Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

§ 1

Isodicoji. (*) Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength : so will we sing and praise Thy power.

Save us, 0 good Paraclete, who sing to Thee Alleluia.]

Deacon (in a low voice.) Let us make our supplications to the Lord.

Priest secretly saith the Prayer of the Entrance,

Master, Lord, and our God, Who hast disposed in heaven troops and armies of Angels and Archangels, for the ministry of Thy glory : grant that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels, njiuisteriug together with us, and with us glorifying Thy goodness.

For to Thee is due all lionour, &c.

The Prayer heiiiy jinishcd, the Deacon pointintf with his right hand to the east, and holding his Orarion with theee Jitigers, saith to the Priest,

Sir, bless the Holy Entrance. Priest. Blessed be the eiitrniice of Thy Saints, always, now and ever, aiid to ages of ages.

Then the Deacon thus goes to the Hegumen, (") if any be present, who kissrlh the Gospel ; but if none be present, the Priest kisscth it.

And when the Troparia are ended, the Deacon comes forth into the middle, and stand iiiy before the I'riest, raiselli Ins hands a little, and showing the Holy (joxpel, saith with a loud voice,

|«) Tlifit i.H, the Aliliiit. Tho nilnicH of tliiw Litnrio' asHumo that cclohratiou in a monaatery, or in a jiariBh church served by muiika, is the rule. — L.

a

98 . LITURGY OF

Wisdom, stand up. ('')

Then he himself adores, and the Pnest behind him', and they both go to the holy Bema, and the Deacon puts down the Holy Gospel on the Holy Table, and the Choir siny the accustomed Troparia, and n'hen they are singing the last, the Deacon saith,

Let us make our supplications to the Lord. (^)

Priest. For holy art Thou, our Gtod ; and we ascribe glory to Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and for ever.

Deacon. And to ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Choir siny the Trisayion. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. {Five times.)

In the meantime the Priest saith secretly the Prayer of the Trisayion.

God, Which art holy, and restest in the holies, Who art hymned with the voice of the Trisagion by the Seraphim, and glorified by the Cherubim, and adored by all the heavenly powers ; Thou Who didst from nothing call all things into being ; Who didst make man after Thine image and likeness, and didst adorn him with all Thy graces ; Who givest to him that seeketh wisdom and understanding, and passest not by the sinner, but dost give repentance unto salvation ; Who hast vouchsafed that we, Thy humble and unworthy servants, should stand even at this time before the glory of Thy

(J) This seems the more natural reading ; hut many editions read, aocpia, wliiclj must be interpreted to mean, " In wisdom stand up ; " and thus be a warning against the sin and folly of aow sitting.

(8) In the older copies this is thus given : " Sir, bless the time of the Trisagion."

holy Altar, and should pay to Thee the worship and praise that is meet : receive, Lokd, out of the mouth of sinners the hymn of the Trisagion, and visit us in Thy goodness. Forgive us every offence, voluntary and involuntary. Sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may serve Thee in holiness all the days of our life ; theough the intercessions of the Holy Mother of God, and all the Saints who have pleased Thee since the beginning of the world. (Aloud.) For holy art Thou, oar God, and to Thee.

Wheti this Prayer is Jinishcd, the Priest also and Deacon say the Trisagion, makiiuj at iJie same time theee reverences before the holy Table. Then the Deacon saith to the Priest,

Sir, give the order. And they yo towards the theone.

And the Priest saith as he goes,

Blessed is he that comctli in the Name of the Lord.

Deacon. Sir, Idoss ilie theone.

Priest. Blessed art Thou upon the theone of Thy glory, Who sittest upon the Cherubim, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

And when the (Jhnlr hare Jinishrd the Trisagion, the Deacon, com in;/ before the holy doors, saith, Let us attend. Reader. Alleluia. (")

(') Hore, as in the Rubric nt the end of the EpiHtle, the Greek ruiiM thus : Alleluia, a PBalin of David. But no pHiilin Ib horo 8unj5 ; and tht reforo the queHtlon ariHCB, what iH the reason of the inBortiou. Some comnientatorH receive it hh an exj'lanation of the Alleluia; as tuudi as to sav, that this ascription of praise waH of the eomposition of I)avid. But this seems very harsh. Were there aiiv trace in Greek

u 2

Deacon. Wisdom.

The Reader saith the Prokimenon Q°) of the Apostle, e. g. on the Festival of S. Demetrius.

The righteous shall rejoice iu the Lord. Stichos. Hear, 0 God, my voice. Deacon. Let us attend.

The Apostle is read. And the Apostle being ended, the Priest saith, (") Peace be to thee. Beader. Alleluia.

■ While the Alleluia is being sung, the Deacon goes to the Priest, and after asking for a blessing from hint, censes the holy Table in a circle, and the whole sanctuary, and the Priest. A)id the Priest saith the Prayer before the Gospel.

0 Lord and lover of men, cause the pure light of Thy Divine knowledge to shine forth in our hearts, and open the eyes of our understanding, that we may comprehend the precepts of Thy Gospel. Plant In us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that we, trampling upon all carnal lusts, may seek

ritualists of a psalm having anciently followed, I should believe that after the rite was given up the Bubric remained. The addition is not to be found in the Slavonic.

Q") The Prokimenon, or short anthem before the Epistle, consists of a verse and response : goiiorally, but not always, taken from the Psalms, but hardly ever consisting of consecutive phrases. According to S. Germanus, the i'rokimenon signities the previous proclamation by the Prophets of that Christ of Whom the Ejustle is about to tell. And the versicles are chosen with that intent, e.g. in the festival of the Expectation of the Nativity :

r. The Lord said unto Me, Thou art My Son.

R. Desire of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for Thine inheritance.

(^'j This is technically called fipiivfvuv rbv 'kiT6ffTo\ov.

SAINT CHEYSOSTOM. 101

a lieavenly citizenship, botii saying and doing always such things as shall well please Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ our God ; and to Thee we ascribe, &c.

And the Deacon drmviwj niijh to the Priest, and laj/inii aside his cense)-, and hnuintj to the Priest and holding the Orarion uith the lloli/ Gospel with the tips of his fingers, in the place of the Holy Table whereon it lies, saith.

Sir, bless the preacher of the holy Apostle and EvangeUst N.

And the Priest, signintj him with the Cross, saith,

God, tlirough the preaching of the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist, N., give the word with much power to thee who evaugelizest, to the accomplishinnnt of the Gospel of His beloved Son our Loiw Jksus Chuist.

Deacon. Amen.

And harimj adored with reverence the Holy Gospel, he takes it up; and yoiny tJiroiiyh the holy doars, preceded by tapers, he stands in the ambon, or in the appointed place. And the Priest standing before the holy Table, and looking towards the west, saith, with a loud voice.

Wisdom, stand u]» ; let ns hear tb(; Holy Gospel Peace to all.

Deacon, The Lection from the Holy Gospel according to N.

Priest. Let us attend.

Thr Gospel is read. When it is/inishrd, the Priest saith to the Deacon, Peace bo to thee that evan''elizcst.

102 LITUBGY OF

And the Deacon going to the holy doors, retwvs the Holy Gospel to the Priest ; and standing in the accustomed place, begives thus :

Let us all say with our whole heart and soul,

Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)

Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hear, and have mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, 0 Ctod, after Thy great goodness : we pray Thee hear, and have mercy upon us.

Prayer of the Ectene.

Lord our God, wc pray Thee to receive this intense supplication from Thy servants, according to the mulfitude of Thy mercy, and send down Thy compassions upon us, and upon all Thy people, which is expecting the rich mercy that is from Thee.

Deacon. Further we pray for pious and orthodox Christians. .

Peojile. Lord, have mercy. {And so at the end oj every pefitioii.)

Further we pray for om- Archbishop N.

Further we pray for our bretheen. Priests, Monks, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Further we pray for the blessed and ever memorable fomiders of this holy abode, and for all our fathers and bretheen that "have fallen asleep before UB, and he here, and the orthodox that lie everywhere.

Further we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, safety, protection, forgiveness, and remission of sins of the servants of God, the bretheen of this holy habitation.

Further we pray for them that bring forth fruit and do good deeds in this holy and all-venerable temple, that labour, that sing, and for the people

SAINT CHRYSOSTOJI. 103

that stand around, and are expecting the great and rich mercy that is from Thee.

Exclamation. For Thou art the merciful God and the lover of men, and to Thee we ascrilic.

Deacon. Catechumens, pray unto the Lord. Let us, the faithful, pray for the Catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy upon them, avA may teach them the word of truth.

People. Lord, have mercy. And so nt the end of each pt'fitinn.

That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.

That He may unite them to His Holy Catholio and Apostolic Cliurch.

Preserve, have mercy, support, and continually guard them, 0 God.

Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord.

Prayer nf the Catechumens before the holy Oblation.

Lord our God, Who dwellcst on higli, and beholdest the liumble, Wlio didst send forth the salvation of the race of man. Thine Only-iiegotten Son, our God and Lord Jksus Christ, look down upon Thy servants, the Catechumens, who have bowed their necks unto Thee; and make them worthy, in due season, of tlie laver of regeneiation, of the forgiveness of sins, of the robe of immortality ; unite tliem to Thy Holy Catholic and AposloUo Church, and number Ihem togelher with Thy elect flock. {Aloud.) That they also, together with us, may glorify Thy honourable and majestic Name, I'ather, Son, and Hoi.v (iiiosT, now iuid (!ver, and to ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

77/'' I'rie^l mifUhls ihr ( !ni/ii)iuL

EXPULSION OF THE CATECHUMENS.

Deacon. Let all the Catechumens depart; (^^) Catechumens depart ; let all the Catechumens, depart : let not any of the Catechumens — ; let all the faithful ; —

Again and again in peace let us make our supplications to the Lord. And he saith the short Ectene : while the Priest saith secretly

The first Prayer of the Faithful, after the unfolding oj

the Corporal.

We yield Thee thanks, Lord God of Sahaoth, Who hast thought us worthy to stand even now at Thine Altar, and to fall down before Thy mercies, for our sins and the ignorances of Thy people : receive, 0 God, our supplications ; make us worthy to offer to Thee supitlications and prayers, and unbloody sacrifices for all Thy people ; and strengthen us, whom Thou hast placed in this Thy ministry, with the strength of the Holy Ghost, that we may without offence, and without scandal, in a pure testimony of our conscience, call upon Thee in every time and place : that hearing us Thou mayest be merciful to us in tiie mulfitude of Thy goodness.

iJeacun. Assist, preserve, pity.

Wisdom.

Priest. Exclamation. For to Thee belongeth all gloi-y, honour, and worship. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

TJi'dcon. Again and again in peace let us make our supplications to the Lord. And he saith the short Ectene ; while the Priest saith secretly

P2) Literally, pass forward, (wpoeAdtTe) but used quite in the Beose of depart ; and bo translated in the Slavonic.

6AINT CHRYSOSTOAI. 105

The second Prayer of the Faithful.

Apain and oftentimes we fall down before Thee, and beseech Thee, 0 good God and lover of men, that Thou wouldest look upon our prayers, purify our souls and Itodies from all pollution of flesh and spirit, and grant that our standing before Thy holy Altar may be irreprehensible and unblameable. Grant, 0 Lord, to them who pray together with us, advance in 'holy life, wisdom, and spiritual understanding: grant them at all times with fear and love to serve Thee irreprehensibly ; and without condemnation to partake of Thy holy mysteries, and to be tliought worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom.

Deacon. Assist, preserve, etc.

Wisdom.

Priest. Exclamation. That, being ever guarded by Thy might, we may ascribe glory to Thee, Fathkk, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

The Choir siny the Cherubic Hipnn.

Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing tlic lioly liymn to the quickening Trinity, layby at tliis time nil worldly cares; that we may receive the King of ('lory, invisibly attended by the angelic orders. Alleluia, Alb-hiia, Alleluia.

Prayer which the I'riest sallh secretly, uhile the ('henihir Ilifinn is luini/ siinr/. (^*)

(^*) Ah t)io Clit;rti))ic liymu waH coinjxmed only in the time of Justinian, it iw clcur tliat tlio prayer of thiit hymn ninHt 1)6 an inHertioii. And accordingly, it in not to be fnuiid in the very ancient Bnrbrrini >[S. of thig Liturgy, to wliicli Goar hu often refers.

106 LITURGY O^

None IS wortliy among tlicm that are bound with fleshly desires and ijleasures to approach Tliee, nor to draw near, nor to sacrifice unto Thee, King ot Glory ; for to minister to Thee is great aiid fearful, {.' veu to the heavenly powers themselves. Yet theough Thine inet!'able and measureless love, Thou didst unchangeably and immutably become man, and didst (") take the fitle of our High Priest, and didst give to us the Hierurgy of this liturgic and unbloody Sacrifice, as being Lord of all : for Thou only,"0 Lord our God, rulest over things in heaven and things on earth, Who sittest upon the cherubic theone, Lord of Seraphim, and King of Israel, only holy, and resting in the holies. On Thee I importunately call, {'') That art only good and ready to hear, look upon me, a sinner, and Thine unworthy servant, and cleanse my soul and heart from an fvil conscience ; and strengthen, with the might^ of Thy Holy Ghost, me that have been endued with the grace of the Priesthood, that I may stand by this Thy holy Altar, and sacrifice Thy holy and spotless Body and precious Blood. For Thee I approach bowing my neck, and pray of Thee, Turn not Thy face away from me, nor reject me from the number of Thy sons ; but condescend that these gifts may be ofl^ered to Thee by me, a sinner and Thine unworthy servant. For Thou art He that offerest,(*®)

(M) 'Exprj/tiiTiiraj. King, less correctly, " becamest." But in the new Greek, this verb means to assume a name ; ao Polybius, more than once.

pj King, "I call upon Tbee:" Goar, "Te deprecor." But Suaunai is more than this ; it is " to put a man out of countenance," and so "to Ije importunate: " and is frequently thus used by Plutarch, though not by more classical authors.

(J6j That ojfirest and art offered, and receivest and art distributed. One should have thought that no great dilticulty could be found or made in these words. That oj'erest —

ilAINT CHRYSOSTOM. 107

and art offered, and receivest and art distributed, Christ our God ; and to Thee we ascribe, &c.

When tJiis prayer is finished, they also say the Cherubic Hymn. Then the Deacon, takinfj the censer, and pnttiny incense on it, goes to the Priest : and after receiving a blessing from him, censes the holy Table in a circle, and all the sanctuary, and the Priest : and he saith the 51st Psalm, and other penitential Troparia, such as he will, with the Priest. And they go to the Prothisis, the Deacon jneceding . And thfi Deacon having censed the holy things, and said to himself,

God be merciful to me a sinner, saith to the Priest, Sir, lift up.

And the Priest raising the Air, (") puts it on the left shoulder of the Deacon, saying,

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.

Then, taking the holy disk, he puts it with all care and reverence on the Deacon's head, the Deacon also holding the censer with one of his fingers. And the Priest himself taking the holy chalice in his hands, they go theough the nurth part, preceded by tapers, and nifikr

" for tliiH Ho did ouco, wLeu lie ofTeri^il up Himself," — and art offi-red, ill the Oblntion of tho MyHtic Sncrifico, — 'Diat receivest tliiit Sacrifice, and art received by tiicin thut present it. However, about the year 1155 a jfreat diHimie arose on tho question. A Deacon of Constantinople taught that this could not be the nieanin<{of the paHHa;;e, liecaiise tlin Hncrilico was not oflfered to Chuiht, but to tlie FATnr.u and the fIor>Y (Iiiost alone. A Council met at ConHtantiin)|)k', .lanutiry 'Jfilh, 115G, under tlic Patriarch, Luke Chrysobcrges, to decide the (luealion : ami Sotorichus Panteugeuus, I'ntriarcii elect of Antioch, who had tauglit the now dogma, was declared unworthy of hia ofBce.

P') The fine veil v. Inch lies over the paten and chalice. — L.

108 liturgy of

The Great Entrance, ('*)

both praying for all, and saying, The Lord God remember us all in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

And the Deacon, going within the holy doors, stands on the right hand; and when the Priest is about to enter in, he saitli to him.

The Lord God remember thy Priesthood in His kingdom.

Prient. The Lord God remember thy Diaconate in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

And the Priest sets down the chalice on the holy

Table, and taking the holy disk from the head of the Deacon, he places it tliere also, saying,

Honourable Joseph took Thy spotless Body from the cross, and wra])ped it in clean linen with spices, and with funeral rites placed it in a new tomb.

In the grave bodily, in Hades spiritually, as God, with the thief in paradise as in a theone, wast Thou, 0 Christ, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Who art incircumscript and fillest all things.

How life-giving, how more beautiful than paradise, and verily more splendid than any royal chamber, is Thy tomb, 0 Christ, the fountain of our resurrection.

(^) It is the custom of those who are sick, or who stand in need of any especial blessing, to kneel in the path of the {■Jreat Entrance, in order to receive the virtue of the Holy Mysteries. The custom of adoring that which is, as yet, mere bread and wine, with anticipative adoration, has idways cost tlie Orientals much trouble to defend it ; and it has been abolished by the Roman Censors in Uniat rites. A treatise on the s'lbjest, by Gabriel of Philadelphia, was pubHshed at Venice in 1C04.

Then, taking the coverings from the holy disk and the holy chalice, he places them on one part of the holy Table ; and taking the Air from the Deacons shoulder, and censing it, he covers with it the holy things, saying,

HonoiU'able Joseph, down to in a new tomb.

And taking the censer from the Deacon's hands, h» censeth the holy things theice, saying.

Then shall they offer young bullocks upon Thine Altar.

And putting down the censer, and letting fall his phetonion, ('^) and bowing his head, he saith to th& Deacon,

Eemember me, brother and fellow-minister. Deacon. The Lord God remember thy Priesthood, in His kingdom.

Then the Deacon also himself slightly butriiig his head, and holding his Orarion with the theee fmyers of his right hand, saith to the Priest,

Holy Sir, pray for me.

Priest. The Holy Ghost siiall come upon tbee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.

Deacon. The same Spirit sball bo fellow-minister with us, all the days of our Hfe.

And again, Holy Sir, remember me.

Priest. Tlio Lord God rciucmbcr thee in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Deacon. Amen.

And having ki.tscd the Priest's hand, he goes nut, and standing in the customary place, saith,

(«) The Eastern chasuble.— L.

110 THE LITURGY OF

Let US accomplish our supplications to the Lord.

Choir. Kyrie eleisou. And so to the end of each snj'raye.

Deacon. For the precious gifts that have been proposed, let us make our suppUcatious to the Lord.

For this lioly house, aud them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, enter into it, let.

That we may bo delivered from all afflictions, passion, danger, and necessity, let.

Assist, preserve.

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, without sin, let us ask from the Lord.

Chair. Grant, 0 Lord. And so at the end of every suffrage.

Deacon. The angel of peace, faithful guide, guardian of our souls and bodies, let.

Pardon and remission of our sins and our transgressions, let.

Things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace to the world, let.

That we may accomplish the remainder of our lives in peace and penitence, let.

Christian ends of our lives, without torment, without shame, peaceful, aud a good defence at the fearful tribunal, let us ask from Christ.

Commemorating the all-holy.

As this Ectene (^) is being said, the Priest saith secretly the Prayer of Oblation, after the Divine Gifts are placed on the holy Table.

Lord, God Almighty, Only Holy, Who receivest the sacrifice of praise from them that call upon Thee with their whole heart, receive also the sup-

this Ectene. In no part of the Liturgy do MSS. and editions «o much ^a^y. But the variations are quite non-essential.

BAINT CHRYSOSTOM. Ill

plication of us sinners, and cause it to approach to Thy holy Altar, and enable us to present gifts to Thee, and spiritual sacrifices for our sins, and for the errors of the people : and cause us to find grace in Thy sight, that this oiu" sacrifice may be acceptable unto Thee, and that the good Spirit of Thy grace may tabernacle upon us, and upon these gifts presented unto Thee, and upon all Thy people.

Priest. {Exchnnntion.) Through the mercies of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom Thou art to be blessed, and with the all-holy, and good, and quickening Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Peace to all.

Deacon. Let us love one another, that we may with one mind confess.

Choir. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Consubstantial, and Undivided Trinity. And the Priest, hdviiuj tlirici' ddored, kisses the Holy Gifts, as they lie veiled, saying secretly theire.

I will love Thee, 0 Lord, my strength ; the Lord is my stony rock and my defence.

7/ there he tuo or iiiori' Priests, each kisses the Holy Thiiiys, aud then each other on l/ie shotildrr, saying,

Christ is among us.

He is and will be.

//( nice manner also the Dearon adores theice where he stands, and kisses his Orariun on its cross, and thus exclaims,

The doors ! the doors I (") Let us attend in wisdom.

{^) The meaning of thiB sentence is very obscure. Some autliors, as CnbiiHilaH, ox]ilain it mysticnlly, as au injnucttion to rIoHo the doorH of thn mind again. -t. worldly busiiii'SH iiud tlinn^jlits; others, much more naturully, take it as au injunction to the Clerks, not to allow heathens, &c., to be iirosent at the Divine Mysteries.

112. THE LiTUBGY OF

People. I believe in one God, &c. Deacon. Stand we well: stand we with fear : let us attend to offer the holy Oblation in peace.

Choh . The mercy of peace, the sacrifice of praise.

And the Deacon adores, and comes to the holy Bema; and taking the fan, fans the Oblation reverenthj.

And the Priest taking the Air from the Holy Gifts, lays it on one side, saying.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Choir, And with thy spirit.

Priest. Lift we up our hearts.

Choir. We lift them up unto the Lord.

Priest. Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir. It is meet and right to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the consubstantial and iindivided Trinity.

Priest. It is meet and right to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to give thanks to Thee, to worship Thee, in every part of Thy dominion. For Thou art God, ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, the same from everlasting to everlasting ; Thou and Thine Only-Begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost. For Thou broughtest us forth to being from nothing, and when we had fallen didst raise us up again, and gavest not over until Thou badst done every thing that Thou mightcsc bring us to heaven, and bestow on us Thy kingdom to come. For all these things we give thanks to Thee, and to Thine Only-Begotten Son, and Thy Holy Ghost, for Thy benefits which we know, and which we know not, manifest and concealed, which Thou hast bestowed upon us. We give Thee thanks also for this ministry which Thou hast vouchsafed to receive

at our hamls : although there stand by Thee tliousauds of Archangels, aud teu thousands of Angels, the Cherubim, and the Seraphim that have six wings, and are full of eyes, and soar aloft on their wings, singing, vociferating, shouting, and saying the triumphal hymn :

Choir. Holy, Holy,' Holy, Lord of Sabaoth ; heaven aud earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest : blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord : Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Deacon, takhuj the asterisk from the huly disk, si(i)iH it with tlie sifjn of the cross, and having saluted it, replaces it.

Priest, We also with these blessed powers, Lord and Lover of men, cry and say, Holy art Thou and All-Holy, Thou aud Thy Only-J3ogotten Son, and Thine Holy (nrosT. Holy art Thou and All-Holy, aud great is the majesty of Thy glory :

Who didst so love Thy world, as to give Thine Only-Begotten Son, that whoso lielievetli in lliiu might not perish, but might have everlasting life : Who having come, and having fulfilJed for us all the dispensation, in the niglit wherein He was betrayed, or rather surrendered Himself for the life of the world, took bread in His lioly and pure and spotless hands, and gave thaidts, and blessed, and hallowed, and brake, and gave to His holy Hisciples and Apostles, saying, [(timid,) Take, eat : this is My Body which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

(Jhoir. Amen.

Priest, [in a low voice,) Likewise after supper Ho took the cup, saying, (aloud,) Drink ye all of thiw :

This is ^[y P.lood of tlie New TcHtamrnt. wliicli is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.

114 IHE LITURGY OP

Choir. Amen.

Priest, (in a Imv vnue,) We therefore remembering this sahitary precept, and all that happened on our behalf, the Cross, the Tomb, the Eesurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Session on the right hand, the second and glorious coming again, (aloud,) in (-'") behalf of all, and for all, we offer Thee Thine own of Thine own.

Choir. Thee we hymn, Thee we praise : to Thee we give thanks. Lord, and pray to Thee, our God.

Priest, (i)i a low voice,) Moreover we offer unto Thee this reasonable and unbloody sacrifice : and beseech Thee and pray and supplicate ; send down Thy Holy Ghost upon us, and on these proposed gifts.

The Deacon lays doivn the veil, and goes nearer to the Priest, and they both adore thnce before the holy Table, praying secretly, saying,

God be merciful to me a sinner.

Then

Lord, Who didst send down Thy Holy Ghost the third hour on the Apostles, take Him not from us, 0 good God, but renew Him in us who pray to Thee:

Then

Make me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence.

Glory.

Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst fill the fishermen with all manner of wisdom, sending down upon them the Holy Ghost : and by them

P) Kori irdvra is better rendered by in relation to all, or in behalf (if nil, tljan by the usual verBion, m all.

hast brought the whole world into Thy net, 0 Lover of men : glory be to Thee.

Both now.

When the Highest came down and confounded the tongues, He divided the nations ; when He distributed the tongues of fire. He called all to unity, and with one voice we praise the Holy Ghost.

Theyi the Deacon bowing his head, and pointing with his Orarlon to the Holy Bread, saith in a low voice.

Sir, bless the holy bread.

The Priest standeth iip, and theice maketh the sign of the Cross on the Holy Gifts, saying.

And make this bread the precious Body of Thy Chkist.

Deacon. Amen. Sir, bless the holy cup.

Priest. And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of Thy Christ.

Deacon. Anion. And pointing wiilt, km Urarion both the Holy Tlihigs,

Sir, bless.

Priest. Changing them by Thy Holy Ghost.

Deacon. Amen, Amen, Amen.

Then the Deacon hows his head to the Priest, and

saith,

Holy Sir, remember mo a sinner.

Then he stands in his fornwr place, and taking the fan, fans the Olilntiini a.s hrfore.

Priest. So tliat they may be to those that participate, for purification of soul, forgivoiicss of sins, communion of the Holy Ghost, fnlfilmnnt of the kingdom of lieavcn, boldness towards Thoe, and not to judgment nor to condemnation.

I 2

Aud further we offer to Thee this reasonable service on behalf of those who have departed in the faith, our ancestors, Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgives, and every just spirit made i^erfect in the faith.

The Deacon censes the holy Table in a circle, and commemorates such of the living and dead as he will.

Priest, (aloud.) Especially the most holy, undefiled, excellently laudable, glorious Lady, the Mother of God and Ever- Virgin Mary.

Choir. In Thee, 0 full of grace, {as in the lAtnrgij of S. James.) t^-'^''

The Deacon reads the diptychs of the dejyarted.

Priest. The holy John the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist, the holy, glorious, and all celebrated Apostles, Saint N. {the Saint of the day), whose memory we also celebrate, and all Thy Saints, theough whose prayers look down upon us, 0 God. And remember all those that are departed in the hope of the resiuTection to eternal life, and give them rest where the light of Thy countenance shines upon them. Furthermore we beseech Thee, remember, 0 Lord, every orthodox bishopric of those that rightly divide the word of truth, the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for every hierarchical order. Furthermore we offer to Thee this reasonable service for the whole world : for the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and for them that live in chasfity and hohness of life. For our most faithful kings, beloved of Christ, all their court and army. Grant to them, Lord, a peaceful reign, that we, in their peace, may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. {Aloud.) Chiefly,

0 Lord, remember our Archbishop N., whom preserve to Thy lioly Churches in peace, in safety, in honour, in health, in length of days, and rightly dividing the word of Thy truth.

The Deacon, by the holy doors, saith,

N. the Patriarch, Metropolitan, or Bishop, {as the case may be.)

Then he commemorates the dlptychs of the living.

Priest, (secretly.) Remember, Lord, the city in which we dwell, and every city and region, and the faithful that inhabit it. Remember, Lord, them that voyage, and travel, tliat are sick, that are labouring, that are in prison, and their safety. Remember, Lord, them that bear fruit, and do good deeds in Thy holy Churches, and that remember the poor. And send forth on us all the riches of Thy compassion, (aloinl,) ami grant us with one mouth and one heart to glorify and celebrate Thy glorious and majestic Name, Fathkr, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. And the mercifs of tlio great (Iod and our Saviour Jksus Ciihist shall bo with all of us.

The Dracoii takiinj his liinr frniii the Prif'st, and standing in the accustomed place, saith.

Commemorating all Saints, again mid again iu peace lot us make our supplications to the Lord.

Choir. Lord, have mercy. [And so at the end oj each pefition.)

Drarnn. For the vcncrablc gifts now offered Ixfore Him and liallowcd.

That our merciful God, the Lover of mankind, Who hath received them unto His holy and lieavenly and spiritual Altar, for the savour of a sweet spiritual

scent, may in return send down on us His Divine grace, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

That we may he preserved from all affliction, wrath, &c.

The Deacon continues the Ectene down to Christian ends of life.

The Priest meanwhile saith secretly,

To Thee, 0 Lord and Lover of men, we commend in pledge all our life and our hope, and hescech and pray, and supplicate : make us worthy to partake of Thy heavenly and terrible mysteries of this holy and spiritual Table, with a pure conscience, for the remission of sins, forgiveness of transgressions, participation of the Holy Ghost, inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, boldness of access to Thee : not to judgment nor to condemnation.

Deacon. Having prayed for the oneness of the faith, and the participation of the Holy Ghost, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life to Christ our God.

Priest, [aloud.) And make us worthy, 0 Lord, witJi boldness and witliout condemnation to dare to call upon Thee, om* God and Father which art in heaven, and to say,

People. Our Father.

Priest. For Thine is the kingdom.

Priest. Peace to all.

Deacon. Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

Priest. We render thanks unto Thee, 0 King invisible. Who hast framed all things by Thy measureless power, and in the mulfitude of Thy mercy hast brouglit all things into being from nonexistence. Look down, 0 Lord, from heaven, upon them that have bowed their heads unto Thee, for they bowed them not to flesh and blood, but to

Thee, the fearful God. Bestow, therefore, 0 Lord, on all of us au equal benefit from these offerings, according to the need of each : sall with them that sall, journey with them that journey, heal the sick, Thou Who art the Physician of our souls and bodies.

(Aloud.) Through the grace, and mercy, and love to men, of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom, together witJi the most Holy, and good, and lifegiving Spirit, Thou art bles.sed, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Hear us, 0 Lord Jksus Christ our God, out of Thy holy dwelling-place, and from the tin-one of the glory of Thy kingdom, and come and sanctify us, Thou That sittest above with the Father, and art here invisibly present with us : and ])y Thy mighty hand make us worthy to partake of Thy spotless Body and precious Blood, and by us all Thy people.

The t'liest and the Dfcictma adore in the place where the;/ stand, sayintf secretly theice,

God be merciful to me a sinner.

And irhen the Deacon sees the Priest slrelcltimi forth his hands, and tnnchinrf the hull/ Bread, to make the holy elevation, he exclaims,

Let us attend.

And the Priest, clcralintf the holy Bread, exclaims. Holy things for holy persons. Choir. One Holy, one Lcnio, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

And the Clwir siny the Koinonicon: (") e.g. on the festivals of Ajiostlcs.

(") ThiB is H HtiolioH, rlcriviii^; itH iiuiiio, .if rfiiirKp, from the Communion which it procedoH ; iiinl in ofiniviiloiit, though not exactly answering in place, to the Mozarabic Communion.

Their sound is goue out into all lands : and theii words into the ends of the world.

The Deacon then girds his Orarion crosswise, and goes into the holy Bema, and standing on the right hand, [the Priest grasping the holy Bread,) saith,

Sir, break the holy Bread.,

And the Priest, dividing It into four parts with car and reverence, saith,

The Lamb of God is broken and distributed ; He That is broken and not divided in sunder ; ever eaten and never consumed, but sanctifying the comini;nicants.

And the Deacon, pointing with his Orarion to the holy

Cup, saith,

Sir, fill the holy Cup.

And the Priest taking the upper portion, (that is, the IHC,) makes with It a Cross above the holy Cup, saying. The fulness of the cup, of faitli, of the Holy Ghost: and thus jnds It into tJie holy Cup.

Deacon. Amen.

And taking the warm water, he saith to the Priest, Sir, bless the warm water. (^^)

And the Priest blesseth, saying,

(«) This very strange rite, the pouring warm water into the chalice after consecration, occasioned the greatest astonishment among the Latins at the Council of Florence. DorotlieuB, Bisliop of Mitylene, is said to have given the Pope ample Batisfaction bv his explanation, wliich, however, is unfortunately lost. But S. Germanus tells us : "As Blood and warm Water flowed both of them from the side of Chkist, thus hot water, poured into the chalice at the time of consecration, gives a full type of tlio mystery to those who draw that holy liquid from tht> chalice, as from the life-giving side of our "Lord."

8AINT CHRYSOSTOM. 121

Blessed is the fervour of Thy Saints, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. And the Deacon pours forth a sulficieucij into the holy Cup, in the form of a Cross, Sftying,

The fervour of faith, full of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (TJuice.)

Then, setting down the warm water, he stands a little uayoff. Anil the Priest, taking a particle of the holy Bread, saith,

(**) The l)lessed and most holy Bo'^ly of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Chkibt is communicated to me, N., Priest, for the reniiboiun of my sins, and for everlasting life.

I believe, Loun, and confess.

Of Thy Mystic Supper to-day.

Let not, 0 Lord, tlie communion of Thy holy mysteries be to my judgment or condemnation, but to the healing of my soul and body.

And thus he jxirtdlces of that which is in his hands with fear and all caution. Then he saith,

Deacon, approach.

And the Deacon apprnnches, and reverently makes an olieisnnce, askitiy foryivcness. And the Priest, tiikiny the holy lirrtid, gives it to the Deacon; and the Deacon, Idssing the hand that gives it, saith,

Sir, make me partaker of the precious and lioly Body of our Lord and God and Saviour .Jksub Christ.

Priest. N. the lioly Deacon is made partaker of

p) Tbo MSS. find j)rintc(l PflitioiiH vary pxccHHively in the whole Coiniiniiiioii Imtli of th<! I'riest iinil llio people: so tliut it would be hard to find two copies exactly alike.

the precious and lioly and spotless Body of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins, and for eternal life.

And the Deacon going behind the holy Table, boweth his head and lyrayeth, and so doth the Priest.

Then the Priest stauilinf/ up, takes the holy Chalice witJi its covering in both Jiands, and drinks theee times, saying, I, N., Priest, partake of the pure and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of my sins, and for eternal life.

And then he wipes the holy Cup and his own lips with the covering he has in his hands, and saith,

Behold, this hath touched my lips, and shall take away my transgressions, and purge my sins.

Then he calls the Deacon, saying. Deacon, approach. The Deacon comes, and adores once, saying,

Behold, I approach the Immortal King.

I believe. Lord, and confess.

Priest. N. the Deacon and servant of God is made partaker of the precious and holy Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and for eternal life.

And when the Deacon hath communicated, the Priest

saith.

Behold, this hath touched thy lips.

Then the Deacon, taking the holy disk, and holding it over the holy Chalice, wipes it thoroughly with the holy sponge; and irith care and reverence covers it with the veil. In like manner he covers the disk with the afterisk, and that uith its veil.

The Priest saith the j)rayer of Thanksgiving.

We vield Thee thanks, 0 Lord and Lover of men.

Benefactor of our souls, that Thou hast this day thought us worthy of Thy heavenly and immortal mysteries. Eightly divide our path, conhrm us all in Thy fear, guard our life, make safe our goings : theough the prayers and supplications of the glorious Mother of God and Ever- Virgin Mary, and all Thy Saints.

(^) And thus they oj)cn the doors of the holy Bema; and the Deacon, having made one adoration, takes the Chalice with reverence, and goes to the door, and raising the Jinly Chalice, shews it to the ])eople, saying, Approach with the fear of God, faith and love.

2'hcy who are to communicate draw near ivith all reverence, and hold their arms crossed on their breast; and the Priest, as he distributes the mysteries to each, taith,

N. the servant of God is made partaker of the pure and holy Body and Blood of our Lord and (lOD and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins, and life everlasting.

The)i the Priest blesseth the pcofdc, saying aloud,

0 God, save Thy people, and bless Thine licritage.

(^■) From tlio Cfinitnunion to tlic end of Uic. cnicc, nil tlio Liturj^ic'H, except tlint of S. ClirysoKtoin nnd tlie Arnicninn, where we }mve the rul)ric8 in full, liocomo aliiioHt iiicxtri(rably confiiseil ; but moKt of all that of H. .TnmeH. Three different Htnj^eH have, liowever, to be distiiij^nislied : 1. The return of the I'lie-tt to the Altar; 2. IliH K"'"K thence lo the iiKthcHis. which in some of the FjiturKieH precedeK, in othc^rw fdllnWK, the diHiiiisHul ; .'5. IIIh return to the Altiir, the K'ft of the itiitidnrou, ami the diHrolauK. which in the ConHtantinoiiolitan family in done before the diHuiifial : to which H. James adds, 4. The prayer said as he finahy ,'oe8 to the sacristy.

The Deacon and the Priest return to the hoh/ Table, and the Priest censeth theice : saying secretly.

Be Thou exalted, Lord, above the heavens : and Thy glory above all the earth.

Then, taking the holy disk, he puts it upon the head of the Deacon, and the Deacon takiny it with reverence, and looking out towards the door, goes in silence to the prothesis, and puts it down: and the Priest having made obeisance, takes the holy Chalice, and turns towards the doors, saying secretly.

Blessed be our God : [then aloud,) always, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

And the Deacon having come out, and standing in the accustomed place, saith.

Standing upright, and having partaken of the divine, holy, spotless, immortal, heavenly, lifegiving, and terrible mysteries of Christ, let ns worthily give thanks to the Lord.

Assist, preserve.

That we may pass this whole day.

Exclamation. For Thou art our sanctification, and to Thee we ascribe glory, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Choir. Amen.

Priest. Let us go on in peace.

Deacon. Let us make our supplications to the Lord.

Prayer behind the amhon, (^) said aloud by the Priest without the bema.

Lord, Who blessest them that bless Thee, and Bunctifiest them that put their trust in Thee, save

(W) This means behind the ambon as respects the bema : that is, before it as regards the people.

Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance : guard with care the fulness of Thy Church : hallow those that love the beauty of Thine house. Glorify them in return by Thy divine might, and forsake not them that put their trust in Thee ; give Thy peace to Thy world, to Thy Churches, to our Priests and Kings r to the army, and to all Thy people ; because every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from Thee, the Father of lights: and to Thee we ascribe.

This being ended, the Priest goes theough the holy doors, and departs into tJie prothesis, and saith this Prayer.

Thou, 0 Christ our God, Wlio art Thyself the fulness of the Law and of the Prophets, Who didst accomplish all the dispensation of Thy Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon. Let us make our supplication to the Lord.

Priest. The blessing of tlie Lord upon you. Then, Glory to Thee, our God : (ilory to Thee.

People. Glory, liolh now.

Then the Deacon, also going theough the north part, gathers tog<ihrr the llolg Things, irilh. fi'ar mul all sdji tg : SI) Ihtil nut the very smallest jiarlicli' should Jall out, or be left: nuiL he washes his hands in the accustomed jilare. And the Priest goes forth, and gives the antidoron(^) to the people. Tlien he goes into the holy

(») The Anticloroii in the brood which has been offered for the Horvice of tliu Altar, hut wliicli hiin uot been r('(|iiir('<l for conHecratioii : it in hoiiio reHpectH rt-Hembk'H the ]i<iin hrni of most of the French riten. It is not ho very unuHiuil ii thing in BuBsia that those luonkH who jiractiHo the most reguhir aHceticinm, should t.il;o no other food during Lent, oxcei>t th» /Vntidorou.

126 LITURGY OF S. CHRYSOSTOM.

bema, and puts off his priestly vestments, saying, Nunc dimittis, the Trisagiou, and the other things. Thenhe saith the dismissory prayer of S. Chrysostom.

The grace of Thy lips, shiniug forth like a torch, illuminated the world, enriched the universe with the treasures of liberality, and manifested to us the height of humility : but do thou, our instructor by thy words, Father John Chrysostom, intercede to the Word, Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Lord, have mercy, (twelve times.)

Glory. Both now.

Thee, the more honourable than the Cherubim.

And he makes the dismission: and having adored, and given thanks to God for all things, {^) he departs.

of S. John Chrysostom — the last words which he spoke — " Glory be to God for all things."