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HOLY AND GREAT MONDAY
AT VESPERS (PRESANCTIFIED)

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DEACON: Master, give the blessing.

The Priest making with the Gospel book the sign of the Cross over the antiminsion shall say:

Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

READER: Amen.

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

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

O come, let us worship and bow down before the very Christ our King and our God.

THE INTRODUCTORY PSALM 103 [104]

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art become exceeding magnified: Thou hast put on praise and majesty: Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who supporteth his upper chambers in the waters: Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind. Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. Who hath established the earth upon its sure foundation; it shall not be moved for ever and ever. The deep like a garment is His mantle; the waters shall stand upon the mountains. At Thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains go down, unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they shall not pass over, neither turn again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys; the waters shall run among the mountains. They shall give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses shall wait to quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the air make their habitation; they shall give voice from the midst of the rocks. 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. That he may 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 shall the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, so also is the rock for the hares. He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst darkness, and there was night, wherein all the beasts of the forest shall go abroad. Young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their eat from God. The sun arose, and they were gathered together, and they shall lay them down in their dens. But man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening. O Lord, how magnified are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made all things; the earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and wide sea also, wherein are things creeping innumerable, creatures small and great. There go the ships, there this dragon, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things look unto Thee, that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. When Thou givest it them, they shall gather it; when Thou openest thine hand, all things shall be filled with good. When Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled; Thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust. Thou shalt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord endure for ever; the Lord shall rejoice in His works. He looketh upon the earth, and maketh it tremble; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Let my words be pleasing unto Him; and I will be glad in the Lord. O that sinners might be consumed out of the earth, and the workers of iniquity, that they be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul.

And again

The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst darkness, and there was night.

O Lord, how magnified are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made all things.

Glory...  now and for ever...

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]

Our hope, glory be to Thee, O Lord.

 After the introductory psalm, the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the Great litany.

In peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition.

For the peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord.

For the peace and union of the whole world, and for the good estate of the holy churches of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this holy temple and for them that enter therein with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray unto the Lord.

For our Archbishop [Name], for the honourable order of priesthood, and for the diaconate which is in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray unto the Lord.

For this city [village, monastery]; for every city and land, and for them that dwell therein with faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

For fair seasons and the abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray unto the Lord.

For them that travel by land, by water, by air; for the sick and the suffering, for those in captivity, And for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That we may be deliver from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Holy doors and curtain are closed and the reader standing in the middle of the church shall read aloud the first stasis of the 18 Kathisma of the Psalter. Psalms 119-123 [120-124]

PSALM 119 [120]

In mine affliction I cried unto the Lord; and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from unjust lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee, or what shall be added unto thee, for a deceitful tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of the desert. Woe is me, that my sojourn is prolonged; I have dwelt with the tents of Kedar; my soul hath long been a sojourner. With them that hated peace I was peaceable; when I spake to them, they made war against me without a cause.

 

PSALM 120[121]

I lifted up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Let not thy foot be moved, and let not thy keeper slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord shall keep thee; the Lord is thy shelter upon thy right hand. The sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; the Lord shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy coming in and thy going out, from this time forth, and even for evermore.

PSALM 121 [122]

I was glad because of them that said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet have stood within thy courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city whose fellowship is complete. For thither the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of 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 with thy strength, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I spake peace concerning thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought thy good.

PSALM122 [123]

Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we are utterly filled with abasement. Our soul hath been exceedingly filled with it; let reproach come upon those that prosper, and abasement upon the proud.

PSALM 123 [124]

If it had not been that the Lord was with us, now may Israel say; if it had not been that the Lord was with us, when men rose up against us; then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us. Our soul had passed through the torrent; then had our soul passed through the overwhelming water. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul hath been delivered, as a sparrow 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 made heaven and earth.

When the reader hath finished the first stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and for ever and for ever: world without end. Amen. Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3] Kyrie eleison. [3]  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

O Lord, rebuke us not in Thy wrath; neither chasten us in Thy hot displeasure: But deal with us according unto Thy mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls, who dost lead us into the haven of Thy will. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding to the knowledge of Thy truth; and grant that the remainder of this day, and our whole life, may be peaceful and without sin, by the prayers of the Holy Mother of God, and of all Thy saints.

For Thine is the might, and Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

READER: Amen.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the reader shall read the second stasis of the Kathisma: Psalms 124-128 [125-129]

PSALM 124 [125]

They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion; he that dwelleth in Jerusalem shall never be moved. The mountains are round about her; so the Lord is round about His people, from henceforth even for ever. For the Lord shall not suffer the rod of the wicked to rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.

PSALM 125 [126]

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that are comforted. Then was our mouth was filled with gladness, and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the nations, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us, and we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. They went on and wept, as they cast their seed. But they shall come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.

PSALM 126 [127]

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, he that keepeth it watcheth but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early; ye rise up after resting, ye that eat the bread of sorrow, while He hath given his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb. As arrows in the hands of a mighty man, so are the children of the outcast. Blessed is the man that shall satisfy his desire with them; they shall not be ashamed when they shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 127 [128]

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, that walk in His ways. Thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labours; blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Zion, and mayest thou see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

PSALM 128 [129]

Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, may Israel now say; many a time have they fought against me from my youth up; yet they have not prevailed against me. The sinners wrought upon my back, they prolonged their iniquity. The Lord is righteous; He hath cut asunder the necks of the wicked. Let them all be ashamed and turned back that hate Zion. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it is uprooted. Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. Neither have they which go by said, The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

When the reader hath finished the second stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now, and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3] Kyrie eleison. [3]  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

And the Priest[or Deacon]  shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace, let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

 Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

O Lord our God, remember us sinners and Thine unprofitable servants, when we call upon Thy Holy and honoured Name, and confound not our expectation of Thy mercy; But fulfil, O Lord, all our petitions which are unto salvation, and vouchsafe that we may love and fear Thee with our whole heart, and do Thy will in all things.

For Thou, O God, art good and loving-kind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

 READER: Amen.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the reader shall read the third stasis of the Kathisma: Psalms 129-133 [130-134]

PSALM 129 [130]

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, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? for there is forgiveness with Thee. For Thy name's sake have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited for Thy word. My soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

PSALM 13O [131]

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor are mine eyes lofty; neither have I exercised myself in great matters, or in things too wonderful for me. If I had not been humble minded, but had exalted my soul, like a child that is weaned from its mother, so wouldest Thou have requited my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever.

PSALM 131 [132]

Lord, remember David and all his meekness; how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the God of Jacob: I will not go into the tabernacle of my house; I will not go up into the couch of my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, nor rest to my temples, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the God of Jacob. Behold, we heard it in Ephratha; we found it in the fields of the wood. Let us go 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 Thine holiness. Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy just shall rejoice. For Thy servant David's sake turn not away Thy face from Thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne, If thy children will keep My covenant and these testimonies that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion, He hath chosen it for His habitation. This is my rest for ever and ever; here will I dwell, for I have chosen it. I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice with joy. There will I make to spring forth an horn for David; I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall My holiness flourish.

PSALM 132 [133]

Behold now, what is as good or as pleasant as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, that runneth down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that runneth down to the skirts of his garment; as the dew of Hermon, that descendeth upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded His blessing, even life for evermore.

PSALM 133 [134]

Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which stand in the house of the Lord, even in the courts of the house of our God. Lift up your hands by night unto the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

When the reader hast finished the third stasis of the Kathisma he shall say

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now, and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Alleluia [3] Glory be to Thee, O God. [3]  

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the small litany

Again and again in peace, let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy.

 Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Mindful of our most holy and undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.   

PRIEST

O Thou unto whom the multitude of the heavenly host doth sing eternal glory: Let our mouths be filled with Thy praise that we may magnify Thy Holy Name. And grant unto us a portion and inheritance with all them that fear Thee in truth and keep Thy commandments; by the prayers of the Mother of God, and of all Thy saints.

For Thou art our God, the God of mercy and salvation, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR:Amen.

And the choir shall sing psalm 140 [141]  

Tone 1

Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me: hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me, give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I cry unto Thee, hear me, O Lord.

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

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuse with pretexts for sins.
With men that work iniquity; I shall not join with their chosen.

The righteous shall chasten me with mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For yet shall my prayer be in the presence of their pleasures; their judges have been swallowed up against the rock.

They will hear my words, for they are sweet. As when a lump of
earth is broken up upon the ground, so have their bones been scattered at the mouth of Hades.

For mine eyes are unto Thee, Lord, O Lord; in Thee have I hoped; take not away my soul.

Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of the workers of iniquity.

The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until that I pass hence.

PSALM 141 [142]

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make supplication.

I will pour out my supplication before Him; I will show before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was fainting within me, then Thou knewest my paths.

In this way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld; but there was none that knew me.

Flight failed me, and there is none that watcheth for my soul.

I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.

The righteous shall await me, until Thou shalt reward me.

PSALM 129 [130]

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 supplications.

If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee.

Tone 1

As the Lord went to his voluntary Passion, he said to his apostles on the way, behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered up as it is written of him. Come therefore, being purified in mind, and let us also journey with him, and let us be crucified with him, and for his sake, let us die to the pleasures of this life, that we may also live with him and hear him say, No longer do I ascend to the earthy Jerusalem to suffer, but I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God, and I shall raise you up with me to the Jerusalem on high, in the kingdom of heaven. 

Tone 5

For Thy name's sake have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited for Thy word. My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

O faithful, we have come, to the saving Passion of Christ our God, let us glorify his ineffable forbearance, that in his compassion he may also raise us up, who have been slain by sin, for he is good and loving kind.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord.

As you were going, O Lord, to thy Passion, thou didst strengthen thy disciples, taking them aside and saying unto them: How have ye forgotten my words, which I spoke to you of old? Is it not written that no Prophet will be put to death, except in Jerusalem?   Now, therefore, the time of which I spoke to you is at hand, for behold, I am betrayed into the hands of sinners; they will mock me and nail me to the Cross and deliver me up for burial, and as a corpse will consider me loathsome. Yet be of good courage, for on the third day I shall rise bringing joy to the faithful and life eternal. 

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

O Lord, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, not understanding the ineffable mystery of thy dispensation, asked thee to give her children the honours of a temporary kingdom, but instead of this thou hast promised to thy friends that they would drink a cup of death, a cup which thou hast said, thou wouldst drink before them for the cleansing of sins. Therefore we cry unto thee; O Salvation of our souls, glory to thee.

PSALM 116 [117]

O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

O Lord, teaching thy disciples to think perfect thoughts, thou didst say, be not like the Gentiles who exercise dominion over those who are weak; it shall not be so with you my disciples, for of mine own will am I poor. Therefore let him who is first among you be the minister of all, the one who rules as the one being ruled, the one who is preferred as the least of all. For I myself have come to minister unto Adam in his poverty, and to give my life as a ransom for the many who cry to me: glory to thee.   

Tone 8

For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

Fearing the punishment, O Brethren,  of the fig tree, withered because it was unfruitful, let us offer worthy fruits of repentance unto Christ, who grants unto us great mercy.

Glory be to the Father… Now and for ever…

Tone 8

Finding a second Eve in the Egyptian woman, the serpent hastened with words of flattery to bring the downfall of Joseph, but he, leaving his garment behind him, fled from sin, and like the first man before his disobedience, he was unashamed of his nakedness. By his intercessions, O Christ, have mercy upon us.

During the singing of the “Glory… Now and for ever…” the Priest [and Deacon] shall make the Little Entrance with the Holy Gospel.

And he [they] shall pass behind the Altar and go out by the north door. And standing in the customary place the Priest [Deacon] shall say:

Let us pray unto the Lord.

And bowing his [their] head the Priest shall say:

Evening, and morning, and at noon we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, and we pray unto Thee, O Master of all: let our prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and incline not our hearts to any evil thing. But keep us from all who would lay a snare for our souls; for our eyes wait upon Thee, O Lord. In Thee, O Lord, is our trust. Confound us not, O God.

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

DEACON: Bless master, the holy entrance.

And the Priest giving the benediction shall say:

Blessed is the entrance into the holiest, always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

DEACON:Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

READER

O Gladsome light of the holy glory, of the Immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed, Jesus Christ. As we approach the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we hymn Thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is at all times for Thee to be praised by righteous voices, O Son of God, the Giver of life. Wherefore the world glorifies Thee.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Evening.

READER: The Prokhimenon. Tone 6. Psalm 127

The Lord bless thee out of Zion, and mayest thou see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Verse: Blessed are all they that fear the Lord,

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from the Book of Exodus.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us give heed.

READER

Exodus 1: 1-20

These are the names of the sons of Israel, which came into Egypt together with Jacob their father: each man with their whole household came in. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls that came out of Jacob were five and seventy. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the sons of Israel increased and multiplied, and became many in number, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land multiplied with them. Now there arose up another king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the race of the sons of Israel is a great multitude, and is mightier than we: come then, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and whensoever there falleth out war unto us, these also shall be added unto our enemies; and having waged war against us, they will get them out of the land. And he did set over them taskmasters to afflict them in their works; and they built for Pharaoh fortified cities, Pithom, and Raamses, and On, which is Heliopolis. But as much as they humbled them, by so much the more they multiplied and grew exceeding strong: and the Egyptians greatly abhorred the sons of Israel. And the Egyptians tyrannised the sons of Israel with rigour. And they grievously afflicted their lives with the hard labours, in clay, and in brickmaking, and all the works in the plains, according to all the works wherein they reduced them to servitude with rigour. And the king of the Egyptians spake to the Hebrews’ midwives: the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the second Puah. And he said, When ye do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to bear, then if it be a male child, kill it: but if it be a female child, save it. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why is it that ye have done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, The Hebrew women are not as the women of Egypt, for they give birth ere the midwives go in unto them, and bare children. And God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied, and waxed very strong.

And having finished the Lesson he shall announce the Prokhimenon for the second lesson

READER: The Prokhimenon. Tone 8. Psalm 128

We have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

Verse: Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up,

And then he [or the Deacon] shall say aloud:

At thy bidding.

Whereupon the Priest, holding a lighted candle and the censer in his right hand and standing before the Holy Altar facing towards the east shall make the sigh of the Cross and exclaim:

Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

And passing through the Holy Doors, he shall face the Icon of Christ and say:

The Light of Christ,

And facing the people and blessing them with the candle and censer he shall say:

Lighteth  every man.

And entering the sanctuary, he shall lay aside the censer.

The Reader shall announce the second Lesson.

The reading is from the Book of Job.

DEACON:: Wisdom. Let us attend.

READER

Job 1: 1-12

There was a certain man in the land of Ausitis, whose name was Job; and that man was true, blameless, righteous, and Godfearing, and he abstained from every thing evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His cattle also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses at pasture, and a very great ministry, and he had a great husbandry on the earth; and this man was most noble among the men of the east. And his sons prepared a banquet to each other every one his day, taking with them also their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feasting were gone about, Job sent and purified them, having risen early in the morning; and offered sacrifices for them according to the number of them, and one calf for a sin offering for their souls: for Job said, Lest peradventure my sons have thought evil in their minds against God. Thus then did Job continually. And it came to pass on a day, that, behold, the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the devil came with them. And the Lord said unto the devil, Whence art thou come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from compassing the world, and from walking round about under heaven. And the Lord said unto him, Hast thou diligently considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man blameless and true, godly, and abstaining from every thing evil? Then the devil answered, and said before the Lord, Doth Job worship the Lord for nought? Hast Thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the works of his hands, and multiplied his cattle in the land? But put forth Thine hand, and touch all that he hath: verily, he will bless Thee to Thy face. Then the Lord said unto the devil, Behold, I do give into thine hand all that he hath; but touch not himself. And the devil went forth from the presence of the Lord.

PRIEST: Peace unto thee [that readeth].

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

And taking up the censer and standing before the Holy Altar the Priest shall cense whilst singing:

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

And the choir shall repeat this four times, but before each the Priest shall announce the verse from each side of the Holy Altar censing each side as he goes.

From the south side the Priest shall say:

Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me: hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me, give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I cry unto Thee, hear me, O Lord.

CHOIR:

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

And standing at the back of the Holy Altar the priest shall say:

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

CHOIR:

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

And standing at the north side the Priest shall say:

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuse with pretexts for sins.

CHOIR:

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

And censing the Prothesis the Priest shall say

PRIEST:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

CHOIR:

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

And standing again before the Holy Altar facing east the Priest shall sing: 

Let my prayer be set forth

And passing through the Holy Doors and facing the Icon of Christ he shall sing:

Before Thee as incense;

And censing the rest of the Iconostasis and the people the choir shall take up the rest of the hymn singing:

And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

PRIEST 

That we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us beseech the Lord our God.

Wisdom. Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

PRIEST

Let us give heed.

CHOIR: Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

PRIEST

Matthew 24:3-35

At that time, as Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

And after the Gospel reading the choir shall say:

Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

And after the reading of the Gospel the Priest shall bless the Deacon saying:

Peace unto thee [that dost preach the good tidings].

PRIEST [or Deacon]

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

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison [3] And after each petition.

 O Almighty Lord, God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O God, after Thy great goodness. We pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Again we pray for our Archbishop [Name], and for all our brethren in Christ.

O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according unto the multitude of Thy mercies; and send down Thy compassions upon us and upon all Thy people who await Thy great and bountiful mercy.

For Thou art a merciful God, and a lover of mankind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Catechumens, pray ye unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison. And after each petition.

Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens.

That the Lord may have mercy upon them.

That He may instruct them in the word of truth.

That He may reveal unto them the gospel of righteousness.

That He may unite them to His Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Save, have mercy, help and preserve them, O God, by Thy grace.

Catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.

PRIEST

THE PRAYER FOR THE CATECHUMENS

O God, our God, Creator and Author of all things; who willest that all should be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth: look upon Thy servants the Catechumen, and deliver them from the delusion of old, and from the wiles of the adversary: and call them unto life eternal, enlightening their souls and bodies, and numbering them among Thy reasonable flock, which is called by Thy holy Name.

That they also with us may glorify Thy sublime and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are catechumens depart: catechumens depart: As many as are to be illuminated draw near. Pray all ye that are to be illuminated. Let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison.  And after each petition.

Ye faithful, for these brethren that are preparing for holy illumination, and for their salvation, let us pray unto the Lord.

That the Lord our God may establish them and strengthen them, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may enlighten then with the light of knowledge and godliness, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may vouchsafe unto them, at the appropriate time, the washing of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption, let us pray unto the Lord.

That they may be born again of water and the Spirit, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may grant unto then the perfection of faith, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may number them with His holy and chosen flock, let us pray unto the Lord.

Save, have mercy, succour and preserve them, O God, by Thy grace.

As many as are preparing for illumination, bow your heads unto the Lord.

THE PRAYER FOR THOSE THAT ARE PREPARING FOR

HOLY ILLUMINATION

 PRIEST

Reveal Thy countenance, O Lord, unto them that are preparing for holy illumination, and who desire to cast off the filthiness of sin. Illumine their understanding, establish them in faith, confirm them in hope, and perfect them in love. Make them honourable members of Thy Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for our souls.

For Thou art our illumination, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

As many as are to be illumined depart: all that are preparing to be illumined depart: as many as are catechumens depart: let not any of the catechumens remain.

As many as are faithful,

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. Wisdom.

THE FIRST PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST

O God, great and praiseworthy who through the life-giving death of Thy Christ hast translated us from corruption to incorruption: Do Thou deliver all our senses from the passions of death, imposing on them as a good guide the reasoning from within. And let our eye be blind to every evil sight, let our ear be deaf to all idle words, and our tongue be purged from unseemly speech. Purify our lips that praise Thee, O Lord; cause our hands to abstain from sinful deeds and to do only those things that are pleasing in Thy sight, establishing all our members and our mind by Thy grace. 

For unto Thee belong all glory, honour and worship, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

 

PRIEST [or Deacon]

Again and again in peace let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace. Wisdom.

THE SECOND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

PRIEST

O holy Master, who art most good, we pray Thee who art rich in mercy, be merciful unto us sinners, and make us worthy to receive Thine only-begotten Son and our God, the King of glory. For behold, His most pure Body and life-giving Blood entering at this present hour are about to be laid upon this mystical altar, invisibly attended by the multitude of angelic hosts. Grant that we may partake of them without condemnation; that through them, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may become children of light and the day.

According to the gift of Thy Christ, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

And the Choir shall sing slowly and solemnly the following hymn in place of the Cherubic Hymn.

Now the heavenly powers invisibly do worship with us: for behold, the King of glory entereth.

At this point, the choir shall pause whilst the Priest [and Deacon] makes [make] the Great Entrance with the Holy Gifts. And when the Priest [and Deacon]  has [have] entered the sanctuary the choir shall continue:

Behold, the mystical sacrifice all accomplished is borne on high. In faith and love let us draw near that we may become partakers of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

And when the Choir has finished the Priest [or the Deacon] shall say:

Let us complete our supplication unto the Lord.

CHOIR: Kyrie eleison or Lord have mercy. And after each petition

For the precious and presanctified gifts here set forth, let us pray unto the Lord.

That our God, which loveth mankind, who hath received them unto His holy and heavenly and spiritual altar for a sweetsmelling savour of spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray unto the Lord.

That He may deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us entreat the Lord.

CHOIR:  Grant us O Lord. And after each petition

For an angel of peace, faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us entreat the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgression, let us entreat the Lord.

For things good and profitable to our souls, and peace for the world, let us entreat the Lord.

That we may pass the remainder of our lives in peace and repentance, let us entreat the Lord.

For a Christian ending to our life, painless, without shame and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us entreat the Lord.

Having besought the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

THE PRAYER AT THE SETTING OF

THE HOLY GIFTS UPON THE ALTAR

PRIEST

O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who hast revealed unto us the service of this ministry, and of Thy great love toward mankind hast appointed us sinners to offer unto Thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the errors of the people: do Thou, O invisible King, that performest things great and incomprehensible, glorious and wonderful, which are without number, look upon us Thine unworthy servants who stand before this sacred altar, as standing  before Thy throne of cherubim, on which resteth Thine only-begotten Son and our God, through the dread mysteries here set forth. And having delivered us and all Thy people from all our uncleanness, hallow all our souls and bodies with the sanctification that cannot be taken away. That with a pure conscience, a face unashamed and with an enlightened heart, we may partake of these divine and hallowed things and being quickened by them, we may be united unto Thy Christ Himself, our true God, who hath said: He that eateth by flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him; that with Thy Word, O Lord, dwelling in us and walking with us, we may become the temple of Thy most Holy and venerable Spirit, redeemed from every snare of the devil, manifest in deed or word or thought; and may obtain the good things promised us, with all Thy saints who have been well-pleasing to Thee since the world began.  

And vouchsafe, O Lord, that boldly and without condemnation we may dare to lift our voices unto Thee, O heavenly God and Father, and say:

And the Priest, [the Deacon] the choir and all the people recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.And having finished, the Priest shall say:

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom. The power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit

 

PRIEST[or Deacon]

Let us bow down our heads before the Lord.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

O God, who alone art good and compassionate, who dwellest in the highest and lookest down on the humble, with a compassionate eye look down upon all Thy people and protect them. And vouchsafe that all of us may partake without condemnation of these Thy life-giving mysteries: for unto Thee we have bowed our heads awaiting for Thy bountiful mercy.

Through the grace and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

The Priest, bowing his head shall say also this prayer:

Give heed, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Thy holy dwelling place, and from the glorious throne of Thy kingdom, and come to sanctify us, O Thou that sittest on high with the Father and art here invisibly present with us. And vouchsafe by Thy mighty hand to impart unto us of Thy most pure Body and precious Blood; and through us unto all Thy people.

And making three prostrations the Priest shall say to himself:

O God, be gracious unto me a sinner, and be merciful unto me.

Then he [or the Deacon] shall say aloud:

 Let us give heed.

 And with deep reverence and awe, the Priest shall touch the life-giving bread beneath the Aer that covereth the Holy Gifts saying:

The Presanctified Holy Things unto the holy.

CHOIR: One only is holy; One only is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Communion Hymn

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

Here the Priest shall remove the Aer and the Asterisk and laying them aside shall continue with the communion in the usual manner.

DEACON

Break, O Master, the Holy Bread.

The  Priest taking the Holy Bread shall break  it in four parts saying:

Broken and divided is the Lamb of God; which being broken yet is not divided; Being ever eaten, never is consumed; But sanctifieth them that partake thereof.

And he shall place the four pieces on the holy paten, laying the ΙC at the top of the paten. The ΧC at the bottom, the ΝΙ to his own left-hand side and the ΚΑ to his right.

DEACON: Fill, Master the Holy Cup.

And the Priest taking from the paten the particle, which lies uppermost, that marked IC, shall make therewith the sign of the Cross over the chalice, and placing it therein shall say:

The fullness of the Holy Spirit.

DEACON: Amen.

And taking the Zeon [warm water] he shall say to the Priest:

Bless, Master, the fervency.

The Priest blessing the warm water shall say:

Blessed is the fervency of Thy saints, always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And the Deacon shall pour into the chalice, crosswise, so much as suffices saying:

The fervency of faith, full of the Holy Spirit. Amen

And making three prostration he [they] shall say to himself [themselves]:

O God, be gracious unto me, and have mercy upon me.

And taking and dividing the particle of the Holy Bread with the XC, the Priest shall place a piece in the palm of his right hand saying:

Behold, I draw near unto Christ our Immortal King and God.

The precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto me [Name] the unworthy Priest, for the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

Deacon, draw near.

DEACON

Behold, I draw near unto Christ our Immortal King and God.

O Master, impart unto me [Name], the unworthy Deacon, the precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting.

PRIEST

The precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, is imparted unto thee [Name] the reverend Deacon, for the remission of thy sins and unto life everlasting.

Then the Priest shall divide the two remaining portions, the NI and the KA, into small particles sufficient for all and with extreme care shall place the divided particles of the Lamb into the chalice saying naught. Then taking up the chalice he [or the Deacon] shall show it to the people saying:

With fear of God, with faith and love draw near.

CHOIR: Amen.

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us.

And as many as desire to communicate shall now approach one by one in an orderly fashion bearing themselves with all godly humility and awe. The Priest shall communicate to each the Holy Mysteries saying to each:

The servant of God [Name] partaketh of the precious and most holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his/her sins and unto life everlasting.

Or

The Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Or

The Body and Blood of Christ.

And when all have communicated the Priest shall bless the people with the chalice saying:

Save, O God, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.

And he shall go into the sanctuary and place the chalice on the Holy Altar. 

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 gracious is the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

DEACON

Exalt, O Master.

The Priest shall cense the Holy Gifts thrice saying to himself:

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth.

And giving the censer to the Deacon, he shall take up the paten with the asterisk and the veils, and set it upon the Deacon’s head who shall proceed to the offertory table where he shall set it down. But if the Priest celebrates alone he shall take up the paten with the asterisk and the veils with his left hand and the chalice with his right saying in secret:

Blessed is our God;

And turning to face the people he shall say aloud:

Always, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

And he shall proceed to the offertory table and there set them down: the choir meanwhile singing “Let our mouths be filled”.

Let our mouth be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy glory: for that Thou hast accounted us worthy to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Preserve us in Thy holiness that we may think on Thy righteousness all the day long. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

 

And when the choir is finished,the Priest [or the Deacon] shall say:

 

Be upright: having partaken of the divine, holy, undefiled, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and awesome mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord.

Succour, save, have mercy and preserve us, O God, by Thy grace.

Having prayed that this whole evening be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

PRIEST

We give Thee thanks, O God and Saviour of all men, for all the good things that Thou hast bestowed upon us, and for the communion of the holy Body and Blood of Thy Christ. And we beseech Thee, O Master and lover of mankind, keep us safe under the shadow of Thy wings; and grant unto us even unto our last breath to partake worthily of Thy holy Gifts, unto the enlightening of our souls and bodies, and unto the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

And taking up the Gospel Book he shall make with it the sign of the Cross over the antiminsion and lay the Book upon it saying:

For Thou art our sanctification, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end.

Let us depart in peace.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

Let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR

Kyrie eleison [3]. Holy father, give the blessing.

And going out of the Sanctuary by the Holy Doors, the Priest shall stand   below the chancel steps and say the following prayer.

PRIEST

O Master Almighty, who didst create all things in wisdom, and by Thine ineffable providence and great goodness hast brought us to these most solemn days, for the purification of our souls and bodies, for the restraint of the passions, and for the hope of the resurrection. Thou who in the forty days didst deliver unto Thy servant Moses the God-engraved tables of stone, grant also unto us, O Thou who art good, to fight the good fight, to finish the course of the fast, to preserve the faith undivided, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, to be manifested victorious over sin, and to come to worship, without condemnation, the holy resurrection.

For blessed and glorified be Thy most honourable and majestic Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.  

CHOIR: Amen.

Blessed is the Name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. [3]
 

As the choir sing “Blessed is the name…” the Priest shall enter the sanctuary and going to the offertory table shall say the following prayer silently.

O Lord our God, who hast brought us to these most solemn days and hast made us partakers of Thy dread mysteries, join us to Thy reasonable flock, and proclaim us heir of Thy kingdom, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Then facing the people he [or the Deacon] shall say:

Let us pray unto the Lord.

CHOIR

Kyrie eleison

The Priest standing by the Holy Doors shall bless the people saying:

May the blessing and mercy of the Lord come upon you, by His divine grace and loving-kindness, always, now and for ever: world without end.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory be to Thee, O our God, glory be to Thee.

CHOIR:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirt, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.
Kyrie eleison [3]. Holy father, give the blessing.

THE DISMISSAL

May the Lord, who cometh to the voluntary passion, for our salvation, Christ our true God, by the prayers of His most holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the heavenly bodiless hosts; through the supplications of the glorious Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist; of the holy and all-glorious Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of our holy God-bearing fathers; of our father among the saints, Gregory Dialogos, Pope of Rome; of [name of the saint to whom the Church is dedicated]; of the holy and righteous progenitors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, have mercy upon us, and save our souls: For He is good and loving-kind.

 

 

 

And the Reader shall recite the following Psalms  

PSALM 33 (34)

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall be praised in the Lord; let the meek hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name for ever. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all mine troubles. 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 troubles. The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him, and shall 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. The rich are become poor, and have suffered hunger; 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 he that desireth life, that 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 open unto their supplication. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but 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 the sinners is evil, and they that hate the righteous shall go astray. The Lord shall redeem the souls of His servants, and none of them that hope in Him shall go astray.

PSALM 144 (145)

I will exalt Thee, O God my king, and I will bless Thy name for ever, yea, for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name for ever, yea, for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and there is no end of His greatness. Generation and generation shall praise Thy works, and shall declare Thy might. They shall speak of the majesty of the glory of Thy holiness, and shall tell of Thy wondrous works. And they shall speak of the might of Thy marvellous acts, and tell of Thy majesty. They shall utter the memory of the abundance of Thy goodness, and shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. The Lord is full of compassion, and merciful; longsuffering, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Let all Thy works praise Thee, O Lord, and let Thy saints bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and tell of Thy dominion. To make known to the sons of men Thy dominion, and the glorious majesty of Thy kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth in every generation and generation. The Lord is faithful in all His words, and holy in all His works. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all look to Thee in hope, and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest with Thy favour every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love Him, but all the wicked will He destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.

PRIEST

By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

CHOIR: Amen.