THE DIVINE LITURGY SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

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THE DIVINE LITURGY OF OUR FATHER SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

In English from the 1965 Liturgikon

with annotations from the Ordo and other notes

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OUR FATHER

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Byzantine Seminary Press

3605 Perrysville Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
Publication made upon the confirmation
of the Sacred Oriental Congregation

Prot. N. 380/62 December 10, 1964

Translated by the Inter-Eparchial Liturgical

Commissions of Pittsburgh and Passaic

Byzantine Liturgical Conference 1965

PREFACE

The Rite of the Sacred and Divine Liturgy, presented here, is a faithful translation of the text and rubrics of the typical Church-Slavonic edition of

published by the authority of the Holy Apostolic See of Rome, and printed by the Grotta-Ferrata Press, Rome, 1942.

Where the English lacks a concise and literal equivalent of the Slavonic, paraphrasing has been employed, and where the natural order of the English language demands it, words have been transposed. In order to capture the various shades of meaning, which the Slavonic lacks, this translation has been compared with the official Greek version published at Rome in 1950.

The use of the brackets follows that of the typical Edition of Rome, and what is enclosed may be used or omitted according to the discretion of the Ordinary of the place.

©Byzantine Liturgical Conference

For the facsimile version on which the text is based see The Liturgikon

Reference numbers inserted in the text in brackets [ ] are the SCRIPTURAL/LITURGICAL ANNOTATIONS from The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Eparchy of Passaic, 1997.

NOTES

A Note about the NOTES

Links to the 1955 translation of the ORDO are in reference to:

1) sections of the Ordo itself and which are designated by the # symbol followed by the section number(s);

2) translator notes (not a part of the original Ordo) which are designated by the note number in parentheses.

links to facsimilies

NOTES

THE RITE OF THE

SACRED AND DIVINE LITURGY

The Service of the Kairos

The priest who intends to celebrate the divine mystery should be reconciled, first of all, with everyone and have no animosity toward anyone. To the best of his ability, he must keep his heart free from evil thoughts. He must abstain from food and drink in accordance with ecclesiastical legislation until his priestly function. When that time has come, he goes into the church where the deacon joins him, and together they make three bows towards the East before the royal doors.

#99-100

The deacon then says: Master, give the blessing.

#100 Then the deacon says with a moderate voice:

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

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon continues: Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Heavenly king, comforter, spirit of truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.[1]

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,[2] 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.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; come to us, Holy One, and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)

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

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.[3]

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

They then say:

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: since we have no defense, we sinners offer this supplication to You, our Master; have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us, for in You we place our hope, be not exceedingly angry with us nor mindful of our transgressions; but look upon us even now with mercy and deliver us from our enemies;[4] for You are our God and we are Your people: we all are the work of Your hands,[5] and we call upon Your name.[6]

Now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Open unto us the doors of mercy, O blessed Mother of God, that we, who place our trust in you, may not perish, but that through you we be delivered from misfortune; for you are the salvation of all Christians.

They then approach the icon of Christ, and kissing it, they say:

We bow before Your sacred image, O gracious Lord, and beg forgiveness f or our offenses, O Christ, our God; for You, of Your own will, deigned to ascend the cross in your human nature to deliver those whom You have created from the bondage of the enemy. Therefore, we gratefully cry out to You: by Your coming to save the world, O Savior, You have filled all with joy.[7]

(29) The kissing of the icons may be omitted...

They then kiss the icon of the Mother of God, saying this troparion:

O Mother of God, fount of mercy, deem us worthy of compassion. Look upon a sinful people; as always show your power; for, placing our trust in you,[8] "Hail !" we cry out to you as did once Gabriel,[9] the prince of angels.[10]

(29) The kissing of the icons may be omitted...

The priest then bows his head and says this prayer:

O Lord, send forth Your hand[11] from the height of Your holy dwelling-place, and strengthen me for the service which I am to render to You, that I may stand before Your awesome altar without condemnation and perform the unbloody sacrifice. For yours is the power, forever. Amen.

They then bow to the choirs on either side, and go to the sanctuary, saying:

I will come into Your house, I will bow towards Your holy temple in fear of You. Conduct me, O Lord, in Your justice; because of my enemies direct my way in Your sight. For in their mouths there is no truth; their heart is vain, their throat is an open sepulchre; they dealt deceitfully with their tongues. Judge them, O God, and let them fall by their own counsels; according to the multitude of their wickedness cast them out, for they have provoked You, O Lord. And let all them be glad that hope in You, they shall rejoice forever, and You will dwell in them; and all they that love Your name shall glory in You. For You will bless the just, O Lord: You have crowned us with a shield of Your good will.[12]

(30) Since in our parish churches there are no such choirs, these
bows are omitted.

The Service of Vesting

Having entered the sanctuary they make three bows before the holy altar. They then kiss the holy gospel book, the holy table, and the hand-cross on the altar. Each then takes his sticharion into his right hand and makes three bows towards the East, each saying silently:

#102 priest kisses the Holy Gospel, and the deacon the holy altar, and, if there be a custom, both of them kiss the hand cross

(31) When the deacon enter the sanctuary, he again assumes his place to the right
of the priest #25.

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.[13]

Then the deacon, holding his sticharion and orarion in his right hand, approaches the priest and bowing his head to him, says:

Master, bless this sticharion and the orarion.

And the priest says:

Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

The deacon then goes to one side of the sanctuary and puts on his sticharion, praying thus:

My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation, and with the robe of joy He has covered me; as on a bridegroom he has placed on me a crown, and as a bride He has adorned me with beauty.[14]

And kissing the orarion he puts it on his left shoulder. Then he puts the cuffs on his hands, saying for the right hand:

Your right hand, O Lord, was made glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has crushed the enemies; and with the greatness of Your glory You have wiped out the adversaries.

For the left hand he says:

Your hands have created me, and formed me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.

He then goes to the table of preparation and arranges the sacred vessels. He places the holy discos on the left hand and the poterion, that is, the holy chalice, on the right, and the other vessels with them:

The priest vests in the following manner. He takes his sticharion into his left hand and bows three times towards the East, as mentioned above; then he makes the sign of the cross over his sticharion, saying:

Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever.

He then puts on the sticharion, saying:

Then taking the epitrachelion and making the sign of the cross over it, he puts it on, saying:

Blessed is God Who pours out His grace upon His priests, like a precious ointment on the head, which runs down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down to the hem of his garment.[16]

Then taking the cincture and girding himself with it, he says:

Blessed is God Who girds me with strength, and made my way blameless, making my feet like the feet of harts, and setting me upon high places.[17]

Putting the cuffs on his hands, he says for the right hand:

Your right hand, O Lord, was made glorious, in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has crushed the enemies; and with the greatness of Your glory You have wiped out the adversaries.[18]

For the left hand he says:

Your hands have created me, and formed me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.[19]

Then he takes the epigonation, if he has one, and blessing and kissing it, says:

Fasten Your sword upon Your loins, O mighty Lord, in Your glory and majesty; and ride forth victoriously and reign, for the cause of truth and meekness and justice, and Your right hand will guide You wondrously, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Then taking the phelonion and blessing it, he kisses it, saying:

Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice, and Your saints shall exult with joy[20] always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Then they go to the table of preparation and wash their hands, saying:

I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will go around Your altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of Your praise, and recount all Your wonders. O Lord, I have loved the splendor of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells. Take not away my soul with the wicked, nor my life with men of blood, in whose hands are iniquities, their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walked in my integrity, redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot stood on righteousness, O Lord; in the churches I will bless You.[21]

Then they make three bows before the table of preparation, each saying:

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.[22]

You have redeemed us from the curse of the law with Your precious Blood,[23] nailed to the Cross, and pierced with the lance, You have gushed forth immortality unto men: glory be to You, our Savior.[24]

The deacon then says:

Master, give the blessing.

And the priest begins:

Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever.

Deacon: Amen.

The priest then takes a prosphora in his left hand and the lance in his right; and makes the sign of the cross three times with the lance over the seal of the prosphora, saying:

In remembrance of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Three times)

He then thrusts the lance into the right side of the seal and says while cutting:

Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.[25]

Then into the left side:

And like a sheep without blemish, that before its shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.[26]

Then into the upper side of the seal:

In his humiliation judgment of him was taken.[27]

Then into the lower side:

Who shall declare his generation?[28]

The deacon, holding his orarion in his hand, looks with piety upon this mystery and says at each incision: Let us pray to the Lord. After which he says:

Master, take it out.

And the priest inserts the holy lance obliquely into the right side of the prosphora and lifts out the holy bread, saying:

For his life is being cut off from the earth.[29]

He then places it, seal downwards, on the holy discos; and the deacon says:

Master, offer it.

And the priest offers it, in the form of a cross saying:

The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, is being offered for the life and salvation of the world.[30]

He turns it over so that the seal is upwards.

The deacon says:

Master, pierce it.

And the priest pierces it with the lance on the right side, saying:

One of the soldiers pierced His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water; and he who saw it has borne witness, and his witness is true.[31]

Then the deacon takes wine and water, and says to the priest:

Master, bless this holy union.

And having obtained the blessing over them, he pours wine together with a little water into the holy chalice.

The priest then takes a second prosphora in his hand, saying:

In honor and memory of: Our most blessed Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, through whose prayers, O Lord, accept this sacrifice upon Your heavenly altar.

And cutting off a particle, he places it to the right of the holy bread, close to the middle, saying:

The Queen stood at Your right hand vested in golden robes, adorned.[32]

Then he takes a third prosphora, says:

The mighty leaders of heavenly hosts.

And cutting off the first particle, he places it to the left of the holy bread, thus starting the first column with it. Then he says:

The honored and glorious prophet, precursor and baptist John, and all the holy prophets.

And cutting off a particle, he places it properly below the first particle. He then again says:

The holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, Peter and Paul, and all the other holy apostles.

He places the third particle below the second, thus completing the first column. He then says:

Our holy fathers, the hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius and Cyril; Nicholas of Myra; the teachers of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius; the holy bishop-martyr Josaphat, and all holy hierarchs.

And cutting off the fourth particle, he places it near the first particle, in this way beginning the second column. Then he again says:

The holy apostle, first martyr and archdeacon Stephen, the holy great martyrs: Demetrius, Gregory, Theodore of Tyre, and all the holy martyrs.

And taking the fifth particle, he places it below the first particle of the second column. He then says:

Our venerable and God-inspired fathers: Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onuphrius, and all venerable men and women.

In the same way cutting off the sixth particle, he places it below the second particle, thus completing the second column. After that he says:

The holy and charitable wonder-workers: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Pantaleemon and Hermolaus, and all the charitable workers.

And cutting off the seventh particle, he places it at the top, beginning a third column. Then he says:

The holy and just forebears of God, Joachim and Anna.

And he places the eighth particle in order below the first particle. He then says:

And in memory of Saint N. (the Saint of the Church and of the day), and all the saints, through whose prayers look down upon us, O God.

And likewise cutting off the ninth particle he places it at the end of the third column in order to complete it. He then takes a fourth prosphora, and says:

Remember, O loving and kind Master, our holy ecumenical pontiff N., the Pope of Rome, our most reverend archbishop and metropolitan N., our God-loving bishop N., and the entire episcopate of the true believers, the honorable presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and all others in holy orders; (If in a monastery: our most venerable hieromonks proto-archimandrite N., our archimandrite N., our proto-hegumen N., and our hegumen N.) our concelebrating brother priests and deacons, and all our brethren, whom You, O most gracious Lord, have called in Your loving kindness to communion with You.

And taking a particle, he places it below the holy bread.

Then he mentions by name those of the living whom he wishes, and for each name he cuts off a particle, saying:

Remember, O Lord, N.

And taking particles in that way he places them below the holy bread. Then he takes the fifth prosphora, and says:

For the blessed memory and remission of sins of the blessed founders of this holy church (if a monastery: of this monastery).

He then makes mention of the bishop who ordained him and others of the departed whom he wishes, by name. At the mention of each name he cuts off a particle, saying:

Remember, O Lord, the soul of Your departed servant N.

Finally, he says:

And of all our fathers and brethren of the true faith who have died in the hope of resurrection, of eternal life and of Your fellowship, O gracious Lord.

He then cuts off a particle. After that he says:

Remember also, O Lord, my unworthiness, and according to Your great mercy pardon my every transgression voluntary and involuntary.

And he cuts off a particle. And taking the sponge he gathers the particles together below the holy bread on the discos so that they be secure and none fall off.

The deacon then takes the censer and putting incense into it, says to the priest:

Master, bless the incense.

And immediately he adds:

Let us pray to the Lord.

And the priest says the Prayer of Incense:

We offer incense to You, O Christ, our God, unto an aroma of spiritual fragrance[33] that, having received it on Your heavenly altar, You in return send down to us the grace of Your most Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest, having incensed the star, places it over the holy bread, saying:

And the star came and stood over the place where the child was.[34]

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest, having incensed the first veil, covers the holy bread and the discos with it, says:

The Lord has reigned, He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength, and has girded Himself. For He has established the world, which shall not be moved. Your throne is prepared from of old, You are from eternity. The rivers have risen, O Lord, the rivers have lifted up their voices; the rivers will lift their waves with the noise of many waters; wondrous are the surges of the sea, wondrous is the Lord on high. Your testimonies have become exceedingly credible; holiness is becoming to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.[35]

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Master, cover.

The priest incenses the second veil, and covering the holy chalice with it, he says:

Your glory, O Christ, has covered the heavens, and the earth is filled with Your praise.[36]

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Master, cover.

And the priest incenses the veil, that is, the aer, and covers both the chalice and the discos, saying:

Shelter us under the cover of Your wings;[37] drive away from us every enemy and foe. Make our life peaceful, O Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world, and save our souls, for You are good and You love mankind.

The priest, taking the censer, incenses the prepared gifts, saying:

Blessed is our God, Who was thus well pleased.

And the deacon says:

Always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

And they both bow reverently. The deacon then says:

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

And the priest takes the censer and says the Prayer of Offering:

O God, our God, Who have sent forth the heavenly bread[38] as the nourishment of the whole world,[39] our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the savior and redeemer[40] and benefactor, to bless and sanctify us, bless these gifts placed here before You and accept them on Your heavenly altar. Remember, as the merciful lover of mankind, those who brought the offerings and those for whom they offered them; and keep us blameless in the holy celebration of Your divine mysteries. For sanctified and glorified is Your most honored and sublime name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

The priest then begins the dismissal, saying:

Glory be to You, O Christ, our God, our hope, glory be to You.

Deacon: Glory . . . now and ever . . . Lord, have mercy. (Three times.) Give the blessing.

The priest says the dismissal:

(If it be Sunday): Christ, our true God, Who has risen from the dead. (But if not Sunday): Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother, and of our holy Father, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints, will have mercy on us and will save us, for He is gracious and loves mankind.

Deacon: Amen.

After the dismissal, the deacon incenses the prepared gifts. Then he departs and incenses the holy altar round about, in the form of a cross, saying silently:

When your body was in the tomb, and Your soul in hell, when You were in paradise with the thief, You were at the same time O Christ, as God, upon Your throne with the Father and the Spirit infinite and filling all things.[41]

Psalm 50 (51)

Then Psalm 50.

After having incensed the sanctuary, the icons, the choir and the people, he returns to the sanctuary, and again incenses the holy altar and the priest. He then places the censer in its proper place, and goes to join the priest.

Standing together before the holy altar, they make three bows, each praying silently and saying:

Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.[43] (Twice.)

O Lord, You will open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.[44]

The priest then kisses the holy gospel book, the deacon the holy altar. After which the deacon bows his head to the priest, and holding the orarion with three fingers of his right hand he says:

It is time to sacrifice to the Lord,[45] Master, give the blessing.

The priest, blessing him says: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Then the deacon: Master, pray for me.

The priest: May the Lord direct your steps.[46]

And again the deacon: Master, remember me.

The priest: May the Lord God remember you in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and forever.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon bows and goes out of the sanctuary by way of the northern door, because the royal doors are kept closed until the Entrance; and standing in his customary place before the royal doors, he bows reverently three times, saying silently:

O Lord, You will open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.[47]

After that he continues:

Master, give the blessing.

And the priest begins:

Blessed is the kingdom ...

It should be noted that whenever the priest celebrates the liturgy without a deacon, he is not to say those words proper to the deacon at the rite of preparation, nor those in the Liturgy before the gospel, nor those in answer to him; Master give the blessing, and, Master, let it be pierced, and, it is time to offer the sacrifice, are not said, but only the ektenias and the rite of preparation as prescribed.

Whenever priests concelebrate, only one of them shall perform the rite of preparation; the other concelebrants do not recite the rite of preparation.

At a Pontifical Liturgy, one of the priests begins the rite of preparation as usual, then he places particles in honor of the Mother of God and all the saints, after which he covers the holy discos and the holy chalice with the aer, saying nothing; the bishop himself completes the rite of preparation before the great entrance, during the singing of the cherubic hymn.

THE DIVINE LITURGY

OUR FATHER

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Deacon: Master, give the blessing.

Priest:

BLESSED is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R: Amen.

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For peace from on high, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For peace in the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For our holy ecumenical pontiff N., the pope of Rome, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For our most reverend archbishop and metropolitan N., for our God-loving Bishop N., for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For our civil authorities (For our divinely-protected Emperor N. or King N.) and all our armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For this city (or: for this village, or: for this holy monastery), for every city, countryside, and for those living within them in faith, let us pray. to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel by sea, air, and land, for the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

Whenever a general commemoration of the departed is made, the following is added:

For the souls of all who through the ages have departed in the true faith, and in the hope of resurrection and eternal life; for our departed fathers and brethren, for the founders and benefactors of this holy church, for our parents and relatives, for those buried here and those inscribed here, and for all Christians of the true faith everywhere, and for their blessed repose, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

That they may stand uncondemned before the fearsome judgment-seat of Christ, and that their souls be committed to the region of the living, to the place of light, where all the saints and just repose, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

When the commemoration is for a particular person or persons:

For the servant of God N., (or: For the servants of God N. and N.) and for his (her or their) blessed memory, and that his (her or their) every transgression, voluntary and involuntary, be forgiven, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

That he (she or they) may stand uncondemned before the fearsome judgment-seat of Christ, and that his (her or their) soul(s) be committed to the region of the living, to the place of light, where all the saints and just repose, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

That we be delivered from all affliction, wrath and need, let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, have mercy.

Protect us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, O God, by Your grace.

R: Lord, have mercy.

Remembering our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ, our God.

R: To You, O Lord.

The priest silently says the prayer of the First Antiphon:

O Lord, our God, Whose might is beyond description, Whose glory surpasses all understanding, whose mercy is without limits,[48] Whose love for man is beyond expression; do You, O Master, in Your kindness, look down upon us[49] and this holy church, and bestow on us and upon those praying with us Your abundant mercies and Your benefits.

Aloud:

For to You is due all glory and honor and worship,[50] Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

R: Amen.

The singers then chant the first antiphon. The deacon meanwhile makes a bow; leaves his place, goes and stands before the icon of Christ, holding his orarion with three fingers of his right hand.

FIRST ANTIPHON[58]

SUNDAY

WEEKDAY

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, sing praise to His name; give to Him glorious praise.