PREFATORY NOTE AND DIRECTIONS

The word Liturgy, which in the Greek means "A public work" or "Ministry," is particularly applied (heightened by the adjective "Divine") to the chief service of the day, in which the Holy Eucharist, or Service of Thanksgiving, is celebrated.

Three Liturgies are used in the Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church of the East:

That of St. John Chrysostom; that of St. Basil the Great; and that of the Pre- sanctified Gifts.

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and that of St. Basil the Great are divided into three parts. In the first part, the clergy prepare the bread and wine, and it is called The Office of Oblation. The second part consists of prayers, reading and singing, with which the faithful prepare themselves for the Holy Sacrament, and at which alone Catechumens (or learners) were allowed, in former times, to be pres- ent : it is called The Liturgy of the Catechumens. The third part, called The Liturgy of. the Faithful, is the celebration of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist; and in the early Church only the Faithful — that is to say, members of the Christian Church — were permitted to be present at it.

The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great differs from that of St. John Chrysostom only in certain of the Secret Prayers, one Hymn, and three phrases in the Consecration of the Holy Gifts (as duly indicated at the proper places), the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom being a later and abbreviated form of St. Basil's Liturgy, as the latter, in turn, was a later and abbreviated form of a still earlier Liturgy

It is appointed to be used on the Sundays of the Great Fast (Lent), except on Palm Sunday; on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday; and on Christmas Day and the Epiphany, when those feasts fall upon Sunday or Monday; otherwise, on the days preceding those feasts. Also, on St. Basil's Day, January i ; in all, ten times in the course of the year.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, so called because the Holy Gifts which have previously been consecrated are used for the Holy Communion, has existed from ancient times, although, in its present form, it is ascribed to St. Gregory Hom- iliastes of Rome (sixth century). The Orthodox Church decrees that this Liturgy shall be celebrated during the Great Fast (but at no other time), since the trium- phantly joyous feelings associated with the complete Liturgy and the consecration of the Holy Gifts are incompatible with the strictness of the Fast. Hence it is ordainedthat the complete Liturgy shall be celebrated only on Saturdays and Sun- days during the weeks of the Great Fast (Lent). The customary days for the cele- bration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts are Wednesday and Friday of every week, and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Passion^Week.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts consists of Vespers (and therefore is ap- pointed for a late hour in the day), and of a portion of the ordinary Liturgy, omitting the most essential part of the latter, namely, the consecration of the Gifts. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is usually preceded by the reading of the Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours, and of the Typical Psalms. Under certain circumstances an earlier celebration is admissible.

The usual hour for celebrating the ordinary Liturgy is, not earlier than dawn and not later than noon. '

For the celebration of the Mystery of the Eucharist the following are indispensa- ble: A Priest or a Bishop regularly ordained, and having a steadtast will and inten- tion to fulfil the Mystery of the Lord's Body and Blood. Of material things: five Altar-breads, made of pure wheaten flour, and leavened ; wine of the grape. The accomplishment of the Mystery through prayer and words, with the blessing of the Priest's hand: "And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ, and also that which is in this cup the precious Blood of thy Christ, transmuting them bv thy Holy Spirit."

In addition to the above, the following things are indispensable for the Liturgy: A Corporal (Antimins),* consecrated by a Bishop; vestments for the Priest, consisting of a cassock (stikhdr), a stole (epitrakhil) , gauntlets (porutchi), girdle (poyas), and chasuble (felon) ; vessels, — a chalice, a paten, a star-cover, a spear, a spoon; veils, a censer, a service book; lights burning on the altar; and an acolyte.

Only one Liturgy may be celebrated on any Altar in the course of one day; and no Bishop or Priest may celebrate more than one Liturgy in the course of one and the same day.

The Priest who enters upon the celebration of the Liturgy must be free from in- hibition, and from mortal sin, and must prepare himself, — spiritually, by reconcil- ing himself with all men, by penitence, and the appointed devotions; bodily, by abstinence from food and drink (from midnight at the least), and from fleshly de- sires, and by cleanliness of body and garments.

The appointed devotions consist of the celebration or the hearing of the Evening and Morning Services and Prayers; and there must also be read: On Monday: Tbe Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Invocation to the Birth-giver of God, the Canon to the Archangels; and, if he so desire, to his Guardian Angel. On Tuesday: The Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Invocation to the Birth-giver of God, to John the Forerunner, and to his Guardian Angel. On Wednesday: The Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Canon to the Birth-giver of God, and to his Guardian Angel. On Thursday: The Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Invocation to the Birth-giver of God, to his Guardian Angel, to the Holy Apostles; and, if he so desire, to St. Nicholas. On Friday, the Canon to the Life-giving Cross, the Invocation to the Birth-giver of God, and to his Guardian Angel. On Saturday: The Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Chant of Prayer and Praise (Akdfist) to the Birth-giver of God, to his Guardian Angel, and to all the Saints. On Sunday: The Canon to the Lord Jesus, the Invocation to the Birth- giver of God, and to his Guardian Angel.

In addition to these, on every occasion, the Canon of the Communion, and the Prayers before the Communion. (See Index.)

The Curtain and the Holy Door. At Divine Service the curtain is drawn aside before the beginning of the Liturgy, when the benediction is given at the end of the Obla- tion. The Holy Door is opened before the Lesser Entrance, and closed before the Litany of the Catechumens. It is opened again before the Cherubimic Hymn, and closed after the Great Entrance, at which time the curtain also is drawn. The curtain is drawn aside at the words: The Doors ! The Doors ! It is drawn again at the Exclamation: Holy Things to the Holy. The curtain is drawn aside and the Holy Door is opened before: In the fear of God . . ; and is finally closed after the Dismissal.

At a Pontifical Service : The Holy Door is opened at the beginning of the service, and so remains until the Exclamation: Let us attend! Holy Things to the Holy. After that it is opened and closed as usual.

The Bishop's Pall and Mitre. At a Pontifical Service, the pall (omofor) is re- moved before the Epistle; is put on while the particles are being taken from the sacred breads before the Great Entrance, and is immediately laid aside again. After the prayer: With them also . . . {and the Hymn: Holy, holy, holy .), it is put on; and it is re- moved when the Holy Spirit is invoked. At the Exclamation: Let us attend! Holy

* For explanation, see introductory chapter on The Symbolism of the Church, page xxiv.

things to the holy: it is put on, and is then worn until the Dismissal. In addition to the above, the Bishop puts on his pall when he ordains a Deacon or a Priest.

The Mitre is removed while the particles are being taken from the holy breads, and at the Commemoration of Persons at the Great Entrance; while: Let us love one another

. : is being said, and while the Creed is being chanted; also, from: Take, eat . . . ; and until: More especially for the Most Holy {and during the reception of the Holy Communion by the Bishop).

THE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

AND

THE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT (i)*

i. THE OFFICE OF OBLATION

When the time is come to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, the Priest entereth the Temple, and, in company with the Deacon, maketh three lowly reverences before the Holy Door.

Then the Deacon saith:

Bless, Master.

Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.

O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)

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

O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

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 for- give 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 ages of ages. Amen.

And then shall they say: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us. For we sinners devoid of all defence, do offer unto thee, as to our Master, this sup- plication: Have mercy upon us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for in thee have we trusted, and be not very wroth with us, neither call thou to remembrance our iniqui-

* See Appendix B, IV.

ties; but look down even now upon us, inasmuch as thou art of tender compassion, and deliver us from our enemies: for thou art our God, and we are thy people, we are all the work of thy hand, and we call upon thy Name.

Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogorodilchen). Open unto us the door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Birth- giver of God. In that we set our hope on thee may we not fail, but through thee may we be delivered from adversities; for thou art the salvation of all Christian people.

Then shall they approach the holy picture (ikona) of Christ, and shall kiss it, saying:

We do homage to thy most pure image, O Good One, entreating forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ-God; for of thine own good will thou wast graciously pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that thou mightest deliver from bondage to the enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned ; for which cause we cry aloud unto thee with thanksgiving: With joy hast thou filled all things, O our Sav- iour, in that thou didst come to save the world.

In like manner they shall kiss also the holy picture of the Birth-giver of God, recit- ing the while this Hymn, secretly:

0 Birth-giver of God, in that thou art a well-spring of loving-kind- ness, vouchsafe unto us thy compassion. Look upon the people who have sinned. Manifest thy power as ever; for trusting in thee we cry aloud unto thee: Hail! as aforetime did Gabriel, Chief Captain of the Bodiless Powers.

Then, with bowed heads, they say the following Prayer: Stretch forth thy hand, O Lord, from thy holy dwelling-place on high, and strengthen me for this, thine appointed service; that stand- ing uncondemned before thy dread Altar, I may fulfil the sacred, un- bloody rite. For thine is the power unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then they make one reverence to the People, (2) and enter the Sanctuary saying, secretly:

1 will enter into thy house, I will worship toward thy holy Temple in thy fear. Guide me, O Lord, with thy righteousness; make straight my path before thee, because of mine enemies. For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vanity; their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues have they dealt deceitfully. Judge them, O God. Let them fall through their own counsels: according to the multitude of their iniquities cast thou them out, for they have provoked thee exceedingly, O Lord. And let all those who trust in thee be joyful; and so shall they rejoice evermore; and thou shalt dwell in them forever. And those who love thy Name shall make

their boast of thee. For thou, O Lord, wilt bless the upright man. As with the panoply of thine approval hast thou crowned us.

When they enter the Sanctuary, they make three lowly reverences of adoration be- fore the Holy Altar, and kiss the book of the Holy Gospels, and the Holy Altar, saying:

O God, cleanse thou me, a sinner, and have mercy upon me.

Then the Deacon approacheth the Priest, holding in his right hand his dalmatic * (stikhdr), his stole (ordr), and his gauntlets (porutchi); and bowing his head before the Priest, he saith: (3)

Bless, Master, the dalmatic and the stole.

Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Deacon then retireth, kisseth the cross on his dalmatic, and putteth it on, praying thus:

My soul shall exult in the Lord. For he hath endued me with the robe of salvation, and with the garment of joy hath he clothed me. He hath set a crown upon my head, like unto a bridegroom, and as a bride hath he adorned me with comeliness.

Then, having kissed his stole, he layelh it on his right shoulder. And when he putteth the cuffs on his wrists, he saith, as he putteth that on the right:

Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength. Thy right hand, O Lord, hath shattered the enemy, and through the multitude of thy glory hast thou crushed the adversaries.

And with the left he saith: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Enlighten my mind, and I shall learn thy commandments.

(The clergy usually kiss each vestment before putting it on.)

Then, going to the Table of Oblation, he prepareth the Holy Things. The holy paten he setteth on the left side; the holy chalice, which is the holy cup, on the right; and with them the other holy utensils.

And the Priest vesteth himself in this wise: Taking his cassock (podriznik) in his left hand, and making three lowly reverences toward the east, as aforesaid, he signeth it with the sign of the cross, saying:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then he putteth it on, saying:

My soul shall exult in the Lord: as the Deacon hath said.

Then taking his priestly stole (epitrakhil) , and signing it with the sign of the cross, he putteth it on, saying:

Blessed is God, who poureth out upon his priests his grace, like unto the precious ointment on the head, which ran down upon the * For explanation, see introductory chapter on The Symbolism of the Church, p. xxiv.

beard, even upon the beard of Aaron; which ran down to the skirts of his garment.

Then, taking the girdle, and girding himself, he saith: Blessed is God, who girdeth me with strength, and hath made my path blameless, and hath given me feet like unto those of a hart, and hath set me on high.

Then he putteth on the cuffs as already described for the Deacon. And taking his epigondtion, if he hath that dignity, he blesseth it, saying:

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Mighty One, in thy vigour, and in thy beauty: and go forth, and prosper, and reign, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall guide thee wondrously always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then, taking his chasuble (felon), he blesseth it, and, kissing it, he putteth it on, saying:

Thy priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and thy Holy Ones shall rejoice with exultation always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then they shall wash their hands, saying: I will wash my hands among the innocent, and so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord ; that I may hear the voice of thy praise, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the beauty of thy house, and the place where thy glory dwelleth. Destroy not my soul with the ungodly, nor my life with the men of blood, in whose hands is iniquity, and their right hand is full of gifts. But I have walked in mine innocency: Deliver me, 0 Lord, and have mercy upon me. My foot hath been set on righteousness. In the churches will I bless thee, O Lord.

And thus they go forth to the Chapel of Oblation, making three lowly reverences before the Table of Oblation. And each saith within himself:

O God, cleanse thou me, a sinner, and have mercy upon me.

And: By thy precious Blood hast thou redeemed us from the curse of the Law: in that thou wast nailed to the Cross, and wast pierced with a spear, thou hast poured forth immortality upon mankind, as from a fountain. O our Saviour, Glory to thee.

If it be not a Pontifical Service, the Hours are now read, while the Holy Gifts are prepared for the Holy Sacrament. Hours. .

But if it be a Pontifical Service, then the Hours are read later, as indicated.

Deacon. Bless, Master (aloud, if it be not a Pontifical Service).

Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Deacon. Amen.

Then the Priest taketh in his left hand one of the altar-breads, and in his right hand the holy spear; and making therewith the sign of the cross, thrice, above the seal of the bread, he saith:

In remembrance of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ. {Thrice.)

And immediately he thrusteth the spear into the right side of the seal and as he cutteth it, he saith:

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.

And as he cutteth the left side:

And as a spotless lamb before his shearers is dumb, so opened he not his mouth.

And at the top of the seal:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.

And at the bottom: For his generation, who shall declare it?

And the Deacon, gazing reverently at the Holy Mystic Rite, as each incision is made saith, holding his stole in his hand the while:

Let us pray to the Lord.

And when the Priest, having thrust the spear, obliquely, from below, into the right side of the bread, taketh away the whole part with the seal, thus cut, the Deacon saith:

Master, take away-

And the Priest saith:

For his life is taken away from the earth.

And having laid it, inverted, on the holy paten, and the Deacon having said: Sacrifice, Master.

He sacrificeth, cutting it crosswise, but leaving the seal intact, and saying:

Sacrificed is the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, for the life of the world, and for its salvation.

He then turneth upward the other side, which hath upon it the emblem of the Cross. And as he pierceth the right side with the spear, the Deacon saith:

Pierce, Master.

And the Priest: One of the soldiers did pierce his side with a spear, and straightway there came forth blood and water. And he that saw it bare witness, and his witness is true.

7i

Then the Deacon poureth into the holy chalice the mingled wine and water, in amount according to the number of communicants, having first said to the Priest:

Bless, Master, the holy union.

And the Priest blesseth it, saying: Blessed be the union of thy Holy Things always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then, taking in his hand another altar-bread, the Priest shall say: In honour and commemoration of our most blessed Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever- virgin Mary; through whose interces- sions accept, O Lord, this sacrifice upon thy most heavenly Altar.

And with the spear taking out a portion, he layeth it on the right side of the Holy Bread, near the centre thereof, saying:

On thy right hand stood the Queen, clothed in a vesture wrought with gold and divers colours.

Then taking the third altar-bread, he saith: In commemoration of the most honourable and glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John.

And taking out the first particle, he placeth it on the left hand of the Holy Bread, making the beginning of the first row. Then he saith:

Of the holy, glorious Prophets, Moses and Aaron; Elijah and Elisha; David and Jesse; of the Three Holy Children, also of Daniel the Prophet; and of all the holy prophets.

And taking out another particle, he placeth it below the first, in due order. Then

he saith: Of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles, Peter and Paul; and of all the other holy Apostles.

In the same manner, he placeth a third particle below the second, thus completing the first rank. Arid he saith:

Of our holy Fathers and Saints, the Prelates Basil the Great, Greg- ory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius and Kyril, Nicholas of Myra in Lycia; (Peter, Alexis, Jonah and Philip of Mos- cow;) Nikita, Bishop of Novgorod, Le6nty, Bishop of Rostoff; and of all thy holy Prelates.

And taking out a fourth particle, he placeth it beside the first particle, making a second beginning. And he saith:

Of the holy Apostle and First Martyr and Archdeacon, Stephen; of the holy Great Martyrs Demetrius, George, Theodore of Tyre, Theodore the Strategist; and of all holy Martyrs, both men and women; of Thekla, Barbara, Kyriaka, Euphemia, Paraskeva, Kather- ine; and of all other holy martyred women.

And taking out a fifth particle, he placeth it below the first, which is in the second row. And he saith:

Of our devout and God-bearing Fathers, Anthony, Euthymius, Sabba, Onuphrius, Athanasius of Mount Athos, Anthony and Theo- dosius of the Catacombs, Sergius of Radonezh, Barlaam of Khutinsk; and of all our devout fathers; and of our devout mothers in God, Pelagia, Theodosia, Anastasia, Eupraxia, Fevronia, Theodulia, Euph- rosyne, Mary of Egypt; and of all our holy and devout mothers.

And in like manner, taking out a sixth particle, he placeth it below the second, completing the second row. After which he saith:

Of the holy and wonder-working Unmercenaries Cosmas and Da- mian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon, Hermolaus; and of all the Holy Unmercenaries.

And taking out a seventh particle, he placeth it above, making the beginning of the third row. Then he saith:

Of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna. And of Saint N. {the Saint of the Church) and of Saint N. {the Saint of the day); arad of Saint Methodius and Saint Kyril, the Equals of the Apostles the Evangelizers of the Slavonians, and of all the Saints; through whose supplications do thou visit us, O Lord.

Then he layeth the eighth particle below the former, in due order. And thereafter he saith:

Of our Father in the Saints, John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constan- tinople {if his Liturgy is to be celebrated. But if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is to be celebrated, then shall he be commemorated instead).

Then taking out the ninth particle, he placeth it at the end of the third row, com- pleting it. And taking the fourth altar-bread, he saith:

Remember, O Lord, Lover of mankind, every Bishopric over Or-

thodox Christians; the Most Holy Governing Synod, and Orthodox Patriarchs; and our Bishop, N.; the honourable Priesthood, the Diac- onate in Christ, and every Sacerdotal Order; our brethren and fellow- ministers, the priests, the deacons, and all our brethren whom thou hast called into thy communion, through thy tenderness of heart, O all-good Lord.

And taking out a portion, he layeth it below the Holy Bread. Then he com- memorateth the Ruler, saying:

Call to remembrance, O Lord, our most God-fearing Ruler, N. (4)

Then he maketh mention, by name, of the living who are to be prayed for, if any such there be; and at each name he taketh out a particle, saying:

Call to remembrance, O Lord, N.

Having thus taken out the particles, the, Priest placeth them below the Holy i Bread. Then taking the fifth altar-bread, he saith:

In memory, and for the remission of sins, of the most holy Patri- archs; of Orthodox and God-fearing Rulers; and of the blessed found- ers of this holy Temple.

Then shall he make mention of the Bishop who ordained him; and of whatsoever persons he may desire, who have departed this life, by name. And at each name, he shall take out a particle, saying:

Call to remembrance, O Lord, N.

And, in conclusion, he shall say as followeth:

And of all our Orthodox fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection, of life eternal, and of communion with thee, O Lord, who lovest mankind.

And he taketh out a particle. Thereafter he saith: Call to remembrance, O Lord, my unworthy self, and pardon me every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary.

And he taketh out of the fourth prosford a particle. Then, taking the sponge, he gather eth together the particles taken from the fourth and fifth prosfori on the paten, below the Holy Bread, so that they may be in safety, and that none of them may fall. Then the Deacon taketh the censer, and having placed incense therein, he saith to the Priest:

Bless, Master, the censer,

And straightway he saith: Let us pray to the Lord.

Then the Priest saith the Prayer of the Censer.

Unto thee, O Christ-God, do we offer incense for an odour of spirit- ual fragrance: which do thou accept upon thy most heavenly Altar, and pour forth upon us in return the grace of thine all-holy Spirit.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

С/з

•■*

Then the Priest, having censed the star-cover, placeth it over the Holy Bread, saying:

And the Star came and stood over the place where the young Child was. Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priest, having censed the first veil, covereth therewith the Holy Bread, saying:

The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel; the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength. He hath made the round world so sure, that it cannot be moved. Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared: thou art from everlasting. The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier. Thy testimonies, O Lord, are very sure: holiness becometh thine house forever.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Cover, Master.

The Priest, having censed the second veil, covereth therewith the holy chalice, saying:

Thy virtue, O Christ, hath covered the heavens, and the earth also is full of thy praise. Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.

The Priest, having censed the veil, that is to say, the air (vozdukh), covereth there- with the paten and chalice, saying:

Cover us with the shelter of thy wings, and drive away from us every foe and adversary- Order our lives in peace, O Lord; have mercy upon us, and upon thy world, and save our souls; forasmuch as thou art good and lovest mankind.

Then, taking the censer, the Priest censeth the Table of Oblation, saying thrice: Blessed art thou, O our God, who herein art well pleased. Glory to thee.

And each time the Deacon shall respond:

Always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then both make three devout reverences. And the Deacon, taking the censer, saith:

For the Precious Gifts now offered up, let us pray to the Lord. Then the Priest maketh the Prayer of Oblation :

O God our God, who didst send forth the Heavenly Bread, the Nourishment of the whole world, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour and Redeemer and Benefactor, blessing and sanctify- ing us: Do thou, the same Lord, bless also this oblation, and accept it

on thy most heavenly Altar. Call to remembrance those who offer it, and those for whom it is offered, inasmuch as thou art good and lovest mankind; and preserve us blameless in the holy ministry of thy Di- vine Mysteries.

For sanctified and glorified be thy most honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Priest pronounceth the Dismissal, saying: Glory to thee, 0 Christ-God our hope; glory to thee. Deacon. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Master, bless.

Then the Priest pronounceth the Benediction. If it be Sunday: May he who rose again from the dead, Christ our true God, . . .

But if it be not Sunday:

May Christ, our true God, through the intercessions of his all-unde- filed Mother; of our Father among the Saints, John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople (or, if the Liturgy of St. Basil be used: of Basil the Great, of Csesarea in Cappadocia) ; and of all the Saints, q have mercy upon us, and save us: for he is good and loveth mankind.

Deacon. Amen.

After the Benediction, the Deacon censeth the Holy Oblation. Then (if the Ponti- fical Service is to follow, see page 78. If not:) he goeth and censeth the Holy Altar round about, in the form of a cross, saying, secretly: (5)

In the grave with the body, but in Hell with the soul, in that thou art God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, wast thou, O Christ, filling all things, in that thou art infinite.

Then he shall recite Psalm li.: Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; (See page 45).

Meanwhile, he censeth the Sanctuary and all the Temple, and returneth again to the Holy Altar; and having again censed it and the Priest, he putteth the censer aside in its place, and approacheth the Priest. And standing together before the Holy Altar, they make three lowly reverences, praying secretly, and saying:

O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things, and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good wjll towards men. (Twice.) O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

C/

Co

Then the Priest kisseth the book of the Holy Gospels, and the Deacon kisseth the Holy Altar. Then the Deacon, bowing his head before the Priest, and holding his stole with three fingers, saith:

It is time to sacrifice unto the Lord. Bless, Master. And the (Bishop or the) Priest, signing him with the sign of the cross, saith: Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Deacon. Pray for me, holy Master. (Bishop or) Priest. May the Lord direct thy steps. Deacon. Remember me, holy Master.

(Bishop or) Priest. May the Lord God remember thee in his king- dom always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Deacon. Amen.

And having made a humble reverence, he goeth out through the north door, and standing in his accustomed place before the Holy Door, he thrice boweth his head reverently, and saith, secretly :

O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

Thereafter he beginneth, aloud:

Bless, Master. (See page 80.)

// the Priest celebrate without a Deacon, the words assigned to the Deacon in the Office of Oblation and in the Liturgy, before the Gospel are read; and in response: Bless, Master; and: Pierce, Master; and: It is time to sacrifice: shall not be said. As, likewise, the litany and oblation of ranks. But if many Priests serve, as in a Cathedral, only one Priest shall perform the Office of Obla- tion, and shall say what is herein set forth; but no other of the Priests shall say that Office separately. They are allowed only to take out the particles for the living and the dead.

If a Pontifical Service is to follow, then, after the Benediction of the Office of Bishop. Oblation, the Priest who hath celebrated the Office of Oblation (and the other Priests, in their cassocks), bearmg a cross upon a salver, accompanied by the Proto-Deacon or Deacon with the censer and taper, the crozier -bearer with the Bishop's crozier, and the Sub-Deacons with the mantle and the eagle-rugs, go forth to meet the Bishop at the western door. As the Bishop enter eth the Tem- ple, the Deacon exclaimeth: Wisdom ! And the Bishop saith, secretly: I will enter into thy house (see page 68). He is then vested in his mantle, and

kisseth the cross, and giveth it to be kissed by all the Priests who are preparing to celebrate the Liturgy; and then, while the Choir singeth: Meet is it: More honourable . and, while he saluteth the holy pictures of our Lord and of His Mother, and of the Patron Saint of the Church, he reciteth the prescribed hymns (see page 107), supporting himself on his crozier, he approacheth the Holy Door, and there giveth the blessing for the Prayer of Entrance, as shown above. (See page 68.)

After the Prayer: Stretch forth thy hand, O Lord (see page 68), the Bishop

turneih his face towards the People, and blesseth the worshippers, while the Choir singeth:

Ton Despotin kai Arkhierea imon, Kyrie fylatte. Eis polla eti, Despota. (Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Bishop. For many years, O Master.)

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The Bishop then goeth to his dais; the Clergy ask his blessing, and withdraw into the Sanctuary to vest themselves. The Priest who hath celebrated the Office of Oblation blesseth the beginning of the Hours:

Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader. Amen.

And he readeth the Third Hour and the Sixth Hour. Choir. The prophets proclaimed thee from on high, O Virgin, the Jar, the Staff, the Tables of the Law, the Ark, the Candlestick, the Table, the Mount Uncloven, the Golden Censer, and the Tabernacle, the Gate Impassable, the Palace and Ladder, and the Throne of Kings.

Meanwhile the Sub-Deacons begin to vest the Bishop, having first removed his mantle, cowl, pectoral holy image, and outer cassock. While the Bishop's vestments are being put upon him, the Proto-Deacon, censer in hand, reciteth the same Verses which the Priests recite as they vest themselves. (See above.) Or, sometimes, they are chanted by the Choir, the Proto-Deacon exclaiming be- fore each: Let us pray to the Lord ; and using the second person, and substitut- ing for "Priests" the word "Bishops," and so forth.

When the pall (omofor) is put on, the Deacon saith: When thou hadst taken upon thy shoulders human nature which had gone astray, O Christ, thou didst bear it to heaven, unto thy God and Father, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And with the pectoral holy image he saith: May God create in thee a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within thee, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

At the second pectoral image (if there be one), he saith: Thy heart is inditing of a good matter; thou shalt speak of thy deeds unto the King, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And with the cross he saith: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, saith the Lord, and take up his cross and follow me, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

And with the mitre he saith: The Lord hath set upon thy head a crown of precious stones. Thou askedst life of him, and he shall give thee length of days, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Proto-Deacon standeth aside, and the Sub-Deacons enter the Sanctuary, and taking from the Clergy the dikiri and the trikiri, they bear them to the Bishop. And the Proto-Deacon saith:

May thy light so shine before men that they may see thy good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven, always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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And the Bishop bestoweth the blessing, in cross-form, with the dikiri and the trikiri, to the east, and the west, and the south, and the north, while the Choir singeth slowly:

Ton Desp6tin kai Arkhierea imon, Kyrie fylatte. Eis polla eti. Despota. (Preserve, O Lord, our Master and Bishop. For many years, O Master.) (6)

Then the ewer and basin are brought by the Proto-Deacon and the Deacon, gettjne.

and the Bishop washeth his hands, if there be no Setting-apart of a Reader apart of

or Chanter, or the Ordination of a Sub-Deacon. But if there be a Setting- a,f£uers

apart or an Ordination, then he who is to be set apart or ordained bringeth Chanters;

the ewer and basin, after he hath been vested in his dalmatic, in the man- {iono?

ner set forth in the Order for the Laying-on of Hands: and the Bishop Sub-

saith, secretly: Deacons.

O Lord our God, who didst sanctify the streams of Jordan by thy saving manifestation : Do thou now, also, send down the grace of thy Holy Spirit, and bless this water, to the sanctification of all thy peo- ple for blessed art thou unto ages of ages.