The Divine Liturgy (2 of 5)

And with the pectoral holy image he saith:

May God create in thee a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within thee, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

At the second pectoral image (if there be one), he saith:

Thy heart is inditing of a good matter; thou shalt speak of thy deeds unto the King, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And with the cross he saith:

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, saith the Lord, and take up his cross and follow me, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And with the mitre he saith:

The Lord hath set upon thy head a crown of precious stones. Thou askedst life of him, and he shall give thee length of days, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Proto-Deacon standeth aside, and the Sub-Deacons enter the Sanctuary, and taking from the Clergy the díkiri and the tríkiri, they bear them to the Bishop. And the Proto-Deacon saith:

May thy light so shine before men that they may see thy good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And the Bishop bestoweth the blessing, in cross-form, with the díkiri and the tríkiri, to the east, and the west, and the south, and the north, while the Choir singeth slowly:

Ton Despótin kai Arkhieréa imón, Kýrie fýlatte. Eis pollá éti, Déspota. (Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Bishop. For many years, O Master.)

Then the ewer and basin are brought by the Proto-Deacon and the Deacon, and the Bishop washeth his hands, if there be no Setting-apart of a Reader or Chanter, or the Ordination of a Sub-Deacon. But if there be a Setting-apart or an Ordination, then he who is to be set apart or ordained bringeth the ewer and basin, after he hath been vested in his dalmatic, in the manner set forth in the Order for the Laying-on of Hands.

When the Sixth Hour approacheth its close, all the Clergy, having vested themselves, come forth from the Sanctuary through the north door, and taking their stand beside the Bishop, begin to pray:

O God, cleanse thou me, a sinner. (Thrice.)

Bishop. O Heavenly King . . . (See page 67), with hands uplifted.

Glory to God in the highest, . . . (Twice.)

O Lord, open thou my lips, . . .

Proto-Deacon. It is time to sacrifice unto the Lord. Bless, Right Reverend Master. (See page 80.)

The First Priest and the Proto-Deacon kiss the Bishop's hand, and the Priest goeth into the Sanctuary, and openeth the Holy Door, while the Proto-Deacon remaineth standing outside, in front of the holy picture of the Saviour.

The Bishop remaineth on his dais (káthedra), until the Little Entrance. The other Clergy enter the Sanctuary after the Exclamations at the Great and Little Litanies.

II. The Liturgy of the Catechumens

Deacon. Bless, Master.

Priest. (bestowing the blessing, in cross-form, with the book of the Gospels from the Altar). Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And if it be at Eastertide:

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.

The Great Litany (Velíkaya Ekténiya)

Deacon. In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

[℟ marks where the Choir answereth: Lord, have mercy. In the book this response is printed once in the margin.]

For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. ℟

For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of them all: ℟

For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein: ℟

For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity: ℟

Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).

That he will aid them and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary: ℟

For this city, for this holy Temple, and for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein: ℟

For healthful seasons; for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times: ℟

For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation: ℟

That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity: ℟

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

If a Bishop be the celebrant, he saith during the Litany, secretly, the Prayer of Oblation:

O God our God, who didst send forth the Heavenly Bread, the Nourishment of the whole world, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour and Redeemer and Benefactor, blessing and sanctifying us: Do thou, the same Lord, bless also this oblation, and accept it on thy most heavenly Altar. Call to remembrance those who offer it, and those for whom it is offered, inasmuch as thou art good and lovest mankind; and preserve us blameless in the holy ministry of thy Divine Mysteries.

For sanctified and glorified be thy most honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Exclamation.

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

Choir. Amen.

And the Deacon, having made a reverence, shall leave his place, and shall go and stand before the holy picture (ikóna) of Christ, holding his stole with three fingers of his right hand.

Here shall be sung the First Antiphon, Psalm ciii. (or on the Great Feasts its appointed substitute, for which see the Special Services for the Great Feasts).

Bless the Lord, O my soul: Blessed art thou, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering and of great goodness. He will not alway be chiding, neither keepeth he his wrath forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy Name. Blessed art thou, O Lord.

And the Priest saith, secretly, the Prayer of the First Antiphon.

O Lord our God, whose might is ineffable, whose glory is inconceivable, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love toward mankind is unutterable: Look down, O Master, in thy tender compassion, upon us and upon this holy Temple; and deal with us and with those people who here pray with us, according to the riches of thy mercies and thy bounties.

And at the conclusion of the Antiphon, the Deacon shall come and stand again in his accustomed place, and shall say:

The Little Litany (Málaya Ekténiya)

Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life, unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

While the Priest (likewise the Bishop) saith, secretly, the Prayer of the Second Antiphon.

O Lord our God, save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Preserve the fulness of thy Church: sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: glorify them by thy divine might in recompense; and forsake not us who put our trust in thee.

Exclamation.

Priest. For thine is the majesty, and thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Deacon shall do as he hath done at the First Antiphon.

Here shall be sung the Second Antiphon, Psalm cxlvi. (or on the Great Feasts its appointed substitute).

Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live, will I praise the Lord; yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God. Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, and whose hope is in the Lord his God; who made the sea, and all that therein is; who keepeth his promise forever. Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong; who feedeth the hungry. The Lord looseth men out of prison; the Lord giveth sight to the blind. The Lord helpeth them that are fallen; the Lord careth for the righteous. The Lord careth for the strangers; he defendeth the fatherless and widow: as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down. The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King forevermore.

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

Here shall be sung the Anthem.

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God! Thou who art immortal yet didst deign for our salvation to become incarnate of the Holy Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary; and without change of essence wast made man; who also wast crucified for us, O Christ our God, trampling down Death by death; who art one of the Holy Trinity, and art glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.

Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

Then by (the Bishop and) the Priest is said, secretly, the Prayer of the Third Antiphon.

O thou, who hast given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests. Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them; granting them in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

Exclamation.

Priest. For thou art a good God, and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Deacon then entereth the Sanctuary, and the Choir chanteth the Third Antiphon.

In thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord, when thou comest into thy Kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Then the Priest, taking the book of the Holy Gospels from the Altar, giveth it to the Deacon; and preceded by a light, they both make the Lesser Entrance.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.

The Priest saith the Prayer of the Little Entrance while the last portion of the Beatitudes is being sung.

O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven ranks and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the ministry of thy glory: Cause that with our entrance may enter also the holy Angels with us serving thee, and with us glorifying thy goodness.

For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Deacon, taking his stand before the Holy Door, saith:

Deacon. Bless, Master, the Holy Entrance.

Priest. Blessed is the Entrance of thy Holy Ones always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Then the Deacon shall go to the Priest, and the Priest shall kiss the book of the Holy Gospels; and the Deacon shall come to the centre of the Holy Door, and there standing in front of the Priest, he shall elevate the Holy Gospels, and shall say, so that all may hear:

Wisdom, O believers!

Then shall they go to the Holy Altar; and the Deacon shall lay the Gospels on the Altar, and the Choir shall sing:

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. Save, O Son of God, who didst rise again from the dead,* us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

* If it be a week day: . . . who art wonderful in the Saints. Or, at Feasts, the proper Refrain, from the Antiphon of the Feast.

If it be a Pontifical Service, the head Priest giveth the book of the Holy Gospels to the Proto-Deacon, who beareth it, preceded by the Sub-Deacons with the díkiri and tríkiri and the sacramental fans (rípidi).

The Priests follow, in the order of their rank; and the whole procession, while the Beatitudes are being sung, maketh the circuit of the Altar, and coming forth, through the north door, goeth to the Bishop's dais. And there the Proto-Deacon standeth in front of the Bishop. (Here Proto-Deacons and Arch-Priests are ordained.)

Proto-Deacon. Bless, Right Reverend Master, the Holy Entrance.

Bishop. Blessed is the Entrance of thy Holy Ones, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Bishop kisseth the Holy Gospels.

Proto-Deacon. Wisdom, O Believers!

The Clergy who are taking part in the service sing:

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. Save, O Son of God, who didst rise again from the dead,* us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

The Bishop bestoweth the blessing with the díkiri and tríkiri, on all four sides, as after his vesting. And all proceed to the Sanctuary, where the Bishop, bearing the díkiri and censer, accompanied by the Proto-Deacon bearing the tríkiri, censeth the Holy Altar, the image-screen, and the People, while the Choir chanteth:

Eis pollá éti, Déspota. (Thrice.)

Then shall be sung the proper Hymn (Tropár) and Collect-Hymn (Kondák) for the Day. (See Appendix A.)

The Prayer of the Thrice-Holy

The Priest, secretly.

O holy God, who restest in the Saints; who art hymned by the Seraphim with a thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the Cherubim, and adored by every heavenly Power; who out of nothingness hast brought all things into being; who hast created man after thine own image and likeness, and hast adorned him with every gift of thine; who givest unto those that ask of thee wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; and hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants here, at this hour, to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar, and to render unto thee that adoration and praise which are thy due: Do thou, the same Lord, accept from the mouths of us sinners, the Thrice-Holy song, and visit us with thy beneficence. Pardon us every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary. Sanctify both our souls and bodies, and grant that we may serve thee in uprightness all the days of our life: through the intercessions of the holy Birth-giver of God, and of all the Saints of all the ages who have been well-pleasing unto thee.

And when the Choir come to the last Hymn, the Deacon shall say to the Priest, as both bow their heads, and he holdeth his stole with three fingers:

Bless, Master, the time of the Thrice-Holy.

And the Priest shall bless him, with the sign of the cross, and shall say, aloud:

For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever;

And when the Hymn is finished, the Deacon shall come close to the Holy Door, and pointing with his stole, first to the holy picture of Christ, he shall say:

O Lord, save the God-fearing, and hear us.

Then shall he point, in like manner, to those who stand without, and shall say:

Even unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

And then the Choir:

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Five times.)*

* At Christmas, the Epiphany, on the Eve of Palm Sunday, on Holy Saturday, during Eastertide and at Pentecost, in place of the Thrice-Holy shall be sung:

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

At the Feast of the Setting-up (Exaltation) of the Holy Cross; and at the third week of the Great Fast (Lent), when is the Feast of the Adoration of the Cross, in place of the Thrice-Holy there shall be sung:

Thy Cross do we worship, O Master, and we glorify thy Resurrection.

And the Deacon shall say to the Priest:

Command, Master.

Then shall they approach the Holy Throne, and as he approacheth, the Priest shall say:

Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Deacon. Bless, Master, the seat on high.

Priest. Blessed art thou on the throne of glory of thy kingdom, who sittest on the Cherubim always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

The Priest doth not ascend the High Place, nor sit upon it, but taketh his seat beside it, to the south.

If it be at a Pontifical Service, the last Collect-Hymn is omitted, and the Proto-Deacon, coming forth from the Sanctuary, saith:

O Lord, save the God-fearing.

And the Choir singeth the same.

Proto-Deacon. And hear us.

Choir. And hear us.

Then (in Russian Churches) the Proto-Deacon saith the Great Eulogy.

To the Most Holy Synod of Russia, many years!

And the Clergy and the Choir repeat the same.

Proto-Deacon. To our Most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias, and to all the Reigning House (and to the Ruler of the Land, if it be in a foreign country, mentioning his name and title), many years!

And the Choir singeth the same.

Proto-Deacon. To our Lord, the Right Reverend, N., of N., many years!

And the Clergy and the Choir repeat the same.

Proto-Deacon. To the Right Reverend Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, many years!

And the Clergy and the Choir sing the same.

To the Orthodox Governing Council, and Commanders of the Army and the Navy; to Governors of Towns, and the Christ-loving Army; and to all Orthodox Christians, many years!

The Choir repeat the same, and the Bishop, after each “many years!” blesseth all, and then reciteth, secretly, the Prayer of the Thrice-Holy.

The Clergy in the Sanctuary:

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

We, thy servants, in that we have been delivered from calamity, do offer unto thee, O Birth-giver of God, who as a victorious Chieftain warrest for us, songs of triumph and thanksgiving. Do thou also, in that thou hast might invincible, free us from all assaults, that we may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride Unwedded!

Proto-Deacon. Bless, Right Reverend Master, the time of the Thrice-Holy.

And standing in front of the Holy Door, he shall say:

Let us pray to the Lord.

Bishop. For holy art thou, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever;

And the Proto-Deacon, standing near the Holy Door, and holding his stole with three fingers, and pointing therewith to the People, saith:

Even unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Once.)

The Priests repeat the same once.*

The Choir repeateth the same once.

After the third repetition, the Bishop, holding the cross and the díkiri, saith, with his face towards the People:

Look down from heaven, O God, and behold and visit this vine which thou hast planted with thy right hand, and establish it.

And while the Choir singeth the Thrice-Holy for the fourth time, the Bishop bestoweth the blessing with the cross and the díkiri. Then the Clergy and the Choir each repeat the Thrice-Holy once more.

Here Bishops are ordained.

Proto-Deacon. Bless, Right Reverend Master, the seat on high.

Bishop. Blessed art thou on the throne of glory of thy kingdom, who sittest on the Cherubim all-hymned and exalted forever.

The Bishop then ascendeth the High Place, and standeth there, looking towards the People. And he giveth the díkiri to the Deacon. And the Proto-Deacon giveth the tríkiri to the Bishop, reciting the Hymn.

In Jordan was the Trinity made manifest; for the Most-Divine Person of the Father Himself proclaimed: He that is baptized, the same is my beloved Son. And the Spirit descended upon Him that was like unto Himself. For which cause men shall bless Him and exalt him forever.

The Bishop taketh the tríkiri, and blesseth thrice with the tríkiri, as usual.

After the Thrice-Holy, the Deacon shall say:

Let us attend.

(Bishop or) Priest. Peace be with you all.

Reader. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. The Gradual (Prokímen), in the . . . Tone.

Tone I.: Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on thee.

Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for it becometh the just to be thankful.

Tone II.: The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.

Verse: The Lord hath chastened and corrected me; but he hath not given me over unto death.

Tone III.: O sing praises, sing praises unto our God: O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.

Verse: O clap your hands together, all ye people: O sing unto God with the voice of melody.

Tone IV.: O Lord, how manifold are thy works: in wisdom hast thou made them all.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious.

Tone V.: Thou shalt keep us, O Lord: thou shalt preserve us from this generation henceforth forever.

Verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is not one godly man left.

Tone VI.: O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.

Verse: Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my strength: keep thou not silence towards me.

Tone VII.: The Lord shall give strength unto his people: the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Verse: Bring unto the Lord, O ye sons of God, bring young rams unto the Lord.

Tone VIII.: Pray ye unto the Lord our God, and render thanks.

Verse: In Jewry is God known, his Name is great in Israel.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle (N. to the N.).

Deacon. Let us attend.

The Reader then readeth the Epistle:* Brethren . . .

* While the Epistle is being read the Bishop sitteth on the High Place, and the Priests sit beside it. And while the Gospel is being read, they stand at their places.

And while the Epistle is being read, the Deacon shall take the censer, and approaching the Priest shall receive his blessing, and shall cense the Holy Altar round about, and all the Sanctuary, and the Priest, and the People.

If a Bishop be the celebrant, the Proto-Deacon taketh the censer, and a Deacon the incense, and they approach the Bishop. And the Bishop, putting incense into the censer, reciteth the while the Prayer of the Censer.

We offer unto thee the censer, O Christ our God, for the savour of a sweet spiritual odour; which do thou accept upon thy most heavenly Altar, requiting us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit.

And when the Epistle is finished, the Priest shall say:

Peace be with thee.

Reader. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. Alleluia.

The Prayer before the Gospel

The Priest, secretly.

Illumine our hearts, O God who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our understanding to the comprehension of the proclamation of thy Gospel. Implant in us, likewise, the fear of thy blessed commandments; that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a godly life, both thinking and performing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee. For thou art the light of our souls, and of our bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thy holy, and blessed, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(All this which followeth, until the Priest proclaimeth: Wisdom, O believers! is omitted, if the Priest serve without a Deacon.)

Then the Deacon, having set the censer in its proper place, shall come to the Priest, and bowing his head, and holding his stole and the book of the Holy Gospels with the tips of his fingers, at the Holy Altar, shall say:

Bless, Master, him who proclaimeth the good tidings of the holy Apostle and Evangelist, N.

(For a Bishop: Bless, Right Reverend Master, him who proclaimeth . . .)

And the Bishop or the Priest, blessing him with the sign of the cross, shall say:

May God, through the intercessions of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist, N., grant utterance with great power unto thee, who proclaimest the good tidings; unto the fulfilment of the Gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deacon. Amen.

Then the Deacon doeth reverence to the book of the Holy Gospels, and taketh it, and goeth out through the Holy Door, preceded by a taper, and standeth on the tribune, or on the place prepared. And the Priest, standing before the Holy Altar, with his face to the west, proclaimeth:

Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

The Bishop. Peace be with you all.

Choir. And with thy spirit.

Deacon. The Lesson from the Holy Gospel according to N.

Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.

Priest. Let us attend.

And the Deacon, or the Priest, if there be no Deacon, readeth the Gospel; and when he hath finished, the Priest shall say:

Peace be unto thee, who hast announced the good tidings.

Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.

And if it be a Pontifical Service, the Choir singeth:

Eis pollá éti, Déspota. (Many years, O Lord.)

While the Bishop blesseth the People with the tríkiri and the díkiri.

Then the Deacon shall go to the Holy Door, and shall give the book of the Gospels to the Priest, who placeth it on the Altar, behind the corporal (antimíns).

And the Deacon, standing in his accustomed place, shall say:

Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind let us say:

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee, hearken, and have mercy.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).

[℟ marks where the Choir answereth: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) In the book this response is printed once in the margin.]

For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity. ℟

Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy. ℟

Furthermore we pray for our brethren the Priests; for ordained Monks, and for all our brotherhood in Christ. ℟

Furthermore we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, and God-fearing Tzars and Tzarítzas; and for the founders of this holy Temple; and for all our devout fathers and brethren, Orthodox believers, departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord. ℟

Furthermore we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-honourable Temple; for those who labour in its service; for the singers; and for the people here present, who await in firm hope thy great and rich mercies. ℟

The Prayer of the Litany of Fervent Supplication

The Priest, secretly.

O Lord our God, accept this, the fervent supplication of thy servants, and be gracious unto us, according to the multitude of thy mercy; and send down thy bounties upon us, and upon all thy people, who here await the rich mercy which is from thee.

The corporal (antimíns) is now unfolded, except the upper edge.

Exclamation.

Priest. For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

[And, if it be in Russia, the Priest saith this Prayer:

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

O Lord our God, who art great and full of compassion, in meekness of heart we make our humble supplication unto thee: Preserve beneath the shelter of thy loving-kindness from every calamity our most God-fearing Emperor, N. Guard him in his ways by thy holy Angels, and let no enemy by any means prevail against him, nor any son of iniquity aim to offend him. Satisfy him with length of days and plenitude of strength; and enable him to accomplish all things to thy glory, and to the welfare of his people. So we, rejoicing in thy abounding grace toward him every day and every hour, shall bless and glorify thy most holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.]

And if there be offerings on behalf of the dead, the Deacon or the Priest shall say the following Litany (sometimes omitted):

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Furthermore we pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God departed this life, NN.; and that thou wilt pardon all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary. ℟

That the Lord God will establish their souls where the just repose. ℟

The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the remission of our sins we entreat of Christ, our King Immortal and our God.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

The Priest, secretly.

O God of spirits, and of all flesh, who hast trampled down death, and overthrown the Devil, and given life unto thy world: Do thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of thy departed servants, NN., in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For thou art a good God, and lovest mankind; because there is no man who liveth and sinneth not; for thou only art without sin, and thy righteousness is to all eternity, and thy word is true.

Exclamation.

Priest. For thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servants, NN., O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father, who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Litany of the Catechumens

Deacon. Pray ye unto the Lord, ye Catechumens.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Ye faithful, pray ye unto the Lord for the Catechumens; that the Lord will have mercy upon them.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

That he will teach them the word of truth.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

That he will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

That he will unite them unto his Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Save them, have mercy upon them, succour them, and keep them, O God, by thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye Catechumens.

Choir. To thee, O Lord.

The Prayer for the Catechumens

The Priest, secretly.

O Lord our God, who dwellest on high, and dost regard the humble of heart; who hast sent forth as the salvation of the race of men thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ: Look down upon thy servants the Catechumens, who have bowed their necks before thee. Grant unto them in due season the laver of regeneration, remission of sins, and the robe of incorruption. Unite them unto thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and number them with thy chosen flock.

Here the last edge of the corporal is spread out.

[Or, if it be at the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great:

O Lord our God, who dwellest in the heavens, and lookest down upon all thy works: Look upon thy servants, the Catechumens, who have bowed their necks before thee, and grant them the light yoke. Make them honourable members of thy holy Church; and vouchsafe unto them the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the robe of incorruption, unto the knowledge of thee, our true God.]

Exclamation.

Priest. That with us they may magnify thine all-honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Priest maketh the sign of the cross over the corporal with the sponge, which he then kisseth, and layeth on one side.

Deacon. Depart, all ye Catechumens, depart. Depart, all ye Catechumens: let no Catechumen remain: but let us who are in the faith again, yet again, in peace pray unto the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.