Consecration

THE CONSECRATION

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Ψαλμὸς ΡΜΒʹ (142).

Psalm 142 (143).

Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, ἐνώτισαι τὴν δέησίν μου ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου, εἰσάκουσόν μου ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου· καὶ μὴ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς κρίσιν μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου, ὅτι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐνώπιόν σου πᾶς ζῶν. Ὅτι κατεδίωξεν ὁ ἐχθρὸς τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἐταπείνωσεν εἰς γῆν τὴν ζωήν μου, ἐκάθισέ με ἐν σκοτεινοῖς ὡς νεκροὺς αἰῶνος· καὶ ἠκηδίασεν ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐταράχθη ἡ καρδία μου. Ἐμνήσθην ἡμερῶν ἀρχαίων, ἐμελέτησα ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου, ἐν ποιήμασι τῶν χειρῶν σου ἐμελέτων. Διεπέτασα πρὸς σὲ τὰς χεῖράς μου, ἡ ψυχή μου ὡς γῆ ἄνυδρός σοι. Ταχὺ εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε, ἐξέλιπε τὸ πνεῦμά μου· μὴ ἀποστρέψῃς τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καὶ ὁμοιωθήσομαι τοῖς καταβαίνουσιν εἰς λάκκον. Ἀκουστὸν ποίησόν μοι τὸ πρωῒ τὸ ἔλεός σου, ὅτι ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα· γνώρισόν μοι, Κύριε, ὁδόν, ἐν ᾗ πορεύσομαι, ὅτι πρὸς σὲ ἦρα τὴν ψυχήν μου· ἐξελοῦ με ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου, Κύριε· πρὸς σὲ κατέφυγον. Δίδαξόν με τοῦ ποιεῖν τὸ θέλημά σου, ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεός μου· τὸ πνεῦμά σου τὸ ἀγαθὸν ὁδηγήσει με ἐν γῇ εὐθείᾳ. Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου, Κύριε, ζήσεις με· ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ἐξάξεις ἐκ θλίψεως τὴν ψυχήν μου· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐλέει σου ἐξολοθρεύσεις τοὺς ἐχθρούς μου· καὶ ἀπολεῖς πάντας τοὺς θλίβοντας τὴν ψυχήν μου, ὅτι ἐγὼ δοῦλός σού εἰμι.

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. [SAAS]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν, Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To You, O Lord. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ὅτι ἅγιος εἶ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

The Hierarch standing before the Holy Relics reads the prayer:

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πιστὸς ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου, καὶ ἀψευδὴς ἐν ταῖς ἐπαγγελίαις σου· ὁ χαρισάμενος τοῖς ἁγίοις σου Μάρτυσι τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἀγωνίσασθαι, καὶ τὸν δρόμον τῆς εὐσεβείας τελέσαι, καὶ τὴν πίστιν τῆς ἀληθοῦς Ὁμολογίας φυλάξαι· αὐτός, Δέσποτα πανάγιε, ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις παρακλήθητι, καὶ χάρισαι ἡμῖν τοῖς ἀναξίοις δούλοις σου μέρος καὶ κλῆρον ἔχειν μετʼ αὐτῶν, ἵνα, μιμηταὶ αὐτῶν γενόμενοι, καταξιωθῶμεν τῶν ἀποκειμένων αὐτοῖς ἀγαθῶν.

O Lord our God, You are faithful in Your words and You never lie in Your promises; You granted Your holy Martyrs to fight the good fight and to finish the course of godliness and to keep the faith of the true confession. All-holy Lord, be entreated by their prayers and grant us, Your unworthy servants, to have a part and inheritance with them, that being imitators of them, we too may obtain the good things that await them.

Ἐλέει καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ, μεθʼ οὗ εὐλογητὸς εἶ, σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σου Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

By the mercy and benevolence of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace be with all.

( Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. )

( And with your spirit. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To You, O Lord. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, πρεσβείαις τῆς ἁγίας Δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου, καὶ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων σου, τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν ἡμῶν τῶν ἀναξίων δούλων σου κατεύθυνον, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν εὐαρεστεῖν ἡμᾶς τῇ σῇ ἀγαθότητι καταξίωσον.

O Lord our God, by the intercessions of our holy Lady Theotokos and all Your saints, direct the works of our hands, and grant us, Your unworthy servants, to be pleasing to Your goodness in all things.

Εἴη τὸ κράτος τῆς βασιλείας σου εὐλογημένον καὶ δεδοξασμένον, τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

PROCESSIONS AROUND THE CHURCH

Following this prayer, the Hierarch and Clergy together with all the Faithful prepare for the Three Processions around the Church. The Three Processions represent the setting aside of an area which will be separate and sacred from all other areas.

The Hierarch raises the covered Paten on which the Holy Relics were placed, and prepares to leave the Church. The procession is led by the Acolytes, followed by the Choirs, the Clergy, the Hierarch carrying the Relics, and the Faithful, leaving the Church empty. As the procession leaves the Church the Choirs sing:

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἦχος βαρύς.

Grave Mode.

Ἅγιοι Μάρτυρες, οἱ καλῶς ἀθλήσαντες, καὶ στεφανωθέντες, πρεσβεύσατε πρὸς Κύριον, ἐλεηθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

O holy Martyr Saints, who competed well and received the crowns of laurel, intercede with the Lord for us, that His mercy come upon our souls. [SD]

Ἦχος βαρύς.

Grave Mode.

Δόξα σοι Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, Ἀποστόλων καύχημα, Μαρτύρων ἀγαλλίαμα, ὧν τὸ κήρυγμα, Τριὰς ἡ ὁμοούσιος.

Glory be to You, Christ our God, the Apostles’ pride and joy, exultation of the Martyr Saints, whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]

During the processions around the Church special consecration hymns are sung, or the Hymn “Holy God…”

Ἦχος αʹ.

Mode 1.

Ἐγκαινίζου ἐγκαινίζου ἡ νέα Ἱερουσαλήμ· ἥκει γάρ σου τὸ φῶς, καὶ ἡ δόξα Κυρίου ἐπὶ σὲ ἀνατέταλκε· Τοῦτον τὸν οἶκον ὁ Πατὴρ ᾠκοδόμησε, τοῦτον τὸν οἶκον ὁ Υἱὸς ἐστερέωσε· τοῦτον τὸν οἶκον τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον ἀνεκαίνισε, τὸ φωτίζον καὶ στηρίζον, καὶ ἁγιάζον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Be consecrated, be consecrated, O new Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. This house was built by the Father; this house was made firm by the Son; this house was renewed by the Holy Spirit, which illumines and supports, and sanctifies our souls. [SD]

Ἦχος αʹ.

Mode 1.

Πάλαι μὲν ἐγκαινίζων τὸν ναὸν ὁ Σολομών, ἀλόγων ζῴων θυσίας, καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα προσέφερε Κύριε, ὅτε δὲ ηὐδόκησας Σωτὴρ τοὺς τύπους μὲν ἀργῆσαι, γνωσθῆναι δὲ τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ἀναιμάκτους θυσίας, τὰ πέρατα τοῦ κόσμου προσφέρει τῇ δόξῃ σου· πάντων γὰρ δεσπόζων, τὰ πάντα ἁγιάζεις τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

In the Old Testament, when the Temple was consecrated, Solomon offered sacrifices of irrational animals and whole-burnt offerings, O Lord. Since You, O Savior, were well pleased that the types should cease and the truth be known, now the whole world offers bloodless sacrifices to Your glory; for as the Lord of all, by Your Holy Spirit You sanctify everything. [SD]

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Ἐγκαίνια τιμᾶσθαι, παλαιὸς νόμος, καὶ καλῶς ἔχων· μᾶλλον δὲ τὰ νέα τιμᾶσθαι διʼ Ἐγκαινίων· ἐγκαινίζονται γὰρ νῆσοι πρὸς Θεόν, ὥς φησιν Ἠσαΐας· ἅς τινας ὑποληπτέον τὰς ἐξ ἐθνῶν Ἐκκλησίας, ἄρτι καθισταμένας, καὶ πῆξιν λαμβανούσας βάσιμον τῷ Θεῷ· διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς, τὰ παρόντα Ἐγκαίνια πνευματικῶς πανηγυρίσωμεν.

Consecration is an old honored custom, and a good one. And it is also proper to honor new churches through consecration. As Isaiah says, islands will be dedicated to God, which are to be understood as the churches of the Gentiles, which have recently been established, and have their sturdy construction by God. Therefore let us also spiritually celebrate the festival of the present Consecration. [SD]

Δόξα· καὶ νῦν. Ἦχος πλ. αʹ.

Glory. Both now. Mode pl. 1.

Ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν κόλπων τῶν πατρικῶν ἐπαναπαυόμενος Λόγε, τὸ Πνεῦμά σου τὸ Ἅγιον, ἐγκαίνισον ἐν τῷ Ναῷ, τῷ εἰς τὸ ὄνομά σου ἀνεγηγερμένῳ.

O Logos of God, who rests in the bosom of the Father, send down Your Holy Spirit in this Sanctuary, which was erected in Your name. [SD]

When the procession reaches the front of the Church, the Hierarch places the Holy Relics on table, which has been previously placed there, and readings from the Bible follow.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΜΑΤΑ

READINGS

Ὁ Ἀπόστολος

The Epistle

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος αʹ. Ψαλμὸς 26.

Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 26.

Κύριος φωτισμός μου καὶ σωτήρ μου· τίνα φοβηθήσομαι;

The Lord is my light and my savior; whom shall I fear?

Στίχ. Κύριος ὑπερασπιστὴς τῆς ζωῆς μου· ἀπὸ τίνος δειλιάσω;

Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; whom shall I dread?

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία.

Wisdom.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

2:11 – 18

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ ἁγιάζων καὶ οἱ ἁγιαζόμενοι ἐξ ἑνὸς πάντες· δι᾽ ἣν αἰτίαν οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοὺς καλεῖν, λέγων· ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε· καὶ πάλιν· ἐγὼ ἔσομαι πεποιθὼς ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ· καὶ πάλιν· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ καὶ τὰ παιδία ἅ μοι ἔδωκεν ὁ Θεός. ἐπεὶ οὖν τὰ παιδία κεκοινώνηκε σαρκὸς καὶ αἵματος, καὶ αὐτὸς παραπλησίως μετέσχε τῶν αὐτῶν, ἵνα διὰ τοῦ θανάτου καταργήσῃ τὸν τὸ κράτος ἔχοντα τοῦ θανάτου, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστι τὸν διάβολον, καὶ ἀπαλλάξῃ τούτους, ὅσοι φόβῳ θανάτου διὰ παντὸς τοῦ ζῆν ἔνοχοι ἦσαν δουλείας. οὐ γὰρ δήπου ἀγγέλων ἐπιλαμβάνεται, ἀλλὰ σπέρματος ᾿Αβραὰμ ἐπιλαμβάνεται. ὅθεν ὤφειλε κατὰ πάντα τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁμοιωθῆναι, ἵνα ἐλεήμων γένηται καὶ πιστὸς ἀρχιερεὺς τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, εἰς τὸ ἱλάσκεσθαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ λαοῦ. ἐν ᾧ γὰρ πέπονθεν αὐτὸς πειρασθείς, δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι.

Brethren, he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. [RSV]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη σοι τῷ ἀναγνόντι.

Peace be with you the reader.

Τὸ Θεῖον Εὐαγγέλιον

The Holy Gospel

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. [GOA]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Ὀρθοί. Ἀκούσωμεν τοῦ ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου.

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace be with all.

( Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. )

( And with your spirit. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

( Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι. )

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

16:13 – 19

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὰ μέρη Καισαρείας τῆς Φιλίππου ἠρώτα τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ λέγων· τίνα με λέγουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι εἶναι τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου; οἱ δὲ εἶπον· οἱ μὲν Ἰωάννην τὸν βαπτιστήν, ἄλλοι δὲ Ἠλίαν, ἕτεροι δὲ Ἱερεμίαν ἢ ἕνα τῶν προφητῶν. λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος εἶπε· σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος. καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· μακάριος εἶ, Σίμων Βαριωνᾶ, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέ σοι, ἀλλ᾿ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος, καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ πύλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς. καὶ δώσω σοι τὰς κλεῖς τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

At that time, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [RSV]

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Once again, the Hierarch picks up the Paten, and the second procession around the Church takes place, while the Choir sings Special Hymns, e.g. from the Canon of the Consecration, the Canon of Pascha, or the hymn “Holy God.”

When the procession reaches the front doors of the Church, the Relics are again placed on the table, and readings from the Bible follow.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΜΑΤΑ

READINGS

Ὁ Ἀπόστολος

The Epistle

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος γʹ. Ψαλμὸς 44.

Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Psalm 44.

Ἀπενεχθήσονται τῷ βασιλεῖ παρθένοι ὀπίσω αὐτῆς.

The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King.

Στίχ. Αἱ πλησίον αὐτῆς ἀπενεχθήσονταί σοι.

Verse: Her neighbors shall be brought to You.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία.

Wisdom.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

9:1 – 7

Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώματα λατρείας τό τε Ἅγιον κοσμικόν· σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται Ἅγια. μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγομένη Ἅγια Ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης, ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον· περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστι νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτω κατεσκευασμένων εἰς μὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες, εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων.

Brethren, the first tent had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. [RSV]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη σοι τῷ ἀναγνόντι.

Peace be with you the reader.

Τὸ Θεῖον Εὐαγγέλιον

The Holy Gospel

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. [GOA]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Ὀρθοί. Ἀκούσωμεν τοῦ ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου.

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace be with all.

( Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. )

( And with your spirit. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

( Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι. )

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

10:38 – 42, 11:27 – 28

10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς κώμην τινά. γυνὴ δέ τις ὀνόματι Μάρθα ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς. καὶ τῇδε ἦν ἀδελφὴ καλουμένη Μαρία, ἣ καὶ παρακαθίσασα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἤκουε τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ. ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπε· Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλιπε διακονεῖν; εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μάρθα Μάρθα, μεριμνᾷς καὶ τυρβάζῃ περὶ πολλά· ἑνὸς δέ ἐστι χρεία· Μαρία δὲ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο, ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ λέγειν αὐτὸν ταῦτα ἐπάρασά τις γυνὴ φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου εἶπεν αὐτῷ· μακαρία ἡ κοιλία ἡ βαστάσασά σε καὶ μαστοὶ οὓς ἐθήλασας. αὐτὸς δὲ εἶπε· μενοῦνγε μακάριοι οἱ ἀκούοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ φυλάσσοντες αὐτόν.

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” [RSV]

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

The Hierarch picks up the Paten with the Holy Relics, and the final procession takes place. The Choir continues to sing Special Hymns. (e.g. Apolytikia of relics) or the hymn “Holy God.”

At the end of the third procession the Hierarch places the Paten on the table and recites a prayer.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, unto the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Ἦχος γʹ.

Mode 3.

Ὁ ἐν τῇ πέτρᾳ τῆς πίστεως οἰκοδομήσας τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν σου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐν αὐτῇ κατεύθυνον τὰς ἱκεσίας ἡμῶν, καὶ πρόσδεξαι λαὸν ἐν πίστει βοῶντά σοι· Σῶσον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν.

O Christ our God, who built Your Church on the rock of faith, direct our petitions and receive Your people who in faith cry to You: Save us, O our God.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

The Hierarch then offers a shorter prayer in which he asks God to protect His new House of Worship.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ὁ διὰ τοῦ καταπετάσματος τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ ἐγκαινίσας ἡμῖν τῆς τῶν προπατόρων Ἐκκλησίας τῶν ἐν οὐρανοῖς ἀπογεγραμμένων τὴν εἴσοδον, ἔνθα ἦχος ἑορταζόντων καὶ φωνὴ ἀγαλλιάσεως· αὐτός, φιλάνθρωπε Δέσποτα, ἐπίβλεψον ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἁμαρτολοὺς καὶ ἀναξίους δούλους σου, τοὺς τὸν Ἐγκαινισμὸν ἐπιτελοῦντας τοῦ σεβασμίου Ναοῦ (ὄνομα τοῦ ναοῦ), εἰς σύμβολον τῆς ἁγιωτάτης σου Ἐκκλησίας, τουτέστιν αὐτοῦ τοῦ σκήνους ἡμῶν, ὅπερ καὶ ναόν σου, καὶ μέλη Χριστοῦ σου, διὰ τοῦ πανευφήμου Ἀποστόλου Παύλου, ὀνόματι κατηξίωσας· καὶ τοῦτον στερέωσον μέχρι τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος ἀσάλευτον, καὶ δεδοξασμένον ἐν σοί· καὶ ἀξίωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ αἰνέσιες καὶ δοξολογίας ἀκαταγνώστους προσάγειν τῇ δόξῃ σου, καὶ τῷ Μονογενεῖ σου Υἱῷ, τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ σου Πνεύματι, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει καὶ πάσῃ αἰσθήσει· καὶ προσκυνοῦντάς σε ἐν φόβῳ σου, τῶν θείων δειχθῆναι ἀξίους οἰκτιρμῶν, εὐπροσκέκτους τε τῇ σῇ ἀγαθότητι γενέσθαι τὰς δεήσεις ταύτας, ἃς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ σου, τῇ ἀφάτῳ σου εὐσπλαγχνίᾳ προσάγομεν· πρεσβείαις τῆς ἀχράντου Δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας.

O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You are the One is blessed forever. Through the veil of Your Son’s flesh, You inaugurated an entrance for us into the Church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, where they celebrate with a clear voice of great joy. We entreat You, Master who love humanity, look upon us Your sinful and unworthy servants, as we conduct the consecration of this holy church of name of the church; May it symbolize Your most holy Church, namely this body of ours, which You have qualified to be called temple and members of Your Christ, by St. Paul, the all-lauded Apostle. Keep this structure standing strong till the end of time, unshaken, and glorified in You. Allow us to enter it without reproach, understanding and sensing everything, and to offer praises and doxologies to Your glory, and to Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to Your Holy Spirit. May we worship You in fear of You, and thus be found worthy of Your divine tender mercies. Graciously accept these prayers that we offer to Your ineffable compassion, for ourselves and for all Your people, at the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

Ὅτι ἅγιος εἶ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐν ἁγίοις ἐπαναπαύῃ, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δέσποτα Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ καταστήσας ἐν οὐρανοῖς τάγματα καὶ στρατιὰς Ἀγγέλων καὶ Ἀρχαγγέλων, εἰς λειτουργίαν τῆς σῆς δόξης, ποίησον σὺν τῇ εἰσόδῳ ἡμῶν εἴσοδον ἁγίων Ἀγγέλων γενέσθαι, συλλειτουργούντων ἡμῖν, καὶ συνδοξολογούντων τὴν σὴν ἀγαθότητα.

O Master, Lord our God, who have appointed in heaven orders and armies of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory, grant that with our entrance there may be the entrance of Your holy angels, ministering with us and together glorifying Your goodness.

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

THE DIALOGUE FROM PSALM 24 - ENTRY INTO THE CHURCH

The Hierarch standing in front of the Doors of the Church, begins a short dialogue. The words of this conversation are taken from Psalm 23 (24). This act represents Christ the King entering and taking over the Church building by defeating the power of the devil. The Hierarch taps on the door with his staff and says:

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ἄρατε πύλας, οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐπάρθητε, πύλαι αἰώνιοι, καὶ εἰσελεύσεται ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης.

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

The priest, who is the only one inside the Church and represents an Angel, is surprised to hear this command, and asks:

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης;

Who is this King of glory?

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριος κραταιὸς καὶ δυνατός, Κύριος δυνατὸς ἐν πολέμῳ.

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.

Ἄρατε πύλας, οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐπάρθητε, πύλαι αἰώνιοι, καὶ εἰσελεύσεται ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης.

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης;

Who is this King of glory?

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριος κραταιὸς καὶ δυνατός, Κύριος δυνατὸς ἐν πολέμῳ.

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.

Ἄρατε πύλας, οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐπάρθητε, πύλαι αἰώνιοι, καὶ εἰσελεύσεται ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης.

Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης;

Who is this King of Glory?

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων, αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης.

The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Having said this, the Hierarch raises the Paten and makes the sign of the Cross 3 times before the Church doors. The doors are then opened and the Hierarch enters the Church carrying the Holy Relics followed by all the clergy and the congregation. The choir in the meantime sings:

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀπολυτίκιον τῶν Ἐκγαινίων.

Apolytikion for the Consecration.

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

Ὡς τοῦ ἄνω στερεώματος τὴν εὐπρέπειαν, καὶ τὴν κάτω συναπέδειξας ὡραιότητα, τοῦ ἁγίου σκηνώματος τῆς δόξης σου Κύριε. Κραταίωσον αὐτὸ εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος, καὶ πρόσδεξαι ἡμῶν, τὰς ἐν αὐτῷ ἀπαύστως προσαγομένας σοι δεήσεις, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, ἡ πάντων ζωὴ καὶ ἀνάστασις.

You have made the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever and ever, and accept our supplications that we unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection of all. [SD]

THE PLACEMENT OF THE HOLY RELICS

The Hierarch enters the Sanctuary, carrying the Paten with the Holy relics. Uncovering the Paten, he places the Holy Relics in a small box. He then pours Holy Chrism over the Relics; this act symbolizes the union between our Lord, and His Martyrs. Having done this the Hierarch prays for the deceased founders of the Church.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη τῶν Κτιτόρων τοῦ ἁγίου Οἴκου τούτου.

Everlasting be the memory of the founders of this holy House.

ΛΑΟΣ

PEOPLE

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη· αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη· αἰωνία αὐτῶν ἡ μνήμη.

Eternal be their memory. Eternal be their memory. Eternal be their memory.

In the early years of Christianity the Church was not allowed to exist; for many years the early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith in Christ. In those days, the Christians met in underground burial places and celebrated the Eucharist on the graves of the martyred Saints. When the persecutions ended, and the Church was allowed to exist, the custom of celebrating the Eucharist over the graves of Martyrs continued by placing Holy Relics in the Altar at the time of the Consecration. In this manner, we are always reminded that the Church was built on the Blood of the Martyrs and their faith in the Lord.

Since the Consecration centers around the Holy Altar Table (for it represents the center of all Sacraments and services of the Church), the Hierarch prays and asks for God’s help to accomplish the service:

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ καὶ ταύτην τὴν δόξαν τοῖς ὑπὲρ σοῦ ἀθλήσασιν ἁγίοις Μάρτυσι δωρησάμενος, τὸ σπείρεσθαι ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ τὰ Λείψανα αὐτῶν, ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις Οἴκοις σου, καὶ καρποὺς ἰαμάτων βλαστάνειν, αὐτὸς Δέσποτα, ὁ πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν χορηγὸς ὑπάρχων, πρεσβείαις τῶν Ἁγίων, ὧν εὐδόκησας τὴν ἀπόθεσιν τῶν Λειψάνων ἐν τῷ σεπτῷ Οἴκῳ σου γενέσθαι, ἀξίωσον ἡμᾶς ἀκατακρίτως τὴν ἀναίμακτόν σοι προσενεγκεῖν ἐν αὐτῷ θυσίαν· καὶ δώρησαι ἡμῖν πάντα τὰ πρὸς σωτηρίαν αἰτήματα, ἀντάμειψιν παρέχων καὶ ἐν τούτῳ τοῖς ἀθλήσασιν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου ὀνόματος σου, τὸ θαυματουργεῖν διʼ αὐτῶν, πρὸς ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν.

O Lord our God, Who granted the holy Martyrs who suffered for Your sake this glory also, that their relics should be sown in all the earth, in Your holy churches, and should bring forth fruits of healing: Master and the giver of all good things, through the intercession of the Saints whose relics You have graciously permitted to be placed in this Your venerable Altar, enable us without condemnation to offer the bloodless sacrifice to You on it. And grant us all those petitions that are for our salvation, granting also that the relics in it of those who have suffered for Your holy name may work miracles for our salvation.

Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριε ὁ Θεός, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, ὁ πάντα ποιῶν καὶ πραγματευόμενος, ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τοῦ γένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, πρόσδεξαι ἡμῶν τῶν ἀναξίων δούλων σου τὰς δεήσεις, καὶ ἱκάνωσον ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ τῆς παρούσης ὥρας, εἰς τὸ ἀκατακρίτως τὸν Ἐγκαινισμὸν ἐπιτελέσαι τοῦ Ναοῦ τούτου, τοῦ πρὸς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν καὶ τὴν σὴν δοξολογίαν οἰκοδομηθέντος, ἐπʼ ὀνόματι (ὄνομα τοῦ ναοῦ), καὶ τὴν ἔφοδον τῆς ἐν αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι Τραπέζης.

O Lord, God our Savior, Who creates all things and makes the human race for salvation, accept the prayer of us, Your unworthy servants; and enable us at this present hour without condemnation to accomplish the consecration of this Church, founded to Your praise in the name of name of the church; and to consummate the building of an Altar in it.

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Following these two prayers the Hierarch places the box containing the Holy relics into a special cavity in the Altar. In order to seal them permanently the Hierarch pours wax/mastic over them. The wax/mastic contains many sweet smelling and fragrant spices, which were used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to anoint the Body of Christ in preparation for his burial. The Holy Altar represents the Tomb in which our Lord’s body was placed. All of this takes place during the chanting or reading of Psalm 144.

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ΡΜΔʹ (144).

Psalm 144 (145)

Ὑψώσω σε, ὁ Θεός μου ὁ βασιλεύς μου, καὶ εὐλογήσω τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Καθ᾽ ἑκάστην ἡμέραν εὐλογήσω σε καὶ αἰνέσω τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Μέγας Κύριος καὶ αἰνετὸς σφόδρα, καὶ τῆς μεγαλωσύνης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστι πέρας. Γενεὰ καὶ γενεὰ ἐπαινέσει τὰ ἔργα σου καὶ τὴν δύναμίν σου ἀπαγγελοῦσι. Τὴν μεγαλοπρέπειαν τῆς δόξης τῆς ἁγιωσύνης σου λαλήσουσι καὶ τὰ θαυμάσιά σου διηγήσονται. Καὶ τὴν δύναμιν τῶν φοβερῶν σου ἐροῦσι καὶ τὴν μεγαλωσύνην σου διηγήσονται. Μνήμην τοῦ πλήθους τῆς χρηστότητός σου ἐξερεύξονται καὶ τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ἀγαλλιάσονται. Οἰκτίρμων καὶ ἐλεήμων ὁ Κύριος, μακρόθυμος καὶ πολυέλεος. Χρηστὸς Κύριος τοῖς σύμπασι, καὶ οἱ οἰκτιρμοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ. Ἐξομολογησάσθωσάν σοι, Κύριε, πάντα τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ οἱ ὅσιοί σου εὐλογησάτωσάν σε. Δόξαν τῆς βασιλείας σου ἐροῦσι καὶ τὴν δυναστείαν σου λαλήσουσι τοῦ γνωρίσαι τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὴν δυναστείαν σου καὶ τὴν δόξαν τῆς μεγαλοπρεπείας τῆς βασιλείας σου. Ἡ βασιλεία σου βασιλεία πάντων τῶν αἰώνων, καὶ ἡ δεσποτεία σου ἐν πάσῃ γενεᾷ καὶ γενεᾷ. Πιστὸς Κύριος ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ὅσιος ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ὑποστηρίζει Κύριος πάντας τοὺς καταπίπτοντας καὶ ἀνορθοῖ πάντας τοὺς κατεῤῥαγμένους. Οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ πάντων εἰς σὲ ἐλπίζουσι, καὶ σὺ δίδως τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν ἐν εὐκαιρίᾳ. Ἀνοίγεις σὺ τὰς χεῖράς σου καὶ ἐμπιπλᾷς πᾶν ζῷον εὐδοκίας. Δίκαιος Κύριος ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ ὅσιος ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ἐγγὺς Κύριος πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπικαλουμένοις αὐτόν, πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπικαλουμένοις αὐτὸν ἐν ἀληθείᾳ. Θέλημα τῶν φοβουμένων αὐτὸν ποιήσει καὶ τῆς δεήσεως αὐτῶν εἰσακούσεται καὶ σώσει αὐτούς. Φυλάσσει Κύριος πάντας τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς ἐξολοθρεύσει. Αἴνεσιν Κυρίου λαλήσει τὸ στόμα μου· καὶ εὐλογείτω πᾶσα σὰρξ τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.

I shall exalt You, my God and my King, and I shall bless Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Every day I shall bless you and praise Your name forever and unto ages of ages. Great is the Lord and exceedingly praiseworthy, and His greatness has no limit. Generation and generation shall praise Your works, and they shall declare Your power. They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of Your holiness, and they shall describe Your wonders. They shall also speak of the power of Your awesome deeds and describe Your great majesty. They shall overflow with the memory of Your rich goodness, and shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, longsuffering and abundant in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are upon all His works. O Lord, let all Your works praise You and Your holy ones bless You. They shall tell of Your kingdom’s glory, and they shall speak of Your power, that all the sons of men may know Your power and the glory of Your kingdom’s magnificence. Your kingdom is a kingdom of all the ages, and Your dominion is from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in His words and holy in all His works. The Lord supports all who stumble and restores all who are broken down. All eyes hope in You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and fill every living thing with Your pleasure. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He shall do the will of those who fear Him, and He shall hear their supplications and save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the sinners He shall utterly destroy. My mouth shall speak the Lord’s praise, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and unto ages of ages. [SAAS]

As the Hierarch removes the excess wax/ mastic, Psalm 22 is read. The Deposition (placing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table) is now completed, and the Hierarch prepares to wash and anoint the Altar Table.

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ΚΒʹ (22).

Psalm 22 (23).

Κύριος ποιμαίνει με καὶ οὐδέν με ὑστερήσει. Εἰς τόπον χλόης, ἐκεῖ με κατεσκήνωσεν, ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως ἐξέθρεψέ με, τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐπέστρεψεν. Ὡδήγησέ με ἐπὶ τρίβους δικαιοσύνης ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ. Ἐὰν γὰρ καὶ πορευθῶ ἐν μέσῳ σκιᾶς θανάτου, οὐ φοβηθήσομαι κακά, ὅτι σὺ μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ εἶ· ἡ ῥάβδος σου καὶ ἡ βακτηρία σου, αὗταί με παρεκάλεσαν. Ἡτοίμασας ἐνώπιόν μου τράπεζαν, ἐξ ἐναντίας τῶν θλιβόντων με· ἐλίπανας ἐν ἐλαίῳ τὴν κεφαλήν μου, καὶ τὸ ποτήριόν σου μεθύσκον με ὡσεὶ κράτιστον. Καὶ τὸ ἔλεός σου καταδιώξει με πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς μου, καὶ τὸ κατοικεῖν με ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου εἰς μακρότητα ἡμερῶν.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord to the end of my days. [SAAS]

THE WASHING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

The Altar Table represents the Tomb of Christ and His body lies therein. The Altar must undergo its own “Baptism” (washing) and “Chrismation” (anointing). Before washing and anointing the Altar Table the Hierarch puts on a white garment called the Savanon.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι κλίναντες τὰ γόνατα, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Again, on bended knees, let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

While the faithful kneel, the Hierarch reads the prayer of Consecration:

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἄναρχος καὶ ἀΐδιος, ὁ ἐκ μὴ ὄντων εἰς τὸ εἶναι τὰ πάντα παραγαγών· ὁ φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον, καὶ θρόνον ἔχων τὸν οὐρανόν, τὴν δὲ γῆν ὑποπόδιον· ὁ τῷ Μωϋσῇ πρόσταγμα δοὺς καὶ ὑπογραμμόν, τῷ δὲ Βεσελεὴλ πνεῦμα σοφίας ἐνθείς, καὶ ἱκανώσας αὐτοὺς πρὸς ἀπαρτισμὸν τῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου Σκηνῆς, ἐν ᾗ λατρείας δικαιώματα ἦν, τῆς ἀληθείας εἰκόνες καὶ προχαράγματα· ὁ τῷ Σολομῶντι πλάτος καὶ χῦμα καρδίας δωρησάμενος, καὶ διʼ αὐτοῦ τὸ πάλαι Ναὸν ἀναστήσας· τοῖς ἁγίοις δὲ πανευφήμοις σου Ἀποστόλοις τὴν ἐν Πνεύματι λατρείαν καὶ τῆς Σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς ἐγκαινίσας τὴν χάριν, καὶ διʼ αὐτῶν τὰς ἁγίας σου Ἐκκλησίας καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου, Κύριε τῶν δυνάμεων, ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ καταφυτεύσας, εἰς τὸ προσάγεσθαί σοι τὰς ἱερὰς καὶ ἀναιμάκτους θυσίας· ὁ καὶ τοῦτον τὸν Ναὸν νῦν εὐδοκήσας, ἐπʼ ὀνόματι οἰκοδομηθῆναι (ὄνομα τοῦ ναοῦ), πρὸς δόξαν σήν, καὶ τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος· αὐτός, ἀθάνατε, μεγαλόδωρε Βασιλεῦ, μνήσθητι τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου, καὶ τὰ ἐλέη σου, ὅτι ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνός εἰσι, καὶ μὴ βδελύξῃ ἡμᾶς πλήθει μεμολυσμένους ἁμαρτιῶν, καὶ μὴ βεβηλώσῃς τὴν διαθήκην σου, διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν ἀκαθαρσίαν, ἀλλὰ πάριδε καὶ νῦν τὰ παραπτώματα ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐνίσχυσον ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἱκάνωσον, τῇ χάριτι καὶ ἐπιφοιτήσει τοῦ ἁγίου σου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Πνεύματος, ἐκτελέσαι ἀκατακρίτως τὸν Ἐγκαινισμὸν τοῦ Ναοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ Θυσιαστηρίου ποιήσασθαι τὴν καθιέρωσιν· ἵνα, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ εὐλογοῦντές σε ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ μυστικαῖς λειτουργίαις, τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν διαπαντὸς μεγαλύνωμεν.

O God, without beginning and eternal, You brought all things from nonexistence into being. You dwell in light unapproachable, and have the heavens for Your throne, and the earth for Your footstool. You gave a command and pattern to Moses and inspired Bezaleel with the spirit of wisdom, and thus enabled them to complete the Tabernacle of Testimony, wherein ordinances of divine worship were instituted, which were the images and types of the truth. You bestowed on Solomon breadth and greatness of heart, and through him You raised the Temple of old; and later, through Your holy and all-laudable Apostles, You inaugurated worship in the Spirit and the grace of the true Tabernacle; and through Your Apostles, O Lord of Hosts, You planted Your holy churches and Your altars throughout the world, so that spiritual and bloodless sacrifices might be offered to You. You have also been well-pleased that this Church was built in the name of name of the church; to the glory of You and Your only-begotten Son and Your all-holy Spirit. O immortal and munificent King, remember Your tender-love and Your mercies, that they are from everlasting, and do not abhor us who are defiled by many sins, nor degrade Your covenant because of our impurity. But now rather overlook our offenses; and, by the grace and decent of Your holy and life-giving Spirit, strengthen and enable us, to perform, without condemnation, the consecration of this sanctuary and the dedication of the Altar in it, so that in this, too, we may bless You in Psalms and hymns and mystical ceremonies, we may magnify Your compassion at all times.

Ναί, Δέσποτα Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, ἡ ἐλπὶς πάντων τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς, ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν δεομένων σου, καὶ κατάπεμψον τὸ πανάγιόν σου Πνεῦμα, τὸ προσκυνητὸν καὶ παντοδύναμον, καὶ ἁγίασον τὸν Οἶκον τοῦτον· πλήρωσον αὐτὸν φωτὸς ἀϊδίου· αἱρέτισον αὐτὸν εἰς κατοικίαν σήν· ποίησον αὐτὸν σκήνωμα δόξης σου· κατακόσμησον αὐτὸν τοῖς θείοις σου καὶ ὑπερκοσμίοις χαρίσμασι· κατάστησον αὐτὸν λιμένα χειμαζομένων, ἰατρεῖον παθῶν, καταφυγὴν ἀσθενῶν, δαιμόνων φυγαδευτήριον, ἐν τῷ εἶναι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου ἀνεῳγμένους ἐπʼ αὐτόν, ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός, καὶ τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν δέησιν τῶν ἐν φόβῳ σου καὶ εὐλαβείᾳ ἐν αὐτῷ εἰσιόντων, καὶ ἐπικαλουμένων τὸ πάντιμον καὶ προσκυνητὸν ὄνομά σου· ὅσα ἂν αἰτήσωνταί σε, καὶ σὺ ἀκούσεις ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω, καὶ ποιήσεις ἔλεος, καὶ ἵλεως ἔσῃ αὐτοῖς. Φύλαξον αὐτὸν ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος ἀσάλευτον, καὶ τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ Θυσιαστήριον Ἅγιον Ἁγίων ἀνάδειξον, τῇ δυνάμει καὶ ἐνεργείᾳ τοῦ Ἁγίου σου Πνεύματος· δόξασον αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τὸ κατὰ νόμον ἱλαστήριον, ὥστε τὰς ἐν αὐτῷ τελουμένας ἱερουργίας, εἰς τὸ ἅγιον καὶ ὑπερουράνιον καὶ νοερόν σου Θυσιαστήριον καταντᾶν, καὶ τὴν χάριν ἡμῖν κομίζειν τῆς σῆς ἀχράντου ἐπισκιάσεως· θαῤῥοῦμεν γἀρ οὐκ εἰς τὴν τῶν ἡμετέρων ἀναξίων χειρῶν ὑπουργίαν, ἀλλʼ εἰς τὴν σὴν ἄφατον ἀγαθότητα.

Yes, O Master, Lord our God, the hope of all the ends of the earth: hear us sinners who make our supplications to You, and send down Your all-holy, worshipful, and almighty Spirit, and sanctify this house. Fill it with eternal light; choose it for Your dwelling; make it the place where Your glory dwells. Adorn it with Your divine and transcendent gifts. Make it a harbor for the storm-tossed, a healing clinic, a refuge for the weak, a place where demons are driven out. Let Your eyes watch over it day and night, and let Your ears be attentive to the supplication of those who enter it with the fear of You and with reverence, and who call on Your all-honorable and worshipful name. And thus, whatever they shall ask of You, You will hear it in heaven above and will do it, and You will be gracious to them. Keep it indestructible until the end of time, and make the Altar herein a holy of holies, by the power and action of Your all-holy Spirit. Glorify it more than the mercy seat of the Old Testament; that the sacraments that are celebrated here may reach Your holy, heavenly and spiritual Altar and obtain for us the grace of Your most pure overshadowing. We do not trust in the ministrations of our unworthy hands, but in Your ineffable goodness.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀνάστησον, καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, raise us up and protect us, O God, by your grace.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν ἔθνους, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our country, for the president, and for all in public service, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἔργου τῶν χειρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ τῶν συνόντων ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the work of our hands and that of our brethren with us, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγιασθῆναι τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον καὶ τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ θυσιαστήριον τῇ ἐπιφοιτήσει καὶ δυνάμει καὶ ἐνεργείᾳ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the sanctification of this house and the Altar of sacrifice herein by the descent, power and action of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, τῆς Ἱερᾶς ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, [τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως ταύτης,] τῆς πόλεως καὶ κοινότητος ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To You, O Lord. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ὅτι ἅγιος εἶ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐν ἁγίοις τοῖς ὑπὲρ σοῦ ἀθλήσασι τιμίοις Μάρτυσιν ἐπαναπαύῃ, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For You are holy, our God, who rest among the Saints and the Martyrs who suffered for You, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

A basin of water is brought to the Hierarch who blesses and prays for its sanctification.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ ἁγιάσας τὰ ῥεῖθρα τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, διὰ τῆς σωτηριώδους σου ἐπιφανείας, αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν κατάπεμψον τὴν χάριν τοῦ παναγίου σου Πνεύματος ἐπὶ τὸ παρόν σου θυσιαστήριον, καὶ εὐλόγησον ἡμᾶς καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο, πρὸς ἁγιασμὸν καὶ τελείωσιν τοῦ ἁγίου σου θυσιαστηρίου. Ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αιώνων.

Lord our God, who sanctified the waters of the Jordan by Your saving appearance, will You now also send down the grace of Your Holy Spirit, and bless this water for the sanctification and perfection of this Altar. For You are blessed to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

The Hierarch then pours water on the Altar three times saying: “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” and washes the Altar Table while Psalm 83 is read. This act symbolizes Baptism: The Altar is cleaned by washing, and sanctified (made holy) by the grace of the Holy Spirit. After washing, the Altar is then dried.

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ΠΓʹ (83).

Psalm 83 (84).

Ὡς ἀγαπητὰ τὰ σκηνώματά σου, Κύριε τῶν δυνάμεων. ἐπιποθεῖ καὶ ἐκλείπει ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὰς αὐλὰς τοῦ Κυρίου. ἡ καρδία μου καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου ἠγαλλιάσαντο ἐπὶ Θεὸν ζῶντα. Καὶ γὰρ στρουθίον εὗρεν ἑαυτῷ οἰκίαν καὶ τρυγὼν νοσσιὰν ἑαυτῇ, οὐ θήσει τὰ νοσσία ἑαυτῆς. τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου, Κύριε τῶν δυνάμεων, ὁ Βασιλεύς μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Μακάριοι οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων αἰνέσουσί σε. Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ᾧ ἐστιν ἡ ἀντίληψις αὐτοῦ παρὰ σοί· ἀναβάσεις ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ διέθετο εἰς τὴν κοιλάδα τοῦ κλαυθμῶνος, εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἔθετο· καὶ γὰρ εὐλογίας δώσει ὁ νομοθετῶν. Πορεύσονται ἐκ δυνάμεως εἰς δύναμιν, ὀφθήσεται ὁ Θεὸς τῶν θεῶν ἐν Σιών. Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς τῶν δυνάμεων, εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, ἐνώτισαι, ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ. Ὑπερασπιστὰ ἡμῶν, ἴδε, ὁ Θεός, καὶ ἐπίβλεψον εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ χριστοῦ σου. Ὅτι κρείσσων ἡμέρα μία ἐν ταῖς αὐλαῖς σου ὑπὲρ χιλιάδας· ἐξελεξάμην παραῤῥιπτεῖσθαι ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ μου μᾶλλον ἢ οἰκεῖν με ἐν σκηνώμασιν ἁμαρτωλῶν. Ὅτι ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν ἀγαπᾷ Κύριος ὁ Θεός, χάριν καὶ δόξαν δώσει· Κύριος οὐ στερήσει τὰ ἀγαθὰ τοῖς πορευομένοις ἐν ἀκακίᾳ. Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν δυνάμεων, μακάριος ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἐλπίζων ἐπὶ σέ.

How beloved are Your dwellings, O Lord of hosts. My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh greatly rejoice in the living God. For even the sparrow found a house for herself, and the turtledove a nest for herself, where she will lay her young, Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they shall praise You unto ages of ages. Blessed is the man whose help is from You, O Lord; he purposed ascents in his heart in the valley of weeping, into the place he appointed; for there the lawgiver shall give blessings. They shall go from strength to strength; the God of gods shall be seen in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. O God, our protector, behold, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For one day in Your courts is better than a thousand; I chose to be an outcast in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. For the Lord God loves mercy and truth; He will give grace and glory; the Lord’s hand will not remove good things from those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in You. [SAAS]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δόξα τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας.

Glory to our God unto the ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ANOINTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

The Hierarch sprinkles rosewater on the Altar Table as he recites:

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ῥαντιεῖς με ὑσσώπῳ, καὶ καθαρισθήσομαι· πλυνεῖς με καὶ ὑπὲρ χιόνα λευκανθήσομαι. Ἀκουτιεῖς μοι ἀγαλλίασιν καὶ εὐφροσύνην· ἀγαλλιάσονται ὀστέα τεταπεινωμένα.

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. [SAAS]

Rosewater is a sweet smelling fragrance which was used to anoint the Body of Christ for burial. The Cantors continues the rest of Psalm 50 while the Altar Table is wiped dry by the he assisting Priests. The Priests use Antimens to do this.

Ἀπόστρεψον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν μου, καὶ πάσας τὰς ἀνομίας μου ἐξάλειψον. Καρδίαν καθαρὰν κτίσον ἐν ἐμοί, ὁ Θεός, καὶ πνεῦμα εὐθὲς ἐγκαίνισον ἐν τοῖς ἐγκάτοις μου. Μὴ ἀποῤῥίψῃς με ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου σου, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμά σου τὸ ἅγιον μὴ ἀντανέλῃς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ. Ἀπόδος μοι τὴν ἀγαλλίασιν τοῦ σωτηρίου σου καὶ πνεύματι ἡγεμονικῷ στήριξόν με. Διδάξω ἀνόμους τὰς ὁδούς σου, καὶ ἀσεβεῖς ἐπὶ σὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι. Ῥῦσαί με ἐξ αἱμάτων, ὁ Θεὸς ὁ Θεὸς τῆς σωτηρίας μου· ἀγαλλιάσεται ἡ γλῶσσά μου τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου. Κύριε, τὰ χείλη μου ἀνοίξεις, καὶ τὸ στόμα μου ἀναγγελεῖ τὴν αἴνεσίν σου. Ὅτι εἰ ἠθέλησας θυσίαν, ἔδωκα ἄν· ὁλοκαυτώματα οὐκ εὐδοκήσεις. Θυσία τῷ Θεῷ πνεῦμα συντετριμμένον· καρδίαν συντετριμμένην καὶ τεταπεινωμένην ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ ἐξουδενώσει. Ἀγάθυνον, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ εὐδοκίᾳ σου τὴν Σιών, καὶ οἰκοδομηθήτω τὰ τείχη Ἰερουσαλήμ. Τότε εὐδοκήσεις θυσίαν δικαιοσύνης, ἀναφορὰν καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα. Τότε ἀνοίσουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριόν σου μόσχους.

Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. [GOA]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

The Hierarch anoints the Altar with Holy Chrism (once in the center and then on either side) while he sings: “Alleluia” (3x). He spreads the Holy Chrism over the entire Altar Table as he recites a section from Psalm 132:

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ψαλμὸς ΡΛΒʹ (132).

Psalm 132 (133).

Ἰδοὺ δὴ τί καλὸν ἢ τί τερπνόν, ἀλλ᾽ ἢ τὸ κατοικεῖν ἀδελφοὺς ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό; Ὡς μύρον ἐπὶ κεφαλῆς τὸ καταβαῖνον ἐπὶ πώγωνα, τὸν πώγωνα τοῦ Ἀαρών, τὸ καταβαῖνον ἐπὶ τὴν ᾤαν τοῦ ἐνδύματος αὐτοῦ. Ὡς δρόσος Ἀερμὼν ἡ καταβαίνουσα ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη Σιών. Ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐνετείλατο Κύριος τὴν εὐλογίαν, ζωὴν ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος.

Behold now, what is so good or so pleasant as for brothers to dwell together in unity? It is like fragrant oil running down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down upon the border of his garment; it is like the dew of Hermon, running down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing and life forever. [SAAS]

Δόξα τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )

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

Δόξα σοι, ἁγία Τριὰς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )

Glory to You, Holy Trinity our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages. ( Amen. )

The Priests then wipe the excess Chrism with the Corporal (Antiminsion).

St. Symeon, in writing about the anointing of the Altar Table, says the following: “Since the Altar is anointed with the Holy Chrism, which represents the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Altar Table then becomes a source of grace to all people through the sacraments which are celebrated thereon. The Holy Gospel is placed on the Altar, the Holy Relics are within, so we see that the Altar becomes the Altar of Christ, a throne of glory, the dwelling place of God, and the Tomb of Christ.”

Next, icons of the four Evangelists are fastened to the Altar (one in each corner). The completed Altar represents the entire Church, which from the four corners of the world is held together by the Lord, and is built on Him through the preaching of the Gospel. Following the anointing, the Hierarch begins the vesting (putting on the new coverings) of the Altar Table.

THE VESTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE

The Altar Table is now covered with the “Katasarkion.” This white linen cloth represents the Lord’s burial shroud. The Katasarkion is tied with a cord which represents the cord with which our Lord’s hands were tied as He stood before the High Priests. The Katasarkion will never be removed and will remain on the Altar for as long as the Church remains standing. As the Katasarkion is being placed on the Altar, Psalm 131 is read:

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ΡΛΑʹ (131).

Psalm 131 (132).

Μνήσθητι, Κύριε, τοῦ Δαυῒδ καὶ πάσης τῆς πρᾳότητος αὐτοῦ, ὡς ὤμοσε τῷ Κυρίῳ, ηὔξατο τῷ Θεῷ Ἰακώβ. Εἰ εἰσελεύσομαι εἰς σκήνωμα οἴκου μου, εἰ ἀναβήσομαι ἐπὶ κλίνης στρωμνῆς μου, εἰ δώσω ὕπνον τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς μου καὶ τοῖς βλεφάροις μου νυσταγμὸν καὶ ἀνάπαυσιν τοῖς κροτάφοις μου, ἕως οὗ εὕρω τόπον τῷ Κυρίῳ, σκήνωμα τῷ Θεῷ Ἰακώβ. ἰδοὺ ἠκούσαμεν αὐτὴν ἐν Εὐφραθᾷ, εὕρομεν αὐτὴν ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις τοῦ δρυμοῦ· εἰσελευσώμεθα εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτοῦ, προσκυνήσωμεν εἰς τὸν τόπον, οὗ ἔστησαν οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ. Ἀνάστηθι, Κύριε, εἰς τὴν ἀνάπαυσίν σου, σὺ καὶ ἡ κιβωτὸς τοῦ ἁγιάσματός σου· οἱ ἱερεῖς σου ἐνδύσονται δικαιοσύνην, καὶ οἱ ὅσιοί σου ἀγαλλιάσονται. ἕνεκεν Δαυῒδ τοῦ δούλου σου μὴ ἀποστρέψῃς τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ χριστοῦ σου. ὤμοσε Κύριος τῷ Δαυῒδ ἀλήθειαν καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀθετήσει αὐτήν. Ἐκ καρποῦ τῆς κοιλίας σου θήσομαι ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον σου· ἐὰν φυλάξωνται οἱ υἱοί σου τὴν διαθήκην μου καὶ τὰ μαρτύριά μου ταῦτα, ἃ διδάξω αὐτούς, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτῶν ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος καθιοῦνται ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου σου. ὅτι ἐξελέξατο Κύριος τὴν Σιών, ᾑρετίσατο αὐτὴν εἰς κατοικίαν ἑαυτῷ. Αὕτη ἡ κατάπαυσίς μου εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος, ὧδε κατοικήσω, ὅτι ᾑρετισάμην αὐτήν· τὴν θήραν αὐτῆς εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω, τοὺς πτωχοὺς αὐτῆς χορτάσω ἄρτων, τοὺς ἱερεῖς αὐτῆς ἐνδύσω σωτηρίαν, καὶ οἱ ὅσιοι αὐτῆς ἀγαλλιάσει ἀγαλλιάσονται· ἐκεῖ ἐξανατελῶ κέρας τῷ Δαυΐδ, ἡτοίμασα λύχνον τῷ χριστῷ μου· τοὺς ἐχθροὺς αὐτοῦ ἐνδύσω αἰσχύνην, ἐπὶ δὲ αὐτὸν ἐξανθήσει τὸ ἁγίασμά μου.

Remember David, O Lord, and all his meekness, how he swore to the Lord, how he vowed to the God of Jacob, “I shall not enter my dwelling, I shall not recline on my bed, I shall not close my eyes in sleep nor my eyelids for dozing, nor give any rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.” Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the plains of the wood; let us enter into His tabernacles; let us worship at the place where His feet stood. Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness; Your priests shall clothe themselves in righteousness; Your saints shall greatly rejoice. For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away from the face of Your anointed. The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it, “I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins. If your sons keep My covenant and these testimonies I shall teach them, then their sons shall sit upon your throne forever.” For the Lord has chosen Zion; He chose her for His dwelling: “This is My place of rest unto ages of ages; here I shall dwell, for I have chosen her. Blessing, I shall bless her provision; I shall satisfy her poor with bread; and I shall clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice exceedingly with great joy; there I shall cause to spring up a horn for David; there I prepared a lamp for my anointed; his enemies I shall clothe with shame; upon him shall My sanctification flourish.” [SAAS]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δόξα τῷ Θεῷ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. ( Ἀμήν. )

Glory to our God unto the ages. ( Amen. )

Having placed the Katasarkion over the Altar, the Hierarch says: “Glory to You our God unto ages of ages.” He washes his hands, and covers the Altar Table with a brighter and more elaborate cover which symbolizes the glory of God. While he covers the Altar Table, the reader reads Psalm 92:

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ϞΒʹ (92).

Psalm 92 (93).

Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο, ἐνεδύσατο Κύριος δύναμιν καὶ περιεζώσατο· καὶ γὰρ ἐστερέωσεν τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἥτις οὐ σαλευθήσεται. ἕτοιμος ὁ θρόνος σου ἀπὸ τότε, ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος σὺ εἶ. ἐπῆραν οἱ ποταμοί, Κύριε, ἐπῆραν οἱ ποταμοὶ φωνὰς αὐτῶν· ἀροῦσιν οἱ ποταμοὶ ἐπιτρίψεις αὐτῶν, ἀπὸ φωνῶν ὑδάτων πολλῶν. θαυμαστοὶ οἱ μετεωρισμοὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, θαυμαστὸς ἐν ὑψηλοῖς ὁ Κύριος. τὰ μαρτύριά σου ἐπιστώθησαν σφόδρα· τῷ οἴκῳ σου πρέπει ἁγίασμα, Κύριε, εἰς μακρότητα ἡμερῶν.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power; and He established the world, which shall not be moved. Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting. The rivers, O Lord, lift up; the rivers lift up their voices; because of the voices of their many waters, marvelous are the billows of the sea; wondrous is the Lord on high. Your testimonies are very much believed; holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δόξα σοι, ἁγία Τριὰς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )

Glory to You, Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages. ( Amen. )

The Hierarch proceeds to place the other holy articles on the Altar Table. First he places the Corporal (Antiminsion); on top of this is placed the Gospel Book (representing the teachings of Christ.) The Pyx (Artophorion), in which the Body and Blood of our Lord is placed, and is reserved for Communion of the sick. The Artophorion is symbolic of the presence of our Lord. The candlesticks which are placed last represent the light of Christ that shines forth during the sacred services.

Since the Altar has been consecrated, sanctified and adorned with all its furnishings, the Altar and the entire Church are now censed with incense while Psalm 25 is read:

ΨΑΛΤΗΣ/ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

CHANTER/READER

Ψαλμὸς ΚΕʹ (25).

Psalm 25 (26).

Κρίνόν με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου ἐπορεύθην καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐλπίζων, οὐ μὴ ἀσθενήσω. Δοκίμασόν με, Κύριε, καὶ πείρασόν με, πύρωσον τοὺς νεφρούς μου καὶ τὴν καρδίαν μου. Ὅτι τὸ ἔλεός σου κατέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μού ἐστι, καὶ εὐηρέστησα ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου. Οὐκ ἐκάθισα μετὰ συνεδρίου ματαιότητος καὶ μετὰ παρανομούντων οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθω· ἐμίσησα ἐκκλησίαν πονηρευομένων καὶ μετὰ ἀσεβῶν οὐ μὴ καθίσω. Νίψομαι ἐν ἀθῴοις τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ κυκλώσω τὸ θυσιαστήριόν σου, Κύριε, τοῦ ἀκοῦσαί με φωνῆς αἰνέσεώς σου καὶ διηγήσασθαι πάντα τὰ θαυμάσιά σου. Κύριε, ἠγάπησα εὐπρέπειαν οἴκου σου καὶ τόπον σκηνώματος δόξης σου. Μὴ συναπολέσῃς μετὰ ἀσεβῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου καὶ μετὰ ἀνδρῶν αἱμάτων τὴν ζωήν μου, ὧν ἐν χερσὶν ἀνομίαι, ἡ δεξιὰ αὐτῶν ἐπλήσθη δώρων. Ἐγὼ δὲ ἐν ἀκακίᾳ μου ἐπορεύθην· λύτρωσαί με καὶ ἐλέησόν με. Ὁ πούς μου ἔστη ἐν εὐθύτητι· ἐν ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογήσω σε, Κύριε.

Judge me, O Lord, for I walk in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I shall not weaken. Prove me, O Lord, and test me, try my reins and my heart in the fire. For Your mercy is before my eyes, and I was well-pleasing in Your truth. I have not sat down with vain councils, nor will I go in with those who transgress the law. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the ungodly. I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of praise and tell of all Your wondrous works. O Lord, I love the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Do not destroy my soul with the ungodly, nor my life with men of blood, in whose hands is lawlessness; their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my innocence; redeem me and have mercy on me. For my foot stands in uprightness; in the churches I will bless You, O Lord. [SAAS]

ANOINTING OF THE CHURCH

The Hierarch then anoints the four walls of the Church and the holy Icons making the sign of the Cross on them with Holy Chrism. This act symbolizes the sanctification of all creation with the grace of Christ.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δόξα τῇ ἁγίᾳ καὶ παντοδυνάμῳ καὶ ζωοποιῷ Τριάδι πάντοτε· νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Glory to the holy and almighty and life-giving Trinity, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To You, O Lord. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND THE ALTAR TABLE

Upon completion of the Anointing, the Hierarch offers prayers for the Altar and the Church:

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς ποιητής, ὀ τὴν ἁγίαν σου Ἐκκλησίαν ἀῤῥήτῳ σοφίᾳ θεμελιώσας, καὶ ἀντίτυπον τῆς ἀγγελικῆς ἐν οὐρανῷ Λειτουργίας, τὴν τῆς Ἱερωσύνης τάξιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς συστησάμενος· σὺ Δέσποτα μεγαλόδωρε, πρόσδεξαι καὶ νῦν δεομένους ἡμᾶς, οὐχ ὡς ἀξίους ὄντας περὶ τηλικούτων αἰτεῖν, ἀλλʼ ἵνα τὸ ὑπερβάλλον δειχθῇ τῆς σῆς ἀγαθότητος· οὐ γὰρ ἐπαύσω τὸ ἀνθρώπινον γένος πολυτρόπως εὐεργετῶν, κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐδωρήσω τῶν σῶν εὐεργεσιῶν τὴν ἐν σαρκὶ τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ παρουσίαν· Ὃς ἐπὶ γῆς ὀφθείς, καὶ λάμψας τοῖς ἐν σκότει φῶς σωτηρίας, ἀνήνεγκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν θυσίαν, καὶ γέγονε τοῦ κόσμου παντὸς ἱλαστήριον, κοινωνοὺς ἡμᾶς τῆς ἰδίας Ἀναστάσεως ποιησάμενος· καὶ ἀναληφθεὶς εἰς οὐρανούς, ἐνέδυσε τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ Μαθητὰς καὶ Ἁποστόλους, καθὼς ἐπηγγείλατο, δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους, ἥτις ἐστὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ προσκυνητὸν καὶ παντοδύναμον, τὸ ἐκ σοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, διʼ οὗ γενόμενοι δυνατοὶ ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ, Βάπτισμα παρέδωκαν υἱωθεσίας, Ἐκκλησίας ἀνέστησαν, ἵδρυσαν Θυσιαστήρια, Ἱερωσύνης ἔθεντο κανόνας καὶ νόμους· ὧν ἡμεῖς οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ κατέχοντες τὴν παράδοσιν, προσπίπτομέν σοι τῷ αἰωνίῳ Θεῷ καὶ δεόμεθά σου, εὔσπλαγχνε· Τὸν πρὸς τὴν σὴν ὑμνῳδίαν οἰκοδομηθέντα τοῦτον Ναόν, τῆς θείας σου πλήρωσον δόξης, καὶ τὸ παρὸν θυσιαστήριον Ἅγιον Ἁγίων ἀνάδειξον· ὥστε ἡμᾶς, παρεστῶτας αὐτῷ, ὡς τῷ φρικτῷ τῆς βασιλείας σου θρόνῳ, ἀκατακρίτως λατρεύειν σοι, δεήσεις ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ σου ἀναπέμποντας, καὶ τὴν ἀναίμακτον θυσίαν τῇ σῇ προσφέροντες ἀγαθότητι, εἰς ἑκουσίων καὶ ἀκουσίων ἁμαρτημάτων συγχώρησιν, εἰς κυβέρνησιν βίου, εἰς ἀγαθῆς πολιτείας κατόρθωσιν, εἰς ἐκπλήρωσιν πάσης κιδαιοσύνης.

Lord of heaven and earth, who founded Your holy Church with ineffable wisdom and established Holy Orders on earth to correspond to the Angels’ ministrations in heaven: will You, O munificent Lord, receive us who pray to You; not that we are worthy to ask such great things of You, but that the overabundance of Your goodness may become apparent; for You have not ceased doing good in many ways to the human race. The pinnacle of Your benevolence was that You granted us the coming of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh. He was seen on earth, and He shined the light of salvation on those who sat in darkness. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and became the propitiation for the whole world. He made us partakers of His resurrection. He ascended into heaven, and, as He promised, he clothed His Disciples and Apostles with power from on high, which is the Holy Spirit, who is worshipped and almighty, and who proceeds from You, God the Father. Through the Holy Spirit they became mighty in word and deed, they delivered to us the Baptism of adoption, they built Churches, they established holy Altars, and they instituted canons and laws. And we sinners, now in possession of this tradition, come before You, the eternal God and implore You, O compassionate Lord: As this sanctuary was erected for the purpose of singing hymns of praise to You, fill it with Your divine glory, and make the holy Altar set up herein to be a Holy of Holies, so that when we stand before it, as before the dread Throne of Your kingdom, we may serve You without condemnation, and may send up petitions for ourselves and for all Your people, and offer the bloodless sacrifice to Your goodness, for the forgiveness of sins both voluntary and involuntary, for the governing of our life, to lead a good life, and to fulfill all righteousness.

Ὅτι ηὐλόγηταί σου τὸ πανάγιον ὄνομα, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

For blessed is Your all-holy and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace be with all.

( Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. )

( And with your spirit. )

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To You, O Lord. )

The Hierarch blesses the faithful and offers another prayer for the Altar Table. He asks God to fill this Altar with His grace so that the bloodless Sacrifice may be offered upon it:

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι, Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἣν ἐξέχεας χάριν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἁγίους σου Ἀποστόλους, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὁσίους ἡμῶν Πατέρας, ἠξίωσας, διὰ τὴν πολλήν σου φιλανθρωπίαν, καὶ μέχρις ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ ἀχρείων δούλων σου ἐκτεῖναι. Διὸ δεόμεθά σου, Δέσποτα πολυέλεε, πλήρωσον δόξης καὶ ἁγιασμοῦ καὶ χάριτος τὸ Θυσιαστήριον τοῦτο, ὥστε μεταποιεῖσθαι τὰς ἐν αὐτῷ προσφερομένας σοι ἀναιμάκτους θυσίας, εἰς τὸ ἄχραντον Σῶμα καὶ τὸ τίμιον Αἷμα τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ Θεοῦ καὶ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, πρὸς σωτηρίαν παντὸς τοῦ Λαοῦ σου καὶ τῆς ἡμῶν ἀναξιότητος. Σὺ γὰρ εἶ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

We thank You, O Lord God of hosts, for because of Your great benevolence, You have granted to extend, even to us sinners and Your unworthy servants, that same grace that You poured out on Your holy Apostles and our holy Fathers. Therefore we pray You, very merciful Master: Fill this Altar with glory and holiness and grace, so that the bloodless sacrifices that will be offered to You on it may be transformed into the most pure Body and precious Blood of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, for the salvation of all Your people, and of our unworthiness. For You are our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

The appointed lessons for the Epistle and Gospel are those for the Consecration. If it is a Sunday or a feast day, use two readings for each, first for the Consecration and second for the Sunday or feast day.

Ὁ Ἀπόστολος

The Epistle

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος δʹ. Ψαλμὸς 92.

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 92.

Τῷ οἴκῳ σου πρέπει ἁγίασμα, Κύριε, εἰς μακρότητα ἡμερῶν.

Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.

Στίχ. Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο.

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία.

Wisdom.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πρόσχωμεν.

Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

3:1 – 4

Ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι, κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου μέτοχοι, κατανοήσατε τὸν ἀπόστολον καὶ ἀρχιερέα τῆς ὁμολογίας ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, πιστὸν ὄντα τῷ ποιήσαντι αὐτόν, ὡς καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ. πλείονος γὰρ δόξης οὗτος παρὰ Μωϋσῆν ἠξίωται, καθ᾽ ὅσον πλείονα τιμὴν ἔχει τοῦ οἴκου ὁ κατασκευάσας αὐτόν. πᾶς γὰρ οἶκος κατασκευάζεται ὑπό τινος, ὁ δὲ τὰ πάντα κατασκευάσας Θεός.

Holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all his house. Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. (For every house is built by some one but the builder of all things is God. [RSV]

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη σοι τῷ ἀναγνόντι.

Peace be with you the reader.

Τὸ Θεῖον Εὐαγγέλιον

The Holy Gospel

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. [GOA]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Σοφία. Ὀρθοί. Ἀκούσωμεν τοῦ ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου.

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace be with all.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου.

And with your spirit.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ἰωάννην ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα. Πρόσχωμεν.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John. Let us be attentive.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

10:22 – 28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐγένετο δὲ τὰ ἐγκαίνια ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ χειμὼν ἦν· καὶ περιεπάτει ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἐν τῇ στοᾷ τοῦ Σολομῶντος. ἐκύκλωσαν οὖν αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ ἔλεγον αὐτῷ· ἕως πότε τὴν ψυχὴν ἡμῶν αἴρεις; εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστός, εἰπὲ ἡμῖν παρρησίᾳ. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· εἶπον ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐ πιστεύετε· τὰ ἔργα ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ πατρός μου, ταῦτα μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ· ἀλλ᾽ ὑμεῖς οὐ πιστεύετε· οὐ γάρ ἐστε ἐκ τῶν προβάτων τῶν ἐμῶν, καθὼς εἶπον ὑμῖν. τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἐμὰ τῆς φωνῆς μου ἀκούει, κἀγὼ γινώσκω αὐτά, καὶ ἀκολουθοῦσί μοι, κἀγὼ ζωὴν αἰώνιον δίδωμι αὐτοῖς.

At that time, it was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life.” [RSV]

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Δόξα σοι, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

LIGHTING OF THE VIGIL LAMP

Upon completion of the Anointing, the Hierarch offers prayers for the Altar and the Church:

The Hierarch is given a new Vigil Lamp and wick and oil, and with his own hands he fills the lamp with oil, and he invites the congregation to come forward and add drops of oil into the lamp. This they do as an offering to the Church. The Hierarch will later light the Vigil Light and will place it on the Altar Table.

The Hierarch then removes the Savanon. The Savanon will be cut up into small pieces and each person in Church will receive a piece of it as a sacred keepsake.

Καὶ νῦν. Τῶν Ἐγκαινίων.

Both now. For the Consecration.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Τὴν μνήμην τῶν Ἐγκαινίων ἐπιτελοῦντες Κύριε, σὲ τὸν τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ δοτῆρα δοξάζομεν, δεόμενοι ἁγιασθῆναι ἡμῶν, τὰ αἰσθητήρια τῶν ψυχῶν, τῇ πρεσβείᾳ τῶν ἐνδόξων ἀθλοφόρων, ἀγαθὲ Παντοδύναμε.

As we observe the memory of the Consecration, we glorify You, the Giver of sanctification, asking You to sanctify the senses of our souls, at the intercession of Your glorious Martyrs, O good and almighty Lord. [SD]

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, Δέσποτα.

Eis polla eti, Despota!

ΛΑΟΣ

PEOPLE

Τρισάγιον.

Trisagion Prayers.

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. (3)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν. Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν. Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

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 evil.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Τῶν Ἐγκαινίων.

Apolytikion. For the Consecration.

Τοῦ Εὐχολογίου - - -

From Euchologion - - -

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

- c1211 - SDedes

(Παραλείπεται ἡ ἐκτενής.)

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία.

Wisdom.

( Δέσποτα ἅγιε, εὐλόγησον. )

( Holy master, give the blessing! )

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Στερεώσαι Κύριος ὁ Θεός τὴν ἁγίαν καὶ ἀμώμητον πίστιν τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν σὺν τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὐτοῦ Μεγάλῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ, τῇ ἱερᾷ ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ, [τῇ ἱερᾷ Μητροπόλει ταύτῃ] καὶ τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων.

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Dismissal

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Δόξα σοι, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

Ὁ ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ Θαβὼρ μεταμορφωθεὶς ἐν δόξῃ, ἐνώπιον τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ Μαθητῶν καὶ Ἀποστόλων, Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ ἁγίου τοῦ ναοῦ)· τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

May He who was transfigured in glory on mount Tabor in front of His holy disciples and Apostles, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ

HIERARCH

Διʼ εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΚΛΗΡΟΣ

CLERGY

Διʼ εὐχῶν τοῦ ἁγίου δεσπότου ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Through the prayers of our holy master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.