As life-bearing, as more splendid than paradise, and more radiant than any royal chamber. O Christ, is shown forth thy tomb, the fountain of our resurrection.
Taking the censer, the priest censes the gifts three times, while completing
Psalm 50:
Priest: Do good, O Lord, in thy good will unto Zion : that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offerings: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
The priest then intones the following petitions.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Priest: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Lord, have mercy” to each petition until noted.
For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, 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 keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless let us ask of the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Grant this, O Lord” to this and the following petitions.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the 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, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us comment ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The priest says the following prayer quietly:
Priest: O Lord God Almighty, who alone art holy, who dost accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon thee with their whole heart: Receive also the prayer of us sinners, and lead us to thy holy altar, and enable us to offer unto thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, and make us worthy to find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be acceptable unto thee and that the good Spirit of thy grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts here spread forth and upon all thy people:
(aloud) Through the compassions of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE PEACE
The priest turns to bless the people, saying:
Priest: Peace be to all.
People: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:
People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
The priest makes three small prostrations before the altar, saying:
Priest: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my firm Foundation, my Refuge, and my Deliverer.
The priest then reverences the covered gifts on the holy table. When there is a Con-celebration by two or more priests, the kiss of peace is now exchanged among them. The priest then exclaims:
Priest: Christ is in our midst!
The people then exchange the kiss of peace amongst themselves.
Priest: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.
THE CREED
All: 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 Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets; And I believe 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.
PREFACE TO THE HOLY ANAPHORA
At the conclusion of the creed, the priest exclaims:
Priest: Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.
People: An offering of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
Still facing the people, the priest lifts up his arms, saying:
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
* The Kiss of Peace is not a casual “social time; but a sign and seal of the unity of the Church.
Turning toward the icon of Christ or toward the Altar, the priest says:
Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
People: It is fitting and right to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
As the people sing, the priest says the prayer of the holy anaphora quietly:
THE HOLY ANAPHORA (OR EUCHARISTIC PRAYER)
Priest: It is meet and right to hymn thee, to bless thee, to praise thee, to give thanks unto thee and to worship thee in every place of thy dominion; for thou art God Ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever-existing and eternally the same, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thou it was who didst bring us from non-existence into being and when we had fallen away didst raise us up again, and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine only-begotten Son and to thy Holy Spirit; for all things of which we know and of which we know not and for all the benefits bestowed upon us, both manifest and unseen. And we give thanks unto thee also for this ministry which thou dost vouchsafe to receive at our hands, even though there stand beside thee thousands of archangels and ten thousands of angels, the cherubim and the seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their wings…
The priest completes the prayer aloud, singing:
Priest: Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming and saying:
People: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
As the people sing, the priest continues, saying quietly:
Priest: With these blessed powers we also, O Master who lovest mankind, cry aloud and say: Holy art thou and all-holy, thou and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit; holy art thou and all-holy and magnificent is thy glory, who hast so loved thy world as to give thine only-begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life, who when he had come and had fulfilled all the dispensation for us, in the night in which he was betrayed or, rather, gave himself up for the life of the world, took bread in his holy and immaculate and blameless hands; and when he had given thanks and blessed it and hallowed it and broken it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:
Priest: (aloud) Take, eat. This is my Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins.
People: Amen.
Priest: And likewise after supper, he took the cup, saying:
(aloud) Drink of this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
People: Amen.
Bowing low, the priest continues:
Priest: Having in remembrance, therefore this saving commandment and all those which have come to pass for us: the cross, the grave, the third-day resurrection, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, and the second and coming:
The priest takes up the diskos in his right hand and the chalice in his left in crosswise fashion, and elevates them over the altar; making the sign of the cross with them and exclaiming:
Priest: Thine own of thine own, we offer unto thee in behalf of all and for all.
People: We praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord. And we pray unto thee, O our God.
THE EPIKLESIS
The gifts are replaced on the altar, and the priest bows low and continues, saying with all compunction.
Priest: Again we offer unto thee this rational and bloodless worship and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here spread forth:
The priest blesses the Lamb, saying:
Priest: And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ;
People: Amen.
The priest blesses the chalice, saying:
Priest: And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ;
People: Amen.
The priest blesses both the diskos and chalice, saying:
Priest: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit;
People: Amen. Amen. Amen.
The priest bows or makes a prostration before the holy table. Then the priest bows low and continues aloud:
Priest: That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto cleansing of soul, unto forgiveness of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven and unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment or unto condemnation. And again we offer unto thee this rational worship for all those who in faith have gone before us to their rest: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and every righteous spirit which has completed this life in faith…
Censing the gifts nine times, the priest says:
Priest: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary;
THE MEGALYNARION
People: It is truly meet and right to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever blessed and all blameless and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: Without defilement thou gavest birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
INTERCESSIONS
In the meantime the priest continues saying quietly:
Priest: For the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; the holy glorious and all-laudable apostles; (N., saint of the day), whose memory we celebrate, and all thy saints, at whose supplications visit us, O God.
And be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal, NN., and grant them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance watcheth over them.
And again we beseech the: Be mindful, O Lord, of every bishop of the Orthodox, who rightly divideth the word of thy truth, of all the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly and monastic order.
And again we offer unto thee this rational worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and lead a godly way of life and for all civil authorities, and our armed forces; grant them, O Lord, peaceful times, that we in their tranquility may lead a calm and peaceful life in all reverence and godliness.
Priest: (aloud) Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our Father Metropolitan N., and our Father Bishop N. whom do thou grant unto thy holy churches in peace, safety, honor, health and length of days, and rightly dividing the word of thy truth.
People: And of all mankind.
The priest says quietly:
Priest: Be mindful, O Lord, of this city in which we dwell, and of every city and countryside, and of those who in faith dwell therein. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, captives and their salvation. Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and who remember the poor; and upon us all send forth thy mercies:
(aloud) And grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and praise thine all-honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The priest, turning to face the people, blesses them, saying:
People: And with thy spirit.
LITANY BEFORE THE "OUR FATHER"
The priest turns again to stand before the holy table and intones the petitions of the following litany.
Deacon: Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
The people respond: “Lord have mercy” to each petition.
For the precious gifts which have been spread forth and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
That our God, who loveth mankind, receiving them upon his holy, most heavenly and ideal altar as a savor of spiritual sweetness, will send down upon us in return his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
Asking for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The priest says the following prayer quietly:
Priest: Unto thee we commend our whole life and our hope and we beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: Vouchsafe us to partake of thy heavenly and dread mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience, unto forgiveness of sins, unto pardon of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation:
(aloud) And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father and to say:
THE "OUR FATHER"
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Turning to face the people, the priest blesses them, saying:
Priest: Peace be to all.
People: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads unto the Lord.
People: To thee, O Lord.
The priest turns again to the altar and prays quietly:
Priest: We give thanks unto thee, O King invisible, who by thy boundless power hast made all things and in the multitude of thy mercy hast brought all things from nothingness into being. Do thou thyself, O Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto thee; for they have not bowed down unto flesh and blood, but to thee, the fearful God. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself distribute these gifts here spread forth, unto all of us for good, according to the individual need of each: voyage with those who sail by sea; journey with those who travel by land and air; heal the sick, thou who art the Physician of our souls and bodies:
(aloud) Through the grace and compassions and love toward mankind of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The priest quietly prays:
Priest: Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from thy holy dwelling-place and from the throne of glory of thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O thou who sittest on high with the Father and art here invisible present with us; and vouchsafe by thy mighty hand to impart unto us thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.
The priest makes three small prostrations, saying quietly:
O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Priest: Let us attend.
The priest takes up the Lamb in both hands and makes therewith the sign of the cross over the diskos, exclaiming:
Priest: The Holy Things are for the holy.
People: One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
While the people chant One is holy the priest divides the Lamb into parts with great reverence and care, saying:
Priest: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not disunited; who is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.
The priest arranges the pieces of the Lamb on the rim of the diskos in the form of a cross, thusly:
IC (“Jesus”)
NI KA (“Victor”)
XC (“Christ”)
The priest takes the portion sealed IC and makes therewith the sign of the cross over the top of the chalice and places it in the chalice saying:
Priest: The fullness of the cup of faith of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Warm water is brought to the priest, who blesses it saying:
Priest: Blessed is the warmth of the holy things, O Lord, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The priest pours a sufficient quantity of warm water into a chalice crosswise, saying:
Priest: The warmth (of faith, full) of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest leads all in the recitation of the pre-communion prayers:
PRE-COMMUNION PRAYERS
All: I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen
Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant: for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in they Kingdom.
Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.
THE COMMUNION HYMNS
The chanters/choir first chant the proper communion hymn (Koinonikon) assigned for the day. Then the people, or the choir chants other communion hymns throughout the communion of the clergy and faithful.
(THE CLERGY’S RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION)
The priest makes three small prostrations before the holy table, saying each time:
Priest: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Taking the section of the Lamb sealed XC (or a portion thereof if others of the clergy are to commune), the priest says:
Priest: Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.
Holding in both hands that portion of the Lamb, the priest says:
Priest: The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.
The priest consumes that portion of the Lamb and says Amen.
The priest, taking up the chalice, says:
Priest: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.
The priest takes three sips from the chalice, wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima (communion cloth) and says:
Priest: The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.
The priest takes three sips from the chalice, wipes his lips and the rim of the chalice with the kalima (communion cloth) and says:
Priest: Lo, this hath touched my lips and shall take away mine iniquities and purge away my sins.
(PREPARING THE COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL)
As the choir continues to sing, the Priest breaks into small pieces the portions of the Lamb sealed NI and KA, placing them in the chalice, saying:
Priest: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify: for thou art our God, and we know none other beside thee; we call upon thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing his resurrection, for in that he endured the cross for us He hath destroyed death by death.
Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath dawned upon thee. Dance and be glad, O Sion. And delight thou, O pure Theotokos, in the rising of thy Son.
How divine! How beloved! How sweet is thy voice, O Christ! For thou hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the age. Having this as our anchor of hope, we the faithful do rejoice.
O Christ, great and most holy Pascha; O Wisdom, Word and Power of God: that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.
THE COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL
When all is prepared, the priest, standing in the holy doors and facing the people, exclaims;
Priest: With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.
People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath revealed Himself to us.
The priest then communicates all Orthodox Christians who are prepared to receive the holy mysteries through prayer and fasting and Confession. The priest says to each communicant:
Priest: The servant of God, N., partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.
THE POSTCOMMUNION HYMN
When all have been communed, the priest covers the chalice and awaits the completion of the Communion hymns. The priest then blesses the people with his hand, saying:
Priest: O God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance.
(THE POSTCOMMUNION HYMN)
People: We have seen the true light. We have received the heavenly Spirit. We have found the True Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity, Who has saved us.
The priest censes the chalice thrice, saying:
Priest: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens and thy glory above all the earth.
The priest lifts the chalice and diskos, saying:
Priest: Blessed is our God…
And turning to face the people, the priest continues:
Priest: ...always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of thy glory. For thou hast made us worthy to partake of the Holy, Divine, Immortal, and Life-creating Mysteries. Keep us thy holiness, that all the day we may meditate upon thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
As the people chant Let our mouths be filled with thy praise, the priest carries the chalice to and places it upon the prothesis table and censes it three times. Returning to the holy table, the priest intones the following petitions of thanksgiving:
Priest: Stand upright. Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
The people respond by singing “Lord, have mercy” to each petition.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Asking that the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To thee, O Lord.
THE THANKSGIVING PRAYER
The priest may pray quietly on behalf of the people:
Priest: We give thanks unto thee, O Master who lovest mankind, Benefactor of our souls, for that thou hast vouchsafed this day to feed us with thy heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our path; establish us all in thy fear; guard our life; make firm our steps; through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all thy saints:
During the following exclamation, the priest lifts the gospel book with both hands, makes the sign of the cross with it, and lays it upon the altar.
Priest: (aloud) For thou art our Sanctification, and unto thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The priest exits the sanctuary through the holy doors, saying:
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
People: In the name of the Lord.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Standing before the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, the priest says the prayer behind the amvon.
THE PRAYER BEHIND THE AMVON
Priest: O Lord, who blessest those who bless thee and sanctifiest those who put their trust in thee: Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, preserve the fullness of thy Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house, glorify them in recompense by thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope on thee. Give peace to thy world, to all thy people; for all good giving and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights, and unto thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving and worship to the father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (3x)
PRAYER AT THE CONSUMPTION OF THE HOLY GIFTS
As the people sing, the priest proceeds to the prothesis table, saying quietly:
Priest: O Christ our God, who art thyself the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, who didst fulfill all the dispensation of the Father: Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
+ + + + +
(ANY SPECIAL SERVICE IS SERVED NOW)
Special services—e.g., trisagion prayers of mercy for the departed, removal of marriage crowns—take place at this time.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE NOW MADE)
The Liturgy is now concluded. The Priest, from within the sanctuary, continues:
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
The priest turns to face the people and blesses them, saying:
Priest: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy come upon you through his divine grace and love toward mankind, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The priest turns toward the icon of Christ and says:
Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to thee.
People: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.
Standing in the holy doors, facing the people, the priest says the dismissal:
THE DISMISSAL
Priest: May (insert the appointed characteristic phrase), Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople; of the holy, glorious and right victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing father; of (patron saint of the church); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of (the saint of the day) whose memory we celebrate and of all the saints: have mercy on us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.
(POST COMMUNION PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING ARE NOW READ)
Priest: Glory to thee, O God! Glory to thee, O God! Glory to thee, O God!
The Reader recites the prayers as Orthodox Christians come forward to venerate the image of the cross and receive the blessed bread as a way of breaking the Communion fast.
