(Source: The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, 2015. Translated by David L. Frost. Collected and Revised Edition, published by Aquila Books, UK, for The Institute For Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, 2015, with Romanian text for The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS), Cambridge, UK. The brackets [..] indicate print pages and altered translation or notes. The entire text in PDF is available here.)

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THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL

Deacon: As many as are believers: again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:    Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Choir:    Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Choir:    Lord, have mercy.

FIRST PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL

Priest:   We thank you, Lord God of the powers of heaven, for counting us worthy to stand even now before your holyaltar and humbly to seek your compassion for our sins and for those committed in ignorance by the people. Receive our supplication, O God; make us worthy to offer You prayers and entreaties [45] and bloodlesssacrifices for all your people. And enable us, whom You have appointed to this your ministry by the powerof your Holy Spirit, to invoke You at every time and place without blame and without condemnation, withthe witness of a pure conscience, so that You may hear us and be merciful to us in the abundance of your goodness.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Priest:     For to You belong all glory, honour and adoration, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:     Amen.

THE LITANY OF THE FAITHFUL

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

SECOND PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL

Priest:     Again and many times we fall down before you and pray to you, who are good and the Lover of mankind, that heeding our prayer You will cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and will grant us to stand without guilt or condemnation before your holy altar.

Give also to those who pray with us the grace of progress in right-living, in faith and spiritual understanding. Grant that they may always worship [47] You with fear and love, that they may partake of your holy mysteries without guilt or condemnation, and be counted worthy of your heavenly kingdom.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Priest:   That being always guarded by your might, we may give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

THE CHERUBIMIC HYMN

Choir:    Let us who in a mystery represent the cherubim, and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares.

Meanwhile, standing in front of the altar, the priest recites in a low voice the following prayer:

Priest:    No one who is bound by the desires and pleasures of the flesh is worthy to approach You, or draw near, or serve You, O King of glory; for to serve You is a great and fearful thing even to the heavenly powers. Nevertheless, through your unutterable and boundless love for mankind, You became man, yet withoutchange or alteration, and, as ruler of all, took the name of High Priest, and committed to us the celebration of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. For You alone, O Lord our God, govern all things in heaven and on earth, You that are seated on the throne of the cherubim, You that are Lord of the seraphim and King of Israel, who alone are holy and rest in your holy place.

Therefore I implore You, who alone are good and quick to listen: that You will look upon me, your [49] sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my heart from a bad conscience. By the power of your Holy Spirit enable me, who am endowed with the grace of priesthood, to stand at your holy table and offer the sacrifice of your pure and holy Body and your precious Blood. For to You I come, bowing low, andto You I pray: do not tum your face from me, or cast me out from among your children; but make me, though your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these your gifts. For it is You that offer and are offered, who receive and are received, O Christ our God; and to You we ascribe glory, together with your eternal Father, and your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

The priest and deacon then say three times the Cherubic Hymn, ending each time with a bow and the sign of the cross.

Priest:    Let us who in a mystery represent the cherubim, and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creatingTrinity, now lay aside all earthly cares,

Deacon: For we are about to receive the King of all, invisibly borne aloft by the angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia,alleluia!

The priest takes the censer and censes the holy table from all sides, and also the prothesis table, the table of offering. From the holy doors, he censes the icons, the people, saying Psalm 50 (51), except the last verse. He censes the iconsagain, and then returns to the sanctuary, censing the altar from in front, and also the table of offering. He then gives the censer to his assistant. The priest and deacon make two bows before the altar, and say:

Priest and Deacon: O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. [51]

They kiss the altar and turn to people. Then they bow to the people and ask forgiveness, saying aloud:

Priest and Deacon:

 Forgive me, my brothers and sisters.

They then return to the table of offering, and the deacon says: Deacon: Master, lift up.

Priest:    Lift up your hands towards the holy place, and bless the Lord.

The priest censes the altar, the large veil, and places it  on the deacon's shoulder. The priest takes up the holy chalice, and, preceded by the taperers and censer-bearer, he follows the deacon in the Great Procession through the north door of the sanctuary.

THE GREAT ENTRANCE

While processing, they say aloud:

Deacon: May the Lord God remember you all in his kingdom, at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

In the middle of the church, the priest prays:

Priest:     Our most blessed Patriarch of the Orthodox Church  of U.S.A. (N.), our Archbishop (and Metropolitan) (N.). May the Lord remember in his kingdom.

Priest:     All right-believing people of U.S.A. everywhere, President _____, the government of our countries, alI incivil authority and the armed forces that love Christ, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom. [53]

Priest:      Our brothers and sisters: the priests, the hieromonks, the hiero deacons, deacons, monks and nuns, and all those in the ordained ministry, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:      Our departed and blessed Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church of America: ___, ___, ___, and ___, may theLord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:     The blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy church, our benefactors, sponsors, and helpers,may the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:      The armed soldiers who have fallen in battle in defense of their country and of the faith, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:     Those who bring gifts and those, living and dead, on whose behalf they are brought, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:      Our relatives who have fallen asleep, forefathers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters,and all those related to us, whom we remember by name in our hearts, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom.

Priest:     You, and all orthodox Christians, may the Lord God remember in his kingdom at alI times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:     Amen. For we are about to receive the King of all, who comes invisibly borne aloft by the angelic hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The priest and the deacon enter the sanctuary, and the deacon says:  [55]

 Deacon: May the Lord God remember your priesthood in his kingdom.

Priest:    May the Lord God remember your diaconate in his kingdom, at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The priest and deacon place the paten and the chalice on the  altar, and the priest says quietly:

Priest: The noble Joseph, when he had taken your most pure body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen withspices, and sorrowing laid it in a new tomb.

In the grave bodily, in hell in the spirit, as God in paradise with the thief, yet on the throne of heaven with the Father and the Holy Spirit were You, O Christ, the Unbounded, filling all things.

Your life-bearing grave, O Christ, more beautiful than paradise, more radiant than any royal chamber, is the fountain of our resurrection.

The priest takes the aer, the large veil, from the deacon's shoulders, he censes it and then covers the gifts with it, saying three times the last verse of Psalm 50 (51):

Priest:    In your graciousness do good to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Deacon: Then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and oblations, then will they offer young bulls upon your altar.

The priest and deacon exchange the following dialogue.

Priest:     Pray for me, my brother and fellow-celebrant.

Deacon: May the Holy Spirit descend on you, and the power of the Most High overshadow you. [57]

Priest:    May the Holy Spirit Himself serve together with us all the days of our life.

Deacon:  Remember me, holy master.

Priest:    May the Lord God remember you in his kingdom,  at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon goes out through the north door and then says the Litany.

THE  LITANY OF PETITIONS

Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the precious gifts now offered, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and watch over us, O God, by your grace.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That our whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without sin, let us ask of the Lord. [59]

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

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

 Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For pardon and forgiveness of our sins and wrongdoing, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For all things that are good and profitable to our souls, and for the peace of the world, let us ask of theLord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That we may complete the time that is left to us in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For a Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless and peaceful; and for a good defense before the dread judgement-seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Calling to mind our all-holy, pure, most blessed and most glorious Lady, Theotokos, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints,

Choir:    Most Holy Mother of God, save us!

Deacon: Let us [offer] ourselves and each other, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

Choir.     To You, O Lord. [61]

THE OFFERTORY PRAYER

Priest:     O Lord God almighty, You alone are holy, and accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart: accept also the prayer of us sinners, and [bring us]* to your holy altar, enabling us to offer You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for what is done in ignorance by the people. Make us worthy to find grace in your sight, so that our sacrifice may be acceptable to You, and that the good Spirit of your grace may dwell upon us and on these gifts here offered, and on all your people.

Through the tender mercies of your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:     Amen.

* Mateos, 2016: 56-57; see The Prayer of the Offering in Anaphora.

THE PEACE

The priest blesses the  faithful, saying:

Priest:     Peace be to you all.

Choir:    And to your spirit.

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

Choir:     Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Being and undivided.

The priest bows three times to the altar, saying three times the first verse of Psalm 17 (18):

Priest:     I love You, O Lord my strength: O  Lord my stronghold, my fortress and my deliverer.

The priest kisses the disk and the chalice and then the altar. The deacon makes the sign of the cross and kisses the cross  on  his orarion. (When there are more priests in the sanctuary, they bow to each other; saying 'Christ is in our midst' - 'He is and ever shall be' - 'Now, forever and throughout all ages. Amen.')

Deacon: The doors! The doors! (Let the doors be guarded!) In wisdom let us attend!

THE CREED

People:

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him alll things were made;

For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit andthe Virgin Mary, and became man;

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, and was buried;

On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seatedat the right hand of the Father; and He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

And I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church;

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

While the Creed is said, the priest lifts the aer, the large veil, and waves it up and down above the holy gifts. At the words 'he rose again', he folds it up and puts it aside.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Deacon: Let us stand aright. Let us stand with fear, Let us attend, that we may offer the holy [anaphora]* in peace.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the southern door.

Choir:     A mercy, [a] peace, a sacrifice of praise.*

*[The holy oblation which is “mercy, peace, and a sacrifice of praise” (Mateos, 2016: 62).]

The priest takes a cross from the holy table, and then stands at the holy doors saying:

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Choir:    And with your spirit.

Priest:    Let us lift up our hearts.

Choir:    We lift them to the Lord.

Priest:     Let us give thanks to the Lord.

Choir:     [lt is right and just to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Trinity consubstantial and undivided.]*

* Later additions; Mateos, 2016: 62-63.

The priest returns to the holy table:

[ANAPHORA]

Priest:     [It is right and just to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to worship You, and to give You thanks, in every place of your dominion; for You are God, unutterable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever-living and forever the same; You and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit. It was You that brought us from non-being into being; and when we had fallen away You raised us again, and did not cease to do all things till You had led us up to heaven, and had endowed us with your kingdom which is to come.]* For all this we give You thanks, You and your only-begotten Son, and your Holy Spirit: for all those things of which we know or do not know, and for the benefits bestowed on us, seen or unseen. And we thank You for this liturgy which You are pleased to accept at our hands, thoughthere stand before You thousands of archangels and myriads of angels, the cherubim and the seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, who soar aloft upon their wings…

Singing the triumphal hymn, shouting, proclaiming, and crying aloud:

As the priest says 'Singing the triumphant hymn’, the deacon touches the edge of the paten with the points of theasterisk, or star, in turn, making the sign of the cross over it. He then kisses the star and lays it aside.

Choir:     [Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!]*

[Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!]*

* “The Sanctus does not appear in the very old anaphoras” (Mateos, 2016:63).

Priest:    Together with these blessed powers, O Master and Lover of mankind, we also cry aloud and say: Holy are You and all-holy, You and your only-begotten Son and your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and all-holy, andmagnificent is your glory. You have so loved your world that You gave your only-begotten Son, so thatwhoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled yourwhole purpose for us, in the [69] night that He was given up - or rather, in which He gave Himself upfor the life of the world - He took bread in his holy, pure and blameless hands; and when He had given thanks and blessed it, and hallowed it, and broken it, He gave it to his holy disciples and apostles, saying:

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

Choir:    Amen.

Priest:    In the same way, after supper, He took the cup, saying:

'Drink from this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.'

Choir:    Amen.

Priest:    Remembering therefore this saving command, and all that has taken place on our account: the cross, the grave, the resurrection on the third day, the ascent into heaven, the sitting-down at the right hand of the Father, and the second and glorious coming;

The deacon takes up the paten in his right hand and the chalice in his left, and with his right hand crossed over his left, elevates them. He makes the sign of the cross with them, as the priest says:

Priest:    We offer You your own from your own, for all and on behalf of all.

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

As the chant starts, the priest and deacon bow three times in front of the holy table, each time saying this: [71]

Priest and Deacon: O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

EPICLESIS

ἐπίκλησις

(INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT)

Priest:  O Lord, who sent down your most Holy Spirit upon your apostles at the third hour, take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray to You.

Deacon: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Priest: O Lord, who sent down your most Holy Spirit upon your apostles at the third hour, take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray to You.

Deacon: Do not cast me out from your presence: take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Priest:   O Lord, who sent down your most Holy Spirit upon your apostles at the third hour, take Him not fromus, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray to You.

Deacon: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Priest:    Again we offer You this reasonable and bloodless sacrifice; and we ask, and beseech, and entreat You: send down your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented;

The deacon points to the paten, saying:

Deacon: Master, bless the holy bread.

The priest signs the holy bread with the sign of the cross, saying:

Priest:     And make this bread the precious Body of your Christ. [73]

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon points to the chalice, saying:

Deacon: Master, bless the holy cup.

The priest makes the sign of the cross over the chalice, saying:

Priest:    And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of your Christ;

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon points to both, saying:

Deacon: Master, bless them both.

The priest makes the sign of the cross over both of the holy gifts, saying:

Priest:    Changing them by your Holy Spirit;

All:         Amen, Amen, Amen.

The priest and deacon bow three times and the deacon says:

Deacon: Holy master, remember me, a sinner.

Priest:    May the Lord remember you in his kingdom at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon protects the holy gifts with a cover, while the priest says:

Priest:     So that to those who share in them they may be for the cleansing of the soul, for the forgiveness of sins, for the communion of your Holy Spirit, for the fulfilment of the kingdom of heaven, for boldness towards You; and not for an accusation or a condemnation.

Again we offer You this reasonable sacrifice, on [75] behalf of those who have died in the faith: on behalf of our forefathers, our fathers and mothers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and every just spirit made perfect through faith;

THE HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

The priest says aloud:

Priest:    And especially on behalf of our all-holy, pure, most blessed and most glorious Lady, Theotokos, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary.

The priest censes the gifts and then the icon of the Mother of  God. He then gives the censer to the deacon, and while the choir sings this chant, the deacon censes the holy table, the table of offering, the priest and those in the sanctuary.

Choir:    How right it is to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed, most blameless, and Mother of our God; more honoured than the cherubim, more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, in all purity you gave birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we exalt you.

 (At feasts of the Lord, the hymn of that particular feast is sung.)

Before the hymn is finished, the antidoron is blessed. The priest takes the bowl with the antidoron bread, he blesses it, and then makes the sign of the cross over it, before the paten and chalice, saying:

Priest;    Through the prayers of the Mother of God, bless this bread, the antidoron of your saints, O Lord.

 Priest:     And through the holy John, prophet, forerunner and baptizer; through the holy, glorious and ever-to-be-praised apostles; through Saint(s) (N. & N.), whose memory we celebrate today; and through [77] all your saints, at whose supplication, we pray, look kindly upon us, O God.

Remember all those before us who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life; and grant them rest where the light of your countenance may shine upon them.

Again we entreat You: remember, O Lord, all orthodox bishops, who rightly teach the word of your truth; the whole priesthood and the deacons in Christ; and every priestly and monastic order.

Again we offer You this reasonable sacrifice, for the whole world; for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church; for those who live under a chaste and holy discipline; for all Christ-loving rulers, their governments and all in authority under them. Grant them, O Lord, a time of peace, so that we, sharing their peace, may lead calm and tranquil lives in all godliness and dignity.

The priest says aloud:

Priest:     Remember first, O Lord, our most blessed Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of America (N.), ourArchbishop (and Metropolitan) (N.), and keep him for your holy churches in peace, safety, honour, and good health, living a long life, and rightly teaching the word of your truth.

Choir:    And each and all.

Priest:     Remember, O Lord, the city (or place) in which we live, and every city, town and village, and the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, O Lord, all travelers, by land, sea and air; the sick, the suffering, prisoners, and the salvation of them all. Remember, O Lord, those who bring offeringsand do good works in your holy churches; those who [79] remember the poor; and bestow yourmercies on us all. 

And grant that with one voice and heart we may praise and glorify your most honoured and majestic Name: the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

The priest turns towards the people and blesses them, saying:

Priest:    And the mercies of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all.

Choir:    And with your spirit.

THE LITANY BEFORE THE LORD'S PRAYER

The deacon comes out and stands in his usual place. He says:

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

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the Precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord;

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That our God, the Lover of mankind, who has received them at his holy, heavenly and mystical altar as a sweet spiritual fragrance, may send upon us his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:        Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. [81]

Choir:    Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and watch over us, O God, by your grace.

Choir:    Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:   Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Those things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:     Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Choir:    Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Having asked for the unity of the faith, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us [offer] ourselves andeach other, and our whole life, to Christ our God. [83]

Choir:  To You, O Lord.

Priest:  To You we [offer] our whole life and our hope, O Master and Lover of mankind; and we ask, and pray, and beseech You, to make us worthy to share with a pure conscience in your heavenly and fearful mysteries atthis sacred and spiritual table: for the remission of our sins, for the forgiveness of our wrongdoing, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for our inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, for boldness towards You; butnot for an accusation or a condemnation;

And make us worthy, O Master and God of heaven, with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call You Father, and to say:

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The deacon crosses his stole over his shoulders.

People:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it isin heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest:    For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

Priest:     Peace be to you all.

Choir:    And to your spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord. [85]

Choir:    To You, O Lord.

Priest:    We give You thanks, our unseen King, who made all things by your immeasurable power, and in the greatness of your mercy brought everything into being out of nothing. O Master, look down from heaven on those who have bowed their heads before You, for they do not bow to flesh and blood, but to You, the awe-inspiring God.

Therefore, O Master, distribute these offerings for the good of us all, giving to each of us according to ourneed: sail with those who sail, journey with those who journey by land or air; heal the sick, You that are thephysician of our souls and bodies;

Through the grace and compassion and love towards mankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

The priest says:

Priest:  Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from your holy dwelling place, from the throne of your glorious kingdom; and come to hallow us, You that sit on high with the Father, yet are invisibly present here with us; and make us worthy by your mighty hand, giving to us a share in your most pure Body and your precious Blood, and through us to all the people.

The priest bows three times, as he says thrice:

Priest:  O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

The priest takes up the holy Bread in both hands, elevates it above the altar and says: [87]

Deacon: Let us attend.

Priest:  Holy things for a holy people.

Choir:  One only is holy, One only is the Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

THE COMMUNION HYMN

The choir chants the communion hymn (during the communion of the priest)

THE COMMUNION OF THE CLERGY

The  deacon enters the sanctuary and stands at the right side of the priest.

Deacon: Master, break the holy Bread.

The priest reverently breaks the holy Bread into four parts, saying:

Priest:   Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God: broken but not disunited; ever eaten, yet never consumed; making holy those who receive Him.

The  priest arranges the pieces on the paten in the form of a cross:

IC

NI         KA

XC

The portion XC is for the communion of thecelebrant, the portions NI and KA for the communion of the people.

Deacon: Master, fill the holy cup.

The priest then takes the portion IC, makes the sign of the cross with it over the chalice, and drops it in, saying quietly:

Priest:    The fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Amen. [89]

Deacon: Master, bless the warm water.

The priest blesses the warm water, saying:

Priest:   Blessed is the ardour of your saints  at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon pours a sufficient quantity of water into the chalice crosswise, saying:

Deacon: The ardour of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest divides the XC section of the Lamb in as many pieces as there are concelebrating clergy present. The clergy bow three times and ask forgiveness of one another and from the people.

The priest summons the deacon.

Priest:  Deacon, draw near.

The deacon extends his right palm over his left palm, saying:

Deacon: Lo, I draw near to our immortal King and our God Master, give me, the unworthy deacon (N), the preciousand holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The priest takes a piece from the portion marked XC and gives it to the deacon, saying:

Priest:     To the deacon (N.) is given the precious, most holy, and most pure Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of his sins, and for eternal life.

The  deacon receives a piece of the holy Brend in his  right hand, and says:

Deacon: Amen. Christ is in our midst.

Priest:     He is and ever shall be. [91]

The priest takes a portion from the holy Bread marked XC in his right palm, saying:

Priest:    The precious and most holy Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is given to me, the unworthy priest (N.), for the forgiveness of my sins and for eternal life. Amen.

The  priest bows before the holy table, and together with the deacon recites in a  low voice the prayers beforecommunion,

'I believe, Lord, and I acknowledge ...', [see below]

The priest and the deacon partake of the holy Bread. The priest takes up the chalice and drinks from it three times, saying:

Priest:   The precious and most holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ is given to me, the unworthy priest (N.), for the forgiveness of my sins and for eternal life. Amen.

The priest wipes his lips and the chalice with the veil, and says:

Priest:    Lo, this has touched my lips, and shall take away my iniquities, and purge my sins.

The priest summons the deacon, saying:

Priest:    Deacon, draw near.

Deacon: Lo, I  draw near to our immortal King and our God. Master, give me the precious and holy Blood of ourLord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for  the forgiveness of my sins, and for eternal life. Amen.

The priest gives communion to the deacon, saying:

Priest:     The servant of God, deacon (N.), partakes of the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of his sins, and for eternal life.

Deacon: Amen. [93]

While the deacon has partaken, the priest says:

Priest:     Lo, this has touched your lips, and shall take away your iniquities, and purge your sins.

The priest divides the two parts of the Lamb (NI and KA) into small pieces and places them in the chalice. The deacon says:

Deacon: Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Wevenerate Your Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your resurrection; for You are our God and we know no other than You; we call upon Your name. Come, all you faithful, let us venerate Christ's holy resurrection. For behold, through the Cross joy has come to all the world. Let us ever bless the Lord, praising His resurrection, for by enduring the cross for us, He has trampled down death by death.

While  the portion of the Bread designated for the Mother of God is placed in the chalice, the deacon says:

Deacon: Shine, Shine! O New Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone upon you! Exult now and be glad,

O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the resurrection of your Son.

While the portions designated for the nine groups of saints are placed in the chalice, the deacon says:

Deacon:    O Christ; great and most holy Pascha, O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God: grant that we may more perfectly partake of You in the never·ending day of your kingdom.

The deacon takes from the paten the remaining particles for those living and departed and places them in the chalice, saying: [95]

Deacon: Wash away, O Lord, by your precious Blood, the sins of all those here remembered, through the prayers of your saints.

The deacon, wiping thoroughly the paten and the antimension, takes the remaining particles into the chalice. He then covers it with the communion cloth. He lays the aer, the large veil, on the  paten, then lays the asterisk and cover on top.

The deacon receives the chalice from the priest, he lifts it, and standing before the holy doors he says:

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

Deacon: In fear of God, and in faith and love, draw near.*

* ”The original invitation was simple: ‘Approach with fear of God’” (Mateos, 2016: 79).

Choir:    Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; the Lord is God and has revealed himself to us.

(During Bright Week the choir sings: 'Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.')

THE PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION

The prayer should be said by the clergy  and the people before taking communion.

Priest and People:

I believe, Lord, and I acknowledge, that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came intothe world to save sinners, among whom I am the first. And I believe that this is truly your own most precious Body, and that this is indeed your most precious Blood. Therefore I pray You to have mercy on me and to forgive me  my transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary, whether by word or deed,knowing or unknowing; and make me [97] worthy to partake without condemnation of your most pure mysteries, for the forgiveness of my sins and for eternal life. Amen.

Accept me today, O Son of God, as a communicant in your mystical supper; for l will not speak of the mystery to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss like Judas; but like the thief l will acknowledge You and say: Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom.

May my partaking of your holy mysteries not be to me an accusation or a condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

The priest communicates the mysteries to the people, saying to each:

Priest:    The servant of God (N) partakes of the precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God andSaviour Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life.

While the faithful are communicating, the choir sings the folloing hymn, as many times as is necessary:

Choir:    Receive the Body of Christ. Taste the Fountain of Immortality. Alleluia.

When all have communicated, the priest recites this prayer:

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Priest:    We give You thanks, O Master and Lover of mankind, the Benefactor of our souls, that You have made usworthy to receive your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our path; strengthen us all in yourfear; guard our lives; make firm our steps: through the prayers and intercessions of the Theotokos, Mother ofGod and ever-virgin Mary, and of all your saints. [99]

When all have communicated, the priest, holding the chalice with both hands, blesses the people with it, saying:

Priest: O God, save your people, and bless your inheritance.

Choir:    We have seen the true Light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith,worshipping the undivided Trinity: for the same has saved us.

The priest places the folded veils and the star upon the paten, and hands them to the deacon, who takes them tothe table of offering. The priest censes the chalice three times, saying Psalm 56 (57):

Priest:    Be exalted, O God, above the heavens: and let your glory be over all the earth.

The priest takes the chalice in his right hand and the disk in his left hand, he makes the sign of the cross with them over the antimension, saying:

Priest:  Blessed is our God ...

The  priest, holding the chalice over the paten, turns towards the people, saying:

Priest:    ... at all times, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:     Amen. Let our mouths be filled with your praise, O Lord, that we may sing of your glory; for Youhave made us worthy to partake of your holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Keep usin your holiness, that all the day we may meditate on your righteousness.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

While the choir chants this prayer, the priest carries the chalice (and the paten, when there is no deacon) to the table of  offering; he  censes them three times and then returns to the altar. The deacon then stands before the holy doorsand says: [101]

THE LITANY OF THANKSGIVING

Deacon: Let us attend. Having partaken of the divine, holy, most pure, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and fearful mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and watch over us, O God, by your grace.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Praying that our whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us commit ourselves and eachother, and our whole life, to Christ our God.

Choir:     To You, O Lord.

During this litany, the priest folds up the corporal and makes the sign of the cross with the Gospel book over the corporal, saying aloud:

Priest:     For You are our sanctification, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:     Amen.

The priest places the Gospel book on the altar, as it was at the beginning of the liturgy.

Priest:    Let us depart in peace.

Choir:     In the Name of the Lord.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy.

The deacon, holding the stole, stands with head bared before the icon of Christ. The priest comes out through the holy doors and also stands before the icon of Christ, saying aloud this prayer: [103]

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE AMBO

Priest:  O Lord, You bless those who bless You and make holy those who trust in You: save your people and bless yourinheritance; protect the fullness of your Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of your house; glorify them inrecompense by your divine power, and do not forsake us, who put our hope in You. Give peace to the world, to yourchurches, to your priests, to those in authority over us, to the armed forces, and to all your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of Lights; and to You we give glory, thanksgiving and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

If gifts are brought for the remembrance of the saint of the day, for the feast, or for the remembrance of the dead, the priest blesses them according to custom:

Choir:    Blessed be the Name of the.Lord, from this time forward and for evermore. (thrice)

The priest and the deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and go to the table of offering, where the priest says:

Priest:  O Christ our God, You are Yourself the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, and You have fulfilled the whole purpose of the Father for us: fill our hearts with joy and gladness, at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

The  deacon, standing before the holy doors, says: Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:     Lord, have mercy. [105]

The priest blesses the people.

Priest:    The blessing of the Lord and his mercy be upon you through his grace and love towards mankind, at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages.

Choir:    Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

The Priest bows to the icon of  Christ and says this:

Priest:    Glory be to You, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory be to You.

Choir:    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Father, bless us.

Priest:    May He who rose from the dead, [if it  is not Sunday: 'Christ our true God’], through the prayers of his mostpure, blameless and holy Mother; of  the holy, glorious and ever-to-be-praised apostles; of Saint (N.) (thepatron of this churcih), of our Father among the saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, whoseliturgy we have celebrated; of  Saint(s) (N. & N.), whose memory we celebrate today, of the holy and righteousancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of  all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is :goodand loves mankind.

Choir:   Amen.

Facing the icon of Christ, the priest says:

Priest:    Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. [107]

Choir and People: Amen.

The priest stands in front of the sanctuary doors, with the cross in his hand, and gives to the people the antidoron bread. If it is the custom, the priest anoints them, saying verse 2 of Psalm 120(121):

Priest: May your help come from the Lord who has made heaven and earth. [109]

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