The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom - Part 1 | Liturgical Texts of Greek Orthodox Church

(Celebrated by one Priest and one Deacon[1]) Deacon: Master, give the blessing. Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen.[2] The Litany of Peace or Great Litany The people respond with Lord, have mercy, after each petition. Deacon: 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), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. For our country, for the president, and for all in public service, let us pray to the Lord. For this city, and 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. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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. People: To You, O Lord. The Prayer of the First Antiphon Priest (in a low voice): Lord, our God, Whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; Whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for mankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion. And he intones: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. People: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us. (3) The Small Litany Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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. People: To You, O Lord. The Prayer of the Second Antiphon Priest (in a low voice): Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the fullness 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. And he exclaims: For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. People: Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead (or Who are wondrous in Your saints), we sing to You, Alleluia. (3) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one with the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us. The Small Litany Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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. People: To You, O Lord. The Prayer of the Third Antiphon Priest (in a low voice): Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life. And he exclaims: For You, O God, are good and love mankind, and to You we offer glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. As the people chant the Apolytikion of the day or the Third Antiphon, the Priest and the Deacon make the Small Entrance. The Small Entrance Deacon (in a low voice): Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. The Entrance Prayer Priest (in a low voice): Master, Lord our God, Who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. The Entrance Hymn, or Eisodikon, is chanted by all. Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead (or Who are wondrous in Your saints), we sing to You, Alleluia. After this, the Dismissal Hymns (Apolytikia) and the Kontakion of the day are chanted. Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. The Prayer of the Trisagion Hymn Priest (in a low voice): 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. And he intones: For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, The Deacon, facing the people: And to the ages of ages. People: Amen. The people then chant the Trisagion Hymn. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Deacon: Dynamis. People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. The Deacon then addresses the Priest: Command, Master. They proceed to the cathedra (throne on high behind the holy Table), and as they approach, the Priest says: Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. Deacon: Master, bless the throne on high. Priest: Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. The Epistle When the Trisagion Hymn is concluded, the Reader intones the Prokeimenon of the Epistle. Deacon: Let us be attentive. The Reader intones the verse of the Prokeimenon. Deacon: Wisdom. The Reader identifies the Epistle reading. Deacon: Let us be attentive. The Reader reads the specified Apostolic reading. The Prayer of the Holy Gospel Priest (in a low voice): Shine in our hearts, O Master Who loves mankind, 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 also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, having trampled down all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both 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, together with Your Father, Who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. At the conclusion of the Epistle, the Priest blesses the Reader, saying: Peace be with you. People: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. The Holy Gospel Priest: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be with all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John). Priest: Let us be attentive. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. And the Deacon intones the prescribed pericope of the Holy Gospel. After the reading of the Holy Gospel, the Priest, blessing the Deacon, says: Peace be with you. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. The Sermon (According to ancient tradition, the sermon was delivered following the readings.) Ιf the following litanies, in italics, are being omitted, proceed to the exclamation following the Second Prayer of the Faithful. The Deacon offers the Fervent Supplication. The people respond to each petition with Lord, have mercy. (3) The Litany of Fervent Supplication Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say. Lord almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy. Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy. Again we pray for our Archbishop (Name). Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church. Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere. Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy. The Prayer of Fervent Supplication Priest (in a low voice): Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication from Your servants, and have mercy on us in accordance with the abundance of Your mercy, and send down Your compassion upon us and upon all Your people who await Your great and rich mercy. And he exclaims: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. The Deacon offers the Prayers for the Catechumens. The people respond to each petition with Lord, have mercy. The Prayers for the Catechumens Deacon: Catechumens, pray to the Lord. Let us, the faithful, pray for the catechumens. That the Lord will have mercy on them. That He will teach them the word of truth. That He will reveal to them the gospel of righteousness. That He will unite them to His holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and protect them, O God, by Your grace. Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord. The Prayer for the Catechumens Priest (in a low voice): Lord our God, Who dwells on high and watches over the humble, You sent forth Your only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race. Look down upon Your servants, the catechumens, who have inclined their necks to You, and grant them at a proper time the baptism of rebirth, the remission of sins, and the garment of incorruption. Unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and number them among Your chosen flock. And he exclaims: So that with us they also may glorify Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. Deacon: Those who are catechumens, depart; catechumens depart; all those who are catechumens, depart. Let none of the catechumens remain. The Supplication of the Faithful Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let all of us, the faithful, pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom! The First Prayer of the Faithful Priest (in a low voice): We give thanks to You, O Lord God of Hosts, Who has made us worthy to stand even now before Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to fall down before You seeking Your compassion for our sins and those committed in ignorance by the people. Accept, O God, our supplication. Make us worthy to offer You prayers, supplications, and bloodless sacrifices for all Your people. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, make us, whom You have appointed to this, Your ministry, free of blame or stumbling and, with the witness of a clear conscience, able to call upon You at every time and in every place, so that, hearing us, You may be merciful to us in the abundance of Your goodness. And he exclaims: For to You all glory, honor, and worship are due, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. People: Lord, have mercy. Deacon: Wisdom! The Second Prayer of the Faithful Priest (in a low voice): Again and countless times we fall down before You, and we implore You, O Good One, Who loves mankind: 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 Mysteries without guilt or condemnation, and be deemed worthy of Your celestial Kingdom. And he exclaims: 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 forever and to the ages of ages. The Great Entrance People: Amen. The Cherubic Hymn is chanted to the ellipsis: Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all . . . Deacon (in a low voice): Let us pray to the Lord. The Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn Priest (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 mankind, 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 sacrifice without the shedding of blood. 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; and enable me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before Your holy Table and celebrate the Mystery 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, with Your Father, Who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. When the people chant So that we may receive the King of all the Deacon and Priest exit the north door preceded by candles and the censer, and when the hymn is paused, they exclaim the following alternately: May the Lord God remember all of us in His Kingdom always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. People: Amen. (Complete the Cherubic Hymn) Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. The Priest then places the holy Chalice on the holy Table. He takes the holy Paten from the hands of the Deacon and places it to the left of the holy Chalice. The Deacon reverences the right hand of the Priest, exits the holy Altar through the north door, and stands at the usual place, offering the Litany of Completion (Plerotika). The Litany of Completion The people respond with Lord, have mercy, after every petition. Deacon: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord. 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 necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. The people respond with Grant this, O Lord, after every petition. That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord. 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. Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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. People: To You, O Lord.

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The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom - Part 1

Liturgical Texts of Greek Orthodox Church

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