THE LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

Just as the Great Fast itself requires of the faithful some physical effort — a measure of discomfort even in abstinence from certain foods and regulation of the time when other foods might be eaten — so too, the uniquely Lenten Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts requires something more of us, something physically demanding of those who have embarked on the long journey to Pascha through the Lenten Spring.

As Metr. Kallistos writes:

The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. If practised seriously, the Lenten abstinence from food — particularly in the opening days — involves a considerable measure of real hunger, and also a feeling of tiredness and physical exhaustion. The purpose of this is to lead us in turn to a sense of inward brokenness and contrition; to bring us, that is, to the point where we appreciate the full force of Christ’s statement, ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5).

— The Lenten Triodion

Similarly, the effort the Church requires of us during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts — its penitential aspect brought home through the austerity of the evening hour, the kneeling and prostrations, the solitary voice of the Reader, the great silences and attention required of worshipers, the Lenten melody which punctuates that stillness in order to amplify the Deacon’s supplications and affirm the Priest’s entreaties — seeks to draw our attention to this same sense of inward brokenness and works to foster that same contrition.

Strictly speaking, the term ‘Liturgy’ is a misnomer, for there is no eucharistic consecration at this service; it is simply the office of Vespers, followed by the distribution of Holy Communion from elements consecrated on the previous Sunday.

— The Lenten Triodion

This accounts for the particular solemnity of the Great Entrance, during which the clergy bear the diskos with the already-consecrated Lamb — “the accomplished mystical Sacrifice” from the table of oblation to the holy Table in complete silence — while all the assembled faithful prostrate themselves before Him. It is the Body of Christ — and the Lord is present.

Those who can, fast throughout the day, breaking their fast with Holy Communion now.

Tradition ascribes the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts to St. Gregory Dialogos, Pope of Rome († 604) — though it is widely held that, in his capacity as legate to Constantinople, he simply recorded an existing practice.

The holy doors are closed.

DEACON: Bless, Master.
PRIEST: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.

Call to Worship our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ

+ O come, let us worship God our King.
+ O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and our God.
+ O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

While Psalm 103 is being read, the PRIEST, standing in front of the holy doors, reads the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Prayers of Light:

Prayers Of Light

Fourth Prayer

PRIEST: О You Who are hymned by the holy Powers with never-silent hymns and unceasing doxologies. Fill our mouths with the praise of You, that we may magnify Your holy name. And grant unto us a portion and inheritance with all them that fear You in truth and keep Your commandments, through the prayers of the holy Theotokos, and of all Your Saints.
For unto You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Fifth Prayer

PRIEST: О Lord, Lord, Who upholds all things in the most-pure palm of Your hand. Who shows long-suffering upon us all, and turns aside from our evil deeds: Do remember Your compassions and Your mercy. Visit us with Your goodness and grant unto us, by Your grace, that during the remainder of the present day we may avoid the diverse snares of the evil one. And preserve our lives unassailed, through the grace of Your All-holy Spirit.
Through the mercy and love for man-kind of Your Only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your most-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Sixth Prayer

PRIEST: O God, great and wonderful, Who with ineffable goodness and rich providence orders all things, and grants unto us earthly good things, and Who has given us a pledge of the promised Kingdom through good things already given, and has caused us during the part of the day that has passed to turn aside from evil things: Do grant us to complete the rest of the day without reproach before Your holy glory, and to hymn You, our God Who alone are Good and loves mankind.
For You are our God, and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Seventh Prayer

PRIEST: О God, great and most-high. Who alone has immortality. Who abides in unapproachable light. Who, with wisdom, has fashioned all creation. Who has divided the light from the darkness, and has appointed the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars also to rule the night. Who has counted us sinners at the present hour worthy to come before Your face with confession, and to offer unto You the evening doxology: Do You, О Lover of mankind, set forth our prayer as incense before You, and accept it as a sweet-smelling fragrance; and grant that we may pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us in the armour of light, deliver us from the terror of the night and from every thing that walks about in darkness; and grant that the sleep that You have given for the repose of our weakness, be free from every illusion of the devil. Yes, O Master. Giver of good things, may we, being moved to compunction on our beds, call to remembrance Your name in the night, and, enlightened by meditation on Your commandments, arise in gladness of soul unto the glorification of Your goodness, offering up prayers and supplications to Your deep compassion for our own sins and for those of all Your people who You do visit in Your mercy, through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos.
For You are a good God and the Lover of mankind, and unto You do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 103

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You have been greatly magnified: You are clothed in confession and majesty. 2. You put on light as a garment; You stretch out the heavens like a curtain, 3. and cover its lofts with water; You lay the clouds to stand on; You walk upon the wings of the wind. 4. You make Your angels spirits and Your ministers a flame of fire. 5. You established the earth on its assurance; it shall never be moved. 6. The deep covers it like a garment. The waters will stand on the mountains. 7. At Your rebuke they will flee; at the sound of Your thunder they will be afraid. 8. Mountains rise and valleys sink to the place which You appointed for them. 9. You set a boundary that neither shall cross. They will not return to cover the earth. 10. You make springs gush forth in the valleys; the waters will run between the mountains. 11. They will give drink to all the beasts in the field; the wild asses will quench their thirst. 12. The birds of the air will have their habitation beside them. Gushing forth from the rocks they will give voice. 13. You water the mountains from Your lofts; the earth will be satisfied by the fruit of Your works, 14. You cause grass to grow for the cattle and plants for the service of man, to produce bread from the earth: 15. And wine gladdens the heart of man; to make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengthens the heart of man. 16. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted. 17. There will the sparrows make their nests: the heron’s dwelling is chief among them. 18. The high mountains are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the hares. 19. You made the moon for seasons. The sun knows its setting. 20. You ordered darkness, and it became night. Therein will all the beasts of the forest creep forth. 21. Young lions roaring after their prey and seeking their food from God. 22. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. 23. And man goes out to do his work and to labour until the evening. 24. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all. The earth is replete with Your creations. 25. This sea, how great and spacious it is! Therein are innumerable creeping things, animals both small and great. 26. There do ships traverse; there is that dragon You made to play therein. 27. All look to You to give them their food in due season. 28. When You give to them they will gather; when You open Your hand, all things will be filled with goodness. 29. When You turn Your face away, they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will cease and return to their dust. 30. You will send forth Your Spirit, and they will be created; and You will renew the face of the earth. 31. May the glory of the Lord be forever. The Lord will rejoice in His works: 32. He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble, He touches the mountains and they smoke. 33. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will chant to my God for as long as I have being. 34. May my discourse be pleasant to Him, and I shall rejoice in the Lord. 35. O that sinners would cease from the earth, that they should be no more.

And again:

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
19. The sun knows its setting.
20. You ordered darkness, and it became night.
24. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! You made them all in wisdom.

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

+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)

The Great Litany

According to the Lenten melody:

DEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For His Eminence Metropolitan [name]; for our Bishop, (title and name of eparchial bishop), for the honourable presbyterate, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our God-loving and God-protected country of Canada, its government, armed forces, and for all our pious people, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For this city (village, or holy monastery), and for every city, village and country and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For those who travel by sea, land and air; for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Calling to remembrance our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST: For to You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

THE FAITHFUL KNEEL.

During the First Antiphon the PRIEST transfers the Holy Gifts from the artophorion to the diskos.

The READER reads the first stasis of the 18th kathisma:

FIRST ANTIPHON

Psalm 119

READER: 1. When I was afflicted I called to the Lord, and He heard me. 2. O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue. 3. What should be given You, what added to You against a treacherous tongue? 4. The sharpened arrows of the powerful, with the coals of desolation. 5. Woe is me! For my sojourning has been prolonged, I have camped among the encampments of Kedar; 6. my soul has long been a sojourner. With those who hate peace I was peaceable; when I spoke with them, they made war on me for nothing.

Psalm 120

1. I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come? 2. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3. Do not let your foot waver; may He who guards you not slumber. 4. See, he who guards Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5. The Lord will guard you, the Lord is protection for you on your right hand. 6. By day the sun will not scorch you, nor the moon by night. 7. The Lord will guard you from every evil, the Lord will guard your soul. 8. The Lord will guard your coming in, and your going out, from now and for ever more.

Psalm 121

1. I rejoiced at those who said to me: we shall go to the house of the Lord. 2. Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem. 3. Jerusalem built as a city, shared by all together. 4. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5. For there thrones were set for judgement, thrones over the house of David. 6. Ask then for the things which are for Jerusalem’s peace, and prosperity for those who love you. 7. May there be peace then in your power and prosperity in your citadels. 8. For the sake of my brethren and neighbours, I have spoken peace concerning you. 9. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for you.

Psalm 122

1. I have lifted my eyes to You who dwell in heaven. 2. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to their lords’ hands; as the eyes of a maid to her mistress’s hands, so do our eyes to the Lord our God, until He take pity on us. 3. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have had our fill of contempt, our soul has been filled to overflowing. 4. Let reproach be for the prosperous, and contempt for the proud.

Psalm 123

1. “If the Lord had not been among us,” let Israel now say: 2. “If the Lord had not been among us when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us down alive. 3. When their fury raged against us; the water would have drowned us, 4. our soul would have passed through the torrent; 5. our soul would have passed through irresistible water.” 6. Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7. Our soul was delivered like a sparrow from the snare of the hunters; the snare was shattered, and we were delivered. 8. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

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

+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)

The PRIEST quietly reads the Prayer of the First Antiphon:

PRIEST: O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy, listen to our prayer and attend to the voice of our supplication. Make for us a sign for good. Guide us in Your way, to walk in Your truth. Make glad our hearts to fear Your holy Name, because You are great and do wondrous things. You alone are God, and there is none like You, O Lord, among gods: powerful in mercy and loving in strength to help and to console and to save all who hope in Your holy Name.

Small Litany

DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Calling to remembrance our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST: For Yours is the Majesty and Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

During the Second Antiphon the PRIEST censes around the holy table.

The READER reads the second stasis of the 18th Kathisma:

SECOND ANTIPHON

Psalm 124

READER: 1. Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Sion; one who dwells in Jerusalem will never be shaken. 2. Mountains encircle her, and the Lord encircles his people from now and for ever. 3. For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the heritage of the just, lest the just stretch out their hands in iniquities. 4. Do good, Lord, to the good and to the honest in heart. 5. But the Lord will drive away with those who work iniquity those who turn aside to extortions; peace upon Israel.

Psalm 125

1. When the Lord turned back the captivity of Sion, we became as those who are comforted. 2. Then was our mouth filled with joy and our tongue with rejoicing. 3. Then they will say among the nations: the Lord has done great things with them. The Lord has done great things with us, we have become joyful. 4. Turn back our captivity, O Lord, like streams in the south. 5. Those who sow with tears, will reap with joy. 6. They went and as they went they wept, while they sowed their seed. But when they come they will come with joy, as they gather up their sheaves.

Psalm 126

1. Unless the Lord build the house, the builders have toiled for nothing. Unless the Lord guard the city, the watchman has kept vigil for nothing. 2. Your getting up at dawn is for nothing, your rising after sitting, you who eat the bread of sorrow, when He gives sleep to his beloved; 3. see, sons are the Lord’s inheritance, the reward of the fruit of the womb. 4. As arrows in the hand of a powerful man, so are the sons of the rejected. 5. Blessed the man who satisfies his desire with them; they will not be shamed when they speak with their enemies in the gates.

Psalm 127

1. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. 2. You will eat the toils of your fruits; you are blest, and it will be well with you. 3. Your wife like a luxuriant vine against the sides of your house. Your sons like new olive shoots around your table. 4. See, that is how one who fears the Lord will be blessed. 5. The Lord bless you from Sion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6. And may you see your children’s children. Peace upon Israel.

Psalm 128

1. “Many times they have made war on me since my youth,” let Israel now say. 2. “Many times they have made war on me since my youth, and yet they have not prevailed over me. 3. The sinners have wrought upon my back, they have prolonged their iniquity.” 4. The Lord is just, He has broken the sinners’ necks. 5. Let all those who hate Sion be shamed and turned back. Let them become like grass on the housetops, which withers before it is uprooted: The reaper has not filled his hand with it, nor the one who gathers the sheaves his bosom. Nor have the passers-by said: “The Lord’s blessing be on you. We have blessed you in the name of the Lord.”

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

+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)

The PRIEST quietly reads the Prayer of the Second Antiphon:

PRIEST: Lord, do not rebuke us in Your anger, nor chastise us in Your wrath, but deal with us in accordance with Your kindness, physician and healer of our souls. Guide us to the harbour of Your will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of Your truth and grant that the rest of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and without sin, at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints.

Small Litany

DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Calling to remembrance our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST: For You are a Good God and the Lover-of-Mankind and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

During the Third Antiphon the PRIEST transfers the Holy Gifts from the holy table to the table of oblation.

The READER reads the third stasis of the 18th Kathisma:

THIRD ANTIPHON

Psalm 129

READER: 1. Out of the depths have I cried unto You, O Lord; 2. O Lord, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 3. If You should mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? 4. For with You there is forgiveness. 5. For Your name’s sake have I patiently waited for You, O Lord; my soul has waited patiently for Your word, 6. my soul has hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. 7. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; 8. and he shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

Psalm 130

1. O Lord, my heart is not exalted, nor are my eyes become lofty. Nor have I walked in things too great or too marvelous for me. 2. If I were not humble-minded but exalted my soul, as one weaned from his mother, so would You requite my soul. 3. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth and for evermore.

Psalm 131

1. Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. 2. How he made an oath unto the Lord, and vowed unto the God of Jacob: 3. “I shall not go into the dwelling of my house, I shall not ascend upon the bed of my couch. 4. I shall not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, nor rest to my temples, 5. until I find a place for the Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob.” 6. Lo, we have heard of it in Ephratha, we have found it in the plains of the wood. 7. Let us go forth into His tabernacles, let us worship at the place where His feet have stood. 8. Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness. 9. Your priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Your righteous ones shall rejoice. 10. For the sake of David Your servant, turn not Your face away from Your anointed one. 11. The Lord has sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it: “Of the fruit of your loins will I set upon your throne. 12. If your sons keep My covenant and these testimonies which I will teach them. Their sons also shall sit forever on your throne.” 13. For the Lord has elected Sion, He has chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. 14. “This is My rest forever and ever; here will I dwell, for I have chosen her. 15. Blessing, I will bless her pursuit; her beggars will I satisfy with bread. 16. Her priests will I clothe with salvation, and her saints with rejoicing shall rejoice. 17. There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp of My Christ. 18. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon Him shall My sanctification flourish.”

Psalm 132

1. Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? 2. It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runs down the fringe of his garment. 3. It is like the dew of Aermon, which comes down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life for evermore.

Psalm 133

1. Behold now, bless you the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. 2. In the nights lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord. 3. The Lord bless you out of Sion, He that made heaven and the earth.

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

+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)

The PRIEST quietly reads the Prayer of the Third Antiphon:

PRIEST: Lord our God, remember us, sinners and Your unprofitable servants, as we call upon Your holy Name, and do not put us to shame from the expectation of Your mercy, but graciously grant us, Lord, all the requests that are for salvation, and count us worthy to love and to fear You from our whole heart, and in all things to do Your will.

THE FAITHFUL STAND.

Small Litany

DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Calling to remembrance our Most Holy, Most Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST: For You are our God, a God of mercy and salvation and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

Lord, I have cried unto You (Psalm 140)

Sung in the tone of the first stiсheron.

FAITHFUL: 1. Lord, I have cried unto You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord.
1. Lord, I have cried unto You; hear me. Attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto You; Hear me, O Lord.
2. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; Hear me, O Lord.

The READER reads the verses of Psalms 140, 141, 129 and 116:

READER: (Ps 140) 3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and a door of enclosure about my lips. 4. Incline not my heart to evil words to make excuses in sins, with those who work iniquity; and I will not associate with the choicest of them. 5. Let the righteous man chasten me with mercy and reprove me; as for the oil of the sinner, let it not anoint my head. 6. For even my prayer is against their good pleasure. Their judges have been swallowed up by the rock. 7. They shall hear my words, for they are sweet. As a clod of earth is broken on the ground, so their bones are scattered by the side of hades. 8. For to You, O Lord, are my eyes; I have hoped in You; take not away my soul. 9. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work iniquity. 10. The sinners fall into their own net. I am apart from them until I pass by.
(Ps 141) 1. With my voice, to the Lord have I cried; with my voice, to the Lord have I made my supplication. 2. I shall pour out before Him my supplication; my affliction before Him shall I declare. 3. As my spirit was departing from within me; You knew my paths. On this way on which I was walking they hid a snare for me. 4. I looked to my right and beheld, and there was no one that knew me. There is no escape for me, and no one cares for my soul. 5. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said: You are my hope, You are my portion in the land of the living. 6. Attend to my supplication; for I have been greatly humbled. Deliver me from those who persecute me, for they have become stronger than I.

Stichera for “Lord, I have cried”

We sing the stichera for “Lord, I have cried unto You…” (from the Triodion or Menaion) inserting them after the appropriate verse:

10. Reader: Bring my soul out of prison § that I may praise Your name. (Ps 141:8)

1st Sticheron

We sing the 1st sticheron.

9. Reader: The righteous shall wait for me, § until You recompense me. (Ps 141:8)

2nd Sticheron

We sing the 2nd sticheron.

8. Reader: Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; § O Lord, hear my voice. (Ps 129:1)

3rd Sticheron

We sing the 3rd sticheron.

7. Reader: Let Your ears be attentive § to the voice of my supplication. (Ps 129:2)

4th Sticheron

We sing the 4th sticheron.

6. Reader: If You should mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? § For with You there is forgiveness. (Ps 129:3-4)

5th Sticheron

We sing the 5th sticheron.

5. Reader: Because of Your name I have waited for You, O Lord; my soul has waited for Your word, § my soul has hoped in the Lord. (Ps 129:5-6)

6th Sticheron

We sing the 6th sticheron.

4. Reader: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, § let Israel hope in the Lord. (Ps 129:6)

7th Sticheron

We sing the 7th sticheron.

3. Reader: For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, § and He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Ps 129:7-8)

8th Sticheron

We sing the 8th sticheron.

2. Reader: Praise the Lord, all nations; § praise Him, all peoples. (Ps 116:1)

9th Sticheron

We sing the 9th sticheron.

1. Reader: For His mercy has prevailed over us, § and the truth of the Lord abides forever. (Ps 116:2)

10th Sticheron

We sing the 10th sticheron.

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

Doxastikon from the Menaion or Triodion

We sing the appointed Doxastikon. If there is none, we proceed to “Both now…”.

+ Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Dogmatikon

We sing the appointed Dogmatikon.

Entrance with the Censer

The clergy make the Entrance. If it is a feast with a lection from the Holy Gospel, the Entrance is made with the Gospel.

The PRIEST quietly reads the Prayer of The Entrance:

PRIEST: In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, we praise, bless, give thanks, and pray unto You, O Master of all, Lord, Lover of mankind. Let our prayer arise as incense before you, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For our eyes are unto You, O Lord, Lord, and in You have we hoped. Put us not to shame, O our God. For unto You are due all glory, honour and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

DEACON: Wisdom. Stand aright.

O Gladsome Light

FAITHFUL: O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: having arrived at the setting of the sun, having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy to praise You at all times with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life; wherefore the world glorifies You.

The First Prokeimenon

DEACON: Let us be attentive.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all.

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The Prokeimenon in tone _____.

The READER intones the 1ST verse of the prokeimenon.

FAITHFUL: (chant the 1st verse of the prokeimenon)
READER: (intones the 2nd verse of the prokeimenon)
FAITHFUL: (chant the 1st verse of the prokeimenon)
READER: (intones the first half of 1st verse)
FAITHFUL: (chant the second half of the 1st verse)

DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The reading is from the book of Genesis (or Exodus).

DEACON: Let us attend.

THE FAITHFUL MAY SIT DURING THE READING.

The First Paroemia

The READER reads the first paroemia.

THE FAITHFUL RISE

The Second Prokeimenon

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

READER: The Prokeimenon in tone .

The READER intones the 1st verse of the prokeimenon.

FAITHFUL: (chant the 1st verse of the prokeimenon)
READER: (intones the 2nd verse of the prokeimenon)
FAITHFUL: (chant the 1st verse of the prokeimenon)
READER: (intones the first half of 1st verse)
FAITHFUL: (chant the second half of the 1st verse)

THE FAITHFUL PROSTRATE THEMSELVES TO THE GROUND.

DEACON: Command.

The PRIEST, standing before the holy table with censer and taper makes the sign of the cross toward the east, intoning:

PRIEST: Wisdom. Let us attend.

And turning to the west to face the faithful, he blesses them, saying:

PRIEST: The light of Christ enlightens all.

THE FAITHFUL RISE.

READER: The reading is from Proverbs (or the Book of Job).
DEACON: Let us attend.

THE FAITHFUL MAY SIT DURING THE READING.

The Second Paroemia

The READER reads the second paroemia. If it is the eve of a great feast, we also read the paraoemiae of the feast.

When the Reader completes the reading, the PRIEST blesses him, saying:

PRIEST: Peace be unto you.
READER: And to your spirit.

DEACON: Wisdom.

THE FAITHFUL KNEEL.

The PRIEST stands before the holy altar, censing constantly. After the stichos “Incline not my heart,” he moves to the table of preparation and censes the Holy Gifts. Putting aside the censer, he returns and kneels before the holy altar.

The Great Prokeimenon

PRIEST: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
FAITHFUL: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

PRIEST: Lord, I have cried unto You, hear me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto You.
FAITHFUL: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

PRIEST: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips.
FAITHFUL: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

PRIEST: Incline not my heart unto evil words, to make excuses in sins.
FAITHFUL: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

PRIEST: Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You…
FAITHFUL: …The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

THE FAITHFUL RISE

The PRIEST rises and, standing before the holy altar, intones the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian:

Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian

PRIEST: O Lord and Master of my life! The spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk, grant me not.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

PRIEST: Grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love, to me, your servant.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

PRIEST: Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own sins, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

Epistle and Gospel Readings

If no readings are appointed, we continue immediately with the Litany of Fervent Supplication:

Litany of Fervent Supplication

DEACON: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers: we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great loving-kindness: we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
DEACON: Again we pray for His Eminence, our Metropolitan [name]; for our Bishop, (title and name of the eparchial bishop), for our brethren the presbyters, priestmonks and for all our brethren in Christ.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
DEACON: Again we pray for our God-loving and God-Protected country Canada, its people, government and armed forces; that the Lord God will help them in all things and protect them from every enemy and adversary.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
DEACON: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, for the founders of this holy temple (or this holy monastery) and for all Orthodox Christians departed this life before us, who here and everywhere lie asleep in the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
DEACON: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, God’s visitation and the forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God, the parishioners of this holy temple.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

Here we may add additional petitions.

DEACON: Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple; for those who labour and those who sing; and for all the people here present, who await Your great and abundant mercy.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

The PRIEST reads the Prayer of Fervent Supplication:

PRIEST: O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Your servants, have mercy on us according to Your great mercy and send down Your bounties upon us and upon all Your people who await the rich mercy that comes from You.
ECPHONESIS: For You are a Merciful God and the Lover-of-Mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

The holy doors are closed.

The Litany for the Catechumens

DEACON: Catechumens, pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Let us the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He will enlighten them with the Word of Truth.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He will reveal to them the Gospel of Righteousness.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.

The priest unfolds the top portion of the antimension.

DEACON: That He will unite them to His Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help them, save them, have mercy on them and protect them, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.

The PRIEST reads the Prayer for the Catechumens:

PRIEST: God, our God, Creator and Maker of all things, who wish all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon Your servants the catechumens, and deliver them from the ancient error and trickery of the foe. Call them to eternal life, enlightening their souls and bodies and numbering them with Your rational flock, on which Your holy named has been invoked.

ECPHONESIS: That with us they may also glorify Your most honourable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

Note: 1) Through Tuesday of the fourth week of the Great Fast, we use the following dismissal of the catechumens:

DEACON: All catechumens depart. Catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain — *let us, the faithful, again and again, in peace, pray unto the Lord.

AND ALL CATHECUMENS LEAVE THE TEMPLE

…and we continue with the **First Litany of the Faithful

Note: 2) But from Wednesday of the fourth week, after the preceding exclamation of the Priest: “That with us they may also glorify…” the following petitions and dismissal are said by the DEACON:

DEACON: All catechumens depart. Catechumens, depart. As many as are preparing for Enlightenment, draw near. Those who are preparing for Enlightenment pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Believers, for our brothers who are preparing for holy Enlightenment, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That the Lord our God may give them strength and power, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He may enlighten them with the light of knowledge and true religion, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He may count them worthy in due time of the bath of rebirth, the forgiveness of sins and the garment of incorruption, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He may give them rebirth through water and Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He may grant them the perfection of the Faith, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He may number them with his holy and chosen flock, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Save them, have mercy upon them, help them, and keep them, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Those for Enlightenment, bow your heads to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.

And the PRIEST reads the Prayer for those preparing for Enlightenment:

PRIEST: Manifest Your countenance, Master, to those preparing for holy Enlightenment and who long to shake off the defilement of sin. Illumine their understanding; confirm them in the Faith; establish them in Hope, perfect them in Love; show them to be honourable members of Your Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for our souls.

ECPHONESIS: For You are our Enlightenment, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

DEACON: As many as are for Enlightenment, depart. Those who are for Enlightenment, depart.As many as are Catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain — *Let us, the faithful, again and again, in peace, pray unto the Lord.

AND THOSE PREPARING FOR HOLY ILLUMINATION LEAVE THE TEMPLE

…and we continue with the **First Litany of the Faithful.

**The First Litany of the Faithful

DEACON: *…Let us, the faithful, again and again, in peace, pray unto the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: Wisdom!

The PRIEST reads the First Prayer of the Faithful:

PRIEST: O God, who are great and to be praised, who have brought us from corruption to incorruption by the life-giving death of Your Christ, free all our senses from the death of the passions, setting over them as a good leader the thought that comes from within. Let the eye abstain from every evil sight, the hearing give no entrance to idle words, the tongue be cleansed of unfitting speech. Purify our lips, Lord, that praise You. Make our hands keep from base actions, to perform only such things as are well-pleasing to You, making all our limbs and our mind secure by your grace.

ECPHONESIS: For to You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

The Second Litany of the Faithful

DEACON: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.

When a DEACON serves the following petitions are also said:

DEACON: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Wisdom!

The PRIEST reads the Second Prayer of the Faithful:

PRIEST: Holy Master, supremely good, we implore You, the One rich in mercy, to take pity on us sinners and make us worthy of the reception of Your only begotten Son and our God, the king of glory. For see, His Most-pure Body and Life-giving Blood, that are entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth on this mystical table, invisibly escorted by a multitude of the heavenly host. Grant us communion in them that is without condemnation, so that, with the eye of our mind illumined through them, we may become children of the light.

ECPHONESIS: According to the gift of your Christ, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

The holy doors are opened.

THE FAITHFUL MAKE A FULL PROSTRATION — AND REMAIN PROSTRATE UNTIL THE PRIEST HAS ENTERED THE ALTAR.

The Great Entrance

FAITHFUL: Now the Hosts of Heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of glory enters in. Behold, the accomplished mystical Sacrifice is being escorted in.

NOTE: THE GREAT ENTRANCE IS MADE IN SILENCE.

The PRIEST and Deacon enter the altar through the holy doors.

THE FAITHFUL STAND.

FAITHFUL: With faith and love let us draw near, that we may become partakers of eternal life. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian

PRIEST: O Lord and Master of my life! The spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk, grant me not.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

PRIEST: Grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love, to me, your servant.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

PRIEST: Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own sins, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

THE PRIEST AND ALL PRESENT MAKE A PROSTRATION.

And the holy doors are closed and the katapetasma (veil) is partly drawn.

Litany before The Lord’s Prayer

DEACON: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For the precious Gifts offered and presanctified, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That our God, Who loves mankind, having received them on His holy, heavenly, and ideal 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.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
FAITHFUL: 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.
FAITHFUL: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON: Forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON: All that is good and beneficial for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON: A Christian end to our life — painless, blameless and peaceful and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
FAITHFUL: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON: Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.

The PRIEST quietly prays:

PRIEST: O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who have revealed to us the service of this ministry and through Your great love for humankind appointed us sinners to offer You gifts and sacrifices for our own sins and those committed in ignorance by the people, do You, invisible king, who do great and unfathomable things, things glorious and extraordinary that are without number, look upon us, Your unworthy servants, who stand before this Your holy altar, as before the throne of the Cherubim, on which, though the dread mysteries here set forth, rests Your Son and our God. And, having freed us and Your faithful people from all uncleanness, sanctify the souls and bodies of us all with a sanctification that cannot be taken away, so that receiving communion of these Divine and Holy things with a pure conscience, a face unashamed, an enlightened heart and being given life them, we may be united to Your Christ, our true God, who said, “One who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in them”. So that, with Your Word, Lord, dwelling in us and living among us, we may become a temple of Your Holy and Adorable Spirit, having been rescued from every wile of the devil effected by word or deed or in the mind; and that we may obtain the good things promised to us, with all Your Saints, who have been well-pleasing to you since time began.

ECPHONESIS: And make us worthy, O Master, with boldness and without condemnation to dare call on You, the Heavenly God, as Father, and to say:

THE FAITHFUL KNEEL DURING THE LORD’S PRAYER.

The Lord’s Prayer

FAITHFUL: 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 the evil one.
PRIEST: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

THE FAITHFUL STAND.

PRIEST: Peace be unto all.
FAITHFUL: And to your spirit.
DEACON: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.

The PRIEST reads the Prayer at the Bowing of the Heads:

PRIEST: O God, alone good and compassionate, who dwell on high and watch over lowly things, with a compassionate eye look upon all Your people, guard them and make us all worthy to partake uncondemned of these Your life-giving Mysteries. For to You we have bowed our heads, awaiting from You rich mercy.

ECPHONESIS: Through the grace, mercy, and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All-holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

Holy Communion

The katapetasma is drawn closed, completely covering the holy doors. The Priest washes his hands and quietly prays:

PRIEST: Attend, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, out of Your holy dwelling place, from the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us. You, Who sit on high with the Father and are also invisibly present among us; grant that by Your own mighty hand, Your Pure Body and Precious Blood might be given to us, and through us, to all the people.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.
PRIEST: The Presanctified Holy Things for the holy.
FAITHFUL: One is Holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Communion Hymn

FAITHFUL: O taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

If it is a feast on which the Epistle and Gospel are read, a second Communion Hymn is also chanted.

COMMUNION OF THE CLERGY

Following the Communion of the clergy, the DEACON opens the katapetasma and the holy doors, receives the holy chalice from the PRIEST, turns to the faithful and raising the holy chalice, intones:

DEACON: With fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.

ALL THE FAITHFUL MAKE A PROSTRATION.

FAITHFUL: I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall be on my lips.

The PRIEST, standing in the holy doors facing the people, says the Prayer before Holy Communion, and all communicants recite this prayer together with the PRIEST.

The Prayer before Holy Communion

Communicants: + I believe, O 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 first. I also believe that this is truly Your Own Most Pure Body and that this is truly Your Own Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions – both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Your Most Pure Mysteries for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.
+ Of Your Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant, for I will not speak of Your Mysteries to Your enemies, neither like Judas will I give You a kiss; but like the thief will I confess You: + Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.
May the communion of Your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be neither to my judgement nor condemnation, but unto the healing of soul and body. Amen.

All communicants cross their hands on their chest (right hand over left) and individually they approach the holy chalice for Holy Communion.

COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL

After the communion of the faitfhul, the PRIEST enters the holy altar, places the Holy Gifts on the holy table, turns towards the people, and blesses them, saying:

PRIEST: Save Your people, O God, and bless Your inheritance.
FAITHFUL: Taste the heavenly bread and the cup of Life, and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Quietly:

PRIEST: Blessed is our God.

And turning to the holy doors, blessing the people with the holy chalice, he says aloud:

PRIEST: Always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.
Let our mouths be filled with Your praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Your glory; for You have made us worthy to partake of Your Holy divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, that all day long we may meditate upon Your righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Litany of Thanksgiving

DEACON: Let us stand aright. Having partaken of the Divine, Holy, most-pure, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and awesome mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: Having asked that the whole evening be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life unto Christ our God.
FAITHFUL: To You, O Lord.

The PRIEST says the Prayer of Thanksgiving:

PRIEST: We give thanks unto You, O Saviour, God of all, for all the good things You have granted unto us, and for the communion of the Holy Body and Blood of Your Christ, and we pray You, O manbefriending Master, keep us under the shelter of Your wings, and grant that even unto our last breath we may worthily partake of Your holy things, unto illumination of soul and body, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

ECPHONESIS: For You are our sanctification and to You we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

PRIEST: Let us depart in peace.
FAITHFUL: In the name of the Lord.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
FAITHFUL: Lord, have mercy.

The Prayer behind the Ambon

PRIEST: O Almighty Master, Who has made all created things in wisdom, and by Your inexpressible providence and great goodness has brought us to these all-venerable days, for the purification of body and soul, for the controlling of passions, and for the hope of the Resurrection; Who, during the forty days did give into the hand of Your servant Moses the tablets of the Law in characters divinely traced by You: Enable us also, O Good One, to fight the good fight; to accomplish the course of the fast; to preserve inviolate the Faith; to crush underfoot the heads of invisible serpents; to be accounted victors over sin; and uncondemned to attain unto and adore the holy Resurrection. For blessed and glorified is Your all-honourable and majestic name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.
+ Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice)

On Wednesday of Holy Week, the PRIEST reads The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian, with three prostrations.

The PRIEST quietly reads the Prayer for the Consuming of the Holy Gifts:

PRIEST: Lord our God, who have brought us to these most holy days, and have made us communicants of Your dread mysteries, join us to Your rational flock and declare us to be heirs of Your kingdom, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 33

READER: 2. I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 3. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad. 4. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 5. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations. 6. Come unto Him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. 7. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations. 8. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them. 9. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopes in Him. 10. O fear the Lord, all you His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. 11. Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing. 12. Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 13. Who is there who wants life, loves to see good days? 14. Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 15. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. 16. The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and His ears towards their supplication. 17. The Lord’s face is set against those who do evil, to destroy their memory from the earth. 18. The just cried and the Lord heard them, and delivered them from all their afflictions. 19. The Lord is close to those who are broken-hearted, and will save the humble in spirit. 20. The afflictions of the just are many, but the Lord will deliver them from them all. 21. The Lord guards all their bones, not one of them will be broken. 22. The death of sinners is evil, and those who hate the just will go astray. 23. The Lord will rescue the souls of His servants, and no one of those who hope in Him will go astray.

Dismissal

PRIEST: May the blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
FAITHFUL: Amen.

PRIEST: Glory to You, O Christ our God, our Hope, glory to You.
FAITHFUL: + Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord have mercy. (thrice)

Give the blessing. (“Master, bless”, in a cathedral church or when a bishop is present.)

PRIEST: May Christ our true God have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His Most-pure Mother; of our holy father-among-the-saints, Gregory the Dialogist; and of (name of the saint of the temple); and (the saint of the day); and of all the saints, forasmuch as He is Good and the Lover of mankind.
FAITHFUL: Amen.