When the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is to be celebrated, after the priest and the deacon have said the usual Entrance Prayers (with the exception of the Prayer: O Lord, stretch forth Thy hand…), they enter the sanctuary and vest themselves as usual. The priest makes the Sign of the Cross and kisses each vestment, as usual, but says only, Let us pray to the Lord, over each. Likewise, after receiving the blessing, the deacon says only, Let us pray to the Lord.
At the appropriate time, the curtain is opened. The priest and deacon bow reverently three times before the Holy Table, saying, O God, cleanse me, a sinner, each time. The priest then kisses the Gospel and the deacon the Holy Table. At the appointed time, having received the blessing from the priest, the deacon goes out and stands in his usual place and exclaims:
Deacon: Bless, Master.
The priest kisses the Holy Gospel, lifts it up with both hands, and, lowering it, blesses the Holy Table crosswise, saying:
Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. *
* If the Hours and Typica were not said, it is appropriate for the reader to say the Trisagion Prayers through Our Father. Then, continue with Come let us worship…, and Psalm 103 (104).
Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life – come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Reader: Amen. Lord have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Reader: Come, let us worship God our King!
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God!
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God! (with three reverences)
The reader immediately begins to read the Introductory Psalm 103 (104): As the reader reads the Psalm, the priest comes out of the sanctuary through the north door and, standing before the Holy Doors with head uncovered, reads the Vesperal Prayers.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You have been greatly magnified: You are clothed in confession and majesty. You put on light as a garment; You stretch out the heavens like a curtain, and cover its lofts with water; You lay the clouds to stand on; You walk upon the wings of the wind. You make Your angels spirits and Your ministers a flame of fire. You established the earth on its assurance; it shall never be moved. The deep covers it like a garment. The waters will stand on the mountains. At Your rebuke they will flee; at the sound of Your thunder they will be afraid. Mountains rise and valleys sink to the place which You appointed for them. You set a boundary that neither shall cross. They will not return to cover the earth. You make springs gush forth in the valleys; the waters will run between the mountains. They will give drink to all the beasts in the field; the wild asses will quench their thirst. The birds of the air will have their habitation beside them. Gushing forth from the rocks they will give voice. You water the mountains from Your lofts; the earth will be satisfied by the fruit of Your works, You cause grass to grow for the cattle and plants for the service of man to produce bread from the earth: And wine gladdens the heart of man; to make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengthens the heart of man. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted. There will the sparrows make their nests: the heron’s dwelling is chief among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the hares. You made the moon for seasons. The sun knows its setting. You ordered darkness, and it became night. Therein will all the beasts of the forest creep forth. Young lions roaring after their prey and seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. And man goes out to do his work and to labor until the evening. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! You made them all in wisdom. The earth is replete with Your creations. This sea, how great and spacious it is! Therein are innumerable creeping things, animals both small and great. There do ships traverse; there is that dragon You made to play therein. All look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give to them they will gather; when You open Your hand, all things will be filled with goodness. When You turn Your face away, they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will cease and return to their dust. You will send forth Your Spirit, and they will be created; and You will renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord be forever. The Lord will rejoice in His works: He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble, He touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will chant to my God for as long as I have being. May my discourse be pleasant to Him, and I shall rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. The sun knows its setting. You ordered darkness, and it became night. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! You made them all in wisdom.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (3 times)
The deacon, having taken his usual place, now says:
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our Metropolitan [NAME], our Bishop (or Archbishop) [NAME], for the honorable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this country, its Prime Minister, for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city (or village, or holy habitation), for every city and country, and for the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For travelers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Exclamation:
Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The reader then reads the First Antiphon of the 18th Kathisma. [On Wednesday and Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent, the 7th and 12th Kathismas are read respectively].
During the reading of the first antiphon, the priest makes two prostrations before the Presanctified Lamb in the artophorion on the Holy Table, then takes the Holy Gospel lying on the antimension and places it beyond the antimension (at the right-hand corner of the Holy Table); then he unfolds the antimension and places the diskos on it. Taking the spoon in his right hand and the spear in his left, the priest takes the Presanctified Lamb from the artophorion and lays it with great reverence on the diskos, saying nothing. Then he makes a third prostration before the Holy Table.
PSALM 119
Reader: Unto the Lord in my affliction have I cried, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from unrighteous lips and from a crafty tongue. What shall be given unto you and what shall be added unto you for your crafty tongue? The arrows of the mighty one, sharpened with coals of the desert. Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged; I have tented with the tentings of Kedar, my soul has long been a sojourner. With them that hate peace I was peaceable; when I spoke unto them, they warred against me without a cause.
PSALM 120
I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from where comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, Who has made heaven and earth. Give not your feet unto moving, and may He not slumber that keeps you. Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep, He that keeps Israel. The Lord shall keep you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand. The sun shall not burn you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall keep you from all evil, the Lord shall guard your soul. The Lord shall keep your coming in and your going out, from henceforth and evermore.
PSALM 121
I was glad because of them that said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have stood in your courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city which its dwellers share in concord. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones unto judgment, thrones over the house of David. Ask now for the things which are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the prosperity of them that love you. Let peace be now in your strength, and prosperity in your place. For the sake of my brethren and my neighbors, I spoke peace concerning you. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for you.
PSALM 122
Unto You have I lifted up my eyes, unto You that dwells in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He takes pity on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly has our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.
PSALM 123
Had it not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say, had it not been that the Lord was with us. When men rose up against us, then had they swallowed us up alive. When their wrath raged against us, then had the water overwhelmed us. Our soul has passed through a torrent; then had our soul passed through the water that is irresistible. Blessed be the Lord Who has not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul like a sparrow was delivered out of the snare of the hunters. The snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who has made heaven and the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3 times)
At the completion of the First Antiphon, the deacon leaves the sanctuary by the north door, takes his usual place, and, having made a reverence, says the Little Litany.
PRAYER OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON
Priest: O gracious and merciful Lord, Who art longsuffering and abundantly merciful: listen to our prayer and hearken to the voice of our supplication. Work with us a sign for good. Direct us on Thy path, that we may walk in Thy truth. Give joy to our hearts, that we may fear Thy holy Name; for Thou art great and doest wonders! Thou alone art God, and among the gods none is like Thee, Lord. Thou art mighty in mercy and good in strength, in order to help, comfort and save all who hope in Thy holy Name.
LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thine is the majesty, and Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Reader now reads the Second Antiphon of the 18th Kathisma. [Or the 7th and 12th in the 5th Week].
During the Second Antiphon the priest and deacon make two prostrations before the Holy Table. The priest takes up the censer and the deacon takes up a candle and stands, facing the priest, on the eastern side of the Holy Table. Together they go around the Holy Table three times censing the Presanctified Lamb. After the censing, both make a third prostration before the Holy Table.
PSALM 124
Reader: They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion; he that dwells at Jerusalem, never more shall he be shaken. Mountains are round about her, and the Lord is round about His people from henceforth and forevermore. For the Lord will not permit the rod of sinners to be upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch forth their hands unto iniquities. Do good, O Lord, unto them that are good and unto the upright of heart. But them that turn aside unto crooked ways shall the Lord lead away with the workers of iniquity, peace be upon Israel.
PSALM 125
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion, we became as men that are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing. Then shall they say among the nations: The Lord has done great things unto them. The Lord has done great things among us, and we are become glad. Turn again, O Lord, our captivity, like streams in the south. They that sow with tears shall reap with rejoicing. In their going they went, and they wept as they cast their seeds. But in their coming shall they come with rejoicing, bearing their sheaves.
PSALM 126
Except the Lord build the house, in vain do they labor that build it. Except that Lord guard the city, in vain does he watch that guards her; it is vain for you to rise at dawn. You that eat the bread of sorrow, raise yourselves after resting, when He has given sleep to His beloved. Lo, sons are the heritage of the Lord, the rewards of the fruit of the womb. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of them that were outcasts. Blessed is he that shall fulfill his desires with them; they shall not be put to shame when they speak to their enemies in the gates.
PSALM 127
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, that walk in His way. You shall eat the fruit of your labors; blessed are you, and well shall it be with you. Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the side of your house. Your sons like young olive trees round about your table. Behold, so shall the man be blessed that fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Sion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see your children’s children; peace be upon Israel.
PSALM 128
Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say, Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, and yet they have not prevailed against me. The sinners wrought upon my back, they lengthened out their iniquity. The Lord is righteous; He has cut asunder the necks of sinners. Let them be put to shame and turned back, all they that hate Sion. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which before it is plucked up is withered away. Wherefore the reaper fills not his hand, nor he that gathered sheaves his bosom. Nor have they that passed by said: The blessing of the Lord come upon you; we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3 times)
At the conclusion of the Second Antiphon, the deacon leaves the sanctuary and goes to his usual place for the Little Litany.
PRAYER OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON
Priest: O Lord, rebuke us not in Thine anger, nor chasten us in Thy wrath! Deal with us according to Thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Direct us to the haven of Thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know Thy truth. Grant that the remainder of this day and all the span of our lives may be peaceful and sinless: through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and all the saints.
LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The curtain is closed. The Reader now reads the Third Antiphon of the 18th Kathisma. [Or the 7th and 12th in the 5th Week].
During the Third Antiphon, the Presanctified Lamb is borne to the Table of Preparation in the following manner. After making two prostrations before the Holy Table, the priest takes the diskos with the Presanctified Lamb reverently from the Holy Table with both hands and, raising it to the level of the brow of his head, bears it to the Table of Preparation, passing by way of the High Place. As he bears the Presanctified Lamb to the Table of Preparation, he is preceded by the deacon who, holding a candle in his left hand and the censer in his right, walks backwards, censing the Holy Gifts. Upon reaching the Table of Preparation, the priest pours into the chalice the wine and water, censes the star and the first veil and covers the diskos, and then censes the second veil and covers the chalice. He then censes the large veil three times and covers both the diskos and the chalice with it. At each action, the priest says quietly, Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. At the end, after the large veil has been put over the diskos and the chalice, the priest says: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
The prayers which would have been said at this point in the full Liturgy are not said here.
The deacon places the candle before the Holy Gifts and the priest censes them. Then both priest and deacon make a third prostration before the Holy Lamb. The deacon then leaves the sanctuary and goes to his usual place for the Little Litany. The priest goes to the Holy Table, folds the antimension, and places the Gospel again upon it.
PSALM 129
Reader: Out of the depths have I cried unto You, O Lord; hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If You should mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with You there is forgiveness. For Your name’s sake have I patiently waited for You, O Lord; my soul has waited patiently for Your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and he shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.
PSALM 130
O Lord, my heart is not exalted, nor are my eyes become lofty. Nor have I walked in things too great or too marvelous for me. If I were not humble-minded but exalted my soul, as one weaned from his mother, so would You requite my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth and for evermore.
PSALM 131
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. How he made an oath unto the Lord, and vowed unto the God of Jacob: I shall not go into the dwelling of my house, I shall not ascend upon the bed of my couch. I shall not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, nor rest to my temples, Until I find a place for the Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob. Lo, we have heard of it in Ephratha, we have found it in the plains of the wood. Let us go forth into His tabernacles, let us worship at the place where His feet have stood. Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness. Your priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Your righteous ones shall rejoice. For the sake of David Your servant, turn not Your face away from Your anointed one. The Lord has sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it: Of the fruit of your loins will I set upon your throne. If your sons keep My covenant and these testimonies which I will teach them. Their sons also shall sit forever on your throne. For the Lord has elected Sion, He has chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. This is My rest forever and ever; here will I dwell, for I have chosen her. Blessing, I will bless her pursuit; her beggars will I satisfy with bread. Her priests will I clothe with salvation, and her saints with rejoicing shall rejoice. There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp of My Christ. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon Him shall My sanctification flourish.
PSALM 132
Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runs down the fringe of his garment. It is like the dew of Aermon, which comes down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life for evermore.
PSALM 133
Behold now, bless you the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Sion, He that made heaven and the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3 times)
PRAYER OF THE THIRD ANTIPHON
Priest: Remember us Thy useless and sinful servants, O Lord our God, when we call on Thy holy Name. Put us not to shame for hoping in Thy mercy. Rather, Lord, grant all our petitions, which lead to salvation, and vouchsafe us to love and fear Thee with our whole heart, and to do Thy will in all things.
LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art our God, a merciful and saving God, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
After the Kathisma, the Evening Psalms, beginning with Lord, I have called…, are sung in the proper Tone as indicated by the first stikheron from the Triodion. The deacon censes in the usual order.
Psalm 140 (141):
Choir: (In the proper Tone)
Lord, I have called to Thee, hear me; Hear me, O Lord!
Lord, I have called to Thee, hear me!
Attend to the voice of my prayer when I call to Thee!
Hear me, O Lord!
Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense,
And let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
Hear me, O Lord!
Immediately after Lord, I have called…, the Reader continues reading Psalms 140 (141)
Reader: Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, a secure door around my lips!
Incline not my heart to words of evil, to invent excuses for my sins
In company with men who work iniquity, and let me not join their elect.
A righteous man will punish me with mercy and rebuke me, but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head;
For even more is my prayer when faced with their pleasures, their judges have been swallowed near the rock.
They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as a lump of earth is shattered on the ground, so their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.
But toward Thee, O Lord, are my eyes, in Thee have I hoped; do not take away my soul.
Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and form the snares of evildoers!
The sinners shall fall into their own nets; I am alone, until I escape.
I have cried with my voice to the Lord, with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
I pour out my supplication before Him; I tell my sorrow before Him.
When my spirit ebbed from me, Thou didst know my path!
In the path where I walked, they hid a trap for me;
I looked to the right and watched, but there was none who knew me;
No refuge remains to me, no man cares for my soul.
I cried to Thee, O Lord, and said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
Give heed to my supplication, for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me!…
Then, depending on the number of stikhera to be sung from the Triodion and Menaion, insert the following verses from the Psalms, as usual…. Except on Thursday of the 5th Week where we begin with the verse: Let the ungodly fall into their own nets….
On 10 stikhera:
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess Thy Name!
The righteous wait for me, till Thou rewardest me!
On 8 stikhera:
Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
On 6 stikhera:
If Thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniqui ties, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee!
For Thy Name’s sake I have waited for Thee, O Lord, my soul waits for Thy Word; my soul has hoped in the Lord!
On 4 stikhera:
From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities!
On 2 stikhera: Psalm 116 (117)
Praise the Lord, all nations! Praise Him, all peoples!
For His mercy is confirmed on us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever!
On Thursday of the 5th week add here the two verses of Psalm 122 (123): Unto Thee do I lift up mine eyes.… The remaining stikhera have the verse, Glory to Thee, our God, Glory to Thee!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
…
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
…
During the singing of the Stikheron at Now and ever…, the Holy Doors are opened and the Entrance is made with the censer. (When the Gospel is to be read, on the patronal feast of the church or monastery, or of a saint, or during Passion Week, the Entrance is made with the Gospel). The deacon says to the priest:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
And the priest prays the Prayer of the Entrance:
Priest: In the evening, in the morning, and at noon, we praise, bless, thank and pray to Thee, O Master of all. Let our prayer arise as incense before Thee. Turn not our hearts toward evil words or thoughts. Deliver us from all those who seek to ensnare our souls, for our eyes, Lord, O Lord, are on Thee! We hope in Thee: put us not to shame, O our God! For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Standing before the opened Holy Doors, the deacon, having censed the icons and the Holy Table, lifts his orarion to the east saying quietly:
Deacon: Bless, Master, the holy entrance.
The priest blesses, saying quietly:
Priest: Blessed is the entrance of Thy saints, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
At the conclusion of the last sticheron the deacon exclaims, saying:
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend!
The celebrants enter the sanctuary and go to the High Place, and the choir sings:
Choir: O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ. Now we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening. We praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For it is right at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of Life, therefore all the world glorifies Thee.
* * * *
Deacon: Let us attend!
Priest: Peace be unto all!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the Tone:
The reader and the choir chant the appointed Prokeimenon from the Triodion in the usual manner.
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The reading is from Genesis (or Exodus).
Deacon: Let us attend!
The deacon closes the Holy Doors as the reader begins to read the first appointed reading from the Triodion. When the reading is concluded, the Holy Doors are opened.
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: The Prokeimenon in the Tone:
The reader and the choir chant the appointed Prokeimenon from the Triodion in the usual manner. At its conclusion, the deacon turns to the priest and exclaims:
Deacon: Command!
NOTE: If there is no deacon, Command! is not said.
The priest, taking the candlestick with its candle and the censer in both hands, facing east toward the Holy Table, and making the Sign of the Cross, says in a loud voice:
Priest: Wisdom! Let us attend!
Then having turned to the west — toward the people — he exclaims:
Priest: The Light of Christ illumineth all!
At this time, the people make a full prostration to the ground. The Holy Doors are closed, and the reader immediately says:
Reader: The reading is from Proverbs (or Job).
Deacon: Let us attend!
The reader reads the second appointed reading from the Triodion. (If it be a day on which there is to be a Vigil or Polieley, the readings of the feast or of the saint are now read). At the completion of the reading(s) the priest says:
Priest: Peace be unto thee, Reader.
* * * *
The priest stands before the Holy Table, holding the censer. The deacon opens the Holy Doors and exclaims:
Deacon: Wisdom!
The following verses from Psalm 140 (141) are now chanted according to the accepted local tradition:
Verse 1. Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
Refrain: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
Verse 2. Lord, I have called upon Thee, hear me, receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon Thee.
Refrain: Let my prayer arise…
Verse 3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips.
Refrain: Let my prayer arise…
Verse 4. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, nor let me be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work iniquity;
Refrain: Let my prayer arise…
And again:
Verse 1. Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
While the above verses are being sung all those present in the church, and those who are in the sanctuary, kneel and pray. When the choir sings, Let my prayer arise…, the singers stand and then kneel for the next verse, and so on. Meanwhile, the priest stands at the Holy Table and censes. During the verse, Incline not my heart…, he stands before the Table of Preparation and censes before the Holy Gifts, then gives up the censer to the deacon, returns to the Holy Table, and kneels during the final verse, Let my prayer arise….
The deacon, meanwhile, remains by the Table of Preparation and censes the Holy Gifts. When the singing of the final verse is completed, the priest stands before the Holy Table and says:
PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (PROSTRATION)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. (PROSTRATION)
Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see mine own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. (PROSTRATION)
If it be the patronal feast of the church or monastery, or of a saint, or during Passion Week, the deacon or priest now says: Let us attend! and the reader reads the appointed Prokeimenon of the Epistle. The Holy Doors remain open and the customary censing takes place. After he reads from the Apostol, the appointed Alleluia is sung as usual. The Gospel is then read in the usual manner.
Deacon: Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
And the antimension is partly unfolded by the priest; the upper portion is left folded.
Deacon: Again we pray for our Metropolitan , for our Bishop (or Archbishop ), for priests, priestmonks, deacons, and all other clergy and for all our brethren in Christ.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
PRAYER OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Priest: O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication of Thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of Thy mercy. Send down Thy bounties upon us and upon all Thy people, who await the rich mercy that cometh from Thee.
Deacon: Again we pray for this Country, its Prime Minister (or title of the highest civil authority), for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces everywhere.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever memorable holy Orthodox Patriarchs; and for the blessed and ever memorable founders of this holy house; (or holy habitation) and for all our fathers and brethren, the Ortho dox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God , and for the pardon and remission of their sins.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all venerable house; for those who labor and those who sing; and for all the people here present, who await Thy great and rich mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Pray to the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy on them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy
Deacon: That He may teach them the word of truth.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may unite them to His Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help them, save them, have mercy on them, and keep them, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
PRAYER FOR THE CATECHUMENS
Priest: O God our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, Who willest that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon Thy servants the catechumens and deliver them from their former delusion and from the wiles of the adversary. And call them unto life eternal, enlightening their souls and bodies and numbering them with Thy rational flock, which is called by Thy holy Name.
The antimension is now fully unfolded. (Some do this at: That He may reveal to them…).
Exclamation:
Priest: That with us they may glorify Thine all honorable and majestic Name; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the antimension with the sponge as he exclaims …of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…, kisses the sponge and lays it on the right side.
* * * *
Deacon: All catechumens, depart. Depart catechumens. All that are catechumens depart. Let no catechumen remain. Let us, the faithful, again and again in peace pray unto the Lord.
The above dismissal is said only until Wednesday of the 4th week of the Fast. Beginning with Wednesday of Midfast, after the priest says, That with us they may glorify…, the following petitions are said by the deacon:
* * * *
Deacon: All catechumens depart. Depart, catechumens. As many as are preparing for illumination, draw near. Pray, you who are preparing for illumination.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: You faithful, for the brethren who are preparing for holy illumination and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the Lord our God may establish and strengthen them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may enlighten them with the light of knowledge and piety.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may vouchsafe unto them in due time the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruptibility.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may beget them by water and the Spirit.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may bestow upon them the perfection of the faith.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He may number them with His holy and elect flock.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, O God, by thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: As many as are preparing for illumination, bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To thee, O Lord.
PRAYER FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR HOLY ILLUMINATION
Priest: Reveal, O Master, Thy countenance to those who are preparing for holy illumination and who long to put away the pollution of sin. Enlighten their minds. Secure them in the faith. Establish them in hope. Perfect them in love. Show them to be honorable members of Thy Christ, Who gave Himself as a deliverance for our souls.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art our Illumination, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: As many as are preparing for illumination, depart; you who are preparing for illumination, depart; as many as are catechumens, depart. Let no catechumen remain. As many as are of the faithful, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
FIRST PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: O God, great and praiseworthy, Who by the lifegiving death of Thy Christ hast translated us from corruption to incorruption, do Thou free all our senses from deadly passions; set over them as a good guide the understanding that is within us. And let our eyes abstain from every evil sight; our hearing be inaccessible to idle words; and our tongues be purged of unseemly speech. Make clean our lips which praise Thee, O Lord. Make our hands refrain from base deeds, and to work only that which is well pleasing to Thee, fortifying our members and minds by Thy grace.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom!
Exclamation:
Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The four following petitions are recited only if a deacon is serving. If the priest serves alone, they are omitted.
* * * *
Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
* * * *
SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: O Master, holy and exceeding good, we implore Thee, Who art rich in mercy: be gracious to us sinners, and make us worthy of the reception of Thine Only-begotten Son and our God, the King of Glory. For, behold, His Immaculate Body and Life-creating Blood, entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth upon this mystical Table by multitudes of heavenly hosts invisibly escorted. Grant us to partake of them without condemnation, that, through them, our mental sight may be illumined and we may become children of the light and of the day.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom!
The deacon returns to the sanctuary through the south door.
Exclamation:
Priest: Through the gift of Thy Christ, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The Holy Doors are now opened. While the choir sings the Hymn of the Entrance, the deacon, having received the priest’s blessing, censes the Holy Table, the Table of Preparation, and the priest.
Choir: Now the Powers of Heaven do serve invisibly with us. Behold, the King of Glory enters. Behold, the mystical sacrifice is upborne, fulfilled.
When the deacon finishes his censing, he stands to the right of the priest before the Holy Table and both recite the Hymn of the Entrance three times, bowing after each recitation:
Priest: Now the Powers of Heaven do serve invisibly with us. Behold, the King of Glory enters.
Deacon: Behold, the mystical sacrifice is upborne, fulfilled. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Having made three prostrations, they now go to the Table of Preparation, where they make three prostrations before the Holy Gifts, saying each time: O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. The priest censes the Holy Gifts three times and then gives the censer to the deacon. He then puts the large veil on the deacon’s left shoulder. Then he takes the diskos with the Holy Lamb in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand, and holding the diskos headhigh and the chalice breast high, leaves the sanctuary through the north door, preceded by the servers carrying candles and the deacon with the censer who, facing the priest at all times, censes frequently.
Having reentered the sanctuary through the Holy Doors, the priest places the Holy Gifts on the Holy Table while the deacon stands at the right side. Thus, the Great Entrance is accomplished in solemn silence. When the priest, preceded by the deacon enters into the sanctuary, the choir then sings:
Choir: Behold, the mystical sacrifice is upborne, fulfilled. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
In the sanctuary, the priest removes the veils from the diskos and the chalice and places them on the Holy Table. He takes the large veil from the deacon’s shoulder and approaches it to the censer which is being held by the deacon. Having censed it, he places it upon the diskos with the Holy Gifts and the chalice. He then takes the censer from the deacon and censes the Holy Gifts three times. All this is accomplished in reverential silence. Then, standing before the Holy Table, the priest says:
PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (PROSTRATION)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. (PROSTRATION)
Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see mine own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. (PROSTRATION)
The Holy Doors are closed and the curtain is drawn halfway.
The deacon, having received leave from the priest, comes out through the north door, and standing in his usual place, says:
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the Precious Gifts offered and sanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That our God, Who loveth mankind, receiving them upon His holy, heavenly, and ideal altar as a sweet spiritual fragrance, will send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
And the priest prays:
Priest: O God of unutterable and unseen Mysteries, with Whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Who hast revealed the service of this liturgy to us, Who hast set us sinners, through Thy great love towards mankind, to offer to Thee gifts and sacrifices for our own sins and for the ignorance of the people: Do Thou Thyself, O invisible King, Who doest things great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, which cannot be numbered, look upon us, Thine un worthy servants who stand at this holy altar as at Thy cherubic throne, upon which resteth Thine Only-begotten Son and our God, in the dread Mysteries that are set forth, and having freed us all and all Thy faithful people from uncleanness, sanctify all our souls and bodies with the sanctification which cannot be taken away; that partaking with a clean conscience, with faces unashamed, with hearts illumined, of these divine, sanctified Things, and by them being given life, we may be united unto Thy Christ Himself, our true God, Who hath said: “Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood abideth in Me and I in him,” that by Thy Word, O Lord, dwelling within us and sojourning among us, we may become the temple of Thine All Holy and adorable Spirit, redeemed from every diabolical wile, wrought either by deed or word or thought; and may obtain the good things promised to us with all Thy saints, who in all ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: All things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life: painless, blameless, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.
Choir: Grant it, O Lord.
Deacon: Having asked for the unity of the Faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Exclamation:
Priest: And make us worthy, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call on Thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
People: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
While the priest prays:
Priest: O God, who alone art good and tenderhearted, Who dwellest on high, Who lookest upon the humble: Look with the eye of Thy tender-heartedness upon all Thy people, and keep them. Make us all worthy, without condemnation, to partake of these, Thy Life-creating Mysteries, for unto Thee have we bowed our heads, awaiting from Thee Thy rich mercies.
Exclamation:
Priest: Through the grace and compassion and love toward mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
The priest again prays:
Priest: Attend, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, out of Thy holy dwelling place, from the throne of glory of Thy Kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O Thou Who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and by Thy mighty hand impart unto us Thy Most Pure Body and Precious Blood, and through us to all the people.
While the priest is praying, the deacon, standing before the closed Holy Doors, crosses his orarion over his shoulders. Then the priest (standing before the Holy Table) and likewise the deacon (standing before the Holy Doors) make three low reverences, saying silently each time: O God, cleanse me a sinner, and have mercy on me. (3)
The priest, the Divine Gifts being covered, puts his hand under the large veil and touches the Life-creating Bread with great reverence and fear.
Deacon: Let us attend!
Priest: The Presanctified Holy Things for the Holy!
Choir: One is Holy. One is the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The curtain is fully closed. Then the priest lays aside the large veil. The deacon returns to the sanctuary through the south door, and, standing on the right side of the priest, says:
Deacon: Divide, Master, the Holy Bread.
The priest divides the Holy Bread into four parts, with proper reverence.
Priest: Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God: Who is divided, yet not disunited; Who is ever eaten, yet never consumed; but sanctifying those who partake thereof.
The priest arranges the pieces on the diskos in the form of a cross: The portion IC is then placed in the chalice, saying nothing. The portion XC is for the communion of the celebrants. The other two portions, NI and KA are broken for the communion of the faithful. The priest then blesses the warm water, making the Sign of the Cross, but saying nothing. The deacon then pours a sufficient quantity of warm water into the chalice crosswise, saying nothing, and then stands a little apart as the choir sings the Communion Hymn:
COMMUNION HYMN
Choir: O taste and see that the Lord is good! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
If readings from the Apostol and Gospel or a feast of a saint or for the patronal feast of a church or monastery were prescribed, then the other Communion Hymn is sung also.
The priest breaks the portion XC into a number of pieces corresponding to the number of clergy who take part in the Liturgy.
Priest: Deacon, draw near.
The deacon approaches and bows once, asking forgiveness; he then kisses the Holy Table and says:
Deacon: Behold, I draw near unto our Immortal King and God. Give unto me, Master, the Precious and Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
The priest gives the deacon a portion of the Holy Bread, saying:
Priest: To the pious deacon ____, is given the Precious, Holy, and Most Pure Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins, and unto life everlasting.
The deacon, having kissed the priest’s hand, withdraws and stands behind the Holy Table, and bowing his head, he prays quietly:
Deacon: I believe, O Lord, and I confess….
Similarly, the priest, taking a portion of the holy Mysteries for himself, he prays:
Priest: The Precious and Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is given unto me, the unworthy priest, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting.
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine Own Most Pure Body, and that this is truly Thine Own Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee: have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting. Amen.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
May the communion of Thy holy Mysteries be neither to my judgment nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body.
And in this manner, they partake of the holy Mysteries, with awe and godly fear. Then, taking the chalice with the veil in both hands, the priest drinks from it, saying nothing. He then wipes his mouth and the chalice with the veil which is in his hands, setting it on the Holy Table, and he prays, saying:
Priest: We give thanks unto Thee, O God, the Savior of all men, for all the good things which Thou hast vouchsafed unto us, and for the Communion of the Holy Body and Blood of Thy Christ. And we beseech Thee, O Lord, Who lovest mankind, to keep us under the shelter of Thy wings. And grant that, even to our last breath, we may worthily partake of Thy Holy Things, unto the enlightenment of soul and body, and unto the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The deacon does not drink from the chalice at this time, but after the Prayer Before the Ambo, and after consuming the remaining particles of the holy Mysteries.
If, however, a priest serves alone without a deacon, then, after having partaken of the holy Mysteries, he does not drink from the chalice, but only after the completion of the Liturgy and after consuming the holy Mysteries.
The deacon then, taking the diskos, brings it up over the chalice and puts the Holy Things into it, saying nothing. And having made three reverences, he draws the curtain and opens the Holy Doors, going through them with the chalice and says:
Deacon: In the fear of God, and with faith, draw near!
Choir: I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall always be on my lips.
The priest, having received the chalice, faces the people and says the Communion Prayer:
Priest: I believe, O Lord, and I confess….
When he has finished the Communion Prayer, the priest communicates those who are prepared to receive the Mystery, saying to each person:
Priest: The servant (or handmaid) of God , partakes of the Precious and Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and unto life everlasting.
During the communion of the people, the choir sings:
Choir: Receive the Body of Christ, taste the fountain of immortality! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The deacon (or server) cleans the lips of each communicant with the communion cloth. After all have been communicated, the celebrants return to the sanctuary and replace the chalice on the Holy Table. The priest then blesses the people, saying:
Priest: O God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance!
Choir: Taste the heavenly Bread and the Cup of Life, and see that the Lord is good! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The priest covers the chalice with one veil. He puts all others on the diskos, and covers them also. He censes the chalice three times and then gives the censer to the deacon. Having taken the diskos, he sets it on the deacon’s head: the deacon carries it with reverence to the Table of Preparation.
The priest, having made a reverence, takes the chalice in his right hand and says, as he faces the people:
Priest: (Silently) Blessed is our God…
(Aloud) Always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
The priest carries the chalice to the Table of Preparation.
Choir: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy glory; for Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal, and Life-creating Mysteries. Keep us in Thy holiness, that all the day we may meditate upon Thy righteousness. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The deacon unbinds his orarion and goes through the north door to his usual place for the litany; the priest returns to the Holy Table and folds the antimension.
Deacon: Let us attend! Having partaken of the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Asking that the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
The priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the folded antimension with the Holy Gospel as he exclaims:
Priest: For Thou art our Sanctification, and unto Thee do we send up glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
Choir: In the Name of the Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER BEFORE THE AMBO
Priest: O Almighty Master, Who in wisdom hast fashioned all creation; Who, through Thine ineffable providence and great goodness, hast led us to these all-revered days for purification of souls and bodies, for restraint of passions, and for hope of the Resurrection; Who, during the forty days, didst put into the hands of Thy servitor Moses the tables in letters divinely inscribed: Grant unto us also, O Good One, to fight the good fight, to complete the course of the Fast, to pre serve the Faith undivided, to crush the heads of invisible serpents, to be shown to be conquerors of sins and, without condemnation, also to attain unto and to worship the holy Resurrection. For blessed and glorified is Thine all-honorable and majestic Name; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (3)
And the choir continues with Psalm 33 (34):
I will bless the Lord at all times,
His praise shall be continually in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, The humble shall hear this, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me
And let us exalt His Name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto Him, and were lightened, And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all of his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth ‘round about them that fear Him,
And delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessèd is the man that trusteth in Him.
O fear the Lord, ye His saints:
For there is no want to them that fear Him. The rich become poor and hungry:
But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
The deacon, holding his orarion, stands with bowed head before the icon of our Lord Christ until the completion of the Prayer Before the Ambo. At its conclusion, the priest enters the sanctuary through the Holy Doors, and going to the Table of Preparation, silently says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, Who hast led us to these most solemn days, and Who hast made us communicants of Thy dread Mysteries: Join us to Thy rational flock, and show us to be heirs of Thy Kingdom, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The deacon goes to the Table of Preparation and consumes the Holy Gifts with all reverence and awe.
On Holy Wednesday, after singing: Blessed be the Name of the Lord… and I will bless the Lord at all times…, the priest says the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian for the last time this season:
PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
Priest: O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (PROSTRATION)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. (PROSTRATION)
Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see mine own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. (PROSTRATION)
The priest blesses the people, saying:
Priest: The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our Hope, glory to Thee!
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy. (3) Father (Master), bless.
Priest: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, Gregory Dialogus, the Pope of Rome; of Saint(s) (of the Church); of Saint(s) (of the day) whom we commemorate today; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loveth mankind.
On Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the following Dismissal is used:
Priest: May the Lord Who is going to His voluntary Passion for our salvation, Christ our true God…, (and the rest, as above).
Choir: Amen.
The people come to venerate the Cross and receive the antidoron bread.
