The Divine Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom*

Priest:
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Deacon or Priest:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For 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.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For our Archbishop, our Bishop, the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, all the clergy the monastic’s and the laity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For our country let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For this parish and city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable; look upon us and upon this holy house in thy compassion. Grant to us and to those who pray with us thy abundant mercy.

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

People:
Amen.

The Antiphon’s

(Note: The Antiphons are chanted here including versus from the Psalms and vary by day.)

People:
By the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us (3 times).

Deacon or Priest:
In peace let us again pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
Lord, our God, save thy people and bless thy inheritance; protect the whole body of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house; glorify them in return by thy divine power; and do not forsake us who hope in Thee.

Priest:
For thine is the dominion, the kingdom, the power, and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

People:
Save us, O Son of God, (who rose from the dead), to Thee we sing: Alleluia (3 times).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Only begotten Son and Word of God, although immortal Thee humbled thyself for our salvation, taking flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary and, without change, becoming man. Christ, our God, Thee were crucified but conquered death by death. Thee are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit - save us.

Deacon or Priest:
In peace let us again pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
Lord, Thee have given us grace to offer these common prayers with one heart. Thee have promised to grant the requests of two or three gathered in thy name. Fulfill now the petitions of thy servants for our benefit, giving us the knowledge of thy truth in this world, and granting us eternal life in the world to come.

Priest:
For Thee are a good and loving God, and to Thee we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

The Small Entrance

The Apolytikion of the Feast is chanted here. While the Apolytikion is chanted, the priest carrying the holy Gospel Book comes in procession before the Royal Gate.

Priest:
Master and Lord our God, Thee have established in heaven the orders and hosts of angels and archangels to minister to thy glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us that together we may serve and glorify thy goodness. For to Thee belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Blessed is the entrance of thy saints always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest or Deacon:
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

Come, let us worship and bow before Christ. Save us, O Son of God who rose from the dead, to Thee we sing: Alleluia.

The priest enters the sanctuary through the Royal gate. The Apolytikion is repeated and the Troparion of the church and the Kontakion of the day are chanted.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest (in a low voice):
Holy God, Thee dwell among thy saints. Thee are praised by the Seraphim with the thrice holy hymn and glorified by the Cherubim and worshiped by all the heavenly powers. Thee have brought all things out of nothing into being. Thee have created man and woman in thy image and likeness and adorned them with all the gifts of thy grace. Thee give wisdom and understanding to the supplicant and do not overlook the sinner but have established repentance as the way of salvation. Thee have enabled us, thy lowly and unworthy servants, to stand at this hour before the glory of thy holy altar and to offer to Thee due worship and praise. Master, accept the thrice holy hymn also from the lips of us sinners and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship and serve Thee in holiness all the days of our lives, by the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased Thee throughout the ages.

Priest:
For Thee are holy, our God, and to Thee we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3 times).
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Deacon or Priest:
Again, with strength.

Priest:
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Blessed are Thee on the throne of glory of thy kingdom, seated upon the Cherubim, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

People:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

The Epistle

Priest:
Let us be attentive.

Wisdom.

Reader:

The reading from the Apostolos for the day is read.

Priest:
Peace be with thee.

People:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Priest:
Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of thy divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of thy Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for thy blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to Thee. For Thee, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to Thee we give glory together with thy Father who is without beginning and thy all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Gospel:

Priest:
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be with thee all.

People:
And with thy spirit.

Deacon or Priest:
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to (The Gospel of the day is referenced here). Let us be attentive.

People:
Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

The Gospel is read.

People:
Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Priest:
Let us say with all our soul and with all our heart, let us say:

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
O Lord Almighty, the God of our Fathers, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Furthermore we pray for this country.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Furthermore we pray for our Reverend Bishop.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Furthermore we pray for our brethren: priests, deacons, monks and all other clergy, and for all our brethren in Christ.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Furthermore we pray for the blessed ever-memorable and most holy Orthodox patriarchs, for the blessed founders of this holy church and for all our Orthodox fathers, brethren, and sisters departed from this life before us, and who rest in peace here and everywhere.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God the benefactors, beautifiers and members of this holy church.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest (in a low voice):
O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of thy mercies; and send forth thy compassion upon us and upon all thy people, who await the rich mercy that cometh from Thee.

Priest:
For Thou art a merciful God and loves 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.

Prayer of the Catechumens (These prayers have existed since the early days of the church. Some churches omit them.)

Priest:
Pray unto the Lord, ye catechumens.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Ye faithful, pray ye for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy upon them.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
That He may teach them the word of truth;

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
That He may unite them unto His Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church;

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Save them, have mercy upon them, preserve them, and protect them, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
Bow thy heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
O Lord, our God, Who dwells on high and regards the humble of heart; Who hast sent forth as the salvation of mankind Thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; look down upon thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration. Unite them to thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, and number them with thy chosen flock.

Priest:
That they also with us may glorify thy most honorable and majestic Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
All ye catechumens, depart! Depart, ye catechumens! All ye that are catechumens, depart! Let no catechumens remain! But let us who are of the faithful, again and again, in peace pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of the Powers, Who hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before thy holy altar, and to prostrate ourselves before thy compassion for our sins and errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us worthy to offer unto Thee prayers and supplications, and bloodless sacrifices for all thy people. And enable us, whom Thou hast appointed in this thy ministry, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without offense, in the pure testimony of our conscience, to call upon Thee at all times and in every place; that hearing us, Thou may show mercy upon us according to the multitude of thy goodness.

Priest:
Help us, save us have mercy upon us and protect us, O god, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

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

People:
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
Again, we bow before Thee and pray to Thee, O good and loving God. Hear our supplication: cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant that we may stand before thy holy altar without blame or condemnation. Grant also, O God, progress in life, faith, and spiritual discernment to the faithful who pray with us, so that they may always worship Thee with reverence and love, partake of thy Holy Mysteries without blame or condemnation, and become worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

Priest:
And grant that always guarded by thy power we may give glory to Thee, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Great Entrance

People:
We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all the cares of life that we may receive the King of all…….(see the ending below)

The hymn is sung slowly in an effort to represent the heavenly hosts and their constant singing to God. During this time the priest censes and prepares the Holy Gifts for the Great Entrance.

Priest:
No one bound by worldly desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near or minister to Thee, the King of glory. To serve Thee is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. But because of thy ineffable and immeasurable love for us, Thee became man without alteration or change. Thee have served as our High Priest, and as Lord of all, and have entrusted to us the celebration of this liturgical sacrifice without the shedding of blood. For Thee alone, Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth. Thee are seated on the throne of the Cherubim, the Lord of the Seraphim and the King of Israel. Thee alone are holy and dwell among thy saints. Thee alone are good and ready to hear. Therefore, I implore Thee, look upon me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, and cleanse my soul and heart from evil consciousness. Enable me by the power of thy Holy Spirit so that, vested with the grace of priesthood, I may stand before thy holy Table and celebrate the mystery of thy holy and pure Body and thy precious Blood. To Thee I come with bowed head and pray: do not turn thy face away from me or reject me from among thy children, but make me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer to Thee these gifts. For Thee, Christ our God, are the Offerer and the Offered, the One who receives and is distributed, and to Thee we give glory, together with thy eternal Father and thy holy, good and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest:
We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all the cares of life that we may receive the King of all…..

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate thy cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Thee holy resurrection. Thee are our God. We know no other than Thee, and we call upon thy name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection. For enduring the cross for us, he destroyed death by death.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight, that Thee may be found just when Thee speak, and victorious when Thee are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore me. For behold, Thee have loved truth; Thee have made known to me the secret and hidden thing of thy wisdom. thee shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thee shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and establish me with thy governing Spirit. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to Thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim thy praise. For if Thee had desired sacrifice, I would give it; Thee do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled heart. Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then Thee shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on thy altar.

The Great Entrance begins

Deacon or Priest:
May the Lord God remember all of thee in His kingdom, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

The priest enters the sanctuary and the people chant the end of the Cherubic Hymn.

People:
(from above).....invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For the precious gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.
Deacon or Priest:
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
For the completion of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

People:
Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon or Priest:
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To thee, O Lord.

Priest:
Lord, God Almighty, Thee alone are holy. Thee accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon Thee with their whole heart. Receive also the prayer of us sinners and let it reach thy holy altar. Enable us to bring before Thee gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the transgressions of the people. Make us worthy to find grace in thy presence so that our sacrifice may be pleasing to Thee and that thy good and gracious Spirit may abide with us, with the gifts here presented, and with all thy people.

Priest:
Through the mercies of thy only begotten Son with whom Thee are blessed, together with thy all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest:
Peace be with thee all.

People:
And with thy spirit.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess:

The Priest kisses the holy Gifts

Priest:
I love Thee, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.

If there is more than one clergy performing the Liturgy then the Kiss of Peace is exchanged.

People:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Trinity one in essence and inseparable.

Deacon or Priest:
Guard the doors. Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

The Creed

People:
I believe in One God. Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of everything 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, descended from Heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man.

And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried.

And arose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures.

And ascended into the Heavens and is seated at the right of the Father.

And He shall come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. Who speaks through the Prophets.

In One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.

I look for the Resurrection of dead.

And the life of the ages to come.

Amen.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us stand well. Let us stand in awe. Let us be attentive, that we may present the holy offering in peace.

People:
Mercy and 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 all of thee.

People:
And with thy spirit.

Priest:
Let us lift up our hearts.

People:
We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Lord.

People:
It is proper and right.

Priest:
It is proper and right to sing to Thee, bless Thee, praise Thee, thank Thee and worship Thee in all places of thy dominion; for Thee are God ineffable, beyond comprehension, invisible, beyond understanding, existing forever and always the same; Thee and thy only begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thee brought us into being out of nothing, and when we fell, Thee raised us up again. Thee did not cease doing everything until Thee led us to heaven and granted us thy kingdom to come. For all these things we thank Thee and thy only begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit; for all things that we know and do not know, for blessings seen and unseen that have been bestowed upon us. We also thank Thee for this liturgy which Thee are pleased to accept from our hands, even though Thee are surrounded by thousands of Archangels and tens of thousands of Angels, by the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring with their wings,

Priest:
Singing the victory hymn, proclaiming, crying out, and saying:

People:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to God in the highest.

Priest (in a low voice):
Together with these blessed powers, merciful Master, we also proclaim and say: Thee are holy and most holy, Thee and thy only begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. Thee are holy and most holy, and sublime is thy glory. Thee so loved thy world that Thee gave thy only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. He came and fulfilled the divine plan for us. On the night when He was delivered up, or rather when He gave Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, gave thanks, blessed, sanctified, broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:

Priest:
Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for thee for the forgiveness of sins.

People:
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, saying:

Priest:
Drink of it all of thee; this is my Blood of the new Covenant which is shed for thee and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

People:
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming,

Priest:
We offer to Thee these gifts from thy own gifts in all and for all.

People:
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks to Thee, and we pray to Thee, Lord our God.

Priest (in a low voice):
Once again we offer to Thee this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we ask, pray, and entreat Thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented.
And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ.

(He blesses the holy Bread.)

Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
And that which is in this cup the precious Blood of thy Christ.

(He blesses the holy Cup.)

Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.

(He blesses them both.)

Deacon (in a low voice):
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
So that they may be to those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, forgiveness of sins, communion of thy Holy Spirit, fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven, confidence before Thee, and not in judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer this spiritual worship for those who repose in the faith, forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith.

Priest:
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary.

People:
It is truly right to bless thee, 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 thee gave birth to God the Word. We magnify thee, the true Theotokos.

Priest (in a low voice):
For Saint John the prophet, forerunner, and baptist; for the holy glorious and most honorable Apostles; for Saints (insert the names of the Saints of the day", whose memory we commemorate today; and for all thy saints, through whose supplications, O God, bless us. Remember also all who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life. (Here the priest commemorates the names of the deceased.) And grant them rest, our God, where the light of thy countenance shines. Again, we ask Thee, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of thy truth, all presbyters, all deacons in the service of Christ, and every one in holy orders. We also offer to Thee this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living in purity and holiness. And for all those in public service; permit them, Lord, to serve and govern in peace that through the faithful conduct of their duties we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety and holiness.

Priest:
Above all, remember, Lord, our Archbishop. Grant that he may serve thy holy churches in peace. Keep them safe, honorable, and healthy for many years, rightly teaching the word of thy truth.

Deacon or Priest:
Remember also, Lord, those whom each of us calls to mind and all thy people.

People:
And all thy people.

Priest (in a low voice):
Remember, Lord, the city in which we live, every city and country, and the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, Lord, the travelers, the sick, the suffering, and the captives, granting them protection and salvation. Remember, Lord, those who do charitable work, who serve in thy holy churches, and who care for the poor. And send thy mercy upon us all.

Priest:
And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise thy most honored and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest:
The mercy of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with thee all of thee.

People:
And with thy spirit.

Deacon or Priest:
Having remembered all the saints, let us again in peace pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
For the precious Gifts offered and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
That our loving God who has received them at His holy, heavenly, and spiritual altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send upon us divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Having prayed for the unity of faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):
We entrust to Thee, loving Master, our whole life and hope, and we ask, pray, and entreat: make us worthy to partake of thy heavenly and awesome Mysteries from this holy and spiritual Table with a clear conscience; for the remission of sins, forgiveness of transgressions, communion of the Holy Spirit, inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, confidence before Thee, and not in judgment or condemnation.

Priest:
And make us worthy, Master, with confidence and without fear of condemnation, to dare call Thee, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:

People:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest:
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 the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest:
Peace be with thee all.

People:
And with thy spirit.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):
We give thanks to Thee, invisible King. By thy infinite power Thee created all things and by thy great mercy Thee brought everything from nothing into being. Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads before Thee; they have bowed not before flesh and blood but before Thee the awesome God. Therefore, Master, guide the course of our life for our benefit according to the need of each of us. Sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel; and heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.

Priest:
By the grace, mercy, and love for us of thy only begotten Son, with whom Thee are blessed, together with thy all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, hear us from thy holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of thy kingdom. Thee are enthroned on high with the Father and are also invisibly present among us. Come and sanctify us, and let thy pure Body and precious Blood be given to us by thy mighty hand and through us to all thy people.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us be attentive.

Priest:
The holy for the holy.

People:
One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

People:
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia (3 times).

The Communion Hymn changes according to the Feast Day.

Priest:
The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken but not divided. He is forever eaten yet is never consumed, but He sanctifies those who partake of Him.

The fullness of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Blessed is the fervor of thy saints, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The warmth of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

People:
I believe and confess, Lord, that Thee are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly thy pure Body and that this is truly thy precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to Thee, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of thy pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of thy saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In thy love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.

Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of thy mystical Supper. I will not reveal thy mystery to thy adversaries. Nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to Thee: Lord, remember me in thy kingdom.

Priest (in a low voice):
Behold, I approach Christ, our immortal King and God.
The precious and most holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.

The precious and most holy Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.

This has touched my lips, taking away my transgressions and cleansing my sins.

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate thy cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify thy holy resurrection. Thee are our God. We know no other than Thee, and we call upon thy name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection. For enduring the cross for us, He destroyed death by death.

Deacon or Priest:
Approach with the fear of God, faith, and love.

Those prepared for the Holy Gifts come forth with reverence to receive Holy Communion.

The priest says to each person receiving Holy Communion.

Priest:
The servant of God (One tells the priest their baptized name here) receives the Body and Blood of Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Priest:
Save, O God, thy people and bless thy inheritance.

People:
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.

Priest:
Wash away, Lord, by thy holy Blood, the sins of all those commemorated, through the intercessions of the Theotokos and all thy saints. Amen.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let thy glory be over all the earth (3 times).

Priest:
Blessed is our God.

Priest:
Always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us be attentive. Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life giving, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest:
Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commit ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
We thank Thee, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, that on this day Thee have made us worthy once again of thy heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Direct our ways in the right path, establish us firmly in thy fear, guard our lives, and make our endeavors safe, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary and of all thy saints.

Priest:
For Thee are our sanctification and to Thee we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest:
Let us depart in peace.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord have mercy.

Priest:
Lord, bless those who praise Thee and sanctify those who trust in Thee. Save thy people and bless thy inheritance. Protect the whole body of thy Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house. Glorify them in return by thy divine power, and do not forsake us who hope in Thee. Grant peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the clergy, to those in public service, to the armed forces, and to all thy people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from Thee, the Father of lights. To Thee we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.
Blessed is the name of the Lord, both now and to the ages (3 times).

Priest:
Christ our God, Thee are the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. Thee have fulfilled all the dispensation of the Father. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon or Priest:
Let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy (3 times) Father, give the blessing.

Priest:
May the blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon thee through His divine grace and love always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

Priest:
Glory to Thee, O God, our hope, glory to Thee.
May Christ our true God (who rose from the dead), as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy upon us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and 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; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; our holy and God-bearing Fathers, the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna, “Saints of the day named here” whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

People:
Amen.
Lord, grant long life to him who blesses and sanctifies us.

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

People:
Amen.

Priest:
May the holy Trinity protect all of thee.

* The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is used ten times a year. During the Great Lent and on Christmas, Theophany, and St. Basil's Day, Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday

Holy Pascha

Paschalion
(Dates of Pascha thru 2099)

Fasting Calendar Pascha 2009

Theotokos

Feast of the Dormition
of the Theotokos

Akathist Hymn

Hero Saints

Origins of the Church

Church of the Holy Wisdom