Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Byzantine Altar Book
Byzantine Altar Book
The
Divine Liturgies
of
The
Divine Liturgy
of
1
2
Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Archbishop of Constantinople
Those coming for the celebration are invited to bring gifts for sharing in the celebration. The
bread and wine are brought for sharing in the Divine Liturgy while other foods are brought for sharing
in the fellowship after the Liturgy. Prior to the start of the Liturgy, the bread and wine are given to
the celebrant who takes them to the side altar and prepares them for the Liturgy.
The clergy and people gather for the procession into the nave of the church. When all is ready
the procession to the altar is begun. The ministers, which shall include Cross-bearer, candle-bearers,
and incense; and the Celebrant leads the congregation into the nave. The procession to the altar shall
be accompanied by Psalm 95. During Lent another psalm is used as indicated below:
During Lent the procession to the altar shall be accompanied by Psalm 51:
Have mercy on me, O God,
in your faithful love,
in your great tenderness
wipe away my offences;
3
Remember, I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.
But you delight in sincerity of heart,
and in secret you teach me wisdom.
Upon reaching the altar, the celebrants and the deacons pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit and then
venerate the altar, gospel book and hand cross. The celebrant then incenses the altar, icons and the
whole church. During this incensation, a hymn may be sung. When the incensing is completed, the
celebrant intones the blessing:
4
Blessed is the kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
From Easter Sunday to Ascension Thursday we begin the liturgy with the Easter tropar sung three times.
--For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy churches of God and
for their holy union, let us pray to the Lord.
--For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and the love of
God, let us pray to the Lord.
--For all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops,
our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N., for the God-loving bishops, for our bishop,
N., for the holy priesthood the deaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people,
let us pray to the Lord.
--For our civil authorities and all those in the service of our country, let us pray to the
Lord.
--For this city of, N.,(village of, N., or town of, N.,) for every city, countryside and for
those who live within them, let us pray to the Lord.
5
--For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful
times, let us pray to the Lord.
--For those who travel by sea, air, land, or in the vastness of the heavens, for the sick,
the suffering, the captive and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
--That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, show us your mercy, and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
--Remembering 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 our whole life, to Christ, Our God.
Celebrant:
The singers them begin singing the First Antiphon, Psalm 102, or the Antiphons of the Feast.
Bless The Lord, my soul,
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless The Lord, my soul,
never forget all his acts of kindness.
6
renews your youth like an eagle's.
7
Then the people continue:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O only-begotten Son and Word of God, who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become
incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and became man without change; You were
also crucified, O Christ our God, and by death have trampled death, being One of the Holy Trinity,
glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit save us.
Although optional, the people then may chant the Third Antiphon, The Beatitudes. During the Easter
Season, the Troparion and verses from Resurrection Matins are taken at this place:
In thy kingdom remember us, O Lord,
when you come into your kingdom.
How blessed are the poor in spirit:
the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are the gentle:
they shall have the earth as inheritance.
Blessed are those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
During the singing of the Hymn of the incarnation, or if it is sung, the Thrid Antiphon, the celebrant
removes the Book of Gospels from the altar. Either carrying it himself or giving it to the deacon, they
exit the sanctuary in procession out the north door, around the church and to the Ambo for the Liturgy
of the Word. Upon reaching the foot of the Ambon, the celebrant prays the following. If the space is
too small to have a separate ambon, the celebrant returns to the altar and places the Gospel Book
upright in the middle of the altar. :
8
Celebrant:
+Blessed is the entrance of your saints, always now and ever and
forever.
All respond: Amen.
The celebrant, or Deacon holds the Book of Gospel aloft and proclaims:
Come let us worship and bow before Christ, O Son of God (on Sunday) Risen from the dead (on
weekdays: wondrous in your saints) Save us who sing to you. Alleluia!
The Troparia of the day are now sung. When they are completed, the Celebrant prays the following.
Z
9
Celebrant:
O holy God, Who abide in the saints, Who are praised by the
thrice-holy voice of the Seraphim, and are glorified by the
Cherubim, and are adored by all the heavenly powers; Who
brought all things out of nonexistence into being, and created
mankind in Your own image and likeness and adorned it with
Your every gift; giving wisdom and understanding to those who
ask, not despising the sinner, and ordaining repentance for our
salvation.
You have allowed us, Your children, to stand at this time before
the glory of Your holy Altar and to offer you adoration and
praises; accept from our lips, the Thrice-holy Hymn, and deal
with us according to Your kindness. Forgive us every offense,
voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies, and
grant that we may serve you in holiness all the days of our life;
through the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the saints, who
have pleased you from the beginning of time.
For you are Holy, our God, and to you we give glory, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
When the hymn is completed the congregation is invited to be seated and listen to the Word of God for
the day. The celebrant, from the presider's seat, announces the Liturgy of the Word. Before taking his
seat upon the throne he blesses it saying:
10
Blessed are you on the throne of the glory of your kingdom, enthroned upon the
Cherubim, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Celebrant: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from ....
After the first reading a psalm and a responsory is sung. Following this psalm, if there is one to be read,
the second reading is introduced as above. Following the second reading the Gospel Acclamation is sung.
Verses are chanted and the Alleluia is repeated after each verse.
During the singing of the Alleluia verses, the celebrant or deacon approach the Book of Gospels and
carries it to the lectern if there is an Ambon, otherwise, the Gook of Gospels is incensed at the altar.
Upon reaching the lectern the Book of Gospels is enthroned and the celebrant, while incensing the Book
of Gospels, recites the follow prayer:
Celebrant (Bishop): May God, through the prayers of the Holy, glorious and illustrious
apostle and evangelist, N., grant that you announce the Word with great power,
for the fulfillment of the Gospel of the beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
If there is no deacon, or if the celebrant is proclaiming the Gospel, the following is chanted by the
celebrant:
Standing before the Royal Doors the Deacon begins the following. If there is no deacon, the celebrant
continues:
12
Celebrant (or deacon):
--Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say.
--Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy; we pray you, hear and
have mercy.
--We also pray all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and
Archbishops, our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N., for the God-loving bishops,
for our bishop, N., for those who serve and have served in this holy house, for our
spiritual fathers and mothers, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Monasteries:
--We also pray for all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and
Archbishops, our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N., for the God-loving bishops,
for our bishop, N., for our most venerable hieromonks: proto-archimandrite N.,
archimandrite N., proto-hegumen N., and hegumen N., for those who serve and have
served in this holy monastery, for our spiritual fathers and mothers, and for all our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
--We also pray for our civil authorities, and all those in the service of our country.
--We also pray for the people here present who await your great and abundant mercy,
for those who have shown us mercy, and for all Christians of the true faith.
Second prayer of the faithful.
Celebrant:
13
spiritual understanding. Grant that they who serve you in awe
and love, may partake of your holy mysteries and be deemed
worthy of your heavenly kingdom. That, being ever protected by
your power, we may render glory to you, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
The Celebrant may omit the follow and proceed to the cherubic hymn
Celebrant:
O Lord, Our God, who dwells on high and behold the humble,
who for the salvation of mankind have sent down your only
begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, look upon your
children, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads to you,
and deem them worthy in due time of the waters of regeneration,
of the remission of sins, and of the robe of incorruption. Instruct
them in the word of truth, reveal to them the Gospel of righteous-
ness, unite them with your holy, catholic, and apostolic church,
and number them among the chosen flock. That with us they
also may praise your most honored and sublime name,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
14
Let us who mystically represent the cherubim and sing the thrice holy hymn to the life-
creating Trinity, now set aside all earthly cares. That we may welcome the King of all, invisibly
escorted by angelic hosts. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Meanwhile the celebrant goes to the side altar and washes his hands while reciting Psalm 26: 6-8.
I will wash my hands in innocence and join the procession round your altar, O Lord,
to make heard the sound of thanksgiving, to proclaim all your wonders. O Lord, I
love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
Returning and facing the altar, with outstretched arms, the celebrant now prays silently:
15
During the singing of the hymn, the offering is taken from the congregation, the altar is incensed by the
deacon or celebrant in preparation for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Following the hymn, the chalice,
filled with wine, and the bread which was prepared previous to the start of the liturgy, are brought to
the altar in procession. During this procession, the celebrant chants:
May the Lord God remember in His kingdom, all the holy
Patriarchs; the most reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops,
our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop, N., the God-loving
bishops, our bishop, N., (our very reverend father proto-archi-
mandrite, archimandrite, our proto-hegumen, our hegumen) and
the entire priestly, diaconal and monastic order, our civil
authorities and all in the service of our country, the noble and
ever-memorable founders and benefactors of this holy Church
(monastery), and all you Christians of the true faith, always now
and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen. That we may welcome the King of all, invisibly escorted by angelic hosts.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Having received the gifts and having placed the gifts of bread and wine on the altar, the celebrant covers
them with the large veil while praying:
The noble Joseph took down your most pure body from the cross,
wrapped it in a clean shroud, and with fragrant spices laid it in
burial in a new tomb.
And taking the censer from the deacon, he incenses the holy gifts three times saying:
Deal favorably, O Lord, in your good will with Sion, that the
walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then you shall accept the
sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then
shall they lay calves upon your altar.
16
All respond: Lord, have mercy. (Repeat after each petition)
--For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.
--For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and the love of
God, let us pray to the Lord.
--That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
--That this whole day (night) may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without fault, let us
beseech the Lord.
All respond: Grant it, O Lord. (And repeat after each petition).
--For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us
beseech the Lord.
--For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
--For what is good and beneficial to our souls and for the peace of the world, let us
beseech the Lord.
--That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the
Lord.
--For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good
account before the Christ, let us beseech the Lord.
--Remembering 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 our whole life, to Christ, our God.
All respond: To you, O Lord.
17
Celebrant:
O Lord God Almighty, who alone are holy and receive this
sacrifice of praise from those who call upon you with their whole
heart, accept our prayers; bring us to your holy altar, enable us to
offer you these gifts and this spiritual ministry for ourselves and
for your people: and may we continue to find favor in your sight
and our offerings remain pleasing to you, that the good Spirit of
your grace may rest in us and upon these gifts here present, and
upon all your people. Through the mercies of your only-begotten
Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all holy,
gracious and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
Let us love one another, and show each other a sign of forgive-
ness and peace.
All respond: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the trinity, one in substance and
undivided.
18
All respond:
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, + and the love of God the
Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
All respond: And with your Spirit.
19
Celebrant: Let us lift up our hearts.
All respond: We have them lifted up to the Lord.
Celebrant:
20
Celebrant:
With these blessed powers, O loving and kind Master, we too cry
out and say: holy are you and all holy, you, and your only-
begotten Son, and your Holy Spirit; holy are you and all holy and
splendorous is your glory. Who so loved the world that you sent
us your only-begotten Son, that everyone who believes in him
should not perish but should have life everlasting; who, having
come and having fulfilled the whole divine plan concerning us,
on the night when he was betrayed, or rather, when he surren-
dered himself for the life of the world, took bread into his holy
and all pure and immaculate hands, gave thanks and blessed, +
sanctified, and broke it, gave it to his holy disciples and apostles,
saying:
Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you for the
remission of sins.
The celebrant and all the ministers make a profound bow of reverence, while all respond:
Amen.
21
The Celebrant, with crossed hands, raises the gifts, the discos in his right hand and the chalice in his lift and makes the
sign of the cross with the gifts while entoning:
Remembering this saving command, and all that was done in our
behalf: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the
ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, the second
and glorious coming, we offer to you, these gifts from your own
gifts, in behalf of all and for all.
All respond: We praise you, we bless you, we thank you, O Lord, and we pray to you, our God.
The celebrant bows and flutters his hands three times over the mysteries as he says:
That those who partake of them, they may be for the purification
of the soul, for the remission of sin, for the communion in your
Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the heavenly kingdom and
confidence in you.
Moreover, we offer you this spiritual sacrifice for those who have
departed in the faith, the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets,
apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and
for every spirit made perfect in faith.
Taking the incense and incensing the gifts the celebrant continues:
Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and
glorious lady, The Theotokos and ever virgin Mary.
*** PLEASE STAND ***
22
All respond: It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the ever-blessed, Immaculate
and The Theotokos. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than
the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you truly The Theotokos, we magnify.
Celebrant:
For the holy prophet, precursor and baptist John, for the holy
glorious and illustrious Apostles, for St. Joseph, your father on
earth, for Saint N., whose memory we celebrate, for Saint N.,
patron(ess) of this house, and for all your Saints, through whose
prayers, O God, visit us.
We further offer this liturgy for the whole world, for the holy,
catholic and apostolic church, for those who live in chastity and
venerable conduct; for our civil authorities, and all in the service
of our country. Grant them a peaceful term, that we also, sharing
their peace, may lead a quiet and calm life in piety and dignity.
23
Among the first, O Lord, remember all your holy Patriarchs;
your most reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops, our metro-
politan, N., our archbishop, N., your God-loving bishops, our
bishop, N., preserve them for your holy churches, in peace,
safety, honor, and health, for many years, as they are faithful in
the teaching of your truth. And remember all your people.
Remember, O Lord, this city in which we live, and every city and
countryside, and those living within them. Remember, O Lord,
those who travel by sea, air, land, and the vastness of the
heavens, the sick, suffering, the captive and their safety and
salvation. Remember those who bear offerings and perform good
deeds in your holy churches and those who remember the poor,
and upon all of us send your mercies.
Grant that we, with one voice and one heart, may glorify and
praise your most honored and sublime name, Father, Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
All respond: Amen.
May the mercies of our great God and Savior, + Jesus Christ, be
with all of you.
All respond: And with your Spirit.
Celebrant:(or deacon)
--Now that we have remembered all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray
to the Lord.
24
All respond: Lord, have mercy. (Repeat after each petition)
--For the precious gifts offered and consecrated, that our God, in His love for us, may
receive them on His holy and heavenly and mystical altar, unto an aroma of spiritual
fragrance, may send down upon us in return the divine grace and gift of the Holy
Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
--That this whole day (night) may be perfect, holy, peaceful, let us beseech the Lord.
All respond: Grant it, O Lord. (And repeat after each petition).
--For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us
beseech the Lord.
--For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
--For what is good and beneficial to our souls and for the peace of the world, let us
beseech the Lord.
--That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the
Lord.
--For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good
account before the Christ, let us beseech the Lord.
--Asking for unity in Faith, and for communion in the Holy Spirit, let us commend
ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ, our God.
25
Celebrant:
In you, O gracious Master, we place our whole life and hope and
we beseech, pray and implore you, that we may partake with a
pure conscience of your heavenly and awesome mysteries from
this sacred and spiritual altar, for the remission of sins, for the
pardon of transgressions, for the communion in the Holy Spirit,
for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, and for trust in you.
Grant, O Lord, that we may with confidence, dare call upon you,
our Father, the God of Heaven, and say:
All respond:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
All respond: Amen.
26
Celebrant:
Celebrant:
Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Your holy
dwelling-place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom,
and come to sanctify us, you who are seated on high with the
Father, and dwell here invisibly among us, and deem it proper to
impart to us, with your mighty hand, Your most pure body and
precious blood, and through us, to all your people.
Celebrant (or deacon):
Let us be attentive!
While the proceeding is being sung, the celebrant breaks the holy bread and places it in the following
pattern:
27
IC
NI KA
XC
Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken yet not divided, ever eaten
yet never consumed, sanctifying those who partake thereof.
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly the Christ, the
Son of the Living God, who came into this world to save us.
Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God;
for I will not give you a kiss, as did Judas but like the thief I
confess to you: Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your
kingdom. May the partaking of these mysteries be for the healing
of my soul and body. O Lord, I also believe that this which I am
about to receive is your most precious body and life-giving
blood, which, I pray, allow me to receive for the remission of my
sins and life everlasting. Amen.
The celebrants reverently receive the body and blood of Our Lord saying:
The precious and most holy body of Our Lord and God and
Savior Jesus Christ, is given to me, the priest N., for the remis-
sion of my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
I, a servant of God, the priest N., partake of the precious and holy
blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the
remission of my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
28
The celebrant then places the Body into the Chalice filled with the Blood and prepares to distribute the
Holy Communion. The Celebrant then invites the congregation to receive:
Following the distribution of Communion the celebrant places all the remaining Holy Body into the chalice
then the celebrant blesses the people with the chalice filled with the remaining Body and Blood, saying:
29
From Easter Sunday to Ascension Thursday we respond:
Christ has risen from the dead! By death He conquered death and to those in the graves, he granted
life!
You, O Christ, Our God, who are the fulfillment of the law and
the prophets, have fulfilled the whole plan of the Father, fill our
hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.
The altar is cleaned and the corporal folded and the gospel book is replaced over the corporal. The
celebrant returns to the presider's chair for a moment of silence, then he stands and moves to his place
before the altar and prays:
Celebrant:
30
Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace.
All respond: In the name of the Lord.
Celebrant turns to face the people and in blessing, with outstretched arms, says:
O Lord, blessing those who bless you and sanctifying those who
trust in you, save your people and bless your inheritance,
preserve the fullness of your church, sanctify those who love the
beauty of your house; glorify them in return by your divine
power, and do not forsake us who trust in you. Grant peace to
your world, to your churches, to the priests, to our civil authori-
ties and to all your people. For every good gift and every perfect
gift is given from you, the Father of lights: and we render glory,
thanksgiving and worship to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. (Three times)
The celebrant blesses the people with the sign of the cross saying:
+The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His Grace and
Loving Kindness, always now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
31
All respond:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Give the blessing.
Celebrant:
May Christ our true God (if it be Sunday: risen from the dead) through
the prayers of the of His most Holy Mother, and of St Joseph,
your father on earth, and of the holy, glorious and illustrious
apostles, and of our holy father John Chrysostom, archbishop of
Constantinople, and of St. (whose church it is ) patron of this house,
and of St. (whose day it is ) whose feast we celebrate today and of all
the saints have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he
loves mankind.
All respond: Amen.
From Easter Sunday to Ascension Thursday we end the liturgy with the Easter tropar sung three times.
32
DISMISSALS AT DIVINE LITURGY
FIXED OR IMMOVABLE FEASTS
Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother whose Nativity we gloriously celebrate today; St.
Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom, arch-
bishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us and
save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother and St. Joseph, his earthly father; by the power of
the honorable and life-giving cross, the exaltation of which we
gloriously celebrate today; our holy father John Chrysostom, arch-
bishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us and
save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Patronage of the Theotokos (October 1)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother whose Patronage we gloriously celebrate today; St.
Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom, arch-
bishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us and
save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
33
Feast of the Archangel Michael and all Angels (November 8)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father; the intercession of
the honorable heavenly powers whose feast we gloriously celebrate
today; our holy father John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople,
and of all the saints have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious
and he loves mankind.
Presentation of the Theotokos (November 21)
Celebrant:May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother whose Presentation we gloriously celebrate today;
St. Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom,
archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us
and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Conception of the Theotokos (December 8)
Celebrant:May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother whose Conception we gloriously celebrate today;
St. Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom,
archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us
and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (December 25)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God who for our salvation, was born in
a cave in Bethlehem of Judea and lay in a manger, through the prayers
of the of His most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father; our
holy father John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all
the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he
loves mankind.
34
Theophany (January 6)
Celebrant:May Christ our true God, who for our salvation deigned to
be baptized in the Jordan by John, through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother; St. Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John
Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints, have
mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Presentation of Our Lord (February 2)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, who, for our salvation, deigned to
be held in the embrace of the righteous Simeon, through the prayers of
his most holy Mother; St. Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father
John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints
have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves
mankind.
Annunciation of the Theotokos (March 25)
Celebrant:May Christ our true God through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother whose Annunciation we gloriously celebrate today;
St. Joseph, his earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom,
archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have mercy on us
and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father; of the honorable,
glorious prophet, the forerunner and baptizer of the Lord, John, whose
nativity we gloriously celebrate today and of our holy father John
Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints, have
mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
35
Saints Peter and Paul (June 29)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother; St. Joseph, his earthly father; of the holy, glorious
and illustrious apostles, Peter and Paul, whose feast we gloriously
celebrate today, our holy father John Chrysostom, archbishop of
Constantinople, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for
he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Saint Elias (July 20)
: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most
Celebrant
holy Mother; St. Joseph, his earthly father; of the holy, glorious and
illustrious prophet Elias, the Thesbite whose fiery ascent to the
heavens we gloriously celebrate today; our holy father John
Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints have
mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Transfiguration (August 6)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, who was transfigured in glory in
the presence of his holy disciples and apostles on Mount Tabor,
through the prayers of the of His most Holy Mother; St. Joseph, his
earthly father; our holy father John Chrysostom, archbishop of
Constantinople, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for
he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
: May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most
Celebrant
The
Divine Liturgy
of
37
The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on:
Dec. 24-- Vigil of the Nativity of our Lord except if it falls on a Saturday or
Sunday.
Dec. 25-- Nativity of our Lord except if it falls on a Monday through Friday.
Jan. 1-- Feast of the naming of Jesus and Feast of St. Basil the Great.
Jan. 6-- Feast of the Theophany except if it falls on Monday through Friday.
38
Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great
Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Those coming for the celebration are invited to bring gifts for sharing in the celebration. The
bread and wine are brought for sharing in the Divine Liturgy while other foods are brought for sharing
in the fellowship after the Liturgy. Prior to the start of the Liturgy, the bread and wine are given to
the celebrant who takes them to the side altar and prepares them for the Liturgy.
The clergy and people gather for the procession into the nave of the church. When all is ready
the procession to the altar is begun. The ministers, which shall include Cross-bearer, candle-bearers,
and incense; and the Celebrant leads the congregation into the nave. The procession to the altar shall
be accompanied by Psalm 95. During Lent another psalm is used as indicated below:
During Lent the procession to the altar shall be accompanied by Psalm 51:
Have mercy on me, O God,
in your faithful love,
in your great tenderness
wipe away my offences;
39
Remember, I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.
But you delight in sincerity of heart,
and in secret you teach me wisdom.
Upon reaching the altar, the celebrants and the deacons pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit and then
venerate the altar, gospel book and hand cross. The celebrant then incenses the altar, icons and the
whole church. During this incensation, a hymn may be sung. When the incensing is completed, the
celebrant intones the blessing:
40
Blessed is the kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
*** ALL BE SEATED ***
--For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy churches of God and
for their holy union, let us pray to the Lord.
--For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and the love of
God, let us pray to the Lord.
--For all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops,
our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N., for the God-loving bishops, for our bishop,
N., for the holy priesthood the deaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people,
let us pray to the Lord.
--For our civil authorities, and all those in the service of our country, let us pray to
the Lord.
--For this city of, N.,(village of, N., or town of, N.,) for every city, countryside and for
those who live within them, let us pray to the Lord.
--For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful
times, let us pray to the Lord.
--For those who travel by sea, air, land, or the vastness of the heavens, for the sick,
the suffering, the captive and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
41
--That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, show us your mercy, and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
--Remembering 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 our whole life, to Christ, Our God.
Celebrant:
The singers them begin singing the First Antiphon, Psalm 102, or the Antiphons of the Feast.
Bless The Lord, my soul,
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless The Lord, my soul,
never forget all his acts of kindness.
42
Bless The Lord, my soul,
from the depths of my being, his holy name;
bless The Lord, my soul.
O only-begotten Son and Word of God, who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become
incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and became man without change; You were
also crucified, O Christ our God, and by death have trampled death, being One of the Holy Trinity,
glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit save us.
Although optional, the people then may chant the Third Antiphon, The Beatitudes. During the Easter
Season, the Troparion and verses from Resurrection Matins are taken at this place:
43
In thy kingdom remember us, O Lord,
when you come into your kingdom.
How blessed are the poor in spirit:
the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are the gentle:
they shall have the earth as inheritance.
Blessed are those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
During the singing of the Hymn of the incarnation, or if it is sung, the Thrid Antiphon, the celebrant
removes the Book of Gospels from the altar. Either carrying it himself or giving it to the deacon, they
exit the sanctuary in procession out the north door, around the church and to the Ambo for the Liturgy
of the Word. Upon reaching the foot of the Ambon, the celebrant prays the following. If the space is
too small to have a separate ambon, the celebrant returns to the altar and places the Gospel Book
upright in the middle of the altar.
Celebrant:
44
Deacon:: Rev. Father, Bless the Holy Entrance.
+Blessed is the entrance of your saints, always now and ever and
forever.
All respond: Amen.
The celebrant, or Deacon holds the Book of Gospel aloft and proclaims:
Come let us worship and bow before Christ, O Son of God (on Sunday) Risen from the dead (on
weekdays: wondrous in your saints) Save us who sing to you. Alleluia!
The Troparia of the day are now sung. When they are completed, the Celebrant prays the following.
Celebrant:
O holy God, Who abide in the saints, Who are praised by the
thrice-holy voice of the Seraphim, and are glorified by the
Cherubim, and are adored by all the heavenly powers; Who
brought all things out of nonexistence into being, and created
mankind in Your own image and likeness and adorned it with
Your every gift; giving wisdom and understanding to those who
ask, not despising the sinner, and ordaining repentance for our
salvation.
You have allowed us, Your children, to stand at this time before
the glory of Your holy Altar and to offer you adoration and
praises; accept from our lips, the Thrice-holy Hymn, and deal
with us according to Your kindness. Forgive us every offense,
voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies, and
grant that we may serve you in holiness all the days of our life;
45
through the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the saints, who
have pleased you from the beginning of time.
For you are Holy, our God, and to you we give glory, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
When the hymn is completed the congregation is invited to be seated and listen to the Word of God for
the day. The celebrant, from the presider's seat, announces the Liturgy of the Word. Before taking his
seat upon the throne he blesses it saying:
Blessed are you on the throne of the glory of your kingdom, enthroned upon the
Cherubim, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Celebrant: Wisdom!
Reader: A reading from ....
After the first reading a psalm and a responsory is sung. Following this psalm, if there is one to be read,
the second reading is introduced as above. Following the second reading the Gospel Acclamation is sung.
46
*** PLEASE STAND ***
Verses are chanted and the Alleluia is repeated after each verse.
During the singing of the Alleluia verses, the celebrant or deacon approach the Book of Gospels and
carries it to the lectern if there is an Ambon, otherwise, the Gook of Gospels is incensed at the altar.
Upon reaching the lectern the Book of Gospels is enthroned and the celebrant, while incensing the Book
of Gospels, recites the follow prayer:
Celebrant (Bishop): May God, through the prayers of the Holy, glorious and illustrious
apostle and evangelist, N., grant that you announce the Word with great power,
for the fulfillment of the Gospel of the beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
47
If there is no deacon, or if the celebrant is proclaiming the Gospel, the following is chanted by the
celebrant:
The Deacon begins the following. If there is no deacon, the celebrant continues:
--Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy; we pray you, hear and
have mercy.
--We also pray all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and
Archbishops, our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N.,, for the God-loving bishops,
for our bishop, N., for those who serve and have served in this holy house, for our
spiritual fathers and mothers, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
48
In Monasteries:
--We also pray for all the holy Patriarchs; for the most reverend Metropolitans and
Archbishops, our Metropolitan, N., our Archbishop N., for the God-loving bishops,
for our bishop, N.,for our most venerable hieromonks: proto-archimandrite N.,
archimandrite N., proto-hegumen N., and hegumen N., for those who serve and have
served in this holy monastery, for our spiritual fathers and mothers, and for all our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
--We also pray for our civil authorities, and all those in the service of our country.
--We also pray for the people here present who await your great and abundant mercy,
for those who have shown us mercy, and for all Christians of the true faith.
Second prayer of the faithful.
Celebrant:
49
Celebrant:
O Lord, Our God, who dwells on high and behold the humble,
who for the salvation of mankind have sent down your only
begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, look upon your
children, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads to you,
and deem them worthy in due time of the waters of regeneration,
of the remission of sins, and of the robe of incorruption. Instruct
them in the word of truth, reveal to them the Gospel of
righteousness, unite them with your holy, catholic, and apostolic
church, and number them among the chosen flock. That with us
they also may praise your most honored and sublime name,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
Meanwhile the celebrant goes to the side altar and washes his hands while reciting Psalm 26: 6-8.
I will wash my hands in innocence and join the procession round your altar, O Lord,
to make heard the sound of thanksgiving, to proclaim all your wonders. O Lord, I
love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
50
Returning and facing the altar, with outstretched arms, the celebrant now prays silently:
May the Lord God remember in His kingdom, all the holy
Patriarchs; the most reverend metropolitans and archbishops, our
metropolitan, N., our archbishop, N., and the God-loving
bishops, our bishop, N., (our very reverend father proto-
archimandrite, archimandrite, our proto-hegumen, our hegumen)
51
and the entire priestly, diaconal and monastic order, our civil
authorities and all in the service of our country, the noble and
ever-memorable founders and benefactors of this holy Church
(monastery), and all you Christians of the true faith, always now
and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen. That we may welcome the King of all, invisibly escorted by angelic hosts.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Having received the gifts and having placed the gifts of bread and wine on the altar, the celebrant covers
them with the large veil while praying:
The noble Joseph took down your most pure body from the cross,
wrapped it in a clean shroud, and with fragrant spices laid it in
burial in a new tomb.
And taking the censer from the deacon, he incenses the holy gifts three times saying:
Deal favorably, O Lord, in your good will with Sion, that the
walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then you shall accept the
sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then
shall they lay calves upon your altar.
--For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.
--For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and the love of
God, let us pray to the Lord.
--That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
52
--That this whole day (night) may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without fault, let us
beseech the Lord.
All respond: Grant it, O Lord. (And repeat after each petition).
--For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us
beseech the Lord.
--For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
--For what is good and beneficial to our souls and for the peace of the world, let us
beseech the Lord.
--That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the
Lord.
--For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good
account before the Christ, let us beseech the Lord.
--Remembering 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 our whole life, to Christ, our God.
All respond: To you, O Lord.
Celebrant:
O Lord, Our God, you created us and brought us into this life.
You have shown us the way to salvation and have given us the
revelation of the heavenly mysteries. You yourself have
appointed us to this service by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Therefore, O Lord, be pleased to make us ministers of your new
covenant and receivers of your holy mysteries. According to
your abundant mercy, receive us, who have approached your
holy altar, so that we may offer you this spiritual and bloodless
liturgy for ourselves and for your people. Having received this
ministry as an aroma of agreeable fragrance upon your heavenly,
53
holy, and mystical altar, send down upon us the grace of your
Holy Spirit. Look upon us, O God, and consider this our
ministry and accept it as you once accepted the gifts of Abel, the
sacrifices of Noah, the first-fruit offerings of Abraham, the
priesthood of Moses and Aaron, and the peace-offerings of
Samuel. Just as you accepted this true ministry from the hands
of your Apostles, now, O Lord, in your goodness, accept these
gifts from our hands. Having thus been shown worthy to
minister at your holy altar without blame, may we obtain the
reward of faithful and wise stewards on the awesome day we
reunite with you. Through the grace of your Son, with whom
you are blessed, together with your all holy, gracious and life-
creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
54
All respond:
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, + and the love of God the
Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
All respond: And with your Spirit.
55
Celebrant: Let us lift up our hearts.
All respond: We have them lifted up to the Lord.
Celebrant:
O Master, you are Lord, God the Father, almighty and adorable!
It is truly proper and just and befitting the magnificents of your
holiness to praise you, to sing to you, to bless you, to worship
you, to thank you, to glorify you, the only true God, and with a
pure heart and spirit to offer you this, our spiritual service; for
you have granted us the revelation of your truth. Who is able to
proclaim your might, or make known all your praises, or to speak
of all your wonders done in every age?
O Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth and of all creation both
visible and invisible, you are enthroned in glory, and behold the
earth. You are eternal, invisible, beyond our understanding,
boundless and immutable. O Father of our Great God, Savior
and Lord, Jesus Christ, who is our hope, the image of your
goodness and the seal bearing your likeness--you are revealed
through Him. He is the living word, true God, eternal wisdom,
life, sanctification, power, and the true light through whom the
Holy Spirit manifested himself. He is the spirit of truth, the gift
of filial adoption, the pledge of our future inheritance, the
beginning of eternal goodness, the life-giving power, the fountain
of sanctification through whom every rational and intelligent
creature is empowered to serve you and to render to you an
unending hymn of praise because all things are yours.
56
You are praised by the angels, archangels, thrones, dominations,
principalities, powers, and the many-eyed cherubim. You are
attended by the seraphim, each with six wings; two wings cover
their face, two their feet, and with two they fly, and they call one
to the other with unceasing and incessant hymns of praise,
singing, shouting, crying out and saying the triumphal hymn:
All respond: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts,
heaven and earth are full of your glory; hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who come in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.
57
every generation have been pleasing to you. You spoke to us
through the prophets, who foretold the salvation which was to
come. You gave the law as an aid, and appointed angels as our
guardians: and when the fullness of time had come, you spoke to
us through your Son himself, through whom you created the
temporal world.
He, being the reflection of your glory and the expressed image of
your person, and sustaining all things by his powerful word, did
not deem equality with you, our God, something to be
tenaciously held; and though remaining everlasting God, he
appeared on earth and lived among us.
Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you for the
remission of sins.
The celebrant and all the ministers make a profound bow of reverence and all respond:
Amen.
59
Celebrant:
Likewise, he also took the cup of the fruit of the vine, and when
he had mixed it and had given thanks, blessed it, + and sanctified
it, he gave it to his holy disciples and apostles saying:
The celebrant and all the ministers make a profound bow of reverence and all respond:
Amen.
Celebrant:
Celebrant:
For this reason, all-holy Master, since you have enabled us, your
children, to minister at your holy altar--not because of our
righteousness but because of your mercies and compassion which
you have so richly poured out upon us--we have the courage to
approach your holy altar, and, while offering you the symbol of
60
the body and blood of your Christ, O Holy of Holies, that,
according to the good pleasure of your kindness, your Holy Spirit
may come upon us and upon the gifts offered to you, and bless
and sanctify them and, show: this bread + to be the precious body
of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and this chalice + to
be the precious blood of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
poured forth + for the life of the world.
May we obtain mercy and grace especially with our most holy,
most pure, and most blessed and glorious lady, The Theotokos
and every-virgin Mary.
All respond: In you, O Woman Full of Grace, the angelic choirs and the human race
-- all creation rejoices. O Sanctified Temple, Mystical Paradise, and Glory of Virgins,
He, Who is our God from before all ages, took flesh from you and became a child.
He made your womb a throne, and greater than the heavens. In you, O Woman full
of grace, all creation rejoices. All praise be to you!
61
Celebrant:
62
virginity and piety, and those who practice asceticism and live
saintly lives.
Remember, O Lord, the people here present and those who are
absent for honorable reasons, and have mercy on them and on us
according to the greatness of your goodness. Fill their houses
with every good thing; preserve their marriages in peace and
harmony; instruct the children, guide the young, support the
aged, encourage the faint-hearted, collect the scattered, lead back
those who have gone astray and unite them in your holy catholic
and apostolic church. Free those who are bothered by unclean
spirits, journey with travelers, defend widows, protect orphans,
free those in captivity, and heal the sick.
Remember, O Lord our God, all your people, and upon all of
them pour forth your rich mercy, granting those petitions which
are for their benefit. You, yourself, remember those whom we
63
have not remembered through ignorance or forgetfulness or
multitude of names, because you know the name and age of all;
you know each one even from their mother's womb. For you, O
Lord, are a help to the helpless, a hope to the hopeless, a savior
of those in peril, a harbor for voyagers, a physician for the sick.
Be all things to all people; for you know each one and their
requests, each home and its needs. Keep, O Lord, this city and
country from plague, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, and
civil war and riot.
Among the first, O Lord, remember all your holy Patriarchs; your
most reverend Metropolitan and Archbishops, our metropolitan,
N., our archbishop, N., your God-loving Bishops, our bishop, N.,
preserve them for your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and
health for many years as they remain faithful to your word. And
remember all your people.
64
Visit us with your grace, O Lord. Reveal yourself to us through
your rich mercy. Grant us a healthful and agreeable climate and
gentle showers upon the earth, that it may be fruitful; and in your
goodness, bless the due cycle of the seasons.
Grant that we, with one voice and one heart, may glorify and
praise your most honored and sublime name, Father, Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
All respond: Amen.
May the mercies of our great God and savior, + Jesus Christ, be
with all of you.
All respond: And with your Spirit.
Celebrant:
--Now that we have remembered all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray
to the Lord.
--For the precious gifts offered and consecrated, that our God, in His love for us, may
receive them on His holy and heavenly and mystical altar, unto an aroma of spiritual
fragrance, may send down upon us in return the divine grace and gift of the Holy
Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
65
The following may be omitted:
--That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.
--Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by your grace.
--That this whole day (night) may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without sin, let us
beseech the Lord.
All respond: Grant it, O Lord. (And repeat after each petition).
--For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us
beseech the Lord.
--For the pardon and remission of our sins and offenses, let us beseech the Lord.
--For what is good and beneficial to our souls and for the peace of the world, let us
beseech the Lord.
--That we may spend the rest of our life in peace and repentance, let us beseech the
Lord.
--For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good
account before the Christ, let us beseech the Lord.
--Asking for unity in Faith, and for communion in the Holy Spirit, let us commend
ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ, our God.
Celebrant:
66
blood of your Christ. Having received them may we have Christ
living in our hearts and may we become temples of your Holy
Spirit. Especially, O God, let none of us become guilty regarding
these awesome and heavenly mysteries of yours, nor let us
become weakened in spirit or body by partaking of them
unworthily.
O Lord, grant that we, even until our last breath, may receive a
portion of your holy gifts as a provision for the journey to eternal
life. Then, together with the saints who have been pleasing to
you at all times, may we become partakers of your eternal
blessings which you have prepared for those who love you.
Celebrant:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
All respond: Amen.
Celebrant:
Celebrant:
Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Your holy
dwelling-place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom,
and come to sanctify us, you who are seated on high with the
Father, and dwell here invisibly among us, and deem it proper to
impart to us, with your mighty hand, Your most pure body and
precious blood, and through us, to all your people.
Celebrant (or deacon):
Let us be attentive!
The celebrant raises the holy bread over the discos.
68
While the proceeding is being sung, the celebrant breaks the holy bread and places it in the following
pattern:
IC
NI KA
XC
Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken yet not divided, ever eaten
yet never consumed, sanctifying those who partake thereof.
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly the Christ,
the Son of the Living God, who came into this world to
save us. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper,
O Son of God; for I will not give you a kiss, as did Judas
but like the thief I confess to you: Remember me, O Lord,
when you come into your kingdom. May the partaking of
these mysteries be for the healing of my soul and body. O
Lord, I also believe that this which I am about to receive is
your most precious body and life-giving blood, which, I
pray, allow me to receive for the remission of my sins and
life everlasting. Amen.
The celebrants reverently receive the body and blood of Our Lord.
The precious and most holy body of our Lord and God and
Savior Jesus Christ is given to me, the priest, N., for the
remission of sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
I, a servant of God, the priest N., partake of the precious and holy
blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ for the
remission of my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
69
After putting the remaining particles into the chalice, the celebrant invites the congregation to receive:
During the distribution of communion, an appropriate hymn may be sung. Some feasts have their own hymn.
Following the distribution of Communion, the celebrant blesses the people with the chalice filled with
the remaining body and blood, saying:
After incensing the gifts, the celebrant shows the gifts to the people before taking them to the side
altar where the remainder is consumed and the vessels are cleaned. As he does so he intones:
The mystery of your plan, O Christ our God, has been completed
and perfected as far as it was in our power. We have
commemorated your death; we have seen the figure of your
resurrection; we have been filled with your unending life; we
have enjoyed your inexhaustable delights. Grant that we may
know of all this in the world to come, through the grace of your
eternal Father and your holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now
70
and ever, and forever. Amen.
The altar is also cleaned and the corporal folded and the gospel book is replaced over the corporal.
The celebrant returns to the presider's chair for a moment of silence, then he stands before the altar
and prays:
Celebrant:
71
All respond: Lord, have mercy.
Celebrant turns to face the people and in blessing, with outstretched arms, says:
O Lord, blessing those who bless you and sanctifying those who
trust in you, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Preserve the fullness of your church, sanctify those who love the
beauty of your house; glorify them in return by your divine
power, and do not forsake us who trust in you. Grant peace to
your world, to your churches, to the priests, to our civil
authorities and to all your people. For every good gift and every
perfect gift is given from you, the Father of the lights of heaven:
and we render glory, thanksgiving and worship to you,+ the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. (Three times)
The celebrant blesses the people with the sign of the cross saying:
+The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His Grace and
Loving Kindness, always now and ever, and forever.
All respond: Amen.
Celebrant:
May Christ our true God (if it be Sunday: risen from the dead) through
the prayers of the of His most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his
earthly father; and of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles,
and of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in
72
Cappadocia, and of St. (whose church it is ) Patron of this house, and
of St. (whose day it is ) whose feast we celebrate today and of all the
saints have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he
loves mankind.
All respond: Amen.
73
DISMISSALS FOR FIXED AND
MOVABLE FEAST DAYS
The Nativity of Jesus (December 25)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, Who, for our salvation, was born
in a cave in Bethlehem of Judea and lay in a manger, through the
prayers of the of His most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father;
and of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, and of our holy father
Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and of all the
saints have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves
mankind.
The Circumcision of our Lord and Feast of St. Basil the Great (January 1)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, Who, for our salvation, submitted
to circumcision on the eighth day according to the law, through the
prayers of the of His most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father;
and of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, and of our holy father
Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and of all the
saints have mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves
mankind.
The Theophany (January 6)
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, Who, for our salvation, deigned
to be baptized in the Jordan by John, through the prayers of the of His
most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father; and of the holy,
glorious and illustrious apostles, and of our holy father Basil the Great,
archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and of all the saints have mercy
on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
74
Holy and Great Thursday
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, Who, because of his surpassing
graciousness, showed us the most excellent way of humility when He
washed his disciple's feet, and condescended even unto the cross and
burial, and who, for our salvation, at his mystical supper gave us his
true body to eat and his true blood to drink, through the prayers of the
of His most Holy Mother, St. Joseph, his earthly father; and of the
holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, and of our holy father Basil the
Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and of all the saints have
mercy on us and save us, for he is gracious and he loves mankind.
Holy and Great Saturday
Celebrant: May Christ our true God, Who, for our salvation was placed
in a tomb and descended to the realm of Death because of the deeds of
mankind, through the prayers of the of His most Holy Mother, St.
Joseph, his earthly father; and of the holy, glorious and illustrious
apostles, and of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea
in Cappadocia, and of all the saints have mercy on us and save us, for
he is gracious and he loves mankind.
75