Rite of Preparation
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of life; come, and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
O Master, pardon our transgressions.
O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 the evil one. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Call to Worship our lord Jesus Christ
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and our God.
O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 22
The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want.
In a place of green pasture, there has He made me to dwell; beside the water of rest has He nurtured me.
He has converted my soul, He has led me on the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they have comforted me.
You have prepared a table before me in the presence of them that afflict me.
You have anointed my head with oil, and Your cup which fills me, how excellent it is!
And Your mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Psalm 23
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world, and all that dwell therein.
He has founded it upon the sea, and upon the rivers has He prepared it.
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that is innocent in hands and pure in heart, who has not received his soul in vain, and has not sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
Such a one shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.
This is the generation of them that seek the Lord, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be you lifted up, you everlasting gates, and the King of glory shall enter in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.
Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be you lifted up, you everlasting gates, and the King of glory shall enter in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory.
Psalm 115
I believed, wherefore I spoke; I was humbled exceedingly. As for me, I said in mine ecstasy: Every man is a liar.
What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O Lord, I am Your servant; I am Your servant and the son of Your handmaid. You have broken my bonds asunder.
I will offer a sacrifice of praise unto You, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people.
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)
Troparion, Tone 8
Disregard my transgressions, O Lord who was born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it a temple for Your spotless Body and Blood. Let me not be rejected from Your presence, O You who have great mercy without measure.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How can I who am unworthy, dare to come to the communion of Your holy things? For even if I should dare to approach You with those who are worthy, my garment betrays me, for it is not a festal robe and I shall bring about the condemnation of my sinful soul. Lord, Lover of mankind, cleanse the pollution from my soul and save me.
Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion
Greatly multiplied, O Theotokos, are my sins; to You have I fled, O Pure One, imploring salvation. Visit my enfeebled soul, and pray to Your Son and our God that He grant me forgiveness for the evil I have done, for You alone are blessed.
During the Great Fast we read the Troparion: “When the glorious Disciples…” and Psalm 50.
“When the glorious disciples”
When the glorious Disciples were enlightened at the washing of the feet, then Judas the ungodly one was stricken with the love of silver. And unto the lawless judges he delivered You, the righteous Judge. Behold, O lover of money, him that for the sake thereof did hang himself; flee from that insatiable soul that dared such things against the Master. O You who are good unto all, Lord, glory to You.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is continually before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done this evil before You, that You might be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
For behold, You loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom You have made clear to me.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You will wash me and I will be made whiter than snow.
You will make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and with Your governing spirit establish me.
I will teach transgressors Your ways and the ungodly will turn back to You.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, God of my salvation; and my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness.
O Lord, You will open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole burnt offerings You will not be pleased.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then will You be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then they will offer bullocks upon Your altar.
Canon, Tone 2
Canticle 1
Irmos: Come, O you people, let us sing a hymn to Christ our God, who divided the sea and guided the people whom He brought out of the bondage of Egypt;
for He is glorified.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: May Your holy Body be unto me the Bread of life eternal, O compassionate Lord, and may Your precious Blood be also the healing of many forms of illness.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: Defiled by unseemly deeds, I, the wretched one, am unworthy, O Christ, of the communion of Your most pure Body and divine Blood, which You grant me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: O blessed Bride of God, good soil untilled, that grew the ear of wheat which saves the world, grant that I be saved by eating it.
Canticle 3
Irmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, You have enlarged my mouth over my enemies. For my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous besides You, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: Grant me teardrops, O Christ, to cleanse my defiled heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may come with faith and fear, O Master, to the communion of Your divine Gifts.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: May Your most pure Body and divine Blood be unto me for remission of sins, for communion with the Holy Spirit, and unto life eternal, O Lover of mankind, and to the estrangement of passions and sorrows.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: O You Most Holy Table of the Bread of life that for mercy’s sake came down from on high, giving new life to the world, vouchsafe even me, the unworthy, to eat it with fear, and live.
Canticle 4
Irmos: You came from a Virgin not as an ambassador nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and did save me, the whole man. Wherefore, I cry to You: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: You were incarnate for our sake, O Most Merciful One, and You did will to be slain as a sheep for the sins of mankind. Therefore, I entreat You to blot out also my sins.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and sanctify my whole being, making me worthy to partake of Your divine mystical Supper, wretched as I am.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: Intercede for me, O Sovereign Lady, with the One who came from Your womb and keep me, Your servant, pure and blameless, that I may be sanctified by receiving the spiritual Pearl.
Canticle 5
Irmos: O Lord, Giver of light and Creator of the ages, guide us in the light of Your commandments, for we know no other god than You.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: Let it be done to Your wicked servant, O Christ, as You foretold, and dwell in me as You promised. For behold, I consume Your divine Body and drink Your Blood.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: O holy Word of God and God, may the live coal which is Your Body be for my enlightenment, for I am darkened, and may Your Blood be for the cleansing of my sinful soul.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: O Mary, Mother of God, precious tabernacle of the fragrance of heaven, by Your prayers make me a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the sanctification of Your Son.
Canticle 6
Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable depths of Your compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart and body. Grant, O Lord, that I may approach the awesome Mysteries without condemnation.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: Grant me estrangement from passions, the assistance of Your grace and the assurance of life by the communion of Your holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: Holy and divine Word of God, sanctify me completely as I now approach Your divine Mysteries, through the prayers of Your holy Mother.
Kontakion, Tone 2
Forbid me not, O Christ, to receive the Bread which is Your Body and Your divine Blood — partaking of Your most pure and awesome Mysteries, O Master, wretched as I am. May they not bring judgement upon me, but eternal and immortal life.
Canticle 7
Irmos: The wise children did not adore the golden idol, but went themselves into the flame and defied the pagan gods. They prayed in the midst of the flame and an Angel refreshed them. The prayer of your lips has been heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: The Communion of Your immortal Mysteries is the source of all blessings, O Christ. May they now be for me light, life and dispassion and the means of progress and proficiency in divine virtue, that I may glorify You, only Good One.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: That I may be delivered from passions, enemies, desires and every sorrow, O Lover of mankind, I approach Your immortal and divine Mysteries,
with trembling, love and reverence, chanting: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: You are full of Divine Grace and gave birth incomprehensibly to the Saviour, Christ. I, Your servant, unclean as I am, now implore You, O Pure One: cleanse me from all defilement of body and spirit for I now wish to approach the immaculate Mysteries.
Canticle 8
Irmos: God descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed flame into dew: praisе Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: Grant that I who am desperate may now be a communicant of Your heavenly, awesome and holy Mysteries and of Your divine mystical Supper, O Christ, my Saviour and God.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: I flee to Your compassion for refuge, O Good One, and cry to You with fear: Dwell in me, O Saviour, that I may dwell in You as You said. For behold, with full confidence in Your mercy, I consume Your Body and drink Your Blood.
Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to You.
Triadikon: I tremble when taking the fire, lest I should burn as wax and straw. What an awesome mystery! What divine compassion! How can I, made from clay, partake of the divine Body and Blood and thereby become incorruptible?
Canticle 9
Irmos: The Son of the Eternal Father, God the Lord, has appeared to us, incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Therefore, we magnify the Ever-Virgin Mother of God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparion: May I be sanctified in body and soul. May I be enlightened and saved, O Master. May I become Your dwelling-place through the communion of Your holy Mysteries, having You living in me with the Father and the Spirit, most merciful Benefactor.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Troparion: May Your most precious Body and Blood, O my Saviour, be as fire and light for me, consuming the substance of my sin and burning the thorns of my passions, enlightening me completely to adore Your divinity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokion: God took flesh of Your pure blood. Therefore, all generations praise you, O Sovereign Lady, and throngs of heavenly minds glorify You. For through You we have clearly seen the One who is Lord of all, who became incarnate.
Hymn to the Mother of God
It is truly worthy to bless You O Theotokos, ever-blessed, most pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption You gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify You.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
O Master, pardon our transgressions.
O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 the evil one. Amen.
Troparion of the Day or Feast
Troparion of the day or feast. If Sunday, Resurrectional Troparion of the tone. If not, the following:
Troparion, Tone 6
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. Being at a loss for any defense, we sinners offer this prayer unto you, as Master: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us for we put our hope in You. Be neither exceedingly angry with us, nor mindful of our transgressions, but look upon us in Your tenderness and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God and we are Your people, we are all the work of Your hands and we call upon Your name.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Open for us the doors of loving-kindness, O blessed Theotokos, that we who have hoped in You may not perish, but through You may we be delivered from all adversity, for You are the salvation of Christian people.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prostrations as desired.
The deepest foundation of the hope and joy which characterize Orthodoxy and which penetrate all its worship is the Resurrection. Easter, the centre of Orthodox worship, is an explosion of joy, the same joy which the disciples felt when they saw the risen Saviour. It is the explosion of cosmic joy at the triumph of life, after the overwhelming sorrow of death.
—Fr. Dumitru Staniloae