Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy

(Elevating the Book of the Holy Gospels, the priest sings the opening blessing for the Divine Liturgy).

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

Response: Amen.

The Litany of Peace

The Divine Liturgy begins with a series of petitions, called the Litany of Peace, from its opening words. St. John Chrysostom tells us that "One person is unable, by himself, to do anything (spiritually). Because of this, the assembly of the whole Church has great power; and what we cannot do alone we are able to do when joined with others. Therefore, most necessary are the prayers which the Church offers up for the world, for the Church, for peace, for those who are suffering hardship, from one end of the earth to the other."

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

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

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For peace throughout the world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God and for the union of them all, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy church and for those who enter it with faith, devoutness and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For our Ecumenical Patriarch (name), the Archbishop of Constantinople, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For our God-loving Bishop (name), for our esteemed priesthood, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For the honorable government of our country and all civil authorities and for our armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For this city and for every city, village and country, and for those who with faith dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For healthful seasons, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel by land, by sea, by air, for the sick, the suffering, for those who are
held in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

(Special petitions may be intoned here.)

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath and want, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, 0 God, by Your grace.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Commemorating our ever-holy, ever-pure, ever-blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-Virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Response: To You, O Lord.

The priest prays:

THE FIRST ANTIPHON PRAYER

O Lord our God, Whose power is beyond description, Whose glory surpasses all understanding, Whose mercy is without limit, Whose love for man is beyond expression: O Master, in Your kindness look down upon us and this holy church and bestow upon us and upon those praying with us Your abundant mercies and compassion.
For to You are due all glory, honor and adoration, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Response: Amen.

THE FIRST ANTIPHON

St. Paul the Apostle instructed the members of the Church of Ephesus, "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:19). The first Christians continued in their worship the traditions of the Hebrew Temple and synagogues of praising God through singing. Thus, the Book of Psalms became the first book of Christian hymns. St. Ignatius of Antioch, in the first years of the second century, wrote to that same Church of Ephesus, "Join yourselves, person by person, into a choir, that loving each other in harmony, and taking up the song of God together, you might with one voice sing to the Father through Jesus Christ, so that He might hear you and know by your works that you are members of His Son."

Sunday:
Exclaim to the Lord all the earth, sing to His Name, render glory to His praise.
(Psalm 66:1-2).
Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Weekday:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High. (Psalm 92:1).

Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.

Or:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; blessed are You, 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. Blessed are You, O Lord. (Psalm 103:1-4).

The priest prays:

THE SECOND ANTIPHON PRAYER

O Lord our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; preserve the fullness of Your Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of Your House, glorify them by Your divine might and forsake us not who put our hope in You. For Yours is the might and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

THE SECOND ANTIPHON

(Sunday)
O God, have mercy on us; and bless us; let the light of Your countenance shine upon us and have mercy on us. (Psalm 67:1). O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!

(Weekday)
The Lord is King, He is robed with beauty. The Lord is clothed with strength and has girded Himself. (Psalm 93:1). Through the prayers of Your Saints, O Saviour, save us!

The Hymn of the Incarnation

The Hymn of the Incarnation was introduced into the Divine Liturgy in the sixth century. It was originally sung as an entrance hymn as the clergy and people entered into the Church from, the outside, in a procession, to begin the Divine Liturgy. This hymn presents the Orthodox teaching concerning the Person of Jesus Christ in a capsule form, saying that He is both fully God and fully man.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who being immortal, willed for the sake of our salvation to become incarnate of the holy Birth-giver of God and ever-Virgin Mary and without change became man. And was crucified for us, O Christ God, Who by Your death did conquer death, O You Who are one of the Holy Trinity, equally glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us!

The priest prays:

THE THIRD ANTIPHON PRAYER

O Lord, Who has permitted this community to pray together in harmony, Who promised that You will grant the requests of two or three gathered in Your Name (Matthew 18:20), please fulfill all those petitions of Your servants that are beneficial to them, giving us in this world the knowledge of Your truth and life eternal in the world to come. For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and to You we render glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

(At this point in the Liturgy the Beatitudes are sung if it is the custom of the local parish.)

The Beatitudes

Lord, remember us, when You come into Your kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
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 those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when men revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:3-12).

During the singing of the Hymn of the Incarnation, or if it is the custom to sing the Beatitudes, immediately afterwards, the priest takes the Gospel Book from the Altar. With servers carrying candles before him, he makes the "Procession with the Gospel"; going behind the Altar and going out the deacon door, he comes to stand before the Royal Doors. As the singers finish singing the Hymn of the Incarnation or the Beatitudes, the priest prays the following prayer:

THE PRAYER of the GOSPEL PROCESSION

O Lord, our Master and God, Who in heaven established orders and armies of angels and archangels for the service of Your glory, make this our entrance to be an entrance of holy angels, serving together with us and with us glorifying Your goodness. For to You are due all glory, honor and adoration, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Blessed is the entrance of Your Saints, always now and ever and forever. Amen.

The Procession with the Gospel is a reminder to us of the fact that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) in the Person of our Lord Jesus. In the days when the Church was persecuted, the Gospel Book was kept hidden and brought out only for the celebration of the Liturgy. The lifting up of the Gospel Book in the sight of the congregation is a proclamation of the truth of Christ's teaching and a symbol of His victory.

Wisdom! Make us upright!

Response: O come, let us adore and bow down before Christ, O Son of God,

(On Sunday): risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!

(On weekdays): Who are wonderful in Your Saints, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!

(For the deceased): save us who sing for the repose of the soul(s) of Your departed servant(s): Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

(At this time the Tropar, Kondak and Theotokion are sung by the congregation. Meanwhile the priest prays this prayer):

THE PRAYER of the TRISAGION

O Holy God, Who abide among the Saints, Who are praised by the thrice-holy voice of the Seraphim and glorified by the Cherubim and adored by all the heavenly hosts, Who brought all things into being out of nothing, Who made man to Your own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), and adorned him with Your every gift, giving wisdom and understanding to him who asks (II Chronicles 1:10) and not neglecting the sinner, but prescribing penance for his salvation: granting to us, Your humble and unworthy servants, even at this moment to stand before the glory of Your holy Altar (Jude 24) and offer You due worship and glory, O Master, accept from the lips of us sinners the thrice-holy hymn and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive us all our sins, both voluntary and involuntary. Sanctify our souls and bodies and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our lives (Luke 1:74-75), through the prayers of the holy Birth-giver of God and of all the Saints, who have pleased You from the beginning of time.

For You, our God, are holy and we give glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

The Trisagion

The Trisagion or "Thrice-Holy Hymn" came into the Liturgy in the first part of the fifth century. It is based on the chant of the Seraphim, which the prophet Isaiah heard in a vision. (Isaiah. 6:3). According to St. John of Damascus, this hymn refers to the Holy Trinity: "Holy God" refers to the Father, the Fountain from Whom come the Son and the Holy Spirit. "Holy Mighty One" refers to the Son, Who is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:24) and Whose Name the prophet Isaiah tells us is "Mighty God". (Isaiah 9:6). "Holy Immortal One" is the Holy Spirit, Who is the "Giver of Life".

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us! (Three times).
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us!
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us!

At the "Glory" the priest goes behind the Altar, saying as he goes:

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Blessed are You on the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim, always now and ever and forever. Amen. (Psalm 117:26; Song of the
Three Youths 32).

The Readings From the New Testament

The word "prokeimen" comes from the Greek meaning "that which is before". At one time there was an Old Testament reading in the Liturgy, and the prokeimen was a psalm recited by the people at the end of that Old Testament reading, before the reading from the Apostolic writings. Today it is usually only a verse or two and not a whole psalm. The first reading, chanted by a reader, is taken either from the Acts of the Apostles or from one of the Letters of the Apostles. The Gospel may be read only by an ordained deacon, priest or bishop. According to the Lectionary, or system of readings used in the Church, almost the entire New Testament is read once each year. The words "Wisdom" and "Be attentive" at the beginnings of the readings are to remind us that through the written and spoken word, the Word, that is Christ, is speaking to each of us. St. John Chrysostom tell us that, in the Church, "letters coming from heaven are read everyday."

Be attentive! Peace be unto all! Wisdom, be attentive!

Reader: (Sings the Prokeimen of the day).

Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the Letter of ... (or) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Be attentive!

Reader: (The Lesson for the day is read.)

Peace be with you! Wisdom! Be attentive!

Response: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE PRAYER BEFORE the GOSPEL

O Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge (II Corinthians 4:6) and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. (Ephesians 1:18>. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Wisdom! Make us upright as we listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be unto all. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint (name).

Response: Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You!

Be attentive! (The Priest reads the Gospel for the day.)

Response: Glory to You, O Lord!

(The Sermon may be preached after the Gospel or according to local custom.)

The Treble Litany

The Treble Litany, with its triple response of "Lord, have mercy", is a prayer found over and over in the Bible. It reminds us that God still loves us and has compassion on us even when we have turned away from Him. There is a tradition that when Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise, they began their repentance by praying "Lord, have mercy" again and again.

Let us all say with our whole soul and with all our mind, let us say.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, God of our Fathers, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy. Response: Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Furthermore we pray for our Ecumenical Patriarch (name), the Archbishop of Constantinople, for our God-loving Bishop (name), for our spiritual fathers and all other clergy and for all our brethren in Christ; for their welfare, peace, health, salvation, and for the remission of their sins and that the Lord our God may prompt and help them in all things.

Response: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

(Special petitions may be intoned here.)

Furthermore we pray for those who give offerings and do good works in this holy and venerable Church, for those who labor in its service, for those who sing, and for all the people here present who await Your great and abundant mercy, for those who have shown us kindness and for all Orthodox Christians. Response: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

THE PRAYER of the LITANY

O Lord our God, accept this fervent prayer from Your servants and have mercy on us according to the multitude of Your mercy (Psalm 51:1), and bestow Your compassion upon us and upon all Your people who await the abundant mercies that come from You. (Nehemiah 13:22).

For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind and we give glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, always now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

(If it is a weekday, a Litany for the deceased may be intoned here.)

(As he sings the above doxology, the priest unfolds the antimension. The singers begin the Cherubic Hymn.)

The Cherubic Hymn

The Cherubic Hymn invites us to lay aside all of our cares and to prepare ourselves to receive Christ, the King of all, Whose Body and Blood will soon become present in the bread and was they are consecrated on the Altar. We are called upon to "raise on high", to welcome, our King. We must give Him an exalted place in our lives and accept Him in our hearts through receiving Him worthily in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The present Cherubic Hymn can be dated to the sixth century. The ceremonial presentation of the gifts of bread and wine on the Altar, which at one time was done in great simplicity, dates from about the same time.

We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn: let us now lay aside all earthly cares.

The priest prays:

O King of Glory, no one is worthy to come to You, to draw near to You, or to perform a service for You when he is bound down by desires and pleasures of the flesh (Psalm 24:7: Titus 3:3):. for to serve You is something grand and inspiring, even for the heavenly powers themselves. And yet, because of Your ineffable and boundless love for mankind, though in nature unchanged and unchangeable, You became both a man and our High Priest and, as Master of all, conferred upon us the sacred power of offering this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. For You alone, O Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth (1 Chronicles 29:11) and are borne on the throne of the Cherubim and are the Lord of the Seraphim and the King of Israel (Zephaniah 3:15), Who alone are holy and abide in the Saints, (Isaiah 57:15). Still, I pray to You, Who alone are gracious and ready to hear me. Look favorably upon Your sinful and unworthy servant, and cleanse my heart and my soul from all thought of evil and, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, enable me who have been clothed with the grace of the priesthood to stand before Your holy Altar and to sanctify Your sacred and most pure Body and precious Blood. (II Corinthians 3:6). I come to You with my head bowed low and implore You: turn not Your face away from me (Psalm 143:7), nor exclude me from among Your children (Wisdom 9:4), but allow these gifts to be offered by me, Your sinful and unworthy servant. For it is You, O Christ, Who offer and are offered, Who receive and are received, and we give glory to You and to Your eternal Father and Your life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

The Great Entrance

At this point the Cherubic Hymn is interrupted. The priest, having incensed the Altar, the icons and the people, goes to the Table of Oblation and takes up the diskos with the bread which is to be offered and the chalice with the wine to be offered. Servers carrying the censer and candles go before the priest with the bread and wine. Forming a procession, they go out the deacon door, followed by the priest who comes to the front of the Royal Doors, praying:

May the Lord God remember in His kingdom our holy Ecumenical Patriarch (name), the Archbishop of Constantinople, our God-loving Bishop (name), the entire priesthood and diaconate, monastics and clerics of the Church, the honorable government of our country and its armed forces, the blessed and ever-remembered founders and benefactors of this holy church, and all you Orthodox Christians always now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

(The singers continue with the Cherubic Hymn):

That we may raise on high the King of all, Who comes invisibly escorted by angelic hosts. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The priest places the diskos and chalice on the Altar, praying:

The noble Joseph, having taken Your most pure Body down from the Cross, wrapped it in a clean shroud and anointed it with fragrant spices and laid it in a new tomb.

O Lord, in Your good will deal favorably with Zion, that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then You shall accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then shall they lay calves upon Your Altar. (Psalm Sl:18-19).

O Lord God Almighty, Who alone are holy, Who alone accepts the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) from those who call upon You with their whole heart (Psalm 9:2), accept also the prayer of us sinners and bring us to Your holy Altar. Enable us to present to You gifts and spiritual sacrifices (I Peter 2:5) for our own sins and for the faults of the people. (Hebrews 9:7). Make us worthy to find favor in Your sight that our sacrifice may be acceptable to You (Romans 15:16) and that the good Spirit of Your grace (Hebrews 1O:29) may rest upon us and upon these gifts and upon all Your people.

Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

In preparation for the Creed, the priest blesses the congregation and greets them with the words "Peace be unto all", an action found several times in the Liturgy. Commenting on this greeting, St. John Chrysostom says, "This peace is the mother of all good things; this is the foundation of joy .... where there is no peace, everything else is useless .... Peace prepares the way for love."

This is why the priest first blesses us with the word "Peace" and then calls upon us to love one another so that we may in harmony confess our Faith. We will not be able to be reconciled with God if we are not reconciled with each other. We will not be able to see the holiness of God on the Altar if we have failed to see it in each other first. "So if you are offering your gift at the Altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the Altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24).

Peace be unto all!

Response: And with your spirit.

Let us love one another so that with one accord we may confess.

Response: The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity consubstantial and undivided.

The priest prays:

I will love You, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my support and my refuge! (Psalm 18:1-2).

The doors! The doors! In wisdom let us be attentive!

The Creed

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Church at Ephesus, writes, "There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all. . ." (Ephesians 4:4-6). The offering of the Eucharist and the reception of Holy Communion are real expressions of the one Faith which we as Orthodox share. Through the words of the Creed, recited just before the prayers of the Eucharist, we also show that to participate in the Eucharist, to receive Holy Communion, we must participate in the One Lord, one Faith and one Baptism first. The Creed, which we recite in the Liturgy today, was put down into words at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) and the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.) and was introduced into the Liturgy during the sixth century.

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.
And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures.
And He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
In One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life in the world to come. Amen.

The Anaphora

The word "Anaphora" means "offering up" and describes the action taking place in this set of prayers which are at the heart of the Divine Liturgy. The Anaphora is really one whole prayer, with both priest and people participating. The Anaphora prayer, like all ancient prayers, is addressed to God the Father. In the first part, the priest gives thanks to the Father not only for creating us but for the mercy He showed to us even after we sinned and for bringing us to heaven. He thanks the Father for all His blessings and for the Liturgy itself. Out of thanksgiving, together with the angels, we proclaim the holiness of God. The word "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving", and the Anaphora begins with thanksgiving for God's mercy. The second part of the prayer focuses on the Person of Jesus Christ, and with thanksgiving again the priest recalls all that Christ has done for us, and the command at the Last Supper, "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19), after the words over the bread and chalice.

Let us stand aright, let us stand with fear, let us be attentive so that we may offer the holy sacrifice in peace.

Response: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be With all Of you! (II Corinthians 13:14).

Response: And with your spirit!

Let us lift up our hearts! (Jeremiah 32:4O).

Response: We lift them up unto the Lord!

Let us give thanks to the Lord!

Response: It is proper and just to adore the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity consubstantial and undivided.

The priest prays:

It is proper and just to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You in every place of Your kingdom (Psalm 103:22), for You are God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever-existing and yet ever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of non-existence into being and, when we had fallen, You raised us up again, and left nothing undone to lead us to heaven and bestow upon us Your future kingdom. For all this we give thanks to You and to Your only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, for all things of which we know and do not know, the manifest and hidden benefits bestowed upon us.

We thank You also for this Liturgy which You have found worthy to receive from our hands, even though there stand before You thousands of archangels, tens of thousands of angels (Daniel 7:io), Cherubim and Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2), six-winged and many-eyed, who soar aloft on their wings, and who Sing, cry out and proclaim the triumphant hymn, saying:

Response: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts: heaven and earth are full of Your glory, (Isaiah 6:3). Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:9).

The priest prays:

With these blessed powers, O Lord and Lover of mankind, we too cry out and say: holy are You and all-holy, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit; holy are You and all-holy and sublime is Your glory.

You have loved Your world so much that You gave Your only-begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but should have everlasting life. (John 3:16). And after He had come and fulfilled everything in the divine plan for our redemption, on the night on which He was betrayed or, rather, on the night on which He gave Himself up for the life of the world (John 6:51; I Corinthians 11:23), He took bread into His holy, all-pure and immaculate hands and, having given thanks, blessed, sanctified and broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:

Take and eat: THIS IS MY BODY which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

Response: Amen.

In like manner after supper, He took the chalice saying:

All of you drink of this: THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

Response: Amen.

Remembering therefore this saving command (Luke 22:19) and all that has been done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, the second and glorious coming —

We offer unto You, Yours of Your own, in behalf of all and for all. (I Chronicles 29:14).

Response: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks unto You, O Lord, and we pray to You, O our God.

The Epiklesis

In the Divine Liturgy we do not offer to God the Father a new sacrifice but the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross — "Yours of Your own." To quote St. John Chrysostom, "The sacrifice which we offer today, that which was offered yesterday, and each day's sacrifice is alike and the same as the sacrifice offered on that Sabbath . . . they are one and the same, alike filled with awe and salvation." In the part of the prayer called the "Epiklesis", the priest asks God the Father to send down the Spirit upon the Church and the gifts of bread and wine which we offer to Him, and which through the Holy Spirit He offers back to us as the Body and Blood of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The priest prays that those who will receive the gifts of Holy Communion will receive all of the blessings they impart. We offer this "spiritual and bloodless sacrifice" in thanksgiving for the righteous men and women who have gone before us and who have been saved through the sacrifice of Christ, especially the Mother of God, John the Baptist and the holy apostles. The priest then makes mention of the departed, that God will grant them rest in His presence. St. John Chrysostom says, "Not in vain did the apostles order that remembrance be made of the dead in the awesome Mysteries. They know that they receive great gain, a great benefit; for when the whole people stands with uplifted hands, a priestly assembly, and the awe-inspiring Sacrifice is seen before them, how shall we not prevail with God by our prayers for them (the departed)"?

Furthermore we offer You this spiritual and bloodless sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and we implore, pray and beg of You: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts that are offered here

And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.

And that which is in this chalice the precious Blood of Your Christ.

Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.

That to those who partake of them, they may be for the spiritual peace of soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the full participation in the kingdom of heaven, for confidence in approaching You, not for judgment or condemnation.

Furthermore we offer You this spiritual sacrifice for those who have fallen asleep in the Faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and for every righteous soul made perfect in the Faith. (Hebrews 12:23).

Especially for our ever-holy, ever-pure, ever-blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-Virgin Mary.

Response: You are truly deserving of glory, O Birth-giver of God, the ever-blessed and most pure Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond comparison more glorious than the Seraphim, who as a Virgin gave birth to the Word of God, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify you.

The priest prays:

We offer You this spiritual sacrifice for the holy prophet, forerunner and Baptist John, the holy, glorious and praiseworthy apostles and Saint (name) whose memory we celebrate today, and all Your Saints, through whose prayers visit us, O God.

Remember also, O Lord, the souls of Your departed, all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life. Remember, O Lord, the souls of Your departed servants (names) and grant them rest where the light of Your countenance will shine upon them.

Furthermore we entreat You, O Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who faithfully dispense the word of Your truth (II Timothy 2:15), all the priests, the deacons in Christ and all others in Holy Orders. Furthermore we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, for those living in chastity and honor, for our honorable government and its armed forces. Grant them, O Lord, a peaceful life that, sharing their tranquility, we may lead a calm life in all piety and purity.

Remember among the first, O Lord, our holy Ecumenical Patriarch (name), the Archbishop of Constantinople, and our God-loving Bishop (name), preserve them for Your holy churches in peace, in safety, in honor and in health for many years, so that they may faithfully dispense the word of Your truth.

Response: And remember all Your people.

The Anaphora prayer continues with intercessions made for the living. As St. John Chrysostom again says, "It is a great honor to be named in the presence of the Lord, when the Memorial (of the Liturgy) is celebrated, the awe-filled sacrifice ..." The Patriarch and our Bishop are mentioned. St. Ignatius of Antioch writes at the beginning of the second century, "For Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the will of the Father, just as the Bishops, who have been appointed throughout the world, are the will of Jesus Christ." Lastly, the faithful are mentioned, especially those who are in any hardship and those who work for the Church. The Anaphora prayer concludes with a doxology (And grant), and the people respond "Amen" — the Hebrew word for "so be it", giving their seal of approval to the prayer of the priest.

Remember, O Lord, this city in which we live and every city and country, and the people of faith who dwell in them. Remember, O Lord, those who travel by sea, by land, by air; remember the sick and the suffering and those held in captivity, and their safety and salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bring offerings and do good works in Your holy churches, and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon all of us bestow Your mercies.

And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and sublime Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Response: Amen.

And may the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with all of you. Response: And with your spirit.

The Litany of Supplication

Having commemorated all the Saints, again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For the precious Gifts which have been offered and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

That our God Who loves mankind, having received them on His holy, most heavenly and mystical Altar, as an aroma of spiritual fragrance, may bestow upon us in return divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath and want, let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

For a day that in all things will be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

For the pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

For all that is good and profitable to our souls, and for the peace of the world, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

That we pass the remainder of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

For a Christian ending of our life without pain and shame, peaceful, and for a good account at the fearful judgment of Christ, let us beseech the Lord.

Response: Grant it, O Lord.

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

Response: To You, O Lord.

THE PRAYER of the LITANY

We commend our whole life unto You, O Master Who loves mankind, and we beseech, pray and beg You: make us worthy to partake of Your heavenly and awesome Mysteries from this sacred and spiritual Altar, with a pure conscience, for the remission of sins, for the pardon of transgressions, for the communion Of the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14), for the full participation in the kingdom of heaven, for confidence in approaching You (Hebrews 4:16), not for judgment or condemnation.

The Lord's Prayer

And make us worthy, O Lord, with full confidence and without condemnation, to dare to call upon You, God our Heavenly Father, and say to You:

From a very early time, the Lord's Prayer was recited in the Church as a preparation to receive Holy Communion. The phrase "Give us this day our daily bread" was understood by many of the Church Fathers to be a reference to the Bread of the Holy Eucharist. The Lord's Prayer even today is the prayer of preparation above all for receiving Holy Communion.

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

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 forever.

Response: Amen.

Peace be unto all!

Response: And with your spirit!

Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Response: To You, O Lord.

THE PRAYER at the BOWING of HEADS

We give thanks to You, O invisible King, Who by Your immeasurable power have fashioned all things and through the multitude of Your mercies have brought all things from non-existence into being. O Master, look down from heaven upon those who are bowing their heads to You: for they bow not to flesh and blood but to You, O awesome God. Therefore, O Master, distribute equally these Gifts in a manner beneficial to each according to his need: sail with those upon the seas, journey with those who travel by land and by air, cure the sick, O Healer of our souls and bodies.

Through the grace and bounties and love towards mankind of Your only-begotten Son with Whom you are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

The priest prays:

Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling-place and from the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, and come and sanctify us, You Who are seated on high with the Father, and Who are invisibly present here among us, and deem it proper to impart to us with Your mighty hand Your spotless Body and precious Blood, and through us, to all the people.

The Elevation

Be attentive! Holy things are for the holy!

With the words "Holy things are for the holy" the priest reminds us that we must approach the chalice of the Lord in a worthy way, realizing that we are about to receive Our Lord into our hearts through the Mystery of His Body and Blood. The priest breaks the large cube of Bread called the "Lamb" into four parts and places one of them, the part marked "IC", into the chalice.

Response: Only one is holy and that One is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. (I Corinthians 8:6; Philippians 2:11).

Breaking the Lamb into four parts, the priest prays:

The Lamb of God is broken and distributed, broken but not divided, ever-eaten yet never consumed, but sanctifying those who partake of it.

This joining together of the Body and Blood of the Lord symbolizes that the fullness of the Faith of the Holy Spirit is now present and completed in the Church's celebration of the Eucharist. It was in the breaking of the bread at Emmaus (Luke 24:31) that the disciples recognized Jesus after the resurrection. It is in the breaking and sharing of Holy Communion that we experience the Lord's presence among us still.

The priest drops the piece marked IC into the chalice:

The fullness of the Faith of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest himself partakes of the Eucharist saying, "I believe..."

(The people sing the Communion Hymn. The Sunday Hymn is):

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. Alleluia!

After the priest has received Holy Communion, he places the Body of Christ into the chalice and invites the faithful to receive with the words, "In the fear of God . ..." The priest distributes Communion to us with a spoon, reminding us of the tongs which held the fiery coal that purified the lips of the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 6:6-7).

In the fear of God, with faith and with love, come forward!

Response: Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord; the Lord is God and has revealed
Himself to us! (John 12:13).

The Prayer Before Holy Communion

I believe, O Lord, and confess, that You are truly the Christ, Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first. O Son of God, accept me today as a. communicant of Your Mystical Supper, for I will not speak of this Mystery to Your enemies, nor like Judas will I give You a kiss, but like the penitent thief I confess to You:

O Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

O Master, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

O Holy One, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

Let the partaking of Your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of my soul and my body.

O Lord, I also believe and confess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious Body and truly Your life-giving Blood which, I pray, I may worthily receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord, forgive me, for my sins are many.

The priest distributes Holy Communion, saying to each person:

The servant of God (name) partakes of the precious, most holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the remission of (his, her) sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

After all have received Holy Communion, the priest prays: Behold, this has touched your lips and shall take away your iniquities and cleanse your sins. (Isaiah 6:7).

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance! (Psalm 28:9).

Response: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, we adore the undivided Holy Trinity, Who has saved us!

The priest prays:

Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and let Your glory be over all the earth! (Psalm 108:5).
Blessed is our God, always now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

The Thanksgiving Hymn

With our thanksgiving for the reception of the Holy Eucharist, the Divine Liturgy draws to a close. The Church does not have lengthy prayers of thanksgiving after Holy Communion, for the best way to give thanks to God is to try to live the coming week with His presence in our hearts. Perhaps the best meditation on leaving the Church after the Liturgy is this prayer from the Liturgy of St. Basil:

"The mystery of Your plan, O Christ our God, has been completed and perfected as far as we were able to do so. We have remembered Your death, we have seen the image of Your resurrection; we have been filled with Your never-ending life, we have enjoyed Your endless nourishment. Let us be made worthy of all this in the world to come through the grace of Your eternal Father and of Your holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen."

Let our mouths be filled with Your praise, O Lord, that we may sing Your glory.

For You, O God, have deigned to make us participants of Your holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries.

Strengthen us, O God, in Your holiness, that all day long we may live according to Your righteousness.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The Litany of Thanksgiving

Having received the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly and life-giving, awesome Mysteries of Christ, arise, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Asking that this whole day be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Response: To You, O Lord.

The priest prays:

We thank You, Master Who loves mankind and Benefactor of our souls, that this day You have made us worthy of Your heavenly and life-giving Mysteries. Make straight our path, strengthen us in the fear of You, guard our life, make firm our steps, through the prayers and intercessions of the Birth-giver of God and ever-Virgin Mary and of all Your Saints.

For You are our sanctification and To You we give glory, to the' Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

Let us depart in peace.

Response: In the Name of the Lord.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

The Amvon Prayer

O Lord, Who blesses those who bless You (Genesis 12:3) and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance (Psalm 28:9), preserve the fullness of Your Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of Your House (Psalm 26:8), glorify them by Your divine might, and forsake us not who put our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to Your priests, to the honorable government of our country, its armed forces and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights (James 1:17), and to You we give glory and thanksgiving and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, always now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen. Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore. (Job 1:21).

The Dismissal

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and His love for mankind, always now and ever and forever.

Response: Amen.

Glory to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory to You.

Response: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless us!

May (He who rose from the dead) Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most put. Mother, through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the intercession of the honorable bodiless Powers of heaven, of the holy, glorious and praise-worthy apostles, of our father among the Saints, John Chrysostom, the Archbishop of Constantinople, of Saint (name), whose church this is, of Saint (name), whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

Response: Amen.

(Intonations for the living or deceased may be made here.)

A PRAYER AFTER the LITURGY

O Christ our God, Who Yourself are the fulfillment of the law and the prophets and Who fulfilled the entire plan of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always now and ever and forever. Amen.

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