The Divine Liturgy of St James
Prayed in the The British Orthodox Church within the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
http://britishorthodox.org/miscellaneous/the-divine-liturgy-of-saint-james/
Prayed in the The British Orthodox Church within the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
http://britishorthodox.org/miscellaneous/the-divine-liturgy-of-saint-james/
THE ENARXIS OR PREPARATION
Note (1): Deacons do not enter or leave the Sanctuary through the Royal Doors unless the Liturgy contains specific instructions for them to do so. Nor do they ever cross the Sanctuary in front of the Altar, and only cross the Sanctuary behind the Altar when it is necessary for them to do so to carry out their duties. In general, if there are two deacons, one should remain on the left and one on the right of the Altar. When entering the Sanctuary, the right foot should enter first; the Sanctuary should be left backwards (that is, facing the Altar), with the left foot first.
Note (2): The vestments of the clergy should be blessed, and the clergy should be vested, if not now, then prior to the Raising of Incense. All clergy who are to participate in the Liturgy stand with their vestments over their left arms. The Priest (or, if there is a Bishop present, the Bishop; or, if there is more than one Priest, the Priest who will be the principal celebrant) signs himself with the cross saying:
Blessing of Vestments
Priest : + In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, One God.
He then crosses the vestments of the other clergy three times, saying aloud:
Priest :
+ Blessed be God the Father Almighty. Amen.
+ Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
+ Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Amen.
If the celebrant is a Bishop, he alone does this. If the celebrant is a Priest and there is another Priest present, the celebrant says + Blessed be God the Father Almighty. Amen, and then gives his hand cross to the other Priest who says + Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen, then returning the hand cross to the celebrant who concludes the blessing. The celebrant then says:
Priest: Lord, make us worthy to pray thankfully:
Our Father…
The clergy together recite the Lord’s Prayer. The celebrant then prostrates before the other clergy. If there is another Priest present, he says: I have sinned; absolve and forgive me. If there is no other Priest present he says: I have sinned, forgive me. The deacons (and any other Priests) kiss the hand cross of the celebrant saying quietly: I have sinned, absolve me, and the Priest says quietly: God absolves you. The clergy then assume their vestments.
After the offering of the Morning Incense, the Curtain remains open. On the Table of Prothesis within the Sanctuary stand the flasks of wine and water, the wine being on the right and the water on the left of the paten which is in front (or, if the size of the table will not allow that, to the right) of the chalice. The basket containing the bread is on a table outside the Sanctuary, and is covered with a cloth. There should be at least five breads, arranged in the form of a cross; however, there must be an uneven number of breads (three, five, seven and so on). The breads should be placed so that the three wounds are to the right.
The First Lavabo
The Priest stands within the Sanctuary; a deacon brings to him a ewer of water and a bowl, and a towel over his left arm. The Priest washes his hands three times saying,
Priest :
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness : that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
I will wash mine hands in innocency : so will I compass Thine altar, O Lord.
The Priest dries his hands, takes a veil from the altar and folds it, placing it within his left sleeve, and stands at the door of the Sanctuary, facing west. The deacons leave the Sanctuary by the side doors, one carrying the two flasks of wine and water.
The Preparation
A deacon bearing the covered basket of bread stands in front of the Priest, facing east; if there is another Priest present, he carries the basket. If there is more than one assisting Priest, the senior assisting Priest carries the basket, the other the wine. If there are three assisting priests, they hold, in order of seniority, the basket, the wine and the water, and follow the instructions which would apply if these were carried by deacons.
Two other deacons stand on either side of the deacon bearing the basket, the one to the north of the basket carrying the wine flask on a veil in his right hand and a lighted candle in his left; his right hand is crossed over his left hand. The other deacon stands to the south carrying the water flask in his right hand (but without a veil), a lighted candle in his left hand, and with his right hand crossed over his left hand.
If there is only one deacon to carry both wine and water, he stands to the north of the basket with the wine in his right hand and the water in his left, his right hand crossed over his left hand.
The Priest crosses himself once silently, and uncovers the basket. He places his hand cross in the basket to his right, and takes the flask of wine from the deacon. He smells the flask of wine and offers it to the deacon or priest carrying the bread, and to the deacon who was carrying the wine, and if it is good each says,
Priest : Good and pleasant.
The Priest takes the flask of wine into his left hand and holds it on the lower left hand side of the basket. Taking up his hand cross with his right hand, he crosses himself, saying aloud:
Priest : + In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, One God.
He then crosses the basket three times, touching the loaves at each extreme of the cross each time and then touching the flask of wine, saying aloud:
Priest :
+ Blessed be God the Father Almighty. Amen.
+ Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
+ Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Amen.
Placing his hand cross down on the bottom right hand side of the basket he takes the flask of wine with his right hand and crosses the basket once with the wine flask, touching the breads at each extreme of the cross, and saying aloud:
Priest : Glory and honour, honour and glory unto the Holy Trinity : the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Priest returns the wine flask to the deacon and says aloud:
Priest : O Lord, hearken unto us and have mercy upon us
and forgive us our sins. Amen.
Deacons : Kyrie eleison ! (41 times)
While the deacons and the people chant, the Priest crosses his right hand over his left, saying silently:
Priest: God chooses for himself a good lamb, without defilement or imperfection
The Priest takes the loaves in turn, selecting the best as the Lamb. He then touches all the other loaves with the Lamb, beginning with those at the top of the basket, then those at the bottom, those at the left and those at the right. Taking the veil from his sleeve, he lays the Lamb on the back of the veil and wipes any flour from the Lamb. He then places the Lamb in the centre of the basket, shakes the veil to remove any flour, and turns it over, placing the Lamb in the centre of the front of the veil, holding it on his left hand. He moistens his right thumb with wine, and crosses the centre of the Lamb with wine, saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of glory
He then crosses the loaves at the top of the basket saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of blessing.
He then crosses the loaves at the bottom of the basket saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of Abraham.
He then crosses the loaves on the left of the basket saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of Isaac
He then crosses any loaves on the right of the basket saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of Jacob.
He finally crosses the centre of the Lamb again saying inaudibly:
Priest: The sacrifice of Melchizadek.
The Priest places the veil, face upwards, in a diamond shape, on the basket. Holding the Lamb in his left hand, he extends his right hand and the deacon carrying the flask of water pours a little into the Priest’s hand. The Priest wipes the Lamb over all of its surface (but without turning it over) with the water and places the Lamb in the centre of it. He folds the veil, left side first, then right, then bottom, then top. If the basket has been held by a Priest, the principal Priest closes the cover and holds out his right hand to that Priest saying, inaudibly:
Priest: I have sinned; absolve me
The other Priest touches his hand saying inaudibly:
Priest: God absolve you; absolve me.
If the basket was held by a deacon, the Priest hold his hand cross for the deacon to kiss, saying inaudibly:
Priest: I have sinned; forgive me, my brother.
The deacon replies, inaudibly:
Deacon: I am the sinner; absolve me.
The Procession of the Lamb
The Priest takes the Lamb in his right hand and turns to the Altar. The basket is returned to its place outside the Sanctuary. The Priest and the deacons carrying the wine and water enter the Sanctuary through the Royal Doors. The deacons stand at the north-west corner of the Altar.
The Priest bows towards the Altar and silently remembers those for whom he is offering the Sacrifice; he then turns towards the people, raising the Lamb wrapped in the veil, with his hand cross in front of it facing the people, and lifts the Lamb above his head and bowing, says aloud:
Priest : Glory and honour, honour and glory unto the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Peace and edification unto the Church of God: the One, Holy, Catholic andApostolicChurch. Amen.
Remember, O Lord, those who offered unto Thee these oblations, those for whom they were offered and those by whom they are offered. Grant them all Thy heavenly recompense.
The Priest turns back to the east, and then processes around the Altar, followed by the deacon bearing the wine, and then the deacon bearing the water, each also bearing candles in their left hands. Any other Priests present prostrate themselves within the Sanctuary facing towards the Altar. The deacons chant:
Deacons : Pray for these holy and precious gifts, for our sacrifices and those who have offered them. Kyrie eleison !
People : Alleluia ! This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us. O Lord, straighten our ways. Blessed is He Who cometh in the name of the Lord. Alleluia !
During fasts the People shall respond :
People : Alleluia ! The thought of man shall confess unto Thee, O Lord, and the remains of his thoughts will keep festival to Thee. Accept the oblations. Alleluia !
During Great Lent the People shall respond :
People : Alleluia ! Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God my God. Alleluia ! Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions. Alleluia !
The Priest reaches the Royal Doors again and, turning to face the people, makes the Sign of the Cross over them with the Lamb and the Cross in silence. The deacons place the flasks of wine and water on the Table of Prothesis, as they were before and stand away from the table. The Priest places the Lamb upon the paten beneath which is a linen mat. He crosses himself saying aloud:
Priest : + In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, One God.
He then blesses the elements three times with his hand cross
Priest: + Blessed be God the Father Almighty. Amen.
+ Blessed be His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
+ Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Amen.
At each Sign of the Cross he touches (on the downward stroke) the Lamb, and the flasks of water (on the left stroke) and wine (on the right stroke).
Deacon: One is the Holy Father; One is the Holy Son; One is the Holy Spirit, Amen. Blessed be the Lord God unto all ages. Amen. Praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him all ye people. For His lovingkindness is great towards us : and the truth of the Lord enbdureth for ever. Amen. Alleluia !
People: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia !
While the deacon and people are singing the Priest veils the Lamb saying inaudibly :
Priest : Glory and honour, honour and glory unto the Holy Trinity : the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
While the deacon and people are singing, the Priest takes the flask of wine and goes to the Royal Doors; facing the people, he makes the Sign of the Cross over them with it. He returns to the Table of Prothesis and empties the wine into the chalice in the form of a cross, ensuring that all the wine drains from the flask. He holds the empty flask out to a deacon who fills it with about one fifth of water. The Priest shakes the flask to remove any remaining wine, and pours the water into the chalice in the form of a cross, ensuring that all the water drains from the flask. He then veils the chalice.
The deacons leave the Sanctuary by the side doors and stand on either side of the Royal Doors, facing towards the people.
The Bishop (or Priest, if he is the celebrant) stands before the Holy Altar and the concelebrant presbyters stand around it. And the Bishop (or Priest) in a quiet voice so that he might be heard by the concelebrants, says this prayer as he faces towards the east :
Prayer of Preparation
Priest : Though defiled with the multitude of my sins, reject me not utterly, O Master, Lord our God. For behold, I have come to this Thy divine and heavenly mystery, not as being worthy, but looking to Thy goodness. I address my voice unto Thee : O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to gaze upon this Thy sacred and spiritual table, whereon Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is to be set forth as a mystic sacrifice through me who am sinful, and marked with every stain. Therefore, I offer unto Thee this supplication and thanksgiving, in order that Thy Spirit, the Comforter, may be sent down to strengthen and fortify me for this service; and do Thou count me worthy to declare, without condemnation, Thy word delivered by me to Thy people from Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy most holy, good, life-giving and consubstantial Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
After this prayer, the Bishop or Priest, standing in front of the Holy Altar and facing to the east, exclaims :
The Invocation
Priest : + Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, Eternal Trinity and only light of Godhead, one in Essence and undivided. The one Almighty God is the Trinity, Whose glory the heavens declare, and the earth His power, and the sea His might, and every sentient and intelligent creature proclaims everywhere His greatness. For to Him belongs all glory, honour, might, greatness and magnificence, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
And one of the concelebrants (if there be any) chants this prayer audibly :
Prayer for Perfection
Priest : O Beneficent King of Ages and Maker of the whole Creation, accept Thy Church as she approaches unto Thee through Thy Christ. Fulfil that which is profitable to each, bring all to perfection, and count us worthy of the grace of Thy sanctification. Gather us together in Thy holy Church, which Thou hast purchased by the precious Blood of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; with Whom Thou art blessed and glorified, together with the most holy and life-giving Spirit, both now, and ever and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
The deacon, standing in the midst of the soleas, and looking towards the people, exclaims :
Deacon : Let us pray to the Lord !
Then the Bishop or Priest takes the censer and censes the Holy Altar three times from the front, chanting this prayer aloud :
First Incense Prayer
Priest : O God, Who didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah and Abraham, the incense of Aaron and Zechariah, receive also from the hands of us sinners this incense for a sweet-smelling savour, for the remission of our sins, and for all Thy people. For Thou art blessed, and unto Thee is due glory, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
THE LITTLE ENTRANCE
The deacons enter the Holy Altar through the lesser doors. The Bishop or Priest gives up the censer. While the hymn O Word Immortal is sung, the Bishop gives one of the presbyters the Book of the Epistles and to another, the book of prophetic writings, while he himself takes his staff in his left hand and in his right hand he takes the Holy Gospels. Preceded by lights and incense thus they make the Little Entrance, going around the Holy Altar from the south side.
If it is one Priest who serves, the Priest puts the Holy Gospels into the right hand of the Deacon, and in his left hand the Book of Epistles, while he himself takes the prophetic writings and holds them on the left side of his breast. Thus he makes the Little Entrance, preceded by lights and the Deacon goes in front of the Priest.
The Little Entrance is performed in this way: they go out of the north door and go as far as the western wall of the church, if this is possible, and they go into the vestibule through its north door. Two deacons go in front with candles, two other deacons follow them with censers, one presbyter follows them with the Prophetic book, another with the Book of Epistles, and lastly the Bishop. They enter the church by the main door in the west wall. Arriving at the analogion, which is on the ambon, in the middle of the church, the Bishop (or Priest) ascends it and puts the book on the analogion. He then takes the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book from the Deacon (or Priest) and also places them on the analogion. All of them go as far as the steps of the soleas and they stand there until the singers finish the troparion
O Word Immortal.
O Word immortal of eternal God,
Only-Begotten of the only Source,
For our salvation stooping to the course
Of human life, and born of Mary’s blood;
Sprung from the ever-virgin womanhood
Of her who bare Thee, God immutable.
Incarnate, made as man with man to dwell,
And condescending to the bitter Rood;
Save us, O Christ our God, for Thou hast died
To save Thy people to the uttermost,
And dying tramplest death in victory;
One of the ever-blessed Trinity,
In equal honour with the Holy Ghost,
And with the eternal Father glorified. Amen.
Only-Begotten of the only Source,
For our salvation stooping to the course
Of human life, and born of Mary’s blood;
Sprung from the ever-virgin womanhood
Of her who bare Thee, God immutable.
Incarnate, made as man with man to dwell,
And condescending to the bitter Rood;
Save us, O Christ our God, for Thou hast died
To save Thy people to the uttermost,
And dying tramplest death in victory;
One of the ever-blessed Trinity,
In equal honour with the Holy Ghost,
And with the eternal Father glorified. Amen.
When the choir has finished singing, the Bishop or Priest chants this prayer, facing towards the east:
Prayer for Divine Grace
Priest : O God, the Almighty and Glorious Lord, Who hast given to us access to Thy Holy of Holies, by the advent of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we beseech Thy goodness, seeing that we are full of fear and trembling, when about to stand before Thy Holy Altar. Send down upon us, O Lord, Thy divine grace, and sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits, and change our dispositions for the good, that we may offer unto Thee gifts and offerings to the putting away of our transgressions and for the propitiation of all Thy people. Through the grace and mercies, and love for mankind of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Then shall all sing the Troparia and Kontakia appointed for the day as the sacred ministers enter into the Holy Altar through the holy doors and stand in their places. The deacons, however, remain on the soleas facing west. The Bishop puts aside his pastoral staff. Then the Bishop or Priest, turning towards the people, shall say :
Priest : + Peace be with you all.
People : And with thy spirit.
Priest : The Lord bless us all and hallow us in the entrance and sacred rites of the divine and spotless Mysteries, giving peace also to the blessed souls with the holy and the just, through His grace and love to man, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
One of the deacons stands in the middle of the soleas and facing the people shall chant the litany :
The Litany of the Preparation
Deacon : In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the peace which is from above, the loving- kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the peace of the whole world, and the union of all the holy Churches of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the forgiveness of our sins, the remission of our transgressions and that we may be preserved from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity and the insurrection of our enemies, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Commemorating the most holy, undefiled, blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and Ever- Virgin Mary, with the glorious Prophet Saint John the Forerunner, the Holy Apostles and victorious Martyrs, and all the saints; let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.
People : Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS
The Prayer of the Trisagion
Priest (bowing down) : O merciful and pitiful, long-suffering and most gracious and true Lord : look upon us from Thy holy dwelling-place, and attend to our supplications, preserving us from every temptation, whether of the devil or of man. Withhold not Thy grace from us, nor allow us to be chastened beyond what we can bear : for we are not able to conquer our adversities alone, but Thou art able, O Lord, to overcome them all. Save us, O God, from the tribulations of this life, according to Thy goodness; that we, approaching with a pure conscience unto Thy Holy Altar, may blamelessly offer unto Thee, together with all the heavenly powers, this thrice-holy hymn, well pleasing to Thee and may be counted worthy of life everlasting.
Ekphonesis
For Thou art holy, O Lord our God, and Thou dwellest and restest in the saints, and unto Thee we ascribe glory and this thrice-holy hymn, to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages !
People : Amen.
The Trisagion
All : + Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin : have mercy upon us !
+ Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, Who was crucified for our sake : have mercy upon us !
+ Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, Who arose from the dead and ascended into heaven : have mercy upon us !
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the
ages of ages. Amen.
When the Trisagion is concluded, the Bishop or Priest standing in the holy doors and facing towards the people shall bless them with these words :
Priest : + Peace be with you !
People : And with thy spirit.
The Alleluia
People : Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia !
While this is sung, with verses from appointed psalms, the Bishop or Priest accompanied by the concelebrants leave the Holy Altar by the holy doors and proceed to the ambon in the middle of the church. The Bishop holds his pastoral staff in his left hand and sits, surrounded by his presbyters. The deacons stand on the eastern side of the ambon, two by two, looking west. When the Alleluia is concluded there shall follow:
The Pauline Epistle
Reader : Paul, the Servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Apostle who was called and chosen to preach the Gospel of God. A reading from the (First/Second) Epistle to ….. May his blessings be upon us. Amen.
Deacon : Let us attend !
The reader reads from the Pauline Epistle. When he has finished:
Reader: The grace and peace of the Lord be with us all. Amen
People : Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia !
Deacon : Let us attend ! Wisdom !
The Catholic Epistle
Reader: A lesson, my beloved brethren from the Catholic Epistle of our teacher …. His blessings be upon us. Amen.
The reader reads from the Catholic Epistle. When he has finished:
Reader: Do not love the world, nor anything in it; for the world and its lustful desires will pass away. Those who perform the will of God abideth forever.
People : Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia !
The Praxis
Reader : From the Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their holy blessing be with us all. Amen.
The reader reads from the Acts of the Apostles. When he has finished :
Reader: May the Word of the Lord grow and spread, be mighty and firmly held in the Holy Church of God. Amen
People : Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia !
The Synaxarion
Reader : The ….. day of the blessed Coptic month of ….. according to the Era of the Martyrs. [From 1st-14th of the Month] May its receiving … [From 15th-30th of the Month] May its passing … be blessed for us and may God return it upon us year upon year so that we may dwell in peace and security and our sins forgiven through the mercies of our God, my fathers and my brother. Amen. A reading from the Chronicles of the Saints and Martyrs.
The Ordination
of the Patriarch and Bishops
shall take place at this point.
of the Patriarch and Bishops
shall take place at this point.
Prayer before the Gospel
Priest : Shine into our hearts, O Lord, the Lover of Mankind, the incorruptible light of Thy divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of the preaching of Thy Gospel; instill in us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that, trampling underfoot all desires of the flesh, we may follow a spiritual way of life, both meditating upon and doing all that is well-pleasing unto Thee.
People : Amen.
Deacon : Wisdom !
Stand aright ! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel !
Prelude to the Gospel
(if read by a Metropolitan or a Bishop)
Deacon: Stand up in the fear of God and listen intently to the Holy Gospel being read by His Grace the beatified Abba _________, the Metropolitan of Glastonbury. May the Lord of Heaven confirm him on his seat for many years and peaceful decades, and let the enemies of the Church submit instantly at his feet. Grant him an age of peace and tranquillity and grant us grace and mercy through his prayers and supplications.
A glorious chapter from the Gospel according to St. N, the Evangelist, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
If a Metropolitan or Bishop is present and, whether or not he is the reader, the following is read after the appropriate verses from the Psalms shown in the Katamaros.
Deacon: Let them exult him in the congregation of his people and bless him in the assembly of the elders, for he has made their families like unto a flock, the righteous shall behold and rejoice. The Lord has sworn and will not repent, thou art a Priest forever, after the order of Melchisezek. The Lord is at thy right hand, O our Pontiff the thrice-beatified His Holiness Pope Abba _________, and your partner in the Apostolic Ministry, His Grace Abba ________, the Metropolitan, may the Lord safeguard the lives of you both. Amen. Alleluia !
Everyone stands to hear :
The Holy Gospel
Deacon : TheReading of the Holy Gospel according to Saint ….
People : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee !
The Deacon intones the Holy Gospel, facing towards the west. When he has finished there is sung :
People : Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia !
After this singing, the Bishop instructs the people, sitting on his cathedra and holding his staff but if the Bishop desires, someone else may preach. When the Bishop has completed his instruction he arises from his place, together with the presbyters, and taking the Holy Gospels in his right hand and holding his staff in his left hand, he enters the Sanctuary by the holy doors. The other presbyters follow him bearing the other sacred books.
People : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee !
The Book of the Gospels is laid upon the Holy Altar and the other sacred books are reverently laid down. The Bishop puts aside his pastoral staff. The deacons remain outside on the soleas and, turning towards the people, one of them shall chant :
The Second Litany
Deacon : Let us all pray :
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : O Almighty Lord, God of our fathers, we beseech Thee to hear us.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the peace of the whole world and the unity of the holy Churches of God, let us pray to the Lord .
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the salvation and succour of our most holy Father Abba _________, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and his brother in the Apostolic ministry our father _________, Patriarch of Antioch; for Abba ___________, Metropolitan of Glastonbury and for every Episcopate rightly dividing the Word of Truth; with the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ, the Brotherhood of Monks, and all the Christ-loving People, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For our Most Gracious Sovereign __________, and all the Reigning House, with his/her whole Court and Council, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, danger, necessity, bondage, bitter death and our iniquities, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the people here present, who expect the rich and abundant mercy that is from above, we beseech Thee, be compassionate and have mercy !
Then the Bishop or Priest, coming to the holy doors and turning towards the people, shall make the sign of the cross over them :
Priest : O Lord, save Thy people and + bless Thine inheritance.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Visit Thy world in mercy and loving-kindness, we beseech Thee, O Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Exalt the horn of Christians, through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, we beseech Thee, O Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : O God of many mercies, hear us who cry unto Thee and have mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That the rest of this day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For an angel of peace, a faithful guardian both of body and soul, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For such things as are good and healthful to our souls, and for peace to the world, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That we may accomplish the remainder of our lives in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That the end of our lives may be Christian, painless and without shame, and that we may answer well before the awesome judgement seat of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Ekphonesis
Priest : For Thou art the good tidings and the illumination, the Saviour and the Guardian of our souls and bodies, O Father, with Thine Only-Begotten Son and Thine All-Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Priest : Commemorating our all-holy, spotless, and most glorious Lady, the Mother of God, and ever-virgin Mary, with all the martyrs and righteous saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.
People : To Thee, O Lord !
Prayer for Illumination
Bishop : O God, Who hast sounded into our ears Thy divine and salutary words, illuminate the souls of us sinners to the understanding of that which hath been read before, so that we may not only be seen to be hearers of spiritual things, but doers of good works, following after faith, without guile, of blameless life and guiltless conversation.
Ekphonesis
In Christ Jesus our Lord, with Whom Thou art blessed, with Thy most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Deacon : Let none of the Catechumens, let none of the uninitiated, let none of those who are not able to join with us in prayer remain. The doors ! Stand aright ! Let us pray to the Lord !
THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest : O Master, Creator of life and Giver of all good gifts, Who didst give us the blessed hope of everlasting life, our Lord Jesus Christ, make us worthy, O Good One, to accomplish this divine service to Thee in holiness, so that we may attain unto the enjoyment of everlasting blessedness.
Ekphonesis
That being ever guarded by Thy dominion and guided to the light of Thy Truth, we may ascribe glory and thanksgiving unto Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
The Bishop or Priest, holding his pastoral staff in his left hand and the censer in his right, censes around the Holy Altar, the holy ikons, the clergy and people. If a Bishop is the celebrant, after the incensation he lays aside the censer and his pastoral staff. The deacons leave the Sanctuary by the royal doors bearing a basin and towel. The Bishop washes his hands in the holy doors in view of the people whom he sprinkles with his hands.
The Lavabo
Priest : I will wash mine hands in innocency.
People : So will I compass Thine Altar, O Lord.
The presbyters wash their hands in turn, but do not sprinkle. The deacons re-enter the Sanctuary through the holy doors bearing the basin and towel, which they shall lay by reverently.
The Great Entrance
Then the Bishop with the presbyters kisses the Holy Altar, bows slightly to the people, and goes with the presbyters to the Table of the Prothesis. The Bishop in silence gives the diskos with the Holy Bread to the first Priest and the chalice to the second Priest. The first Priest carries the diskos in front of his breast. They shall leave from the north door of the Sanctuary with the deacons proceeding them, bearing lights and incense but the Bishop abides in the Sanctuary, standing in front of the Holy Altar.
If a Priest is the celebrant : after the incensation he shall kiss the Holy Altar, bow to the people and, accompanied by the Deacon, shall go to the Table of the Prothesis, where he shall wash his hands. He gives the diskos to the Deacon, which he shall hold opposite his breast. The Priest takes the chalice and together they make the entrance, preceded by lights and incense. Then shall all sing :
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with awe and reverence stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of Kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In His Body and His Blood,
He will give to all the faithful,
His own Self for Heavenly Food.
And with awe and reverence stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of Kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In His Body and His Blood,
He will give to all the faithful,
His own Self for Heavenly Food.
Upon reaching the ambon, the Priest and Deacon pause and facing to the west shall remember all those for whom the Holy Sacrifice is offered, both the living and the departed. Then shall the Deacon chant :
Deacon : May the Lord God remember you all, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
The Priest, with the Deacon, goes to the Holy Altar and they stand before the steps of the soleas, facing east. If the Bishop is the celebrant : the presbyters and deacons go through the Church as far as the steps of the soleas, the other deacons censing the gifts without stopping. All stand before the soleas facing east, the diskos on the right and the chalice on the left, with lights and candles borne on either side of the holy doors. The Bishop leaves the Sanctuary by the holy doors, without his pastoral staff or the censer, and the first presbyter says in a quiet voice :
Priest : May the Lord God remember thine Episcopate in His Kingdom, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Bishop : May the Lord God remember your priesthood and diaconate in His Kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Bishop then intones the Prayer of the Offering, looking from the royal doors to the west, but if a Priest be the celebrant he shall face east while reciting this prayer :
The Prayer of the Offering
Priest : O Lord, our God, Who didst send forth the heavenly Bread, the food of the whole world, our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Redeemer and Benefactor, blessing and sanctifying us : do Thou Thyself bless this offering
(If the Bishop is the celebrant, he shall here take the diskos from the presbyter and places it in front of the Ark upon the Holy Altar, then turning to the west he continues:) and receive it to Thine heavenly Altar. (He shall here take the chalice from the second presbyter and place it within the Ark upon the Holy Altar. Then the presbyters and deacons enter the Sanctuary by the holy doors and stand at their places. If a Priest is the celebrant, however, he and the Deacon enter the Sanctuary and place the Gifts upon the Holy Altar as indicated.)
Priest : In Thy goodness and love for us all, remember those who offer it and those for whom it is offered, and preserve us without condemnation in this ministry of Thy Divine Mysteries. For holy and glorified is Thine honourable and majestic name, of Father, Son and Holy Ghost; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People : Amen.
As the Bishop or Priest censes the offering, all shall sing :
Rank on rank, the Host of Heaven,
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth,
From the realm of endless day;
That the powers of hell may vanish,
As the darkness clears away.
At His feet, the six-winged Seraphs,,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice, they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High.
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth,
From the realm of endless day;
That the powers of hell may vanish,
As the darkness clears away.
At His feet, the six-winged Seraphs,,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice, they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High.
A Deacon receiving a blessing, shall go out of the northern door of the sanctuary and standing before the holy doors and elevating his orarion, he chants:
Deacon : Wisdom ! Let us attend !
The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed
People : We believe in One God; the 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 His Father before all ages; Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made; being Consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made; Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven; and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. And was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets.
And we believe One Holy Catholic and ApostolicChurch; we acknowledge One Baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead; and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
Priest : O God and Master of all, make us, though unworthy, worthy of this hour, that freed from all guile and hypocrisy, we may be united together by the bond of peace and love. Let us find strength in the holiness of Thy divine knowledge, through Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Deacon : Let us stand aright ! Let us stand piously, in the fear of God and with compunction of heart !
Priest : For Thou art the God of peace, mercy, love, infinite compassion, and love to mankind, and Thine Only-Begotten Son, and Thine All Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Priest : + Peace be with you all.
People : And with thy spirit !
The Kiss of Peace
Deacon : Let us greet one another with a holy kiss !
People : I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my foundation, and my refuge, and my deliverer.
The Bishop or Priest kisses the edge of the diskos, the Ark and the Holy Altar, after which the Holy Gifts shall be veiled. The concelebrant presbyters do likewise, then they kiss the hand of the Bishop and one another. The deacons do the same thing, standing on the soleas, and then they shall pass the Peace to the people.
The Ordination
of the Chanters, Readers, Subdeacons, Deacons, Priests and Hegoumen
shall take place at this point.
of the Chanters, Readers, Subdeacons, Deacons, Priests and Hegoumen
shall take place at this point.
Deacon : Let us bow our heads unto the Lord !
People : To Thee, O Lord !
Priest : O only Lord and merciful God, on those who bow their heads before Thy Holy Altar, and who beg of Thee spiritual gifts, send down Thy good grace, and bless us with every spiritual blessing, which cannot be taken away, O Thou Who dwellest on high and yet regardest the lowly.
For praised and worshipped and glorified is Thy most holy name, of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Deacon, looking through the holy doors towards the Holy Altar, chants:
Deacon : Master, bless !
Priest : The Lord shall bless, and shall minister with all of us in His grace and love to men. The Lord shall bless, and make us worthy of standing before His Holy Altar, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Blessed be God, Who blesseth and sanctifieth all of us in our presence at and celebration of His spotless mysteries, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Priest : Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men. (Thrice)
O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. (Thrice)
Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that I may set forth Thy glory, and Thy majesty all the day long. (Thrice)
Then bowing slightly on both sides to the concelebrants, the Bishop or Priest shall say :
Priest : O magnify the Lord with me, and exalt His name together.
People : The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.
If a single Priest serves with a Deacon, the Priest goes through the holy doors from the Holy Altar onto the soleas, and looking toward the people he chants this, then bowing as the people respond he turns back to the Holy Altar.
If a Bishop is the celebrant, the other presbyters say to him :
Priests : Remember us also, holy Master.
Bishop : May the Lord remember you in His kingdom, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Priests: Amen.
If presbyters concelebrate, they say to the principal celebrant :
Priests : Remember us also, Father.
Celebrant : May the Lord remember us in His heavenly kingdom, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Priests : Amen.
While the presbyters pray the Deacon shall say :
The Third Litany
Deacon : In peace let us pray to the Lord !
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Save us, have mercy on us, be gracious unto us and protect us, O God, by Thy grace.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the peace that is from above, the love of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the peace of the whole world, for the unity of all the holy churches of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For those who bear fruit and do good deeds in the holy churches of God, who remember the poor, the widows, the orphans and the strangers, and those who are in need; and for all those who have asked us for our prayers, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For those who are in old age and infirmity, the sick, the distressed and all who are vexed by unclean spirits and their speedy healing from God and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For those who lead their lives in virginity, purity and asceticism, and in honourable marriage, and those that carry on their struggle in the caves and dens and holes of the earth, our holy fathers and brothers, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For Christians who journey by land, sea or air, for strangers, for our brethren who are in bonds and exile, imprisonment and bitter slavery, and for their peaceful return, let us pray to the Lord.
People Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the forgiveness of our sins, the remission of our offences and that we may be delivered from every affliction, wrath, danger, necessity and from the insurrection of our enemies, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For temperate weather, gentle showers, pleasant dews, abundance of fruits, fulness of a good season and for the crown of the year, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For our fathers and brethren, who are present and pray together with us in this holy hour and at all seasons, their diligence, labour and zeal, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For every Christian soul in affliction and distress, needing the mercy and succour of God, for the conversion of the erring, the health of the sick, the deliverance of the prisoners, the rest of those who have departed before us, and for all our fathers and brethren, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That our prayer may be heard and be acceptable before God, and that His abundant mercies and compassion may be sent down upon us, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Commemorating the most holy, spotless, exceedingly glorious, blessed Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, together with all the saints, and that we may obtain mercy through their prayers and intercessions, let us pray to the Lord.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : For the proposed, precious, heavenly, ineffable, spotless, glorious, fearful, awesome, divine Gifts and the salvation of the priest who stands by and offers them, let us supplicate the Lord our God.
People : Kyrie eleison ! Kyrie eleison ! Kyrie eleison !
While the Deacon says this litany the Bishop or Priest shall silently pray:
Prayer for Forgiveness
Priest: O Lord and Master, Thou Who dost visit us with mercies and loving-kindness, and hast freely given us, Thy humble and sinful and unworthy servants, boldness to stand before Thine Holy Altar and to offer to Thee the awesome and unbloody sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorance of the people; look upon me, Thine unprofitable servant, and blot out my sins by Thy tender mercy. Cleanse my lips and heart from all pollution of flesh and spirit, remove from me every unseemly and foolish thought, and make me fit, by the might of Thine all-holy Spirit, for this Liturgy. Receive me by Thy goodness, approaching to Thine Holy Altar; and vouchsafe, O Lord, that these gifts, brought to Thee by my hands, may be acceptable, condescending to my weaknesses. Cast me not away from Thy Face, neither abhor Thou mine unworthiness: but pity me according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy loving-kindness pass by my transgressions: that I, coming blamelessly into the presence of Thy glory, may be counted worthy of the protection of Thine Only-Begotten Son, and of the illumination of the most Holy Ghost; and may not, as a slave of sin, be rejected, but, as Thy servant, may find grace and mercy and remission of sins before Thee, in this world, and in that which is to come. Yea, Almighty Master, Omnipotent Lord, hear my supplication; for Thou art He Who workest all in all, and we seek in all things after the succour and assistance that is from Thee and Thine Only-Begotten Son, and the good and quickening and consubstantial Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Priest : O God, Who through Thy great and ineffable love for mankind didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son into the world, that He might turn back again the sheep that had gone astray; turn not away us sinners who take hold of Thee in the fearful and unbloody sacrifice: for we trust not in our own righteousness but in Thy good mercy, by which Thou redeemest to Thyself our race. We supplicate and beseech Thy goodness that this Mystery instituted for our salvation, may not be for condemnation to Thy people, but for the blotting out of sin, for the renewal of souls and bodies, and for Thy pleasure, O God and Father, in the mercy and love to men of Thine Only-Begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, with Whom Thou art blessed, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
During this prayer the Bishop or Priest shall unveil the Holy Gifts :
The Prayer of the Veil
Priest : We render thanks unto Thee, O Lord our God, for that Thou hast given us boldness to enter into Thine holy place, the new and living way which Thou hast consecrated for us through the veil of the flesh of Thy Christ. We therefore, to whom it hath been vouchsafed to enter into the place of the tabernacle of Thy glory, and to be within the veil and to behold the Holy of Holies, fall down before Thy goodness. Master, have mercy upon us: since we are full of fear and dread, when about to stand before Thine Holy Altar and to offer this awesome and unbloody sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorances of the people. Send forth, O God, Thy good grace and hallow our souls and bodies and spirits, and change our disposition to piety, that in a pure conscience we may offer unto Thee the mercy of peace, the sacrifice of praise.
When the Deacon’s prayers shall be finished, the Bishop or Priest shall conclude in a loud voice :
Ekphonesis
Through the mercy and love to men of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy most-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Then, turning towards the people, the Bishop or Priest shall exclaim :
Priest : + Peace be with you !
People : And with Thy spirit.
Deacon : Let us stand with piety ! Let us stand with the fear of God and compunction of heart; let us attend to the holy Anaphora, to offer the holy oblation to the Lord our God.
The deacons enter the Holy Altar by the lesser doors, and taking the ripidia, they fan the holy gifts.
People : A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
Priest : Having uncovered the veils of enigmas which mystically surround this holy rite, do Thou make them gloriously manifest to us : and fill the eyes of our understanding with incomprehensible light. Having cleansed us, in our poverty, from every pollution of flesh and spirit, make us worthy of this fearful and awesome ministration.
Ekphonesis
For Thou art the God of exceeding tender mercy and to Thee we ascribe all glory and thanksgiving to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE ANAPHORA
The Bishop or Priest, coming out of the holy doors, stands on the top of the soleas facing the people, and exclaims :
Priest : The Love of the Lord and Father, the grace of the Lord and Son, the communion and gift of the Holy Ghost, be with us all.
People : And with thy spirit.
The Bishop or Priest shall lift up his eyes and elevate his hands :
Priest : Lift up your hearts !
People : We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest : Let us give thanks unto the Lord !
People : It is meet and right so to do.
Crossing his hands over his breast, the Bishop or Priest shall bow towards the people and return to the Holy Altar :
The Preface
Priest : It is very meet, right and our bounden duty to praise Thee, to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee, to glorify Thee, to give thanks unto Thee, the Creator of all things visible and invisible; the treasury of eternal good, the source of life and immortality, the God and Lord of all, Whom the heavens praise, the the heaven of heavens and all the power thereof, the sun and moon and all the choir of the stars, the earth, the sea and all that in them is, the assembly of the heavenly Jerusalem, the church of the first-born whose names are written in the heavens, the spirits of the righteous and prophets, the souls of the martyrs and apostles, angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, and the fearsome powers, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, who with twain do cover the face and with twain do cover the feet and with twain do fly, crying one to the other with ceaseless voices and unsilenced
Ekphonesis
Singing the hymn of victory of Thine excellent glory, with clear voice shouting, glorifying, crying aloud and saying :
Sanctus and Benedictus
People : +Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest !
+Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest !
Priest : Holy art Thou (+ he signs the diskos) O King of the ages and Lord and giver of all holiness (+ he signs the chalice) and holy is Thine Only-Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom Thou madest all things (+ he signs them both) and holy is Thine all-holy Spirit, Who searcheth all things, even the deep things of God. Holy art Thou, ruler of all things, almighty, good, awful, merciful, shewing great pity for the work of Thy hands, Who didst make man from the earth in Thine own image and likeness, Who didst bestow freely upon him the delight of paradise, and when he transgressed Thy command and fell from thence, Thou didst not despise nor forsake him in Thy goodness, but didst chasten him as a merciful father; Thou didst call him by the Law and instruct him by the Prophets. Lastly Thou didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ into the world that He might by His coming renew and raise up Thine image in mankind, Who coming down from heaven and being incarnate of the Holy Ghost and Mary the Virgin Mother of God, lived among men and wrought all things for the salvation of our race. And being about to accept His willing and life-giving death by the cross, sinless on behalf of us sinners,
The Institution Narrative
In that night in which He was betrayed, or rather gave Himself up for the life and salvation of the world (here he takes the holy bread from the diskos with his left hand and holds it slightly elevated) took the bread into His holy and undefiled, blameless and immortal hands, and looking up to heaven and showing it to Thee His God and Father, gave thanks, hallowed (+ he signs the holy bread, and with the thumb of his right hand, indents the bread along a line from the hole at the top corner of the Spadikon to the top of the Oblation, and then from the top right corner of the Spadikon, beneath the hole, to the bottom of the Oblation, along a line to the immediate right of the Spadikon, and taking care not to break the loaf. With the thumb of his right hand he then indents the bread around the square immediately above the Spadikon and the square immediately below the Spadikon, taking care not to actually break them. Holding the larger left side of the Oblation in his left hand and the smaller right side of the Oblation in his right hand, he opens, or bends back slightly, the Oblation along the indented line from top to the bottom to the right of the Spadikon, taking care not to break it ) broke (still holding the two sides of the bread bent slightly back and open, breathes lightly into the opening within the bread, which he then ‘closes’) and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles (The Priest uses the thumb and forefinger of his right hand to break out the area beneath the surface crust but not through to the lower crust of the indented square immediately above the Spadikon, taking care not to break it from the loaf) saying …..
Deacon : For the remission of sins and for life eternal !
Priest : This is My Body Which is broken for you and given for the remission of sins.
People : Amen.
The Bishop or Priest partially lifts the holy chalice out of the Ark, as he says :
Priest : Likewise after supper He took the cup and mixed it of wine and water, and looking up to heaven He showing it to Thee His God and Father, gave thanks, hallowed(+ he signs the chalice) blessed and (breathing upon the chalice) filled it with Holy Spirit and gave to His holy and blessed disciples saying : Drink ye all of it: This is My Blood of the New Covenant Which is shed for you and for many and given for the remission of sins (he lowers the chalice back into the Ark).
People : Amen.
Priest : Do this in remembrance of Me; for as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do proclaim the death of the Son of Man and confess His resurrection until He comes.
Deacon : We believe and confess !
People : Thy death, O Lord, we proclaim and Thy resurrection we confess !
The Bishop or Priest signs both the holy diskos and the holy chalice and continues with bowed head :
The Anamnesis
Priest : And we sinners having in remembrance His life-giving sufferings, His saving cross and death, His burial and resurrection on the third day from the dead and His sitting at the right hand of Thee, His God and Father, and His second glorious and fearful coming, when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, when He shall reward every man according to his works; spare us, O Lord our God, especially according to His own pitifulness. We offer unto Thee, O Lord, this awesome and unbloody sacrifice, beseeching Thee that Thou deal not with us after our sins nor reward us after our iniquities, but according to Thy leniency and Thine unspeakable love towards mankind overlook and blot out the handwriting that is against us Thy suppliants; and of Thy free grace bestow on us Thy heavenly and eternal gifts that eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, but which Thou hast prepared, O God, for them that love Thee; and cast not away Thy people because of me and my sins, O Lord Thou Lover of Mankind; (slightly lifting his hands and chanting louder) for Thy people and Thy church entreat Thee.
People : Have mercy upon us, O Lord God the Father Almighty.
Priest : Thy people and Thy church entreat Thee.
People : Have mercy upon us, O Lord God the Father Almighty.
Priest : Thy people and Thy church entreat Thee.
People : Have mercy upon us, O Lord God the Father Almighty.
First Epiklesis
Priest : Have mercy upon us, O God Almighty, have mercy upon us, O God our Saviour, have mercy upon us, O God, after Thy great mercy and send forth upon us and upon these Gifts that lie before Thee Thine all-holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; Who shareth Thy throne with Thee, O God and Father, and with Thine Only-Begotten Son; Who reigneth with Thee, of one substance and co-eternal; Who spake in the law and in the prophets and Thy New Testament; Who came down in the likeness of a dove upon our Lord Jesus Christ in the river Jordan and remained upon Him; Who came down upon Thine holy apostles in the likeness of tongues of fire in the upper room of the holy and glorious Sion in the day of holy Pentecost.
Second Epiklesis
Priest : Send down, O Lord, upon us and upon these Gifts that lie before Thee Thy self-same Spirit the all-holy that hovering with His holy and good and glorious coming He may hallow and make this bread the holy + ( and he signs the holy bread) Body of Christ.
People : Amen.
Priest : And this cup the precious Blood + (and he signs the chalice) of Christ
People : Amen.
Priest : That they may be unto all that partake of them for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life.
People : Amen.
Priest : Unto the hallowing of souls and bodies, unto fruitfulness in good works, unto the establishment of Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which Thou hast founded upon the rock of the faith that the gates of hell should not prevail against it, delivering it from all heresy and scandals of them that work iniquity, preserving it until the end of time (he signs the diskos + and the chalice + separately).
People : Amen.
As incense is offered before the Holy Altar the people quietly and repeatedly sing :
People : Remember, O Lord our God.
While the people sing, “Remember, O Lord our God”, the bishop or priest prays with his hands slightly raised and his head bowed:
The Commemoration of the Living
Priest : We offer unto Thee, O Lord on behalf of Thy holy places, which Thou hast glorified by the epiphany of Thy Christ and the visitation of Thine all-holy Spirit, and chiefly for the holy and glorious Sion, the mother of all churches, and for Thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout all the world; do Thou now bestow upon her, O Lord, the rich gifts of Thine all-holy Spirit.
Remember, O Lord, especially within her our holy fathers and bishops throughout the world, rightly dividing in Orthodoxy the word of Thy truth.
Remember, O Lord, among the first, our venerable Pope and Patriarch, Abba _________, give him an honourable old age, preserve him for many years, shepherding Thy people in all piety and honour.
Remember, O Lord, according to the abundance of Thy mercy and Thy pity, me also, Thy humble and unprofitable servant and the priests and deacons that stand around Thy Holy Altar and grant unto them a blameless life, preserve unblemished their diaconate and priesthood and make them worthy of a good degree.
Remember, O Lord, this city (town/village) and every city and region, and the Orthodox who dwell in it, that they may inhabit it in peace and safety.
Remember, O Lord, our Sovereign _________, all the Reigning House, with his/her whole Court and Council, the forces of the crown and their help from heaven and victory. Touch their armour, shield them and arise to their help and humble before them all their enemies. Set aright their plans, so that we may live a peaceful and tranquil life in all piety and dignity.
Remember, O Lord, them that travel by land, sea or air and Christians that sojourn in strange countries; those of our fathers and brethren that are in bondage and in prisons, in captivity or exile, in the mines, in torture or in bitter slavery.
Remember, O Lord, them that are diseased and sick and them that are possessed by evil spirits and speedily help and deliver them, O God.
Remember, O Lord, every Christian soul that is afflicted and distressed, and that needeth Thy mercy and help, O God; and convert them that are in error.
Remember, O Lord, those of our fathers and brethren that labour and serve us for Thy Name’s sake.
Remember, O Lord, all men for good, have mercy upon all, O Lord, and be reconciled unto us all.
Vouchsafe also to remember, O Lord, all them that have been pleasing unto Thee from the beginning of time in their several generations, our holy fathers, the patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, confessors and holy teachers, and every righteous soul perfected in the faith of Thy Christ.
Remember, O Lord, her of whom the archangel’s voice said: Hail, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, because thou didst bring forth the Saviour of our souls !
Ekphonesis
Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary.
And again, as incense is offered before the Holy Altar, the people sing quietly, as before :
People : Remember, O Lord our God.
The Commemoration of the Departed
Priest : For St. John, the glorious prophet, forerunner and baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Thaddaeus, Matthew, James, Simon, Jude, Matthias; Mark and Luke the evangelists; the holy prophets, patriarchs and righteous ones; saint Stephen, first of deacons and first of martyrs; and all the holy saints from the foundation of the world, not that we are worthy to make mention of their blessedness, but that they too, standing beside Thy fearful and dreadful judgment seat may in their turn make mention of our wretchedness, and we may find grace and mercy before Thee, O Lord, for succour in our time of need.
Remember, also, O Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh, them that we remembered and them we have not remembered of the Orthodox from righteous Abel unto this very day. Do Thou Thyself refresh them in the land of the living, in Thy kingdom, in the joy of paradise in the bosoms of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob our holy fathers, whence pain and grief and tribulation have fled away, where the light of Thy countenance surveyeth all things and shineth perpetually.
And grant us to make a Christian end and to please Thee, and direct our lives without sin and in peace, O Lord; and gather us together under the feet of Thine elect when Thou wilt and as Thou wilt, only that it be without shame and without iniquity.
Prayer for Pardon
Through Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ; for He alone has appeared upon earth without sin, through Whom both to us and to them in Thy goodness and love of mankind.
People : Remit, forgive, pardon, O God, our offences, voluntary and involuntary, those we know and those we know not of, by the grace and pitifulness and love of mankind of Thy Only-Begotten Son; with Whom blessed be Thou and glorified with Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Priest : Make us worthy, O Lord that lovest mankind, with boldness and without condemnation, with a clean heart, with soul enlightened and with unashamed face and holy lips, to dare to call upon Thee, our holy God and Father in heaven and to say:
The Lord’s Prayer
People : + Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bishop or Priest shall say quietly :
Priest : And lead us not into temptation, Lord God of Hosts, Who knowest our infirmity, but deliver us from the Evil One and his works, and all his insults and devices, for Thine holy Name’s sake, which is invoked upon our humility.
(Aloud) For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Priest : Peace be unto all.
People : And with thy spirit.
Deacon : Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
People : To Thee, O Lord.
Priest : (Quietly) We Thy servants, O Lord, have bowed our necks to Thee, before Thine Holy Altar, awaiting the abundant mercies which are from Thee. Send down upon us, O Lord, Thy rich grace and blessing and sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits, that we may become worthy partakers and communicants of Thine holy mysteries for the remission of our sins and eternal life.
(Aloud) For Thou art worshipped and glorified, O our God, and Thine Only-Begotten Son, and Thy most Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
The Bishop or Priest signs the + diskos and the + chalice.
People : Amen.
The Bishop or Priest goes through the holy doors to the soleas and says this blessing over the people, with upraised hands :
Priest : May the grace and mercy of the holy, consubstantial, uncreated and adorable Trinity be with us all.
People : And with thy spirit.
He blesses the people and returns to the holy table.
Deacon : With the fear of God let us attend.
The Bishop or Priest takes up the Holy Bread with the finger tips of his hands and holding it slightly elevated says this prayer silently :
Priest : O Holy One, Who dwellest among the saints, sanctify us by the word of Thy grace and the coming of Thine all-holy Spirit, for Thou, O Lord, has said : be ye holy as I am holy. O Lord our God, incomprehensible Word of God, consubstantial, co-eternal, indivisible, receive this pure hymn in Thy holy and unbloody sacrifices with Cherubim and Seraphim, and from me a sinner, crying and saying : Holy things for holy persons !
People : There is One Holy, even One Lord Jesus Christ; in Whom are we, to the glory of God the Father.
Deacon : For the remission of our sins, and the propitiation of our souls, and for every afflicted and distressed soul, that needeth the pity and help of God ; and for the conversion of them that have strayed, the healing of them that are sick, the liberation of them that are in captivity, the rest of the fathers and brethren that have fallen asleep before us, let us fervently say :
People : Kyrie eleison (twelve times)
The Fraction, Consignation and Comixture
- Then the Bishop or Priest holding the Body in his left hand, separates the right (that is smaller or third) segment from the left (that is, larger or two thirds) by folding the two segments apart, and gently separating them.
- He places the smaller segment on top of the larger so that the two segments form a cross, holding the smaller segment between the forefinger and thumb of his left hand (that is, so that it is not resting directly on the larger segment); the straight edge of this segment is horizontal and in the east.
- He removes, with his right hand, the small portion at the top of the larger segment, and places this in the centre of the top of the diskos; this portion being known as the ‘Head’.
- He removes, with his right hand, the small portion at the bottom of the larger segment, and places this in the centre of the bottom of the diskos; this portion is known as the ‘Limbs’.
- He removes, with his right hand, the quarter portion of the smaller segment which is to his right as he looks upon the Body, and places it on the diskos to the right.
- He places the remainder of the smaller segment on the diskos to the left. There are thus four portions of the Body on the diskos in the form of a cross.
- The Priest, holding the larger segment vertically (and with the straight edge to the right) in his left hand, takes the central section (which contains the Spadikon) with his right hand and separates it from the rest by folding it downwards and gently separating it, and places it perpendicularly in the centre of the diskos.
- Holding the remainder of the larger segment in his left hand, he indents it into four segments, each containing a Cross, taking care not to separate any of the segments.
- Holding the now indented segment in his left hand, takes up the smaller segment on the left of the diskos with his right hand, and replaces it with the indented segment.
- Taking the smaller segment in his left hand, the Priest indents it into three segments, each containing a Cross, taking care not to separate any of the segments.
- The Priest the places the indented segment on the right side of the diskos immediately below the segment that was separated earlier in the fraction, and moving both segments so that they now appear as they were before the division. Thus the portion at the right side of the diskos is now divided into four portions like the portion on the left side.
- The Priest takes the central portion (containing the Spadikon) and holds it in his left hand, with his thumb and forefinger above the portion (above and below the Spadikon), and the other fingers below it, supporting it.
- The Priest uses the thumb and forefinger of his right hand to detach the Spadikon as completely as possible, but without breaking the central portion; thus, the Spadikon is separated from below the crust of the bread on top, but not completely through to the crust on the bottom so that the central segment remains entire.
- The Priest raises the Spadikon to his lips, and lightly kisses it.
- The Priest replaces the separated Spadikon within the central portion, and replaces the portion in the centre of the diskos, and carefully wipes his hands together to ensure that no fragments of the Body adhere to them.
- The Priest then gently moves all the separated portions of the Body together so that the Body appears intact, as if the Fraction had never occurred
- Taking the reconstructed Body with both hands, holding the forefinger and thumb of the left hand around the left half of the circumference of the Body and those of his right hand around the right half, the Priest lifts up the Body slightly from the diskos twice, lowering it, but not replacing it on the diskos completely or removing his hands from it.
- He then replaces the Body on the diskos, and wipes his hands together to ensure that even the tiniest particle does not remain on them.
- He takes the Spadikon from the Body with his right thumb and forefinger, holding the palm of his left hand upwards underneath the Spadikon, and raises the Spadikon above the chalice, making the Sign of the Cross over, but slightly inside, the chalice with the Spadikon; the seal of the Spadikon remaining horizontal and upright.
- The Priest slightly intincts the Spadikon with the Blood, and may press the Spadikon very slightly against the inside of the chalice to ensure that Blood does not fall from the Spadikon when it is removed from the chalice.
- Holding his left palm open under the Spafdikon, the Priest carried the intincted Spadikon down to the Body, and holds it on the south east top corner of the Body.
Priest : The union of the most holy Body and precious Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is united, it is sanctified, it is perfected in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
During these words, the Priest signs the Body with the Blood by making the Sign of the Cross over the Body:
- he touches the intincted Spadikon at the top and then the bottom, and then the left and then the right of the outer edge of the Body;
- he touches the intincted Spadikon at the centre of the top and then the centre of the bottom of the outer edge of the seal, and then the centre of the left and then the centre of the right of the outer edge of the seal;
- he touches the intincted Spadikon to the top right corner of the seal, then to the bottom right corner, then the bottom left corner, and then the top left corner of the seal; and
- he signs the Body with the Blood by touching the intincted Spadikon to the Body on the divisions (called the ‘Wounds’) around the circumference, moving from the edge of the Body above the top right corner of the seal, clockwise around the Body, then returning the Spadikon to the edge of the Body above the top right corner of the seal.
Then he repeats these actions a second and a third time.
Priest : This is the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, Who taketh away the sins of the world, sacrificed for the life and salvation of the world.
Then the Priest, holding the Spadikon in the forefinger and thumb of his right hand:
- turns the Spadikon upside down (that is so that the crust bearing the Cross is on the bottom) and raises it slightly above the chalice;
- makes the Sign of the Cross with the Spadikon horizontally over the chalice, and then lowers the Spadikon into the chalice, placing it gently into the Blood, with the crosses on the Spadikon downwards, saying:
Priest : The holy portion of Christ, full of grace and truth, of the Father and the Holy Ghost, to Him be glory and dominion unto the ages of ages.
When the people finish singing Kyrie eleison, the Deacon, facing east, says :
Deacon : Master, bless.
The Bishop or Priest, lifting up his hands, says :
Priest : May the Lord bless us and preserve us uncondemned, in the communion of His spotless Gifts, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen,
Deacon : Master, bless.
Priest : May the Lord bless and vouchsafe us to receive with immaculate fingers the burning coal, and to place it into the mouths of the believers, for the cleansing and renewal of their souls and bodies, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
The Bishop or Priest, facing the people, through the holy doors, exclaims:
Priest : Taste and see, that the Lord is good; He is broken but not divided, distributed to believers, yet unconsumed, for the remission of sins and eternal life, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Deacon : In the peace of Christ, let us sing.
The deacons enter the Holy Altar by the lesser doors, while the people sing:
The Communion Hymn
People : O taste and see, that the Lord is good. Alleluia !
When the holy Bread has been broken the deacons enter the Sanctuary. The Bishop or Priest, bowing his head, prays before the Holy Altar:
Priest : O Lord our God, the Heavenly Bread, the Life of the whole world, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee and am not worthy to partake of Thy holy and most pure Mysteries, but do Thou, Who art a compassionate God, make me worthy by Thy grace to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Body and precious Blood, for the remission of sins and eternal life.
Communion of the Clergy
Then the celebrant and the ministers within the sanctuary receive their communion. When the communion of the clergy is completed, the Deacon, standing on the right side of the Holy Altar, says:
Deacon : Master, bless.
The Bishop or Priest gives the chalice to the Deacon, saying :
Priest : Glory to God, Who hath sanctified and doth sanctify us all.
Deacon : Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and Thy glory above all the earth, and Thy kingdom shall endure unto the ages of ages.
Priest : Blessed be the name of the Lord our God, unto the ages of ages.
The Communion of the Faithful
Then the Bishop or Priest takes the diskos with the holy Bread and is preceeded by the deacon, who shows the chalice to the people as he exlaims :
Deacon : With fear of God and with faith and love draw nigh.
People : Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Let my mouth be filled with praise, O Lord, and let my lips be filled with joy, that I may hymn Thy glory.
Then shall follow the communion of the people, which shall be ministered in the manner spoken of by St. Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem : “In approaching therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers spread; but make thy left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. And having hollowed thy palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest thou lose any portion thereof; for whatever thou losest, is evidently a loss to thee as it were from one of thine own members … Then after thou hast partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood; not stretching forth thine hands, but bending, and saying with an air of worship and reverence, Amen, allow thyself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon thy lips, touch it with thine hands, and hallow thine eyes and brow and the other organs of sense. Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, Who hath accounted thee worthy of so great mysteries.” [Catechetical Lecture XXIII, 21, 22]
Post Communion Prayers
When communion is completed, the Bishop or Priest blesses the people with the diskos:
Deacon : Master, bless.
Priest : O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Glory to our God, Who hath sanctified us all.
The Thanksgiving
People : We thank Thee, O Christ our God, for Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins, and for life everlasting. Preserve us uncondemned, we pray, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.
The clergy enter into the sanctuary and place the holy vessels upon the Holy Altar. The Bishop or Priest places the remaining portions of the holy Bread into the chalice and wipes the diskos as usual. Then taking the censer, he censes the holy Gifts, saying this prayer :
The Prayer of Incense at the Last Entrance
Priest : We thank Thee, God and Saviour of all, for all the good things which Thou hast bestowed upon us; and for the participation of Thy holy and spotless Mysteries. We offer unto Thee this incense, praying Thee to keep us under the shadow of Thy wings; and vouchsafe that, till our last breath, we may receive Thy sanctification : for our souls and bodies and for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven : for Thou, O God, art our sanctification and to Thee we ascribe glory and thanks, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
One of the clergy takes the holy Gifts from the Holy Altar and places them upon the Table of Prothesis. Sufficient for the communion of the sick that day having been removed, the remainder shall all be consumed and the vessels reverently and thoroughly abluted.
The Litany of the Consummation
Deacon : Glory to Thee, glory to Thee, glory to Thee, Christ the King, Only-Begotten Word of the Father, for that Thou hast vouchsafed us sinners and Thy unworthy servants to enjoy Thy spotless Mysteries, for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life : glory to Thee !
Deacon : Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord !
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : That the participation in His sanctification may be to us for a turning away from every evil deed, for provision for the journey to life everlasting and for the communion and gift of the Holy Ghost.
People : Kyrie eleison !
Deacon : Commemorating the most holy, most pure, most glorious and blessed Lady, the Mother of God, and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
People : To Thee, O Lord !
While the Deacon is chanting this final litany, the Bishop or Priest prays quietly :
Prayer for Protection
Priest : O God, Who, for the sake of Thy great and unspeakable tender-heartedness condescended to the weakness of Thy servants and hast accounted us worthy to be partakers of this most heavenly table, judge us not, O Master, as sinners in the communion of Thy most pure Mysteries; but guard us, O Good One, in sanctification, so that being made worthy of Thy most holy Spirit, we may find a portion and inheritance with all the saints who have been well-pleasing to Thee since the world began, in the light of Thy countenance, through the tender mercy of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Ekphonesis
For blessed and sanctified and most glorified is Thy most honourable and majestic name, of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Priest : Peace be unto all.
People : And with thy spirit.
Deacon : Let us bow our heads before the Lord.
People : To Thee, O Lord.
Priest : O Great and wondrous God, look upon Thy servants, for we have bowed our heads before Thee. Stretch forth Thy powerful hands, so full of blessings, and + bless Thy people. Protect Thine inheritance, so that we may always and without cease glorify Thee, our one true and living God, the Holy Trinity, one in essence, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Ekphonesis
For unto Thee is due and belong from us all, every doxology, honour, worship and thanksgiving, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Deacon : In the peace of Christ, let us depart.
Prayer of Dismissal
Deacon : From glory to glory advancing, we hymn Thee, the Saviour of our souls. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. We hymn Thee, the Saviour of our souls.
Priest : From might to might advancing, and having accomplished all the Divine Mysteries in Thy temple, we now pray Thee, vouchsafe to us Thy full mercy; rightly divide our paths : root us in Thy fear; and count us worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with Whom is due glory, honour and dominion together with the Holy Ghost, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
People : Amen.
Dismissal of the Angel of the Sacrifice
The deacon shall then pour some water into the Bishop or Priest’s hands, who shall breathe on it three times while inaudibly saying the three signings of the cross. If other priests are present they, too breathe on the water and repeat the second signing. The Bishop or Priest, standing before the Altar shall dismiss the Angel of the Sacrifice by sprinkling some of the water on the Altar and throwing the rest upwards, as he says inaudibly:
Priest: O Angel of this oblation, ascending to heaven with this praise, remember us before the Lord that He may forgive us our sins.
The Bishop or Priest shall come and stand in front of the royal doors, holding the cross whilst the people shall each come forward to venerate it and to receive some of the Antidoran. After which the Deacon shall exclaim :
Deacon : You are dismissed in peace !
The Recessional of Saint James
From glory unto glory
Advancing on our way,
We hymn Thee, Christ our Saviour,
Our soul’s eternal Stay;
From strength to strength advancing,
As from Thine House we go,
We pray Thee in our weakness,
Thy perfect strength to show.
Advancing on our way,
We hymn Thee, Christ our Saviour,
Our soul’s eternal Stay;
From strength to strength advancing,
As from Thine House we go,
We pray Thee in our weakness,
Thy perfect strength to show.
Direct our ways before Thee,
Preserve us in Thy love,
And grant us through Thy mercy,
Thy heavenly Realm above.
From glory unto glory,
Advancing on our way,
We hymn Thee, Christ our Saviour,
Our soul’s eternal Stay.
Preserve us in Thy love,
And grant us through Thy mercy,
Thy heavenly Realm above.
From glory unto glory,
Advancing on our way,
We hymn Thee, Christ our Saviour,
Our soul’s eternal Stay.
