Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts — Holy Monday

Variables for Holy Tuesday (Sung on the morning of Holy Monday by anticipation)

The holy doors being open, the fully-vested priest and deacon stand together before the holy table, with the priest in the center and the deacon at his place at the southwest corner. They make three metanias, the priest saying each time: "O God, be gracious unto me, a sinner, and have mercy on me."

The priest then kisses the gospel book and the holy table, while the deacon kisses only the southwest corner of the holy table. Having kissed the priest's right hand, the deacon exits the sanctuary, passing the high place, through the north door. Standing at his place in the center of the solea, the deacon makes three metanias before the holy doors, saying nothing, and then lifts his orarion with the three fingers of his right hand and says aloud:

Deacon: Bless, master.

The priest kisses the gospel book, lifts it up with both hands and lowers it, making with it the sign of the cross over the antiminsion and saying with the fear of God:

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Reader: Amen. Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

While Psalm 103 is being read, the deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door and takes his place at the holy table. The priest stands before the holy table and quietly recites the fifth, sixth, and seventh Lamp-Lighting Prayers .

The Psalm Of Introduction—Psalm 103

Reader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back forever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid. The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice. He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad; young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. Man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labor until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all. The earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. ( thrice ) O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.

Upon completion of the Psalm, the deacon exits the sanctuary through the north door, stands before the holy doors, and intones the Great Litany , holding the orarion aloft with the thumb and first two fingers of his right hand. If there is no deacon, the priest intones the petitions from his place before the holy table.

The Litany of Peace

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy. ( after every petition ) Deacon: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.), the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our country, its president (or appropriate head of state), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For travelers by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord.

Priest : ( Quietly ) 2 O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Lead us in thy way so that we may walk in Thy truth. Make glad our hearts so that we may fear Thy holy Name. For Thou art great and doest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among all the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in Thy holy Name. Priest : ( Aloud ) For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The 18th Kathisma

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. The Psalms are read plainly and without intonation.

While the stases of the kathisma of the Psalter are being recited:

The priest and deacon go silently to wash their hands.
The deacon then brings the diskos, star, and veil from the prothesis table to the holy table.
Standing before the holy table, they make three prostrations silently.
The priest lifts the Gospel Book and places it beside the antiminsion. He then unfolds the antiminsion as usual.
The priest censes before the holy table three times from his place, and hands off the censer to the deacon.
Then, the priest reverently lifts one Lamb from the artophorion (pyx) and places it onto the diskos with the seal facing upward. He then holds the star over the incense and places the star over the diskos, and does the same with the diskos veil, saying: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.”
The priest takes the censer and censes the diskos three times.
Once again, the priest and deacon make three prostrations. The priest moves the Presanctified Lamb to the Prothesis Table. Regardless of when this happens, the priest may gently ring a small bell or gently tap the discos with the spoon, so the reader stops and the people kneel.
The priest carries the diskos with both hands above his head and proceeds to the prothesis table, passing the high place. The deacon precedes him, carrying the censer and a candle.
After placing the diskos upon the prothesis, the priest signals the faithful to rise and the reader continues the Psalm.
The priest pours water and wine into the chalice, saying Through the prayers of our holy fathers… He holds the chalice veil over the censer and then places it over the chalice, saying Through the prayers of our holy fathers… He then holds the aer over the censer and places it over both the diskos and the chalice, saying Through the prayers of our holy fathers…
The priest makes one prostration and venerates the aer as is custom.
The priest censes the holy gifts thrice, followed by censing the holy table on all four sides, the high place, and the entire sanctuary.
The priest now returns to the holy table, where he folds the antiminsion and replaces the gospel book upon it.

First Stasis

Psalm 119

Reader: Unto the Lord in mine affliction have I cried, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from unrighteous lips and from a crafty tongue. What shall be given unto thee and what shall be added unto thee for thy crafty tongue? The arrows of the mighty one, sharpened with coals of the desert. Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged; I have tented with the tentings of Kedar; my soul hath long been a sojourner. With them that hate peace I was peaceable; when I spake unto them, they warred against me without a cause.

Psalm 120

Reader: I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth. Give not thy foot unto moving, and may He not slumber that keepeth thee. Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep, He that keepeth Israel. The Lord shall keep thee; the Lord is thy shelter at thy right hand. The sun shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall keep thee from all evil; the Lord shall guard thy soul. The Lord shall keep thy coming in and thy going out, from henceforth and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Reader: I was glad because of them that said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have stood in thy courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city which its dwellers share in concord. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the Name of the Lord. For there are set thrones unto judgment, thrones over the house of David. Ask now for the things which are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the prosperity of them that love thee. Let peace be now in thy strength, and prosperity in thy palaces. For the sake of my brethren and my neighbors, I spake peace concerning thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.

Psalm 122

Reader: Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He take pity on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.

Psalm 123

Reader: Had it not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say, had it not been that the Lord was with us, when men rose up against us, then had they swallowed us up alive. When their wrath raged against us, then had the water overwhelmed us. Our soul hath passed through a torrent; then had our soul passed through the water that is irresistible. Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul like a sparrow was delivered out of the snare of the hunters. The snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help is in the Name of the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. ( thrice ) Lord, have mercy. ( thrice ) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

At the conclusion of Psalm 123, the deacon bows to the priest and exits the sanctuary through the north door.

The Little Litany

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest : ( quietly ) Lord, do not rebuke us in Thine anger, or discipline us in Thy wrath, but deal with us in all Thy kindness, O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to Thy desired haven. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of Thy truth. And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. Priest : ( aloud ) For Thine is the might, and 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. Choir: Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door.

Second Stasis

Psalm 124

Reader: They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion; he that dwelleth at Jerusalem, nevermore shall he be shaken. Mountains are round about her, and the Lord is round about His people from henceforth and forevermore. For the Lord will not permit the rod of sinners to be upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch forth their hands unto iniquities. Do good, O Lord, unto them that are good and unto the upright of heart. But them that turn aside unto crooked ways shall the Lord lead away with the workers of iniquity; peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 125

Reader: When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion, we became as men that are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing. Then shall they say among the nations: The Lord hath done great things unto them. The Lord hath done great things among us, and we are become glad. Turn again, O Lord, our captivity, like streams in the south. They that sow with tears shall reap with rejoicing. In their going they went, and they wept as they cast their seeds. But in their coming shall they come with rejoicing, bearing their sheaves.

Psalm 126

Reader: Except the Lord build the house, in vain do they labor that build it. Except the Lord guard the city, in vain doth he watch that guardeth her; it is vain for you to rise at dawn. Ye that eat the bread of sorrow, rouse yourselves after resting, when He hath given sleep to His beloved. Lo, sons are the heritage of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of them that were outcasts. Blessed is he that shall fulfill his desires with them; they shall not be put to shame when they speak to their enemies in the gates.

Psalm 127

Reader: Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, that walk in His ways. Thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labors; blessed art thou, and well shall it be with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of thy house, thy sons like young olive trees round about thy table. Behold, so shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Sion, and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children’s children; peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 128

Reader: Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say, many a time have they warred against me from my youth, and yet they have not prevailed against me. The sinners wrought upon my back, they lengthened out their iniquity. The Lord is righteous; He hath cut asunder the necks of sinners. Let them be put to shame and turned back, all they that hate Sion. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which before it is plucked up is withered away. Wherefore the reaper filleth not his hand, nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. Nor have they that passed by said: The blessing of the Lord come upon you; we have blessed you in the Name of the Lord.

At the conclusion of Psalm 128, the deacon bows to the priest and exits the sanctuary through the north door.

The Little Litany

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord. Priest : ( Quietly ) O Lord, our God, remember us sinners, Thy worthless servants, when we call upon Thy holy Name; and let us not be put to shame in our hope of Thy mercy; but grant us, O Lord, all our petitions which are for our salvation. And make us worthy to love and fear Thee with all our hearts, and to do Thy will in all things. Priest : ( Aloud ) For Thou art a good God Who lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door.

Third Stasis

Psalm 129

Reader: Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 130

Reader: O Lord, my heart is not exalted, nor are mine eyes become lofty. Nor have I walked in things too great or too marvelous for me. If I were not humble-minded but exalted my soul, as one weaned from his mother, so wouldst Thou requite my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth and forevermore.

Psalm 131

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

Psalm 132

Reader: Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment. It is like the dew of Aermon, which cometh down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Psalm 133

Reader: Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, in the nights lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Sion, He that made heaven and the earth.

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. ( thrice )

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

At the conclusion of Psalm 133, the deacon bows to the priest and exits the sanctuary through the north door.

The Little Litany

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To thee, O Lord. Priest: ( quietly ) O Lord, Who art hymned by the holy angelic powers with never-silent hymns and incessant praises, fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we may ascribe majesty to Thy holy Name. Grant us a share and an inheritance with those who fear Thee in truth, and who keep Thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints. Priest : ( aloud ) For Thou art our God, the God of mercy and salvation, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. “O Lord, I Have Cried” is sung in the tone of the first prescribed sticheron.

“O Lord, I Have Cried”

Choir: O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee; hear Thou me, O Lord.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. During the chanting of Lord, I have cried…, the deacon does the great censing of the Church, as at Great Vespers, except he begins by censing the prothesis.

Note: During the great censing, the deacon is expected to cense the holy table on all four sides upon returning to the sanctuary, whereas if he is not present and the priest does the censing, the priest only censes the prothesis table, holy table, and the high place from his place in front of the holy table, as customary.

Choir : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.

+ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips. + Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins. + With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them. + The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head. + For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. + They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hades. + But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul. + Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity. + Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape. + I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my supplication. + I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble. + When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. + In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me. + I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. + Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul. + I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. + Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. + Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Stikhera For Holy Tuesday in Tone 1

Verse 10. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name.

When the Lord was coming to His voluntary Passion, He said to His Apostles in the way: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered up, as it is written concerning Him. Come, therefore, with minds purified, let us also go in the way with Him, and let us be crucified with Him, and die for Him to the pleasures of this life, that we may also live with Him, and may hear Him crying: No longer do I go to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer, but I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and unto My God and your God; and I will raise you up together unto the Jerusalem on high, in the Kingdom of the Heavens.

Verse 9. The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.

When the Lord was coming to His voluntary Passion... ( repeat above ).

Also For Holy Tuesday in Tone 5

Verse 8. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.

Having reached the saving Passion of Christ God, O ye faithful, let us glorify His ineffable long-suffering; that, He, in His compassion, might raise us up, who are dead in sin; for He is good and the Friend of man.

Verse 7. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Having reached the saving Passion... ( repeat above ).

Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.

As Thou, O Lord, wast coming to the Passion, Thou didst make steadfast Thy disciples, when, after taking them aside, Thou didst say: How have ye forgotten My words, which I spake to you aforetime? For is it not written that a Prophet shall not be slain, save in Jerusalem? Now, therefore, the time is come whereof I told you. For behold, I am betrayed, to be mocked at the hands of sinners, who shall fix Me to the Cross, and give Me over to burial, counting Me an abomination as a dead man. Yet, take courage, for I shall arise on the third day, unto the gladdening of the faithful, and life everlasting.

Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

As Thou, O Lord, wast coming... ( repeat above ).

Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Lord, the ineffable mystery of Thy dispensation was not enough for the mother of Zebedee’s children, and she asked Thee that the honor of a temporal kingdom be given to her sons. But in the stead of this, Thou didst promise Thy friends that they would drink the cup of death, saying that, before them, Thou Thyself wouldst drink this cup, unto the purging of sins. Wherefore, we cry to Thee: O Salvation of our souls, glory be to Thee.

Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.

O Lord, the ineffable mystery… ( repeat above)

Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.

O Lord, when Thou wast instructing Thy disciples to be mindful of the things of perfection, Thou didst say that they should take heed not to be like the heathen in exercising dominion over the weaker. For it shall not be so among you, My disciples, since I am willingly poor. Wherefore, let him that is first among you be the servant of all, and he that ruleth as he that is ruled, and he that is preferred as he that is last; for I Myself am come to minister to impoverished Adam, and to give My life a ransom for the many who cry to Me: Glory be to Thee.

Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Fearing, O brethren, that rebuke laid on the fig tree, which was withered up because of its unfruitfulness, let us offer fruits worthy of repentance to Christ, Who granteth us great mercy.

The Doxasticon For Holy Tuesday In Tone 8

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

Finding in the Egyptian woman a second Eve, the dragon hastened by words of flattery to make Joseph stumble; but leaving his garment, he fled from sin, and though naked, was unashamed, even as our first parent before his disobedience. By his supplications, O Christ, have mercy on us.

The Entrance

When the choir begins chanting “Both now…” the priest and deacon follow the customary rubrics for an entrance with the Gospel. Tthe entrance is made with the gospel book only, without the censer. The priest and deacon say the following dialogue quietly.

Deacon : Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Priest : In the evening and in the morning and at noonday we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all, Lord Who lovest mankind: Direct our prayer as incense before Thee, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For unto Thee, O Lord, Lord, we lift up our eyes, and in Thee have we hoped. Put us not to shame, O our God. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Deacon : Amen.

The deacon, facing the priest lifting his orarion up toward the altar, says quietly:

Deacon : Bless, master, the Holy Entrance.

The priest blesses the entrance, saying quietly:

Priest : Blessed is the entrance of thy holy ones, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

When the choir finishes the hymn, the deacon says aloud:

Deacon : Wisdom! Stand upright!

O Gladsome Light (Plain Reading)

Reader : O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy and blessed Father: O Jesus Christ. Lo now that we have come to the setting of the sun, as we behold the evening light, we hymn Thee: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be magnified by joyous voices, O Son of God and Giver of life. Wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.

The Old Testament Readings

The First Reading

Deacon : The evening prokeimenon. Reader : The Lord bless thee out of Zion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; that walk in his ways. Deacon : Wisdom. Reader : The Reading from Exodus. Deacon : Let us attend. Reader : These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Is’sachar, Zeb’ulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naph’tali, Gad and Asher. All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation. But the descendants of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong; so that the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war befall us, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens; and they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Ra-am’ses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they made the people of Israel serve with rigor, and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigor. Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiph’rah and the other Pu’ah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and are delivered before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and grew very strong.

The Second Reading

Reader : We have blessed you in the Name of the Lord. Many a time have they made war against me from my youth, let Israel now say. Reader : Command.

The people remain standing. The priest facing the holy table, elevates the censer and the candle, which are in his right hand at head level, and makes the sign of the cross, saying:

Priest : Wisdom. Stand upright.

Standing in the holy doors facing the people, making the sign of the cross with the censer and candle, saying:

Priest : The Light of Christ illumineth all.

The priest returns to the Holy Table and gives away the candle and censer.

Reader : The Reading from the book of Job. (1:1-12) Deacon : Wisdom. Let us attend. Reader : There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and very many servants; so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each on his day; and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “Whence have you come?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nought? Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

“Let My Prayer Be Set Forth” (Psalm 140)

At the end of the reading, the Priest takes up the censer as the deacon, holding a lighted candle, goes to stand behind the holy table, opposite the priest. On each of the following verses, the priest moves to and continuously censes a side of the holy table. The deacon, holding the candle, moves to stand opposite him.

The priest censes the front of the holy table as he slowly chants the following: Priest : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The priest moves to the south side of the holy table, censes and intones:

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

The priest moves behind the holy table, censes and intones:

Priest : Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips. Choir : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The priest moves to the north side of the holy table, censes and intones:

Priest : Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins. Choir : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The deacon exits the sanctuary through the holy doors and stands in the center of the solea, facing the sanctuary as the Priest moves to the prothesis table, censes and intones:

Priest : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Choir : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The priest returns to stand before the holy table, censing as he slowly chants the following. While chanting, he turns to stand in the holy doors and censes the iconostasis and the people, as is customary.

Priest : Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands, Choir : as the evening sacrifice.

The priest then returns to the holy table and gives up the censer. The deacon enters the sanctuary through the holy doors. [11]

The Gospel

The censing being completed, the priest and deacon stand at their places at the holy table, and the priest and deacon say the following dialogue quietly:

Deacon : Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Priest : Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee. For thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thine unoriginate Father and thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The deacon bowing his head, while the priest holds the Gospel Book, says the following:

Deacon : Bless, master, him who proclaimeth the good tidings of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist, Matthew. Priest : May God, through the prayers of the holy, glorious apostle and evangelist, Matthew., enable thee to proclaim the good tidings with great power, to the fulfillment of the gospel of his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Deacon : Amen.

The deacon says aloud:

Deacon : Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest : Peace be to all. Choir : And to thy spirit. Deacon : The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew . Choir : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee. Deacon : Let us attend. Deacon : At that time, as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places; all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. “So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. Woe to those who are with child and to those who give suck in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Then if any one says to you, ‘Lo, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Lo, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Lo, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; if they say, ‘Lo, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Choir : Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

The deacon bows to the priest and exits the sanctuary through the north door.

The Litany Of Fervent Supplication

Deacon : Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee hearken and have mercy. Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.

Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians. Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (and our bishop, N.). Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, deacons, and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for (the servants of God, NN., and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community. Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.,) and all of our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord. Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.

Priest ( quietly) : O Lord our God, receive this fervent supplication of Thy servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of Thy mercy, and send down Thy compassions upon us and upon all Thy people who await Thy great and rich mercy. Priest : For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader : Amen.

The Litany For The Catechumens

Deacon : Pray to the Lord, ye catechumens.

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition until noted.

Let us the faithful, pray for the catechumens, that the Lord will have mercy on them. That He will teach them the word of truth. That He will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness. That He will unite them to His holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Help them; save them; have mercy on them; and keep them, O God, by Thy grace. Bow your heads to the Lord, ye catechumens. Choir : To Thee, O Lord.

While the deacon is intoning the litany for the catechumens, the priest lifts the gospel book with both hands, making with it the sign of the cross over the folded antiminsion, and places the gospel book in front of the tabernacle.

Priest (quietly) : O God, our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, Who willest that all men should be saved and should come unto the knowledge of the truth: Look down upon Thy servants the catechumens, and deliver them from the ancient delusion and from the wiles of the adversary. And call them unto life eternal, illumining their souls and bodies and numbering them with Thy rational flock which is called by Thy Holy Name. Priest : That with us they may glorify Thine all-honorable and majestic Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

As the deacon continues with the prescribed petitions, the priest now unfolds the antiminsion. Deacon: As many as are catechumens, depart. Depart, catechumens.

The Litany For Those Preparing For Illumination

Deacon : Pray unto the Lord, ye who are preparing for Illumination.

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition until noted.

Ye faithful, pray unto the Lord for these brethren who are preparing for Holy Illumination and for their salvation. That the Lord God will establish them and strengthen them. That He will illuminate them with the light of wisdom and of piety. That He will grant unto them, in His own good time, the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption. That He will beget them with water and the Spirit. That He will grant unto them the perfection of faith. That He will number them with His holy and chosen flock. Help them; save them; have mercy on them; and keep them, O God, by Thy grace. Bow your heads to the Lord, ye who are preparing for Illumination. Choir : To Thee, O Lord.

Priest ( quietly ): Show the light of Thy countenance, O God, upon those who are preparing for Holy Illumination, and who desire to put away the defilement of sin. Enlighten their understanding. Establish them in the faith. Strengthen them in hope. Perfect them in love. Make them honorable members of Thy Christ, Who gave Himself for our souls. Priest :For Thou art our Illumination, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen. Deacon : As many as are preparing for Illumination, depart. Depart, ye who are preparing for Illumination. Deacon : As many as are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain.

First Litany Of The Faithful

Deacon : As many as are of the faithful, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Wisdom. Priest : O God, great and worthy to be praised, Who through the life-giving death of Thy Christ hast translated us from corruption to incorruption: Deliver Thou all our senses from death-dealing, carnal desires, setting over them as a good ruler the understanding that is in us. Let our eye have no part in any evil sight. Let our hearing be inaccessible to all idle words; and let our tongue be purged from unseemly speech. Purify our lips which praise Thee, O Lord. Make our hands to abstain from evil deeds and to work only such things as are acceptable unto Thee, establishing all our members and our minds by Thy Grace. Priest : For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

Second Litany Of The Faithful

Deacon : Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Wisdom! Priest : ( quietly ) O holy Master, exceeding good, we beseech Thee, Who art rich in mercy, that Thou wilt be gracious to us sinners and make us worthy to receive Thine Only-Begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For behold, His immaculate Body and His life-giving Blood, entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth upon this mystical table, invisibly escorted by a multitude of heavenly hosts. Grant us to partake of them without condemnation, that, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened thereby, we may become sons of the light and of the day. Priest : ( aloud ) Through the gift of Thy Christ, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. As the choir begins chanting “Now the Powers,” the priest and deacon quietly recite the hymn.

Priest :Now the powers of heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of glory doth enter. Deacon : Behold, the completed mystical sacrifice is escorted in. Let us with faith and longing draw near and become partakers of life everlasting. Alleluia.

Now The Powers Of Heaven

Choir : Now the powers of heaven invisibly worship with us; for behold, the King of glory doth enter. (repeated as necessary)

The priest begins the great censing at the prothesis table, then censing as is customary during the Cherubic Hymn. As he censes, he quietly recites Psalm 50 in its entirety.

Psalm 50

Priest : Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

Having completed the censing, the priest gives up the censer. The priest and deacon make three metanoias before the holy table. The priest kisses the antiminsion, while the deacon kisses its southeast corner. The priest turns toward the faithful, bowing to ask for forgiveness. They proceed to the prothesis table, where the priest censes the holy gifts. They then prostrate, saying: “ O God, be gracious unto me, the sinner, and have mercy on me. ” The priest places the veil over his head and, with great reverence, takes the chalice in his right hand and the diskos in his left hand, exiting through the north door. The deacon precedes him, carrying the censer and holding a candle.

The priest, saying softly “Through the prayers of our holy fathers…” makes the entrance from the north door, across the solea and directly into the sanctuary through the holy doors. The priest places the holy gifts on the holy table. He removes the covers from the chalice and diskos , leaving the star in place over the gifts. Lifting the aer from his head, the priest wraps it around the censer and then covers the holy gifts with it and censes them. Finally, the priest and deacon make three prostrations, while the choir concludes the hymn.

Choir : Behold, the completed mystical sacrifice is escorted in. Let us with faith and longing draw near and become partakers of life everlasting. Alleluia.

The deacon exits through the north door, stands in his usual place facing the holy doors, and intones the following litany.

The Litany Before The Lord’s Prayer

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition until noted.

For the precious Gifts which have been offered and Presanctified, let us pray to the Lord. That our Lord God, Who loveth mankind, receiving them upon His holy, heavenly, and ideal Altar for an odor of spiritual sweetness, will send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

The choir responds “Grant this, O Lord” to each petition until noted.

An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord. Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord. All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord. That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord. A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask. Asking for the unity of the Faith, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir : To Thee, O Lord.

Priest ( quietly) : O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with Whom are hidden treasurers of wisdom and knowledge, Who hast revealed unto us the ministry of this service and hast appointed unto us sinners through Thy great love toward mankind, to offer unto Thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of the people: Do Thou the same invisible King, Who doeth things great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, which cannot be numbered, look upon us, Thine unworthy servants who stand at this holy altar as at Thy cherubic throne, upon which lieth Thine only-begotten Son and our God, in the dread mysteries spread forth thereon; and having delivered us and all Thy faithful people from every impurity, sanctify all our souls and bodies with the sanctification which cannot be taken away. That partaking with a pure conscience with face unashamed, with heart illumined of these divine, hallowed things and, being enlivened through them, we may be united unto Christ Himself, our true God, Who hath said: Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in Me, and I in him; that, Thy Word, O Lord, making an abode in us and sojourning among us, we may become a temple of Thine all-holy and adorable Spirit, redeemed from every wile of the devil, wrought either by deed or word or thought, and may obtain the good things promised unto us with all Thy saints who in all ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee.

Priest (aloud) : And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation, we may dare to call upon Thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:

Meanwhile, the deacon crosses his orarion, as is customary during The Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

People : Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Priest : For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir :Amen.

The Peace

Priest : Peace be to all. Choir : And to Thy spirit. Deacon : Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. Choir : To Thee, O Lord. Priest ( quietly ): O God, Who alone art good and compassionate, Who dwellest in the heights and regardest the humble: Look with the eyes of Thy tenderness upon all Thy people, and preserve them. And make us all worthy to partake without condemnation of these Thy life-giving mysteries; for unto Thee have we bowed our heads in the hope of Thy rich mercy.

Priest ( aloud ): Through the grace and compassion and love toward man of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

Priest : Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Thy holy dwelling-place, and from the throne of the glory of Thy kingdom; and come to sanctify us, O Thou who sittest on high with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us; and vouchsafe by Thy mighty hand to impart unto us Thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, and through us unto all the people.

The priest, standing before the holy table, and the deacon on the solea, as is customary, make three metanoias quietly saying each time: “O God, be gracious unto me, the sinner, and have mercy on me.” The deacon then exclaims:

D eacon : Let us attend.

While the Holy Gifts are still covered, the priest reverently touches, but does not elevate, the life-giving Body with the fingers of both hands, reaching under the aer and says:

Priest : The presanctified Holy Things are for the holy.

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

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door and stands to the right of the priest. The priest lifts and folds the aer, then lifts the star and places it over the covers in its appropriate place. With great reverence, the priest then divides the Lamb and fills the chalice. The following is done quietly:

Deacon : Divide, master, the holy bread.

The priest divides the Lamb into four parts with great reverence and care, saying: Priest : Divided and distributed is the Lamb of God, who is divided, yet not disunited; who is ever eaten, yet never consumed, but sanctifieth those who partake thereof.

The priest arranges the pieces of the Lamb on the rim of the diskos in the form of a cross, thus:

I Σ

ΝI ΚΑ

ΧΣ

Deacon : Fill, master the holy cup.

The priest then takes the portion marked IΣ and makes with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, and drops it in, saying quietly: Priest : The fullness of the Holy Spirit. Deacon : Amen.

Bringing for the priest’s blessing the zeon, the deacon says:

Deacon : Bless, master, the zeon.

Blessing the zeon, the priest says: Priest: Blessed is the warmth of Thy holy things, O Lord, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Deacon : Amen.

The Deacon pours a sufficient amount of warm water into the chalice cross wise, saying:

Priest : The fervor of the Holy Spirit. Deacon : Amen.

Then the clergy and people say the prayers of preparation for Holy Communion .

Afterwards, the choir sings the koinonikon, interspersing verses from Psalm 33.

The Koinonikon (Communion Hymn)

Choir : O taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations.
Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations.
The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.
O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him.
Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.

Clergy Communion

While the choir is singing the Koinonikon, the clergy commune. All of this takes place in the altar. If you would like to skip ahead to after the clergy communion, click here .

The priest bows to the deacon and says:

Priest : Forgive me, brother(s) and concelebrant (s).

The deacon responds to the priest saying:

Deacon : Thy priesthood, the Lord God remember in His kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The deacon passing the high place, stands at the north side of the holy table. The priest makes three low bows before the holy table and says quietly:

Priest : O God, be gracious unto me, the sinner, and have mercy on me. ( thrice )

Taking a piece of the section of the Lamb sealed ΧΣ, the priest says:

Priest : Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God. The precious and all holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter, N., unto the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest consumes that portion of the Lamb and says Amen . With great care, he wipes his fingers over the diskos with the sponge. He then says to the deacon:

Priest : Deacon, draw near.

The deacon makes one metanoia, saying:

Deacon : Lo, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God.

The deacon, coming from the north side of the holy table, with his hands crossed right over left with palms up, approaches the priest to his right, saying:

Deacon : Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon, N. , the precious and all holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

The priest places a portion of the Lamb sealed ΧΣ in the hands of the Deacon, saying:

Priest : The precious and all holy Body of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto thee, the deacon, N., unto the remission of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

The deacon kisses the hand of the Priest, says Amen and goes to the east side of the holy table where, with great reverence, he consumes the portion given him. The priest, taking up the kalima and the chalice, says:

Priest : Again, I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God. The precious and all holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ is imparted unto me, the unworthy presbyter, N., unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

In the name of the Father, (first sip) Amen, and of the Son, (second sip) Amen, and of the Holy Spirit, (third sip). Amen.

Then he wipes his lips and the chalice with the communion cloth, kisses the chalice and says:

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

Priest: Deacon, draw near.

The deacon comes to the north side of the holy table and, after wiping his fingers with the sponge over the diskos, makes one metanoia, saying:

Deacon: Again I draw near unto Christ, our immortal King and our God. Master, impart unto me, the unworthy deacon, N., the precious and all holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

Meanwhile, the priest, holding the edge of the communion cloth and the chalice with his right hand and the other edge of the cloth with his left hand, elevates the chalice above eye level while saying:

Priest: The precious and all holy Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee, the deacon, N., unto the remission of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

In the name of the Father, (first sip) Amen, and of the Son, (second sip) Amen, and of the Holy Spirit, (third sip). Amen.

The priest wipes the deacon’s lips and the rim of the chalice with the cloth and says:

Priest: Lo, this hath touched thy lips and shall take away thine iniquities and purge away thy sins.

Then the priest puts the chalice on top of the antiminsion and moves to the right side. The deacon then approaches the holy table and divides the remaining portions of the Holy Lamb into very small portions, placing all of them in the chalice while saying nothing. The deacon cleans the diskos and places the veils, the aēr, and the star upon it, since it will no longer be needed.

Communion of the Faithful

The priest covers the chalice with the kalima and hands the chalice and spoon to the deacon. Standing in the holy doors facing west, the deacon elevates the chalice to the people, saying:

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

The priest and deacon exit the sanctuary through the holy doors as the choir sings:

Choir : Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord. The Lord is God and hath revealed Himself unto us.

The choir sings the koinonikon, interspersing verses from Psalm 33 as above.

The Koinonikon (Communion Hymn)

Choir: O taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations.
Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations.
The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.
O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him.
Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.

The deacon gives the chalice and spoon to the priest, himself holding the kalima. The priest then communes those who are prepared to receive the holy mysteries, while the choir chants what is appointed. The priest says to each communicant:

Priest : The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,

After communing all who are present, he says: unto the remission of sins and unto life everlasting.

When all have been communed, the priest covers the chalice with the kalima. The priest then blesses the people with his right hand, saying:

Priest : O God, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

The Lenten Post -Communion Hymn

Choir : I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Taste ye the heavenly Bread, and the Cup of life, and see how good the Lord is. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

As the choir sings the post-communion hymn, the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary through the holy doors, and the priest places the chalice on the antiminsion.

Deacon : Exalt, master.

The priest censes the chalice thrice, saying once:

P riest : Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens and Thy glory above all the earth...

The priest gives up the censer and then hands the diskos, star and covers to the deacon, who lifts them above his head. Passing in front of the holy table, the deacon carries them to the prothesis table and places them there. The priest then lifts the chalice and, facing the people, he simply elevates the chalice (without blessing the people with it) and says:

Priest : ...always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir : Amen. Let our mouths be filled with Thy praise, O Lord that we may sing of Thy glory: for Thou hast permitted us to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Establish us in Thy Sanctification that all the day long we may meditate upon Thy righteousness. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The deacon now uncrosses his orarion and exits through the north door, taking his usual place on the solea to offer the litany.

The Litany Of Thanksgiving

Deacon : Stand upright. Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir : Lord, have mercy. Deacon : Asking that the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir : To Thee, O Lord.

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

Priest : We give thanks unto Thee, O God, the Savior of all, for all the good things which Thou hast granted unto us and for the communion of the Holy Body and Blood of Thy Christ. And we beseech Thee, O Master, Who lovest mankind, to keep us under the shelter of Thy wings. And grant that, even unto our last breath, we may worthily partake of Thy Holy Things unto the illumination of soul and body and unto the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.

During the following exclamation, the priest lifts the gospel book with both hands, makes the sign of the cross with it over the folded antiminsion, and lays it upon the antiminsion.

Priest : For Thou art our sanctification, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The priest exits the sanctuary through the holy doors, saying:

Priest : Let us go forth in peace. Choir : In the Name of the Lord. Deacon : Let us pray to the Lord. Choir : Lord, have mercy.

Standing before the icon of Christ, the priest says the prayer behind the amvon.

The Prayer Behind the Amvon

Priest : O almighty Master, Who hast made all creation in wisdom and by Thine inexpressible providence and great goodness hast brought us to these all-revered days, for the purification of soul and body, for the controlling of passions and for hope of resurrection, Who, during the forty days didst give into the hands of Thy servant Moses the tablets of the Law in characters divinely traced by Thee: Enable us also, O good One, to fight the good fight, to complete the course of the fast, to preserve inviolate the faith, to crush under foot the heads of invisible serpents, to be accounted victors over sin; and, uncondemned, to attain unto and worship the holy resurrection. For blessed and glorified is Thine all-honorable and majestic Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader : Amen.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice)

The deacon enters the sanctuary through the south door. The priest enters the sanctuary through the holy doors and stands towards the prothesis table. He then recites the following prayer.

The Prayer At The Consumption Of The Holy Gifts

Priest : O Christ our God, Who hast brought us to these all-revered days and hast made us communicants of Thy dread mysteries: Unite us to Thy rational flock, and make us heirs of Thy Kingdom, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The deacon from the sanctuary says:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Priest : The blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon you through His grace and love towards mankind, always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir : Amen.

The Dismissal

Priest : Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee. Choir : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy ( thrice ). Father, bless.

Priest :May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-laudable Apostles; of our father among the saints, Gregory the Dialogist, pope of Rome, whose Presanctified Divine Liturgy we have now celebrated; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint N., the patron and the protector of this holy community ; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of ( the saint of the day ), whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints: have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind. Choir : Amen.

Meanwhile, the deacon goes to the prothesis table to consume the Holy Gifts. He then unvests. The priest, meanwhile, distributes the antidoron, saying to each person: “The blessing and mercy of the Lord be upon you.” While the priest does so, the readers say Psalms 33 and 144, and the Post-Communion prayers.

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations. Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing. Come ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there that desireth life, who loveth to see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are opened unto their supplication. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, utterly to destroy the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He will save the humble of spirit. Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all. The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and they that hate the righteous shall do wrong. The Lord will redeem the souls of His servants, and none of them will do wrong that hope in Him.

Psalm 144

I will exalt Thee, O my God, my King, and I will bless Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever. Great is the Lord and exceedingly to be praised, and of His greatness there is no end. Generation and generation shall praise Thy works, and Thy power shall they declare. Of the majesty of the glory of Thy holiness shall they speak, and they shall tell of Thy wonders. And the power of Thine awesome deeds shall they relate, and they shall tell of Thy majesty. The memory of the multitude of Thy goodness shall they pour forth, and in Thy righteousness shall they rejoice. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His compassions are over all His works. Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee, and let Thy righteous ones bless Thee. Of the glory of Thy Kingdom shall they speak, and shall tell of Thy dominion: To make Thy dominion known to the sons of men, and the glory of the majesty of Thy kingdom. Thy Kingdom is the kingdom of all the ages, and Thy sovereignty is in every generation and generation. Faithful is the Lord in all His words, and holy in all His works. The Lord upholdeth all that are falling, and setteth up all that are broken down. The eyes of all look to Thee with hope, and Thou gavest them their food in due season. Thou openest Thy hand and fillest every living thing with Thy favor. Righteous is the Lord in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him, to all that call on Him in truth. The will of them that fear Him shall He do, and their supplication shall He hear, and He shall save them. The Lord preserveth all that love Him, but all the sinners shall He utterly destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever, yea, forever and ever.

Priest : Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Choir : Amen.