Divine Liturgy of St. Basil with Vespers for Great Thursday

STAND

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

People: Amen.

Come, let us adore our King and God.
Come, let us adore Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us adore and bow down to Christ, our King and our God.


 

Psalm 103
Praise of God's Creation

-Bless the Lord, 0 my soul!
You are very great, 0 Lord, my God!
-Clothed in pomp and brilliance,
arrayed with light as with a cloak.

-Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth,
covering your lofty halls with water.
-You make the clouds your conveyance,
You surge on the wings of the wind.

-You make spirits your messengers
and flaming fires your attendants.
-You settle the earth on its firm foundation:
it shall stand unmoved from age to age.

-The abyss covers it like a garment;
waters stand over the mountains.
-At your rebuke, they will take to flight,
at the peal of your thunder they will fear.

-They hurdle the hills and run down the dales
to the place you have chosen for them.
-You have set up a boundary not to be passed:
they shall never return to cover the earth.

-Down in the gullies, You make springs to rise:
waters shall go down between the mountains.
-They shall give drink to the beasts of the field;
wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.

-The birds of the sky will abide by them:
from among the rocks they will raise their song.
-From your lofty halls You refresh the mountains;
the earth shall be fed with the fruit of your works.

-You make green pastures for the cattle
and food-plants for the service of man,
-So that bread may be brought forth from the earth
and wine that gladdens the heart of man.

-So that oil may put a gleam upon his face
and that bread may strengthen the heart of man.
-The trees of the plain will be satisfied,
the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.

-The sparrows will build their nests in them
and the herons will call them their home.
-To the deer belong high mountains,
to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.

-You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows the time of its setting.
-You establish darkness and it is night
wherein the forest creatures prowl around.

-Young lions roar for their prey
and call out to God for their meat.
-As the sun rises, they will come together
and lay themselves down in their dens.

-Man will go out to his labor
and work until eventide.
-How great are your works, 0 Lord!
In wisdom You have wrought them all:
the earth is filled with your creatures.

-Even the wide and open sea itself:
within it there are countless creeping things,
living beings small and large.
-Upon it there are ships a-sailing
and that great beast You made to have fun.

-All of them look up to You
to give them their food in due time.
-You provide and they gather up;
You open your hand and they are full.

-You hide your face and they cringe,
You suspend their breath and they die and return to their dust.
-You send forth Your breath and they live:
You renew the face of the earth!

-May the Lord's glory endure forever,
may the Lord rejoice in his works.
-He looks upon the earth and makes it quake,
He touches the mountains and they smoke.

-I will sing to the Lord as long as I live,
I will praise my God as long as I last.
-Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him
and I will rejoice in the Lord.

-May the sinners vanish from the earth
and may the wicked be no more.
-Bless the Lord, 0 my soul!

-Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
-Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia.
Glory be to You, O God.
(3 times with a bow)


LITANY OF PEACE

The priest intones the Litany of Peace to which the usual responses are given.

STAND

PSALM 140
Tone 2

O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me: receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You. * Hear me, Lord.

Let my prayer be directed as incense to You, * the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice; hear me, O Lord.


HYMNS OF THE VESPERS
TONE 2

Verse: For Your Name’s sake, 0 Lord, I have waited for You, * my soul has waited for Your word, * my soul has hoped in the Lord.

Hymn:
The Jewish council gathers to deliver to Pilate * the Author and Creator of All. * O what iniquity and infidelity! * They prepare for judgment * the One Who comes to judge the living and the dead; * they prepare to make suffer the One Who heals all suffering; * therefore, O Long-suffering Lord, great is Your mercy. * Glory be to You.

Verse: From the watch of dawn until the night, * from the watch of dawn let Israel long for the Lord.

Hymn:
O Lord, the law-transgressing Judas, * who, at supper, dipped his hand in the plate with You, * extends his sinful hand to take silver; * and he who placed value on the spice * did not shrink from selling You, 0 Priceless Lord. * He put forth his feet, 0 Master, for You to wash, * then kissed You in deceit as a sign to the lawbreakers. * Thus he ceased to be an Apostle; * and having cast away the thirty silver pieces, * never saw Your resurrection on the third day. * Have mercy on us through that same resurrection.

Verse: For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him abundant redemption; * and it is He Who will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

Hymn:
Judas, the traitor, being deceitful, * with a kiss of deceit betrayed the Savior, * Lord, and Master of All; * and sold Him as a slave to the Jews. * Like a sheep being led to slaughter * so went the Lamb of God, the Father’s Son, * and the only All-merciful.

Verse: Praise the Lord, all you nations, * exalt Him, all you peoples.

Hymn:
Judas showed himself by his deeds * to be a servant yet deceiver, * a disciple yet betrayer, * and a friend yet a devil. * For as he followed the Master * he concealed the betrayal, saying to himself: "I will betray this One and gain much wealth." * He sought to sell the spice that he might trap the Lord. * He gave a kiss and betrayed Christ, * Who like a lamb was led to the slaughter * and Who alone has compassion and love for mankind.

Verse: For mighty is His love for us, * and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Hymn:
The Lamb, foretold by Isaiah, * willingly came to be slaughtered, * offering His back to scourges and His cheeks to be slapped. * Even His face He did not turn from the shame of spit, * as He was condemned to a shameful death. * The sinless Lord endures all this with willingness * so that He might grant resurrection from the dead to all.

STAND

Then in TONE 6

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, * now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Hymn:
Truly, Judas is the son of those ungrateful * who ate the manna in the wilderness, * and murmured against the Nourisher; * for, while food was still in their mouths, * those ingrates murmured against God. * Likewise this wicked one,* while the Holy Bread was still in his mouth,* conspired to betray the Savior. O what greedy purpose! * What bold inhumanity! * For he betrayed the Nourisher * and delivered to death the Master Who loved him. * In truth, this lawbreaker is a son of unbelievers, * and inherited destruction with them. * Save our souls, O Lord, from such unkindness; *for You alone can endure such long-suffering.


PRAYER OF ENTRANCE

As the "Glory be" is being sung, the priest opens the royal doors and places incense in the censer. Then taking the holy gospel from the altar and censer in hand, and preceeded by servers carrying a candle, he proceeds around the altar and comes before the royal doors where he recites the following prayer quietly:

O gracious King, You love mankind and bless all things. With contrite heart and humble spirit we pray to You, 0 Christ our true God, to bless our going and coming. For Your coming and dwelling among us and Your going in the Ascension are blessed always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

When the people complete the last Hymn of Vespers, the priest raises the Holy Gospel on high and intones:

Priest: Wisdom! Be attentive!

The priest returns the Holy Gospel to its usual place upon the altar, and while the people sing the following H YMN OF THE EVENING, he incenses the altar, icons, and the people in the usual manner. He then goes behind the altar until near the completion of the Old Testament readings. The royal doors remain open until the Divine Liturgy is completed.


REMAIN STANDING

HYMN OF THE EVENING

O Joyful Light! * Light and Holy Glory * of the Father immortal, * the heavenly holy, the Blessed One; * O Jesus Christ. * Now that we have reached the setting of the sun, * and see the evening light, * we sing to God, * Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. * it is fitting at all times * to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, * O Son of God, the Giver of Life. * Behold, the universe sings Your glory.


PROKIMENON
Tone 1

The priest intones from behind the altar:

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace t be with all! Let us be attentive!

Response: O Lord, deliver me from the evil man and free me from the unjust man.

Verse: Who contemplate injustice in their hearts all the day long.

O Lord, deliver me from the evil man and free me from the unjust man.


OLD TESTAMENT READING

The priest intones from behind the altar:

Priest: Wisdom

Reader: A reading from the book of Isaiah.

Priest: Let us be attentive!

Reader:

Isaiah 50:4-11

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He who vindicates me is near; who will contend with me? Let us stand up to each other; who has a case against me? Let him draw near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who is he who condemns me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them. Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand; and you will lie down in torment.


STAND

PROKIMENON
Tone 7

The priest intones from behind the altar:

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace t be with all! Let us be attentive!

Response: O God, deliver me from my enemies and redeem me from those who rise against me.

Verse: Deliver me from those who do evil.

O God, deliver me from my enemies and redeem me from those who rise against me.

Two more Old Testament reading are prescribed at this time but may be omitted at the discretion of the celebrant:

SECOND READING: Exodus 19: 10-19

The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 'No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."

So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.

 

THIRD READING: Job 38: 1-22 and 42: 1-5

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? "Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct me! "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? "Or who enclosed the sea with doors, when, bursting forth, it went out from the womb; When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, And I placed boundaries on it, and I set a bolt and doors, And I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves stop'? "Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? "It is changed like clay under the seal; and they stand forth like a garment. "And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the uplifted arm is broken. "Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? "Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? "Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, That you may take it to its territory, and that you may discern the paths to its home? "You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail.

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, "I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted. "Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'" Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask Thee, and do Thou instruct me.' "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees Thee;

When the reading is completed, the priest intones:

For You are holy, our God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

And the following hymn is now sung:

STAND

TRISAGION

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.


REMAIN STANDING

 

PROKIMENON
Tone 7

The priest in tones from behind the altar:

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace be with all! Let us be attentive!

 

EPISTLE

Response: The princes of the people have gathered together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.

Verse: Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing.

The princes of the people have gathered together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.

Priest: Wisdom

Reader: A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Priest: Let us be attentive!

Reader: 1st Corinthians 77: 23-32

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned along with the world.


ALLELUIA
Tone 6

Priest: Peace be to you! Wisdom! Be attentive!

Response: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

My enemies say the worst of me: * "When will he die and his name perish?"

Alleiuia, alleluia, alleluia!

He that partook of my bread has raised his heel against me.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleiuia!

STAND

GOSPEL

The priest says the usual silent prayer before the Gospel and incenses in the usual manner, giving the customary intonations.

Response before and after the Gospel:

Glory be to You, O Lord, glory be to You.

Gospel reading:

Matthew 26: 2-20
John 73: 3-77
Matthew 26: 2 7-39
Luke 22: 43-44
Matthew 26: 40 through 27: 2

"You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be delivered up for crucifixion."

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth, and kill Him. But they were saying, "Not during the festival, lest a riot occur among the people."

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste? "For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. "For the poor you have with you always; but you do not always have Me. "For when she poured this perfume upon My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done shall also be spoken of in memory of her."

Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, "What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?" And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

Now when evening had come, He was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."

And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

And as they were eating, He said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me." And being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, "Surely not I, Lord?" And He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. "The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." And Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said it yourself."

And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.' "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." But Peter answered and said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a cock crows, you shall deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done." And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Arise, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, accompanied by a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him." And immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? "How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?" At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. "But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

And those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter also was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; and they did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, "This man stated, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.'" And the high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do You make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?" But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think? "They answered and said," He is deserving of death! " Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, "Prophesy to us, you Christ; who is the one who hit you?"

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a certain servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate the governor.


The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil continues:

LITANY OF SUPPLICATION

Responses to the petitions:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. (3) - for four petitions

Amen.

STAND

Let all mortal flesh be silent, * and let it stand with fear and awe, * having no earthly thought. * The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords * comes to be sacrificed * and to be given as food to the faithful. * Before Him go the choirs of angelic Hosts, * Powers and Principalities, * the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim. * They cover their faces while they chant: * "Alleluia, * alleluia, * alleluia."


AFTER THE GREAT ENTRANCE

Let all mortal flesh be silent, * and let it stand with fear and awe, * having no earthly thought. * The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords * comes to be sacrificed * and to be given as food to the faithful. * Before Him go the choirs of angelic Hosts, * Powers and Principalities, * the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim. * They cover their faces while they chant: * "Alleluia, * alleluia, * alleluia."

Priest: Peace be with all.

Response: And with your spirit.

Priest: Let us love one another so that with one mind we may profess.

Response: The Father, and the Sort, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in substance and undivided.

Priest: [The doors, the doors,] in wisdom let us be attentive!

 

THE SYMBOL OF FAITH

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became man. He was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And He rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and of His kingdom there will be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the Prophets. In one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come. Amen.


THE ANAPHORA

Priest: Let us stand aright, let us stand in awe, let us be attentive to offer the holy oblation in peace.

Response: The offering of peace, the sacrifice of praise.

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Response: And with your spirit.

Priest: Let us lift up our hearts.

Response: We have them lifted up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord.

Response: It is proper and just to worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in substance and undivided.

KNEEL

Priest: Singing, shouting, crying out and saying the triumphal hymn:

Response: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory; hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.

Priest: He gave it to His holy Disciples and Apostles, saying: Take eat; this is My body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

Response: Amen.

Priest: He gave it to His holy Disciples and Apostles, saying: Drink of this, all of you; this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.

Response: Amen.

Priest: We offer to You Yours of Your own, in behalf of all and for all.

Response: We praise You, we bless You, we thank You, 0 Lord, and we pray to You, our God.

Priest: May we obtain mercy and grace especially with our most holy, most pure, and most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary.

STAND

INSTEAD OF IT IS TRULY PROPER

Mourn not for Me, 0 My Mother, * when you behold in the tomb * the Son Whom you, as a virgin, conceived. * For I shall arise and be glorified;* and I, as God, shall exalt * with unending glory those who honor you with faith and love.

Priest: Among the first, O Lord, remember our holy ecumenical Pontiff as they faithfully dispense the word of Your truth.

Response: And remember all Your people.

Priest: And grant that we, with one voice and one heart, may glorify and praise Your most honored and sublime Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

Priest: And may the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with all of you.

Response: And with your spirit.

Priest: And make us worthy, 0 Lord, that we may with confidence and without condemnation dare call You, the God of heaven, Father; and say:

Response: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

Priest: Peace I be with all.

Response: And with your spirit.

Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.

Response: To You, O Lord.

Priest: Through the grace, the mercies and the loving-kindness of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

KNEEL

Priest: Let us be attentive! Holy things to the holy.

Response: One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, for the glory of God the Father,

Amen.


COMMUNION HYMN

The Lord arose * as out of a sleep, * and having resurrected, * He saves us. * Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Priest: Approach with fear of God and with faith.

Response: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; God the Lord has revealed Himself to us.

 

COMMUNION PRAYER

O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.

Accept me as a partaker of Your mystival supper, 0 Son of God; for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to You.

Remember me, 0 Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, 0 Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, 0 Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

May the partaking of Your holy mysteries, 0 Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious Body and Your life-giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the ~emission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number.

The Faithful approach with the fear of God, and with faith, and with love, to recieve Jesus.

Priest: Save Your people, O God, and bless Your inheritance.

Response: We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith; and we worship the undivided Trinity; for the Trinity has saved us.

Priest: [Blessed is our God] always, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

May our lips be filled with Your praise, O Lord, so that we may sing of Your glory; for You have deemed us worthy to partake of Your holy, divine, immortal and life-creating Mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness, so that all the day long we may live according to Your truth. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!!

STAND

Priest: Let us go forth in peace.

Response: In the name of the Lord.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord, blessing those who bless... now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

And the people immediately continue:

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and ever, and forever. (3)

Priest: The blessing t of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and loving kindness, always, now and ever, and forever.

Response: Amen.

Priest: Glory be to You, 0 Christ our God; glory be to You.

Response: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Give the blessing!

The priest gives the dismissal of the feast:

May Christ our true God, Who, because of His surpassing graciousness, showed us the most excellent way of humility when He washed His disciples’ feet, and condescended even unto the cross and burial, and Who, for our salvation, at His mystical supper gave us His true Body to eat and His true Blood to drink, have mercy on us and save us through the prayers of His most Holy Mother, and our Father among the Saints, Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and of all Saints, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

Response: Amen.

End of the Divine Liturgy