Divine Liturgy of ST John Chrysostom

THE HOLY AND DIVINE LITURGY
OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
This text is intended for use by the priest in the altar. It contains all that is
necessary for the priest and deacon from the threefold raising of hands until the
Many Years. The rubrics are as full as possible, being drawn from a number of
sources.
Texts designated to be said in a low voice are in standard font type. These are to
be spoken in a normal speaking voice. They should be said clearly and
unhurriedly. They should not be declaimed or chanted aloud, neither should they
be inaudible. Texts that are to be chanted aloud are in bold type. In the absence
of a deacon, certain of the diaconal texts are to be said by the priest while others
are omitted entirely. Those portions that are to be omitted are given in italics.

Great Censing veil opened, doors remain closed
In preparation for the Liturgy, the deacon takes the censer during the Sixth
Hour, receives a blessing from the priest, then censes, 1 - the Holy Table on all
four sides, anti-clockwise, 2 - the Oblations table, saying:
East In the grave bodily; South in hades with thy soul though
Thou wast God; West in paradise with the thief; North and on
the Throne with the Father and the Spirit wast Thou
Oblations Table Who fillest all things, O Christ the
Uncircumscribable.
Saying psalm 50, he continues: 3 - the icons in the altar, south to north, 4
the priest, 5 the people in the altar, south to north, 6 The Royal Doors &
iconostas, 7 right & left choirs or the kliros, 8 the faithful, left to right as
he faces them from the solea, 9 all the icons of the church, south to north, 10
The Royal Doors, 11 the icons of Christ and the Mother of God, 12
entering by the south door, the Holy Table, 13 the priest. He hands the
censer to a server.

The Threefold Raising of Hands
Near the end of the Sixth Hour, the priest raises his hands and the deacon his
orarion.
Priest: O heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art
everywhere present and fillest all things; Treasury of good
things and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse of us
of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!
They make a reverence. Again, raising their hands and orarion:
Priest: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill towards men.
They make a reverence.
Priest: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill towards men.
Again, raising their hands and orarion:
Priest: O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall
declare thy praise.
Deacon: It is time for the Lord to act. Bless, master.
The priest blesses the deacon with the sign of the Cross.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages.
Deacon: Pray for me, holy master.
Priest: May the Lord direct thy steps.
Deacon: Remember me, holy master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom,
always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.

The deacon leaves the altar by the north door to stand before the icon of the
Saviour on the iconostas.
The priest and deacon make three reverences, the deacon saying each time:
Deacon: O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth
shall declare thy praise.
After the second reverence, the priest kisses the Holy Table. The deacon,
standing centrally, exclaims:
Deacon: Bless, master.
Taking the Gospel book in his hands, the priest makes the sign of the Cross
over the Holy Table, exclaiming:
Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the
ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The Litany of Peace
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (And after each petition).
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation
of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good
estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of
all, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For this holy house and for those who with faith,
reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray
to the Lord.

Deacon: For our great lord and father, His Holiness
Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend
Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad; for our lord the Most/Right Reverend
(Arch)bishop N.; for the venerable priesthood, the
diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us
pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For our Sovereign Lord/Lady, King/Queen N.
and all his/her royal house; for his/her government
and armed forces; for this land and all who in faith and
piety dwell herein; and for every land, let us pray to
the Lord.
Deacon: For the God-preserved Russian land and its
Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the
diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the
Lord.
Deacon: That He may deliver His people from enemies
both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness
of mind, brotherly love, and piety, let us pray to the
Lord.
Deacon: For this city/town/holy monastery, for every
city and country, and the faithful who dwell therein,
let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For seasonable weather, the abundance of the
fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray
to the Lord.

Deacon: For those who travel by sea, land, and air; for
the sick, the suffering, captives, and for their salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath,
and need, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us,
O God, by thy grace.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy,
immaculate, exceedingly blessed, and glorious Lady
Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let
us commend ourselves and each other, and our whole
life unto Christ our God.
People: To Thee, O Lord.
The priest says the prayer of the first antiphon during the litany, concluding
with the exclamation below. If there is no deacon, the priest leads the litany,
concluding with the exclamation, then says the prayer during the antiphon.
Priest: (in a low voice) O Lord our God, whose kingdom is
incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy
is immeasurable, and love for mankind ineffable; do Thou
Thyself, O Master, according to thy loving-kindness, look
upon us and upon this holy house, and show forth among
us, and among those who pray with us, thy rich mercies
and thy compassions.
The deacon returns to the icon of Christ, and at each litany. Exclamation:
Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and
worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

Psalms 102 & 145 and the Beatitudes are always used as the three antiphons
on Saturday and Sunday unless there are festal antiphons appointed for a
feast of the Lord. This is also customary from Monday to Friday, although on
these days the shorter weekday antiphons may be used if desired.
The First Antiphon psalm 102
People: 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 that He hath done for
thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine
infirmities, Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee
with mercy and compassion, Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy
youth shall be renewed as the eagle's. The Lord performeth deeds of
mercy, and executeth judgement for all them that are wronged. He hath
made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that
He hath willed. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, long-suffering and
plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto
eternity will He be wroth. Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt
with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. For according
to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to
prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far
hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion
upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him;
for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are
dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall
he blossom forth. For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone,
and no longer will it know the place thereof. But the mercy of the Lord is
from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him. And His
righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and
remember His commandments to do them. The Lord in heaven hath
prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye
His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of
His words. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will.
Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Glory to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within
me, bless His holy name: blessed art Thou, O Lord!

The Short Litany
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
O God, by Thy grace.
The priest says the prayer of the second antiphon during the litany,
concluding with the exclamation below. If there is no deacon, the priest leads
the litany, concluding with the exclamation, then says the prayer during the
antiphon.
Priest: (in a low voice) O Lord our God, save thy people and
bless thine inheritance; preserve the fullness of thy
Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house;
do Thou in turn glorify them by thy divine power, and
forsake us not who hope in Thee.
Exclamation:
Priest: For thine is the dominion, 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 the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The Second Antiphon psalm 145
People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Praise
the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord in my life, I will chant unto my
God for as long as I have my being. Trust ye not in princes, in the sons of
men, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall
return unto his earth. In that day all his thoughts shall perish. Blessed is he
of whom the God of Jacob is his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God,
Who hath made heaven and the earth, the sea and all that is therein, Who
keepeth truth unto eternity, Who executeth judgement for the wronged,
Who giveth food unto the hungry. The Lord looseth the fettered; the Lord
maketh wise the blind; the Lord setteth aright the fallen; the Lord loveth
the righteous; the Lord preserveth the proselytes. He shall adopt for His
own the orphan and widow, and the way of sinners shall He destroy. The
Lord shall be king unto eternity; thy God, O Sion, unto generation and
generation. Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
People: Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art Immortal, yet didst
deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the holy Mother of God and Ever-
Virgin Mary; Who without change didst become man, and wast crucified; O
Christ our God, trampling down death by death, Who art one of the Holy
Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us!
The Short Litany
O God, by Thy grace.

The priest says the prayer of the third antiphon in a low voice during the
litany, concluding with the exclamation below. If there is no deacon, the
priest leads the litany, concluding with the exclamation, then says the prayer
during the antiphon.
Priest: (in a low voice) O Thou Who hast bestowed upon us
these common and concordant prayers, and to even two or
three agreeing in thy name hast promised to grant their
requests: do Thou Thyself fulfil even now the requests of
thy servants to their profit, granting us in the present age
the knowledge of thy truth, and in the age to come,
bestowing life everlasting.
Lesser Entrance doors opened
Exclamation:
For a good and man-befriending God art Thou, 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
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The Third Antiphon the Beatitudes
* The appointed daily or festal troparia are interspersed between the verses.
People: In thy kingdom, remember us, O Lord: when Thou comest in thy
kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the
meek, for they shall inherit the earth. * Blessed are they that hunger and
thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. * Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy. * Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God. * Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
* Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. * Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my
sake. * Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in the
heavens. * Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. * Both
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. *

The Lesser Entrance
Near the end of the third antiphon, the priest and deacon make three
reverences. The priest hands the Gospel Book to the deacon, and together
they make their way anti-clockwise around the Holy Table, joining the end of
the procession. Standing before the Royal Doors, the priest says the prayer of
the entrance in a low voice.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O Master, Lord our God, Who hast established in the
heavens orders and hosts of angels and archangels for the
ministry of thy glory, ordain that with our entrance there
may be an entrance of holy angels ministering together
with us, and with us glorifying thy goodness. For unto
Thee is due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and
unto the ages of ages.
The deacon, facing north and resting the Gospel Book on his left shoulder,
points to the portal, saying, in a low voice:
Deacon: Bless, master, the holy entry.
The priest blesses the portal, saying, in a low voice:
Priest: Blessed is the entry of thy holy ones, always, now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The deacon, facing the priest, proffers the Gospel Book for him to venerate.
After the third antiphon has finished, the deacon, standing in the centre and
facing east, raises the Gospel Book, and signs with it the Cross, exclaiming:
Deacon: Wisdom! Upright!
The Entrance verse, if appointed, is sung here. The priest and deacon bow
and enter the altar, the priest kissing the portal icon of the Saviour. The
priest turns and gives the servers a blessing to enter.
People: O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ: O Son of God,
________, save us who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!

The Prayer of the Thrice-Holy
The people sing the troparia and kontakia appointed for the day, during
which the priest says the following in a low voice:
Priest: O God, Who art holy, Who restest in the holies, Who
with thrice-holy voice art hymned by the seraphim, and
glorified by the cherubim, and worshipped by all the
heavenly host; Who out of nothing hast brought all things
into being; Who hast created man after thine image and
likeness, and hast adorned him with thine every gift: Who
givest wisdom and understanding to him who asketh, and
disdaineth not him who sinneth, but hast appointed
repentance unto salvation; Who hast counted us worthy -
thy lowly and unworthy servants - even at this hour to
stand before the glory of thy holy altar, and to offer
worship and glorification due unto Thee: do Thou Thyself,
O Master, accept the thrice-holy hymn from the mouths of
us sinners also, and visit us in thy goodness; forgive us
every offence, both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify
our souls and bodies, and grant us to serve Thee in
holiness all the days of our life, through the intercessions
of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints who from
ages past have been well-pleasing unto Thee.
During the final kontakion:
Deacon: Bless, master, the time of the thrice-holy.
The priest blesses the deacon with the sign of the Cross.
Priest: For holy art Thou, O our God, and unto Thee do
we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit, now and ever...
If there is no deacon, the priest concludes with, ...and unto the ages of ages.

The deacon, having moved to the solea, points to the icon of Christ,
exclaiming:
Deacon: O Lord, save the pious, and hearken unto us!
People: O Lord, save the pious, and hearken and unto us!
Pointing to the people in a sweeping motion:
Deacon: ...and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The Trisagion
The priest and deacon say the Trisagion in a low voice, making three
reverences. While the people continue to sing the Trisagion, or its seasonal
equivalent, the deacon says, in a low voice:
Deacon: Command, master.
Priest: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
The priest and deacon proceed anti-clockwise around the Holy Table,
stopping at the south side of the High Place.
Deacon: Bless, master, the High Place.
Priest: Blessed art Thou on the throne of the glory of thy
kingdom, Who sittest upon the cherubim, always, now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages.
The Apostle
At the end of the Trisagion, the deacon stands in the portal, facing west, and
exclaims:
Deacon: Let us attend.
The priest blesses the people.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
People: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom!
After the Prokimenon:
Deacon: Wisdom!
The reader announces the Apostle lection.
In preparation for the Gospel, the deacon takes the censer, receives a blessing
from the priest, then quietly censes, 1 - the Holy Table on all four sides, anti-
clockwise, 2 - the Oblations table, 3 - the High Place, 4 - the icons on the walls
of the altar south to north, 5 - the people in the altar south to north, 6 -
the icons on the Royal Doors, 7 - the south side of the iconostas, 8 - the north
side of the iconostas, 9 - entering the altar, the priest, 10 - exiting the altar,
the Reader, 11 - the people, 12 entering the altar, the west side of the Holy
Table. He then hands the censer back to a server.
After the Apostle, the priest blesses the reader, saying:
Priest: Peace be unto thee that readest.
Reader: And to thy spirit.

The Gospel
Deacon: Wisdom!
While the reader leads the Alleluia, the priest says the following prayer in a
low voice:
Priest: Shine into our hearts the clear light of thy divine
knowledge, O man-befriending Master, and open the eyes
of our understanding to comprehend the proclamations of
thy Gospel; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed
commandments, that treading underfoot all desires of the
flesh, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking
and doing all things as shall well please Thee. For Thou art
the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ our
God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, with thine
unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy, good, and life-
creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
The priest hands the Gospel Book to the deacon, who kisses it and then
proceeds through the Royal Doors to the midst of the church. The deacon
faces east and exclaims:
Deacon: Bless, master, the herald of the Good Tidings of
the holy, glorious Apostle and Evangelist N.
Priest: May God, through the intercessions of the holy,
glorious, and all-famed Apostle and Evangelist N. give
speech with great power unto thee who proclaimest the
Good Tidings, unto the fulfilment of the Gospel of his
beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Deacon: Amen. Amen. Amen. Be it unto me according to
thy word.

If there is no deacon, the above is omitted and the priest reads the Gospel
from the solea, facing west.
Priest (or second deacon, if there is one): Wisdom! Upright! Let us
hear the Holy Gospel.
Deacon: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according
to N.
People: Glory be to Thee, O Lord: glory to Thee!
The Gospel is read. At the end, the priest blesses the deacon, if there is one:
Priest: Peace be unto Thee who proclaimest the Good
Tidings.
People: Glory be to Thee, O Lord: glory to Thee!
The Deacon returns the Gospel Book to the priest, who venerates it, then
places it upright on the Holy Table between the tabernacle and the antimins.
If there is to be a sermon, it follows here.
Doors closed, veil remains open
The Augmented Litany of Fervent Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and our whole
mind, let us say:
Deacon: O Lord Almighty, God of our Fathers, we pray
Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great
mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (And after
each petition).
The priest unfolds the bottom of the antimins, kissing the bishops name.
Deacon: Again we pray for our great lord and father, His
Holiness Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most
Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the
Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most/Right
Reverend (Arch)bishop N.; and for all our brotherhood
in Christ.
Deacon: Again we pray for our Sovereign Lord/Lady,
King/Queen N. and all his/her royal house; for his/her
government and armed forces; for this land and all
who in faith and piety dwell herein; and for every
land.
Deacon: Again we pray for the God-preserved Russian
land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland
and in the diaspora, and for their salvation.
Deacon: Again we pray to the Lord our God that He may
deliver His people from enemies both visible and
invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly
love, and piety.
Deacon: Again we pray for our brethren, priests,
priestmonks, monastics, and all our brotherhood in
Christ.

Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-
memorable most holy Orthodox patriarchs, for pious
kings and right-believing queens; for the founders,
benefactors, and adorners of this holy house, for our
fathers and brethren gone to their rest before us, and
the Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.
Other petitions are inserted here according to need.
Deacon: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do
good works in this holy and all-venerable house, for
those who labour and those who chant, and for the
people here present, who await of Thee great and
abundant mercy.
During the Litany, the priest says the prayer of fervent supplication in a low
voice. If there is no deacon, he says the prayer after Again we pray for those
who bear fruit...., concluding the with exclamation below.
Priest: O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from
thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the
multitude of thy mercy; and send down thy compassions
upon us and upon all thy people, who await the rich mercy
which is from Thee.
Exclamation:
Priest: For a merciful and man-befriending God art
Thou, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
People: Amen.

The Litany for the Departed
This litany is omitted on Sundays, and during forefeasts and afterfeasts. It is
also omitted from Great Monday until Thomas Sunday inclusive, and from
Holy Nativity until the leave-taking of Theophany inclusive. Finally, it is
omitted on days when there is a Great Doxology, Polyeleos, and All-night Vigil.
It is said on all other occasions. If the fortieth day of an Orthodox Christians
repose falls within any of the above periods, the litany may be said for him or
her.
Throughout the litany, the deacon censes slowly through the portal.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great
mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (And after
each petition).
Deacon: Again we pray for the repose of the souls of the
servants and handmaidens of God who have fallen
asleep, (N. & N.), that they may be forgiven their every
transgression, both voluntary and involuntary.
Deacon: That the Lord God grant their souls to dwell
where the righteous repose.
Deacon: The mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and
the remission of their sins, let us ask of Christ, our
immortal King and our God.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
The deacon hands the censer to the priest, who censes towards the Holy
Table, slowly.
During the Litany, the priest says the prayer for the departed, in a low voice.
If there is no deacon, he says the prayer after Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled
down death, defeated the devil, and given life to thy world:
grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of thy departed servants
who have fallen asleep, (N. & N.), in a place of light, in a
place of green pasture, in a place of repose, whence all
pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. Pardon every
sin committed by them in thought, word, and deed, in thy
goodness and love for mankind, O God; for there is no man
that liveth without sinning, for Thou alone art without sin,
thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy
word is Truth.
Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art the resurrection, and the life, and
the repose of thy departed servants who have fallen
asleep, (N. & N.), O Christ our God, and unto Thee do
we send up glory, together with thine unoriginate
Father, and thy most holy and good and life-creating
People: Amen.
The Litany and Dismissal of the Catechumens
Deacon: Pray, ye catechumens, to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (Repeatedly).
Deacon: Ye faithful, for the catechumens, let us pray.
Deacon: That the Lord may have mercy upon them.
The priest unfolds the top of the antimins.
Deacon: That He may catechise them with the word of
truth.

Deacon: That He may reveal unto them the Gospel of
righteousness.
Deacon: That He may unite them to his Holy, Catholic,
and Apostolic Church.
Deacon: Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and
keep them, O God, by thy grace.
Deacon: Ye catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.
During the Litany, the priest says the prayer for the catechumens, in a low
voice. If there is no deacon, he says the prayer after Ye catechumens, bow
your heads....
Priest: O Lord our God, Who dwellest on high and lookest on
things that are lowly, Who hast sent forth salvation unto
the race of mankind, even thine Only-begotten Son, our
God and Lord, Jesus Christ: look upon thy servants the
catechumens, who have bowed their necks unto Thee, and
vouchsafe them in due season the laver of regeneration,
the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption;
unite them to thy Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and
number them among thy chosen flock.
Exclamation:
At , the priest signs the antimins with the sponge, which he then kisses and
lays at the top right corner of the antimins.
Priest: That they also with us may glorify thine all-
honourable and majestic name, of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The deacon, on the solea, faces the people and dismisses the catechumens. If
two deacons serve, the dismissal is divided as below and exclaimed by them
alternately.
Deacon 1: As many as are catechumens, depart!
Deacon 2: Catechumens, depart!
Deacon 1: As many as are catechumens, depart! Let none
of the catechumens remain.
The First Litany of the Faithful
Deacon: As many as are of the faithful, again and again in
peace let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Wisdom!
During the Litany, the priest says the first prayer for the faithful. If there is no
deacon, he says the prayer after Help us, save us....
Priest: We give thanks to Thee, O Lord God of Hosts, Who
hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before thy
holy altar, and to fall down before thy compassions for our
sins and for the errors of the people. Receive, O God, our
supplications and entreaties and unbloody sacrifices for
all thy people; and enable us whom Thou hast appointed
to this thy ministry, in the power of thy Holy Spirit, to call
upon Thee in every time and place, without condemnation
and without offence, with the witness of our conscience
clear, that hearkening unto us, Thou mayest be merciful
unto us in the multitude of thy goodness.

Exclamation:
Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honour, and
People: Amen.
The Second Litany of the Faithful
If there is no deacon, the following four petitions are omitted and the priest
continues with Help us, save us....
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation
of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate
of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let
us pray to the Lord.
to the Lord.
Deacon: Wisdom!
The deacon re-enters the altar by the north door.

During the Litany, the priest says the second prayer for the faithful. If there is
no deacon, he says the prayer after Help us, save us....
Priest: Again and oftentimes we fall down before Thee and
pray Thee, O Thou Who art good and the Friend of man,
that giving heed to our supplication, Thou wouldest
cleanse our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh
and spirit, and wouldst vouchsafe unto us that our
standing before thy holy altar be guiltless and without
condemnation. Bestow upon those who pray together
with us, O God, furtherance in life, in faith, and in spiritual
understanding; grant unto them ever to adore Thee with
fear and love, to partake of thy Holy Mysteries without
guilt and without condemnation, and to be deemed worthy
of thy heavenly kingdom.
Exclamation:
Priest: That being guarded always under thy dominion,
we may send up glory unto Thee, to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The Great Entrance
The Cherubic Hymn - Doors opened
The deacon presents the censer to the priest, who blesses the incense in a low
voice, signing it with the sign of the Cross.
Priest: Incense do we offer unto Thee, O Christ, as an
aroma of spiritual fragrance; accepting it upon thy most
heavenly altar, do Thou send down upon us the grace of
thy most-holy Spirit.
In preparation for the Entrance, the deacon performs a lesser censing of the
church. Having received a blessing from the priest, and while praying psalm
50 and the troparia of compunction, he censes: 1 - the Holy Table on all four
sides, anti-clockwise, 2 - the Oblations table, 3 - the High Place, 4 - the icons
on the walls of the altar south to north, 5 - the people in the altar south to
north, 6 - the icons on the Royal Doors, 7 - the south side of the iconostas, 8 -
the north side of the iconostas, 9 - entering the altar, the priest, 10 - exiting
the altar, the choir and people, 11 - entering the altar, the west side of the
Holy Table. He hands the censer back to a server.

During the censing, the priest removes his kamilavka and says the following
prayer in a low voice. If there is no deacon, the priest censes after the prayer.
Priest: None is worthy among those who are bound with
fleshly desires and pleasures to approach Thee, or to draw
nigh unto Thee, or to minister unto Thee, O King of Glory,
for to serve Thee is grave and fearful even unto the
heavenly hosts. Yet, by reason of thine ineffable and
immeasurable love for mankind, Thou becamest man
without undergoing change or alteration, and art become
our High Priest, and hast delivered unto us the priestly
service of this liturgical and unbloody sacrifice, as Master
of all. For Thou alone, O Lord our God, art Master of things
heavenly and earthly, Who art borne on the throne of the
cherubim, Who art good and ready to hear: look upon me,
thy sinful and unprofitable servant, and purge my soul and
my heart from an evil conscience; and by the power of the
Holy Spirit enable me, who have been invested with the
grace of the priesthood, to stand before this thy Holy Table
and to celebrate the priestly service of thy holy and
immaculate Body and most precious Blood. For unto Thee
I draw nigh, bowing my neck, and I pray Thee: turn not
away thy face from me, nor reject me from among thy
children, but vouchsafe that these gifts may be offered to
Thee by me, thy sinful and unworthy servant. For Thou
art He Who offereth and is offered, and Who accepteth and
is distributed, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send
up glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy,
and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages. Amen.
The censing being complete, the priest and deacon stand before the Holy
Table, and say the Cherubic hymn three times in a low voice. Each time, the
priest raises his hands and the deacon his orarion. If there is no deacon, the
priest says the entire hymn alone.

Priest: We who, in a mystery, represent the Cherubim, and
who sing the thrice-holy hymn unto the life-creating
Trinity: let us now lay aside all earthly cares...
They make a reverence.
Deacon: ...that we may receive the King of all, invisibly
upborne in triumph by the ranks of Angels. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The priest kisses the antimins, and the deacon the Holy Table. They bow to
each other and then to the people (through the portal). The deacon takes the
censer from a server.
The priest and deacon proceed to the Oblations table: the priest, directly,
while the deacon goes around the south side of the Holy Table and past the
High Place.
The priest takes the censer and censes the oblations 3 x 3, saying each time in
a low voice:
Priest: O God, cleanse me, a sinner.
The deacon takes the censer, holding it with the little finger of his right hand,
and allowing it to hang over his right arm.
The deacon kneels, saying:
Deacon: Lift up, master.
The priest lays the aer on the deacons left shoulder (or his own, if there is no
deacon), and then gives the diskos to the deacon, who holds it before his head
with both hands. Meanwhile, the priest says:
Priest: Lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the
Lord.
If there is no deacon, the priest takes the diskos himself, and omits the
following:
Priest: May the Lord God remember thy sacred diaconate in
his kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of
ages. Amen.

The deacon and then the priest join the procession after the servers with
lights and fans, the priest carrying the chalice. The deacon prays aloud:
Deacon: Our great lord and father, His Holiness
Patriarch N.; our lord the Very Most Reverend
Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad; our lord the Most/Right Reverend
(Arch)bishop N. of Great Britain; may the Lord God
remember in His Kingdom, always, now and ever, and
unto the ages of ages.
The deacon immediately enters the altar through the Royal Doors and,
kneeling on his right knee, holds the diskos on the south-west horn of the Holy
Table. The priest continues.
Priest: The God-preserved Russian Land and its
Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the
diaspora; His/Her Majesty, King/Queen N. and all
his/her royal house; this land, its authorities, and all
who in faith and piety dwell herein, and in every land,
may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom, always,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Other commemorations may be inserted, concluding with the final petition,
during which the priest blesses the people with the oblations.
Priest: Clergy, monastics, and laity, and all who suffer
and are persecuted for the Orthodox Faith; the
founders, benefactors, and adorners of this holy
house; you, and all pious and Orthodox Christians,
may the Lord God remember in his kingdom, always,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The priest re-enters the altar while the people conclude the cherubic hymn. If
there is a deacon, the following is omitted.
As the priest passes through the portal, the deacon says to him:
Deacon: May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his
kingdom.
ages.
The priest places the chalice on the Holy Table, then takes the diskos from the
deacon and places it to the left of the chalice. He removes the veils from the
chalice and diskos and places them, unfolded, on the two western corners of
the Holy Table. The deacon rises.
Priest: The noble Joseph, taking thine immaculate Body
down from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices
and laid it for burial in a new tomb.
In the grave bodily; in hades with thy soul though Thou
wast God; in paradise with the thief; and on the Throne
with the Father and the Spirit was Thou Who fillest all
things, O Christ the Uncircumscribable.
How life-giving! How much more beautiful than paradise,
and truly more resplendent than any royal palace proved
thy grave, the source of our Resurrection, O Christ.
He takes the aer from the deacons shoulder, holds it in the rising incense, and
places it over both the chalice and diskos, meanwhile saying, in a low voice:
Priest: The noble Joseph, taking thine immaculate Body
down from the tree, wrapped it in pure linen and spices
and laid it for burial in a new tomb.

The priest censes the oblations three times, saying:
Priest: Do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion and
let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be
pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation
and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks
upon thine altar.
Doors and Veil closed
The priest gives back the censer, lowers his phelonion, and bows his head,
saying:
Priest: Remember me, brother and concelebrant.
Deacon: May the Lord God remember thy priesthood in his
kingdom.
The deacon bows his head and raises his orarion.
Deacon: Pray for me, holy master.
Priest: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of
the Most High shall overshadow Thee.
Deacon: The same Spirit shall minister with us all the days of
our life. Remember me, holy master.
ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon kisses the priests hand and returns to the solea, exiting by the
north door.

The Litany of Oblation
Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
Deacon: For the precious Gifts here set forth, let us pray
to the Lord.
to the Lord.
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy,
peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (And after each petition).
Deacon: An Angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of
our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless,
blameless, peaceful, and a good defence before the
dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

During the Litany, the priest says the prayer of oblation, in a low voice. If
there is no deacon, he says the prayer after Calling to remembrance....
Priest: O Lord God Almighty, Who alone art holy, Who
acceptest the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon
Thee with their whole heart: accept also the prayer of us
sinners and bear it unto thy holy altar; and enable us to
offer Thee both Gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins,
and for the errors of the people. And account us worthy to
find grace in thy sight, that our sacrifice may be well-
pleasing unto Thee, and that the good Spirit of thy grace
may tabernacle upon us, and upon these Gifts here set
forth, and upon all thy people.
Exclamation:
Priest: Through the compassions of thine Only-begotten
Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with thine
all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and
People: Amen.

The Kiss of Peace
Deacon: Let us love one another, that with one mind we
may confess:
People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: consubstantial, undivided Trinity!
While the people sing, the priest makes three reverences, saying each time, in
a low voice:
Priest: I will love Thee, O Lord my Strengh. The Lord is my
Foundation, and my Refuge, and my Deliverer.
At the first reverence, he kisses the diskos; at the second, the chalice; and at
the third, the south-east corner of the Holy Table.

The Symbol of Faith
Veil opened
The deacon, before the icon of Christ on the solea, makes three reverences,
kisses the Cross on his orarion, and exclaims:
Deacon: The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us attend!
The priest takes up the aer as the veil is opened, and waves it over the Gifts
until and the third day He rose again. If there are concelebrants, they all
wave the aer together.
People: I believe: In one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth, and of all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, the Only-Begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, True God of True God; begotten, not made, of one essence
with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men, and for
our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified for us under
Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and arose again on the third
day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at
the right hand of the Father; and shall come again with glory to judge both
the living and the dead: whose kingdom will have no end: And in the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who
with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who
spoke by the Prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I
confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of
the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The priest covers the chalice with a veil or plate.

The Anaphora
Deacon: Let us stand well; let us stand in awe; let us
attend, that we may offer the Holy Oblation in peace.
People: A mercy of peace; a sacrifice of praise!
The deacon enters the altar by the south door, reverences the High Place, and
stands to the right of the priest.
The priest stands in the portal, facing west, and blesses the people.
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with all of you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Facing east, the priest raises his hands.
Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.
The priest kisses the south-east corner of the Holy Table.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
People: It is meet and right to worship the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit: the Trinity, one in essence and undivided.

The priest continues in a low voice.
Priest: Meet and right it is to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to
praise Thee, to give thanks unto Thee, to worship Thee in
every place of thy dominion; for Thou art God
inexpressible, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible,
ever-existing, and eternally the same; Thou, and thine
Only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit. Thou didst bring
us forth from non-existence into being, and when we were
fallen, didst raise us up again, and didst not leave off doing
all things until Thou hadst led us up to heaven, and
bestowed thy kingdom which is to come. For all these
things we give thanks to Thee, and to thine Only-begotten
Son, and to thy Holy Spirit, for all the benefits, both
manifest and unseen, which have been wrought for us. We
give thanks to Thee also for this Liturgy which Thou hast
deigned to accept at our hands, even though there attend
Thee thousands of Archangels and ten thousands of
Angels, the Cherubim, and the Seraphim, six-winged,
many-eyed, soaring aloft, borne on their wings...
The deacon moves anti-clockwise around the Holy Table. Standing on the
north side, he kisses the Table, bows to the priest, and takes the asterisk. He
touches it to the East, West, North, then South of the Diskos, kisses it, and
replaces it. He again kisses the Holy Table and, moving clockwise around it,
returns to his place to the right of the priest.
Exclamation:
Priest: ...singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, crying
aloud, and saying:
People: Holy, holy, holy; Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of thy
glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
While the above is being sung, the priest continues in a low voice.

Priest: With these blessed hosts, O man-befriending Master,
we also cry aloud and say: Holy art Thou, and All-holy,
Thou and thine Only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit.
Holy art Thou, and All-holy, and magnificent is thy glory:
Who hast so loved thy world as to give thine Only-
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life; Who, having come, and
having fulfilled all the dispensation for us, on the night He
was delivered up, or rather delivered Himself up, for the
life of the world, took bread in his holy, immaculate, and
blameless hands and, when He had given thanks, and
blessed, and hallowed, and broken it, gave it to his holy
disciples and apostles, saying:
With his orarion, the deacon points to the diskos while the priest extends his
right hand towards it.
Exclamation:
Priest: Take, eat: This is my Body, Which is broken for
you, for the remission of sins.
People: Amen.
The priest and deacon make a reverence. The priest continues in a low voice.
Priest: In like manner, after supper, He took the cup, saying:
The deacon removes the veil/plate from the chalice. With his orarion, he
points to the chalice while the priest extends his right hand towards it.
Exclamation:
Priest: Drink from it, all of you: This is my Blood of the
new testament, Which is shed for you and for many for
the remission of sins.
People: Amen.
The priest and deacon make a reverence.

Priest: Being mindful, therefore, of this saving
commandment and of all that hath come to pass for us
the Cross, the grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the
Ascension into heaven, the Session at the right hand, and
the second and glorious Coming again
The deacon kisses the Holy Table and bows to the priest, who steps back.
Standing to the west of the Holy Table, the deacon crosses his arms, right over
left, and elevates the diskos and chalice.
Exclamation:
Priest: ...offering unto Thee thine own of thine own, on
behalf of all, and for all:
The deacon sets the diskos and chalice on the antimins, kisses the Holy Table,
and bows to the priest, who again steps forward. The deacon returns to the
priests right-hand side.
People: We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, O Lord,
and we pray unto Thee, O our God.
While the above is being sung, the priest, bowing, continues in a low voice.
Priest: Again we offer unto Thee this reasonable and
unbloody service, and we beseech, and we entreat, and we
supplicate: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us, and upon
these gifts here set forth.
The priest and deacon make three reverences, each time saying privately:
Priest & Deacon: O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner.

The priest raises his hands and the deacon his orarion.
Priest: O Lord, Who didst send down thine All-holy Spirit
upon thine Apostles at the third hour: take Him not away
from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto
Thee.
They both make a reverence, as the deacon says:
Deacon: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right
spirit within me.
Again, the priest raises his hands and the deacon his orarion.
Thee.
They both make a second reverence, as the deacon says:
Deacon: Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not
thy Holy Spirit from me.
A third time, the priest raises his hands and the deacon his orarion.
Thee.
They both make a third reverence.

Bowing, the deacon points to the diskos with his orarion, saying:
Deacon: Bless, master, the holy bread.
The priest signs the Lamb only.
Priest: And make this bread the precious Body of thy
Christ.
Still bowing, the deacon points to the chalice with his orarion, saying:
Deacon: Amen. Bless, master, the holy cup.
The priest signs the cup.
Priest: And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of
thy Christ.
Still bowing, the deacon points to both the diskos and chalice with his orarion,
saying:
Deacon: Amen. Bless both, master.
The priest signs the bread and cup.
Priest: Changing them by thy Holy Spirit.
Deacon: (spoken, but so that the people can hear) Amen! Amen! Amen!
The priest, deacon, servers, and people, all make a full prostration. On
Sundays, Great Feasts, and during the Paschal season, they make a reverence
instead. The deacon replaces the veil/plate on the chalice.
The deacon, bowing to the priest, continues in a low voice. If there is no
deacon, the priest continues with That they may be to those..., below.
Deacon: Remember me, a sinner, holy master.
Priest: May the Lord God remember thee in his kingdom,
Deacon: Amen.
The priest makes a reverence, then continues on a low voice. The deacon
makes ready the censer.

Priest: That they may be to those who partake thereof for
sobriety of soul, for the remission of sins, for communion
of thy Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the kingdom of
heaven, for boldness towards Thee, and not unto
judgement or condemnation.
Again, we offer unto Thee this reasonable service on
behalf of those who have reposed in the Faith: Forefathers,
Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers,
Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Ascetics, and every
righteous spirit made perfect in faith.
The deacon hands the censer to the priest, who censes the Holy Things in the
form of a Cross, then the east side of the Holy Table nine times.
Exclamation:
Priest: Especially for our all-holy, immaculate,
exceedingly blessed and glorious Lady, Theotokos,
and Ever-Virgin Mary.
The deacon censes the other three sides of the Holy Table, anti-clockwise,
then the High Place, then the icons within the altar, while privately
commemorating the departed. He hands the censer to a server.
People: It is very meet to bless thee, who didst bring forth God; ever
blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God: more honourable than
the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who
without defilement didst bear God the Word: and art indeed the Mother of
God, thee do we magnify!
At the end of the zadostoinik, all make a full prostration, as at the epiklesis.

Priest: For the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist, John;
the holy, glorious, and all-famed Apostles; our fathers
among the Saints, Aristobulus, Apostle of Britain, and
Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome; the holy New-Martyr
Elisabeth; the holy Abbess Werburgh of Chester; and the
holy Virgin-Martyr Winefride of Holywell; our father
among the Saints, John Chrysostom; Saints N. & N. (the Saints
of the day are commemorated), whose memory we celebrate; and
for all thy Saints, through whose supplications do Thou
visit us, O God.
And remember all those who have fallen asleep in the
hope of resurrection to life everlasting, N. & N., and grant
them rest, O our God, where the light of thy countenance
watcheth over them.
Again we beseech Thee: remember, O Lord, every
bishopric of the Orthodox rightly dividing the word of thy
truth, all the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and every
sacred and monastic order.
Again, we offer Thee this reasonable service for the whole
world; for the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; for
those who live in purity and sobriety of life; for those in
authority: grant unto them, O Lord, a peaceful governance,
that we, in their serenity, may lead a calm and peaceable
life in all godliness and uprightness.

Exclamation:
Priest: Among the first, remember, O Lord, our great
lord and father N., the Most-holy Patriarch of Moscow
and All Russia; and our lord the Very Most Reverend
N., Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and our
lord the Most/Right Reverend N., (Arch)Bishop of
Great Britain, whom do Thou grant unto thy holy
churches, in peace, safety, honour, health, and length
of days, rightly dividing the word of thy truth.
People: And all mankind!
The priest continues in a low voice.
Priest: Remember, O Lord, this town in which we sojourn,
and every town, city, and country, and all who dwell
therein. Remember, O Lord, those who journey by sea,
land, and air; the sick, the suffering, captives, and their
salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bring offerings
and do good works in thy holy churches, and those who
remember the poor; and upon us all send forth thy rich
mercies.
Exclamation:
Priest: And grant unto us that with one mouth and one
heart we may glorify and hymn thine all-honourable
and majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of
ages.
People: Amen.
The deacon receives a blessing from the priest, and stands on the solea,
leaving by the north door.

Priest: And the mercies of our great God and Saviour
Jesus Christ be with you all.
People: And with thy spirit.
The Litany before the Lords Prayer
Deacon: Having called to remembrance all the Saints,
again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the precious Gifts offered and hallowed, let
us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: That our man-befriending God, Who hath
accepted Them upon his holy and noetic altar on high
as an aroma of spiritual fragrance, will send down
upon us in turn the divine grace and the gift of the
Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy,
peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (And after each petition).
Deacon: An Angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of
our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and offences,
let us ask of the Lord.
Deacon: Things good and profitable for our souls, and
peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of
our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless,
blameless, peaceful, and a good defence before the
dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Deacon: Having asked for the unity of the Faith and the
communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend
ourselves and each other, and our whole life unto
Christ our God.
The deacon steps aside to stand before the icon of Christ. He arranges his
orarion in the form of a Cross. Major and minor clergy who are not serving
now vest for communion.
During the Litany, the priest says the following prayer, in a low voice. If there
is no deacon, he says the prayer after Having asked for the unity of the
Faith....
Priest: To Thee do we entrust all our life and hope, O man-
befriending Master, and we beseech, and we entreat, and
we supplicate: deem us worthy to partake of this sacred
and spiritual table with a pure conscience, unto remission
of sins, unto forgiveness of offences, unto communion of
the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven,
unto boldness towards Thee, and not unto judgement or
unto condemnation.

Exclamation:
Priest: And vouchsafe, O Master, that, with boldness and
without condemnation, we may dare to call upon
Thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:
All make a prostration, or a reverence on the customary days.

People: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread, and forgive us our 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
People: Amen.
The priest says the prayer at the bowing of the heads, below. If there is no
deacon, he says the prayer after Bow your heads....
The deacon stands before the portal.
Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Priest: We give thanks unto Thee, O King invisible, Who by
thy measureless power hast created all things, and in the
multitude of thy mercy hast out of nothing brought all
things into being. Do Thou Thyself, O Master, look down
from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads unto
Thee: for they have bowed them not unto flesh and blood,
but unto Thee, the awesome God. Wherefore, O Master,
distribute the Gifts here set forth for the benefit of all,
according as each hath need. Voyage with those who
voyage, journey with those who journey, heal the sick,
Thou Healer of our souls and bodies.
Exclamation:
Priest: By the grace and compassion and love for
mankind of thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou
art blessed together with thine All-holy, and good, and
life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of
ages.
People: Amen.
Veil closed, candle placed before the Doors
Deacon: Let us attend! (very slowly)
The deacon re-enters the altar by the south door and stands to the right of
the priest.
The deacon removes the veil/plate from the chalice.

While the above is sung, the priest continues in a low voice.
Priest: Attend, O Lord Jesus Christ, out of the holy habitation
and from the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, and come
to hallow us, Thou Who sittest on high with the Father,
and Who art invisibly present here with us. And vouchsafe
by thy mighty hand to impart unto us of thine immaculate
Body and Precious Blood, and through us unto all the
people.
The priest takes the Holy Bread in both hands and, elevating It above the
diskos and making with It the sign of the Cross, exclaims:
Priest: Holy Things for the holy!
People: One is Holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Then the choir chants the appointed communion verse, along with other
suitable hymns and prayers. A sermon may be given and the Synaxarion read.
The Fraction
Deacon: Break, master, the Holy Bread.
Priest: Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God; broken
but never divided; ever eaten, yet never consumed, but
hallowing those who partake.
The priest divides the Lamb into four pieces and arranges them on the diskos
thus:
IC to the East
NI to the North KA to the South
XC to the West
Portion XC is reserved for the communion of the clergy.

The deacon points to the chalice with his orarion.
Deacon: Fill, master, the, the holy cup.
The priest signs the chalice with portion IC, before gently placing it in the
chalice, saying:
Priest: The fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon presents the warm water to the priest, saying:
Deacon: Bless, master, the warm water.
The priest blesses the water, saying:
Priest: Blessed is the fervour of thy Saints, always, now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
The deacon pours the water into the chalice, saying:
Deacon: The fervour of the Faith, full of the Holy Spirit.
The deacon passes the zeon to a server. The priest and deacon make a
prostration. They rise, bow to each other, asking forgiveness, and then to the
people.

The Communion of the Clergy
The priest divides portion XC into sufficient portions for the clergy.
The deacon makes his way, anti-clockwise, to the north side of the Holy Table.
Then:
Priest: O God, absolve, remit and pardon our voluntary and
involuntary sins, in word and deed, known and unknown,
by day and night, in mind and thought; forgive us all, in thy
goodness and love for mankind.
Priest: Deacon, draw near.
The deacon makes a prostration.
Deacon: Behold, I draw near unto the immortal King and our
God. Impart unto me, master, the precious and holy Body of
our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The deacon kisses the Holy Table, and approaches the priest with hands
cupped, right over left. The priest places a portion in his hand, saying:
Priest: To the sacred Deacon N. is imparted the precious, holy,
and immaculate Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus
Christ, for the remission of sins and for life everlasting.
The deacon kisses the priests hand and moves to the east of the Holy Table.

The priest makes a prostration and kisses the antimins. With his left hand, he
places a portion in his right. Together, with bowed head, he and the deacon
say the communion prayers.
Priest & Deacon: The precious and most holy Body of our Lord
and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the
unworthy priest/deacon N., for the remission of my sins
and for life everlasting.
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the
Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Moreover, I believe
that this is truly thine immaculate Body and that this is
truly thy most precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee,
have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, both
voluntary and involuntary, in word or in deed, in
knowledge or in ignorance. And grant that I may partake
of thy Holy Mysteries without condemnation, for the
remission of sins and for life everlasting.
Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, today admit me a
partaker, for I will not tell of thy Mysteries unto thine
enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but
like the thief do I confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in
thy kingdom; remember me, O Master, in thy kingdom;
remember me, O Holy One, when Thou comest into thy
kingdom.
Not for judgement nor for condemnation be the partaking
of thy Holy Mysteries unto me, O Lord, but for healing of
soul and body.
They consume reverently.

The priest tucks the houseling cloth into his collar and picks up the chalice,
saying:
Priest: The precious and most holy Blood of our Lord and
God and Saviour Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the
unworthy priest, N., for the remission of my sins and for
life everlasting.
He takes three sips from the chalice, saying:
Priest: In the name of the Father,
Priest: and of the Son,
Priest: and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
He wipes his lips and the chalice, and then kisses the chalice.
Priest: Behold, this hath touched my lips, and taketh away
mine iniquities, and cleanseth my sins.
Priest: Deacon, draw near.
The deacon approaches from the south and bows, saying:
Deacon: Behold, I draw near unto the immortal King and our
God. Impart unto me, master, the precious and holy Blood of
our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The priest holds the chalice.
Priest: The servant of God, the Deacon N., partaketh of the
precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour
Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and for life everlasting.
The deacon receives while the priest holds the chalice. He wipes his lips with
the cloth and kisses the chalice.
Priest: Behold, this hath touched thy lips, and taketh away
thine iniquities, and cleanseth thy sins.

Priest: We give thanks unto Thee, O man-befriending
Master, Benefactor of our souls, that on this very day Thou
hast vouchsafed unto us thy heavenly and immortal
Mysteries. Direct our way, establish us all in awe of Thee,
preserve our life, make steadfast our steps, through the
intercession and supplications of the glorious Mother of
God and Ever-Virgin Mary and of all thy Saints.
The priest divides portions NI and KA for the communion of the people and
places them in the chalice. He covers the chalice with the houseling cloth, (or
the chalice veil, folding the houseling cloth), on which he places the spoon.

The Communion of the People
Candle removed, Doors and Veil opened
The deacon makes a reverence before receiving the chalice from the priest.
He exits the Royal Doors, holding it high and exclaiming:
Deacon: With fear of God, with faith and with love, draw
near.
The people make a full prostration, or a reverence, on the appointed days.
People: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: God is the Lord
and hath appeared unto us!
Priest: I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son
of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
the first. Moreover, I believe that this is truly thine immaculate Body and
that this is truly thy most precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee, have
mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, both voluntary and
involuntary, in word or in deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And grant
that I may partake of thy Holy Mysteries without condemnation, for the
remission of sins and for life everlasting.
Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, today admit me a partaker, for I will
not tell of thy Mysteries unto thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss
as did Judas, but like the thief do I confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in
thy kingdom; remember me, O Master, in thy kingdom; remember me, O
Holy One, when Thou comest into thy kingdom.
Not for judgement nor for condemnation be the partaking of thy Holy
Mysteries unto me, O Lord, but for healing of soul and body.
The priest takes the chalice while the choir sings the communion hymn.
The communicants approach: subdeacons in order, readers in order,
monastics in order, children, then the remainder of the faithful. Altar servers
who are not in minor orders remove their stikhars to receive communion as
laymen. The priest housels each with the spoon.
Priest: To the servant/handmaiden of God N. is imparted the precious and
holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, unto the
remission of sins and unto life everlasting.

The deacon wipes the lips of each communicant with the houseling cloth and
allows each to kiss the base of the chalice.
After Communion, the priest returns the chalice to the Holy Table and moves
aside. The deacon empties the commemoration particles from the diskos into
the chalice, saying the Resurrection hymns:
Deacon: Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us
worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We
worship thy Cross, O Christ, and praise and glorify thy holy
Resurrection. For Thou art our God, and we know none
other beside Thee, we call upon thy name. O come, all ye
faithful, let us worship Christs holy Resurrection, for
behold, through the Cross, joy hath come into all the
world. Ever blessing the Lord, we praise his Resurrection,
for He hath endured the Cross for us, and by death He hath
destroyed our death.
Shine! Shine! O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord is
risen upon Thee; dance, now, and be glad, O Sion. Do Thou
be radiant, O pure Mother of God, in the Resurrection of
thy Son.
O how divine, how loving, how sweet is thy voice! For
Thou hast truly promised to be with us unto the end of the
age, O Christ; having this foundation of hope, we, the
faithful, rejoice.
O great and most holy Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom and Word
and Power of God! Grant us more fully to partake of Thee
in the unwaning day of thy kingdom.
When the particles are placed in the chalice, the deacon wipes the diskos with
the sponge, adding:
Deacon: Wash away, O Lord, by thy Blood, the sins of thy
servants herein commemorated, through the intercession
of the Mother of God and of all thy Saints.

The deacon sets the diskos down on the Holy Table. The priest veils the
chalice and places the other veils on the diskos with the spear and spoon.
The priest then blesses the people through the portal.
Priest: O God, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.
People: We have seen the True Light! We have received the heavenly Spirit!
We have found the true Faith! We worship the undivided Trinity, Who hath
saved us!
While the above is being sung, the priest takes the censer from the deacon,
censing the Holy Things thrice, and saying:
Priest: Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and thy
glory over all the earth.
The priest hands the censer back to the deacon, who suspends it from the
little finger of his right hand. He also gives the diskos to the deacon, who
holds it with both hands before and a little higher than his head. The deacon
proceeds clockwise around the Holy Table (behind the priest) and sets the
diskos on the Oblations table, where he waits for the priest.
The priest signs the antimins with the chalice, saying:
Priest: Blessed is our God...
He then turns to the west and elevates the chalice, exclaiming:
Priest: ...always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People: 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 priest takes the chalice, clockwise, to the Oblations table. As it arrives,
the deacon censes it. The priest sets it on the Oblations table and censes it
thrice. He passes the censer, and bows to the deacon, who then censes the
priest thrice.
The deacon hands the censer to a server, rearranges his orarion to hang back
and front as before, receives a blessing from the priest, and then goes by the
north door to stand on the solea.

The priest returns to the Holy Table, lays the sponge in the middle of the
antimins, which he then folds, (top, bottom, left, then right). He replaces his
kamilavka, if appropriate.
The Litany of Thanksgiving
Deacon: Upright! Having partaken of the divine, holy,
immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and
awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give
thanks unto the Lord.
Deacon: Having asked that the whole day may be perfect,
holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves
and each other, and our whole life unto Christ our God.
The deacon stands before the icon of Christ.
During the Litany, the priest says the prayer of thanksgiving, in a low voice,
concluding with the exclamation below. If there is no deacon, he says the
prayer after Having asked that the whole day....
Priest: We give thanks unto Thee, O man-befriending
Master, Benefactor of our souls, that on this day also Thou
hast accounted us worthy of thy heavenly and immortal
Mysteries. Make straight our way, establish us all in awe
of Thee, guard our life, make sure our steps, by the prayers
and supplications of the glorious Mother of God and Ever-
virgin Mary and of all thy Saints.
The priest holds the Gospel Book upright and signs the Holy Table with it as
at the beginning of the Liturgy, before resting it, flat, upon the antimins.

Exclamation:
Priest: For Thou art our hallowing, 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 the ages of
ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us depart in peace.
People: In the name of the Lord.
The priest, (the junior priest if there are concelebrants), exits the altar by the
Royal Doors and stands in the midst of the church, facing east.
The Prayer Below the Ambo
Priest: O Lord, Who dost bless those who bless Thee, and
sanctifiest those who put their trust in Thee, save thy
people and bless thine inheritance. Preserve the
fullness of thy Church, sanctify those who love the
beauty of thy house. Do Thou in turn glorify them by
thy divine power, and forsake us not who hope in
Thee. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the
priests, to our King/Queen, and to all thy people. For
every good gift and every perfect gift is from on high
and cometh down from Thee, the Father of lights, and
unto Thee do we send up glory, and thanksgiving, and
People: Amen.

If a sermon was not preached earlier, it may be done here.

People: Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and for
evermore! Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and for
evermore! Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and for
evermore!
The priest enters the altar by the Royal Doors, and the deacon by the north
door. Standing to the left of the priest, he bows southward. The priest signs
him, while saying the following prayer in a low voice.
Deacon: Being thyself the fulfilment of the Law and the
Prophets, O Christ our God, Who didst fulfil all the Fathers
dispensation: fill our hearts with joy and gladness,
always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The deacon crosses himself, kisses the Holy Table, then consumes the
remainder of the Holy Things. If there is no deacon, the priest says the above
prayer at the Oblations table and consumes the Holy Things himself.

Psalm 33
People: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in
my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear 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
tribulations. Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not
be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him
out of all his tribulations. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about
them that fear Him, and will deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is
good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. O fear the Lord, all ye His
saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. Rich men have turned
poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of
any good thing. Come ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the
fear of the Lord. What man is there that desireth life, who loveth to see
good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of
the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are opened unto their
supplication. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, utterly to
destroy the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and
the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He will save the
humble of spirit. Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord
shall deliver them out of them all. The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one
of them shall be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and they that hate the
righteous shall do wrong. The Lord will redeem the souls of His servants,
and none of them will do wrong that hope in Him.
The Dismissal
The priest exits the Royal Doors and blesses the people, exclaiming:
Priest: The blessing of the Lord and his mercy be upon
you, through his divine grace and love for mankind,
People: Amen.
He returns to the Holy Table, saying:
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to
Thee.

People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.
Priest: May Christ our True God, Who..., through the
intercessions of his immaculate Mother; of the holy,
glorious, and all-praised Apostles; of our Father
among the Saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of
Constantinople, whose Liturgy we celebrate; of the
Holy New-Martyr Elisabeth; of the Holy Abbess
Werburgh of Chester; of the Holy Virgin-Martyr
Winefride of Holywell; of (the Saints of the day are
commemorated); of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of
God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints, have
mercy upon us and save us, for He is a good God and
the Friend of Man.
People: Amen. Our great lord and father, N., the Most-holy Patriarch of
Moscow and All Russia; our lord the Very Most Reverend N., Metropolitan
of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad; and our lord the Most/Right Reverend N., (Arch)bishop of Great
Britain; this land, its authorities and armed forces; the God-preserved
Russian land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the
diaspora; the parishioners of this holy house, and all Orthodox Christians,
preserve, O Lord, for many years!
THE END OF THE HOLY AND DIVINE LITURGY
OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

The prayers of thanksgiving and antidoron follow here.

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THE HOLY AND DIVINE LITURGY

OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS

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