SEPTEMBER 14
THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION
OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
(Celebrated on the evening of the 13th)
This Feast is celebrated as one of the most important in the Church Year because it commemorates two events of great significance. After St. Helen had found at Jerusalem the cross upon which Christ was crucified, she built a Church on MountCalvary to hold the precious relic. The Christians held the Holy Cross in such regard that they soon began to celebrate this Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross.
In the year 614, the Persians invaded the Empire and took Jerusalem, and sent the case containing the Cross back to their country. For fifteen years the Greek Emperor Heraclius waged war against the Persians, and finally in 629 defeated them, forced them to make
peace, and to restore the Holy Cross to him. It is said that the case containing the sacred relics was returned to him with the seals still unbroken. The
Relics were replaced in the Church with great rejoicing, and to the original Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross was added another, in honor of its safe return to Jerusalem.
A special feature of the Church Services on this day, is the procession in which the Cross is borne aloft on a tray of flowers and placed in the midst
of the Church; the Priest then elevates it to the four corners of the compass, blessing thrice with it as he does so, and praying that God will protect and preserve the President and the Civil Authorities of our Country and the Armed Forces, and guard and guide the Hierarchs and clergy of the Church, and protect and preserve all His faithful people from every evil.
THE EVENING DIVINE LITURGY
September 14
THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION
OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
(The Priest, making three low bows before the Altar, prays quietly:)
0 heavenly King, 0 Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, 0 gracious Lord.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will among men. (Twice)
0 Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
(The People Stand)
(The Priest kisses the Holy Gospel, lifts it up with both hands, making the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with it, and says aloud:)
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.
CHOIR:
Amen.
(The People Sit)
THE GREAT EKTENIA
PRIEST:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the peace from above ( and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan) N., for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, 0 God, by thy grace.
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: 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.
CHOIR:
To thee, 0 Lord.
PRIEST: 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 Choir or Chanter now sings the following in the Sixth Tone:)
PSALM 140
Prepare Censer
0 Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear thou me, Hear thou me, 0 Lord, 0 Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, Hear thou me: give ear to the voice of my supplication, when I cry out unto Thee. Hear thou me, 0 Lord.
(During the singing of the following verses the Priest censes the Altar and all the Sanctuary and comes out through the North Door and censes the Holy Ikons, the People, and all the Temple. Meanwhile, the Choir or Chanter continues singing the Psalm.)
(The People Stand until the Priest has completely finished the censing of the Church, then they Sit.)
Give Priest Censer
Priest begins censing at “as the incense.”
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear thou me, 0 Lord.
Set a watch, 0 Lord, before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins.
To practice wicked works with men that work iniquitity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
They shall hear my words, for they are sweet;
as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground. Their bones are scattered by the side of Hell.
But to Thee 0 Lord are my eyes: put my trust, take not away my soul.
in Thee have I
Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.
PSALM 141
I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me:
I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no one that would know me: Refuge failed me;
no one cared for my soul.
I cried unto Thee, 0 Lord; I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low:
Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.
The righteous shall wait for me, until thou recompense me.
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, 0 Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou, 0 Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, 0 Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
The Cross by its elevation calleth the whole creation to praise the pure Passion, the Passion of him who was elevated thereon; for having slain thereon him who had slain us, be brought to life us who had been slain, and adorned us and made us worthy to dwell in the heavens, for the excess of his goodness; for he
is compassionate. Whereupon, with rejoicing we exalt His Name and magnify His infinite condescension.
BECAUSE OF THY NAME HAVE I WAITED FOR THEE, 0 LORD: MY SOUL HATH WAITED UPON THY WORD, MY SOUL HATH HOPED IN THE LORD.
The Cross by its elevation calleth the whole creation to praise the pure Passion, the Passion of him who was elevated thereon; for having sla1n thereon him who had slain us, he brought to life us who had been slain, and adorned us and made us worthy to dwell in the heavens, for the excess of his goodness; for he
is compassionate. Whereupon, with rejoicing we exalt His Name and magnify His infinite condescension.
FROM THE MORNING WATCH UNTIL NIGHT, FROM THE MORNING WATCH LET ISRAEL TRUST IN THE LORD.
Verily, Moses foreshadowed thee, 0 precious Cross, when he lifted up his hands and conquered the stubborn Amalek, 0 pride of believers and constancy of salvation of all the upright. Wherefore, creation, beholding thee elevated, rejoiceth and celebrateth, glorifying Christ, who through thee united the separables, in his infinite goodness.
FOR WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY AND WITH HIM IS ABUNDANT REDEMPTION, AND HE WILL DELIVER ISRAEL FROM ALL HIS INIQUITIES.
Verily, Moses foreshadowed thee, 0 precious Cross, when he lifted up his hands and conquered the stubborn Amalek, 0 pride of believers and constancy of salvation of all the upright. Wherefore, creation, beholding thee elevated, rejoiceth and celebrateth, glorifying Christ, who through thee united the separables, in his infinite goodness.
PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YE NATIONS: PRAISE HIM ALL YE PEOPLE.
0 most venerable Cross, surrounded in joy by the ranks of angels, by thine elevation today thou dost raise, by a divine sign, those who have been cast away by the deceit of food and carried headlong to death. Wherefore, we greet thee in faith with heart and lips, we receive sanctification, crying, Raise
ye up Christ God, exceeding in goodness, and fall down to his divine footstool.
FOR HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD US; AND THE TRUTH OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOREVER.
0 most venerable Cross, surrounded in joy by the ranks of angels, by thine elevation today thou dost raise, by a divine sign, those who have been cast away by the deceit of food and carried headlong to death. Wherefore, we greet thee in faith with heart and lips, we receive sanctification, crying, Raise
ye up Christ God, exceeding in goodness, and fall down to his divine footstool.
(The People Stand)
(In the second tone:) GLORY TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: BOTH NOW AND EVER, AND UNTO AGES OF AGES. AMEN.
Come, all ye nations, let us adore the blessed Tree, through which everlasting justice hath come to pass; for he who by the tree did deceive the first
Adam hath himself been deceived by the Cross; and he who like a robber confined the kingly creation, hath been cast down headlong with an amazing fall. And by the blood of God the venom of the serpent was washed away; and the curse was undone by the righteous sentence when the just One was condemned unjustly; for it is meet that the tree by the Tree be healed, and that by the Passion of the Passionless the passions of him who had been condemned by the tree should fall away. But glory to thy fearful dispensation towards us, 0 Christ, wherewith thou hast saved all, since thou art good
and the Lover of mankind.
(While the Choir or Chanter is singing the appropriate Hymn to the Theotokos, the Priest stands before the Holy Altar, and says quietly the following Prayer of the Entrance:)
Line up Altar Workers for Procession: 2 candles, 2 lamps, 1 Cross, in order
PRIEST: (quietly) In the evening, and in the morning, and at noon-day we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, and we pray unto thee, 0 Lord of all: Direct thou our prayer before thee as incense, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of wickedness; but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto thee, Lord, 0 Lord, lift we up our eyes, and in thee have we trusted. Put us not to shame, 0 our God. 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. Amen.
Procession Now!
(Upon completing the above Prayer, the Priest, carrying, the Holy Gospel and preceded by Altarboys [ with candles, lamps, the cross, as there are enough altar boys] leaves the Sanctuary by the North Door and stands before the Holy Doors. He then makes the sign of the Cross with his right hand towards the Altar; and quietly says:)
Blessed is the Entrance of thy Holy Ones, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(When the Choir or Chanter has finished the Hymn to the Theotokos (Theotokion) the Priest lifts up the Holy Gospel with both hands, saying in a loud voice:)
PRIEST:
Wisdom!
Attend!
(The Priest enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and places the Gospel Book on the Altar. Meanwhile the Choir sings the following Hymn:)
Altar Worker LIGHTS LAMPS at “Gladsome Light.”
CHOIR: Gladsome light of the Holy Glory that shines from the immortal Father in Heaven, the Holy, the Blessed, 0 Jesus Christ: Lo, now that we come to sunset, now that we see the evening light, We sing the praise of Father, Son and Holy Spirit: One God. Worthy art Thou to be praised at all times with voices meet for holy song. Son of God, Thou Giver of Life. Wherefore the world glorifieth Thee.
(The Choir or Chanter now immediately sings the TROPARION OF THE FEAST.)
TROPARION OF THE FEAST (Tone One): "0 Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, granting to Thy People victory over all adversaries, and by the Power of thy Cross preserving thine Estate."
(Then immediately the TROPARION OF THE PATRON SAINT OF THE CHURCH.)
KONTAKION OF THE FEAST (Tone 4): "Do thou, who of thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, 0 Christ our God, bestow thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by thy Name; make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible."
PRIEST:
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prepare Censer
CHOIR:
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: For Holy art Thou, 0 our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
CHOIR:
Amen.
(Instead of THE TRISAGION (Holy God) sing:}
Give Priest Censer (unless he censes during Epistle)
CHOIR: Before Thy Cross, We bow down in worship,
Sovereign Lord, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify.
Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship, Sovereign Lord, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify.
(Meanwhile the Priest reads quietly the Prayer of the Trisagion:)
THE PRAYER OF THE TRISAGION
PRIEST: 0 Holy God, who restest in thy Holy Place: who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice
holy cry, and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by every heavenly power: Who out of nothing hast brought all things into being: who hast created man after thine own image and likeness and hast adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand before the glory of thy Holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are
due unto Thee: Thyself, 0 Master, accept even from
the mouth of us sinners the Hymn of the Trisagion,
and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and of all the Saints who from the beginning of the world have been
well-pleasing unto Thee. .
For Holy art Thou, 0 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. Amen.
(Then the Priest, taking the censer, censes the Altar and all of the Sanctuary while he also says the Trisagion. After the censing, he makes three
low bows before the Altar; then he goes towards the High Place behind the Altar, quietly saying as he goes:)
PRIEST: (quietly) Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
(Then standing before the High Place, he says:)
PRIEST: (quietly) Blessed art Thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who sittest upon the Cherubim: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(After the Choir has finished singing the Trisagion" the Priest comes before the Altar and faces the people.)
(The People Sit)
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: The reading is from Exodus (15:22-16:1)
Priest: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Exodus 15:22-16:1
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”25 So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.
And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. (NKJV)
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon the Wise (3:11-18).
Priest: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Proverbs 3:11-18
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her. (NKJV)
Priest: Wisdom!
Reader: The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah (60:11-16)
Priest: Let us be attentive!
Reader: Isaiah 60:11-16
11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
And those nations shall be utterly ruined.
13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together,
To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you
Shall come bowing to you,
And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet;
And they shall call you The City of the Lord,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
So that no one went through you,
I will make you an eternal excellence,
A joy of many generations.
16 You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles,
And milk the breast of kings;
You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. (NKJV)
THE EPISTLE
PRIEST:
Let us be attentive:
READER: The Lord hath reigned.
Exalt ye the Lord our God. Let the people be angry.
PRIEST:
Wisdom:
READER: The Reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (I Corinthians 1:18-24)
PRIEST:
Let us be attentive!
READER: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19 For it is written:
1 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (NKJV)
PRIEST:
Peace be to thee that readest.
CHOIR:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
(During the reading of the Epistle, the Priest reads quietly the Prayer before the Gospel.)
THE PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL
PRIEST: (quietly) Illumine our hearts, 0 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, 0 Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine allholy, good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE GOSPEL
(The Priest comes before the Altar, facing the people, with the Gospel Book on the lectern before him.)
(The People stand.)
PRIEST: Wisdom! Let us be Attentive! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all!
CHOIR:
And to thy spirit.
PRIEST: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (John 19:6-35)
CHOIR:
Glory to Thee, 0 Lord, Glory to Thee.
PRIEST: John 19:6-35
6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid,9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.
17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ”22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:
1 “They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. (NKJV)
Choir/people: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.
Altar Worker Process into the sanctuary. Make sure to come together in front of Holy Doors, lamps with lamps, candles with candles, in pairs side by side, and bow. Then those who were before Christ go in South door and those who were before Theotokos go in north door.
Sermon normally follows the Gospel reading. Everyone sits.
The Litany for the Catechumens
(May be omitted)
Deacon: Pray to the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That he will teach them the word of truth.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That he will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That he will unite them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Save them; have mercy on them; help them; and keep them, O God, by thy grace.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest (quietly): 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, 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.
(Aloud) 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.
Choir: Amen.
The Liturgy of the Faithful
The Litany of the Faithful
(The Priest now unfolds the Antiminsion)
Deacon: As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Wisdom!
Priest (quietly): Again and at often times 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 or 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 thy heavenly kingdom:
(Aloud) That guarded always by thy might we may ascribe glory unto thee to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir/people: Amen.
The Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn
Prepare the censer
Priest (quietly): 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, O Lord our God, rulest over those in heaven and on earth, who are 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 endued with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy holy table, and perform the sacred mystery of thy holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood. For I draw near unto thee, and bowing my neck I pray thee. Turn not thy face from me, neither cast me out from among thy servants, but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered unto thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant; for thou thyself 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 unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Cherubic Hymn
Priest (Quietly): Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, lay aside all worldly cares.
Deacon (Quietly): That we may receive the King of all invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia (3x)
Immediately give the priest the censer and he censes Altar
Priest (quietly) : Blessed is our God, always, no and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. Incense we offer unto thee O Christ our God, as a savour of spiritual sweetness, which do thou receive upon thy most heavenly altar, and send down upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.
Priest (quietly): 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 the Very Christ, our King and our God.
Psalm 50: Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy, according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned and done this evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of thy wisdom hast thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and with thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
Prepare acolytes for Great Entrance procession “B”.
1. Assign positions
2 candles
2 lamps
1 processional cross.
1 censer (walking backwards in front of gifts)
2 fans (fans follow priest and deacon)
2. Line them up at north door.
3. When priest give signal, open North Door and let acolytes walk out except for fans and stop. After priest says “All of you...” start walking. Fans follow priest.
Priest (quielty): 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.
Forgive me, brother and concelebrant.
Forgive, O God, those who hate us and those who love us.
Priest (Bowing quietly says): O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and have mercy on me.
Deacon (quietly): Lift up, master.
Priest (quietly): Lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord.
God hath gone up in jubilation; the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.
Make sure Aer is hanging straight on deacon/priest’s shoulders
The Great Entrance
Procession Now!
(The Priest and deacon carrying the holy gifts, led by the angelic altar servers now process from the sanctuary around the nave and through the Royal Doors)
At front, acolytes bow to altar two by two in succession and one goes in front of Christ and the other the Theotokos, in order.
Deacon: All of you, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: Our (metropolitan or archbishop or bishop), N., and all our brotherhood in Christ, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: Our president (or appropriate head of state), civil authorities and armed forces, the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: 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.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: 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.
Choir/People: Amen.
(The procession now enters the sanctuary through the Royal Doors while the choir and the people continue to sing)
Censer bearer enters immediately behind priest/deacon.
1. Hold the censer for the priest so he can cense the Aer.
2. Give priest the censer so he can cense the gifts. (Kiss his hand).
3. Cense priest 3 times when he returns censer.
4. Signal Acolytes to come when priest, deacon, and censer bearer have reached their places in the sanctuary. They pair up and bow two by two and return by opposite (North and South) doors.
Deacon (quietly): Thy priesthood, the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Priest (quietly): Thy diaconate, the Lord God remember in his kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
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.
Priest (quietly): 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.
Deacon (quietly): Do good, master.
Priest (quietly): Do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
* * * * * *
Deacon (quietly): Remember me (us), holy master.
Priest (quietly): The Lord God remember thee (you) in his kingdom always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.
Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord,
Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: 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.
Choir/People: To thee, O Lord.
The Prayer of the Proskomedia
Priest (quietly): 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.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir/People: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:
Choir/People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
Priest: Christ is in our midst![1]
Choir/People: He is and ever shall be!
Priest (quietly): I will love thee, O Lord, my Strength; the Lord is my firm Foundation, my Refuge, and my Deliverer.
Deacon: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.
Nicene Creed
All altar workers recite creed.
Everyone: 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 arose 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 living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds 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 ApostolicChurch.
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.
Deacon: Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear. Let us attend, that we may offer the holy oblation in peace.
Choir/People: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Choir/People: And with thy spirit.
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
Choir/People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir/People: It is meet and right.
THE HOLY ANAPHORA
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 brought us up to heaven and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come. For all these things we give thanks unto thee, and to thine only-begotten Son and 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:
Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming and saying:
Choir/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.
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:
Prepare the censer.
Make sure altar workers are not moving around or talking during this holy time.
Priest: Take, eat. This is my Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins;
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: And likewise after supper, he took the cup, saying:
Priest: 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.
Choir/People: Amen.
Priest: Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things 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 glorious coming:
Priest: Thine own of thine own, we offer unto thee in behalf of all and for all.
Choir/People: We hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord. And we pray unto thee, O our God.
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:
Deacon: Bless, master, the holy bread.</