and to thy Holy Spirit, for all thy blessings that we know and that we know not; for all benefits that we have received, both manifest and unseen. We also give thanks unto thee for this service, which thou hast vouchsafed to accept at our hands, though there stand in thy presence thousands of archangels, and tens of thousands of angels, the cherubim and the seraphim, having six wings, being full of eyes, flying on high, singing, crying, shouting the triumphant hymn, and saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. With these blessed powers we also, O Lord, Lover of mankind, cry and sing: Holy art thou, and all holy, thou and thine only-begotten Son, and thy Holy Spirit. Holy art thou, and all holy, and magnificent is thy glory, thou who hast so loved thy world as to give thine onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Who, having come and finished his work on earth concerning us, in the night in which he was betrayed (or, more truly, delivered up himself for the life of the world), having taken bread in his holy and immaculate hands, having given thanks, blessed, sanctified, and broken it, gave it to his holy Disciples and Apostles, saying: Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you. Having also taken the cup, and given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. We, there fore, remembering this salutary command, and all that was done for us: the cross; the grave; the third day's resurrection; the ascension into heaven; the sitting at the right hand; the second and glorious coming; offering unto thee in all things, and by all means, from what is thine, that which is thine, we also offer unto thee this reasonable and unblooded worship; and we pray and beseech and implore, send thy Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these thy gifts now before us, so that they may be, to the partakers of them, for the purification of the soul; for the remission of sins; for the communion of the Holy Spirit; for the fulfilment of the kingdom of heaven; and for nearness of access to thee: not for judgment or condemnation. Also, we beseech thee, 'remember, O Lord, the whole episcopate of the orthodox, who rightly divide the word of truth; the whole Presbytery; the Diaconate in Christ; and every sacred order. Also, we offer unto thee this intellectual worship for the whole universe; for the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; for those who lead a pure and honest life; for our most faithful and Christian kings, and their whole household and army: make, O Lord, their reign peaceful, that we, also, in their calm may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and honesty. Remember, O Lord, this place of our abode, and every city or land, and the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, O Lord, those who are on the sea; those who travel by land; the sick; the afflicted; the captives; and be their Saviour. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruits, and do good works in thy holy Churches, and who are mindful of the poor. And upon us all send thy mercies, and make us worthy, O Lord, with the confidence of sons, without condemnation, to call thee, the Heavenly God, Father, saying: JUR Father, which 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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The communicants then sit down, if there be accommodation for it; but the bishop remains standing. The bishop says: The holy things to those who are holy! The bishop then takes the bread, and blesses it, saying: Blessed be God in his gifts! The bishop then breaks the bread, saying: Christ says: Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. The bishop then, with great reverence and solemnity, distributes the bread to the communicants. And if there be one or more deacons present, they help him in the distribution. The bishop communicates last of all, as the Servant of the Servants of God. All having partaken of the bread, the bishop and people remain engaged in silent prayer for some time; after which, The bishop takes the cup, and gives thanks, saying: What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. The bishop, bearing the cup in his hands, says: Christ says: Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the New Testament, that is shed for many for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. The bishop then gives the cup to those who have already partaken of the bread, and partakes of it last of all. And if there be a deacon or deacons present, they help the bishop in letting the cup go round. All having communicated, the bishop and people remain engaged in silent prayer for a few minutes, after which the bishop says: E thank thee, O Lord, Lover of mankind, Benefactor of our souls, because thou hast vouchsafed this day to make us partakers of thy heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make plain our way before us; strengthen us all in thy fear; guard our life; make our footsteps sure; for thou art our sanctification; and to thee do we give glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and always, world without end. Amen. The communicants then stand up, if they were sitting, and the people sing, or the bishop says: 阿 THANK thee, O Father: Lord of heaven and earth; Because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent: and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: now and ever, world without end. Amen. The bishop then raises his hands, and dismisses the people with the blessing, saying: THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all evermore. Amen. |