Great is our LORD, and great is His Might; and of His Understanding there is no number.] Reader. The Reading of the [Acts of the Apostles.] THE APOSTLE. * Reader. In those days, by the hands of the Apostles, were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with oneaccord in Solomon's porch. But of the others durst no-one join himself to them, yet the people magnified them. But the multitude both of men and women, who believed in the LORD, was more increased, insomuch that they brought-out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter should come, at the least his shadow might overshadow some-one of them. And there came-together also the multitude belonging to the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick-folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: who were all healed. But the High-priest rising-up, and all they that were with him, (which is the heresy of the Sadducees,) were filled with jealousy, and they laid hands on the Apostles, and put them in public custody. But an Angel of the LORD, through the night, opened the doors of the prison, and brought them forth, saying: Go, and standing speak in the Holy-place, to the people, all the words of this life.] Priest. Peace to thee who Readest. He then Censeth the For God is a Great LORD; and a Great King over all the earth. O come, let us exult in the LORD; let us make a joyful-noise to GoD our Saviour. Prayer before the Gospel. Priest, silently. O MASTER, Lover-of-men, let the inextinguishable light of Thy Divine knowledge shine-forth in our hearts, and open the eyes of our understanding, that we may comprehend the proclamations of Thy Gospels. Plant in us, also, fear of Thy blessed commandments, that we, trampling upon all carnal desires, may go to seek a Spiritual citizenship, both saying and doing all things that shall well-please Thee. For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O CHRIST the GOD: and we ascribe Glory to Thee, with Thy FATHER Unoriginate, and to Thine All-Holy, and Good, and Life-giving SPIRIT, now, and ever, and to the ages of the ages. Amene. Deacon. Master, bless the evangelizer of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist [John.] ? Priest. GOD, through the intercessions of the Holy, glorious Apostle and Evangelist [John,] ? give utterance to thee, to evangelize with much power, for fulfilment of the Gospel of His Beloved Alleluia. Alleluia. SON, and our LORD, JESUS CHRIST. Alleluia.] Deacon. Amene. *The title of the Book is changed when necessary. only For Table of other Apostles, see APPENDIX T. On the Sunday of Anti-Pascha only. For other Alleluias, see APPENDIX U. § This name is changed when necessary. Priest. Wisdom. Stand up, let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace to all. Choir. And to thy spirit. Deacon. The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to [John.] * Choir. Glory to Thee, O LORD; Glory to Thee. Priest. Let us attend. THE GOSPEL. [John 20/19. + Deacon. The same day, the first of the Sabbaths, when it was late, and the doors were shut where the Disciples were assembled, through the fear of the Jews, JESUS came, and stood in the midst. and said unto them: Peace to you. And when He had said this, He shewed unto them His Hands and His Side. The Disciples therefore were glad when they saw the LORD. JESUS therefore said unto them again: Peace to you; as the FATHER hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said: Receive ye the Holy GHOST. Whosesoever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; and whose soever ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the Twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when JESUS came. The other Disciples therefore said unto him: We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them: Except I shall see in His Hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His Side, I will not believe. And after eight days, His Disciples were again within, and Thomas with them: JESUS cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace to you. Then saith He to Thomas: Reach hither thy finger, and behold My Hands, and reach hither thy hand and put it into My Side, and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him: Thou art my LORD and my GOD. JESUS saith unto him: Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly therefore did JESUS in the presence of His Disciples, which are not written in this Book. But these are written, that ye may believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of GOD; and that believing, ye might have Life in His Name.] Priest. Peace to thee who Evangelizest. Deacon. And to thy spirit. Choir. Glory to Thee, O LORD; Glory to Thee. The Deacon then saith: Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind let us say: Choir. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. LORD Almighty, GOD of our Fathers: we pray Thee, hear, and have mercy. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great mercy : we pray thee, hear, and have mercy. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Again we pray for the pious and Orthodox Christians. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Choir. LORD, have mercy. *This name is changed when necessary. On the Sunday of Anti-Pascha only. For Table of other Gospels, see APPENDIX V. Deacon. Again we pray for our brethren, the Priests, Priest-monks, sacred-Deacons and Monks, and all our brotherhood in CHRIST. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, concession and forgiveness of sins, of Thy servants. all the pious and Orthodox Christians, [and the dwellers in this city,*] with women and children. Prayer of the Intense Supplication. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable Founders of this Holy House, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallenasleep before us, who here piously repose, and the Orthodox everywhere. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Again 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 all the people that stand around, who are expecting from Thee the great and rich mercy. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Priest, silently. O LORD ou GoD receive this intense supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the fulness of Thy mercy; and send-down Thy compassions upon us, and upon all Thy people, who are expecting from Thee the rich mercy. Priest. For Thou art the Merciful GOD and Lover-of-men: and we ascribe Glory to Thee, to the FATHER, and to the Son, and to the Holy GHOST, now, and ever, and to the ages of the ages. Choir. Amene. ¶If there is an offering for the dead, the following, from the Burial Service, is then said. Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O GOD, according to Thy great mercy: we pray Thee, hear, and have mercy. Choir. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Again we pray for Re Prayer for Rep se of Departed Soul. Priest, silently. O GOD of the spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trodden down death, made void the devil, and given life to Thy world: Thyself, O LORD, repose the [soul] of Thy departed [servant- -+] in a light place, in a pleasant place, in a refreshing place, whence pain, grief, and mourning are driven away: and all sins [he hath **] committed, in word, or deed, or thought, concede, as the Good GoD and Lover-of-men: for there is no man that liveth and sinneth not; Thou Alone art without *Or, if in a Community Church: and the brethren of this Holy Monastery. + Or, souls. Or, servants -and Or, her; or, them. || 0, her soul; or, their souls. **Or, she hath; or, they have. †† Or, her; or, their. CHRIST, Our Immortal King and sins; Thy Righteousness is Right- Choir. Grant, O LORD. Priest. For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed [servant- -,*] O CHRIST Our GoD: and we ascribe Glory to Thee, with Thy FATHER Unoriginate, and to Thine All-Holy, and Good, and Life giving SPIRIT, now, and ever, and to the ages of the ages. Choir. Amene. But if there is no departed person commemorated, the foregoing is omitted, and the Deacon proceeds: Catechumens, pray ye to the LORD. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Let us, the Faithful, pray for the Catechumens. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. That the LORD may be merciful to them. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Word of Truth. Choir. LORD, have mercy. the [Prayer for the Catechumens, before the Holy Anaphora. † Priest, silently. O LORD our God, Who dwellest in High-places, and beholdest the humble; Who didst send-forth the Salvation of the race Deacon. May reveal to them the of men, Thine Only-Begotten SoN Gospel of Righteousness. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Choir. To Thee, O LORD. and GOD, our LORD JESUS CHRIST: look-down upon Thy servants, the Catechumens, who have boweddown their necks unto Thee; and deem them worthy, in due season, of the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruption; unite them to Thy Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and number them together with Thine elect flock.] Priest. That they also, together with us, may Glorify Thine allHonourable and fitting-Great Name, of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the Holy GHOST, now, and ever, and to the ages of the ages. Choir. Amene. The Priest unfolds the Heilitone. He then saith, silently, [The First Prayer of the Faithful. ‡ + ST. BASIL. Prayer of the Catechumens, before the Holy Anaphora. Priest, silently. O LORD our God, Who dwellest in the Heavens, and lookest upon all Thy works: look-down upon Thy servants, the Catechumens, who have bowed-down their necks in Thy Presence, and give unto them the light yoke; make them honourable members of Thy Holy Church, and deem them worthy of the laver of regeneration, the forgiveness of sins, and the robe of incorruption, in the knowledge of Thee, our True God. + ST. BASIL. The First Prayer of the Faithful. depart; as many of you mercy. Deacon. Help, save, have mercy, and guard us, O GOD, by Thy Grace. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Deacon. Wisdom. We thank Thee, O LORD the GOD of the Powers, Who hast deemed us worthy to stand, also now, at Thy Holy Altar, and to bowdown to Thy compassions for our own sins, and the ignorances of the people: receive, O God, our prayers; make us to be worthy of the offering to Thee, prayers, and supplications, and unbloody sacrifices, for all Thy people; and qualify us for the usage of this Thy Service, in the power of Thy Holy SPIRIT, that we may blamelessly, and stainlessly, in a pure witness of our conscience, call upon Thee in every time and place, that when Thou hearest us, Thou mayest be merciful unto us in the fulness of Thy Goodness.] Priest. For to Thee befitteth all Glory, Honour, and Worship, to the FATHER, and to the Son, and to the Holy GHOST, now, and ever, and to the ages of the ages. Choir. Amene. Deacon. Again and again in peace, of the LORD let us pray. Choir. LORD, have mercy. [The Second Prayer of the Faithful. * Priest, silently. Again and oft-times we fall-down to Thee, and pray of Thee, O Good, and Lover-ofmen, that Thou wouldest look upon our prayers; cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit; and grant that our standing at Thy Holy Altar may be irreprehensible and uncondemnable. But vouchsafe, O GOD, to them that pray with us, an advance of life, and faith, and spiritual understanding; give to them always with fear and love to adore Thee irreprehensibly, and without condemnation to partake of Thy Holy Mysteries: Deacon. Wisdom. and make them worthy of Thy Heavenly Kingdom.] Priest. That being ever guarded by Thy Strength, we may ascribe Glory to Thee, to the FATHER, and to the SON, and to the Holy Ghost, Deacon. Help, save, have mercy, and guard us, O GOD, by Thy Grace. Choir. LORD, have mercy. Priest, silently. Thou, O LORD, hast shewed us this great Mystery of salvation; Thou hast deemed us worthy, Thy humble and unworthy servants, to be ministers of Thy Holy Altar: qualify Thou us by the power of the Holy SPIRIT in this Service, that standing, without condemnation, before Thy Holy Glory, we may offer to Thee a Sacritice of praise: for Thou art the Worker of all in all. Grant also, O LORD, that our Sacrifice may be acceptable for our sins and the ignorances of the people, and be well-pleasing before Thee. * ST. BASIL. The Second Prayer of the Faithful. Priest, silently. O GOD, Who hast visited our humility with mercies and compassions; Who hast placed us, Thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servants, before Thy Holy Glory, to minister at Thy Holy Altar: strengthen Thou us with the power of Thy Holy SPIRIT in this Service, and give us a word in opening our mouth, to call-down the Grace of Thy Holy SPIRIT upon the Gifts about to be set-forth. |