THE LITANY
OR
GENERAL SUPPLICATION-Western Rite

 To be used after the Third Collect at Morning or Evening Prayer; or before the Holy Communion; or separately.

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.


We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the heart of thy servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek thy honour and glory;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and preserve all Christian Rulers and Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to send forth labourers into thy harvest;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection ,and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, or by air, all women in child-birth, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;
Grant us thy peace.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

¶ Then shall the Minister, and the People with him, say 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. Amen.

¶ The Minister may, at his discretion, omit all that followeth, to the Prayer, We humbly beseech thee, O Father, etc.

O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.
Neither reward us according to our iniquities.

Let us pray.
O God, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful; Mercifully assist our prayers which we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against us, may, by thy good providence, be brought to nought; that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Minister and People.
O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy Name's sake.

Minister.
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared  unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.

¶ Minister and People.
O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
From our enemies defend us, O Christ.
Graciously look upon our afflictions.
With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts.
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.
O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.
Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.

O Lord, let thy mercy be showed upon us;
As we do put our trust in thee.

Let us pray.
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, tha tin all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1928 Book of Common Prayer

The Order for

The Administration of the Lord's Supper
or

Holy Communion-Western Rite

¶ At the Communion-time the Holy Table shall have upon it a fair white linen cloth. And the Priest, standing reverently before the Holy Table, shall say the Lord's Prayer and the Collect following, the People kneeling; but the Lord's Prayer may be omitted at the discretion of the Priest.

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. Amen.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest, turning to the People, rehearse distinctly The Ten Commandments; and the People, still kneeling, shall, after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgressions for the time past, and grace to keep the law for the time to come.

¶ And NOTE, That in rehearsing The Ten Commandments, the Priest may omit that part of the Commandment which is inset.
¶ The Decalogue may be omitted, provided it be said at least one Sunday in each month. But NOTE, That whenever it is omitted, the Priest shall say the Summary of the Law, beginning, Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ

The Decalogue.

GOD spake these words, and said:

I am the LORD thy God; Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them;

for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and show mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my commandments.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain

for the LORD will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his Name in vain.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work; thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Honour thy father and thy mother;

that thy days may be long in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt do no murder.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not steal.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not covet.

thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

¶ Then may the Priest say,

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith.

THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

¶ Here, if the Decalogue hath been omitted, shall be said,

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

¶ Then the Priest may say,

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ Here shall be said,

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.

¶ Then shall the Priest say the Collect of the Day. And after the Collect the Minister appointed shall read the Epistle, first saying, The Epistle is written in the--Chapter of--, beginning at the--Verse. The Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle.

¶ Here may be sung a Hymn or an Anthem.

¶ Then, all the People standing, the Minister appointed shall read the Gospel, first saying, The Holy Gospel is written in the--Chapter of--, beginning at the--Verse.

¶ Here shall be said,

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

¶ And after the Gospel may be said,

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

¶ Then shall be said the Creed commonly called the Nicene, or else the Apostles' Creed but the Creed may be omitted, if it hath been said immediately before in Morning Prayer; Provided, That the Nicene Creed shall be said on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, and Trinity Sunday.

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker 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 his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father: And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets: And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

¶ Then shall be declared unto the People what Holy Days, or Fasting Days, are in the week following to be observed; and (if occasion be) shall Notice be given of the Communion, and of the Banns of Matrimony, and of other matters to be published.

¶ Here, or immediately after the Creed, may be said the Bidding Prayer, or other authorized prayers and intercessions.

¶ Then followeth the Sermon. After which, the Priest, when there is a Communion, shall return to the Holy Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient.

REMEMBER the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx. 35.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. v. 16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii. 21.
He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10.
God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have showed for his Name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10.
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.
Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 St. John iii. 17.
Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tobit iv. 8, 9.
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. St. Matt. xxv. 40.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? Rom. x. 14, 15.
Jesus said unto them, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. St. Luke x. 2.
Ye shall not appear before the LORD empty; every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. Deut. xvi. 16, 17.
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chron. xxix. 11.
All things come of thee, O LORD, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chron. xxix. 14.

¶ And NOTE, That these Sentences may be used on any other occasion of Public Worship when the Offerings of the People are to be received.

¶ The Deacons, Church-wardens, or other fit persons appointed for that purpose, shall receive the Alms for the Poor, and other Offerings of the People, in a decent Basin to be provided by the Parish; and reverently bring it to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place it upon the Holy Table.

¶ And the Priest shall then offer, and shall place upon the Holy Table, the Bread and the Wine.

¶ And when the Alms and Oblations are being received and presented, there may be sung a Hymn, or an Offertory Anthem in the words of Holy Scripture or of the Book of Common Prayer, under the direction of the Priest.

¶ Here the Priest may ask the secret intercessions of the Congregation for any who have desired the prayers of the Church.

¶ Then shall the Priest say,

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.

And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest say to those who come to receive the Holy Communion,

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

¶ Then shall this General Confession be made, by the Priest and all those who are minded to receive the Holy Communion, humbly kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) stand up, and turning to the People, say,

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest say,

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.
COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matt. xi. 28.
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15.

Hear also what Saint John saith.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John ii. 1, 2.

¶ After which the Priest shall proceed, saying,

Lift up your hearts.
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then shall the Priest turn to the Holy Table, and say,

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

¶ Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed; or else immediately shall be said or sung by the Priest,

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

¶ Priest and People.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

PROPER PREFACES.
CHRISTMAS.

¶ Upon Christmas Day, and seven days after.

BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man, of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

EPIPHANY.

¶ Upon the Epiphany, and seven days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, in substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory; that he might bring us out of darkness into his own glorious light.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

PURIFICATION, ANNUNCIATION, AND TRANSFIGURATION.

¶ Upon the Feasts of the Purification, Annunciation, and Transfiguration.

BECAUSE in the Mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

EASTER.

¶ Upon Easter Day, and seven days after.

BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

ASCENSION.

¶ Upon Ascension Day, and seven days after.

THROUGH thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious Resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

WHITSUNTIDE.-Pentecost

¶ Upon Whitsunday, and six days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth; giving them boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

TRINITY SUNDAY.

¶ Upon the Feast of Trinity only.

WHO, with thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference of inequality.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

¶ Or this.

FOR the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for the sending to us of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter; who are one with thee in thy Eternal Godhead.

Therefore with Angels, etc.

ALL SAINTS.

¶ Upon All Saints' Day, and seven days after.

WHO, in the multitude of thy Saints, hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and, together with them, may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

¶ Priest and People.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

¶ When the Priest, standing before the Holy Table, hath so ordered the Bread and Wine, that he may with the more readiness and decency break the Bread before the People, and take the Cup into his hands, he shall say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth.

ALL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again: For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

The Oblation

WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

The Invocation

AND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

AND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's Table, say, in the name of all those who shall receive the Communion, this Prayer following.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

¶ Here may be sung a Hymn.

¶ Then shall the Priest First receive the Holy Communion in both kinds him self, and proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present,) and, after that, to the People also in order, into their hands, all devoutly kneeling. And sufficient opportunity shall be given to those present to communicate. And when he delivereth the Bread, he shall say,

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

¶ And the Minister who delivereth the Cup shall say,

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

¶ If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more, according to the Form before prescribed; beginning at, All glory be to thee, Almighty God, and ending with these words, partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

¶ When an have communicated, the Priest shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.

¶ Then shall the Priest say,

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then shall be said the Gloria in excelsis, all standing, or some proper Hymn.

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

¶ Then, the People kneeling, the Priest (the Bishop if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing.

THE Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

GENERAL RUBRICS.

¶ In the absence of a Priest, a Deacon may say all that is before appointed unto the end of the Gospel.

¶ Upon the Sundays and other Holy Days, (though there be no Sermon or Communion,) may be said all that is appointed at the Communion, unto the end of the Gospel, concluding with the Blessing.

¶ And if any of the consecrated Bread and Wine remain after the Communion, it shall not be carried out of the Church; but the Minister and other Communicants shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same.

¶ If among those who come to be partakers of the Holy Communion, the Minister shall know any to be an open and notorious evil liver, or to have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or deed, so that the Congregation be thereby offended; he shall advertise him, that he presume not to come to the Lord's Table, until he have openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former evil life, that the Congregation may thereby be satisfied; and that he hath recompensed the parties to whom he hath done wrong; or at least declare himself to be in full purpose so to do, as soon as he conveniently may.

¶ The same order shall the Minister use with those, betwixt whom he perceiveth malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers of the Lord's Table, until he know them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties, so at variance, be content to forgive from the bottom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to make amends for that wherein he himself hath offended; and the other party will not be persuaded to a godly unity, but remain still in his frowardness and malice; the Minister in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the Holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate. Provided, That every Minister so repelling any, as is herein specified, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Ordinary, within fourteen days after, at the farthest.

THE EXHORTATIONS.

¶ At the time of the Celebration of the Communion, after the prayer for the whole state of Christ's Church, the Priest may say this Exhortation. And NOTE, That the Exhortation shall be said on the First Sunday in Advent, the First Sunday in Lent, and Trinity Sunday.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, ye who mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should always remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained for us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give, as we are most bounden, continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

¶ When the Minister giveth warning for the Celebration of the Holy Communion, (which he shall always do upon the Sunday, or some Holy Day, immediately preceding,) he shall read this Exhortation following; or so much thereof as, in his discretion, he may think convenient.

DEARLY beloved, on day next I purpose, through God's assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the Kingdom of heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that he hat given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy Sacrament. Which being so divine and comfortable a thing to them who receive it worthily, and so dangerous to those who will presume to receive it unworthily; my duty is to exhort you, in the mean season to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so to search and examine your own consciences, and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God; but so that ye may come holy and clean to such a heavenly Feast, in the marriage-garment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.

The way and means thereto is: First, to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God's commandments; and whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such as are not only against God, but also against your neighbours; then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others who have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your condemnation. Therefore, if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice, or envy, or in any other grievous crime; repent you of your sins, or else come not to that holy Table.

And because it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion, but with a full trust in God's mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore, if there be any of you, who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other Minister of God's Word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience, and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness.

¶ Or, in case he shall see the People negligent to come to the Holy Communion, instead of the former, he may use this Exhortation.

DEARLY beloved brethren, on--I intend, by God's grace, to celebrate the Lord's Supper: unto which, in God's behalf, I bid you all who are here present; and beseech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lacketh nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called, without any cause, most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in Christ, take ye good heed, lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from this holy Supper, provoke God's indignation against you. It is an easy matter for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not so easily accepted and allowed before God. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? When God calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not come? When ye should return to God, will ye excuse yourselves, and say ye are not ready? Consider earnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses will avail before God. Those who refused the feast in the Gospel, because they had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen, or because they were married, were not so excused, but counted unworthy of the heavenly feast. Wherefore, according to mine office, I bid you in the Name of God, I call you in Christ's behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the Cross for your salvation; so it is your duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, as he himself hath commanded: which if ye shall neglect to do, consider with yourselves how great is your ingratitude to God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the Lord's Table, and separate from your brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These things if ye earnestly consider, ye will by God's grace return to a better mind: for the obtaining whereof we shall not cease to make our humble petitions unto Almighty God, our heavenly Father.

The Rite of Betrothal and Crowning

Of the Eastern Rite

Order of Betrothal

Deacon. Bless, Master.

Priest. Blessed be our God always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Deacon. In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. [This response is sung after each petition of the Litany of Peace.]

Deacon. 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 welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union 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 the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, for our Metropolitan N., for our Bishop N., for the honorable Priesthood, for the Deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord:

For the President of these United States, for those in authority, and for all god loving people, let us pray to the Lord:

For the servant of God, N., and for the handmaid of God, N., who are now being betrothed to one another, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord:

That they may be granted children for the continuation of their generation, and all their petitions which may be for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will send down upon them perfect and peaceful love, and help, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will preserve them in oneness of mind and in steadfastness of faith, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will bless them with a blameless life, let us pray to the Lord:

That the Lord our God will grant them an honorable and pure marriage 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 upon us, and keep us, O God by Thy Grace:

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Theotokos and ever"Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Priest. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages,

Choir. Amen.

Priest. O Eternal God, who brought into unity those who were separated, ordaining for them an unbreakable bond of love, who blessed Isaac and Rebecca making them heirs of Thy Promise; Do Thou Thyself bless these Thy servants, N. and N., guiding them in every good work.

For Thou are a merciful God, who loves mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Peace be unto all.

Choir. And with thy spirit

Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Priest. O Lord our God, who espoused the Church as a pure Virgin from among the nations: bless this betrothal, and unite and keep these Thy servants in peace and oneness of mind.

For to Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen

[The Priest takes the Groom’s ring and making the Sign of the Cross with it, places it on the ring finger of his right hand.]

Priest. The servant of God, N., is betrothed to the handmaid of God, N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)

[The Priest takes the Bride's ring and making the Sign of the Cross with it, places it on the ring finger of her right hand.]

Priest. The handmaid of God, N., is betrothed to the servant of God, N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Thrice)

[After the Bride and Groom are blessed, their rings are exchanged three times.]

Priest. O Lord our God, who went with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham into "Mesopotamia when he was sent to seek a wife for his master Isaac and, by the means of drawing of water at the well, revealed to him that he should betroth Rebecca; Do Thou Thyself bless the betrothal of these Thy servants, N. and N., and confirm the word they have spoken. Strengthen them in the holy union which is from Thee. For Thou, in the beginning, made them male and female, and by Thee is the woman joined to the man as a helpmate and for the continuation of the human race.

Therefore, O Lord our God, who has sent forth Thy truth to Thine inheritance, and Thy covenant unto Thy servants our fathers, even Thine elect from generation to generation. Look Thou upon Thy servant, N., and upon Thy handmaid, N., and establish and confirm their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love.

Thou, O Lord, declared that a pledge should be given and confirmed in all things. By a ring was power given unto Joseph in "Egypt; by a ring was Daniel exalted in the land of Babylon; by a ring was Tamar's integrity revealed; by a ring did our heavenly Father show compassion upon His son, for He said, put a ring on his right hand, and kill the fatted calf, and let us cat and rejoice. Thine own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the "Red Sea. By Thy true word the heavens were established, and the foundations of the earth were made firm. By Thy mighty word and Thine uplifted arm, the right hands of Thy servants shall be blessed. Therefore, O Master, do Thou now Thyself bless this putting on of rings with Thy heavenly benediction: and let Thine Angel go before them all the days of their life.

For Thou are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Sacrament of Crowning Of Marriage

 Priest and Choir. Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee. [This response is sung after each verse.]

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!

You shall eat of the fruit of the labor of your hands; and

You shall be happy and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house;

Your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless you from Zion

May you see the prosperity of "Jerusalem all the days of your life!

May you see your children's children! Peace be upon "Israel! (Psalm 128)

[The Priest leads the Groom and Bride to the table in the center o f the Nave before the Royal Doors. The Priest then asks these questions.]

Priest. [To the Groom] Do you, N., of a good free and uncoerced will and with good intention take to yourself as wife this woman, N., whom you see here before you?

Groom. I do, reverend Father.

Priest. You have not committed yourself to another woman?

Groom. I have not, reverend Father.

Priest. [To the Bride] Do you, N., of a good, free and uncoerced will and with good intention take to yourself as husband this man, N., whom you see here before you?

Bride. I do, reverend Father.

Priest. You have not committed yourself to any other man.

Bride. I have not, reverend Father.

Deacon. Bless, master.

Priest. Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Deacon. In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. [This response is repeated for every petition of the Litany.

Deacon. 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 welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union 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 the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, for our Metropolitan N., for our Bishop N., for the honorable Priesthood, for the Deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord:

For the President of these United States, for those in authority, and for all god loving people, let us pray to the Lord:

For the servants of God, N. and N., now being united to each other in the Community of Marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will bless this marriage, as He blessed the marriage in Cana of Galilee, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will grant them chastity. and fruit of the womb for their benefit, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will make them glad in the beholding of sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will grant them the acquisition of virtuous children and of a blameless life, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will grant them and us all our petitions which are for salvation, let us pray to the Lord:

That He will deliver them and us from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord:

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy Grace:

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Theotokos and ever"Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Priest. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. O God most pure, the Creator of every living thing who transformed the rib of Adam our forefather into a woman and blessing them Thou said, "Be fruitful and multiply, and subdue the earth," making of two one flesh. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, so that they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

Thou opened the womb of Sarah, and blessed Thy servant Abraham, making him the father of many nations. Thou gave Isaac to Rebecca, blessing her in childbearing. Thou joined Jacob and Rachel and from them generated the twelve patriarchs. Thou united Joseph and Asenath, and as the fruit of their generation bestowed on them Ephraim and Manasses. Thou accepted Zacharias and Elizabeth, and proclaimed their child the Forerunner. From the root of Jesse in the flesh Thou caused to blossom forth the ever-Virgin, for Thou was incarnate of her; born for the redemption of the human race.

Thou through Thine unspeakable gift and great goodness came to Cana of Galilee, and blessed that marriage, making it clear it is Thy will that there should be lawful marriage and from it the begetting of children. Do Thou, O Master, accept the prayers of Thy servants. As Thou were pres­ent at Cana of Galilee, be Thou also present here with Thine invisible presence.

Bless this marriage, and grant these Thy ser­vants, N. and N., a peaceful life, a long life, chastity, love for one another in the bond of peace, gratitude from their posterity, Grace upon their children, a crown of glory which never fades. Make them worthy to see their children's children; preserve their marriage in purity, granting them of the dew of heaven above, and of the fruitfulness of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine, oil and every good thing, that they may give to those in need. Grant also to, those who are here present with them all their requests which are for their salvation.

For Thou are the God of mercy, compassion and love towards man and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Priest. Blessed are Thou, O Lord our God, the Priest of mystical and pure marriage, and the Ordainer of the marriage of the body. Thou are the Guardian of immortality and the Good Steward of the means of life. In the beginning, O Master, Thou Thyself created man, and appointed him king over Thy creation saying, "It is not good that man should be alone on earth, let us make a helper fit for him." Then taking one of his ribs. God made woman. Adam, seeing her, said, "This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man." For this reason man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

O Master, our Lord and God, send now also Thy heavenly Grace upon these Thy servants, N. and N. Grant that this Thy handmaid may be subject in all things to her husband, and may Thy servant be the head of his wife that they may live according to Thy will.

Bless them O Lord our God, as Thou blessed Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and all the Patriarchs, Joseph and Asenath, Moses and Zipporah, Joachim and Anna and Zachariah and Elizabeth.

Preserve them. O Lord our God. as Thou preserved Noah in the ark, Jonah in the whale and the three Holy Children from the fire, sending upon them the dew from heaven. May that joy, come upon them which the blessed Helena had when she found the precious Cross.

Remember them, O Lord our God, as Thou remembered Enoch, Shem, Elijah, and Thy Forty Holy Martyrs, bestowing upon them crowns from heaven. Remember the parents who have nourished them; for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of houses. Remember also Thy servants, the groomsmen and the bridesmaids, who have come together in this joy.

Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servant, N., and Thy handmaid, N., and bless them. Grant them of the fruit of the body, fair children, harmony of soul and body. Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon like a fruitful vine. Give them fruitfulness like the full ears of grain, that having sufficiency in all things, they may abound in every work that is good and acceptable to Thee. Let them see their children's children, like a newly planted olive orchard around their table. And having obtained favor before Thee may they shine like stars of heaven in Thee, our Lord.

For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and wor­ship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Priest. O Holy God, who created man from the dust, and from man’s rib made woman joining her to him as a helpmate, for it seemed good to Thy Majesty for man not to be alone on earth. Do Thou now, O Master, extend Thy hand from Thy holy dwelling and unite this Thy servant, N., and this Thy handmaid, N., for by Thee is the husband united to the wife. Unite them in one mind. Wed them into one flesh. Grant them of the fruit of the body and the procreation of fair children.

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

Choir. Amen.

[The Priest then takes the Groom’s crown and bestowing it on him says:]

Priest. The servant of God, N., is crowned unto the handmaid of God. N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit now and ever, and unto ages or ages. Amen.

[The Priest then takes the Bride’s crown and bestowing it on her says:]

Priest. The handmaid of God, N., is crowned unto the servant of God, N., in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

[The Priest now blesses them thrice, saying:]

Priest. O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor. [Thrice]

Deacon. Let us attend.

Priest. Peace be unto all.

Reader. And with Thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom.

Reader. The Prokimenon is in the 8th Tone. "Thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon their heads. Life they asked of Thee and Thou gave it to them."

Verse. For Thou will give them Thy blessing forever and ever. Thou will make them glad with the joy of Thy presence.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. The Lesson is from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

Deacon. Let us attend.

Reader. (Eph. 5:20-33) Brethren: Always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord "Jesus Christ to God the Father. Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, His Body, and is Himself its Savior. As the Church is subject to Christ, so let wives be also subject in everything to their hus­bands. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any Such thinly, that she might be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the Church, because we are members of His Body. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." This is a great Mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Priest. Peace be unto

Reader. And with Thy spirit.

Deacon. Wisdom!

Reader. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Choir. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Deacon. Wisdom. O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest. Peace be unto all.

Choir. And with Thy spirit.

Priest. The Lesson is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.

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

Deacon. Let us attend.

Priest. (John 2:1-12) On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus was also invited to the marriage, with His disciples. When the wine failed the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do what­ever he tells you." Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him. "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Choir. Glory to Thee. O Lord, Glory to Thee.

Deacon. Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon. O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers we pray unto Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we pray unto Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Deacon. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation for the servants of God. N. and N., and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest. For Thou art a merciful God and loves mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. O Lord our God, who in Thy saving providence did agree by Thy presence in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable: Do thou the same Lord, now also maintain in peace and harmony Thy servants, N. and N., whom it pleases Thee to join together. Cause their marriage to be honorable. Preserve their life blameless. Mercifully grant that they may live together in purity. Enable them to attain to a ripe old age, walking in Thy commandments with a pure heart.

For Thou art our God, the God whose property it is to show mercy and to save, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen

Deacon. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon. That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir. Grant it, O Lord. [Repeated after each petition.]

Deacon. An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord:

The pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord:

All things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord:

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord:

"Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful; and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord:

Asking for the unity of the faith, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend our­selves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Priest. And make us worthy, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon Thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:

Choir. 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 the Evil One.

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

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Peace be unto all.

Choir. And with Thy spirit.

Priest. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord. have mercy.

Priest. O God who has created all things by Thy might and made fast the round world, and adorned the crown of all things which Thou has made: Bless now with Thy spiritual blessing, this Common Cup, which Thou gives to those who are now united for a Community of Marriage.

For blessed is Thy Name, and glorified is Thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Choir. Rejoice, O Isaiah! A Virgin is with child, and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, both God and man: and Orient is His name, whom magnifying we call the Virgin blessed.

O Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your crowns: Entreat the Lord that He will have mercy on our souls.

Glory to Thee, O Christ-God, the Apostles' boast, the Martyrs' joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

[The Priest removes the Groom’s crown, saying:]

Priest. Be exalted, O Bridegroom, like unto Abraham; and be blessed, like unto Isaac; and multiply like unto Jacob, walking in peace, and keeping the commandments of God in righteous­ness.

[The Priest removes the Bride’s crown, saying:]

Priest. O Bride: Be exalted like unto Sarah; Lind exult, like unto Rebecca: and multiply, like unto Rachel: and rejoice in your husband, fulfilling, the conditions of the law: for so is it well-pleasing unto God.

Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir. Lord have mercy.

Priest. O God, our God, who came to Cana of Galilee, and blessed there the marriage feast: Bless, also, these Thy servants, who through Thy good providence are now united together in the Community of Marriage. Bless their goings out and their comings in. Replenish their life with good things. Receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Peace be unto all.

Choir. And with Thy spirit.

Deacon. Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir. To Thee, O Lord.

Priest. May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial and life-giving Trinity, one Godhead and one kingdom, bless you and grant to you length of days, fair children, prosperity of life and faith, and fill you with abundance of all earthly good things, and make you worthy to obtain the blessings of the promise: through the prayers of the holy Theotokos, and of all the Saints. Amen.

Deacon. Wisdom! Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Choir. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Priest. Glory to Thee, Christ-God, our hope, glory to Thee.

Choir. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.

Priest. May He who by His presence at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be an honorable estate, Christ our true God; through the prayers of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles, of the holy, God-crowned sovereigns, Constantine and Helena, equal to the Apostles, of the holy Great Martyr Procopius; and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us: foras­much as he is good and loves mankind.

Choir. Amen.

SERVICE OF BETROTHAL-Western Rite

After the divine Liturgy, with the Priest standing in the Sanctuary, those who are to be joined take their stand before the Holy Doors, with the man on the right and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Table are placed their two rings, one of gold and the other of silver. The silver one towards the right and the gold towards the left, close to each other. The Priest, having come into the narthex, signs the heads of those who are to be married three times and gives them lighted candles. He leads them into the Church and censes in the form of a cross.

[The Priest questions them and asks the bride if she wishes to marry the groom, and likewise if the groom wishes to marry the bride.]

Then, if there is a Deacon, he says:
Master, give the blessing.

Priest, aloud:
Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

Deacon:
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Singers: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

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

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union 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 our Archbishop N., for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For the servant of God N. and the servant of God M., who are now being betrothed to one another, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be granted children for the continuation of the race and all their requests that are for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may sent down to them perfect and peaceful love and help, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be kept in concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be blessed with concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be preserved with a blameless manner and way of life, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord, our God, may grant them honourable marriage and a bed without defilement, let us pray to the Lord.

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

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Singers: To you, O Lord.

Priest (aloud): For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

Deacon:
Let us pray to the Lord.

Singers: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest says the following Prayer out loud:

Eternal God, who brought into unity what had been separated and establish an unbreakable bond of agreement; who blessed Isaac and Rebecca, and declared them to be the heirs of your promise; bless these servants of yours also, guiding them in every good work.

Because you, O God, are merciful and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

Singers: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

Singers: To you, O Lord.

The Priest prays:

Lord, our God, who once betrothed yourself to the Church from the nations as a pure virgin, bless this betrothal, and unite and preserve these servants of yours in peace and concord.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

Then the Priest, having taken the rings on the dish, gives first to the man the gold one and says three times, as he makes the sign of the Cross with the ring on his forehead:

The servant of God N. betroths himself to the servant of God M., in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, having taken the silver ring, he does the same to the woman, saying:

The servant of God N. betroths herself to the servant of God M., in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And when he has spoken three times to each of them he makes the sign of the Cross with the ring on their foreheads and places the rings on their right fingers.

Then the Best Man changes the rings.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Singers: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest says this Prayer:

Lord our God, you journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water you revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from you. For it was you who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to your inheritance and your promise to your servants, our fathers, your elect in every generation, look on your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love. For it is you, Lord, who declared that times a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’. It was your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and by your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For you are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

Then Litany and Dismissal.

The Form of
Solemnization of Matrimony

Western Rite

¶ At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church, or shall be ready in some proper house, with their friends and neighbours; and there standing together, the Manon the right hand, and the Woman on the left, the Minister shall say,

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let them now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

¶ And also speaking unto the Persons who are to be married, he shall say,

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.

¶ The Minister, if he shall have reason to doubt of the lawfulness of the proposed Marriage, may demand sufficient surety for his indemnification: but if no impediment shall be alleged, or suspected, the Minister shall say to the Man,

N. WILT thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ The Man shall answer,

I will.

¶ Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman,

N. WILT thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

¶ The Woman shall answer,

I will.

¶ Then shall the Minister say,

Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?

¶ Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Minister, receiving the Woman at her father'sor friend's hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth.

I N. take thee N. to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

¶ Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister,

I N. take thee N. to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

¶ Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Man shall give unto the Woman a Ring on this wise: the Minister taking the Ring shall deliver it unto the Man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand. And the Man holding the Ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say,

WITH this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ And, before delivering the Ring to the Man, the Minister may say as followeth.

BLESS, O Lord, this Ring, that he who gives it and she who wear sit may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favour, unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then, the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand, the Minister shall say,

Let us pray.

¶ Then shall the Minister and the People, still standing ,say 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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister add,

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,)and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ The Minister may add one or both of the following prayers.

O ALMIGHTY God, Creator of mankind, who only art the well-spring of life; Bestow upon these thy servants, if it be thy will, the gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their children brought up in thy faith and fear, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who hast so consecrated the state of Matrimony that in it is represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that they may love, honour, and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and of peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister join their right hands together ,and say,

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

¶ Then shall the Minister speak unto the company.

FORASMUCH as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

¶ The Man and Wife kneeling, the Minister shall add this Blessing.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

¶ The laws respecting Matrimony, whether by publishing the Banns in Churches, or by License, being different in the several States, every Minister is left to the direction of those laws, in every thing that regards the civil contract between the parties.

¶ And when the Banns are published, it shall be in the following form: I publish the Banns of Marriage between N. of--, and N .of--. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first [second or third] time of asking.

THE ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD

Western Rite

¶ The Minister, meeting the Body, and going before it, either into the Church or towards the Grave, shall say or sing,

I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.

I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger.

We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

¶ After they are come into the Church, shall be said one or more of the following Selections, taken from the Psalms. The Gloria Patri may be omitted except at the end of the whole portion or selection from the Psalter.

Dixi,  custodiam. Psalm xxxix.

LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; * that I may be certified how long I have to live.
Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and mineage is even as nothing in respect of thee; * and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain; * he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what is my hope? * truly my hope is even in thee.
Deliver me from all mine offences; * and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makes this beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting agarment: * every man therefore is but vanity.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and with thine ears consider my calling;* hold not thy peace at my tears;
For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, * as all my fathers were.
O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, * beforeI go hence, and be no more seen.

Domine, refugium. Psalm xc.

LORD, thou hast been our refuge, * from one generation to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, * thou art God from everlasting, and world without end.
Thou turnest man to destruction; * again thou sayest, Come again ,ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday, whenit is past, * and as a watch in the night.
As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep; * and fade away suddenly like the grass.
In the morning it is green, and groweth up; * but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
For we consume away in thy displeasure, * and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee; * and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
For when thou art angry all our days are gone: * we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, * yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
So teach us to number our days, * that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Dominus illuininatio. Psalm xxvii.

THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?* the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require; *even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit this temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle;* yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
And now shall he lift up mine head * above mine enemies roundabout me.
Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation, with great gladness: * I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD.
Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee; * have mercy upon me, and hear me.
My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face: * Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
Thou hast been my succour; * leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
I should utterly have fainted, * but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
O tarry thou the LORD'S leisure; * be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the LORD.

Deus noster refugium. Psalm xlvi.

GOD is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God;* the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest.
God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed;* God shall help her, and that right early.
Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Levavi oculos. Psalm cxxi.

I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills; * from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh even from the LORD, * who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD himself is thy keeper; * the LORD is thy defence  upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * neither the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

De profundis. Psalm cxxx.

OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; * Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, *O Lord, who may abide it?
For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; * I say, before the morning watch.
O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy,* and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.

¶ Then shall follow the Lesson, taken out of the fifteenth Chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians xv. 20.

¶ Or this.

Romans viii. 14.

¶ Or this.

St. John xiv. 1.

JESUS said, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

¶ Here may be sung a Hymn or Anthem; and, at the discretion of the Minister, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Prayer which followeth, and such other fitting Prayers as are elsewhere provided in this Book, ending with the Blessing; the Minister, before the Prayers, first pronouncing,

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.

REMEMBER thy servant, O Lord, according to the favour which thou bearest unto thy people, and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength, in the life of perfect service, in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the HolyGhost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

AT THE GRAVE.

¶ When they come to the Grave, while the Body is made ready to be laid into the earth, shall be sung or said,

MAN, that is born of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like aflower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.

¶ Or this.

ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
He that raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.
Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Thou shalt show me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

¶ Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the Body by some standing by, the Minister shall say,

UNTO Almighty God we commend the soul of our brother departed, and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection unto eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

¶ Then shall be said or sung,

I HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit;f or they rest from their labours.

¶ Then the Minister shall say,

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

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. Amen.

¶ Then the Minister shall say one or more of the following Prayers, at his discretion.

O GOD, whose mercies cannot be numbered; Accept our prayers on behalf of the soul of thy servant departed, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, aftert hey are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We give thee hearty thanks for the good examples ofall those thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours. And we beseech thee, that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whom whosoever believeth, shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us, by his holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for those who sleep in him; We humbly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him; and that, at the general Resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

THE God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ The Minister, at his discretion, may also use any of the following Prayers before the final Blessing.

ALMIGHTY God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus, the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be perfected unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, vouchsafe that we, who now serve thee here on earth, may at last, together with them, be found meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MOST merciful Father, who hast been pleased to take unto thyself the soul of this thy servant (or this thy child); Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that having served thee with constancy on earth, we maybe joined hereafter with thy blessed saints in glory everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death; Grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; through thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we yield unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks, for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace, and the lights of the world in their several generations; most humbly beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow the example of their stedfastness in thy faith, and obedience to thy holy commandments, that at the day of the general Resurrection, we, with all those who are of the mystical body of thy Son, may beset on his right hand, and hear that his most joyful voice: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, O Father, for the sake of the same, thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

¶ Inasmuch as it may sometimes be expedient to say under shelter of the Church the whole or a part of the service appointed to be said at the Grave the same is hereby allowed for weighty cause.

¶ It is to be noted that this Office is appropriate to be used only for the faithful departed in Christ, provided that in any other case the Minister may, at his discretion, use such part of this Office, or such devotions taken from other parts of this Book, as may be fitting.

At the Burial of the Dead at Sea.

¶ The same Office may be used; but instead of the Sentence of Committal, the Minister shall say,

UNTO Almighty God we commend the soul of our brother departed, and we commit his body to the deep; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection unto eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the sea shall give up her dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

The Form of Consecration
of a Church or Chapel

¶ The following Office may be used with the Order for the Holy Communion, or at Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer, or separately.

¶ The Bishop is to be received at the entrance of the Church, or Chapel ,by the Church-wardens and Vestrymen, or some other persons appointed for that purpose. The Bishop and the Clergy who are present shall go up the aisle of the Church, or Chapel, to the Holy Table, repeating the following Psalm alternately, the Bishop one verse and the Clergy another.

Domini est terra. Psalm xxiv.
THE earth is the LORD'S, and all that therein is; * the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and stablished it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? * or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4 Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; * and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, * and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him; * even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;* and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? * It is the LORD strong and mighty, even the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;* and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? * Even the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

¶ The Bishop shall go within the rails, with such of the Clergy as can be there accommodated. The Bishop, sitting in his chair, shall have the instruments of Donation and Endowment, if there be any, presented to him; and then standing up, and turning to the Congregation, he shall say,

DEARLY beloved in the Lord; forasmuch as devout and holy men, as well under the Law as under the Gospel, moved either by the express command of God, or by the secret inspiration of the blessed Spirit, and acting agreeably to their own reason and sense of the natural decency of things, have erected houses for the public worship of God, and separated them from all unhallowed, worldly, and common uses, in order to fill men's minds with greater reverence for his glorious Majesty, and affect their hearts with more devotion and humility in his service; which pious works have been approved of and graciously accepted by our heavenly Father; Let us not doubt but that he will also favourably approve our godly purpose of setting apart this place in solemn manner, for the several Offices of religious worship, and let us faithfully and devoutly beg his blessing on this our undertaking.

¶ Then the Bishop, kneeling, shall say the following Prayer.

O ETERNAL God, mighty in power, and of majesty incomprehensible, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands; and who yet hast been graciously pleased to promise thy special presence, wherever two or three of thy faithful servants shall assemble in thy Name, to offer up their praises and supplications unto thee; Vouchsafe, O Lord, to be present with us, who are here gathered together with all humility and readiness of heart, to consecrate this place to the honour of thy great Name; separating it henceforth from all unhallowed, ordinary, and common uses; and dedicating it to thy service, for reading thy holy Word, for celebrating thy holy Sacraments, for offering to thy glorious Majesty the sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving, for blessing thy people in thy Name, and for all other holy offices: accept, O Lord, this service at our hands, and bless it with such success as may tend most to thy glory, and the furtherance of our happiness both temporal and spiritual; through Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

¶ After this the Bishop shall stand up, and turning his face towards the Congregation, shall say,

REGARD, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants, and grant that whosoever in this house shall be received by Baptism into the congregation of Christ's flock, may be sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and may continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that they who at this place shall in their own persons renew the promises and vows of their Baptism, and be Confirmed by the Bishop, may receive such a measure of thy Holy Spirit, that they may grow in grace unto their life's end. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever shall receive in this place the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, may come to that holy ordinance with faith, charity, and true repentance; and being filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, may, to their great and endless comfort, obtain remission of their sins, and all other benefits of his passion. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that by thy holy Word which shall be read and preached in this place, and by thy Holy Spirit grafting it inwardly in the heart, the hearers thereof may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and may have power and strength to fulfil the same. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever shall be joined together in this place in the holy estate of Matrimony, may faithfully perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and may remain in perfect love together unto their life's end. Amen.

GRANT, we beseech thee, blessed Lord, that whosoever shall draw near to thee in this place, to give thee thanks for the benefits which they have received at thy hands, to set forth thy most worthy praise, to confess their sins unto thee, and to ask such things as are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as for the soul, may do it with such steadiness of faith, and with such seriousness, affection, and devotion of mind, that thou mayest accept their bounden duty and service, and vouchsafe to give whatever in thy infinite wisdom thou shalt see to be most expedient for them. All which we beg for Jesus Christ's sake, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

¶ Then, the Bishop sitting in his chair, the Sentence of Consecration is to be read by some person appointed by him, and then laid by him upon the Communion Table; after which, the Bishop shall say,

BLESSED be thy Name, O Lord, that it hath pleased thee to put it into the hearts of thy servants to appropriate and devote this house to thy honour and worship; and grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work, may show forth their thankfulness, by making a right use of it, to the glory of thy blessed Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ When there is a Communion, the following shall be the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel.

The Collect.

MOST glorious God, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain; Graciously accept the Dedication of this place to thy service; and grant that all who shall call upon thee here may worship thee in spirit and in truth, and may in their lives show forth thy praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle. Revelation xxi. 2.

AND I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

The Gospel. St. John ii. 13.

AND the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

¶ And immediately before the final Blessing, the Bishop shall say this Prayer.

BLESSED be thy Name, O Lord God, for that it hath pleased thee to have thy habitation among the sons of men, and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of the saints upon the earth; Grant, we beseech thee, that in this place now set apart to thy service, thy holy Name may be worshipped in truth and purity through all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

THE DIVINE LITURGY OF JAMES THE APOSTLE AND BROTHER OF GOD

ORDER, WITH GOD’S HELP, AND SERVICE OF THE SACRED RITE ACCORDING TO THE HOLY SYNAXIS

Prayer of the Prothesis

In the skevophylakion the Priest says:

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the one, simple and undivided Trinity, that unites and sanctifies us through itself, and brings peace to our lives, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then, imploring the Deity on his own behalf, the priest says:

Defiled as I am by many sins, do not utterly reject me, Master, Lord, our God. For see, I draw near to this divine and heavenly mystery, not as though I were worthy, but, looking to your goodness, I raise my voice to you, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner. For I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am not worthy to lift up my eyes to this your sacred and spiritual Table, on which your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is mystically set forth as a sacrifice by me, a sinner stained by every defilement. Therefore I bring you this supplication, that your Spirit, the Advocate, may be sent down to me, strengthening and preparing me for this ministry. And grant that without condemnation the word that has been declared by you may be proclaimed by me to the people in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good, life-giving and consubstantial Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Before the Royal Doors, as the clergy are about to make the Entrance, the Priest says aloud:

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the triple and single light of the one Godhead, that exists singly in Trinity and is divided without division. For the one God is Trinity, whose glory the heavens declare, while earth proclaims his dominion, the sea his might and every physical and immaterial creature his greatness. For to him belongs all glory, honour, might, greatness and magnificence, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Then the Priest begins the prayers of the Enarxis (aloud).

Benefactor and King of the ages, and Fashioner of all creation, accept your Church, which approaches you through your Christ. Fulfil what is profitable for each, bring all to perfection, and make us worthy of the grace of your sanctification, gathering us together in your Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which you gained by the blood of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, with whom you are blessed and glorified, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

People: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Prayer of the Incense at the Entrance

Priest, aloud:

O God, who accepted the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noë and Abraham, the incense of Aaron and Zachary, accept from the hands of us sinners this incense for a sweet fragrance and forgiveness of our sins and those of all your people. For you are blessed and to you belongs glory, to the Father with your only-begotten Son and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The Deacon censes and begins the Only-begotten Son, and the Singers chant the Troparion for the Entrance of the clergy with the holy Gospel.

The Singers: Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who, being immortal, accepted for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, and without change became man; you were crucified, Christ God, by death trampling on death, being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us!

When those making the entrance reach the middle of the church, where a vima [platform] has been set up, they place the holy Gospel on it, and go towards the sanctuary. The Priest, standing in front of the holy Doors, says, aloud:

Almighty God, Lord, whose name is great, who give us entrance to the Holy of Holies through the coming of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we entreat and implore your goodness. Since we are full of fear and trembling as we are about to stand before your holy altar, send forth your good grace upon us, sanctify our souls, bodies and spirits and change our thoughts to true devotion, so that, with a pure conscience, we may offer you gifts, presents, fruits, for the removal of our sins, for the forgiveness of all your people, by the grace and love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

And the Priest enters the sanctuary.

Facing the People, the Deacon says:

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

People (after each petition): Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from on high, God’s love for humankind, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For the salvation and of our most holy Father and Archbishop N., all the clergy and Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord.

For the forgiveness of our sins and pardon of our offences, and for us to be delivered from all affliction, wrath, danger, constraint and assault of enemies, let us pray to the Lord.

Let us call to mind our most holy, pure, most glorious and blessed Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, of the holy, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, of the holy, godlike and all-praised Apostles, of the glorious Prophets and victorious Martyrs and all the holy and just, that by their prayers and intercessions we may all find mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy.

The Priest bows and says in a low voice

The Prayer of the Trisagion

Compassionate and merciful, long-suffering, most merciful and true Lord, look down from your holy dwelling-place, hearken to us, your, suppliants, and deliver us from every trial and temptation, both diabolic and human. Do not deprive us of your help, nor bring upon us heavier chastisement than we are able to bear. For we are not capable of conquering what opposes us, while you, Lord, have power to save us from all adversities. Save us, O God, from the difficulties of this world in accordance with your goodness, so that, having entered your holy altar with a pure conscience, we may, without condemnation, offer you with the heavenly Powers the blessed and thrice-holy hymn, and have accomplished the divine ministry that is well-pleasing to you, we may be found worthy of eternal life.

(aloud): For holy are you, Lord our God, and you dwell and take your rest in the holy place, and to you we offer glory and the thrice-holy hymn, to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Holy God, holy Strong, holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, holy Strong, holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, holy Strong, holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Deacon: Dynamis.

People: Holy God, holy Strong, holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

After this the Priest give a blessing, saying:

Peace to all.

People: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom.

The Reader declaims the Prokeimenon.

Deacon: Wisdom.

The Reader reads the title of the Apostle.

Deacon: Let us attend.

The Reader reads the Apostle.
At the completion of the Apostle, the Priest says:

Peace to you.

Reader: And to your spirit. Alleluia (x3).

While the Alleluia is being sung, the Deacon takes the censer, receives the Priest’s blessing, and comes out and censes the holy Gospel. The Priest in a low voice says

The Prayer of the Incense

To you, Lord our God, who are filled with all fragrance and joy, we offer you this incense from the things that you have given us. Let it then, we beg you, be taken up from our poor hands to your holy altar above the heavens for an odour of sweetness and forgiveness of our sins and those of all your people, by the grace and compassion and love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Deacon says:

Let us all say, Lord, have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. And after each petition.

Almighty, heavenly Lord , the God of our fathers, we pray you, hear us.

For the peace of the whole world and union of all the holy churches, we pray you, hear us.

For the salvation and assistance of our most holy father and Archbishop N., all the clergy and the Christ-loving people, we pray you, hear us.

[For our sovereign Lady, Queen Elisabeth, the Royal family, her government and all in authority, we pray you, hear us.]

For this city, for every city, town and village, we pray you, hear us.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, constraint, captivity, bitter death, and our iniquities, we pray you, hear us.

For the people here present and who await your great and rich mercy, we implore you, have compassion and mercy.

O God, save your people and bless your inheritance. Visit you world with mercy and pity. Exalt the horn of Christians by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, at the intercession of our all-pure and blessed Lady, Mother of God, of the Forerunner, your Apostles and all your Saints, we implore you, most merciful Lord, hear us as we pray, and have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. (x3).

Prayer before the holy Gospel

Priest (in a low voice): Master, Lover of humankind, make the pure light of your divine knowledge shine in our hearts and open the eyes of our mind to understand the message of your Gospel. Implant in us the fear of your blessed commandments, so that, having trampled down all carnal desires, we may change to a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all things that are pleasing to you.

(Aloud): For you are the glad tidings, enlightenment, Saviour and guardian of our souls and bodies, O God, and to you we give glory, together with your only-begotten Son, and your all-holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Deacon: Stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace to all.

People: And to your spirit.

Deacon: The reading is from the holy Gospel according to N.

People: Glory to you, Lord. Glory to you.

Priest: Let us attend.

And the deacon reads the appointed section of the holy Gospel. When the Gospel is finished, the Priest says:

Peace to you.

People: Glory to you, Lord. Glory to you.

Then the Preacher expounds the word of God.

Then the Deacon, standing in front of the holy Door, facing the People, says:

Let us be devoutly attentive.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. And after each petition.

For the peace of the whole world and the union of all the holy churches, let us pray to the Lord.

For the salvation and assistance of our most holy Archbishop N., of all the clergy and the Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord.

For forgiveness of our sins and pardon of our offences, and for our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, assault of enemies, let us pray to the Lord.

That the day that we pass through may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us all ask of the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord. And after each petition.

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