CONSECRATION LITURGY
DEACON
Master, give the blessing.
PRIEST
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
HIERARCH
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]
CHOIR
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]
READER
Psalm 142 (143).
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]
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH
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.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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.
Through the mercy and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH
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.
Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PROCESSIONS AROUND THE CHURCH
The Hierarch takes up the paten on which are the holy relics. He is preceded by the clergy, the processional Cross, and the holy Gospel, and followed by all the people. They exit the church in procession, with incense and candles. The procession goes counterclockwise around the church.
During the procession, the chanters sing Odes i and iii of the Canon of the Consecration.
CHOIR
Canon of the Consecration.
From Euchologion - - -
Ode i.
Mode 4. The Red Sea was crossed.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
You led the chosen people of Israel using a cloud long ago. * And now in Zion You planted Your Church * through the water of baptism, * O Christ, and she cries out to all, * “Come, let us sing unto our God a song.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Today the descending of Your glory, which is unapproachable, * has made this church, constructed here on earth, * into heaven, O Christ our God. * In it we all together sing, * “Come, let us sing unto our God a song.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Savior, Your Church is decorated not by ritual rules of the Law, * nor by the slavish lifting of the hands. * But she sings to You, boasting in * the grace of Your all-holy Cross, * “Come, let us sing unto our God a song.” [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
The Father so willed, and by the Holy Spirit without seed you conceived * the Son of God and bore Him in the flesh, * whom the Father begot without * a mother, and whom you brought forth * without a father, for the sake of all. [SD]
Ode iii.
Mode 4. Your Church rejoices in You.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Anointing this holy Church * with oil of gladness here on earth today, * by Your all-holy Spirit’s grace * You have sanctified it, O Christ our God. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Christ, this Your holy Church * has its unbreakable foundation in You; * and now Your most holy Cross, * like a royal crown, is surmounting it. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Benevolent Lord, today * You make this building, that was made by hands, * to providentially house * Your glory, divine and ineffable. [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Through you only we on earth * procure divine and supernatural gifts, * all-holy Mother of God. * Therefore we salute you and sing, “Rejoice!” [SD]
When they reach the front of the church again, they sing the following hymn:
Grave Mode.
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]
The Hierarch sets the holy relics on a table that has been prepared beforehand in front of the doors of the church, which should be closed. The first set of Scripture readings follow.
READINGS
First Epistle
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 26.
The Lord is my light and my savior; whom shall I fear?
Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; whom shall I dread?
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
2:11 – 18
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]
HIERARCH
Peace be with you the reader.
First Gospel
CHOIR
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
HIERARCH: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
HIERARCH
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
HIERARCH
16:13 – 19
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]
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
The Hierarch again takes up the paten. The procession circles the church a second time, counterclockwise as before, and the chanters sing Odes iv, v, and vi of the Canon of the Consecration, for as long as necessary.
CHOIR
Ode iv.
Mode 4. When the Church beheld You.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Now Your Church, O Christ, is not sprinkled like the Temple * with sacrificial victims, but rather with Your precious * blood from Your life-giving side. * And rightly she sings to You, * “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
To the faithful who desire to lay their eyes on * the glory of Your face unveiled, O Lord, Your beloved * tabernacles shout to them * with one voice and cry aloud, * “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Now this church has been anointed today, depicting * the spiritual anointing of us Your chosen people * with the very precious oil * of chrism, receiving thus * the Spirit’s divine grace invisibly. [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Remaining virgin, you conceived in your womb, O Virgin, * and even after childbirth, you remained a virgin. * Therefore with unwavering faith, O Lady, unceasingly * singing, we salute you: Rejoice! [SD]
Ode v.
Mode 4. My Lord, You are the light.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
On Sinai long ago * You showed Moses, that seer of God, * the plan of the tabernacle, * O my Christ, that prefigured * Your Church, not made by human hands. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Master, You have built * this tabernacle here on earth, * where heavenly hosts of Angels * meet the choirs of humans, * by Your divine omnipotence. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Christ, we know that You * are the source of eternal life. * You came and You preached the Gospel * of peace unto Your people, * Your Church, O holy Lord our God. [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Against our every foe, * we have you, our unbreakable shield. * We hope in you for salvation. * We have you as our anchor, all-holy Virgin, Bride of God. [SD]
Ode vi.
Mode 4. I will sacrifice to You.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Christ the King as Lord has now desired the beauty of the holy Church that He founded. * He has made her mother of all the nations * He adopted by the Spirit and rescued from slavery. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Battalions of wicked demons shudder before the Church of Christ and fearfully tremble, * for the holy sign of the Cross is marked there; * and the Spirit’s illumination covers and hallows it. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Having her foundation not on sand but the rock of Christ, the holy Church of the Gentiles * is adorned with unapproachable beauty, * with the symbols of the eternal kingdom bedecking her. [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
O miracle, more novel than all other miracles! * Behold, without man a Virgin * in her body conceived the One who holds * in His hands the universe, and He was not confined by her. [SD]
When they reach the front of the church again, they sing the following hymn:
Grave Mode.
Glory be to You, Christ our God, the Apostles’ pride and joy, exultation of the Martyr Saints, whose proclamation was the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]
READINGS
Second Epistle
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Psalm 44.
The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King.
Verse: Her neighbors shall be brought to You.
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
9:1 – 7
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]
HIERARCH
Peace be with you the reader.
Second Gospel
CHOIR
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
HIERARCH: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
HIERARCH
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )
HIERARCH
10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28
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]
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
The Hierarch again takes up the paten. The procession circles the church a third time, counterclockwise as before, and the chanters sing Odes vii, viii, and ix of the Canon of the Consecration, for as long as necessary.
CHOIR
Ode vii.
Mode 4. Inside the furnace.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
That fiery furnace * long ago became like a dew-laden breeze. * Now the spiritual chrism composed of oil * sanctifies the faithful, who cry out * together, “In the temple of Your holy glory, You are blessed, O Lord.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
As in that furnace, * we who are the spiritual Israel, * standing in this new tabernacle where God dwells, * are bedewed with grace. So let us sing * together, “In the temple of Your holy glory, You are blessed, O Lord.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
All who are smitten * with sweetest love and longing for God, * entering this mystical bridal chamber now, * be united to the Bridegroom Christ. * Together let us sing to Him, “O Lord of glory, You are blessed.” [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Divine and hallowed * habitation of the Most High God, rejoice! * For through you, O Theotokos, was given joy * unto us who cry aloud to you: * Among all women, Lady, you are blessed, all-blameless, and immaculate. [SD]
Ode viii.
Mode 4. Daniel shut.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Master, on this day Your holy Church is like a bride who is wearing a wedding gown * that has been woven of grace divine * in the heavens. She invites her friends * and all the people to rejoice * and celebrate with her together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Today, second Adam, namely Christ, has made this new tabernacle a spiritual * Garden of Eden. And in its midst, * instead of the tree of knowledge, * is the holy Cross, which is for us * life-giving armor, as we are singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Single is the Godhead we adore, and unoriginate, in three hypostases, * consubstantial, indivisible, * perfect: Father unoriginate, * and You His Son, and the divine * Spirit, the Trinity. We extol You, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Immaculate Virgin, in all generations only you became the Mother of God; * and you were also the dwelling place * of the Godhead, O all-blameless one, * and you were not at all consumed * by the fire of the unapproachable light. * We all now bless you, O Mary the Bride of God. [SD]
Ode ix.
Mode 4. A cornerstone was cut out.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Purified in heart and with wakeful eyes of our intellect beholding * all the beauty and all the glory, * which is more splendid than gold, within the Church, * let us perceive the daughter of the King and magnify her evermore. [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Bride of the great King, we salute you: Rejoice, O Virgin, and be merry! * For you are distinctly reflecting * the holy beauty of your celestial Bridegroom. * And with your people sing to Him, “We magnify You, O Giver of life.” [GOASD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Grant Your Church the mighty protection that comes from heaven, O our Savior. * For she knows no other protector * except for You, who laid down Your life for her. * And knowing this, she magnifies You as the Lord who is benevolent. [GOASD]
Most-holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion.
Rejoice, holy Bride of the great King, Maiden full of grace, Virgin Mary! * Through you we have all been delivered * from the curse that Eve heard long ago in Eden, * and we have found eternal life, O ever-virgin, through your childbirth. [GOASD]
Once they arrive in front of the doors of the church, the Hierarch places the holy relics on the table there, and the chanters sing the following hymn:
Mode 3.
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. [GOASD]
The Hierarch exclaims:
HIERARCH
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, forever!
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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, as said by St. Paul the all-lauded Apostle. Keep this structure standing strong till the end of time, unshaken, and glorified in You. Allow us uncondemned, understanding and sensing everything, to offer herein 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. And may these prayers that we offer to Your ineffable compassion, for ourselves and for all Your people, be acceptable by virtue of Your goodness, at the intercessions of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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.
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.
CHOIR: 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, 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:
HIERARCH
Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.
Then the designated person standing on the other side of the closed doors inside the church replies:
RESPONDENT
Who is this King of glory?
The Hierarch knocks on the front door of the church again and says:
HIERARCH
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.
Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.
RESPONDENT
Who is this King of glory?
HIERARCH
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in battle.
The Hierarch knocks on the front door of the church again and says:
Lift up the gates, O you rulers, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall enter.
RESPONDENT
Who is this King of Glory?
HIERARCH
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.
The Hierarch lifts the paten and makes the sign of the cross three times in front of the doors, opens them, and enters the church, followed by the clergy and the people, singing the following hymn:
CHOIR
Apolytikion. Mode 4.
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 accompanied by the clergy. He places the holy relics in the prepared reliquary, and he pours holy chrism over them three times, saying:
HIERARCH
Eternal be the memory of the founders of this holy house.
PEOPLE
Eternal be their memory.
The Hierarch replaces the lid on the reliquary, which he places in the cavity in the altar table, and then prays:
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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 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.
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.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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 ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The chanters begin singing Psalms antiphonally.
CHOIR
Psalm 144 (145)
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]
CHOIR
Psalm 22 (23).
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]
While the choirs are singing the Psalms, the Hierarch pours some of the mixture of wax and fragrant substances into the prepared cavity in the altar table. The holy relics are placed inside the cavity, which is then filled with the wax mixture and sealed with a piece of marble.
THE WASHING OF THE ALTAR TABLE
When all this has been completed, the Hierarch dons a white tunic over his vestments.
HIERARCH
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Again and again, let us bend our knees and pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
The Hierarch kneels on a pillow, facing east. Everyone else likewise kneels bowing their heads. The Hierarch prays:
HIERARCH
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.
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.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, lift us up, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
All rise, and the Deacon appends the Great Litany, with the choirs responding to each petition: Lord, have mercy.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (name), his priesthood, righteousness, health, and salvation; and for the work of his hands, let us pray to the Lord.
Let us pray even more earnestly for him and the hierarchs and priests joining him, and for the diaconate in Christ. For all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
And for all who need God’s help, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
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.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH
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 ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The Hierarch is given a pitcher of warm water, which he blesses with the sign of the cross three times, saying:
HIERARCH
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Hierarch is given three bars of white soap, which he blesses.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
The Hierarch bows his head over the water and prays:
HIERARCH
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.
CHOIR: Amen.
The Hierarch pours some of this water in the sign of the cross three times on the top of the holy altar.
HIERARCH
In the name of the Father
and the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The choirs begin singing antiphonally.
CHOIR
Psalm 83 (84).
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]
The Hierarch washes the entire altar table, from top to bottom, with soap and water and dries it with clean towels. When it is finally dry, he exclaims:
HIERARCH
Glory to our God unto the ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
ANOINTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE
The Hierarch takes a container filled with rosewater and other fragrant substances, which he sprinkles on the altar table in the sign of the cross three times, as he recites the following verses from Psalm 50:
HIERARCH
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]
The choirs continue singing the rest of Psalm 50.
CHOIR
Psalm 50 (51). Grave Mode.
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]
HIERARCH
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The Hierarch takes the container of holy chrism, and he pours holy chrism on the top of the altar table in the sign of the cross three times. Each time, the Deacon exclaims:
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
Everyone sings:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
Everyone sings:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
Everyone sings:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
CHOIR
Psalm 132 (133).
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]
This Psalm is sung as many times and for as long as it takes the Hierarch to apply the holy chrism over the entire top of the altar table. With his finger, he makes the sign of the cross over the posts that support the altar table. He wipes the altar table with antimensia.
CHOIR
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
HIERARCH
Glory to You, Holy Trinity our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The choirs begin again to sing antiphonally.
CHOIR
Psalm 131 (132).
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]
VESTING OF THE ALTAR TABLE
As this Psalm is being sung, the Hierarch uses wax to affix paper or cloth icons of the four Evangelists to the altar, one in each corner. Then he vests the altar table with white linen coverings.
When this task is completed, the Hierarch washes his hands well and dries them with a fresh towel. Then he exclaims:
HIERARCH
Glory to God, forever!
CHOIR: Amen.
Then the choirs sing the following Psalm antiphonally.
CHOIR
Psalm 92 (93).
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]
As this Psalm is being sung, the Hierarch lays the altar cover on the holy altar table, and on it the antimensia, one by one next to each other, and on top of them the antimension of the church, and on top of that the holy Gospel book, and then he kisses the holy altar table.
HIERARCH
Glory to You, Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You, unto ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Psalm 25 (26).
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
This Psalm is sung for as long as needed. The Hierarch censes around the holy altar table as well as the clergy within the sanctuary, the church and everyone in it. Then, with a container of chrism and a sponge on a pole, he anoints the church with the sign of the cross: the east wall, above the arch of the sanctuary, the west wall, above the gate, the north and south walls, and every surface, making the sign of the cross or the monogram of Christ, i.e. XP.
When they are finished censing and anointing the church, the Hierarch and his assistants return to the sanctuary.
A new vigil lamp is presented to the Hierarch, who pours oil into it and invites the benefactors and prominent members of the community to add oil as well. Then the Hierarch lights it.
The Hierarch removes the white tunic, and then he exclaims:
HIERARCH
Glory to the holy and almighty and life-giving Trinity, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
When all this is finished, the Deacon intones the short litany.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
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.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH
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.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
The Hierarch stands before the holy altar table and says the following prayer in a loud voice:
HIERARCH
Lord of heaven and earth, who founded Your holy Church with ineffable wisdom and established Holy Orders on earth to correspond to the Angelsʼ 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.
For blessed is Your all-holy and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
With everyone bowing their heads, the Hierarch prays one last prayer for the dedication of the consecrated church building:
HIERARCH
We thank You, O Lord God of hosts, for because of Your great love for mankind, 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 ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
When the Hierarch and the clergy are ready, they continue the Divine Liturgy with the Trisagios Hymn.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH
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…
DEACON
and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
PRAYER OF THE TRISAGIOS HYMN
O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.
HIERARCH (aloud)
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…
DEACON
and to the ages of ages.
RIGHT CHOIR
Amen.
Trisagios Hymn
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
LEFT CHOIR
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CLERGY
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
RIGHT CHOIR
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CLERGY
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
LEFT CHOIR
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
RIGHT CHOIR
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
LEFT CHOIR
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
CLERGY (slowly from within the altar):
Holy God.
HIERARCH
Lord, Lord, look down from heaven and behold, visit and perfect this vineyard, which your right hand has planted. [GOA]
RIGHT CHOIR
Amen.
CLERGY (slowly from within the altar):
Holy Mighty.
HIERARCH
Lord, Lord, look down from heaven and behold, visit and perfect this vineyard, which your right hand has planted. [GOA]
LEFT CHOIR
Amen.
CLERGY (slowly from within the altar):
Holy Immortal.
HIERARCH
Lord, Lord, look down from heaven and behold, visit and perfect this vineyard, which your right hand has planted. [GOA]
RIGHT CHOIR
Amen.
CLERGY (slowly from within the altar):
Have mercy on us.
DEACON
Dynamis.
DEACON (in a low voice)
With your blessing, Master.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Master, bless the throne on high.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Dynamis.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
DEACON
Lord, save the pious.
HIERARCH
Lord, save the pious.
DEACON
Lord, save the pious.
CHOIR
Lord, save the pious.
DEACON
Lord, save the pious.
CHOIR
Lord, save the pious.
DEACON
And hear us.
HIERARCH
And hear us.
DEACON
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CLERGY
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CHOIR
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CHOIR
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
DEACON
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CHOIR
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
DEACON
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CLERGY
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
DEACON
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CLERGY
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CHOIR
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
DEACON
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CLERGY
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
CHOIR
(The text of the appropriate episcopal acclamation goes here.)
The Epistle
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 92.
Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
READER
3:1 – 4
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]
HIERARCH
Peace be with you the reader.
CHOIR
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. [GOA]
The Holy Gospel
PRAYER OF THE GOSPEL
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
HIERARCH: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.
PRIEST: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
DEACON
10:22 – 28
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]
HIERARCH: Peace be with you.
CHOIR (intoned)
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
CHOIR (extended)
Eis polla eti, Despota!
SECOND PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Again and countless times we fall down before You, and we implore You, O good and benevolent Lord: That You, having regarded our prayer, may cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant to us to stand before Your holy Altar of sacrifice, free of guilt and condemnation. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us, progress in life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Grant that they always worship You with awe and love, partake of Your holy sacrament without guilt or condemnation, and be deemed worthy of Your celestial kingdom.
HIERARCH
That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
The Cherubic Hymn.
Let all mortal flesh keep silent and stand in fear and trembling, giving no thought to things of the earth. For the King of kings and the Lord of lords is coming forth to be sacrificed and given as food to the faithful. Before Him go the Choir of Angels, with all the Principalities and Powers. [SD]
PRAYER OF THE CHERUBIC HYMN
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let all mortal flesh keep silent and stand in fear and trembling, giving no thought to things of the earth. For the King of kings and the Lord of lords is coming forth to be sacrificed and given as food to the faithful. Before Him go the Choir of Angels, with all the Principalities and Powers. [SD]
DEACON (in a low voice)
The many eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces and chanting their hymn: Alleluia. [SD]
ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY GIFTS
DEACON
May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
The priest repeats the same.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
May the Lord God remember your arch-priesthood in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. )
The Hierarch commemorates the living.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
May the Lord God remember your arch-priesthood in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. )
The Hierarch commemorates the departed.
CHOIR
Amen.
The many eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces and chanting their hymn: Alleluia. [SD]
The Hierarch blesses the faithful with the two-stemmed candle, and the choir sings: Eis polla eti, Despota!
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
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.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, even so, accept from us sinners our supplication, and bring it to Your holy Altar of sacrifice. Make us sufficient to offer You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Deem us worthy to find grace in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be well pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts presented and upon all Your people.
HIERARCH (aloud)
Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
KISS OF PEACE AND CREED
HIERARCH
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:
CHOIR
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my foundation, my refuge, my deliverer.
DEACON
The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!
PEOPLE
The Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. [GOA]
CHOIR
Amen.
HOLY ANAPHORA
DEACON
Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.
CHOIR
A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
HIERARCH
(blessing with the cross)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
HIERARCH
Let us lift up our hearts.
CHOIR
We lift them up to the Lord.
HIERARCH
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
CHOIR
It is proper and right.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
It is proper and right to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in every place of Your dominion. For You, O God, are ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, existing forever, forever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of nothing into being, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again. You left nothing undone until you had led us up to heaven and granted us Your kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit: for all things we know and do not know, for blessings manifest and hidden that have been bestowed on us. We thank You also for this Liturgy, which You have deigned to receive from our hands, even though thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels stand around You, the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings,
PRIEST
Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…
CHOIR
Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Together with these blessed powers, benevolent Master, we also exclaim and say: Holy are You and most holy, You and Your only‐begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and most holy, and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled for our sake the entire plan of salvation, on the night in which He was delivered up, or rather when He delivered Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, and, giving thanks and blessing, He hallowed and broke it, and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:
HIERARCH (aloud)
Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
CHOIR
Amen.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
And likewise the cup after supper, saying:
HIERARCH (aloud)
Drink of it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
CHOIR
Amen.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and everything that was done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the ascent into the heavens, the seating at the right hand, and the glorious coming again,
HIERARCH (aloud)
Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.
CHOIR
We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we beseech and pray and entreat You: Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts here presented,
DEACON (in a low voice)
Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.
HIERARCH
And make this Bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
DEACON
Amen.
Bless, Master, the holy Cup.
HIERARCH
And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of Your Christ.
DEACON
Amen.
Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.
HIERARCH
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
DEACON
Amen. Amen. Amen.
HIERARCH
So that they may be for those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, remission of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fullness of the kingdom of Heaven, boldness before You, not for judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have reposed in the faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith,
HIERARCH (aloud)
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
CHOIR
Hymn to the Theotokos.
Mode 1.
Mother of our God, we praise you * as the brightly shining lamp, * the illustrious glory * of all creation, of which you are the highest. * With sacred hymns we magnify you. [SD]
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
For Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist; for the holy, glorious, and most praiseworthy apostles; for Saint(s) (name), whose memory we celebrate; and for all Your saints, through whose supplications, visit us, O God. And remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal (here the Priest commemorates by name those departed whom he wishes). Grant them rest, where the light of Your countenance keeps watch. Again we beseech You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth, the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly order. Again we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living pure and reverent lives. For civil authorities and our armed forces, grant that they may govern in peace, Lord, so that in their tranquility we, too, may live calm and serene lives, in all piety and virtue.
HIERARCH (aloud)
Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name); grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
CLERGY
Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name); grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Remember, Lord, Your Holy Great Church, our Sacred Archdiocese, this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air; the sick; the suffering; the captives; and their salvation. Remember those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send forth Your mercies.
HIERARCH (aloud)
And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
HIERARCH
And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
DEACON
Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR
To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
We entrust to You, benevolent Master, our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray, and implore You: Grant us to partake of Your heavenly and awesome sacraments from this sacred and spiritual table with a clear conscience for the remission of sins, the forgiveness of transgressions, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven, and boldness before You, not unto judgment or condemnation.
PRIEST (aloud)
And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:
PEOPLE
The Lord''s Prayer
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.
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.
CHOIR
Amen.
BOWING OF HEADS
HIERARCH
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR
To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
We give thanks to You, invisible King, who by Your boundless power fashioned the universe, and in the multitude of Your mercy brought all things from nothing into being. Look down from heaven, O Master, upon those who have bowed their heads before You, for they have not bowed before flesh and blood, but before You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make smooth and beneficial for us all, whatever lies ahead, according to the need of each: Sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.
HIERARCH (aloud)
Through the grace, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
ELEVATION – FRACTION – UNION – COMMUNION
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
HIERARCH
The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.
CHOIR
One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
CHOIR
Communion Hymn. Psalm 25.
O Lord, I love the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. [SAAS] Alleluia.
DEACON
With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.
The Hierarch takes the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and, using a holy spoon, communes each person who approaches.
The servant of God (name) partakes of the Body and Blood of Christ for the remission of sins and life eternal.
After the Holy Communion of the faithful, the Hierarch turns towards the people, blesses them, and says aloud:
HIERARCH
Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
CHOIR
Hymn after Holy Communion.
Instead of “We have seen.”
Mode pl. 1.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]
Coming back into the sanctuary, the Hierarch sets the holy chalice on the altar table and is given the censer. The Deacon says to the Hierarch:
DEACON (in a low voice)
Exalt, Master.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)
He then gives the holy paten, together with the gift coverings, to the Deacon. Holding the holy paten, the Deacon circles the altar table and places the holy paten on the Prothesis. The Hierarch hands the holy chalice to the Priest and quietly says:
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Blessed is our God.
The Priest turns to face the people and exclaims:
PRIEST
Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Then the Priest goes to the Prothesis and places the holy chalice there.
CHOIR
Amen.
THANKSGIVING
DEACON
Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR
To You, O Lord.
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
PRAYER AFTER EVERYONE COMMUNES
We give thanks to You, benevolent Master, benefactor of our souls, that even on this very day You have made us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal sacraments. Make straight our path, fortify us in Your fear, guard our life, make secure our steps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.
HIERARCH (aloud)
For You are our sanctification, 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.
CHOIR
Amen.
DISMISSAL
HIERARCH
Let us go forth in peace.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
AMBO PRAYER
O Lord, who blesses those who bless You and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to our civic leaders, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights. To You we offer up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. [GOA] (3)
PRAYER AS THE GIFTS ARE COLLECTED
HIERARCH (in a low voice)
Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. You have fulfilled the Father’s entire plan of salvation. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
PRIEST
Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
May He who rose from the dead, 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.
CHOIR
Lord, protect our Bishop and Hierarch. Eis polla eti, Despota! Eis polla eti, Despota! Eis polla eti, Despota!
HIERARCH
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Amen.
CLERGY
Through the prayers of our holy master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Amen.