The Liturgy of the Word: Three Antiphons - The Little Entrance - The Epistle - The Gospel |
The Liturgy of the Word: Three Antiphons - The Little Entrance - The Epistle - The Gospel |
(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.)
THE DIVINE LITURGY
OF
SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
For the preparatory rite of vestment and the gifts, see Proskomidi.
The deacon asks permission of the priest to begin the liturgy, and stands before the holy doors and says aloud:
(If there is no deacon, the deacon's parts are said by the priest.)
Deacon: Master, give the blessing.
The priest takes the Holy Gospel, lifts it up with both hands, and lowering it, blesses the altar cross-wise, sayingaloud:
Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE GREAT LITANY
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. [13]
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 most blessed Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of America (N.), for our Archbishop (and Metropolitan) (N.), for the revered priesthood, for the deacons in Christ, and for aJl the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the right-believing peoples of U.S.A. everywhere, for President, for the government of our countries, for all in civil authority, for the armed forces that love Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy place, this country, for our own country, for every town and village, and for the faithfulwho dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For travelers by land, sea and air; for the sick and those who suffer; for prisoners; and for the salvation of them all, Jet us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. [15]
(Here other intercessions may be added, according to need.)
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: 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.
THE PRAYER OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON
The priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, whose power is incomparable, whose glory is beyond understanding, whose mercy isinfinite, and whose love to mankind is too great to be expressed: look down, O Master, with kindness on us and onthis holy house, and give to us and to those who pray with us the abundance of your mercy and your compassion;
For to You belong all glory, honour, and adoration: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Amen. [17]
THE FIRST ANTIPHON
The deacon stands in front of the icon of Christ, while the choir sings the first Antiphon. 0n special feast days differentantiphons are sung.
Choir: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now, and forever, and throughout all ages.Amen. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Blessed are you, O Lord.
THE LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and watch over us, O God, by your grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
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. [19]
THE PRAYER OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON
The priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, save your people and bless your inheritance. Preserve the fullness of your Church; make holy those who love the beauty of your house; bring them to glory in recompense by your divine power, and do not forsake us who put our trust in You;
For yours is the majesty, and 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.
THE SECOND ANTIPHON
The deacon stands in front of the icon of the Mother of God, while the choir sings the second Antiphon. On special feast daysdifferent antiphon is sung.
Choir: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now, and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
Only-begotten Son and Word of God, You that are immortal, yet deigned for our salvation to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos, Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary; and so without change became man, and was crucified; who by death trampled down death, You that are glorified as One in the holyTrinity, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: O Christ our God, save us! [21]
THE LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and watch over us, O God, by your grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
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.
THE PRAYER OF THE THIRD ANTIPHON
The priest says the following prayer:
Priest: You that have graced our shared and harmonious prayers, and who promise that when two or three areunited in your Name You will grant their requests: fulfil now the petitions of your servants so far as maybe beneficial to us; and give us in this world an abundant knowledge of your truth, and in the world tocome, life eternal;
For You are a God good and loving toward mankind, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to theSon, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen. [23]
THE THIRD ANTIPHON
The choir sings the Beatitudes. On special feast days different antiphons are sung.
Choir: O Lord; remember us when You come into your kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
THE LITTLE ENTRANCE
While the choir sings the third Antiphon (the Beatitudes), the priest and deacon make three low bows before the altar,and the deacon receives the Gospel book from the priest. They process around the altar, and leave the sanctuary by the northdoor. They stand before the holy doors, facing the altar.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God and Master, who ordained in heaven ranks and companies of angels and archangels forthe service of your glory: grant that, [25] as we enter in, there may enter with us your holy angels, to servewith us and glorify your goodness: for to You belong all glory, honour and adoration; to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
After the prayer the deacon says:
Deacon: Master, bless the holy entrance.
The priest blesses the entrance, saying:
Priest: Blessed be the entrance of your saints at all times, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
The deacon presents the holy Gospel to the priest, who kisses it. The deacon lifts up the Gospel in both hands, and saying :
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright!
The choir chants the entrance hymn.
Choir. Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of Cod, risen from the dead [who arewonderful in your saints], we who sing to You: Alleluia!
The choir sings the Troparia and the Kontakia of the Day.
As the entrance chant is being sung, the deacon, followed by the priest, enters the sanctuary. The deacon gives the Gospel book to the priest who places it upon the altar.
THE TRISAGION PRAYER
While the kontakion is sung, the priest reads the following prayer:
Priest: Holy God, You that rest in your holy place, hymned by the seraphim with their thrice-holy cry, glorified by the cherubim and worshipped by every heavenly power; who brought all things into being out of nothing; who created man after your own image [27] and likeness, and adorned him with your every gift; You that give to everyone that asks both wisdom and understanding; who do not despise the sinner, but ordain a means of salvation through repentance; whohave deemed us worthy, your humble and unworthy servants, to stand at this time before the glory ofyour holy altar and offer You the worship and praise that are due: O Master, accept even from us sinnersthe thrice-holy hymn, and look upon us in your goodness. Forgive us all our offences, both voluntary and involuntary.
Sanctify our souls and bodies, and give us power to serve You in holiness all the days of our life: through the petitions of the holy Theotokos, Mother of God, and of all the saints who through the ages have beenwell-pleasing to You.
After the Troparia and Kontakia, the deacon stands before the holy doors, facing the people, with the orarion in his right hand.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
The deacon returns to the sanctuary, at the right hand-side of the priest, bows his head and says:
Deacon: Bless, Master, the Thrice-holy Hymn.
The priest blesses the deacon, saying:
Priest: For You, our God, are holy, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the HolySpirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen.
The choir begins the Trisagion Hymn: [29]
Choir: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us. (thrice)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now, forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
While the Trisagion Hymn is sung, the priest and deacon make three low bows before the altar.
At “Glory be to the Father ... now, forever...” the deacon, pointing towards the table of offering, says:
Deacon: Master, give the word.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.
The priest and the deacon go to the right side of the altar towards the high seat, and the deacon says:
Deacon: Master, bless the high seat.
Priest: Blessed are You upon the throne of your glorious kingdom, You that are seated above the cherubim: at all times, now, forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.
The deacon stands at the holy doors and says:
Deacon: With strength!
Choir: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
THE EPISTLE
The priest then goes behind the altar. The deacon faces the people and says aloud:
Deacon: Let us attend!
.Priest: Peace be with you all.
Reader: And with your spirit.
The reader chants the Prokeimenon of [Psalm for] the Epistle.
Deacon: Wisdom! [31]
The reader announces the title of the Epistle.
Deacon: Let us attend!
The reader facing the altar, recites the Epistle for the day.
[The reader reads or chants the Epistle]
Priest: Peace be to you, reader.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL
The priest says the following prayer;
Priest: Shine in our hearts, O Master and Lover of mankind, with the pure light of your divine wisdom, and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of your gospel. Implant in us also a fear of your blessed commandments, so that, trampling down all evil desires, we may seek a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all such things as please You.
For You are the light of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to You we ascribe glory, together with youreternal Father, and your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.Amen.
THE GOSPEL
The deacon asks a blessing from the priest:
Deacon: Bless, master, he who proclaims the good tidings of the holy Apostle and Evangelist (N.).
Priest: May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious and ever-to-be-praised Apostle and Evangelist (N.), enableyou to proclaim the glad tidings with great power, for the fulfilment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. [33]
Deacon: Father, be it according to your word.
Wisdom! Let us attend!
Let us hear the holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be to you all.
Choir: And to your spirit.
Deacon: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint (N).
Choir: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
Priest: Let us attend.
The deacon recites the passage from the holy Gospel. When he has finished, the priest blesses the deacon, saying:
Priest: Peace be to you that have proclaimed the Gospel.
Choir: Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.
THE SERMON
The sermon may be preached here or at the end of the liturgy.
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
The deacon stands before the holy doors, saying:
Deacon: Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray you, hear and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear· and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice) [35]
Deacon: Again we pray for our most blessed Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of America (N.), for our Archbishop (and Metropolitan) (N.), and for their health and salvation.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for the right-believing peoples of U.S.A. everywhere, for President _____, the government of our countries and all in civil authority, for the armed forces that love Christ, and for their health and salvation.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Also we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hiero deacons, deacons, monks and nuns, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever to be remembered founders of this holy church, and for all ourdeparted brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest before us and who here and in all the world lieasleep in the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for theservants of God who are members of this church, and for the founders and benefactors of this holy place.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
(Here other intercessions may be added, according to need.) [37]
Deacon: Also we pray for those who bring offerings, those who care for the beauty of this holy and venerated house, for those who labour in its service, for those who sing, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
THE PRAYER OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
During the litany, the priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from your servants, and have mercy on us according to themultitude of your mercies; and bestow your goodness upon us and on all your people, who await your great and abundant mercies.
For you, O God, are merciful and the Lover of mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit, now, forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen.
For the commemoration of the departed, the following Litany may be said by the priest or deacon:
LITANY FOR THE DEPARTED
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed servants of God (N. & N.) who have fallen asleep, for the forgiveness of their sins, whether voluntary or involuntary.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice) [39]
Deacon: May the Lord God give rest to their souls where the righteous repose.
Let us ask for them from Christ, our immortal King and God, his mercy, the kingdom of heaven, and theforgiveness of their sins.
Choir: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O God of the spirits and all mortal flesh, You have trampled down death and abolished the power of the devil,granting life to your world. Give rest to the souls of your departed servants (N. &N.) in a place of light, in a place of repose, in a place of refreshment, where pain, suffering and sorrow are no more. Forgive every sinthey have committed in thought, word or deed; for You are a good God and the Lover of mankind, and there isno one who lives and has not sinned. You alone are without sin, your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
For You are the resurrection and the life and the repose of your departed servants (N. & N.) . O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of your servants who have fallen asleep and whom we remember this day, and make their memory to be eternal
'Memony Eternal' is sung once at the altar, then twice by the choir:
Choir: Memory eternal. [41]
LITANY FOR THE CATECHUMENS
Deacon: Catechumens, pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Believers, let us pray for the catechumens; that the Lord will have mercy on them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will instruct them in the word of truth;
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will unite them to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Save them, have mercy on them, help them and watch over them, O God, by your grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.
Choir: To you, O Lord.
THE PRAYER FOR THE CATECHUMENS
Priest: O Lord our God, who dwell on high yet behold all things beneath, who for the salvation of the human racesent forth your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ; look upon your servants thecatechumens, who have bowed their necks to you; and count them worthy in due time to receive thewashing of rebirth, the forgiveness of their sins [43] and the garment of incorruption; unite them to your holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and number them among your chosen flock;
That with us they too may glorify your all-honourable and majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: As many as are catechumens, depart; Catechumens, depart;
As many as are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain.
Other texts of the whole Divine Liturgy and of offices are available in Greek, English, or both with music are available at the Digital Chant Stand of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA DCS). For example, see one for Sunday, November 16, 2025 Divine Liturgy in both languages.