St James Liturgy

The Proscomede is done in silence. One Lamb is cut from the Prosphora only and placed on the Discos. No veils are used. The Doors and Curtain remain closed. The priest does not wear a pectoral cross or kamilavka or thigh shield. The Gospel, Apostle and Old Testament are placed on the Holy Table. The service begins with a full censing in silence. The Hours are not read. The priest stands before the Holy Table facing East with arms outstretched and looking up and chanting softly.

Priest: Though polluted with the multitude of my sins, reject me not utterly, O Master, Lord our God. For behold, I have come to this, Thy divine and heavenly mystery, not as worthy, but looking up to Thy goodness. I address my voice unto Thee: O God be gracious unto me a sinner; I have sinned against heaven and before Thee and I am not worthy to look at this Thy sacred and spiritual table, whereon Thine Only-Begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ is mystically set forth as a sacrifice by me who am sinful and marked with every stain. Therefore, I offer unto Thee this supplication and thanksgiving, in order that Thy Spirit, the Comforter, be sent down to strengthen and fortify me for this service; and do Thou make me worthy to declare, without condemnation, the word delivered by me to Thy people from The, by Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine All-Holy, good and life-creating and consubstantial Spirit, + now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

The curtains are drawn and the doors open as the priest kisses the Gospel Book and the Holy Table. He continues to face East with arms outstretched looking up chanting softly.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Trinal and only Light of Godhead, existing, one essence in Trinity and undivided. The Trinity is the Almighty God, whose glory is told by the heavens, and the earth reveal His power and the sea proclaims His might, and every sentient and intelligent creature heralds everywhere His greatness. For to Him belongeth all glory, honour and dominion, greatness and majesty, +now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

The priest continues to face East as before but chants in a louder voice.

O Benefactor and King of the ages, Maker of the whole creation, accept Thy Church approaching Thee through Thy Christ. Fulfil that which is profitable to each of them; bring all to perfection; and make us worthy of the grace of Thy sanctification, gathering us together in Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which Thou hast obtained by the precious Blood of Thine Only-Begotten son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, here he takes the Gospel Book as he does in the Liturgy of St John and makes the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with Whom Thou art blessed and all-glorified, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

Priest facing the people on the Solea. Let us pray to the Lord. He turns East.

The server brings the censer. The Priest censes the front of the Holy Table 3x saying:

O God, Who didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifice of Noah and Abraham, the incense of Aaron and Zacharias, receive also from my hands this incense as an odour of fragrance and for the remission of our sins and those of Thy people. For Thou art blessed, and unto Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The censer is returned to the usual place and the servers gather with candles, exit the North Door, move to just below the Solea in a line. They reverence and proceed to the Ambo in the middle of the church the Priest carries the 3 books of Holy Scripture. He places them on the stand before the Ambon. During this Entrance the Choir sing Only–Begotten Son and Word of God…From the end of the second antiphon in the Liturgy of St John. The servers proceed him and they stand in a line below the Solea. His hands outstretched the priest chants...

Priest: O Almighty God, O Lord Who hast a great name, Who hast given to us an entrance to the Holy of holies, by the coming of Thine Only- Begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we pray and supplicate Thy goodness, seeing that we are full of fear and trembling, when we desire to stand before Thy holy altar: send upon us, O God, Thy good grace, and sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits, and change our dispositions to piety, that we, with a pure conscience, may offer to Thee gifts, presents, fruits, to cancel our transgressions and for the propitiation of all Thy people. + By the grace and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-Begotten Son with whom Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The servers enter the altar through the side doors. The Priest enters through the open doors and kisses the Holy Table. He turns and faces the people standing on the Solea facing West.

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the peace from above and God’s love for man, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the salvation and help of our all holy father and Metropolitan Hilarion and for all the clergy and Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the remissions of sins and the forgiveness of our transgressions, and that we may be delivered from all tribulation. Wrath, danger and necessity, and the insurrection of enemies. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest then turns East: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly glorious, blessed Lady, Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, Saint John, the glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the Godly and all-praised apostles, the glorious prophets, the right-victorious martyrs, and all the saints and righteous ones, that their prayers and intercessions we may be all be shown mercy.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest in a soft voice: O generous and merciful, long-suffering and all-gracious and true Lord. Look from Thy holy dwelling place and hear us who pray unto Thee, and preserve us from all temptation whether of the devil or of man, and set not Thy help far from us, nor bring us chastisements heavier than we can bear, for we are not able to conquer the things which are adverse to us, but Thou art able, O Lord, to save us from all adversities. Save us, O God, from the difficulties of this world, according to Thy goodness, that we, entering with a pure conscience into Thy holy altar, may without blame, send up to Thee, together with the heavenly hosts, the blessed and thrice-holy hymn and accomplishing the Liturgy, well-pleasing unto Thee and divine and may count us worthy of life everlasting. Then he chants: For Holy art Thou, O our God, and Thou dwellest and restesth in Thy saints, and unto Thee do we send up glory and the thrice-holy hymn, to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The choir sing the Trisagion as usual as in the Liturgy of St John during which the priest and servers exit and stand before the Solea as before though the priest remains on the Solea facing West. He makes the sign of the Cross over the servers and people saying: Peace be unto all.

The choir reply: And with thy spirit.

The choir sing slowly: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia as the priest and servers move down to the Ambon and take their places. Vested readers or Subdeacons stand on either side of the priest facing East.

The first reader takes a blessing and chooses a passage from the Old Testament and says: A reading from the book of the Prophet N. / Moses etc He returns the book to the stand.

Priest: Let us attend

The choir sing: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

The second reader takes a blessing and reads the Apostle from the Lexionary and says: The reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans/ Ephesians etc He returns the book to the stand.

Priest: Let us attend

The choir sing: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

The priest says softly: Make to shine in our hearts, O man-befriending Master, the pure light of Thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the comprehension of the preaching of Thy good tidings. Instil in us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both meditating and doing all that is well-pleasing unto Thee.

Then he chants: Upright, let us hear the holy Gospel. + Peace be unto all.

Choir: And with thy spirit.

The priest takes the Holy Gospel saying: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St N.

Choir: Glory to Thee O Lord, Glory to Thee

Priest: Let us attend. Then he chants the Holy Gospel facing West.

Choir: Glory to Thee O Lord, Glory to Thee

The priest and people sit for the sermon the servers take the fans and candles back into the altar and come to sit in the nave. As the sermon ends the Priest and Readers take the holy books into the altar and put them aside, the Gospel put upright on the Holy Table. The priest kisses the holy table turns and stands on the solea facing West.

Priest: Let us all say: Lord have mercy.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: O Lord Almighty, all-heavenly God of our father, we pray Thee, hearken unto us.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the peace from above and God’s love for man, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the salvation and help of our all holy father and Metropolitan Hilarion and for all the clergy and Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, bondage, bitter death, and our iniquities, let us pray.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the people here present, who await Thy rich and great mercy, we pray Thee, be tender hearted, and have mercy. Save O God Thy people + and bless Thine inheritance.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest facing East: Look upon Thy world with mercy and compassion.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: Exalt the horn of Christians, by the power of the precious and life-creating Cross, by the prayers of the all-holy and blessed Lady, Theotokos, of the forerunner and Thine Apostles and all Thy saints, we pray Thee, all-merciful Lord, hearken unto us, who pray to Thee and have mercy.

Choir: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Priest facing East with outstretched arms but chanting softly: O God, Who hast sounded into our ears Thy divine and salutary words, enlighten the souls of us sinners to the comprehension of that which hath now been read, so that we may not only be seen to be hearers of spiritual things, but doers of good works, preserving the faith unhypocritically, our life blameless, our dwelling honourable, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit +, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Then he chants: For Thou art the good tidings, and the enlightenment, the Saviour and Guardian of our souls and bodies, O God, and Thine Only-Begotten Son., and Thine all-holy spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest faces West in the doorway and the choir sing: Lord have mercy. Softly and continuously.

Priest: Let us fervently pay attention. In peace let us pray to the Lord + For the peace from above and God’s love for mankind, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the peace of the whole world, and the union of all the holy churches of God, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the salvation and help of are all holy father Metropolitan Hilarion, and for all the clergy and Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord… + For remission of sins and the forgiveness of our transgressions, and that we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, and the insurrection of enemies, let us pray to the Lord.+

Priest: That we may pass through a complete, perfect, holy, painless and sinless day, let us ask of the Lord. +

Choir now sings: Grant this O Lord. Softly and continuously.

Priest: An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord…+ Things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord…+ That we may complete the rest of our life in peace and health let us ask of the Lord…+ A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful and a good defence before the dread and fearful judgement seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord…+

Choir: Grant this O Lord.

Priest faces East and chants: Calling to remembrance our most-holy, immaculate, exceedingly glorious and blessed Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary + , St John, the glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the Godly and all-praised apostles, the glorious prophets, those who did heroic labours and all the righteous ones, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God. +

Choir: To Thee O Lord

Priest with arms outstretched chants softly, looking towards the East: O Master, Creator of life and Giver of all that is good, Who gavest mankind the blessed hope of life everlasting, our Lord Jesus Christ, make us worthy, O Good One, to accomplish this divine service to Thee in holiness, for the enjoyment of future blessedness.

The priest now unfolds the Antimins during the first part of the prayer below, not in the usual manner but completely. Taking the sponge he makes with it the sign of the Cross over the Antimins as he completes this prayer.

Priest: That being guarded always under Thy dominion and conducted to the light of Truth, we may send up glory and thanksgiving unto Thee, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest comes to the open doorway and faces West chanting: In peace let us sing unto Christ. Let none of the Catechumens, let none of the unenlightened, let none of those unable to join with us in prayer remain: recognize one another. Upright!

Choir sings: Let all mortal Flesh keep silent and stand with fear and trembling, and let it take no thought for any earthly thing; for the King of kings and lord of lords draws near to be sacrificed and given as food to the faithful.

During this hymn, the priest censes the whole church in the manner of a full censing and returns to the Holy Table. He kisses the Holy Table, turns and bows to the people, moves to the prosthesis, washes his hands and the servers gather as usual for the Great Entrance. The candle bearers lead the way towards the back of the church near the choir. The fans stand over the gifts the candles on each side. All face West for the commemorations as usual ending: May the Lord God remember you always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir sing: Amen.

Then the priest and servers return to the altar as the choir continues until the priest has finished censing the gifts on the Holy Table: Before him go the choirs of angels with all the principalities and powers: the many eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim which cover their faces as they sing this hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The servers do not wait for a blessing but go and stand in their places facing West. The priest first places the discos on the Holy Antimins on the left as usual and then the cup on the right all the while says softly: O God, our God, Who didst send forth the heavenly Bread, the Food of the whole world, our Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour and Redeemer and Benefactor, blessing and sanctifying us: (here he puts down the discos) and receive it upon Thine Altar above the heavens. (Here he puts down the cup)

Priest with outstretched arms says softly: Remember, as Thou art good and the Friend of man, those who brought this offering and those for whom it was brought, and keep us uncondemned in the celebration of Thy Divine Mysteries. For sanctified and glorified is Thine all-honoured and majestic name, of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

The priest censes the gifts 3x during the Alleluia of the chant saying softly: O Almighty Master and King of glory, Who knowest all things before they come to pass, come now Thyself to us who call upon Thee at this holy time, and ransom us from the shame of sin. Purify our minds and our thoughts from all impure passions and worldly deceit and every action of the evil one; receive from the hands of us sinners this incense, as thou did receive the offering of Abel, Noah, Aaron and Samuel and all Thy saints; defending us from every evil act, and saving us so that we may worship and glorify Thee, the Father, and Thine only-Begotten Son, and Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

The priest turns and stands in the open doors and chants: In the wisdom of God, let us attend!

The choir sings the Creed as normal:

I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, begotten of the Father before al ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father by who all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into the heavens, and sits a the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end; and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the Prophets; in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen

While this is chanted the priest with outstretched arms says softly: O God and Master of all, make us, unworthy, unworthy though we be, worthy of this hour, O Lover of mankind, that we, being cleansed from all guile and all hypocrisy, may be united one to another by a bond of peace and love, being strengthened by the sanctification of Thy divine knowledge, for the sake of Thine Only-Begotten Son, the Christ, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

The priest comes onto the solea facing West and chants: Let us stand well. In peace let us pray to the Lord.

The priest turns to the East and chants: For Thou art a God of mercy and compassion and love for mankind, Thou and Thy Only-Begotten Son, and Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest faces the people and chants: Peace be unto all +

Choir: And with thy spirit.

Priest facing West chants: Let us greet each other with a holy kiss. Let it be known that this action is no longer performed by the faithful.

Choir: I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my foundation, and my refuge, and my deliverer.

As the choir sing this the priest kisses the holy gifts and the Holy Table and comes into the open doors chanting: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

The choir sing very slowly: To Thee, O Lord as the priest says softly, arms crossed over his breast: O only Lord and merciful God, on those who bow their necks before Thy holy altar, and who beg of Thee spiritual gifts, send down Thy good grace, and bless us all with every spiritual blessing which cannot be taken away, O Thou Who dwelleth on high and looketh upon the humble. For praised and hallowed and worshipped is Thine all-holy name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest then chants: May the Lord bless us, and may He hasten unto us, and may He make us worthy of standing before His holy altar (here he signs the discos +) and of the coming of His Holy Spirit (here he signs the cup +) by His grace and love for mankind, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir sings very slowly: Amen.

The priest then bows once more with arms crossed and chants softly: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will towards men. (x3) O Lord, open Thou our lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. (x3) Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, o lord, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long. (x3)

The priest comes to the open doors and faces the people chanting: O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.

Choir: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.

The priest continues to face West and chants: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

The choir chant continuously: Lord have mercy.

The priest faces East and chants: Save us, have mercy on us, be compassionate unto us and keep us O God by Thy grace.

The priest faces West and chants: For the peace from above, and for divine love for mankind, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the peace of the whole world, and for the union of all the holy churches of God, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is from one end of the world to the other, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the salvation and help of our all-holy father and Metropolitan Hilarion and all the clergy and Christ-loving people, let us pray to the Lord…+ For our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth for her government and armed forces and help and victory from heaven, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the holy city of Christ our God (Jersusalem) for the imperial city (Rome/Constantinople), every city and land, and those who dwell in them in the Orthodox faith and divine piety, for their peace and tranquillity, let us pray to the Lord…+ For those who bring offerings and do good works in the holy churches of God, for those who remember the poor, the widows and orphans, strangers and those in needs, for those who have asked us to remember them in prayers, let us pray to the Lord…+ For those who are in old age and infirmity, the sick, the distressed, those who are vexed with unclean spirits, for their speedy healing from God and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord…+ For those who lead their lives in virginity and purity and asceticism, and in honourable marriages, and those who carry on their struggle in mountains, caves and holes in the earth, our venerable fathers and brethren, let us pray to the Lord…+ For Christians who sail, who travel, who are strangers, and for our brethren who are in bonds and exile, and in prisons and in hard labour, for their peaceful return to their homes with joy, let us pray to the Lord…+ For our fathers and brethren who are present and pray together with us at this hour and at all times, for their diligence, labour and zeal, let us pray to the Lord…+ For every Christian soul in affliction and distress, in need of God’s mercy and help, and for the conversion of the erring, the health of the sick, the liberation of captives, for the rest of our fathers and brethren who have already reposed, let us pray to the Lord…+ For the remission of sins and the forgiveness of our transgressions, and that we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, and the uprising of the heathen, let us pray to the Lord…+ For pleasant and good weathers, for gentle showers, healthful dews, abundant fruits, good crops and for the crown of the year, let us pray to the Lord…+ That this prayer may be heard and acceptable before God, and that His abundant mercies and compassion may be sent down upon us, let us pray to the Lord…+

The priest now turns East: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly glorious, blessed Lady and ever- virgin Mary, the holy and blessed John, the glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, Stephen the protodeacon and first martyr, the prophets Moses, Aaron, Elias, Eliseus, Samuel, david, Daniel, and all the saints and righteous ones, that by their prayers and intercessions we may all obtain mercy.

Choir: Lord have mercy

Priest continues to face East: For the precious and all-heavenly, unspeakable, immaculate, glorious, fearful, awesome and divine gifts which lie here before us (here he gestures to the gifts) and for the salvation of our honourable Metropolitan Hilarion, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

The priest, if he serves alone proceeds to the Ambon and faces East. (These prayers can take place during the Litany above if the priest serves with another or with a deacon) With outstretched arms he chants these prayers softly amongst the people.

Visit us with mercies and compassion, O Master and Lord, and give firm confidence unto us, Thy humble, sinful and unworthy servants, to stand before Thy holy altar and to offer unto Thee the fearful and bloodless sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorance of the people. Look now upon me, Thine unprophitable servant, and be gracious unto my sins for the sake of Thy tender mercy; cleanse my lips and heart from all stain of flesh and of spirit; remove from me every shameful and irrational thought, and by the might of Thine all-holy Spirit, make me fit for this Liturgy. Receive me for the sake of Thy goodness, as I approach Thy holy altar, and condescending to my weakness, vouchsafe, O Lord, that these gifts, brought to Thee by my own hands, may be acceptable; cast me not away from Thy face, neither abhor Thou mine unworthiness, but have mercy on me, O God, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions overlook mine iniquities, so that having entered uncondemned before Thy glory, I may be worthy of the protection of Thine Only-Begotten Son, and the enlightenment of Thine all-holy Spirit, and that I may not be cast out as a slave of sin, but as Thy slave I may find grace and mercy and the remission of sins in this age and in the age to come. Yea, O Almighty Master, all powerful Lord, hear my prayer. For Thou art He Who workest all in all, and from the do we expect help and aid in all things, and from Thine Only-Begotten Son and Thy life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages…+

O God, Who by Thy great and ineffable love for mankind didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son into the world, that He might turn back again the sheep that have gone astray, turn not away us sinners, who take hold of Thee in the fearful and bloodless sacrifice. For we trust not in our own righteousness, but in Thy good mercy, by which Thou redeemest to Thyself our race. We now supplicate and beseech Thy goodness that this Mystery planned for our salvation may not be for condemnation to Thy people, but for the remission of sin, to the renewal of souls and bodies, and for Thy pleasure, O God and Father…+

There follows a prayer of St Basil which is often found here but not in all manuscripts.

O Lord, our God, Who hast created us and brought us into this life; Who hast shown us the ways of salvation, and bestowed upon us the revelation of heavenly mysteries: Thou art the One Who hast appointed us to this service in the power of thy Holy Spirit. Therefore, O Master, enable us to be ministers of Thy New Testament, and servants of Thine immaculate Mysteries. By the greatness of Thy mercy, accept us as we draw nigh unto Thy holy altar, so that we may be worthy to offer unto Thee these gifts and sacrifices for our sins and for the ignorance of Thy people. And grant unto us, O Lord, with all fear and a clean conscience, to offer Thee this reasonable and bloodless sacrifice, so that, when Thou hast received it on Thy noetic altar above the heavens, for an odour of spiritual fragrance, Thou mayest send down upon us the grace of Thine all-holy Spirit. Yea, O God, look upon us now and behold this, our reasonable service, and receive it as Thou didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the whole burnt offerings of Abraham, the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace offerings of Samuel, the repentance of David, the incense of Zacharias: even as Thou didst receive from the hands of Thy holy apostles this true service; so now, in Thy goodness, accept these gifts here present from the hands of us sinners, and grant that our offering may be pleasing unto Thee, sanctified by the Holy Spirit for the redemption of our transgressions and the ignorance of the people, for the repose of the departed, that we, sinners and Thine unworthy servants, made worthy to serve Thy holy altar without offence, may receive the reward of wise and faithful stewards and may find grace and mercy on this awesome day of Thy just and good retribution…

The priest now leaves the Ambon and moves to stand before the Holy Table in the open doors facing East and chants the prayer of the veil softly with arms outstretched:

We thank Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou hast given us boldness to enter into Thy holy place, the new and living way which Thou hast renewed for us by the veil of the flesh of Thy Christ. Having been made worthy to enter the dwelling place of Thy glory, to be inside the veil, to see the Holy of Holies, we fall down before Thy goodness, Master, have mercy upon us, for we are fearful and trembling as we desire to stand before Thy holy altar and offer Thee this awesome and bloodless sacrifice for our transgressions and the ignorance of the people, send down upon us, O God, Thy good grace, and sanctify our souls, bodies and spirits, and convert our thoughts unto piety, so that with a clean conscience we may offer Thee a mercy of peace and a sacrifice of praise. By the mercy and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only0-Begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit…+ now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest blesses the people and chants: Peace be unto all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

The priest faces East and chants: Let us stand well, Let us stand piously, Let us stand with fear of God and humility. Let us attend to offer the holy oblation to God in peace.

Choir: A mercy of peace a sacrifice of praise.

Priest with arms outstretched chants softly whilst the choir sing: Having uncovered the veils of enigmas which mystically surround this holy rite, make them manifest unto us, and fill our intellectual eyes with Thine incomprehensible light: having cleansed our poverty from all stain of flesh and spirit, make us worthy of this fearful and awesome ministration. For Thou art a most tender hearted and merciful God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,…+ now and ever and unto the ages of ages . Amen

Priest chants facing East: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit (he blesses the people) be with you all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

Priest chants: Let us lift up our mind and our hearts…+

Choir: We lift them up unto the Lord

Priest chants: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

Choir: Meet and right it is. (though some complete the chant according to the liturgies of St John and St Basil)

The Priest then, with arms slightly outstretched, chants softly: It is truly meet and right, fitting and necessary, to praise Thee, to sing unto Thee, to bow down before thee, to glorify Thee, to give thanks unto Thee, the Creator of every visible and invisible creature, the treasury of eternal good, the source of life and immortality, the God and Master of everything, of Whom the heavens and the highest heavens sing and all their hosts, the sun and moon, the whole choir of stars, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, the heavenly Jerusalem, the gathering of the elect, the Church of the first-born, those enrolled in the Heavens, the spirits of the righteous and the prophets, the souls of the martyrs and apostles, the angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, principalities, and virtues, and dread powers; the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, who with two wings cover their face, with two their feet, and with two they fly and cry one to another with tireless lips and un-silenced doxologies:

Then he chants loudly as usual: Singing the triumphal hymn of Thy majestic glory, with clear voices, shouting, glorifying, crying and saying:

Choir: Holy, holy, Holy: Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Priest chants softly: Holy art Thou (here he signs the discos…+) King of the ages and give of all holiness. (here he signs the cup…+) Holy also is Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom thou didst create all things (here he signs over both…+) Holy also is Thine all-holy Spirit, Who searches all things, even the depths, o God and Father. Holy art Thou all-powerful One, awesome, good and tender-hearted, and all-patient with Thy creation. Thou didst create man from the earth according to Thine image and likeness, and didst give him the pleasures of paradise, but when he transgressed Thy command and fell away, Thou didst not overlook nor abandon him, O Good One, but didst punish him as a tender-hearted Father; Thou didst call him unto the Law, Thou didst edify him by the prophets, and in the end Thou didst send down to the world Thine Only-Begotten Son Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, that having come He might Himself renew and restore that image. He came down from the heavens and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary. He lived amongst men and did everything for the salvation of our race. For us sinners He desired to accept the voluntary and life-creating death upon the Cross, although He was sinless.

The priest chants less softly: On the night in which he was betrayed, or rather when He gave Himself up for the life and salvation of the world (here he takes the Lamb into his right hand).He took bread in His holy, immaculate and immortal hands, looked up to heaven and showed it unto Thee, His God and Father, and gave thanks, blessed it, hallowed it, (here he puts the Lamb into his left hand and signs it …+ and places it onto the discos) He broke it, and gave it to His holy and blessed disciples and apostles saying: Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken and given for you for the remission of sins.

Choir: Amen.

The priest chants a little more softly: Likewise after supper He took the cup, (here he takes the cup) mingled in it some wine and water, looked up to heaven (here he looks up) and showed it unto Thee, His God and Father, and He gave thanks, hallowed it (he takes the cup into his left hand and signs it with his right hand) filled it with the Holy Spirit, and gave it to His holy and blessed disciples and apostles saying: (chanting louder now) Drink ye all from it; this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. (he places the cup back onto the Antimins)

Choir: Amen.

Priest chants softly: Do this in memory of Me, for as often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you announce the death of the Son of Man, and confess His resurrection until He come.

Priest chants: We believe and we confess.

Choir: We announce Thy death, O Lord, and we confess Thy resurrection. (as they sing this the priest signs the Lamb and the cup once more)

The priest chants softly with outstretched arms: We sinners remember therefore His life-creating sufferings, His saving Cross, and death and burial, and His third-day resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His sitting down at Thy right hand, O God and Father, as well as His second, glorious, dread coming, when He shall come with glory to judge both the living and the dead, when He shall desire to reward each one according to his deeds. Spare us, O Lord God. Spare us O Lord God, especially according to Thy tender-heartedness. We offer Thee, O Master, this awesome and bloodless sacrifice, praying that Thou mightiest not repay us according to our sins nor according to our iniquities, but according to thy condescension and thine unspeakable love for man, thou mightiest overlook and blot out the handwriting against us who pray unto Thee, that Thou mightiest give us Thy heavenly and eternal gifts, which eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, and which hath not entered into the heart of man, which God hath prepared for those who love The, and because of my sins, do not cast aside Thy people, O man-befriending God.

The priest chants in a loud voice: Thy people and Thy Church entreat Thee…+

Choir: Have mercy upon us, Lord God, Almighty Father.

The priest chants in a loud voice: Thy people and Thy Church entreat Thee…+

Choir: Have mercy upon us, Lord God, Almighty Father.

The priest chants in a loud voice: Thy people and Thy Church entreat Thee…+

Choir: Have mercy upon us, Lord God, Almighty Father.

Priest chants very softly with outstretched arms: Have mercy upon us, O Almighty God, have mercy upon us, O God, our Saviour, have mercy upon us O God, according to Thy great mercy, and send down upon us, and upon these holy Gifts set forth, Thine all-holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, enthroned with Thee, one in essence and coeternal, Who spake by the law and the prophets and in Thy New Testament, Who came down in the form of a dove on our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan and who didst rest upon Him, Who came down upon thy holy apostles in the form of tongues of fire in the upper room of Thy holy and glorious Zion on the holy Day of Pentecost:

Priest chants loudly with outstretched arms: Send down now this same all-holy Spirit, O Master, upon these gifts here set forth; that He might come with His holy, good and glorious descent and hallow (here he signs the holy Lamb) and make this Bread the holy Body of Christ…+ Amen.

Priest chants: And this cup the precious Blood of Christ…+ (he signs the cup and chants more softly) That They may be for all who have communion with Them for the remission of sins and life everlasting. For the sanctification of souls and bodies…+ Amen. (here he signs the Lamb) For an abundance of good deeds. Amen…+ (here he signs the cup) For the strengthening of Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which was founded upon the rock of faith, so that the gates of hades might not prevail against her, delivering her from every heresy and those who do evil, protecting her to the end of the ages. Amen.

Choir now sings softly and many times: Remember, O lord our God.

During this chant the priest with outstretched arms chants softly: We offer them unto thee, O Master, for Thy holy places which Thou hast glorified by the Theophany of Thy Christ and the coming of Thine all-holy Spirit, especially for holy and glorious Sion, the mother of all churches, and for Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout the world. Now give her the abundant gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, O Master. Remember, O Lord, our holy fathers and bishops, in her, who divide the word of Thy truth through the whole world in Orthodoxy. Among the first, remember, O Lord our God, our venerable father, our all-holy Metropolitan Hilarion. Give him an honourable old age, preserve him for many years, shepherding Thy people in all piety and honour. Remember, O Lord, the venerable priesthood that is here and everywhere, and the diaconate in Christ, and every order of the Church, our brotherhood in Christ, and all Christ-loving people. Remember, O Lord, the priests who stand here with us, serving at this holy time before Thy holy altar in order to offer Thy holy and bloodless sacrifice. Give them and us the word to open our lips for the glory and praise of Thine all-holy name. Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of thy mercy, me, Thy humble, sinful and unworthy servant, and look upon me with mercy and compassion. Deliver me and free me from those who persecute me: O Lord of Hosts, do not enter into judgement with thy servant, and even though sin is magnified in me, let Thy grace be more than abundant. Remember, O Lord, the deacons who surround Thy altar, give them an immaculate life, a pure service: keep them and lead them to a higher degree. Remember, O Lord, the holy city of our God and the imperial cities and every city and country, and those who live in them in the Orthodox Faith and piety, for their peace and tranquillity. Remember, O Lord, the most pious and Christ – loving rulers, their governments and armed forces, and their help from heaven and victory. Touch their armour, shield them, and arise to their help, and humble before them all adverse and barbaric heathen. Set aright their plans so that we may live a calm and quiet life in all piety and sobriety. Remember, O Lord, those at sea, those who travel, all journeying Christians, those in bondage and in prison, those in captivity and exile, those in the mines and those who are tortured, those in bitter slavery, our fathers and brethren, and for their peaceful return, each one to their home. Remember O Lord, those in old age and infirmity, the sick, the ailing, the suffering and the sorrowful and those vexed by unclean spirits. Give them speedy healing and their salvation, which is from Thee O God. Remember, O Lord, every Christian soul that is sorrowful and weary, in need of thy mercy and help, O God, and the conversion of the erring. Remember, O Lord, those who live their lives in virginity and continence and ascetic labours, those on the mountains and the caves and holes in the earth, our fathers and brethren who perform heroic deeds of asceticism, and the churches of the Orthodox throughout the cities, and our church here in Christ. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren, who for the sake of Thy holy name, serve us. Remember, O Lord, the good of all, have mercy upon everyone, O Master, reconcile us all, give peace to the multitude of thy people, exterminate snares, crush wars, calm the divisions of the churches, quickly subdue th uprisings of heresies, cast down the pride of the heathen, exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, give us Thy peace and thy love, O God, our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth. Remember, O Lord, seasonable weathers, gentle showers, healthful dews, abundant fruits, perfect fertility, and the crown of the year in Thy goodness. The eyes of all look to thee with hope, and Thou gavest them their food in due season; Thou openest Thy hand and fillest every living thing with Thy favour. Remember, O Lord, those who have borne fruit and who bear fruit in the holy churches of God, those who remember the poor and those who have asked us to remember them in prayer. Deign as well to remember, O Lord, these offerings that are brought this day to thy holy altar, and those for whom each one bringeth them and whom each had in mind, and those who have been commemorated before Thee. Remember, O Lord, our parents, families and friends and all whom we have remembered, O Lord, and the Orthodox whom we have not remembered. Give them heavenly things instead of earthly things, imperishable things rather than perishable, eternal things rather than temporal, according to the promise of Thy Christ, for Thou hast power over life and death. Deign as well to remember, O Master, those who from the beginning have pleased thee from generation to generation, the holy fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, teachers, monastics and every righteous soul who has died in the faith. Remember, O Lord, her of whom the archangel’s voice did say: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord ids with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.

Then the priests chants in a loud voice: Especially our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

The choir continue with: Remember, O Lord our God.

The priest chants softly with arms outstretched: For Saint John the glorious Prophet, forerunner and Baptist, the holy apostles, the holy prophets, patriarchs, righteous ones, the holy martyrs and confessors. Remember, O Lord God, our holy fathers and archbishops and all flesh, whom we have remembered and those whom we have not remembered. Give them rest there, in the land of the living, in Thy kingdom, in the enjoyment of paradise, in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, our holy fathers, whence all sickness, sorry and sighing are fled away, and where the light of Thy countenance looketh down and always shineth. Direct, O Lord, in peace a Christian and well-pleasing and sinless end to our life, gathering us under the feet of thine elect, when thou wishest and how Thou wishest, only without shame and transgression, for the sake of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who is the only one Who hath appeared on earth without sin.

The priest chants more loudly and the choir cease chanting: Among the first, remember, O Lord, his holiness Patriarch Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, our master the most reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, whom do Thou grant unto Thy holy Church, in peace, safety, honour, health and length of days, rightly dividing the word of Thy truth.

The priest stands facing West in the open doorway and chants: And for the peace and good estate o the whole world, and for the holy churches of god, and for those for whom each one hath made an offering or whom each one hath in mind, and for the people here present, and for each and every one.

The priest faces East once more and with upstretched arms chants: Grant it to us, and to them, for Thou, O Master, art good and the friend of man.

The choir chant: Remit, pardon, forgive, O God, our transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, whether in knowledge or ignorance,

The priest faces East in the Altar and exclaims: By the grace and compassions and love for man of Thy Christ, with Whom Thou art blessed and all-glorified, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages…+

Choir: Amen

The priest turns to bless the people chanting: Peace be unto all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

The priest, facing West in the open doors chants: Again and again, and without ceasing, in peace let us pray to the Lord. For the offered, sanctified, precious, heavenly, ineffable, immaculate, glorious, awesome, fearful, divine gifts, let us pray to the Lord our God. That the Lord our God, Who hath accepted them upon His holy and noetic and spiritual altar above the heavens for a spiritual fragrance, will send down upon us in return the Divine grace and the gift of the all-holy Spirit let us pray. Asking for the unity of the Faith and the communion of His all-holy and adorable Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

The priest must say this prayers now, but if a deacon serve they are said during the Litany above. He chants softly with arms outstretched: O God and Father of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, O greatly- named Lord, blessed being, measureless goodness, God and Master of all things, Who art blessed for ages of ages, Who art seated upon the Cherubim, and glorified by the Seraphim, before whom stand thousands upon thousands, and tens of thousands of armies of holy angels and archangels, receive the gifts that have been brought to Thee, as well as the presents and offerings, as a spiritual fragrance that Thou hast deigned to hallow and perfect, O Good One. By the grace of Thy Christ, and of Thine all- holy Spirit, sanctify as well, O Master, our souls and bodies, and spirits, touch our thoughts, search out our consciences, and turn away from us every evil thought, every shameful thought, all passion and shameful lust, every unfit word, all envy, foolish thinking, and hypocrisy, all falsehood, all evil, all temptations of this life, all greed., all vainglory, everything bad, all anger, all wrath, every evil remembrance, all blasphemy, all avarice, all negligence, every evil movement of the flesh and spirit, at variance with the will of Thy holiness.

The priest continues more loudly: And vouchsafe us, O Master, lover of Mankind and Lord, with boldness and without condemnation, with a clean heart and enlightened soul, with faces unashamed, with sanctified lips, to dare to call upon the our God and Father and to say:

Choir: Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

Oche Nash, izhe esi nanebesekh, da svystitsya Imya Tvoye, da pridyet tsarstvie Tvoye,. Da budyet volya Tvoya yako na nyebesi y na zyemli. Kleb nash na sushchnyi dazhd nam dnes. Y ostavinam dolgi nasha, yokozhe y mwi ostaviyayem dolzhnikom nashim. Y nye vyedi nas vo I skusheniye, no izbavi nas ot lukavago.

Priest reads this prayer silently during the Lord’s Prayer: And lead us not into temptation, O Lord, the Lord of hosts, Who knoweth our weakness, but deliver us from the Evil one and from his works, from every oppression and intrigue of his, for the sake of Thy holy name, which is invoked upon our humility.

Priest chants in a loud voice: For Thine is the kingdom, the power and glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages…+

Choir: Amen

The priest turns to bless the people: Peace be with you all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

The priest chants: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. (as he turns towards the holy table)

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest with arms crossed across his breast says in a low voice: We Thy servants, O Lord, have bowed our necks to Thee, before Thy holy altar, awaiting from the rich mercies and now Thine abundant grace. Send down upon us Thy blessing, O Master, and sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits, so that we may be worthy to be communicants and partakers of Thy holy mysteries for the remission of sins and for life everlasting.

Priest chants this exclamation: For Thou art worshipped and glorified, O our God, (here he signs the holy Lamb once more…+) and Thine Only- Begotten Son, (here he signs the holy cup once more… +) and Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest turns and goes out to stand on the solea and chants: And may the grace and mercy of the holy, one in essence, uncreated, undivided, and adorable Trinity be with you all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

Priest: With the fear of God, let us attend.

The priest now returns to before the Holy Table, he takes the Lamb with the tips of his fingers using both hands and says this prayer in a quiet voice: O Holy One, Who dwelleth amongst the saints, O Lord, sanctify us by the word of thy grace and the coming of Thine all-holy Spirit; for thou, O Master, hast said: Be holy as I am holy. O Lord our God, unapproachable God, O Word, of one essence with the Father and the all-holy Spirit, co-eternal, undivided, receive this pure hymn from me, a sinner, in Thy holy, bloodless sacrifices with Cherubim and Seraphim, as I cry and say:

Priest lifts the Holy Lamb a little further and chants: Holy things are for the holy.

Choir: One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen

Priest puts down the precious Lamb and turns to the people chanting: For the salvation of our Metropolitan Hilarion, and for every soul that is sorrowing and weary, in need of God’s mercy and help. For the return of the erring, the healing of the sick, the liberation of captives, the repose of our fathers and brethren gone to their rest before us, let us fervently say: Lord have mercy.

Choir sings: Lord have mercy (12x very slowly)

The priest now breaks the holy Lamb in this way after first signing it…+ he breaks it into two parts putting IC NI back onto the discos. He then breaks XC KA holding the XC in his right hand and the KA in his left. He puts the KA onto the discos then he lays the XC in his left hand, signs it …+ and, with his right hand, places it into the holy cup.

As he does so he says: The union of the all-holy Body and precious Blood of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is united, it is hallowed, it is perfected, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

He then takes the IC and NI and breaks it, lays the pieces down onto the discos saying: This is the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, Who taketh away the sins of the world, Who is sacrificed for the life and salvation of the world.

He then breaks sufficient particles for the faithful and himself saying: The holy portion of Christ, full of grace and truth, of the Father and the Holy Spirit, to Him be glory and dominion unto the ages.

In modern practice the IC is reserved for the priest and the NI and KA are cut with the spear and the particles placed in the cup as in the Liturgy of St John or St Basil.

The priest raises his hands and chants: May the Lord bless us and preserve us uncondemned, in the communion of His immaculate gifts, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest chants: May the Lord bless and vouchsafe us to receive with immaculate fingers the flaming coal, and to place it into the mouths of the believers, for the cleansing and renewal of their souls and bodies, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

The priest turns away from the holy table and, facing the people in the doorway chants: Taste and see that the Lord Jesus Christ is broken but not divided, and distributed to the believers and unconsumed, for the remission of sins and life everlasting, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen

Still facing West the priest chants: In the peace of Christ let us sing.

Choir: Taste and see that Christ is the Lord, Alleluia.

The doors and curtain are now closed as the priest says: O Master. Christ our God, Heavenly Bread, Food of the whole world, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and I am not worthy to partake of Thy holy and immaculate mysteries, but for the sake of thy goodness and ineffable long-suffering, make me worthy, uncondemned and unashamed, to partake of Thine immaculate Body and precious Blood, for the remission of sins and life everlasting.

The priest adds the Zeon after this prayer but in silence.

The priest consumes the IC with all compunction saying: The body of Christ. Amen. He then takes the cup in the usual way and drinks therefrom saying; The Blood of Christ, the cup of life. Amen.

The curtain and doors are then opened as the Priest chants: Glory to God, Who hath sanctified and doth sanctify us all. Be thou exalted above the heavens, O God, and Thy glory above all the earth, and Thy kingdom shall endure unto the ages of ages. Blessed be the name of our lord and God, unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The priest brings out the holy mysteries chanting: With fear of God, with faith and love draw near.

Choir sing: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Let my mouth be filled with praise, O Lord, and let my lips be filled with joy, that I may hymn Thy glory.

In modern practice the faithful receive Holy Communion in the usual manner. Then the priest returns the holy cup to the Holy Table. Turns back to the people and chants: Save, O Lord Thy people and bless Thine inheritance…+

Choir chant on one note: We thank Thee, O Christ our God, for thou hast made us worthy to partake of thy Body and Blood for the remission of sins and for life everlasting. Keep us uncondemned, we pray, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

As this is chanted the priest censes the gifts 9x saying: Thou hast given us joy, O God, in communion with Thee, and we offer unto Thee a hymn of thanksgiving, the fruit of our mouths, confessing Thy grace; may it ascend to Thee, O God, with this incense, and may it not be turned away empty, but grant us for its sake, the sweet fragrance of Thine all-holy Spirit, the immaculate myrrh which shall not be taken away. Let our mouths be filled with praise, and our lips with rejoicing, and our hearts with joy and gladness, in Jesus Christ our Lord, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.

The priest returns the holy gifts in the usual way to the Prothesis then returns to fold the Antimins.

The priest chants: Again and again, without cease, in peace, let us pray to the Lord…

The choir sings Lord have mercy continuously.

The priest continues: That the communion of his sanctification may be to us for the turning away of every deed of the evil one, for the provision for the journey to life everlasting, for the communion and gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray. The Antimins is folded during these petitions.

The priest chants: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, exceedingly glorious and blessed Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints and righteous ones, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord. (sung very slowly)

The priest says this prayer in a low voice with arms outstretched: O God, Who for the sake of Thy great and unspeakable tender-heartedness, condescended to the weakness of Thy servants, and made us worthy to be communicants of this all-heavenly table, judge us not, O Master, as sinners in the communion of thine immaculate Mysteries: but protect us, O Good One, in sanctification, so that, having been worthy of Thine all-holy Spirit, we may find a portion and inheritance with all the saints who have pleased Thee from the beginning, in the light of thy countenance, by the compassions of thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, with Whom thou rt blessed together with Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

The priest takes the Gospel Book and makes with it the sign of the Cross over the Antimins as in the Liturgy of St John as he chants: For blessed and sanctified and all-glorified be Thine all-honourable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest facing the people blesses them chanting: Peace be unto all…+

Choir: And with thy spirit.

Priest: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest crosses his arms across his chest and chants softly: O great and wondrous God, look upon Thy servants, for we have bowed our necks to Thee. Stretch forth Thy powerful hand, so full of blessings, and bless Thy people. Protect Thine inheritance, so that we may always and without cease glorify Thee, our only living and true God, the Holy Trinity, one in essence, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…+

Priest chants aloud: For unto Thee is due and belongeth from us all, every doxology, honour, worship and thanksgiving, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The priest moves to the Ambon chanting: In the peace of Christ, let us depart.

The priest stands on the Ambon facing East with arms outstretched and chants this prayer:

From strength to strength advancing, and having completed all the Divine service in Thy temple, we now entreat Thee, O Lord our God: make us worthy of Thy perfect love for mankind, direct our way, root us in the fear of Thee, have mercy on us all and count us worthy of Thine all-heavenly kingdom, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom is due glory, honour and dominion together with Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The priest now faces the people and chants: You are dismissed in peace.

The priest now blesses the people chanting: Blessed be God, who doth bless and sanctify us by communion of His holy and immaculate mysteries, now and ever and unto the ages of ages…+

Choir: Amen

The priest returns to the altar, the doors and curtain are closed and the priest cleanses the gifts. The people go forth in peace to their homes full of thankfulness and praise. Thus is completed the Divine Liturgy of St James.