The Ten Commandments - Septuagint Exodus 20:1-17

Chapter 20

20:1 And the Lord spoke all these words, saying: 2 I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods beside me.

4 Thou shalt not make to thyself an idol, nor likeness of anything, whatever things are in the heaven above, and whatever are in the earth beneath, and whatever are in the waters under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them; for I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, recompensing the sins of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation to them that hate me, 6 and bestowing mercy on them that love me to thousands of them, and on them that keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord thy God will not acquit him that takes his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. 9 Six days thou shalt labour, and shalt perform all thy work. 10 But on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; on it thou shalt do no work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy servant nor thy maidservant, thine ox nor thine ass, nor any cattle of thine, nor the stranger that sojourns with thee. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and the sea and all things in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the good land, which the Lord thy God gives to thee.

13 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

14 Thou shalt not steal.

15 Thou shalt not kill.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbour.

thanks to the Septuagint:

http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Exodus/index.htm
 

On Doubting Your Doubts

On Doubting Your Doubts

"The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it. How do you know your belief is true? It would be inconsistent to require more justification for Christian belief than you do for your own, but that is frequently what happens. In fairness you must doubt your doubts. My thesis is that if you come to recognize the beliefs on which your doubts about Christianity are based, and if you seek as much proof for those beliefs as you seek from Christians for theirs – you will discover that your doubts are not as solid as they first appeared."

- Tim Keller, The Reason for God, pg. xix

Read also: Dealing With Doubt by Gary R. Habermas

 

Thanks for posting to John Sanidopoulos

 

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/05/on-doubting-your-doubts.html

 

Can Christians Only “Thump the Bible” On the Issue of Same-Sex Marriage Legislation? - Hank Hanegraaff

Can Christians Only “Thump the Bible” On the Issue of Same-Sex Marriage Legislation?

This morning when I came into the office, I listened to a segment of The O’Reilly Factor, where he was characterizing Christians as “Bible thumpers.” I began to think about the long procession of political pundits and public personalities who are now raising doubts in the minds of multiplied millions regarding the reliability of the Bible. The reason I want to bring it to your attention is that as Christians in this milieu we must be ready to give an answer with respect to the reliability of the most significant literary work in the annals of recorded history. When the Bible is being denigrated, mocked, disdained, as sarcasm drip from the lips of political pundits and public personalities, we must take a stand, because the lives of multiplied millions literally hang in the balance.
Now I want to give you an example by letting you listen to a clip (or read transcript below), and as you listen to this clip you will hear MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell mock the Bible. And I want you to listen very carefully because as he does so, he makes myriad mistakes. In other words, as he’s mocking not only the Bible but others, he himself gets tripped up in his own words. See if you can figure this out:

Why hasn’t your party, the Republican “Bible-thumping” party defended Todd Akin on legitimate rape? The Bible says there is such a thing as legitimate rape. Yes it does in Deuteronomy 23:23-26 [sic],
If there be a damsel that is a virgin betrothed unto a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them to death with stones; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor’s wife: so thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee. But [but, but] if the man find the damsel that is betrothed in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die: but unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing [American Standard Version].
So, you get what the Bible is saying here. The Bible is saying that the first rape victim in the story has to be put to death because she did not cry out for help during her rape and she was in the city where cries for help would be heard, therefore it was not a legitimate rape, according to THE BIBLE. So the woman deserves the same penalty she would get for adultery—death! But the damsel who gets raped out in the field where no one can hear her—she is under no obligation to cry for help. The Bible doesn’t want to put her through that futile exercise. So, according to THE BIBLE, getting raped, and not calling out for help, if you’re out in the field where no one can hear you, is legitimate rape. Todd Akin would understand that completely. “But the Bible-Thumping” Party isn’t using that passage to help defend Todd Akin’s comments about legitimate rape because the Bible thumping party doesn’t actually READ the Bible, they just thump it. They don’t quote the Bible. They just thump it. They just swear that they live by it. But like every sane person in the world today they do not live by the Bible. They take some guidance from the Bible, some of it, and reject vast, vast tracks of it—the homicidal parts of the Bible, the death penalty parts of the Bible.

Now one of the things I want everybody to note is if in fact you take all of the Bible as the infallible repository of redemptive revelation, according to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, you are quite literally insane.
Of course, O’Donnell launches a bit of a diatribe against Todd Akin, the Republican Representative of Missouri, and certainly Todd Akin misspoke. You may recall that Akin had referred to forcible rape by the moniker “legitimate rape”—his point was that reasonable people agree that pregnancy can result from forcible rape but that there is scientific disagreement on how likely that is. Although Todd Akin may have misspoken; Lawrence O’Donnell also misspoke. In fact if you listen to the Bible Answer Man broadcast enough you’ll hear me misspeak. We’re fallible human beings. Now O’Donnell’s referring to a passage, in fact reading a passage, and describing its address as that of a different passage. He’s reading Deuteronomy 22 and suggesting its Deuteronomy 23. But let’s not quibble about that. What he’s doing is far more serious than that. Because the first case (Deut. 22:23–24) that he is making a mockery of is not rape at all. A simple reading by a fifth grader could have determined that. It’s consensual adultery, which is why the woman does not cry out. Of course, biblically, adultery is a very serious crime against marital fidelity, and as such is rendered under Mosaic Law a capital offense.
Now in the second case (Deut. 22:25–26), the woman is obviously an innocent victim. She’s not a willful adulteress and the rapist alone, therefore, deserves punishment and is put to death. So in the first case it’s not really about rape at all, it is, however, in the second case about rape. But that, of course, was lost on Lawrence O’Donnell. He’s too busy mocking the notion of death penalty for rape. My question: Is he minimizing rape as a crime? Does he not think that rape is a serious matter? Maybe his superiors should look closely at his own worldview all the while he is mocking the biblical worldview?
And not only that, among the 16 or so crimes that incurred the death penalty under Mosaic Law, only the case of premeditated murder did not allow judges the latitude of assessing other penalties. For example, there is biblical precedent for a judge to spare the life of a rapist for the sake of a woman’s security. As such, the rapist was compelled to provide for the rape victim for as long as he lived.
In any case, neither then nor now is there a perfect resolution for a woman who has been violated through the horror of rape. Indeed, if we are completely satisfied by any earthly solution—even the death penalty—our moral sensibilities are seriously skewed. Ultimately, only eternity will make all wrongs right.
In reality, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell is himself a “thumper;” a “thumper” who has taken the Bible out of context and used it as a pretext for his own idiosyncratic brand of fundamentalism. To anachronistically rip a narrative out of its Ancient Near Eastern context and then use it as a demonstration of the superiority of modern pluralist assumptions, I think is at best misguided. And to read anachronistic modern meanings into an Ancient Near Eastern context is hardly enlightened. Instead of reading anachronistic prejudices into the text of the Bible, O’Donnell would have been well-served to read the Bible synergistically. One can no more read New World realities into Ancient Near Eastern legalities than read Torah legalities into New Covenant realities. He cannot comprehend the Bible as a whole without comprehending its individual passages. And He cannot comprehend its individual passages apart from, well, comprehending the Bible as a whole.
Lawrence O’Donnell’s bigotry has done a grave injustice to the majesty of the most significant book in the history of Western civilization. If indeed, O’Donnell had an adequate understanding of the rich tradition of biblical Judaism, he would not have been so cavalier in his diatribe against Old Testament Jewish jurisprudence. Because complex codes regarding the propriety of human relationships are hardly reducible to superficial sound bites like those emanating from his mouth.
Now I would be remiss if I did not note that the denigration of Christianity and the Bible is not an isolated issue. Rush Limbaugh just the other day expressed his disdain for Bill O’Reilly’s suggestion that Christians who oppose the concept of same-sex-marriage are little more than Bible thumpers. In fact, here’s what O’Reilly had to say:

The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals. That’s where the compelling argument is. Where America is. “We just want to be treated like everybody else.” That’s a compelling argument. And to deny that you got to have a very strong argument on the other side. And the other side hasn’t been able to do anything but thump the Bible.

And that’s just dead wrong. The other side certainly has been able to do more than “thump the Bible.” Talk about the “spin stops here”—O’Reilly’s spinning! Christians recognize that everything from the ethos, the mores, the civil liberties, art, language, science, to the jurisprudence of Western civilization is inextricably linked to what is no doubt the most significant book in the history of human civilization. And Christians have, in fact, pointed beyond Scripture to cross-cultural sociological studies, which show that children are far better served by a father/mother coupling than by father/father or mother/mother coupling. They have likewise underscored the reality that marriage redefinition erodes the rational basis for rejecting aberrations ranging from polygamy to incest. I’ve personally commented on this issue on numerous occasions and I’ve had Jay Richards on the air as well on several occasions, and I have recommended Jay’s article in defense of traditional marriage over against same-sex marriage that we published in the CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL.
So while I see the Bible as the North Star by which I set my sail, I’ve also pointed to sociological studies. I’ve also pointed to the reality of what happens when you redefine marriage. So it’s not just about thumping the Bible. At the end of the day, it is learning to read the Bible for all its worth. Evidently, Bill O’Reilly can’t do that and Lawrence O’Donnell can’t do that. Why? Because they are pointing at snippets, they’re not reading the Bible within its intended context. And we as believers can curse the darkness or we can build a lighthouse in the midst of the gathering storm by demonstrating that the Bible is indeed the infallible repository of redemptive revelation.— Hank Hanegraaff

Mar 21, 2013

by Hank Hanegraaff

Type: Standard

Filed Under: Articles

What are the inherent liabilities of same-sex marriage?

In television’s Modern Family, Cameron and Mitchell adopt a child. NBC’s The New Normal proudly showcases a gay couple and surrogate mother. And on Grey’s Anatomy, Arizona and Callie are pronounced wife and wife with pomp and ceremony. Little wonder then that politicians like the Clinton’s have had a radical change of heart and mind. Hillary Clinton, in lock-step with Bill, now says she supports gay marriage both “personally and as a matter of policy and law.” As noted by Associated Press writers Julie Page and Ken Thomas, “public opinion on gay marriage has shifted perhaps more rapidly than on any other major issue in recent times.”  In fact, holdouts are routinely relegated the status of Bible thumping bigots. But are they really? Reason answers emphatically, No!
First is the matter of the social sciences. Cross cultural studies simply do not lie. They are virtually unanimous in demonstrating that a child is far better served by a mother and a father than father/father or mother/mother coupling. This of course is not to suggest that exceptions do not exist. Rather it is to underscore what is plainly and simply a statistical reality.

Furthermore, we should underscore the biological reality of sexual reproduction. Every organ in the human body is self-sufficient to perform its intended function except for one. Natural reproduction always, always, always requires a coupling of male and female. As Dr. Jay Richards has well written in the Christian Research Journal, “Marriage protects, reflects, and reinforces this powerful complementary, reproductive part of our natures.” As such, marriage “is a comprehensive union of body, mind, emotion, and soul, a proper end of which is children.”

Finally, we should note the hazards inherent in marriage redefinition. It is not too much to say that marriage redefinition open Pandora’s Box and spells the death knell to civil society. Fairly applied, the logic of the Clintons and Obama White House would apply equally to any voluntary relationship that one can conceive of. Put another way, marriage redefinition erodes the rational basis for rejecting aberrations ranging from polygamy to incest. As one can well imagine, the social impact on women and children in particular is singularly draconian.

In sum, marriage cannot be reduced to politically correct rhetoric or political whims. It is a matter of natural law. Says Richards, “Rights come from our nature, and our nature comes from God. If you deny that, then you deny the basis of all our other rights.” In the end, redefining marriage strikes a mortal blow to the foundation of a free society.

Oxford scholar Os Guinness was right to wonder whether the stones of the Washington Monument will escape the fate of the Parthenon, the pyramids, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

—Hank Hanegraaff

 See also Jay W. Richards, “To Defend Marriage, We Should Learn a Lesson from Apologetics,” Christian Research Journal, vol. 35, no. 4, 2012.
Bible Answer Man interview with Jay W. Richards, “What is marriage?”
http://www.equip.org/audio/hank-hanegraaff-with-special-guest-jay-w-richards/


Thanks to Hank and source:
http://www.hankhanegraaff.com/

a layman's thoughts on Galatians 4:21-31 - is Zionism correct about a small strip of land?

Good reason to doubt Zionism and the passions invoked by a small strip of land east of the Mediterranean sea and think of the restored universe under Christ the king, won once and for all then, now and forever. The new Israel is the church of Christ and not land, temple and the sacrificial system of old. The church of Christ is everywhere, universal and not a temporal place of land hegemony. David and Solomon's kingdom has passed to something far better than the laws, lands, and earthly empire. It has passed to the promised One of old who was foreshadowed to walk the earth. The kingdom of God has invaded the earth and overcome it. The battle has been won, the war of the universe is over and death and hades have been destroyed forever. We wait for this glorious realization to come to pass in full when every knee shall bow to the King... and peace will naturally reign and be realized in a restored universe and man in his rightful place has heir to the promise.

Galatians 4:21-31

New King James Version (NKJV)

Two Covenants

²¹ Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴ which things are symbolic. For these are the^[a] two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵ for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶ but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. ²⁷ For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”^[b]

²⁸ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. ²⁹ But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. ³⁰ Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”^{[c] 31} So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Footnotes:

1. Galatians 4:24 NU-Text and M-Text omit the.
2. Galatians 4:27 Isaiah 54:1
3. Galatians 4:30 Genesis 21:10

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and with the prayers of Saint Peter, the intercession prayers of St. Demetrios and blessed Elder Paisios of the Mount Athos. May we all be changed by the divine love of Jesus Christ to a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ unto life everlasting. Glory to God.

thanks to:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal.%204:21-33&version=NKJV

thanks to Hank Hanegraaff and his book the apocalypse code
 

Quote from a noble truth

All Phenomena are unsatisfactory

Informal fallacy: No True Scotsman

You made what could be called an appeal to purity as a way to dismiss relevant criticisms or flaws of your argument.

In this form of faulty reasoning one's belief is rendered unfalsifiable because no matter how compelling the evidence is, one simply shifts the goalposts so that it wouldn't apply to a supposedly 'true' example. This kind of post-rationalization is a way of avoiding valid criticisms of one's argument.

Example: Angus declares that Scotsmen do not put sugar on their porridge, to which Lachlan points out that he is a Scotsman and puts sugar on his porridge. Furious, like a true Scot, Angus yells that no true Scotsman sugars his porridge.on his porridge. Furious, like a true Scot, Angus yells that no true Scotsman sugars his porridge.

Thanks to source:
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/no-true-Scotsman

Explanation

The no true scotsman fallacy is a way of reinterpreting evidence in order to prevent the refutation of one’s position. Proposed counter-examples to a theory are dismissed as irrelevant solely because they are counter-examples, but purportedly because they are not what the theory is about.

Real-World Examples

An argument similar to this is often arises when people attempt to define religious groups. In some Christian groups, for example, there is an idea that faith is permanent, that once one becomes a Christian one cannot fall away. Apparent counter-examples to this idea, people who appear to have faith but subsequently lose it, are written off using the ‘No True Scotsman’ fallacy: they didn’t really have faith, they weren’t true Christians. The claim that faith cannot be lost is thus preserved from refutation. Given such an approach, this claim is unfalsifiable, there is no possible refutation of it.

Thanks to source:
http://www.logicalfallacies.info/presumption/no-true-scotsman/

Daily Prayers:Prayers Before & After Communion

Prayers of Preparation
On the Preceding Evening

The evening before receiving Holy Communion, at Small Compline read the following Kanon following the Creed.

Kanon of Preparation to Receive Holy Communion

First Ode

Come, all you people, let us all sing to Christ God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the people which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; for He is glorified.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May Your holy Body be for me the Bread of life everlasting, O compassionate Lord, and may Your precious Blood be a remedy for diverse maladies.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Defiled by unseemly deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of Your immaculate Body and divine Blood; but make me worthy of Them.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the Ear of wheat which knew no husbandry and which brings salvation to the world: grant that I who eat of it may be saved.

Third Ode

Establishing me on the rock of faith, You have enlarged my mouth over my enemies; for my spirit rejoices in chanting: there is none holy as our God, and none righteous but You, O Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the defilement of my heart, that, purified and with good conscience, I may draw near with fear and faith, O Master, to the communion of Your divine Gifts.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May Your immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of my offenses, for communion with the Holy Spirit, and for life everlasting, O Friend of man, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-holy one, table of the Bread of life Who for mercy's sake came down from on high and gave new life to the world, make even me, who am unworthy, worthy now with fear to taste of it and live.

Fourth Ode

You came from a virgin, not as an ambassador, nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and You saved me, the whole man. Wherefore I cry to You: Glory to Your power, O Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O most merciful One, Who was incarnate for us, You willed to be slain as a sheep for the sins of mortals. Wherefore also, I implore You to blot out my offenses.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, the wretched one, and make me worthy, O Master, to partake of Your divine mystical Supper.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Make Him Who came forth from your womb, O Lady, to be gracious also to me; and to keep me, your supplicant, blameless and free of stain, that, by receiving within me the noetic Pearl, I may be sanctified.

Fifth Ode

You Who grants light and are Lord, Creator of the ages: guide me in the light of Your commandments; for we know none other as God but You.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As You foretold, O Christ, so let it be even now to me Your abject slave, and abide in me as You promised; for behold, I eat Your divine Body and drink Your Blood.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of Your Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may Your Blood be for the cleansing of my defiled soul.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mary, Mother of God, august tabernacle of the sweet Fragrance: by your prayers, make me a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the holy Gifts of your Child.

Sixth Ode

Encompassed round about by an abyss of offenses, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Your compassion: raise me up from corruption, O God.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Savior, sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and body; and grant that without condemnation, O Master, I may approach the dread Mysteries.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me estrangement from passions, and the increase of Your grace, and assurance of life by my participation in Your holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Holy Word of God, and God, as I now approach Your divine Mysteries, sanctify the whole of me, by the supplications of Your holy Mother.

Kontakion

Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the bread which is Your Body, and Your divine Blood, and to partake, O Master, of Your immaculate and dread Mysteries; and may these not be to me, the wretched one, for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.

Seventh Ode

When the golden image was adored in the plain of Deira, Your three children trampled underfoot the ungodly decree; and though cast into the midst of the fire, as ones refreshed they chanted: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May the reception of Your immortal Mysteries, the Source of every good, O Christ, be now light, and life, and dispassion, and the cause of furtherance and proficiency in divine virtue, O only good One, that I may glorify You.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies, want, and every affliction, I now draw near with trembling, love, and reverence to Your immortal and divine Mysteries, O Friend of man, and chant unto You: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O you who are graced of God, and who gave birth incomprehensibly to Christ the Savior, I your slave, impure as I am, now beseech you, the pure one: from all defilement of flesh and spirit cleanse me who am now about to approach the immaculate Mysteries.

Eighth Ode

O you works, praise the Lord God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew; and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me, who am despairing, to be a communicant now of Your heavenly, dread, and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of Your divine and mystical Supper, O God my Savior.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I flee for refuge under Your compassion, O good One, and I cry to You with fear: abide in me, O Savior, and I in You, as You said; for behold, trusting in Your mercy, I eat Your Body and drink Your Blood.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
I tremble as I receive the Fire, lest I be burned as wax and as grass. O dread mystery! O divine compassion! How is it that I who am but clay partake of the divine Body and Blood and am made incorruptible?

Ninth Ode

Our God and Lord, the Son of the Father Who is without beginning, has appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; wherefore we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Lord is good: O taste and see! For of old He became like us for our sake, and offered Himself once as an offering to His Father, and is ever slain, sanctifying those that partake of Him.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Master; may I be enlightened; may I be saved; may I become Your dwelling-place by the communion of the sacred Mysteries, having You with the Father and the Spirit abiding in me, O most merciful Benefactor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
May Your most precious Body and Blood be to me as fire and light, O my Savior, consuming the substance of sin and burning the thorns of my passions, and enlightening the whole of me to worship Your Divinity.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of your pure blood, wherefore, every generation hymns you, O Lady, and the multitudes of the noetic beings glorify you; for through you we have clearly seen the Master of all, Who assumed the nature of man.

"It is truly proper ...,"

Prayers of Preparation
On the Following Day

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain; and save our souls, O good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

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

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Psalm 22

The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want. He has made me to dwell in a place of green pasture; beside restful waters He has nurtured me.

He has converted my soul, He has led me on paths of righteousness for His mane's sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff have comforted me.
You have prepared a table before me in the presence of those that afflict me. You have anointed my head with oil, and how excellent is the cup which fills me!
And Your mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Psalm 23

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwells therein. He has founded it upon the seas, and upon the rivers He has prepared it.

Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that is innocent in hands and pure in heart, who has not received his soul in vain, and has not sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.
Such a one shall receive a blessing from the Lord and mercy from God his Savior. This is the generation of those who seek the Lord, of those who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be lifted up, you everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.
Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.
Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be lifted up, you everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.
Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.

Psalm 115

I believed, wherefore I spoke; I was humbled exceedingly. As for me, I said in my ecstasy: Every man is a liar.

What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me? I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O Lord, I am Your servant; I am Your servant and the son of Your handmaid. You have broken my bonds asunder.
I will offer a sacrifice of praise to You, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people; in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; glory to You, O God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; glory to You, O God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; glory to You, O God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Then the following Troparia:

Overlook my iniquities, O Lord Who was born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it a temple for Your immaculate Body and Blood. Do not cast me away from Your presence as one despised, O You Who has immeasurably great mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

How can I, the unworthy one, shamelessly dare to partake of Your Holy Gifts? For should I dare to approach You with those who are worthy, my vesture betrays me, for it is not fitting for the Supper, and I shall bring condemnation upon my sin-laden soul. O Lord, cleanse the defilement of my soul, and save me, since You love mankind.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Great are the multitudes of my offenses, O Theotokos; I have fled to you, O pure one, and implore salvation. Visit my ailing soul, and intercede with your Son and our God that He may grant me forgiveness for the grievous deeds which I have committed, O only-blessed one.

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Didactic Verses on
How One Must Approach the Immaculate Mysteries

When you, O man, are about to eat the Master's Body
draw near with fear, lest you be seared: It is Fire.
And as you drink the divine Blood unto communion,
first reconcile yourself with those who grieve you,
then, with daring, venture to eat the Mystic Food.

Other Similar Verses

Before partaking of the dread Sacrifice of the life-creating Body of the Master, pray in this manner with trembling:

FIRST PRAYER
of Saint Basil the Great

Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, Who are the Maker of all creation, both visible and invisible, the co-eternal and co-beginingless Son of the eternal Father, Who in the abundance of Your goodness were in the last days clothed in flesh, were crucified and buried for us, the ungrateful and thankless ones, and by Your own Blood refashioned our nature which had been corrupted by sin: O immortal King, accept the repentance even of me the sinner, and incline Your ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before You, and I am not worthy to gaze on the height of Your glory; for I have provoked Your goodness by transgressing Your commandments and not obeying Your ordinances.

But in Your forbearance, patience, and great mercy, You, O Lord, have not given me up to be destroyed with my sins, but You await my complete conversion.
For You Who love mankind have said through Your Prophet that You desire not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to You and live. For You do not will, O Lord, that the work of Your hands should be destroyed, neither do You delight in the destruction of men, but You desire that all should be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.
Therefore, though I am unworthy both of heaven and earth, and even of this transient life - since I have completely succumbed to sin and am a slave to pleasure and have defaced Your image, yet being Your work and creation, wretch that I am, - even I do not despair of my salvation and dare to draw near to Your boundless compassion.
Wherefore receive even me, O Christ Who Loves mankind, as the harlot, as the thief, as the publican, and as the prodigal; and take from me the heavy burden of my sins: You Who take away the sin of the world, Who heal men's sicknesses, Who call the weary and heavy laden to Yourself and give them rest; for You came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
Teach me to attain perfect holiness in the fear of You, that with the clear witness of my conscience I may receive a portion of Your holy Things and be united with Your holy Body and Blood, and have You dwelling and remaining in me with the Father and Your Holy Spirit.
And, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, do not let the communion of Your immaculate and life-giving Mysteries be to me for condemnation, nor let it make me sick in body or soul through my partaking of them unworthily; but rather grant that until my last breath I may receive a portion of Your holy Things without condemnation, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for eternal life, and as an acceptable defense at Your dread tribunal, so that I, too, with all Your elect may become a partaker of Your pure joys which You have prepared for those who love You, O Lord, in whom You are glorified throughout the ages. Amen.

SECOND PRAYER
of Saint Basil the Great

I know, O Lord, that I partake of Your immaculate Body and precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink judgment to myself by not discerning the Body and Blood of You, my Christ and God.

But, trusting in Your compassion, I take courage and approach You, for You have said: "He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in him."
Wherefore have compassion, O Lord, and do not make an example of me, the sinner, but deal with me according to Your mercy; and let these Holy Things be for my healing, and purification, and enlightenment, and protection, and salvation, and sanctification of body and soul; for the turning away of every fantasy, and all evil practice, and diabolical activity working subconsciously in my members; for confidence and love towards You; for reformation of life and stability; for an increase of virtue and perfection; for fulfillment of the commandments; for communion with the Holy Spirit; as a provision for eternal life; and as an acceptable defense at Your dread Tribunal, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation.

THIRD PRAYER
of Saint John Chrysostom

Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy or sufficient that You should come under the roof of the house of my soul, for all is desolate and fallen, and You do not have within me a place fit to lay Your head.

But even as from on high You humbled Yourself for our sake, so now conform Yourself to my humility.
And as You consented to lie in a cave and in a manger of irrational beasts, so also consent to lie in the manger of my irrational soul and to enter my defiled body.
And as You did not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the Leper, so consent also to enter the house of my humble soul which is leprous and sinful.
And as You did not reject the woman who was a harlot and a sinner like me, when she approached and touched You, so also be compassionate with me, the sinner, as I approach and touch You, and let the live coal of Your most-holy Body and precious Blood be for the sanctification, and enlightenment, and strengthening of my humble soul and body; for a relief from the burden of my many sins; for a protection from all diabolical practices; for a restraint and a check on my evil and wicked way of life; for the mortification of passions; for the keeping of Your commandments; for an increase of Your divine grace; and for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
For it is not as one insolent and presumptuous that I draw near to You, O Christ my God, but as one taking courage from Your ineffable goodness, so that having long abstained from Your communion I may not become a prey to the noetic wolf.
Therefore, I pray to You, O Lord, Who alone are holy: sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my emotions and affections, and wholly renew me.
Root in my members the fear of You, and make Your sanctification indelible within me.
Be also my Helper and Defender, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand on Your right hand with Your Saints; through the prayers and intercessions of Your all-pure Mother, of Your ministering Angels, of the immaculate Powers, and of all the Saints who have been well-pleasing to You. Amen.

FOURTH PRAYER
of Saint John Chrysostom

I am not worthy, O Lord and Master, that You should enter under the roof of my soul; but since You, in Your love for men, do will to dwell in me, I take courage and I draw near.

You command: I will open wide the gates which You alone created, that You may enter with love as is Your nature, that You may enter and enlighten my darkened thought.
I believe that You will do this, for You did not banish the harlot who approached You with tears, nor did You reject the Publican who repented, nor did You drive away the thief who acknowledged Your Kingdom, nor did You abandon the repentant persecutor Paul as he was; but You established all who had been brought to You by repentance in the company of Your friends, O You Who alone are blessed always, now and to endless ages. Amen.

FIFTH PRAYER
of Saint John Chrysostom

Lord Jesus Christ my God, loose, remit, forgive, absolve, and pardon the sins, offenses and transgressions which I, Your sinful, useless and unworthy servant have committed from my youth, up to the present day and hour, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, whether by words or in deeds, whether in my intentions or in my thoughts, and whether by habit or through any of my senses.

And through the intercession of her who conceived You without seed, the all-pure and ever-virgin Mary Your Mother, my only sure hope and protection and salvation, make me worthy to receive without condemnation Your pure, immortal, life-giving and fearful Mysteries, unto forgiveness of sins and for eternal life; for sanctification, and enlightenment, and strength, and healing, and health of soul and body; and for the blotting out and complete destruction of my evil reasonings, and intentions, and prejudices, and the nocturnal fantasies of dark evil spirits.
For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, and the honor, and the worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

SIXTH PRAYER
of Saint John of Damascus

Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who alone have authority to forgive men their sins, in Your goodness and love for men overlook all my offenses whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation Your divine, glorious, spotless, and life-giving Mysteries, not for punishment, nor for an increase of sins, but for purification and sanctification, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come, as a protection and help, for the destruction of enemies, and for the blotting out of my many transgressions.

For You are a God of mercy and compassion and love for men, and to You we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

SEVENTH PRAYER
of Saint Symeon the New Theologian

From lips tainted and defiled, from a heart unclean and loathsome, from an unclean tongue, and out of a polluted soul: receive my prayer, O my Christ.

Do not reject me, nor my words, nor my ways, nor even my shamelessness, but give me courage to say what I desire, O my Christ; and even more, teach me what to do and what to say.
I have sinned more than the harlot who, on learning where You were lodging, bought myrrh and dared to come and anoint Your feet, my Christ, my Lord and my God.
As You did not repulse her when she drew near in her heart, neither, O word, reject me, but grant that I may clasp and kiss Your feet , and dare to anoint them with a flood of tears as with most-precious myrrh.
Wash me with my tears and purify me with them, O Word.
Forgive my sins and grant me pardon.
You know the multitude of my evil-doings, You also know my wounds, and You see my bruises.
But You also know my faith, and You behold my willingness, and You hear my sighs.
Nothing escapes You, my God, my Maker, my Redeemer, not even a tear-drop, nor part of a drop.
Your eyes know what I have not achieved, and in Your book things not yet done are written by You.
See my depression, and see how great is my trouble: take from me all my sins, O God of all, that with a clean heart, a trembling mind, and a contrite spirit I may partake of Your pure and all-holy Mysteries by which all who with sincerity of heart eat and drink You are quickened and deified.
For You, my Lord, have said: "Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in Him;" wholly true is the word of my Lord and God.
For whoever partakes of Your divine and deifying Gifts certainly is not alone, but is with You, my Christ, the Light of the Triune Sun Which illumines the world.
That I may not remain alone without You, the Giver of Life, my Breath, my Life, my Joy, the Salvation of the world, I have therefore drawn near to You, as You see, with tears and with a contrite spirit.
Ransom of my offenses, I beseech You to receive me, that I may partake without condemnation of Your life-giving and perfect Mysteries, and that You may remain as You have said with me, thrice-wretched as I am, lest the tempter find me without Your grace and craftily seize me and, having deceived me, seduce me from Your deifying words.
Therefore I fall at Your feet and fervently cry to You: as You received the prodigal and the harlot who drew near to You, so also have compassion and receive me, the profligate and the prodigal, as I now draw near to You with a contrite spirit.
I know, O Savior, that no other has sinned against You as I have, nor has done the deeds that I have committed.
But I also know this: that neither the greatness of my offenses, nor the multitude of my sins, surpasses the great patience of my God, and His extreme love for men.
Despite our offenses, You purify and enlighten with the oil of compassion those who fervently repent, and You make them children of the light and sharers of Your divine nature.
And You act most generously, for what is strange to Angels and to the minds of men You often tell to the repentant as to Your true friends.
These things make me bold, my Christ, these things give me wings, and I take courage from the wealth of Your goodness to us.
With rejoicing, yet with trembling, I who am but straw partake of Fire and, strange wonder!, I am ineffably bedewed, like the bush of old which burnt without being consumed.
Wherefore with thankful mind, and with thankful heart, and with thankfulness in all the members of my soul and body, I worship and magnify and glorify You, my God, for You are blessed, now and ever, to all ages.

EIGHTH PRAYER
of Saint Symeon Metafrastes (Saint Symeon the Translator)

Lord, Who alone are pure and incorrupt, Who through the ineffable compassion of Your love for mankind assumed our whole nature through the pure and virgin blood of her who supernaturally conceived You by the coming of the Divine Spirit and by the will of the Eternal Father; O Christ Jesus, Wisdom and Peace and Power of God, Who in assuming our nature suffered Your life-giving and saving Passion - the Cross, the Nails, the Spear, and Death - mortify all the deadly passions of my body.

You Who in Your burial spoiled the dominions of hell, bury with good thoughts my evil schemes and scatter the spirits of wickedness.
You Who by Your life-giving Resurrection on the third day raised up our fallen first Parent, raise me up who am sunk in sin and suggest to me ways of repentance.
You Who by Your glorious Ascension deified our nature which You had assumed and honored it by Your sitting at the right hand of the Father, make me worthy by partaking of Your holy Mysteries of a place at Your right hand among those who are saved.
You Who by the descent of the Spirit, the Paraclete, made Your holy Disciples worthy vessels, make me also a recipient of His coming.
You Who are to come again to judge the World with justice, grant me also to meet You on the clouds, my Maker and Creator, with all Your Saints, that I may unendingly glorify and praise You with Your Eternal Father and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

NINTH PRAYER
of Saint John Damascene

I stand before the doors of Your sanctuary, yet I do not put away my terrible thoughts.

But ,O Christ our God, Who justified the Publican, and Who had mercy on the Canaanite woman, and opened the gates of Paradise to the Thief, open to me the depths of Your love for mankind, and as I approach and touch You, receive me like the Harlot and the woman with an issue of blood.
For the one easily received healing by touching the hem of Your garment, and the other obtained release from her sins by clasping Your sacred feet.
And I, deplorable as I am, dare to receive Your whole Body; may I not be burnt, but receive me even as You did these.
And enlighten the senses of my soul, and burn up the indictments of my sins, by the intercessions of her who bore You without seed, and of the Heavenly Hosts, for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Immediately Before Receiving Holy Communion

Prayers of Holy Communion:

I believe, Lord, and I confess, that You are 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 Your immaculate Body, and that this is Your precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, those in word, those in deed, those in knowledge and those in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen.

Approaching for Holy Communion, read the following verses from Saint Symeon the Translator:

Behold, I approach for divine Communion;
Creator, burn me not as I partake;
For You are Fire, which burns the unworthy.
But, rather, cleanse me from every impurity.

Then the following Troparion:

Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom!

Then again the following verses:

Be awe-stricken, O man, beholding the deifying Blood;
For it is a lighted Coal that burns the unworthy.
The divine Body both deifies and nourishes me;
It deifies the spirit, and wondrously nourishes the mind.

And these Troparia:

You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by Your divine zeal You have changed me; but burn away my sins with immaterial Fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in You; that, leaping for joy, O good One, I may magnify Your two comings.

Into the brilliant company of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels; Lord, cleanse my soul of pollution, and save me, for You love mankind.

And the following Prayer:

Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, do not let these Holy Things be to me for judgment because of my unworthiness, but rather may they be for the purification and sanctification of soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cleave to God, to put my hope of salvation in the Lord.

And again:

Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Master, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom!

Prayers of Thanksgiving
After Receiving Holy Communion

When you have had your due and rightful part in these life-giving and mystical Gifts immediately give praise and great thanks and with a fervent soul say to God:

GGlory to You, O God. Glory to You, O God. Glory to You, O God.

Anonymous

I thank You, Lord my God, that You have not rejected me, a sinner, but have made me worthy to partake of Your holy Mysteries.

I thank You that You have granted me, although I am unworthy, to partake of Your most-pure and heavenly Gifts.
Master Who loves mankind, Who died and rose for our sake, and granted to us these awesome and life-giving Mysteries for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, let these Gifts be for the healing of both soul and body, for the averting of every evil, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for faith unashamed, for love unfeigned, for the fullness of wisdom, for the observing of Your commandments, for an increase of Your divine grace, and for the attainment of Your kingdom.
Preserved by them in Your holiness, may I always remember Your grace and no longer live for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor.
And thus, when I depart this life in the hope of eternal life, may I attain everlasting rest, where the sound of those that keep festival is unceasing, and the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Your countenance is unending.
For You are the true joy and inexpressible gladness of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation hymns You to the ages. Amen.

Of Saint Basil the Great

MMaster Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of all things, I thank You for all the good gifts You have given me, and especially for the communion of Your pure and life-giving Mysteries.

I therefore pray to You good Lord Who loves mankind: keep me under the protection and in the shadow of Your wings; grant that even to my last breath I may with a pure conscience partake worthily of Your Holy Gifts for the remission of sins and for eternal life.
For You are the Bread of life, the Source of holiness, the Giver of good things, and to You we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Of Saint Symeon Metafrastes (Saint Symeon the Translator)

You Who have willingly given me Your Flesh as food, Who are a burning fire to the unworthy, do not consume me.

No, my Creator; rather penetrate into my members, all my joints, my organs, and my heart.
Burn all my iniquities like thorns; cleanse my soul, make holy my thoughts, make firm my knees and my bones as well.
Illumine my five senses and make vigilant my entire being with the fear of You.
Watch over me always; shield and protect me from every deed and word which corrupts the soul.
Cleanse me, purify me, and put me in order; adorn me, give me understanding, and illumine me.
Show me to be the dwelling of Your Spirit alone, and not the dwelling place of sin; so that when You enter into the home of Your communion, every evil doer and every passion will flee from me as from fire.
As intercessors I bring to You all the saints, the chiefs of the bodiless hosts, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles, and moreover Your immaculate and pure Mother; accept their prayers, my compassionate Christ, and make Your servant a child of light.
For in Your goodness You alone sanctify and enlighten our souls, and to You, our God and Master, as is right we send up glory every day.

Anonymous

Lord Jesus Christ our God, let Your sacred Body be to me for eternal life, and Your precious Blood for the remission of sins.

Let this Eucharist be to me for joy, health and gladness.
And at Your dread Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your glory; through the intercessions of Your all-pure Mother and of all the saints. Amen.

Anonymous Prayer to the Mother of God

All-holy Lady, Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, my hope, shelter, refuge, comfort, and joy: I thank You, for you have deemed me, the unworthy one, worthy to partake of the most-pure Body and precious Blood of your Son.

You who gave birth to the true Light, enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart; you who conceived the Source of immortality, revive me who am dead in sin; you who are the lovingly-compassionate Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me and grant me compunction and contrition in my heart, humility in my thoughts and the recall of my thoughts from captivity.
And grant me, until my last breath, to receive without condemnation the sanctification of the most-pure Mysteries for the healing of both soul and body.
Grant me tears of repentance and confession that I may hymn and glorify you all the days of my life.
For you are blessed and most-glorified to the ages. Amen.
For you are blessed and most-glorified to the ages. Amen.
For you are blessed and most-glorified to the ages. Amen.

And the Hymn of Symeon the Just:

Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

And the Trisagion Prayers:

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

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

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

If the Divine Liturgy was that of Saint John Chrysostom the following Troparia:

Grace shone forth from your mouth like fire, illuminating the inhabited world. You treasured for the world the virtue of being unmercenary, and revealed your sublime humility. Thus by the words you taught us, father John Chrysostom, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

You received divine grace from heaven, and from your lips you taught all to worship the one God in Trinity, venerable John Chrysostom, the all-blessed. We extol you worthily, for you are an instructor who reveals divine things.

Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Church is revealed to all as a brilliantly lit heaven, leading the faithful in the way of the light. Standing therein we cry aloud: make firm the foundation of this house, Lord.

But if the Divine Liturgy was that of Saint Basil the Great the following Troparia instead:

Your teaching has spread over the whole world, for it has accepted your words that gave a divine explanation of doctrine. You have made clear the nature of things and set a rule of life for men. Holy father and kingly priest, intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

ou appeared as an unshakable foundation of the Church, dispensing an inviolate dominion to all mortals and sealing it with your doctrines. O revealer of heavenly things, venerable Basil.

Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Church is revealed to all as a brilliantly lit heaven, leading the faithful in the way of the light. Standing therein we cry aloud: make firm the foundation of this house, Lord.

Following the Presanctified Divine Liturgy of Saint Gregory the Great the following Troparia:

As one endowed with discretion of speech, you proved to be a most excellent dispenser of the word of God, hierarch Gregory. By your life you set before us the virtues, and you shine forth with the brilliance of holiness. Righteous father, entreat Christ God that we may be granted mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We praise you the Dialogist as is fitting, for you are a divinely-inspired harp of the Church, and a God-possessed tongue of Wisdom; you emulated the zeal of the Apostles, and you manifestly followed in their footsteps. We thus say to you: rejoice, father Gregory.

Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Church is revealed to all as a brilliantly lit heaven, leading the faithful in the way of the light. Standing therein we cry aloud: make firm the foundation of this house, Lord.

Then:

Lord, have mercy. (12)

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

More honorable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, the one who incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word, truly the Theotokos, we magnify you.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

In all things: Glory to God

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The Divine Litury of St. John Chrysostomos

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Priest:

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

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The Great Litany and the Antiphons (*)

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Deacon:

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For our Archbishop (Name), our Bishop (Name), the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For our country, the president, and all those in public service, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For this parish and city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable; look upon us and upon this holy house in Your compassion. Grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy.

Priest:

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

---

The First Antiphon

---

(The designated verses from the Psalms are sung with the hymn:)

People:

By the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us (3).

Deacon:

In peace let us again pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; protect the whole body of Your Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house; glorify them in return by Your divine power; and do not forsake us who hope in You.

Priest:

For Yours is the dominion, the kingdom, the power, and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

---

The Second Antiphon

---

(The designated verses from the Psalms are sung with the hymn:)

People:

Save us, O Son of God, (who rose from the dead), to You we sing: Alleluia (3). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Only begotten Son and Word of God, although immortal You humbled Yourself for our salvation, taking flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and, without change, becoming man. Christ, our God, You were crucified but conquered death by death. You are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit - save us.

Deacon:

In peace let us again pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

Lord, You have given us grace to offer these common prayers with one heart. You have promised to grant the requests of two or three gathered in Your name. Fulfill now the petitions of Your servants for our benefit, giving us the knowledge of Your truth in this world, and granting us eternal life in the world to come.

Priest:

For You are a good and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

---

The Third Antiphon

---

(The designated verses of the Psalms are sung with the Apolytikion.)

---

The Entrance

---

(While the Apolytikion is sung, the priest carrying the holy Gospel Book comes in procession before the Beautiful Gate and prays in a low voice:)

Priest:

Master and Lord our God, You have established in heaven the orders and hosts of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us that together we may serve and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(The priest blesses the entrance saying in a low voice:)

Blessed is the entrance of Your saints always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(He then raises the holy Gospel Book and says:)

Priest (Deacon):

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

People:

Come, let us worship and bow before Christ. Save us, O Son of God who rose from the dead, to You we sing: Alleluia.

(The priest enters the sanctuary. The Apolytikion is repeated and the Troparion of the church and the Kontakion of the day are sung.)

---

The Trisagion Hymn

---

Deacon:

Let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest (in a low voice):

Holy God, You dwell among Your saints. You are praised by the Seraphim with the thrice holy hymn and glorified by the Cherubim and worshiped by all the heavenly powers. You have brought all things out of nothing into being. You have created man and woman in Your image and likeness and adorned them with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the supplicant and do not overlook the sinner but have established repentance as the way of salvation. You have enabled us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to stand at this hour before the glory of Your holy altar and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the thrice holy hymn also from the lips of us sinners and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship and serve You in holiness all the days of our lives, by the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.

Priest:

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

Deacon:

...and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3). Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Deacon:

Again, fervently.

Priest (turning towards the Prothesis, the priest says in a low voice:):

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

(Then turning towards the holy Table, he says:)

Blessed are You on the throne of glory of Your kingdom, seated upon the Cherubim, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

People:

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

---

The Readings

---

The Epistle

---

Priest:

Let us be attentive.

(The Reader reads the verses from the Psalms.)

Deacon:

Wisdom.

Reader:

The reading is from (The name of the book of the New Testament from which the Apostolic reading is taken).

Deacon:

Let us be attentive.

(The Reader reads the designated Apostolic pericope.)

Priest:

Peace be with you.

People:

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Priest (in a low voice):

Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of your Gospel. Instill in us, also, reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

---

The Holy Gospel

---

Priest:

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be with all.

People:

And with your spirit.

Deacon:

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to (Name). Let us be attentive.

People:

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

(The Deacon reads the designated pericope of the holy Gospel.)

People:

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

---

The Homily

---

(Following the readings, it is customary for the priest to proclaim the Gospel.)

---

Litany of Fervent Supplication

---

Priest:

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

People:

Lord, have mercy. (once)

Priest:

O Lord Almighty, the God of our Fathers, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (once)

Priest:

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for this country, its ruler, (title and name of the ruler), its people, civil authorities and armed forces.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for our Most Reverend Bishop (name of the diocesan bishop, or, if he be an archbishop or metropolitan, mention his rank and name), and for all the Orthodox bishops.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for our brethren: priests, deacons, monks and all other clergy, and for all our brethren in Christ.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for the blessed ever-memorable and most holy Orthodox patriarchs, for devout kings and rightbelieving queens, for the blessed founders of this holy church and for all our Orthodox fathers, brethren, and sisters departed from this life before us, and who rest in peace here and everywhere.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God: benefactors, trustees, members and supporters of this holy church.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

(Here special petitions for the recovery of the sick, or any special needs for individual parishoners are offered.)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church; for those who labor in its service, for the singers and for the people here present, who await from Thee great and abundant mercy.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest (in a low voice):

O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy mercies; and send forth Thy compassion upon us and upon all Thy people, who await the rich mercy that cometh from Thee.

Priest:

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

---

Litany for the Deceased

---

(This litany is offered only if there are remembrances for the deceased.)

Priest:

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we beseech Thee: hear us, and have mercy.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

Furthermore we pray for the repose of the soul(s) of the servant(s) of God (name-s of the deceased), departed from this life, and that Thou wilt pardon all his (or her or their) sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

That the Lord God will establish his (or her or their) soul(s) where the just repose.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

Priest:

The mercies of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remission of his (or her or their) sins, we ask of Christ, or King Immortal and our God.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Priest:

Let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy. (one time)

Priest:

O God of spirits, and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death by death, and overthrown the Devil, and hast bestowed life upon Thy world: do Thou Thyself, O Lord, grant rest to the soul(s) of Thy departed servant(s), (name-s of the deceased), in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. As the gracious God, Who lovest mankind, pardon every transgression which he (or she or they) has (or have) committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought. For Thou alone art without sin, and Thy righteousness is to all eternity, and Thy word is truth. For Thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed servant(s) (name-s of the deceased). O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine All-Holy, and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

---

Prayer of the Catechumens

---

(During the litany of the catechumens, the priest unfolds on the altar table the corporal [antimins], a cloth with a depiction of the burial of Christ.)

Priest:

Pray unto the Lord, ye catechumens.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

Ye faithful, pray ye for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy upon them.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

That He may teach them the word of truth;

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

That He may unite them unto His Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church;

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

Save them, have mercy upon them, preserve them, and protect them, O God, by Thy grace.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.

People:

To Thee, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

O Lord, our God, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart; Who hast sent forth as the salvation of mankind Thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; look down upon Thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration. Unite them to thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, and number them with Thy chosen flock.

Priest:

That they also with us may glorify Thy most honorable and majestic Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

---

Dismissal of the Catechumens

---

Priest:

All ye catechumens, depart! Depart, ye catechumens! All ye that are catechumens, depart! Let no catechumens remain! But let us who are of the faithful, again and again, in peace pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest (in a low voice):

We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of the Powers, Who hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before Thy holy altar, and to prostrate ourselves before Thy compassion for our sins and errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us worthy to offer unto Thee prayers and supplications, and bloodless sacrifices for all Thy people. And enable us, whom Thou hast appointed in this Thy ministry, by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without offense, in the pure testimony of our conscience, to call upon Thee at all times and in every place; that hearing us, Thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy goodness.

Priest:

Help us, save us have mercy upon us and protect us, O god, by Thy grace.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:

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

People:

Amen.

---

Prayer of the Faithful

---

Priest (in a low voice):

Again, we bow before You and pray to You, O good and loving God. Hear our supplication: cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant that we may stand before Your holy altar without blame or condemnation. Grant also, O God, progress in life, faith, and spiritual discernment to the faithful who pray with us, so that they may always worship You with reverence and love, partake of Your Holy Mysteries without blame or condemnation, and become worthy of Your heavenly kingdom.

Priest:

And grant that always guarded by Your power we may give glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

---

The Great Entrance

---

People:

We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all the cares of life that we may receive the King of all...

Priest (While the Cherubic Hymn is being sung, the priest prays in a low voice):

No one bound by worldly desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near or minister to You, the King of glory. To serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. But because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for us, You became man without alteration or change. You have served as our High Priest, and as Lord of all, and have entrusted to us the celebration of this liturgical sacrifice without the shedding of blood. For You alone, Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth. You are seated on the throne of the Cherubim, the Lord of the Seraphim and the King of Israel. You alone are holy and dwell among Your saints. You alone are good and ready to hear. Therefore, I implore You, look upon me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, and cleanse my soul and heart from evil consciousness. Enable me by the power of Your Holy Spirit so that, vested with the grace of priesthood, I may stand before Your holy Table and celebrate the mystery of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. To You I come with bowed head and pray: do not turn Your face away from me or reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer to You these gifts. For You, Christ our God, are the Offerer and the Offered, the One who receives and is distributed, and to You we give glory, together with Your eternal Father and Your holy, good and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(The priest censes and recites in a low voice:)

Priest:

We who mystically represent the Cherubim sing the thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity. Let us set aside all the cares of life that we may receive the King of all...

(On Sundays)

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Your cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection. You are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection. For enduring the cross for us, he destroyed death by death. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak, and victorious when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore me. For behold, You have loved truth; You have made known to me the secret and hidden thing of Your wisdom. you shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me with Your governing Spirit. I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall joyfully declare Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled heart. Do good in Your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

(Then the Great Entrance takes place.)

Deacon:

May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

(The priest enters the sanctuary, while the people sing the end of the Cherubic Hymn.)

People:

...invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(After placing the holy gifts on the holy Table, he says:)

---

The Petitions

---

Deacon:

Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

For the precious gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us ask the Lord.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

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

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

For the completion of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

People:

Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon:

Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:

To You, O Lord.

---

The Prayer of the Proskomide

---

Priest (in a low voice):

Lord, God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart. Receive also the prayer of us sinners and let it reach Your holy altar. Enable us to bring before You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the transgressions of the people. Make us worthy to find grace in Your presence so that our sacrifice may be pleasing to You and that Your good and gracious Spirit may abide with us, with the gifts here presented, and with all Your people.

Priest:

Through the mercies of Your only begotten Son with whom You are blessed, together with Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

Priest:

Peace be with all.

People:

And with your spirit.

Deacon:

Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess:

(The Priest kisses the holy Gifts saying:)

Priest:

I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.

(At this time it is customary for the kiss of peace to be exchanged.)

People:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Trinity one in essence and inseparable.

Deacon:

Guard the doors. Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

---

The Creed

---

People:

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered and was buried. On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the age to come. Amen.

---

The Holy Anaphora

---

Deacon:

Let us stand well. Let us stand in awe. Let us be attentive, that we may present the holy offering in peace.

People:

Mercy and peace, a sacrifice of praise.

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 your spirit.

Priest:

Let us lift up our hearts.

People:

We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

People:

It is proper and right.

Priest (in a low voice):

It is proper and right to sing to You, bless You, praise You, thank You and worship You in all places of Your dominion; for You are God ineffable, beyond comprehension, invisible, beyond understanding, existing forever and always the same; You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us into being out of nothing, and when we fell, You raised us up again. You did not cease doing everything until You led us to heaven and granted us Your kingdom to come. For all these things we thank You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit; for all things that we know and do not know, for blessings seen and unseen that have been bestowed upon us. We also thank You for this liturgy which You are pleased to accept from our hands, even though You are surrounded by thousands of Archangels and tens of thousands of Angels, by the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring with their wings,

Priest:

Singing the victory hymn, proclaiming, crying out, and saying:

People:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to God in the highest.

Priest (in a low voice):

Together with these blessed powers, merciful Master, we also proclaim and say: You are holy and most holy, You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You are holy and most holy, and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. He came and fulfilled the divine plan for us. On the night when He was delivered up, or rather when He gave Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, gave thanks, blessed, sanctified, broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:

Priest:

Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins.

People:

Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, saying:

Priest:

Drink of it all of you; this is my Blood of the new Covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

People:

Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming,

Priest:

We offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts in all and for all.

People:

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.

Priest (in a low voice):

Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we ask, pray, and entreat You: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented. And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.

(He blesses the holy Bread.)

Deacon (in a low voice):

Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

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

(He blesses the holy Cup.)

Deacon (in a low voice):

Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.

(He blesses them both.)

Deacon (in a low voice):

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

So that they may be to those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, forgiveness of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven, confidence before You, and not in judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer this spiritual worship for those who repose in the faith, forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith.

Priest:

Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary.

People:

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Priest (in a low voice):

For Saint John the prophet, forerunner, and baptist; for the holy glorious and most honorable Apostles; for Saint(s) (Name-s), whose memory we commemorate today; and for all Your saints, through whose supplications, O God, bless us. Remember also all who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life. (Here the priest commemorates the names of the deceased.) And grant them rest, our God, where the light of Your countenance shines. Again, we ask You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth, all presbyters, all deacons in the service of Christ, and every one in holy orders. We also offer to You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living in purity and holiness. And for all those in public service; permit them, Lord, to serve and govern in peace that through the faithful conduct of their duties we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety and holiness.

Priest:

Above all, remember, Lord, our Archbishop (Name) and our Bishop (Name): Grant that they may serve Your holy churches in peace. Keep them safe, honorable, and healthy for many years, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.

Deacon:

Remember also, Lord, those whom each of us calls to mind and all Your people.

People:

And all Your people.

Priest (in a low voice):

Remember, Lord, the city in which we live, every city and country, and the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, Lord, the travelers, the sick, the suffering, and the captives, granting them protection and salvation. Remember, Lord, those who do charitable work, who serve in Your holy churches, and who care for the poor. And send Your mercy upon us all.

Priest:

And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honored and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

Priest:

The mercy of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with all of you.

People:

And with your spirit.

Deacon:

Having remembered all the saints, let us again in peace pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

That our loving God who has received them at His holy, heavenly, and spiritual altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send upon us divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

People:

Lord have mercy.

Deacon:

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

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

We entrust to You, loving Master, our whole life and hope, and we ask, pray, and entreat: make us worthy to partake of your heavenly and awesome Mysteries from this holy and spiritual Table with a clear conscience; for the remission of sins, forgiveness of transgressions, communion of the Holy Spirit, inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, confidence before You, and not in judgment or condemnation.

Priest:

And make us worthy, Master, with confidence and without fear of condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:

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The Lord's Prayer

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People:

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

Priest:

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

Priest:

Peace be with all.

People:

And with your spirit.

Deacon:

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

We give thanks to You, invisible King. By Your infinite power You created all things and by Your great mercy You brought everything from nothing into being. Master, look down from heaven upon those who have bowed their heads before You; they have bowed not before flesh and blood but before You the awesome God. Therefore, Master, guide the course of our life for our benefit according to the need of each of us. Sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel; and heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.

Priest:

By the grace, mercy, and love for us of Your only begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

Priest (in a low voice):

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, hear us from Your holy dwelling place and from the glorious throne of Your kingdom. You are enthroned on high with the Father and are also invisibly present among us. Come and sanctify us, and let Your pure Body and precious Blood be given to us by Your mighty hand and through us to all Your people.

Deacon:

Let us be attentive.

Priest:

The holy Gifts for the holy people of God.

People:

One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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Holy Communion

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People:

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia (3).

(The Communion Hymn changes according to the Feast Day.)

---

Priest (After the fraction of the sacred Bread, the priest says in a low voice):

The Lamb of God is broken and distributed; broken but not divided. He is forever eaten yet is never consumed, but He sanctifies those who partake of Him.

(Then the priest places a portion of the sacred Bread in the Cup saying:)

The fullness of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(He then blesses the warm water saying:)

Blessed is the fervor of Your saints, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

(Pouring the water into the Cup crosswise, he says:)

The warmth of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

---

(The Communion Prayers are recited silently by those prepared to receive the holy Mysteries.)

People:

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me. Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.

---

(The priest proceeds to receive holy Communion.)

Priest (in a low voice):

Behold, I approach Christ, our immortal King and God. The precious and most holy Body of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.

(He then partakes of the sacred Bread.)

The precious and most holy Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to me (Name) the priest, for the forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.

(He then drinks from the holy Cup. Afterwards, he wipes the holy Cup, kisses it, and says:)

This has touched my lips, taking away my transgressions and cleansing my sins.

(The priest then transfers the remaining portions of the consecrated Bread into the holy Cup, saying:)

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Your cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection. You are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy resurrection of Christ. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection. For enduring the cross for us, He destroyed death by death.

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(The priest takes up the holy Cup, proceeds to the Royal Doors, raises the holy Cup, and says:)

Deacon:

Approach with the fear of God, faith, and love.

(Those prepared come forth with reverence to receive Holy Communion while the people sing the communion hymn.) (When administering Holy Communion, the priest says:)

Priest:

The servant of God (Name) receives the Body and Blood of Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

(After Communion has been given, the priest blesses the people, saying:)

Priest:

Save, O God, Your people and bless Your inheritance.

People:

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

Priest (Returning to the holy Table, the priest transfers the portions of the Theotokos and of the saints into the holy Cup. Then he does the same for those of the living and the dead saying in a low voice):

Wash away, Lord, by Your holy Blood, the sins of all those commemorated, through the intercessions of the Theotokos and all Your saints. Amen. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let Your glory be over all the earth (3).

Priest (the priest lifts the holy Cup and says in a low voice):

Blessed is our God.

Priest:

Always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen. Let our mouths be filled with Your praise, Lord, that we may sing of Your glory. You have made us worthy to partake of Your holy mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, that all the day long we may meditate upon Your righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

---

Deacon:

Let us be attentive. Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life giving, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by your grace.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:

Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commit ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

People:

To You, O Lord.

Priest (in a low voice):

We thank You, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, that on this day You have made us worthy once again of Your heavenly and immortal Mysteries. Direct our ways in the right path, establish us firmly in Your fear, guard our lives, and make our endeavors safe, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.

Priest:

For You are our sanctification and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

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The Dismissal

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Priest:

Let us depart in peace.

Deacon:

Let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord have mercy.

Priest:

Lord, bless those who praise You and sanctify those who trust in You. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and do not forsake us who hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to those in public service, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from You, the Father of lights. To You we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen. Blessed is the name of the Lord, both now and to the ages (3).

Priest (The priest proceeds to the Prothesis and prays in a low voice):

Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. You have fulfilled all the dispensation of the Father. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon:

Let us pray to the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy (3.) Father, give the blessing.

Priest:

May the blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon you through His divine grace and love always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

Priest:

Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You. May Christ our true God (who rose from the dead), as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy upon us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven; the supplications of the honorable, glorious, prophet, and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; our holy and God-bearing Fathers (name of the church); the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; Saint (of the day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

People:

Amen. Lord, grant long life to him who blesses and sanctifies us.

Priest:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

People:

Amen.

Priest (blessing the people):

May the holy Trinity protect all of you.

(Distributing the antidoron, the priest says:)

Priest:

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord be with you.

Thanks to Source:

http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/liturgy/liturgy.html