Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Liturgia praesanctificatorum
Liturgy of the Catechumens§1
1Liturgy of the Catechumens. At the lamp-lighting, after the readings and the 'Let your direction be' and the 'Lord have mercy,' the prayer of the catechumens for those preceding is made. O God, our God, the Creator and Maker of all things, who desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon your servants, the catechumens, and deliver them from ancient error and the schemes of the adversary, and call them into eternal life, illuminating their souls and their bodies and counting them among your logical flock, upon which your holy name is invoked. Let it be so, that they too, along with us, may glorify you, being prepared for the approach to the holy light. Appear, O Lord, your face upon those who are preparing for the holy light and who long to cast off the stain of sin. Calm their minds; confirm them in faith; strengthen them in hope; perfect them in love; reveal to them the precious members of your Christ, who gives himself as a ransom for our souls. Let them proclaim: For you are our light, and to you we return the glory.
Liturgy of the Faithful. Prayer of the Faithful I. O God, the great and praiseworthy, who through the life-giving death of your Christ has transferred us from corruption into incorruption: free all our senses from the death of passion, having known the good inward thought. Let the eye be a stranger to every evil gaze, let the hearing be unapproachable by idle words, and let the tongue be purified from improper speech. And sanctify our lips that praise you, Lord, and make our hands to abstain from evil deeds and to work only what is pleasing to you, securing all our members and our mind by your grace. Let them proclaim: For all glory, honor, and worship is due to you.
Prayer of the Faithful II. Holy Lord, supremely good, we implore you, the one rich in mercy, to be gracious to us sinners and to make us worthy of receiving your only-begotten Son and God, our King of Glory. For behold, his immaculate body and life-giving blood are entering at this very hour, and are about to be set forth at this mystical table, guarded by a multitude of an invisible heavenly host; of whom grant us an unblemished participation, so that, being dazzled by them, the eye of our mind may become children of light and of day. Let them proclaim: According to the gift of your Christ, with whom you are blessed, together with the All-Holy.
Entrance. And after the fulfillment of the powers of heaven, the priest prays: God of the unutterable and invisible mysteries, with whom the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden; who has revealed to us the service of this liturgy and has established us, sinners, through your great philanthropy, to offer to you both gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorances of the people; He, the invisible King, who does...
Greek · §1
Liturgia praesanctificatorum Λειτουργία κατηχουμένων Ἐν δὲ τῷ λυχνικῷ μετὰ τὰ ἀναγνώσματα καὶ τὸ Κατευθυνθήτω καὶ τὸ Κύριε ἐλέησον γίνεται εὐχὴ κατηχουμένων ἐπὶ τῶν προηγιασμένων. ὁ Θεός, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κτίστης καὶ δημιουργὸς τῶν ἁπάντων, ὁ πάντας θέλων σωθῆναι καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν, ἐπίβλεψον ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους σου τοὺς κατηχουμένους καὶ λύτρωσαι αὐτοὺς τῆς παλαιᾶς πλάνης καὶ τῆς μεθοδείας τοῦ ἀντικειμένου καὶ προσκάλεσαι αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον, φωτίζων αὐτῶν τὰς ψυχὰς καὶ τὰ σώματα καὶ συγκαταριθμῶν αὐτοὺς τῇ λογικῇ σου ποίμνῃ, ἐφ' ἣν τὸ ὄνομά σου τὸ ἅγιον ἐπικέκληται Ἐκφώνως· Ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σὺν ἡμῖν δοξάζωσιν τὸ Εὐχὴ εἰς τοὺς πρὸς τὸ ἅγιον φώτισμα εὐτρεπιζομένους. Ἐπίφανον, δέσποτα, τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐπὶ τοὺς πρὸς τὸ ἅγιον φώτισμα εὐτρεπιζομένους καὶ ἐπιποθοῦντας τὸν τῆς ἁμαρτίας μολυσμὸν ἀποτινάξασθαι. Καταύγασον αὐτῶν τὴν διάνοιαν· βεβαίωσον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ πίστει· στήριξον ἐν ἐλπίδι· τελείωσον ἐν ἀγάπῃ· μέλη τίμια τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου ἀνάδειξον, τοῦ δόντος ἑαυτὸν ἀντίλυτρον ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. Ἐκφώ· Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ φωτισμὸς ἡμῶν καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν. Λειτουργία πιστῶν Εὐχὴ πιστῶν αʹ Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ μέγας καὶ αἰνετός, ὁ τῷ ζωοποιῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου θανάτῳ εἰς ἀφθαρσίαν ἡμᾶς ἐκ φθορᾶς μεταστήσας· σὺ πάσας ἡμῶν τὰς αἰσθήσεις τῆς ἐμπαθοῦς νεκρώσεως ἐλευθέρωσον, ἀγαθὸν ταύταις ἡγεμόνα τὸν ἔνδοθεν λογισμὸν ἐπιστήσας. Καὶ ὀφθαλμὸς μὲν ἀμέτοχος ἔστω παντὸς πονηροῦ βλέμματος, ἀκοὴ δὲ λόγοις ἀργοῖς ἀνεπίβατος, ἡ δὲ γλῶσσα καθαρευέτω ῥημάτων ἀπρεπῶν. Ἅγνισον δὲ ἡμῶν καὶ τὰ χείλη τὰ αἰνοῦντά σε, Κύριε, τὰς δὲ χεῖρας ἡμῶν ποίησον τῶν μὲν φαύλων ἀπέχεσθαι πράξεων, ἐνεργεῖν δὲ μόνα τὰ σοὶ εὐάρεστα, πάντα ἡμῶν τὰ μέλη καὶ τὴν διάνοιαν τῇ σῇ κατασφαλιζόμενος χάριτι. Ἐκφώ· Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις. Εὐχὴ πιστῶν βʹ ∆έσποτα ἅγιε, ὑπεράγαθε, δυσωποῦμέν σε τὸν ἐν ἐλέει πλούσιον, ἵλεων γενέσθαι ἡμῖν τοῖς ἁμαρτωλοῖς καὶ ἀξίους ἡμᾶς ποίησον τῆς ὑποδοχῆς τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ καὶ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς δόξης. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὸ ἄχραντον αὐτοῦ σῶμα καὶ τὸ ζωοποιὸν αἷμα κατὰ τὴν παροῦσαν ὥραν εἰσπορευόμενα, τῇ μυστικῇ ταύτῃ προτίθεσθαι μέλλει τραπέζῃ, ὑπὸ πλήθους στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου ἀοράτως δορυφορούμενα· ὧν τὴν μετάληψιν ἀκατάκριτον ἡμῖν δώρησαι· ἵνα δι' αὐτῶν τὸ τῆς διανοίας ὄμμα καταυγαζόμενοι υἱοὶ φωτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας γενώμεθα. Ἐκφώ· Κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου, μεθ' οὗ εὐλογητὸς εἶ σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ Εἴσοδος Καὶ μετὰ τὸ πληρωθῆναι Αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν, ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπεύχεται· Ὁ τῶν ἀρρήτων καὶ ἀθεάτων μυστηρίων Θεός, παρ' ᾧ οἱ θησαυροὶ τῆς σοφίας καὶ τῆς γνώσεως ἀπόκρυφοι· ὁ τὴν διακονίαν τῆς λειτουργίας ταύτης ἀποκαλύψας ἡμῖν καὶ θέμενος ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς διὰ πολλήν σου φιλανθρωπίαν εἰς τὸ προσφέρειν σοι δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ τῶν ἡμετέρων ἁμαρτημάτων καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων· αὐτός, ἀόρατε βασιλεῦ, ὁ ποιῶν
Prayers and blessings for the Presanctified Gifts§2
2Great and unsearchable, glorious and wonderful, of which there is no number, You have bestowed upon us, Your unworthy servants, as if presenting us before Your Cherubic throne at this holy altar, upon which Your only-begotten Son and our God rests through the forthcoming awesome mysteries; and sanctify all our souls and bodies with this lifting sanctification, having freed us and Your faithful people from all impurity, so that, receiving these divine sanctifications with a pure conscience, an unashamed countenance, and an enlightened heart, and being made alive by them, we may be united to Him, Your Christ, our true God, who said: 'He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.' So that, O Lord, as Your Word dwells in us and walks among us, we may become a temple of Your Holy and worshipful Spirit, having been delivered from all the deceitful methods of the devil in deed, or word, or in thought, and may obtain the promised good things with all the saints who have pleased You from all eternity. Choir: And grant us, Lord. People: Our Father. Priest: For Yours is the kingdom. People: Amen. Priest: Peace to all. People: And to your spirit. Deacon: Lift up your heads. Priest: The God, the only good and compassionate One, who dwells in the heights and looks upon the lowly, look with a compassionate eye upon all Your people, protect them, and grant all of us to partake without condemnation of these life-giving mysteries of Yours. For we have bowed our heads, awaiting the abundant mercy that comes from You. Choir: By the grace, mercies, and philanthropy of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed through Your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now. People: Amen. Deacon: Let us attend. Priest: The preceding holy ones say: People: One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ. Prayer after Communion: We give thanks to You, O God, the Savior of all, for all the good things You provide us, and for the partaking of the holy Body and Blood of Your Christ. And we pray to You, O compassionate Lord: protect us under the shelter of Your wings, and grant us, until our last breath, to worthily partake of Your sanctifications for the enlightenment of soul and body, unto the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. Choir: For You are our sanctification, and to You we send up the glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. People: Amen. Deacon: Let us go forth in peace.
Greek · §2
μεγάλα καὶ ἀνεξιχνίαστα, ἔνδοξά τε καὶ ἐξαίσια, ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ἔφιδε ἐφ' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀναξίους δούλους σου τοὺς τῷ ἁγίῳ τούτῳ θυσιαστηρίῳ ὡς τῷ χερουβικῷ σου παρισταμένους θρόνῳ, ἐφ' ᾧ ὁ μονογενής σου υἱὸς καὶ Θεὸς ἡμῶν διὰ τῶν προκειμένων φρικτῶν ἐπαναπαύεται μυστηρίων καὶ πάσης ἡμᾶς καὶ τὸν πιστόν σου λαὸν ἐλευθερεύσας ἀκαθαρσίας ἁγίασον πάντων ἡμῶν τὰς ψυχὰς καὶ τὰ σώματα ἁγιασμῷ ἀναφαιρέτῳ· ἵνα ἐν καθαρῷ συνειδότι, ἀνεπαισχύντῳ προσώπῳ, πεφωτισμένῃ καρδίᾳ τῶν θείων τούτων μεταλαμβάνοντες ἁγιασμάτων καὶ ὑπ' αὐτῶν ζωοποιούμενοι, ἑνωθῶμεν αὐτῷ τῷ Χριστῷ σου, τῷ ἀληθινῷ ἡμῶν Θεῷ, τῷ εἰπόντι· Ὁ τρώγων μου τὴν σάρκα καὶ πίνων μου τὸ αἷμα ἐν ἐμοὶ μένει κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ· ὅπως ἐνοικοῦντος ἐν ἐν ἡμῖν καὶ ἐμπεριπατοῦντος τοῦ Λόγου σου, Κύριε, γενώμεθα ναὸς τοῦ ἁγίου καὶ προσκυνητοῦ σου πνεύματος, λελυτρωμένοι πάσης διαβολικῆς μεθοδείας ἐν πράξει, ἢ λόγῳ, ἢ κατὰ διάνοιαν ἐνεργουμένης καὶ τύχωμεν τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων ἀγαθῶν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις τοῖς ἀπ' αἰῶνός σοι εὐαρεστήσασιν. Ἐκφώ· Καὶ καταξίωσον ἡμᾶς, ∆έσποτα Ὁ λαός· Πάτερ ἡμῶν Ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐκφώ· Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία Ὁ λαός· Ἀμήν. Ὁ ἱερεύς· Εἰρήνη πᾶσιν Ὁ λαός· Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου Ὁ διάκονος· Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν Ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπεύχεται· Ὁ Θεός, ὁ μόνος ἀγαθὸς καὶ εὔσπλαγχνος, ὁ ἐν ὑψηλοῖς κατοικῶν καὶ τὰ ταπεινὰ ἐφορῶν, ἔφιδε εὐσπλάγχνῳ ὄμματι ἐπὶ πάντα τὸν λαόν σου καὶ φύλαξον αὐτὸν καὶ ἀξίωσον πάντας ἡμᾶς ἀκατακρίτως μετασχεῖν τῶν ζωοποιῶν σου τούτων μυστηρίων. Σοὶ γὰρ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ὑπεκλίναμεν κεφαλὰς ἀπεκδεχόμενοι τὸ παρὰ σοῦ πλούσιον ἔλεος. Ἐκφώ· Χάριτι καὶ οἰκτιρμοῖς καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου υἱοῦ, μεθ' οὗ εὐλογητὸς εἶ σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σου πνεύματι νῦν Ὁ λαός· Ἀμὴν Ὁ διάκονος· Πρόσχωμεν Ὁ ἱερεύς· Τὰ προηγιασμένα ἅγια τοῖς ἁγίοις Ὁ λαός· Εἷς ἅγιος, εἶς κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εὐχὴ μετὰ τὴν μετάληψιν Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι τῷ σωτῆρι τῶν ὅλων Θεῷ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς παρέσχου ἡμῖν ἀγαθοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ μεταλήψει τοῦ ἁγίου σώματος καὶ αἵματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου. Καὶ δεόμεθά σου, δέσποτα φιλάνθρωπε· φύλαξον ἡμᾶς ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην τῶν πτερύγων σου καὶ δὸς ἡμῖν μέχρι τῆς ἐσχάτης ἡμῶν ἀναπνοῆς ἐπαξίως μετέχειν τῶν ἁγιασμάτων σου εἰς φωτισμὸν ψυχῆς καὶ σώματος, εἰς βασιλείας οὐρανῶν κληρονομίαν. Ἐκφώ· Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ἁγιασμὸς ἡμῶν καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· Ἀμήν. Ὁ διάκονος· Ἐν εἰρήνῃ προέλθωμεν.
Prayers for the Catechumens and the Faithful§3
3The people: In the name of the Lord. Prayer after the previous ones: Lord, God Almighty, who created the creation in wisdom, who has led us through Your inscrutable providence and Your free will into these all-encompassing days for the purification of souls and for the attainment of the resurrection; You, who through Moses handled the God-written letters upon the tablets of the forty days: grant also to us, good Lord, to run the good race, to complete the course of the fast, to keep the faith undivided, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, so that we may appear as victors over sin and reach Your holy resurrection without condemnation. For holy is the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
2, C, D, E, F, G, Sequence of the previous ones (of Holy Lent). Liturgy of the Catechumens. C. After the readings have been said at the lamp-lighting, the direction is given: 'Let all direct themselves,' and after this the deacon prays: 'Let us all say: With all my soul and with all my mind...' And the people say: 'Lord, have mercy.' And the priest says: 'For You are a merciful and loving-towards-mankind God, and to You we return the glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages.'
After this, the prayer for the catechumens regarding the previous ones is said thus: 'God, our God, the Creator and Maker...' (page 53). Extolled: 'So that they also with us may glorify Your all-venerable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...' C. Know (be aware) that this prayer and the ministrations from the Tetrad of the mid-week of the fast are: 'All you who are catechumens, come forward'; 'You who are catechumens, come forward' (not 'any of the catechumens,' but 'all who are faithful'). Prayer: 'Manifest, Lord, Your face' (page 54). 'All you who have come toward the light...' 'Again and again, let us pray, kneeling in the peace of the Lord.'
Liturgy of the Faithful. Prayer of the faithful A: 'God, the great and praiseworthy...' (page 54). Prayer of the faithful B: 'Holy Lord, supremely good...' (page 55). Extolled: 'According to the gift of Your Christ...' E. Now the powers C, H: 'Let us fulfill the petition...' 'For those set forth...' E. Prayer after 'Now the powers,' which the priest performs: 'You who have visited us in mercy and compassion, Lord and God, and who have granted to Your humble and unworthy servants the boldness to stand at Your holy altar and to offer to You this rational and bloodless worship on behalf of our sins,'
Greek · §3
Ὁ λαός· Ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου. Εὐχὴ ὀπισθάμβωνος εἰς τὰ προηγιασμένα ∆έσποτα, ὁ Θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ, ὁ τὴν κτίσιν ἐν σοφίᾳ δημιουργήσας, ὁ διὰ τὴν ἄφατόν σου πρόνοιαν καὶ αὐθαιρέτῳ βουλήσει ἀγαγὼν ἡμᾶς εἰς τὰς πανσέπτους ἡμέρας ταύτας πρὸς καθαρισμὸν ψυχῶν, πρὸς ἐγκράτειαν ἀναστάσεως· ὁ διὰ τῶν τεσσαράκοντα ἡμερῶν πλάκας χειρίσας τὰ θεοχάρακτα γράμματα Μωσῆ· παράσχου καὶ ἡμῖν, δέσποτα ἀγαθέ, τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἀγωνίσασθαι, τὸν δρόμον τῆς νηστείας ἐκτελέσαι, τὴν πίστιν ἀδιαίρετον τηρῆσαι, τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν ἀοράτων δρακόντων συνθλάσαι, νικηταί τε τῆς ἁμαρ τίας ἀναφανῶμεν καὶ ἀκατακρίτως φθάσαι τὴν ἁγίαν σου ἀνάστασιν. Ὅτι ἅγιον ὑπάρχει τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος. 2 Γ, ∆, Ε, Ζ, Η, Ἀκολουθία τῶν προηγιασμένων (τῆς ἁγ. τεσσαρακοστῆς) Λειτουργία κατηχουμένων Γ Μετὰ τὸ ῥηθῆναι τὰ ἀναγνώσματα ἐν τῷ λυχνικῷ λέγεται τὸ Κατευθυνθήτω καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο λιτανεύει ὁ διάκονος· Εἴπωμεν πάντες· ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ... Καὶ λέγει ὁ λαὸς τό· Κύριε ἐλέησον. Ὁ δὲ ἱερεὺς λέγει· Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων Καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο γίνεται εὐχὴ κατηχουμένων ἐπὶ τῶν προηγιασμένων οὕτως. Ὁ Θεός, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κτίστης καὶ δημιουργὸς (σελ. 53). Ἐκφώνως· Ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σὺν ἡμῖν δοξάζωσι τὸ πάντιμον καὶ μεγαλοπρεπὲς ὄνομά σου τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγ. Πνεύμ... Γ Γινώσκει (γίνωσκε:) δὲ ὅτι καὶ τὴν εὐχὴν ταύτην καὶ τὰ διακονικὰ ἀπὸ τῆς τετράδος τῆς μεσοεβδομάδος τῶν νηστειῶν λέγει· Ὅσοι κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε· οἱ κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε· (μή τις τῶν κατηχουμένων· ὅσοι πιστοὶ) Εὐχή. Ἐπίφανον, δέσποτα, τὸ πρόσωπόν σου (σελ. 54). Ὅσοι πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα προέλθετε ... Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι οἱ κλίνοντες τὰ γόνατα ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Λειτουργία πιστῶν Εὐχὴ πιστῶν αʹ Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ μέγας καὶ αἰνετός ... (σελ. 54) Εὐχὴ πιστῶν βʹ ∆έσποτα ἅγιε, ὑπεράγαθε ... (σελ. 55) Ἐκφώνως· Κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου... Ε Νῦν αἱ δυνάμεις Γ, Η Πληρώσωμεν τὴν δέησιν ... Ὑπὲρ τῶν προτεθέντων... Ε. Εὐχὴ μετὰ τὸ Νῦν αἱ δυνάμεις, ἣν ποιεῖ ὁ ἱερεύς. Ὁ ἐπισκεψάμενος ἡμᾶς ἐν ἐλέει καὶ οἰκτιρμοῖς, ∆έσποτα Κύριε καὶ χαρισάμενος ἡμῖν παρρησίαν τοῖς ταπεινοῖς καὶ ἀναξίοις δούλοις σου, παραστῆναι τῷ ἁγίῳ σου θυσιαστηρίῳ καὶ προσφέρειν σοι τὴν λογικὴν ταύτην καὶ ἀναίμακτον λατρείαν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἡμετέρων ἁμαρτημάτων,
Prayers and Rubrics of the Presanctified Liturgy§4
4Look upon me, your worthless servant, and blot out my transgressions through your compassion, and cleanse my lips and my heart from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and make me sufficient by the power of your Holy Spirit for this liturgy. And receive me, through your goodness, as I approach your holy altar. Be pleased, Lord, to accept these gifts brought to you by our hands, descending with us into our infirmities. And do not reject me from your presence, nor loathe my unworthiness, but may God have mercy on me according to your great mercy and overlook my iniquities, so that, approaching without condemnation before your glory, I may be worthy of the protection of your only-begotten Son and may not become an unproven slave of sin. Yes, Lord, Almighty Master, hear my prayer. For you are the one who works all things in all, and from you we all seek help.
[...] Prayer after the holy gifts have been set aside. The prayer of the Unutterable (). 'Take hold, save.' The entire evening service. And grant us, Lord, with boldness, etc. (pages 56, lines 60–67). 'God, the only good and compassionate' (). Prayer. 'Pay attention, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, sitting with the Father above and being invisibly present with us; and grant us, by your mighty hand, to partake of your immaculate body and your precious blood, and through us, for all your people.'
The priest lifts the bread. The deacon says: 'Let us pay attention' (). Prayer after all have partaken, the priest prays: 'We give thanks to God, the Savior of all' (). Then he says: 'The Son, God, has been lifted up to heaven.' The people: 'We give thanks to you.' The deacon: 'Righteous are those who partake.' Exclamation: 'For you are our God.' Let us go forth in peace. The people: 'In the name of the Lord.' The deacon: 'Let us pray to the Lord.' The people: 'Lord, have mercy.'
Prayer after the procession. The prayer the priest says: 'Lord (O God) Almighty' (). Prayer said in the diaconicon. Prayer in the vestry. 'Lord, our God, who has brought us into these all-encompassing days and has made us partakers of your awesome mysteries, unite us with your rational hymn and make us heirs of your kingdom, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.'
Greek · §4
ἐπίβλεψον ἐπ' ἐμὲ τὸν ἀχρεῖον δοῦλόν σου καὶ ἐξάλειψόν μου τὰ παραπτώματα διὰ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν καὶ καθάρισόν μου τὰ χείλη καὶ τὴν καρδίαν ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος καὶ ἱκάνωσόν με τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ ἁγίου σου πνεύματος εἰς τὴν λειτουργίαν ταύτην. Καὶ πρόσδεξαί με διὰ τὴν ἀγαθότητά σου προσεγγίζοντα τῷ ἁγίῳ σου θυσιαστηρίῳ. Εὐδόκησον δή, Κύριε, δεκτὰ γενέσθαι τὰ προσαγόμενά σοι δῶρα τοῦτα διὰ τῶν ἡμετέρων χειρῶν, συγκαταβαίνων ἡμῖν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις. Καὶ μὴ ἀπορρίψῃς με ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου σου, μηδὲ βδελύξῃ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναξιότητα, ἀλλ' ἐλέησόν με ὁ Θεὸς κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου καὶ παρένεγκε τὰ ἀνομήματά μου, ἵνα ἀκατακρίτως προσελθὼν κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης σου, ἀξιωθῶ τῆς σκέπης τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου υἱοῦ καὶ μὴ ὡς δοῦλος ἁμαρτίας ἀδόκιμος γένωμαι. Ναί, δέσποτα παντοδύναμε κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς δεήσεώς μου. Σὺ γὰρ εἶ ὁ πάντα ἐνεργῶν ἐν πᾶσι καὶ τὴν παρὰ σοῦ πάντες ἐπιζητοῦμεν βοήθειαν. Γ Εὐχὴ μετὰ τὸ ἀποτεθῆναι τὰ ἅγια δῶρα· Ὁ τῶν ἀρρήτων (σελ. 55–56) Η Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον. Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν. Καὶ καταξίωσον ἡμᾶς, δέσποτα, μετὰ παρρησίας κλπ. (σελ. 56, στ. 60–67) Ὁ Θεός, ὁ μόνος ἀγαθὸς καὶ εὔσπλαγχνος (σελ. 57, στ. 68–72) Ε Εὐχὴ Πρόσχες Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἐξ ἁγίου κατοικητηρίου σου καὶ ἀπὸ θρόνου δόξης τῆς βασιλείας σου καὶ ἐλθὲ εἰς τὸ ἁγιάσαι ἡμᾶς ὁ ἄνω τῷ Πατρὶ συγκαθήμενος καὶ ὦδε ἡμῖν ἀοράτως συνών· καὶ καταξίωσον τῇ κραταιᾷ σου χειρὶ μεταδοῦναι ἡμῖν τοῦ ἀχράντου σώματός σου καὶ τοῦ τιμίου αἵματος καὶ δι' ἡμῶν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ. Η Ὁ ἱερεὺς ὑψοῖ τὸν ἄρτον. Ὁ διάκονος Η λέγει· Πρόσχωμεν (σελ. 57, στ. 77–79) Γ Καὶ μετὰ τὸ πάντας μεταλαβεῖν ἐπεύχεται ὁ ἱερεὺς Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι τῷ σωτῆρι τῶν ὅλων Θεῷ (σελ. 57–58, στ. 81–86) Ε Εἶτα λέγει· Ὑψώθητι ἐπὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν ὁ Υἱός, ὁ Θεός. Ὁ λαός· Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι. Η Ὁ διάκονος· Ὀρθοὶ οἱ μεταλαβόντες. Ἐκφώνησις· Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν. Ἐν εἰρήνῃ προέλθωμεν. Γ Ὁ λαός· Ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου. Ὁ διάκονος· Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Ὁ λαός· Κύριε ἐλέησον. Εὐχὴ ὀπισθάμβωνος Η ἣν λέγει ὁ ἱερεύς. ∆έσποτα (Κύριε) ὁ Θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ (σελ. 58) Γ, Ζ Εὐχὴ λεγομένη ἐν τῷ διακονικῷ Η, Ν, Ξ ἐν τῷ σκευοφυλακίῳ Γ, Ζ, Ι Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ ἀγαγὼν ἡμᾶς εἰς τὰς πανσέπτους ταύτας ἡμέρας καὶ κοινωνοὺς ἡμᾶς ποιήσας τῶν φρικτῶν σου μυστηρίων, σύναψον τῇ λογικῇ σου ποίμνῃ καὶ κληρονόμους ἀνάδειξον τῆς βασιλείας σου νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
Liturgy of the Catechumens and Connection to Vespers§5
53. Liturgy of the Catechumens. I. Proparaskevi—Connection to Vespers. Beginning. When the priest has entered the holy altar, put on the sacred vestments, and has made the blessed blessing: Deacon: Bless, Master. Priest: Blessed be the Kingdom. M. The introductory psalm is usually chanted; then, standing inside, he says the prayers of the lamp-lighting secretly. II. Prayers at the Lamp-Lighting. K. Prayer I: Lord, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abundant in mercy, incline our prayer toward us and attend to the voice of our petition. Make with us a sign for good; guide us in the way of walking in your truth. Gladden our hearts to fear your holy name, for you are great and do great wonders. You alone are God, and there is none like you among the gods, Lord; powerful in mercy and good in strength, to help, to comfort, and to save all who hope in your holy name. Exclamation: For it is fitting to you, all... Prayer II: Lord, do not rebuke us in your anger, nor discipline us in your wrath; but deal with us according to your kindness, physician and healer of our souls. Guide us to the harbor of your will; enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of your truth, and grant us the remainder of this present day in peace and without sin, and all the time of our lives, through the intercessions of the Mother of God and all your saints. Amen. Exclamation: For yours is the kingdom, and yours is the dominion... Prayer III: Lord our God, remember us, your sinful and unworthy servants, in [...]
...for calling upon your holy and worshipful name; and do not let us be put to shame from the expectation of your mercy, but grant to us, O Lord, all things that pertain to salvation; and grant that we may love and fear you with all our heart, and to do your will in all things. Exclamation: For you are a good and loving-towards-humanity God, and to you we send up the glory... [After the psalm is completed, the censing begins. 3. Litany. 1. Then the litany. Deacon: In the peace of the Lord. For the peace from above and for the salvation of those who are for the peace of the whole world. For this holy house and for those who are for our bishop, the honorable. For the most pious and God-protected ones. For the struggle and the subjection of enemies. For this holy monastery, for every city. For the moderation of the air, for the abundance of the fruits. For the many travelers. That we may be delivered from all troubles. Help, save, and protect. Of the All-Holy, immaculate, most blessed. For all glory, honor, and worship is due to you, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Then the prokeimena are chanted. At each antiphon, the priest makes a small litany: And again, and again, in peace. Help, save. Of the All-Holy, immaculate. For yours is the kingdom. 4. For you are good. 3. For he has been blessed and glorified. 4. Prothesis. Censing. K. While the psalm of the seated is usually being sung, the priest goes to the holy prothesis and, bringing out from the bread-box the life-giving bread, places it upon the holy diskos with all care and reverence, also performing the communion in the holy cup. However, he does not say anything of those in the prothesis...
Greek · §5
3 Λειτουργία τῶν κατηχουμένων Αʹ Προπαρασκευὴ–Σύνδεσις πρὸς τὸν ἑσπερινόν. Ἔναρξις. Μ, Σ Εἰσελθόντος τοῦ ἱερέως ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ θυσιαστηρίῳ καὶ τὴν ἱερὰν ἐνδυσαμένου στολὴν καὶ τὸν εὐλογητὸν εὐλογήσαντος Κ Ὁ διάκονος· Εὐλόγησον, δέσποτα Ὁ ἱερεύς· Εὐλογημένη ἡ βασιλεία Μ ψάλλεται συνήθως ὁ προοιμιακὸς ψαλμός· οὗτος δὲ ἱστάμενος ἔνδοθεν λέγει μυστικῶς τὰς εὐχὰς τοῦ λυχνικοῦ Βʹ Εὐχαὶ λυχνικοῦ. Κ Εὐχὴ αʹ Κύριε οἰκτίρμον καὶ ἐλεῆμον, μακρόθυμε καὶ πολυέλεε, ἐνώτισαι τὴν τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν καὶ πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεως ἡμῶν. Ποίησον μεθ' ἡμῶν σημεῖον εἰς ἀγαθόν· ὁδήγησον ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ σου τοῦ πορεύεσθαι ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου. Εὔφρανον τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ φοβεῖσθαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τὸ ἅγιον· διότι μέγας εἶ καὶ ποιῶν θαυμάσια. Σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεὸς μόνος καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅμοιός σοι ἐν θεοῖς, Κύριε· δυνατὸς ἐν ἐλέει καὶ ἀγαθὸς ἐν ἰσχύϊ εἰς τὸ βοηθεῖν καὶ παρακαλεῖν καὶ σώζειν πάντας τοὺς ἐλπίζοντας εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιόν σου. Ἐκφώνως· ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα ... Εὐχὴ βʹ Κύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς ἡμᾶς, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς· ἀλλὰ ποίησον μεθ' ἡμῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐπιείκειάν σου. ἰατρὲ καὶ θεραπευτὰ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν· ὁδήγησον ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ λιμένα θελήματός σου· φώτισον τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῶν καρδιῶν ἡμῶν εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς σῆς ἀληθείας καὶ δώρησαι ἡμῖν τὸ λοιπὸν τῆς παρούσης ἡμέρας εἰρηνικὸν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον καὶ πάντα τὸν χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν· πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων σου. Ἀμήν. Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι σὸν τὸ κράτος καὶ σοῦ ἔστιν ἡ βασιλεία ... Εὐχὴ γʹ Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, μνήσθητι ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ ἀχρείων δούλων σου ἐν τῷ ἐπικαλεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς τὸ ἅγιον καὶ προσκυνητὸν ὄνομά σου· καὶ μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ ἐλέους σου· ἀλλὰ χάρισαι ἡμῖν. Κύριε, πάντα τὰ πρὸς σωτηρίαν αἰτήματα· καὶ καταξίωσον ἡμᾶς ἀγαπᾶν καὶ φοβεῖσθαί σε ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν καὶ ποιεῖν ἐν πᾶσι τὸ θέλημά σου. Ἐκφ. Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν ... Μ Εἶτα τοῦ ψαλμοῦ τελεσθέντος, ἄρχεται τοῦ θυμιᾶν. Γʹ Συναπτή. Ι Εἶτα ἡ συναπτή. Ὁ διάκονος· Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν, τοῦ τιμίου Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβεστάτων καὶ θεοφυλάκτων Ὑπὲρ τοῦ συμπολεμῆσαι καὶ ὑποτάξαι Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἁγίας μονῆς ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρ Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον. Τῆς Παναγίας ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης. Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Ἔπειτα (;) στιχολογοῦνται τὰ προκείμενα. Ἐν ἑκάστῳ δὲ ἀντιφώνῳ ποιεῖ ὁ ἱερεὺς μικρὰν συναπτήν· Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ. Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον. Τῆς Παναγίας ἀχράντου. Ὅτι σὸν τὸ κράτος. Τοῦ βʹ Ὅτι ἀγαθός. Τοῦ γ' Ὅτι ηὐλόγηται καὶ δεδόξασται. ∆' Πρόθεσις. Θυμίασις. Κ Καὶ ψαλλομένου συνήθως τοῦ καθίσματος τοῦ ψαλτηρίου, ὁ ἱερεὺς ἀπέρχεται ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ προθέσει καὶ ἐξενεγκὼν ἐκ τοῦ ἀρτοφυρίου τὸν ζωοποιὸν ἄρτον, προτίθησιν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ δίσκῳ μετὰ πάσης προσοχῆς καὶ εὐλαβείας, ποιῶν καὶ ἕνωσιν ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ ποτηρίῳ. Οὐ μέντοι λέγων τι τῶν ἐν τῇ προθέσει
The Small Entrance and Readings§6
6[...] as is customary, and not even a prayer of preparation. For the sacrifice is already offered, completed, and presented, even if a prayer of preparation is found in some of the kontakia. But usually, one only covers these with an asterisk and the divine veils, performs the censing, and proceeds. During the singing of 'Lord, I have cried,' one censors according to the type. E. The Small Entrance. K, M. Then, having turned, he enters with the censer. The Prayer of the Entrance. Th, I. We praise You in the evening, in the morning, and at noon; we bless You and besee You, O Master of all, direct our prayer as incense before You, and do not let our hearts turn toward wicked words, but save us from all those who hunt our souls; for to You, Lord, Lord, our eyes look, and in You we have hoped. Do not let us be put to shame, O our God. Exclamation: For it is fitting for You all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and to the Son. L, M. Then: Lord, I have cried. The Verses. L. And the priest, entering, says: K, L, M. Wisdom: Stand upright. L, M. A peaceful light. I. After the entrance, the Peaceful Light. St. The Readings. K, M. And having entered into the holy solea, he goes to the ambo and says: I, K. Deacon: Let us attend. I, K. Priest: Peace be to all. I, K. Deacon: Wisdom. K. Reader: The appointed reading and the prophecy. I. And a reading, then, from Genesis. After the prophecy: Priest: Peace be to you. Deacon: Wisdom. M. And he reads the 4th Psalm. Kh. And when the readings have been read, the brothers chant. Z. A cross-shaped light and the sealing of the people. I. Then the priest, taking the censer in his right hand along with the wax, exclaims: Wisdom, stand upright. The Light of Christ shines upon all. Then the parable, after which: Priest: Peace be to you. Deacon: Wisdom. And immediately the 'Let our direction be...' H. The Litany of Supplication. Th. And after the entrance, the readings, and the 'Let our direction be...', he says: Let us all say with all our heart and with all our mind: K. Let us say: Lord Pantocrator, God of our fathers, hear us and have mercy. For the holy... For the salvation... Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we beseech You: K, K. Lord, hear and have mercy. I, K. etc. We beseech You also for our most pious and God-fearing kings, for their reign, victory, K. stability, peace, health, and salvation, and that the Lord our God may work with them even more, guide them in all things, and subject all enemy and strife under their feet. I. We beseech You also for our most pious and Christ-loving kings, for the health of the Name and the Name. For the health of our Archbishop Name. For the forgiveness of the sins of the servant of God Name, and for all our brotherhood in Christ. And for those who serve. Exclamation: For You are a merciful and loving-towards-mankind God. I. The Prayer of the Litany of Supplication. Th. Lord, our God, this continuous prayer...
Greek · §6
συνήθων, οὔτε κἂν εὐχὴν προθέσεως. Προηγιασμένη γὰρ καὶ προτετελειωμένη καὶ προεισδεδεγμένη θυσία ἐστί, κἂν καὶ ἔν τισι τῶν κοντακίων εὐχὴ προθέσεως εὕρηται. Ἀλλὰ μόνον περικαλύπτων ταῦτα ἀστερίσκῳ καὶ τοῖς θείοις καλύμμασι, θυμιᾶ συνήθως καὶ ἀπέρχεται. Ἐν δὲ τῷ ψάλλεσθαι τὸ Κύριε ἐκέκραξα, θυμιᾷ κατὰ τὸν τύπον. Ε ʹ Μικρὰ εἴσοδος. Κ, Μ Εἶθ' ὑποστρέψας εἰσοδεύει μετὰ τοῦ θυμιατοῦ. Εὐχὴ τῆς εἰσόδου. Θ, Ι Ἑσπέρας καὶ πρωῒ καὶ μεσημβρίας αἰνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθά σου, δέσποτα τῶν ἁπάντων, κατεύθυνον τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν εἰς λόγους πονη ρίας. ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἐκ πάντων τῶν θηρευόντων τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς σέ, κύριε, κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ σοὶ ἠλπίσαμεν. Μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν. Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ. Λ, Μ. Εἶτα· Κύριε ἐκέκραζα. Τὰ στιχηρά. Λ Ὁ δὲ ἱερεὺς εἰσοδεύων λέγει· Κ, Λ, Μ Σοφία· ὀρθοί. Λ, Μ Φῶς ἱλαρὸν Ι Μετὰ τὴν εἴσοδον τὸ Φῶς ἱλαρόν. Στ' Ἀναγνώσματα. Κ, Μ Καὶ εἰσελθὼν ἐν τῷ ἀγίῳ βήμασι, ἄπεισιν εἰς τὴν καθέδραν καὶ λέγει· Ι, Κ Ὁ διάκονος· Πρόσχωμεν. Ι, Κ Ὁ ἱερεύς· Εἰρήνη πᾶσι. Ι, Κ Ὁ διάκονος· Σοφία. Κ Ὁ ἀναγνώστης· Τὸ προκείμενον καὶ τὴν προφητείαν. Ι Καὶ ἀνάγνωσις εἶτα εἰς Γένεσιν. Μετὰ τὴν προφητείαν· Ὁ ἱερεύς· Εἰρήνη σοι. Ὁ διάκονος· Σοφία. Μ καὶ ἀναγινώσκει τὸν Νʹ ψαλμόν. Χ Καὶ τῶν ἀναγνωσμάτων ἀναγνωσκομένων οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἐφιζάνουσι. Ζʹ Σταυροειδὴς φωτισμὸς καὶ σφράγισις τοῦ λαοῦ. Ι Εἶτα λαβὼν ὁ ἱερεὺς μετὰ τῆς δεξιᾶς αὐτοῦ χειρὸς τὸν θυμιατὸν καὶ κηρὸν ἅπτοντα, ἐκφωνεῖ· Σοφία, ὀρθοί. Φῶς Χριστοῦ φαίνει πᾶσιν. Εἶτα ἡ παροιμία, μεθ' ἥν· Ὁ ἱερεύς· Εἰρήνη σοι. Ὁ διάκονος· Σοφία. Καὶ εὐθὺς τὸ Κατευθυνθήτω. Ηʹ Ἐκτενής. Θ. Καὶ μετὰ τὴν εἴσοδον καὶ τὰ ἀναγνώσματα καὶ τὸ Κατευθυνθήτω λέγει· Εἴπωμεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας, Κ εἴπωμεν Κύριε παντοκράτορ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, δεόμεθά σου ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι. Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, δεόμεθά σου Κ, Κύριε ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον. Ι, Κ κλπ. Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβεστάτων καὶ θεοφυλάκτων βασιλέων ἡμῶν, κράτους, νίκης Κ διαμονῆς, εἰρήνης, ὑγείας, σωτηρίας αὐτῶν καὶ τοῦ Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν ἡμῶν ἐπὶ πλέον συνεργῆσαι, κατευοδῶσαι αὐτοὺς ἐν πᾶσι καὶ ὑποτάξαι ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν πάντα ἐχθρὸν καὶ πολέμιον. Ι Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβεστάτων καὶ φιλοχρίστων βασιλέων ἡμῶν τοῦ δεῖνος καὶ τῆς δείνα, ὑγείας καὶ Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν τοῦ ∆ δεῖνος ὑγείας. Ὑπὲρ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ∆ δεῖνο καὶ πάσης τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἡμῶν ἀδελφότητος. Καὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν διακονούντων. Ἐκφ. Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις. Ι Εὐχὴ τῆς ἐκτενοῦς ἱκεσίας. Θ Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, τὴν ἐκτενῆ ταύτην
Prayers for Catechumens and those preparing for Illumination§7
7Accept a supplication from your servants and have mercy on us according to the abundance of your mercy, and send your mercies upon us and upon all your people, who await the rich mercy from you. Extolled: For you are a merciful and loving-towards-humanity God, and to you we return the glory to the Father...
Prayers for the catechumens and those being illuminated. The Deacon. Responses. Let the catechumens pray to the Lord. The faithful, let us pray for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy on them, instruct them in the word of truth, reveal to them the gospel of righteousness, and unite them to his own holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Responses: Save, have mercy, uphold, and protect them, O God, by your grace. Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord. The Priest prays: God, our God, the Creator... Responses: Save, have mercy, raise up, and protect. Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord. That they too may glorify with us. 'All you who are catechumens, come forward; all you who are catechumens, come forward.' These diaconal instructions are said from the seventh week until the mid-week; but from the fourth mid-week, these following are said: 'All you who are catechumens, come forward; all you who are catechumens, come forward; all you who are approaching illumination.'
Let those approaching illumination pray. The faithful, let us pray for our brothers who are being prepared for the holy illumination and for their salvation by the Lord: that the Lord God our God may support them and strengthen them; enlighten them with the light of knowledge and truth; grant them to be worthy in the proper time of the bath of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the garment of incorruption; regenerate them through water and spirit; grant them the perfection of faith; and count them among his holy and elect flock. Responses: Save, have mercy, raise up, and protect them, O God, by your grace. You who are approaching illumination, bow your heads to the Lord. This prayer is said from the fourth mid-week: 'Appear, O Lord, your face, etc.' [See page 54]. Extolled: For you are our light, and to you is the glory. The people: Amen. 'All you who are approaching illumination, come forward; all you who are approaching illumination, come forward; all you who are catechumens, come forward; let no one of the catechumens remain.' Let us pray continually that we all may be in the peace of the Lord.
Liturgy of the Faithful. X. Prayers for the faithful. The Priest. Prayer of the faithful after the unfolded veil. God, the great and praiseworthy, etc. [See page 54]. Responses: Uphold, save, have mercy, raise up, and protect. Extolled: For all glory and honor belong to you. Again and again. The Priest prays: Holy Lord, supremely good, we are being disgraced... [See page 55]. Responses: Uphold, save, have mercy, raise up, and protect. According to the gift of...
Greek · §7
ἱκεσίαν πρόσδεξαι παρὰ τῶν δούλων σου καὶ ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τοῦ ἐλέους σου καὶ τοὺς οἰκτιρμούς σου κατάπεμψον ἐφ' ἡμᾶς καὶ πάντα τὸν λαόν σου, τὸν ἀπεκδεχόμενον τὸ παρὰ σοῦ πλούσιον ἔλεος. Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν τῷ Πατρί … Θ' Εὐχαὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν κατηχουμένων καὶ τῶν φωτιζομένων Κ. Ὁ διάκονος. Θ, Ι, Κ, Λ κλπ. Εὔξασθαι οἱ κατηχούμενοι τῷ Κυρίῳ. Οἱ πιστοὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν κατηχουμένων δεηθῶμεν, ἵνα ὁ Κύριος αὐτοὺς ἐλεήσῃ, κατηχήσῃ αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, ἀποκαλύψῃ αὐτοῖς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ἑνώσῃ αὐτοὺς τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὑτοῦ καθολικῇ καὶ ἀποστολικῇ Ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ι, Κ, Μ, α Σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀντιλαβοῦ καὶ διαφύλαξον αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σῇ χάριτι. Οἱ κατηχούμενοι τὰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνατε. Θ Ὁ ἱερεὺς εὔχεται· Ὁ Θεὸς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κτίστης ... (σελ. 53). Σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀνάστησον καὶ διαφύλαξον. Οἱ κατηχούμενοι τὰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνατε. Ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σὺν ἡμῖν δοξάζωσι. Ὅσοι κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε, οἱ κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε· Ταῦτα τὰ διακονικὰ λέγονται ἀπὸ τῆς αʹ ἑβδομάδος ἕως τῆς μεσονηστίμου· ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς δʹ τῆς μεσονηστίμου λέγονται ταῦτα τὰ ὑποτεταγμένα· Ὅσοι κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε, οἱ κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε· ὅσοι πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα προέλθετε. Εὔξασθαι οἱ πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα. Οἱ πιστοὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν πρὸς τὸ ἅγιον φώτισμα εὐτρεπιζομένων ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν· ὅπως Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν στηρίξῃ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐνδυναμώσῃ· φωτίσῃ αὐτοὺς φωτισμῷ γνώσεως καὶ ἀληθείας· καταξιώσῃ αὐτοὺς ἐν καιρῷ εὐθέτῳ τοῦ λουτροῦ τῆς παλιγγενεσίας, τῆς ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τοῦ ἐνδύματος τῆς ἀφθαρσίας· ἀναγεννήσῃ αὐτοὺς δι' ὕδατος καὶ πνεύματος· χαρίσῃ αὐτοῖς τὴν τελειότητα τῆς πίστεως· συγκαταριθμήσῃ αὐτοὺς τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὑτοῦ καὶ ἐκλεκτῇ ποίμνῃ. Σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀνάστησον καὶ διαφύλαξον αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σῇ χάριτι. Οἱ πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα τὰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνατε. Αὕτη ἡ εὐχὴ λέγεται ἀπὸ τῆς δʹ τῆς μεσονηστίμου· Ἐπίφανον, δέσποτα, τὸ πρόσωπόν σου κλπ. (βλ. σελ. 54)· Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ φωτισμὸς ἡμῶν καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν· Ὁ λαός· Ἀμήν. Ὅσοι πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα προέλθετε, οἱ πρὸς τὸ φώτισμα προέλθετε· Ὅσοι κατηχούμενοι προέλθετε· μή τις τῶν κατηχουμένων. Ὅσοι πιστοὶ ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Λειτουργία τῶν πιστῶν Ιʹ. Εὐχαὶ ὑπὲρ τῶν πιστῶν Θ Εὐχὴ πιστῶν αʹ μετὰ τὸ ἁπλῶσαι τὸ εἰλητόν. Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ μέγας καὶ αἰνετὸς κλπ. (σελ. 54). Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀνάστησον καὶ διαφύλαξον. Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμή. Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι. Ὁ ἱερεὺς εὔχεται· ∆έσποτα ἅγιε, ὑπεράγαθε, δυσωποῦμέν σε ... (σελ. 55). Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον, ἀνάστησον καὶ διαφύλαξον. Κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ
The Great Entrance and Communion of the Presanctified Gifts§8
8With your Christ, with whom you are blessed through your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and forever... 14. The Great Entrance. The chanters: K, L, M, Ph, m, Tr. The people: Now the powers of heaven: K, M. The Cherubic prayer is not said. 1. After the priest has entered from the prothesis and placed the Holy Things upon the holy altar, he says: the priest Let us fulfill our evening petition to the Lord. Th, I. Let us pray for the gifts that have been offered and sanctified: K, M, P. For this holy house and for the... Th, I, K, P, Tr, etc. So that our Philanthropic God, I, K, P, having received these, may... K, into his holy, super-heavenly, and spiritual altar, Th, P, send back to us... I, K, M, P, Tr, etc. For us to be delivered from all... Th. The prayer of the Presanctified Gifts follows after the gifts have been placed on the altar and the mystical people have been filled. The prayer of the ineffable and unseen mysteries (pp. 55–56). 12. Diaconal and Lordly prayer—Communion. Th, I, K, M, P, P, a, etc. Help, save, have mercy, and protect... May the entire evening be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without sin, through the Angel of Peace, a faithful guide and guardian. For forgiveness and remission of sins; for that which is good and profitable for souls; for the remaining time of life; for a Christian end to our lives, without... for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit... And grant us, etc. (pp. 56–57, lines 60–76). 1. The priest, bowing, prays: Lord, hear me (p. 62, lines 51–55): Th, I. The deacon: Let us attend. The priest: The Presanctified Holy Things to the saints. The people: One is holy, one is Lord. Ph. Taste and see that Christ is Lord. K. Note that when he is about to lift them, while the Holy Things are still covered, he brings his hands forward; he exclaims: K, M. Once Communion is completed and the Holy Things have been removed from the holy altar, the priest prays: Th. After Communion: We give thanks to you (pp. 57–58). 13. Epilogue and Dismissal. 1. Then, remembering and saying to himself, the priest exclaims: Blessed be our God, lifting up the Holy Things: Always, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. The deacon: Blessed are those who have partaken of the divine, holy, unblemished, immortal, and heavenly mysteries of Christ; let us give thanks to the Lord. Help, save, have mercy, and protect. Having asked for the entire evening to be perfect, holy, peaceful, and without sin, for ourselves and for one another: K. Exclaiming: Because you are our sanctification, and to you we return the glory, to the Father and to the Son: K, Ph. The deacon: Let us go forth in peace. Let us pray to the Lord: Prayer after Communion: Lord God Almighty (p. 58). 1. Prayer for the removal of the Holy Things: Lord our God, who leads us... (pp. 63, lines 71–74).
Greek · §8
Χριστοῦ σου, μεθ' οὗ εὐλογητὸς εἶ σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σου πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεί ... ΙΑʹ Μεγάλη εἴσοδος Θ Οἱ ψάλται Κ, Λ, Μ, Φ, μ, Τρ. Ὁ λαὸς· Νῦν αἱ δυνάμεις Κ, Μ τῶν οὐρανῶν· Κ, Μ. Εὐχὴ δὲ χερουβικοῦ οὐ λέγεται· Ι Μετὰ τὸ εἰσοδεῦσαι τὸν ἱερέα ἀπὸ τῆς προθέσεως καὶ θῆναι τὰ ἅγια ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ τραπέζῃ λέγει· Θ, Κ, Μ, Π, Τρ. κλπ. Πληρώσωμεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ. Θ, Ι Ὑπὲρ τῶν προσκομισθέντων καὶ προαγιασθέντων τιμίων δώρων τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν· Κ, Μ, Π Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν Θ, Ι, Κ, Π, Τρ. κλπ. Ὅπως ὁ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ἡμῶν. Ι, Κ, Π ὁ προσδεξάμενος αὐτά. Κ εἰς τὸ ἅγιον καὶ ὑπερουράνιον καὶ νοερὸν αὐτοῦ θυσιαστήριον. Θ, Π ἀντικαταπέμψῃ ἡμῖν· Ι, Κ, Μ, Π, Τρ. κλπ. Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ... Θ Εὐχὴ τῶν προηγιασμένων μετὰ τὸ ἀποτεθῆναι τὰ δῶρα ἐν τῇ τραπέζῃ καὶ πληρῶσαι τὸν λαὸν τὸν μυστικόν. Ὁ τῶν ἀρρήτων καὶ ἀθεάτων μυστηρίων (σελ. 55– 56). ΙΒʹ ∆ιακονικὰ–Κυριακὴ προσευχὴ–Μετάληψις. Θ, Ι, Κ, Μ, Π, Π, α κλπ. Ἀντιλαβοῦ σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον .... Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον παρὰ Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα. Συγγνώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν· Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς· Τὸν ὑπόλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς· Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώ ... Τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν· τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ... Καὶ καταξίωσον ἡμᾶς κλπ. (σελ. 56–57, στ. 60–76)· Ι Ὁ ἱερεὺς κλινόμενος ἐπεύχεται· Πρόσχες, Κύριε (σελ. 62, στ. 51–55): Θ, Ι Ὁ διάκονος· Πρόσχωμεν· Ὁ ἱερεύς· Τὰ προηγιασμένα ἅγια τοῖς ἁγίοις· Ὁ λαός· Εἷς ἅγιος, εἷς Κύριος· Φ Γεύσασθε καὶ ἴδεται (ἴδετε) ὅτι Χριστὸς ὁ Κύριος. Κ Ἰστέον ὅτι ὅταν μέλλῃ ὑψῶσαι, κεκαλυμμένων ὄντων τῶν ἁγίων, εἰσάγει τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ· ἐκφώ· Κ, μ Εἴτα τῆς μεταλήψεως τελειωθείσης καὶ τῶν ἁγίων λειψάνων ἀπὸ τῆς ἱερᾶς ἀρθέντων τραπέζης, ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπεύχεται· Θ Εἴτα τῆς μεταλήψεως· Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι (σελ. 57–58) ΙΓʹ Ἐπίλογος καὶ Ἀπόλυσις. Ι Ἔπειτα θυμιάσας καὶ εἰπὼν καθ' ἑαυτὸν ὁ ἱερεύς· Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν αἴρει τὰ ἅγια ἐκφωνῶν· Πάντοτε νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· Ὁ διάκονος· Ὀρθοὶ οἱ μεταλαβόντες τῶν θείων, ἁγίων, ἀχράντων, ἀθανάτων καὶ ἐπουρανίων τοῦ Χριστοῦ μυστηρίων, εὐχαριστήσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον αἰτησάμενοι, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους· Κ Ἐκφώνως· Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ἁγιασμὸς ἡμῶν καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ· Κ, Φ Ὁ διάκονος· Ἐν εἰρήνῃ προέλθωμεν. Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν· Εὐχὴ ὀπισθάμβωνος· ∆έσποτα ὁ Θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ (σελ. 58) Ι Εὐχὴ εἰς τὸ συστεῖλαι τὰ ἅγια· Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ ἀγαγὼν ἡμᾶς ... (σελ. 63, στ. 71–74)·