A Guide to Worship in the Byzantine Catholic Church
The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great

 

A Guide to Worship in the Byzantine Catholic Church
Worship that engages all the senses...

If you're not a Byzantine Catholic and are unsure and curious about what you'll encounter when you visit, we think you'll find the information on this page helpful if not downright interesting!

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

If you are Catholic, have maintained the one hour fast before Holy Communion and are in a state of grace (free of conscious mortal sin), you may receive Holy Communion, the saving Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, just as you normally would. The faithful are called to "Approach with the fear of God and with Faith." A gesture of reverence and thanksgiving is appropriate (hands folded one over the other on the breast in the form of St. Andrew's Cross) before and after receiving Holy Communion. When you approach, you will simply tilt your head back with mouth open as Holy Communion is given to the faithful under both species by means of the communion spoon, while holding the linen under your chin. There is no response to the words of the priest. . As each communicant receives the sacred species the priest says: "(Name) servant of God receives the precious and all holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord and God , Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins and for life everlasting."

FOLLOWING THE LITURGY

If this is your first visit, you may find it somewhat difficult to follow the prayers of the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, which Byzantine Catholics refer to as the Divine Liturgy. Don't feel compelled to keep up; were just glad that you have joined us in worship today.

WHO WE ARE

We are Catholics in communion with the Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI, whom we recognize as the visible Head of the Catholic Church. The local Roman Catholic Bishop, the Bishops of the United States, and the whole world recognize us as being Catholic. As part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we are identified as Eastern Catholics and share the same faith and we have the same seven Sacraments. The difference is that as Eastern Catholics, we have a different way, or rite, of expressing our Faith in regards to Liturgy, customs and theology.

THE DIVINE LITURGY

The Divine Liturgy, the offering (sacrifice) of the Body and Blood of Christ, is the central act of worship. The Byzantine Liturgy is one of the most widely celebrated in U.S. Eastern Catholic Churches. It has several different forms, but the principal one used daily by most Eastern Catholics is the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. St. John Chrysostom (349-407) was Archbishop of Constantinople and a renowned preacher and biblical scholar. The liturgy was adapted from the Liturgy of St. James of Jerusalem. The Divine Liturgy can be divided into three main parts and can also be explained as a mystical approach to the life of our Lord. The Life of Jesus Christ is usually divided into three periods, namely: 1) The hidden life; 2) the public life; and, 3) the salvific life, or Christ's work of salvation. Corresponding to these three periods of Christ's life, the Divine Liturgy can also be divided into three consecutive parts: 1) The Preparation (proskomedia), the rite of preparing the holy gifts (bread and wine) at the side altar, which enacts the sacrificial life of Jesus; 2) Liturgy of the Word, with the readings of the Holy Scriptures and the sermon, which celebrates and teaches the public life of Jesus; and, 3) Liturgy of the Eucharist, which communicates our Lord's salvific work: His passion, death on the cross, His glorious resurrection, and His ascension.

HINTS FOR PARTICIPATING

As Eastern Catholics, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy according to the Ruthenian tradition of the Byzantine Rite. This Liturgy will have familiar parts -- Scripture readings, Eucharistic Prayer, and Holy Communion -- but the ceremonies surrounding them will be different. The following are some comments that may be helpful in participating in today's Liturgy.

BYZANTINE SIGN OF THE CROSS

Blessing oneself with two fingers brought to the thumb represents the Trinity. The last two fingers held to the palm represent the two natures of Jesus--God and man. For the first 1,200 years of the Church, in making the Sign of the Cross, the hand was typically brought from the right to the left shoulder. In the East this is still the practice, to signify Christ enthroned at the right hand of the Father. According to tradition and in the words of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216), The Sign of the Cross is made with three fingers because it is impressed upon us in the name of the Holy Trinity. From the forehead we pass to the breast, then from the right to the left. (Quoted in Gasparri: Catholic Catechism, p. 248).

ICONS

Icons are revelation in pigment and paint. In front of the altar, usually on an iconostasis, which is the screen partition that unites the mystical heavenly (sanctuary or Holy of Holies) to the earthly (nave), you see two icons flanking the altar. The icon of Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms reminds us of the first coming of Jesus, the God-man. The icon of Jesus by Himself represents His Second Coming at the end of time. The altar beckons us to enter into Gods presence and to put aside all earthly distractions. Icons make us remember: not a passive recollection of a past person or event, but a remembrance that transforms. This is one of the foundation stones of Christian liturgy - that the remembrance makes present the reality.

INCENSE

We use incense as a sign of reverence for the sacred place and the sacredness of the people who are made in Gods image and as a sign of preparing for something important about to happen in the Liturgy. It is our prayer ascending like the smoke of incense before the throne of God.

BOWS AND BLESSINGS

We bow and make the Sign of the Cross many times during the Liturgy, as a sign of our faith, and the receiving and accepting of Gods blessings. Following the making of the Sign of the Cross, reverence to God is further expressed by bowing the head. We bless ourselves every time we mention the Persons of the Trinity by name, or whenever the priest blesses the congregation. We also bow and sign ourselves whenever we enter or leave the church.

ALTAR BREAD

Our altar bread is made with yeast (leavened) to symbolize that Christ is Risen! At the beginning of the Liturgy, the priest will cut a loaf of specially baked prosphora and prepare cubed particles that will be used for distribution of Holy Communion.

THE ICONOSTASIS

This is a barrier that divides the holy altar, in the sanctuary, from the body of the church. The screen has three openings: the royal doors in the center and two smaller doors called deacon doors. There can be one icon on the screen, or many, but all are hung according to an established order. The royal doors are flanked by the icons of Christ (on the right) and the Mother of God (with Christ) on the viewer's left. It is the Lord as He came in history, and the Lord as He will come again when history is no more. On the far right is the patronal icon of the parish, St. Athanasius, and in the far left. is the patron saint of the Byzantine Church, St. Nicholas. If the altar is the highest heaven and the nave the place of transfiguration, the iconostasis is both a window and a mirror. It reveals to us glimpses of the glory of heaven, those transfigured by the divine life. Some Questions and Answers

IS THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH REALLY CATHOLIC?

Emphatically, yes! The Byzantine Church is in complete communion and allegiance with the Pope in Rome and has all of the same valid Sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church.

DOES THE BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY FULFILL THE SUNDAY OBLIGATION?

Yes. The Byzantine Divine Liturgy is the same re-creation of the Last Supper as the Roman Rite Mass. The Divine Liturgy is offered by a validly ordained priest recognized by and in union with Rome.

DOES THE BYZANTINE LITURGY USE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

No, Byzantine liturgical tradition emphasizes that we offer ourselves to God as we are. We bring only ourselves and stand before the Creator and we worship with our God-given voices without any manmade instruments. All liturgical prayer, therefore, is sung a capella (without accompaniment).

OTHER THAN ENGLISH, WHAT LANGUAGE IS USED IN THE LITURGY?

St. John Chrysostom originally recorded the Divine Liturgy in Greek. Later, as Ss. Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to the Slavs, they translated the services into Slavonic. In the Byzantine Catholic Church in America, the liturgy was translated into English in the 1950s, but many churches continue to include some traditional Slavonic in worship, especially the second verse of the hymns and seasonal greetings.

WHY DOES THE PRIEST HAVE HIS BACK TO THE CONGREGATION?

Actually, he is facing to pray in the same direction as the worshipping faithful. The priest is the representative of the congregation. The sanctuary and tabernacle are the heavenly throne of God, so the priest faces God, the object of our prayers, and he speaks to God on our behalf.

HOW IS THE DIVINE LITURGY DIVIDED?

The whole action of the Divine Liturgy falls into three main divisions:

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIVINE LITURGY AND THE MASS?

There is no theological difference; that is, both are the same event, Sacrifice and Eucharist. The word liturgy came from the Greek 'leitourgia,' which means a 'public gathering.' The term mass comes from the Latin "ite, missa est;" "go, you are dismissed," from the dismissal at the end of the Mass. Both terms, however, are synonymous in meaning and describe the same event.

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The Divine Liturgy of our Holy Father, Saint John Chrysostom

Before the Divine Liturgy begins at the main altar, the bread (Prosphora) and wine for the Holy Sacrifice are prepared by the priest at the Table of Preparation. This is called the Proskomedia - or rite of preparation. When he has completed this rite, the priest goes to the Altar; the prepared chalice and paten are left upon the
Table of Preparation.

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After the preparation of the gifts, the people stand as the priest incenses the whole church. The Royal Doors are opened.

The priest blesses the altar with the Gospel Book, saying:
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R: Amen.

From Easter to Ascension, we sing thee times: Christ is risen from the dead! By death He conquered death; and to those in the graves He granted life.

 

 

SIT

 

 

First Antiphon For Sundays

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to His name; give to Him glorious praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Savior, save us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O savior, save us.

Second Antiphon For Sundays

Be gracious to us, O God, and bless us; let Your face shine upon us, and have mercy on us. O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to Your: Alleluia!

STAND

Hymn of the Incarnation

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

O only begotten Son and Word of God, Who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become incarnate of the holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and became man without change: You were also crucified, O Christ our God, and by death have trampled death, being One of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

During the Hymn of the Incarnation, the Entrance with the Gospel Book is made.
Our attention is drawn to the words of our Lord which are soon to be proclaimed.

Third Antiphon

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us shout with joy to God our Savior:
O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to Your, Alleluia!

The priest then raises the Gospel Book and says:

Priest: Wisdom! Be attentive!

On major Feast Days a special ENTRANCE HYMN may be prescribed instead of the following Hymn.

Entrance Hymn

R. Come, let us worship and bow before Christ: O Son of God, risen from the dead, save us who sing to You: Alleluia!

SIT

The Troparion and Kontakion proper to the day are then sung.

While these hymns are being sung, the priest prays that we may worthily offer to God
the adoration and praise due to Him and concludes by saying:

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

R. Amen.

Thrice-Holy Hymn

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and immortal, have mercy on us. (Three Times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us.

Instead of "Holy God...." the following is sung on Christmas, Theophany, Lazarus Saturday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Bright Week, and Pentecost Sunday: All you who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia! (Three times) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia! All you who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia! Instead of "Holy God..." the following is sung on September 14, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and during its octave. It is also sung on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent and the week following, until Saturday. We bow to Your cross, O Lord, and we praise Your holy resurrection (Three times) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. And we praise Your Holy resurrection. We bow to Your cross, O Lord, and we praise Your Holy resurrection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The priest goes behind the altar for the reading of the Epistle.

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

The PROKIMENON, a selction from the Psalms of David appropriate to the day is now sung.

Priest: Wisdom!

The Lector Gives the title of the Epistle

SIT

Priest: Let us be attentive!

Lector Reads the Epistle

STAND

When the Epistle is completed the celebrant says:

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

Approaching the front of the altar, the Priest incenses the Gospel Book and the people who are about to hear the Holy Gospel. The priest prays the following prayer, silently, while the people sing the Alleluia.
O Gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your divine widom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the r\fear of Your blessed commandments, so that, having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ our God are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R. The ALLELUIA is sung.with verses

The priest takes the Book of Gospels and goes to the ambo wherehe reads the particular gospel of Sunday or Feast Day. People stand during the Gospel. The priest intones for the reading from the Holy Gospel:

Priest: Wisdom, let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel according to Saint [Name].

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

Priest: Let us be attentive!

The Gospel is chanted. Candlebearers stand at each side of the Gospel Book to honor Christ, who is the Light of the world. When the Gospel is completed, we sing:

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

SIT

The Homily is usually delivered at this point.

Litany of Supplication

Priest: Let us say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say:

R. Lord, have mercy

Priest: O Lord, almighty, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear and have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O god according to Your great mercy; we pray You, hear and have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy (Three times)

Priest: We also pray for our holy ecumenical pontiff [Name], the Pope of rome, and for our most reverned archbishop and metropolitan [Name}; for our God loving bishop [Name],; for those who serve and have served in this holy church, forour spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.

R. Lord, have mercy (Three times)

Priest. We also pray for our civil authorities and all in the service of our country.

R. Lord, have mercy (Three times).

Petitions for special intentions may be inserted at this time.

Priest: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and abundant mercy, for those who showed us mercy, and for all Christians of the true faith.

R. Lord, have mercy (Three times).

Priest: For You are a merciful and gracious God, and we render glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R. Amen.

If the sacrifice is being offered for the dead, the priest says the ektenija: If there are catechumens present, the following litany may be said, Priest: Catechumens, pray to the Lord. Catechumens reply: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Faithful, let us pray for the Catechumens, that the Lord have mercy on them, that He instruct them in the word of truth, that He reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness, and that He unite them with His holy catholic and apostolic Church. R. Lord, have mercy. Priest: Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord. Catechumens respond: To You, O Lord. Priest: O Lord, our God, You Who dwell on high and behold teh humble, Who for the salvation of mankind have sent down Your only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ, look down upon Your servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads to You, and deem them worthy in due time of the waters of regeneration, of the remission of sins, and of the robe of incorruption.Unite them with Your holy, catholic and apostolic Church and number them among Your chosen flock. That with us they also may praise Your most honored and sublime Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. R. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAND

While the people stand and sing the CHERUBIC HYMN , the altar and sanctuary are prepared for the gifts by incensing, as well as the congregation offering the gifts. The priest also goest o the altar of preparation, and makes the Great Entrance with the holy gifts about to be consecrated. The priet says the following prayer siliently:
No one who is bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to come to You, to approach You, or to minister to You, the king of glory, for to minister to You is great and awasome, even to the heavenly powers themselves. Yet, because of Your ineffable and boundless love for mankind, though in nature unchanged and unchangeable, You became man and were made our high priest and, as Master of all, gave into our keeping the holy office of this liturgical, unbloody sacrifice. For You alone, O Lord our God, rule over all things in heaven and on earth, and are borne on the cherubic throne, and are the Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, Who alone are holy and dwell in the saints. Therefore, I beseech You, Who alone are gracious and ready to hear me; look favorable upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my heart and soul of an evil conscience, and with the power of Your Holy Spirit, enable me who have beeen clothed with the grace of the priesthood, to stand before this Your holy altar, and offer the sacrifice of Your sacred and most pure body and precious blood. with bowed head, I approach You and implore You, turn not Your face away from me, nor exclude me from among Your children, but allow these gifts to be offered to You by me,Your sinful and unworthy servant; for it is You, O Christ, our God, Whjo offer and are offered, Who receive and are distributed, and to You we render glory, with Your eternal Father, and with You all holy, gracious and life creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen

The prayer and the incensing being finished, the priest, standing before the holy altar, says the cherubic hymn three times and at the conclusion of each they bow once.

The Cherubic Hymn

Let us, who mystically represent the cherubim, and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now set aside all earthly cares.

The priest makes the Great Entrance, saying:

Priest: May the Lord God remember in His kingdom, Our holy ecumenical pontiff[Name], Pope of Rome, our most reverend archbishop and metropolitan [Name], and our God-loving bishop [Name], and the entire priestly, diaconal and monastic order, our civil authorities and all our armed forces, the noble and ever-memorable founders and benefactors of this holy Church, and all you Christians of the true faith, always, now and ever and forever.

R. Amen

The people then finish the Cherubic Hymn.

That we may welcome the King of all, invisibly escorted by angelic hosts. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The priest places the sacred gifts on the altar and prays:
The noble Joseph took down Your most pure body from the cross, wrapped itin a clean shroud, and with fragrant spices laid it in burial in a new tomb.
And taking the censer, he incenses the holy gifts three times saying:
Deal favorably, O Lord, in Your good will with Sion, that the walls of Jerusalem mayb e built up. then You shall accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then shall they lay calves upon Your altar.

REMAIN STANDING

Priest: For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray to the Lord.

R. Lord, have mercy

The Prayer of the Offering
(If the Liturgy of St. Basil is being celebrated, a different prayer is read at this point.)

Priest: O Lord God almighty, who alone are Holy and receive the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept the prayer also of us sinners; bring us to Your holy altar, enable us to offer to You gifts and spiritual sacrifices foroursins, and for the people's transgressions; and deem us also worthy to find favor in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest in us and upon these gifts her present, and upon all your people. throught the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R. Amen

The priest blesses the people saying:

Priest Peace be with all

R. And with your spirit.

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

R. The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in substance and undivided.

The priest bows three times, saying silently:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength, the Lord is my fortress and my refuge.

Priest: (The doors, the doors,) in wisdom let us be attentive!

The priest lifts the aer and holds it over the holy gifts.

The priest and people chant together:

The Nicene Creed

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

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

R. The offering of peace, the sacrifice of praise.

The priest blesses the people, saying:

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

R. And with your spirit.

The priest, facing the East (altar), raises his hands in prayer and says:

Let us lift up our hearts!

R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.

The priest bows and says:

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

R. It is proper and just to worship the Father, and the Son and the Holy spirit, the Trinity, one in substance and undivided.

The priest prays: (If the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is being celebrated, adifferent prayer is read at this point.)

It is proper and just to sing hymns to You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You in every place of Your kingdom; for You are God ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing, yet ever thesame, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit; you brought us forth from nonexistence into being and raise us up again when we had fallen, and left nothing undone, until You brought us to heaven and bestowed upon us Your fur\ture kingdom. For all this we give thanks to You, and to Your only-begotten Son, and to Your Holy Spirit, for all that we know and that we do not know, the manifest and the hidden benefits bestowed upon us. We thank You also for this liturgy, which You have willed to accept from our hands, even though there stand before You thousands of archangels, tens of thousands of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many-eyed, soaring aloft on their wings

The priest, taking the asterisk from the holy diskos, makes the sign of the Cross over it.
He then kisses the asterisk and lays it aside.

The priest intones:

Singing, shouting crying out and saying the triumphal hymn:

KNEEL - But from Easter to Pentecost remain standing

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

Priest:With these blessed powers, O loving and kind Master, we too cry out and say: Holy are You and all holy, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit; holy are You and all holy and splendrous is Your glory, Who so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but should have life everlasting; Who, having come and having fulfilled the whole divine plan concerning us, on the night when He was betrayed, or rather when He surrendered Himself for the life of the world, He took bread into Hi holy and all pure and immaculate hands, gave thanks, and blessed (and the priest blessed the prosphora) sancitifed, broke and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:

Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

The priest makes a profound bow.

R. Amen.

Priest: Likewise the chalice (and again he blesses it) after supper saying:

Drink of this, all of you, this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.

R. Amen

Priest: Remembering, therefore, the salutary command, and all that was done in our behalf: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again.

The priest lifts the chalice and diskos and says aloud:

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

R. We praise You, we bless You, we thank You, O Lord, and we pray to You our God

As the above hymn is sung, the prays silently:

Moreover, we offer to You this spiritual and unbloody sacrifice, and we implore, and pray and entreat You, send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts lying before us.

The priest bends over the gifts and makes the sign of the cross over the holy bread, saying silently:

And make this bread the precious body of Your Christ. And that which is in this chalice, the precious blood of Your Christ.
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
That to those who partake of them, they may be for the purification of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion in Your Holy Spirit, for the fullness of the heavenly kingdom, for confidence in You, not for judgment or condemnation.
Moreover, we offer to You this spiritual sacrifice for those who departed in the faith: the forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and for every just spirit made perfect in the faith.

The priest, incensing the gifts, says aloud:

{We offer this spiritual sacrifice] Especially for our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glroious Lady, the Mother of god and ever-Virgin Mary.

STAND

It is Truly Proper

It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the ever-blessed, immaculate and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.

Or in place of the "It is truly proper", the irmos of the feast is sung with its verse, or if the Liturgy of St. Basil is being celebrated a different hymn is sung.

The priest prays silently the following:

For the holy prophet, percursor and baptist John, for the holy glorious and illustrious apostles, for Saint [Name] whose memory we clebrate, and for all Your saints, through whose prayers, O God, visit us.
Remember also all who have departed in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life.
And grant them rest where the light of Your face shines.
The Priest then mentions by name the souls of the departed whom he wishes. Then continues:
Moreover we pray You, O Lord, remember the entire episocpate of the true believers, who faithfully dispense the world of Your truth, the entire priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all others in holy orders.
We further offer You this spiritual sacrifice for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, for those who live in chastity and venerable conduct; for our civil authorities and for all the armed forces. Grant them, O Lord, a peaceful rule, that we also, sharing their tranquility, may lead a tranquil and calm life in all piety and dignity.

After the singing of "It is truly proper", the priest intones:

Among the first, O lord, remember our holy ecumenical Pontiff {Name}, the pope of Rome, our most reverend archbishop and metropolitan [Name], our God-loving bishop [Name], preserve them for Your holy churches, in peace, safety, honor, and health, for many years, as they faithfully dispense the word of Your truth.

R. And remember all Your people.

The priest prays the following silently:

Remeber, O Lord, this city in which we dwell and every city and countryside, and those who live with faith therein. Remember, O Lord, those who travel by sea, air and land, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and their safety and salvation. Remember, O Lord, those who bear offerings and perform good deeds in Your holy churches, and those who remember the poor, and upon all of us send down Your mercies.
And he mentions by name, those that he wishes, of the living.
The priest then says aloud:

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

R. Amen

The priest then turns around toward the Royal Doors and blessing, says:

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

R. And with your spirit.

SIT

Litany of Supplication

Priest: Now that we have remembered all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the precious gifts offered and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Priest: that Our God, in HIs love for man, may receive them on His Holy and heavenly and mystical altar, unto an aroma of spiritual fragrance, and may send down upon us in return the divine grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For a Christian, painless, unashamed, peaceful end of our life, and for a good account before the fearsome judgment-seat of Christ, let us beseech the Lord.

R. Grant it, O Lord

Priest: Asking for unity in faith, and for communion in the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life to Christ, our God

R. To You, O Lord

STAND

Priest: And grant, O lord, that we may with confidence, without condemnation dare call upon You Father, the god of heaven, and say:

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

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

R. Amen.

Priest: Peace be with all.

R. And with your spirit.

Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.

R. To You, O Lord.

The priest prays silently:

We gife You thanks, O king invisible, Who by Your immeasuraqble power have fashioned all things, and in the greatnes of Your mercy have brought all things out of nonexistence into being. Look down from heaven, O Lord, upon those who bow their heads unto You, for they do not bow to flesh and blood, but to You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make straight for our good, the present way, according to the need of each: sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, cure those who are sick, O healer of souls and bodies.

The priest then intones aloud:

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

R. Amen

The priest prays silently:
Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, from Your holy dwelling-place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You Who are seated on high with the Father, and dwell here invisibly among us, and deem it proper to impart ot us, with Your might hand, Your most pure body and precious blood, and through us, to all the people.

Then the priest says silently three times:

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

The Priest then elevates the Holy Bread, and says aloud:

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

KNEEL

R. One is holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, for the glory of God the Father. Amen

As this hymn is being sung, the priest breaks the Holy Lamb into four parts in the form of a Cross,
uniting one of them with the chalice while praying silently: