The Evening Divine Liturgy of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29)

(Celebrated on the evening of June 28)

 

(The Priest, fully vested, makes three low bows before the Altar and says:)

 

Priest: O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who are in all places and fill all things; Treasury of Good Things and Giver of Life; come and live in us and cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will among men. (bow)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will among men. (bow)

 

O Lord, you will open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. (bow)

 

 

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/people: Amen. 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, Himself, our King and our God.

 

 

 

Reader: Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, You are very great:

You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,

Who makes the clouds His chariot,

Who walks on the wings of the wind,

Who makes His angels spirits,

His ministers a flame of fire.

You who laid the foundations of the earth,

So that it should not be moved forever,

You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

The waters stood above the mountains.

At Your rebuke they fled;

At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.

They went up over the mountains;

They went down into the valleys,

To the place which You founded for them.

You have set a boundary that they may not pass over,

That they may not return to cover the earth.

He sends the springs into the valleys,

They flow among the hills.

They give drink to every beast of the field;

The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

By them the birds of the heavens have their home;

They sing among the branches.

He waters the hills from His upper chambers;

The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,

And vegetation for the service of man,

That he may bring forth food from the earth,

And wine that makes glad the heart of man,

Oil to make his face shine,

And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap,

The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,

Where the birds make their nests;

The stork has her home in the fir trees.

The high hills are for the wild goats;

The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers.

He appointed the moon for seasons;

The sun knows its going down.

You make darkness, and it is night,

In which all the beasts of the forest creep about.

The young lions roar after their prey,

And seek their food from God.

When the sun rises, they gather together

And lie down in their dens.

Man goes out to his work

And to his labor until the evening.

O Lord, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions—

This great and wide sea,

In which are innumerable teeming things,

Living things both small and great.

There the ships sail about;

There is that Leviathan

Which You have made to play there.

These all wait for You,

That You may give them their food in due season.

What You give them they gather in;

You open Your hand, they are filled with good.

You hide Your face, they are troubled;

You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

You send forth Your Spirit, they are created;

And You renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

May the Lord rejoice in His works.

He looks on the earth, and it trembles;

He touches the hills, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the Lord.

May sinners be consumed from the earth,

And the wicked be no more.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Praise the Lord![1]

 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you O God (Thrice)

O our God and our Hope, glory to you.

 

 

Priest: O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear to our prayer, attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Lead us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth. Make glad our hearts, that we may fear thy holy name. For thou art great and doest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among all the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. 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.

 

O Lord, rebuke us not in thy displeasure, neither chasten us in thy wrath, but deal with us according to thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth, and vouchsafe that the remainder of this day and our whole life may be peaceful and without sin, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. 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. Amen.

 

O Lord our God, remember us sinners and thine unprofitable servants when we call upon thy holy name, and put us not to shame in our expectation of thy mercy; but grant us, O Lord, all of our petitions which are unto salvation, and vouchsafe that we may love and fear thee with all our hearts and do thy will in all things. 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. Amen.

 

O Thou who, with never-silent hymns and never-ceasing songs of praise to thy glory, art hymned by the holy powers: fill our mouths with thy praise, that we may magnify thy holy name. And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those who fear thee in truth and keep thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all thy saints. 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.

 

 

O God, great and wonderful, who with wisdom inscrutable and great riches of providence orderest all things and bestowest upon us earthly good things, who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through good things already bestowed upon us and has made us to shun all evil during that part of the day which is past: grant that we may also fulfill the remainder of this day without reproach before thy holy glory and hymn thee, the only good One, our God, who lovest mankind. For thou art 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.

 

O Great and most high God, who alone hast immortality and dwellest in light unapproachable, who hast made all creation in wisdom, who hast divided the light from the darkness and hast appointed the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars to rule the night, who hast vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour also to come before thy presence with confession and to offer unto thee our evening praise: do thou thyself, O Lord who lovest mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee, and accept it as a savour of sweet fragrance, and grant that we may pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Endue us with the armour of light. Deliver us from the terror of the night and from everything that walketh in darkness, and grant that the sleep which thou hast appointed for the repose of our weakness may be free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, Bestower of good things, may we, being moved to compunction upon our beds, call to remembrance thy name in the night, that, enlightened by meditation on thy commandments, we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify thy goodness, offering up prayers and supplications unto thy tender lover for our sins and for those of all thy people, whom do thou visit in mercy, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. 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. Amen.

 

 

 

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls; 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/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; for our Metropolitan (or archbishop) (name), our Bishop (Name), for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For the President of the United States (or appropriate head of government) and all civil authorities, and for our armed forces in defense of peace and freedom everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein; for healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For travelers by sea, by land, by air, and by space; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation; for our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by your grace.

 

Choir/People: 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/people: To you, O Lord.

 

Priest: For unto You belong all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

 

 

Reader: Lord, I cry out to You;

Make haste to me!

Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.

 

 

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,

The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.

 

Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,

To practice wicked works

 

With men who work iniquity;

And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

 

Let the righteous strike me;

It shall be a kindness.

And let him rebuke me;

It shall be as excellent oil;

Let my head not refuse it.

 

For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff,

 

And they hear my words, for they are sweet.

Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave,

As when one plows and breaks up the earth.

 

But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord;

In You I take refuge;

Do not leave my soul destitute.

 

Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,

And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

 

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

While I escape safely.

 

 

I cry out to the Lord with my voice;

With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.

 

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare before Him my trouble.

 

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

 

In the way in which I walk

They have secretly set a snare for me.

 

Look on my right hand and see,

For there is no one who acknowledges me;

 

Refuge has failed me;

No one cares for my soul.

 

I cried out to You, O Lord:

I said, “You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

 

Attend to 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 Your name;

 

The righteous shall surround me,

For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

 

Out of the depths have I cried unto You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

 

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

 

With what crowns of praise shall we crown Peter and Paul, separated in the body, united in the spirit, the one foremost among the proclaimers of God, the other because he labored more than the others? These two were crowned with the crowns of incorruptible glory, as is truly meet, by Christ our God who possesses the Great Mercy.

 

With what crowns of praise shall we crown Peter and Paul, separated in the body, united in the spirit, the one foremost among the proclaimers of God, the other because he labored more than the others? These two were crowned with the crowns of incorruptible glory, as is truly meet, by Christ our God who possesses the Great Mercy.

 

 

With what delightful songs of praise shall we extol Peter and Paul, those two wings of divine knowledge, flying in the four quarters of the earth and ascending unto heaven, those two hands of the gospel of grace, those two feet of the preaching of the truth, those two rivers of wisdom, those two horns of the Cross through which Christ, who possesses the Great Mercy, did demolish the haughtiness of devils?

 

 

With what delightful songs of praise shall we extol Peter and Paul, those two wings of divine knowledge, flying in the four quarters of the earth and ascending unto heaven, those two hands of the gospel of grace, those two feet of the preaching of the truth, those two rivers of wisdom, those two horns of the Cross through which Christ, who possesses the Great Mercy, did demolish the haughtiness of devils?

 

 

With what spiritual all-praises shall we laud Peter and Paul, the undulled edges of the drawn sword of the Spirit, slaughtering infidelity, the open adornment of Rome, and the bliss of the whole world, the God-inscribed tablets of the New Covenant, known in Zion, according to their call by Christ who possesses the Great Mercy?

 

 

With what spiritual all-praises shall we laud Peter and Paul, the undulled edges of the drawn sword of the Spirit, slaughtering infidelity, the open adornment of Rome, and the bliss of the whole world, the God-inscribed tablets of the New Covenant, known in Zion, according to their call by Christ who possesses the Great Mercy?

 

 

(In the fourth tone)

 

Christ, by inquiring three times, Peter, do you love me? Did make right the three denials. Wherefore, Simon cried to the Lord who knows all secrets, saying, You know all things; You know that I love You. After this, the Savior said to him: Feed My sheep, feed My lambs, feed My sheep which I have fashioned for salvation with My Own blood. Beseech Him, therefore, O Apostles blessed of God, to grant us the Great Mercy.

 

 

David the Prophet who became, through you, O Theotokos, the grandparent of God, beforetime sang of You in praise, and shouted to Him who worked wonders through you, saying, The queen did rise on your right; for God has shown you to be a Mother brining forth life, in tht he was willing to appear incarnate from you without father, renewing the creation of His likeness, corrupt with suffering, in order to find the sheep lost in the hills, and carry it on His shoulders, and offer it to the Father, and add it, through His Will, to the heavenly hosts, and to save the whole world; for He is the reigning Christ, Possessor of rich and Great Mercy.

 

 

          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.

 

Upon completing the above Prayer the Priest carrying the Holy Gospel and preceded by the Altar servers with candle, 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, Let us be attentive.

 

 

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 Saints Peter and Paul, in tone four:)

 

O foremost in the ranks of Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all to grant safety to the world and to our souls the Great Mercy.

 

 

 

Truly, O Lord, You have translated to bliss and the enjoyment of Your blessings, those two trustworthy preachers, theologians, and heads of Your Disciples; for You accepted their struggles and death as better than any sacrifice, O You, who alone knows the secrets of the heart.

 

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

 

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.

 

THE TRISAGION HYMN

 

CHOIR: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

Holy Immortal:

 

have mercy on us.

 

Priest: Dynamis!

 

Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: mercy on us.

 

 

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 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.

 

 

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.)

 

Priest: Let us be attentive!

 

Reader: Their sound has gone forth into all the earth. The heavens show forth the glory of God.

 

Priest: Wisdom!

 

Reader: The reading is from the Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (11:21-12:9).

 

Priest: Let us be attentive.

 

Reader: To our shame, I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

 

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

Priest: Peace to you the reader.

 

Reader: And to your spirit.

 

Choir/People: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

 

Priest (quietly): 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.

 

Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel!

 

Priest: Peace be to all.

 

Choir: And to thy spirit.

 

Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according according to Saint Matthew (16:13-19).

 

Choir/People: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

 

Priest: When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

Choir/People: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

 

Sermon normally follows the Gospel reading. Everyone sits.

 

 

Choir/people: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: 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.

We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly cares: That we may receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

That we may receive the King of all invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia (3x)

 

 

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.

 

Priest (quietly): Like the prodigal son, I have sinned against thee, O Savior. Receive me as I repent, O Father, 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

Priest: 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.

 

 

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)

 

Priest (quietly): 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.

 

 

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.

 

* * * * * *

 

 

 

Priest: Let us complete our prayer unto the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: For the precious gifts now set forth, let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord,

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Priest: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Grant this, O Lord.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Priest: 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.

 

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/People: To thee, O Lord.

 

 

 

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.

 

Priest: 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!

 

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.

 

Priest: The doors. The doors. In wisdom let us attend.

 

 

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 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.

 

Priest: 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.

 

 

 

 

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:

 

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:

 

 

Priest: And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ;

 

Amen.

 

Priest: And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ;

 

Amen.

 

Priest: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit;

 

Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

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:

 

Priest: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

 

Choir/People: It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever blessed and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you who without stain bore God the Word, and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

 

(The Priest now censes the Gifts and the Sanctuary)

 

Priest (quietly while censing): 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 thee: 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: Among the first be mindful, O Lord, of our (metropolitan or archbishop or 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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Choir/People: And of all mankind.

 

(An Altar Worker now brings the holy bread to the priest who blesses it by making the sign of the Cross over the holy with it while saying: Great is the Name of the Holy Trinity, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.)

 

Priest (quietly): 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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Priest: And the mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.

 

Choir: And with thy spirit.

 

Priest: 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:

 

 

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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Priest: Peace be to all.

 

Choir/People: And to thy spirit.

 

Priest: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

 

Choir/People:   To thee, O Lord.

 

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 are the Physician of our souls and bodies.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Priest (quietly): 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 invisibly 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.

 

Priest (quietly): O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (3x)

 

Priest: Let us attend.

 

 

Choir/people: One is holy, one is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen

 

Choir/people: Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him in the highest! Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

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.

 

Priest: The fullness (of the cup of faith) of the Holy Spirit.

 

Priest: Blessed is the warmth of thy holy things, O Lord, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

 

Priest: The warmth (of faith, full) of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

Priest/All: (In some traditions, only the priest says this quietly to himself)

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 first. 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 on me, and pardon 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 forgiveness of 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 thy kingdom. Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.

 

 

Priest (quietly): Forgive me my sins, brother and concelebrant.

 

Priest (quietly while bowing): O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (3x)

 

 

Priest (quietly): The precious and all-holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

 

Priest (quietly): The precious and all-holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter N., unto forgiveness of my sins and unto life everlasting.

 

Priest (quietly): Lo, this hath touched my lips and shall take away mine iniquities and purge away my sins.

 

Priest (quietly): 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: Grant that we may more perfectly partake of thee in the never-ending day of thy kingdom.

 

Priest: With fear of God and faith and love, draw near.

 

 

Choir/People: Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of your mystical supper; for I will not betray your mysteries to your enemies, nor give you a kiss as did Judas, but as the thief I confess you: Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.

 

 

Priest: The servant of God, N., partakes of the precious and all-holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting.

 

Priest: O God, save thy people and bless thine inheritance.

 

Choir/people: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity: for he hath saved us.

 

Priest (quietly): By thy precious Blood, O Lord, wash away the sins of thy servants here commemorated, through the intercessions of all thy saints.

 

Priest (quietly): Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens and thy glory above all the earth.

 

Priest:  Blessed is our God;

 

Priest: Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

 

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy. (or Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.)

 

Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

Priest: 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.

 

Choir/People: To thee, O Lord.

 

 

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:

 

Priest: 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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Priest: Let us depart in peace.

 

Choir/People: In the name of the Lord.

 

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

 

 

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 thy Churches, to the priests, to the civil authorities, to the armed forces and 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.

 

Choir/People: Amen

 

Choir/People: Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice)

 

 

Priest (quietly): 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.

 

 

Choir/People: Lord, have mercy.

 

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.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon you, through His divine grace and love, always, now and forevermore.

 

CANTOR: Amen.

 

Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to thee.

 

Choir/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. Master, bless.

 

 

Priest: May He 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; or Basil the Great archbishop of Caesarea); of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers; 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.

 

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us.

 

Choir/People: Amen.

 

Priest: The Holy Trinity bless you and keep you.

 

 

 

 

 

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