THE HIERATIKON. THE DIVINE LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED

THE HIERATIKON

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OF THE

PRESANCTIFIED

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated on every Wednesday and Friday of Great Lent, on Thursday of the fifth week for the Great Canon, on Great Monday, Great Tuesday, Great Wednesday, on the Feast of the First and Second findings of the head of St. John the Baptist [24^th February], on the Feast of the Forty holy martyrs [9^th march], and on any other local feast if it falls on a Monday to Friday in Great Lent. The Feast of the Annunciation, on whatever day it falls on, is always celebrated with the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated always after the Ninth Hour with the Vespers service and is usually celebrated by one Priest without a Deacon, except on feast days and in Holy Week where there are readings from the Gospels.

After the Ninth Hour, the Priest [and Deacon if he is to co-celebrate] shall vest himself with dark vestments kissing and blessing each one but saying nought except Let us pray unto the Lord.

THE PREPARATION

On the Sunday preceding at the Office of Oblation, when the Priest shall say Thou hast redeemed us by Thy precious blood from the curse of the law: he shall raise with the prosphoron for the Sunday Liturgy other prosphora, one for each Presanctified Liturgy he foresees will be celebrated during that week: for only one Lamb at any time can be taken from any one prosphoron. And after he hath cut, sacrificed and pierced the first prosphoron, he shall take the other prosphora and to each in turn he shall cut, sacrifice and pierce saying the words:

In remembrance of our Lord... He was led as a sheep... And as a lamb without blemish... In his humiliation...Who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken away...The Lamb of God, which taketh away...When Thou wast crucified, O

Christ... One of the soldiers with a spear pierced...

And he shall place each Lamb on the paten above the first Lamb.

Then pouring into the chalice wine and water he shall say: and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true.

The Priest blessing over the chalice shall say:

Blessed is the union of Thy holy things, always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And he shall complete the Office of Oblation and celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil or of St. John.

And when he is to sign the holy bread with the sign of the Cross, at the invocation of the Holy Spirit, he shall say And make this bread: in the singular number, for Christ is one, and he does not speak of these breads in the plural number. And when he is to make the elevation he shall lift all breads together, but break only the first bread that was offered and lay the portion in the holy chalice and pour in the warm water as is usual.

Then taking the holy spoon in his right hand, he shall dip it in the holy Blood and with his left hand he shall take one of the Holy Breads and touch it with the holy spoon, which hath been wetted with the Holy Blood, and make the sign of the Cross over the cross that was cut earlier on the underside and place it in the pyx [artophorion] underside up. Then he shall do the same with the other Breads and place them in the pyx.

On Holy and Great Thursday, the Priest prepares two Lamb as describe above: one for the Liturgy on the day and the other which shall be preserved in the pyx [artophorion] throughout the year for the communication of the sick at whatever hour he is asked to communicate them or for whenever it is necessary to give Holy Communion to someone other than during the Divine Liturgy.

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OF THE

PRESANCTIFIED

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... [3]

Then the introductory Psalm 103 [104] Bless the Lord, O my soul...

While the reader recites the introductory Psalm the Priest shall say the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th, of the Evening Prayers.

5^th PRAYER

Lord, Lord, who upholdest all things in Thy most pure hands; who art long-suffering unto us all and doth repent Thee of our evils: Remember Thy tender mercies and Thy loving-kindnesses. Visit us with Thy bounties and by Thy grace keep us for the remainder of this day from the snares of the devil, and preserve our lives from every wicked device; by the grace of Thy most Holy Spirit.

Through the mercy and love toward 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. Amen.

6^th PRAYER

O great and wonderful God, who of Thine unsearchable goodness and rich providence dost order all things, and hast bestowed on us the good of the land, Who hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the benefits already granted unto us, and to this present hour hath caused evil to depart from us: Vouchsafe that we may complete the remainder of this day undefiled before Thy holy glory, and sing unto Thee, Thou only who art good, our God which lovest mankind.

For Thou art our God, 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.

7^th PRAYER

O Great and most high God, who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; Who in wisdom didst make all Thy works; Who divided the light from the darkness, Who made the sun to rule the day, Who made the moon and the stars to rule the night; Who hast vouchsafed unto us sinners at this present hour to come before Thy presence with thanksgiving, and praise and glory: Do Thou Thyself of Thy loving-kindness let our prayer be set before Thee as incense, and accept it for a sweetsmelling savour. And grant that we may pass this eventide and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armour of light. Deliver us from the terror by night, from pestilence that walketh in darkness. Grant that the sleep which Thou hast appointed for the repose of our weakness be estranged from all wicked imaginations. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of all blessings, may we commune with our own hearts upon our beds, and be still and call to remembrance Thy Name in the night season: That enlightened by meditation of Thy commandments we may rise up with joyful soul to glorify Thy goodness, with prayers and supplications beseeching for Thy mercy on our own sins and for the sins of all Thy people, whom do Thou visit in clemency through the intercessions of the holy Mother of God.

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.

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

PRAYER OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON

O Lord who art gracious and full of compassion; longsuffering and plenteous in mercy: give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplications. Shew us a token for good. Teach us Thy way that we may walk in Thy truth. Rejoice our hearts to fear Thy Holy Name. For Thou art great and doest wondrous things. Thou art God alone, and there is none like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength to succour, comfort and save all who put their trust in Thy Holy Name.

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.

And the Reader shall the reading the first stasis of the 18 Kathisma of the Psalter. Psalms 119-123 [120-124]

In my distress I cried unto the Lord...

During the reading of the Kathisma the Holy Doors are kept closed.

The Deacon shall say to the Priest:

Master, bless the incense.

And the Priest shall bless the incense saying:

We offer incense unto, O Christ our God, for a sweetsmelling savour of spiritual fragrance, which do thou accept upon Thy most heavenly altar; and send down upon us the grace of Thy most holy Spirit.

And standing before the Holy Altar he shall unfold the Antiminsion, and then go to the Prothesis and take up the Paten, the Asterisk and the veil and bring them to the Holy Altar. Then taking the presanctified Holy Bread from the pyx [artophorion] with all reverence, he shall place it upright on the Paten. And taking the Asterisk he shall cense it and place it on the Paten saying naught but By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. And taking the veil he shall cense it and cover the Paten again saying naught but By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the censer he shall cense the Paten thrice and making three prostrations he shall lift up the Holy Gifts and place them on his head and being preceded by the Deacon holding a lighted taper and the censer he shall proceed to the prothesis and there place the Holy Gifts.

Then taking wine and water he shall pour them into the chalice saying By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And he shall cense the veil for the chalice and cover it saying only By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the Aer he shall cense it and cover both saying By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And taking up the censer he shall cense both thrice saying only By the Prayers of our Holy fathers... And he shall cense also the Holy Altar and all the sanctuary. He shall not say the Prayer of Oblation for the presanctified offering is already consecrated and complete. If the Priest does not have enough time to accomplish all the above during the first stasis of the Kathisma he can do all up to the censing of the Holy Gifts whilst still on the Holy Altar during the first reading and the rest during the second.

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

Glory... Now and for ever... 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.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

PRAYER OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON

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]

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

Glory... Now and for ever... 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

PRAYER OF THE THIRD ANTIPHON

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]

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

Glory... Now and for ever... 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.

CHOIR: To Thee, O Lord.

PRIEST

PRAYER OF THE FOURTH ANTIPHON

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 immediately the choir shall sing “Lord I have cried”.

The Deacon then taking up the censer and putting incense therein shall say to the Priest:

Master, bless the incense.

The Priest shall bless the incense saying:

Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Then at the words “Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense” the Priest [or Deacon] shall cense the sanctuary and all the temple in the customary way. During the singing of the “Glory… Now and for ever…” the Priest [and Deacon] shall make the Little Entrance. If the Liturgy of the Presanctified is offered to celebrate the commemoration of a certain saint’s day or in Holy week then the Little Entrance is made with the Holy Gospel. Otherwise, the Entrance is made with the censer.

The Priest blessing the incense shall say:

Blessed is our God always, now and for ever: world without end.

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.

And the Priest [or Deacon] shall cense the throne and the Icons of the Iconostasis. Then holding the censer high he shall cry in a loud voice:

Wisdom. Stand steadfast.

And the choir shall sing the evening hymn “O Gladsome light”.

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... Psalm...

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

READER: The reading is from the Book of Genesis [or Exodus].

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us give heed.

And the reader shall read the Lesson. And having finished the Lesson he shall announce the Prokhimenon for the second lesson 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 Proverbs [or Job].

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom. Let us attend.

And after the reading:

PRIEST: Peace unto thee [that readeth].

READER: And unto thy spirit.

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.

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.

Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me. Make haste unto me, O Lord. Lord, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Make haste unto me, O Lord.

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

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

Let my prayer be set forth...

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity, and let me not eat of their dainties.

Let my prayer be set forth...

And censing the Prothesis:

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

Now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

Let my prayer be set forth...

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.

If the Liturgy of the Presanctified is offered to celebrate the commemoration of a certain saint’s day or in Holy week the reader shall announce the Apostle reading.

READER: The Prokhimenon of the Apostle reading.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us give heed.

READER: The verse to the Apostle reading.

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the Epistle of St. [Name] to the […..]

PRIEST [or Deacon]: Let us heed.

And whilst the Reader reads the Apostle Lesson the Priest shall say the following prayer in a low voice.

O Lord and lover of mankind: make the imperishable light of Thy divine knowledge to shine in our hearts; and open the eyes of our understanding that we may apprehend the preaching of Thy Gospel. Implant in us likewise awe of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling under feet all the lusts of the flesh we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing always such things as are pleasing in Thy sight.

For Thou art the enlightening of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thine eternal Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever: world without end. Amen.

And on the completion of the Apostolic reading the Priest shall bless the reader saying:

PRIEST: Peace unto thee [that readest].

READER: And unto thy spirit.

And the choir shall sing the Alleluia with the appointed verses whilst the Priest [or Deacon] censes in the customary way. If the Deacon is a co-celebrant he shall, after putting aside the censer, come to the Priest and bowing his head say:

Bless, Master, the herald of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist [Name].

The Priest signing him with the sign of the Cross shall say:

May God through the prayers of the holy and all-glorious Apostle and Evangelist [Name] grant thee to preach the word with much power, unto the fulfilling of the Gospel of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

And he shall give the Book to the Deacon who shall say Amen and kiss the Gospel Book and the Priest’s right hand and shall then step forth through the Holy Doors, preceded by lighted candles and go to the customary place. Then the Priest standing before the Holy Altar facing toward the west shall say:

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

PRIEST: Peace unto all.

CHOIR: And unto thy spirit.

PRIEST [or Deacon]

The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. [Name]

PRIEST

Let us give heed.

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

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].

Then the Deacon shall go to the Holy Doors and shall deliver the Book to the Priest who shall kiss it and make with it the sign of the Cross blessing the people before placing it upon the Holy Altar.

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.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all the pious Orthodox Christians who dwell or visit this city, [village, monastery] the parishioners, the Church committee, those who give help and those who have dedicated gifts in this holy temple.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy Church and for all our departed fathers, brethren, and Orthodox Christians everywhere who have fallen asleep.

If there be a commemoration of them that are fallen asleep the Priest may also say:

Again we pray for the repose of the soul[s] of the departed servant[s] of God [Name(s)], and for the forgiveness of his [her, their] every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

Again we pray for them that strive and bring forth the fruit of good works in this holy and venerable temple; for them that serve, and them that sing; and for all the people here present who await Thy great and bountiful mercy.

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 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.

From the Wednesday of the fourth week in Lent until Great Wednesday of Holy Week in the place of the above exhortation to the catechumens to depart, the Priest [or Deacon] shall say the following exhortation for them that are to be illumined, that is to be baptized at the forthcoming Easter.

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 i