MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 1.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.[SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode 1. Automelon.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * "Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!"[GOASD]
Glory. Repeat.
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.
When Gabriel had said to you, "Rejoice!" blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free![GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
( Lord, have mercy. )
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Commemorating our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
( To You, O Lord. )
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
Kathisma I.
The soldiers who were guarding Your tomb became like dead men, * O Savior, when Your Angel appeared there like lightning * and said to the women that You had risen, as You had said. * We now worship You, our only God, and extol You, * for You conquered death and dissolution, O Master, * and rose from the sepulcher.[GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 1. The soldiers.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Omerciful Lord, nailed to the Cross of Your own will, * O Giver of Life, laid in a tomb as a mortal, * by death You destroyed the power of death, as the Mighty One. * For the doorkeepers of Hades quaked when they saw You. * With yourself You raised those who were long dead, O Savior * supremely benevolent.[GOASD]
We know you as the Mother of God and all-blameless, * for you remained a virgin indeed after childbirth. * With longing we flee to you and appeal to your tender love. * We are sinners all, but we have you to defend us. * We rely on you, O Lady. Rescue and save us * when we are in dire straits.[GOASD]
Kathisma II.
The women were at the tomb early in the morning. * When they saw a vision of angels, trembling came upon them. * The sepulcher was radiating life, and the dazzling marvel astonished them. * They departed and ran to proclaim the resurrection to the Disciples. * "Christ, the only strong and mighty Lord, * has divested Hades of its spoils. * He has freed the dead from fear of condemnation * by the power of the Cross and raised them all with himself."[GOASD]
OLife of all, You were nailed to the Cross. * Immortal Lord, You were counted among the dead. * You rose on the third day, O Savior, and resurrected Adam from decay. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * "Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ! * Glory to Your resurrection! * Glory to Your condescension, only benevolent God!"[GOASD]
OMary, whose august body hosted the Master, * we pray you raise us up, for we are sunk in the darkness * of dreadful despondency, of transgressions and suffering. * Lady, you indeed are the salvation of sinners. * You give help to us; you are our mighty protection; * and you save us your servants.[GOASD]
Resurrectional Evlogetaria.
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone.[SD]
"Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?" Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. "See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher."
Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, "The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles."
When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, "Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher."
We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.
Both now.
Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Hypakoe. Mode 1.
The robber's repentance steals Paradise. The Myrrh-bearers' mourning reveals the joy, for You had risen, O Christ our God, and granted to the world the great mercy.[GOASD]
Anavathmoi.
First Antiphon. Mode 1.
In my affliction, I cry out to You, O Lord. Hear me in my grief.[GOASD]
The longing for God is unceasing in those who dwell in the desert, outside of the futile world as they are.[GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son, belong the honor and the glory. Therefore let us sing a hymn to the Trinity, the one and only Ruler.[GOASD]
Second Antiphon.
Having lifted me up to the mountains of Your laws, brighten me with virtues, O God, that I may praise You.[GOASD]
With Your right hand embracing me, O Logos, keep me safe and shelter me, so that the fire of sin not burn me.[GOASD]
By the Holy Spirit all creation is renewed, and thus returns to its first state. For He is equal in power to the Father and the Logos.[GOASD]
Third Antiphon.
When they said to me, "Let us go into the courts of the Lord," my spirit was glad and my heart rejoiced also.[GOASD]
Over the house of David there is great fear; for when thrones are set there, all the tribes and tongues of the earth will be judged.[GOASD]
To the Holy Spirit the honor, worship, glory, and dominion that befit the Father and the Son should also be ascribed, for the Trinity is one in nature but not in persons.[GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
"Now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly." (2)
Verse: The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver fired in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
"Now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly."[SAAS]
The Canon
Canon for the Resurrection.
Ode i. Mode 1. Heirmos.
Σοῦ ἡ τροπαιοῦχος.
Glorified in strength, as divine, * was Your victorious right hand, immortal Lord; * for, being all-powerful, it dashed and shattered the pursuing enemy, * opening a new way across the sea for the Israelites.[SD]
Troparia.
Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.
You in the beginning, being God, * with Your immaculate hands fashioned me from dust. * Later You stretched out Your hands when You were crucified, and then called back from earth * my corrupted body, which You assumed from the Virgin, O Lord.[SD]
He who put in me a living soul * through His divine insufflation, gave up His own * soul to death and died for me. And then releasing me from the primeval bonds, * with himself He raised me; with incorruption He glorified me.[SD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
We salute you, Fountainhead of grace: * Rejoice! O heavenly ladder and gate: Rejoice! * Lamp-stand and the golden jar: Rejoice! O mountain that was quarried not: Rejoice! * For the world you gave birth to Christ who is the Giver of life.[SD]
Canon for the Prophet.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2. N/M (When they had walked.)
Ὡς ἐν ἠπείρῳ πεζεύσας.
Prophet of God, intercede for us.
We entreat you, Prophet who stand by the judgment seat of God, to intercede earnestly that illumination be granted to us who with faith hymn your sacred memory.[VPA]
You were a divine instrument, able to contain the illumination and gifts of the Holy Spirit, all-wise Zephaniah. Therefore, we, the faithful bless you with rejoicing.[VPA]
The Sun who illumines all the earth with most radiant rays shines from your holy womb, Lady. Having been illumined through Him, we honor you, Mother of God.[VPA]
Ode iii. Mode 1. Heirmos.
Ὁ μόνος εἰδώς.
As You are the only One who knows * our mortal nature's frailty and with compassion assumed the form thereof, * O Savior, gird me with the power from on high, * to cry out that Holy is the animate temple * of Your ineffable glory, O Lover of man.[SD]
Benevolent Lord, You are my God, * who pitied me, the fallen one; and in Your good pleasure You came down to me. * Through crucifixion You have exalted me, * to cry out that Holy are You, O Lord of glory, * and unparalleled in Your benevolence.[SD]
OChrist, being hypostatic life, * my Lord and sympathetic God, * You clothed yourself with me the corrupted one. * When You descended into the dust of death, * you destroyed mortality; and rising on the third day, * You clothed the dead with immortality.[SD]
OVirgin, you remained unconsumed, * conceiving God within your womb by the all-holy Spirit’s overshadowing. * To Prophet Moses, the giver of the Law, * the unconsumed burning bush that he saw foreshadowed you, * who would receive in yourself the unbearable fire.[SD]
Mode pl. 2. N/M (No one is holy.)
Οὔκ ἐστιν ἅγιος.
He who sees all things as God, manifests and shows to you in a manner fitting to God, the knowledge of the future and the clear vision of things to come, admirable and blessed one.[VPA]
Blessed one, having stretched your mind with pious boldness, you bowed down to the divine Spirit and became fit for receiving divine illumination from Him.[VPA]
Behold, all generations, with faith, bless you who gave birth beyond nature to the beginningless Logos incarnate in time, and who still remained a virgin.[VPA]
DEACON
For You are our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Resurrectional Kontakion.
You rose from the tomb in glory as God, and You raised the world along with You. The human race extolled You as God, as death was obliterated, O Master. Now Adam dances, and Eve rejoices, freed from the bonds, and cries out, "O Christ, You have granted resurrection to all!"[GOASD]
Oikos.
Let us extol, as omnipotent God, the One who rose on the third day; for He smashed the gates of Hades, and He raised from their graves the dead from all time. As He wished He was seen by the Myrrh-bearing Women, to whom first He exclaimed, "Rejoice!" thus saying declaring to His Apostles the joy, as the only Giver of Life. Then the women in good faith bring good news of the proof of the victory to the Disciples. But Hades groans, and Death laments. The world exults, and everyone celebrates, O Christ, for You have granted resurrection to all![GOASD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On December 3, we commemorate the holy Prophet Zephaniah.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Theodore, Archbishop of Alexandria.
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodoulos the Eparch.
On this day we also commemorate our devout father John the Hesychast, Bishop of Cologne.
On this day Saints Agapios, Seleukos, and Mamas died by the sword.
Our devout father Theodoulos the Cypriot, the fool for Christ, died in peace.
We also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Gabriel, formerly Bishop of Ganos, and then of Constantinople, who was martyred in Prousa in the year 1659.
Holy Neo-Martyr Angeles, who competed in Chios in the year 1813, died by the sword.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Katavasias of Christmas I
Ode i. Mode 1.
Christ is born; glorify Him! * Christ is come from heaven; go and meet Him. * Christ is on earth; arise to Him. * Sing to the Lord, all you who dwell on the earth; * and in merry spirits, O you peoples, praise His birth. * For He is glorified.[SD]
Ode iii.
To the Son, begotten * without flux, of the Father, before the ages, * and who was lately made incarnate * of the Virgin without seed; * to Christ God now let us cry aloud: * You have exalted the horn of our strength. Only You are holy, O Lord.[SD]
Ode iv.
Jesse's root produced a branch, O Christ, * and You its flower blossomed forth, * from the Virgin who by Habakkuk prophetically once was called * overshadowed, dense mountain. * From her who knew not man You came incarnate, * the immaterial God. * Glory to Your power, O Lord.[SD]
Ode v.
God of peace and Father of mercies, Your Son * You have sent unto us as Your messenger, * the Angel of great counsel who is granting peace. * Therefore having been guided to the light of godly knowledge, * waking from the night to dawn, we sing Your glory, O Lover of man.[SD]
Ode vi.
Such as it received * Jonah as an embryo, the sea beast disgorged him from its bowels intact. * With the Virgin, though, when the Logos had dwelt in her taking on flesh, * He came forth from her preserving her yet incorrupt. * For from her no fluxion suffered He, * and He kept her unaltered in childbirth.[SD]
Ode vii.
The Servants nurtured piously together, * with contempt regarding the impious king's decree, * intrepidly faced the threat of holocaust, * and while standing in the midst of flames they chanted thus, * saying: O God of the fathers, You are blessed.[SD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Babylon's bedewing furnace bore the image * of an extraordinary wonder. * For it did not burn the youths it accepted, * nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin's womb wherein it went. * So let us melodiously chant in praise: * Let all creation bless and extol the Lord, * and let it exalt Him supremely to the ages.[SD]
Stand for the Gospel reading.
Let us pray to the Lord.
For You are holy, our God, who rest among the Saints, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.[SAAS]
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
Peace be with all.
( And with your spirit. )
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Let us be attentive.
( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )
PRIEST (from the altar table)
Eothinon 4
Luke. 24:1-12
On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.[RSV]
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.[GOA]
Psalm 50 (51).
Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.
Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.
You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.
Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.
O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God.[SAAS]
At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.[SD]
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.[SD]
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.[SD]
O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies, through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonder-workers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the victorious, Demetrios the Myrobletes, Theodore Teron, and Theodore Stratelates; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the Hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints; We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Through the mercy, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 1.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.[NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.[SD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.[NKJV]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.[NKJV]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.[NKJV]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.[NKJV]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.[NKJV]
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 1.
O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honor and in glory than the armies of heaven.
Isee here a strange and paradoxical mystery. * For, behold, the grotto is heaven; * cherubic throne is the Virgin; * the manger a grand space * in which Christ our God the uncontainable reclined as a babe; * Whom in extolling do we magnify.[SD]
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Holy is the Lord our God. (2)[SAAS]
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.
For He is holy.
Exaposteilarion.
Eothinon 4.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Let us with virtues dazzling bright * picture the two men standing * at the life-bearing sepulcher * in their dazzling apparel, * beside the Myrrh-bearing Women, * frightened and bowing their faces. * With Peter, let us also run * to life inside the tomb, now that we have learned * that the Lord of heaven has truly risen. * Let us marvel at what transpired, * and let us stay to see Christ.[GOASD]
Theotokion. Same Melody.
When You, O Savior, said "Rejoice!" * You replaced the ancestral * sorrow and introduced instead * joy of Your resurrection * into the world, O Redeemer. * Heed, now, the intercessions * of Your Mother, and send out light, * light of Your mercy, light that illumines hearts, * so that we may sing to You, glorifying * Your rising, O benevolent * Giver of Life and God-man.[GOASD]
Lauds. Mode 1.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.[SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.[SAAS]
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord's name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord's name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
Resurrectional Stichera.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.[SAAS]
We extol Your saving Passion, O Christ, and we glorify Your resurrection.[GOASD]
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.[SAAS]
You endured crucifixion, and You abolished death, and You rose from the dead. We pray You grant us a peaceful life, O Lord, as the only Almighty One.[GOASD]
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.[SAAS]
You plundered Hades, and You raised humanity, by Your resurrection, O Christ. We pray You grant us to extol You and glorify You with a pure heart.[GOASD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.[SAAS]
We glorify Your divine condescension, and we extol You, O Christ. From the Virgin You were born, and from the Father You remained inseparable. As a man You suffered and voluntarily endured the Cross. As one emerging from a bridal chamber, You rose from the sepulcher, in order to save the world. Glory to You, O Lord![GOASD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.[SAAS]
When You were nailed to the tree of the Cross, then the enemy's power was destroyed. In fear of You, creation was shaken, and by Your power Hades was sacked. You raised the dead from the tombs, and to the robber You opened Paradise. Christ our God, glory to You![GOASD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.[SAAS]
The loyal women came with haste to Your tomb lamenting, and they found the sepulcher opened. When they learned from the Angel the new and marvelous wonder, they reported to the Apostles, "The Lord has risen, granting to the world the great mercy!"[GOASD]
Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hand be lifted high, and do not forget Your poor to the end.[SAAS]
We honor the sacred stripes that You received at Your Passion, O Christ God, and the divinely revealed imperial sacrifice that took place in Zion at the end of the ages. You, the Sun of Righteousness, enlightened those who were asleep in darkness, and You led them to never-setting illumination. Glory to You, O Lord.[GOASD]
I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your wondrous things.[SAAS]
Listen, O brood of Jewish agitators. Where are those who went to Pilate? Let the soldiers who were guarding speak out. Where are the seals of the sepulcher? Where was the buried corpse moved? Where was the unsellable sold? How was the treasure stolen? Why do you discredit the resurrection of Him who was crucified, O lawless Jewish men? He rose, for He was free among the dead, and He grants to the world the great mercy.[GOASD]
Glory. Mode 4.
It was early dawn, and the women came to Your tomb, O Christ. But Your body, which they longed for, was nowhere to be found. While they were perplexed about this, the men in dazzling apparel stood by them and said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He has risen, as He told you. Why do you not remember His words?" And they believed them, and proclaimed what they had seen. But the good news seemed to the disciples an idle tale. This is how slow they still were to understand. But Peter ran and saw for himself, and he went home, glorifying Your wonders.[GOASD]
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, "O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!"[GOASD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind.[SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.
Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)
Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy.
LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Unless otherwise indicated, the texts of the prayers and hymns of the Divine Liturgy are produced and approved for use by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Master, give the blessing.
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
THE LITANY OF PEACE OR GREAT LITANY
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
THE PRAYER OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON
Lord, our God, Whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; Whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for mankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.
For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
First Antiphon. Mode 2.
Verse 1: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name.[SAAS]
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.[GOA]
Verse 2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards.[SAAS]
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 3: The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.[SAAS]
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
THE SMALL LITANY
THE PRAYER OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON
Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the fullness of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.
Second Antiphon. Mode 2.
Verse 1: Praise the Lord, O my soul! I shall praise the Lord while I live; I shall sing to my God as long as I exist.[SAAS]
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.[GOA]
Verse 2: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; his hope is in the Lord his God.[SAAS]
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 3: The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.[SAAS]
Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.[GOA]
THE PRAYER OF THE THIRD ANTIPHON
Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.
For You, O God, are good and love mankind, and to You we offer glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Verse 1: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.[SAAS]
Verse 2: Let heaven and earth praise Him.[SAAS]
THE SMALL ENTRANCE
As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest's hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
THE ENTRANCE PRAYER
Master, Lord our God, Who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Master, bless the holy entrance.
Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Wisdom. Arise.
Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead.[GOA]
We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns After the Small Entrance.
Apolytikion of the Parish Church
(Apolytikion of the Parish Church.)[GOA]
Kontakion.
Mode 3. Automelon.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.
On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the grotto to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God.[SD]
THE PRAYER OF THE TRISAGION HYMN
O Holy God, Who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.
For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever,
And to the ages of ages.
THE TRISAGION HYMN
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)[GOA]
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Dynamis.
Command, Master.
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Master, bless the throne on high.
Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.[GOA]
The Epistle
26th Sunday
Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 32.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we hope in You.[SAAS]
Verse: Rejoice greatly in the Lord, O righteous ones; praise is fitting for the upright.[SAAS]
Wisdom.
The reading is from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.
Eph. 5:8-19
Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.[RSV]
Peace be with you the reader.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)
THE PRAYER OF THE HOLY GOSPEL
Shine in our hearts, O Master Who loves mankind, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, having trampled down all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, together with Your Father, Who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Gospel
Sunday of the 14th Week of Luke
Lk. 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.[RSV]
Peace be with you.
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
THE SERMON
(According to ancient tradition, the sermon was delivered following the readings.)
__________
(The litanies of Supplication and for the Catechumens and the First Prayer of the Faithful have been omitted.)
THE SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Again and countless times we fall down before You, and we implore You, O Good One, Who loves mankind: That You, having regarded our prayer, may cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant to us to stand before Your holy Altar of sacrifice, free of guilt and condemnation. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us, progress in life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Grant that they always worship You with awe and love, partake of Your Holy Mysteries without guilt or condemnation, and be deemed worthy of Your celestial Kingdom.
That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
THE GREAT ENTRANCE
The Cherubic Hymn.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.[GOA]
THE PRAYER OF THE CHERUBIC HYMN
No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for mankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical sacrifice without the shedding of blood. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, Who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience; and enable me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before Your holy Table and celebrate the Mystery of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One Who both offers and is offered, the One Who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, with Your Father, Who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. * So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
May the Lord God remember all of you in His Kingdom always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.[GOA]
THE LITANY OF COMPLETION
Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, even so, accept from us sinners our supplication, and bring it to Your holy Altar of sacrifice. Enable us to offer You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our own sins and the failings of Your people. Deem us worthy to find grace in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be well pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts presented and upon all Your people.
Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
And with your spirit.
Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.[GOA]
Or, for concelebrations:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.[SAAS]
The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!
PEOPLE
THE SYMBOL OF OUR FAITH
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.[GOA]
THE HOLY ANAPHORA
Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.
A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
It is proper and right.
It is proper and right to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in every place of Your dominion. For You, O God, are ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, existing forever, forever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of nothing into being, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again. You left nothing undone until you had led us up to heaven and granted us Your Kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit: for all things we know and do not know, for blessings manifest and hidden that have been bestowed on us. We thank You also for this Liturgy, which You have deigned to receive from our hands, even though thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels stand around You, the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings,
Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…
Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.[GOA]
Together with these blessed powers, Master, Who loves mankind, we also exclaim and say: Holy are You and most holy, You and Your onlybegotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and most holy, and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled for our sake the entire plan of salvation, on the night in which He was delivered up, or rather when He delivered Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, and, giving thanks and blessing, He hallowed and broke it, and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:
Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
Likewise, after partaking of the supper, He took the cup, saying,
Drink of this, all of you; this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and all that has been done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, and the second and glorious coming again.
Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.
We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.[GOA]
Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we beseech and pray and entreat You: Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts here presented,
And make this Bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of Your Christ.
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
( Amen. Amen. Amen. )
So that they may be for those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, remission of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven, boldness before You, not for judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have reposed in the faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith,
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
Hymn to the Theotokos.
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.[GOA]
For Saint John the prophet, forerunner, and Baptist; for the holy, glorious, and most praiseworthy apostles; for Saint(s) (Name), whose memory we celebrate; and for all Your saints, through whose supplications, visit us, O God. And remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal (here the Priest commemorates by name those departed whom he wishes). Grant them rest, O our God, where the light of Your countenance keeps watch. Again we beseech You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth, the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly and monastic order. Again we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living pure and reverent lives. For civil authorities and our armed forces, grant that they may govern in peace, Lord, so that in their tranquility we, too, may live calm and serene lives, in all piety and virtue.
Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name): grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
Lord, have mercy.
And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.
(The preferred response is:)
Remember, Lord, Your Holy Great Church, our Sacred Archdiocese, this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air; the sick; the suffering; the captives; and their salvation. Remember those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send forth Your mercies.
And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.
That our God Who loves mankind, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Show Petitions
Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
We entrust to You, loving Master, our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray, and implore You: Grant us to partake of Your heavenly and awesome Mysteries from this sacred and spiritual table with a clear conscience for the remission of sins, the forgiveness of transgressions, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, and boldness before You, not unto judgment or condemnation.
And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.[GOA]
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
We give thanks to You, invisible King, Who by Your boundless power fashioned the universe, and in the multitude of Your mercy brought all things from nothing into being. Look down from heaven, O Master, upon those who have bowed their heads before You, for they have not bowed before flesh and blood, but before You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make smooth and beneficial for us all, whatever lies ahead, according to the need of each: Sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.
Through the grace, compassion, and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your Kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You Who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.
The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.
One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.[GOA]
Show Pre-Communion Prayers
Communion Hymn. Psalm 148.
Praise the Lord from the heavens. Alleluia.[SAAS]
With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.
And the people receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy Chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one:
The servant of God (Name) partakes of the Body and Blood of Christ for the remission of sins and life eternal.
Hymns During Holy Communion
Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
Hymn after Holy Communion.
We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.[GOA]
Exalt, Master.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth.
Blessed is our God.
Always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
THE THANKSGIVING PRAYER
We give thanks to You, Master Who loves mankind, benefactor of our souls, that even on this very day You have made us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Make straight our path, fortify us in Your fear, guard our life, make secure our steps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.
For You are our sanctification, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Let us go forth in peace.
THE PRAYER BEHIND THE AMBON
O Lord, Who blesses those who bless You and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to our civic leaders, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights. To You we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3)[GOA]
Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. You have fulfilled the Father's entire plan of salvation. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.
May He Who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and merciful and loves mankind.
Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.[GOA]
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
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