PROSKOMEDIA

The following text is taken from Ruthenian Recension text, a draft version made available on the internet on October, 28, 2015.

Prayers Before the Holy Doors

The priest who intends to celebrate the Divine Mystery must 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 the evening before until his priestly service. At the appointed time, he enters the temple, and together with the deacon, facing East, they bow before the Holy Doors three times, and begin:

Deacon: Master, bless.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The deacon continues:

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

0 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, 0 Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

0 Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us;

0 Lord, cleanse us of our sins ;

0 Master, forgive our transgressions;

0 Holy One , visit us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. 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.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The priest and deacon then say:

Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, have mercy on us: since we have no defense,

we sinners offer this supplication to 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 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;12

for You are our God

and we are Your people:

we all are the work of Your hands,

and we call upon Your Name.

Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Open to us the doors of mercy,

O blessed Mother of God,

that we, who place our hope in you, may not perish,

but that through you we may 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 fall down and worship before your most pure image, 0 Good One,

begging forgiveness for our offenses, 0 Christ God; for You, of Your own will,

were pleased to ascend upon the cross in the flesh to deliver those whom You have created

from the slavery of the enemy.

Therefore, we gratefully cry out to You:

by Your coming to save the world, 0 our Savior, You have filled all things with joy.

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

O Mother of God, fount of mercy,

make us worthy of com passion. Look upon a sinful people;

as always, show your power; for, placing our hope in you, we cry out to you, "Re joice!"

as did once Gabriel,

the commander of bodiless Hosts.

The priest then bows his head and says this prayer:

Priest: 0 Lord, stretch forth Your hand from Your holy place on high,

and strengthen me for this, Your appointed service,

that, standing uncondemned before Your fearsome Altar, I may celebrate the unbloody sacrifice.

For Yours is the power and the glory to the ages of ages . Amen.

Entrance into the Altar

The priest and deacon then bow to the choirs on either side and then go into the Altar, the priest by the southern door and the deacon by the northern door, saying:

I will come into Your house,

I will bow towards Your holy temple in fear of You. Lead me, 0 Lord, in Your righteous ness;

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, 0 God, and let them fall by their own counsels; according to the multitude of their wickedness cast them out, for they provoked You, 0 Lord .

And let all them be glad that hope in Yo u, 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 righteous, 0 Lord:

You have crowned us with a shield of Your good will.24

Having entered the Altar they make three small bows before the Holy Table. The priest kiss es the holy Gospel Book, the deacon kiss es the Holy Table, and, according to custom, they both kiss the Hand-Cross. Each then takes his sticharion into his right hand and bows three times towards the East, each time saying quietly:

Priest and Deacon: 0 God, be merciful to me a sinner.

Vesting of the Deacon

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

Deacon: Master, bless the sticharion and the orarion.

And the priest blesses them, saying:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

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

Deacon: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord,

for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation, covered me with the robe of joy;

He has set a crown upon me as on a bridegroom, and adorned me with beauty as a bride.

Kissing the orarion, he puts it on his left shoulder. Then he puts the cuffs (epimanikia) on his hands, saying for the right hand:

Deacon: Your right hand, 0 Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, 0 Lord, crushes the enemy.

In the greatness of Your glory You shatter Your adversaries.

For the left hand he says:

Deacon: 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 unfolds the eiliton, places the holy discos on the left side and the holy chalice on the right side, and the other vessels with them (spear [lance], asterisk, veils, and covers).

Vesting of the Priest

The priest vests in the right of the Altar (or in the sacristy ) 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:

Priest : Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages . Amen.

He then puts on the sticharion, saying:

My soul shall rejoice in the Lord,

for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation, covered me with the robe of joy;

He has set a crown upon me as on a bridegroom, and adorned me with beauty as a bride.

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.

Then taking the cincture (zone or belt) 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 a deer, and setting me upon high places.

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

Your right hand, 0 Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, 0 Lord, crushes the enemy.

In the greatness of Your glory You shatter Your 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 takes the epigonation, if he has one, and blessing and kissing it, and says:

Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, 0 Mighty One, in Your glory and majesty; [in your beauty and goodness] and ride forth victoriously and reign,

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness, and Your right hand will guide You wondrously,

always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Taking the phelonion and blessing it, he kisses it, saying:

Your priests, 0 Lord, shall be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shall rejoice with gladness

always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Washing of the Hands

The priest and deacon go to the Table of Preparation and wash their hands, saying:

Priest and Deacon:

I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will go around Your altar, 0 Lord , that I may hear the voice of Your praise, and recount all Your wonderful works.

0 Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.

Destroy not my soul together with the ungodly, 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 innocence, redeem me, 0 Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot stood on an even place, 0 Lord;

in the congregations I will bless You.

Prothesis

They each make three bows before the Preparation Table, saying:

Priest and Deacon: 0 God , be merciful to me a sinner.

Priest and Deacon:

You have redeemed us from the curse of the Law by Your precious Blood;

nailed to the Cross, and pierced with a spear, You poured forth immortality to all mankind. 0 our Savior, glory to You.

Deacon: Master, bless.

And the priest begins:

Priest:

Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon:

Amen.

FIRST PROSPHORA

The priest then takes a prosphora in his left hand and the spear in his right hand. With the spear he makes the sign of the Cross three times over the seal of the prosphora, saying:

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

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

Like a sheep led to the slaughter.

Then into the left side:

And like a lamb without blemish, that before its shearer is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.

Then into the upper side of the seal:

In His humiliation judgment of Him was taken away.

Then into the lower side:

Who shall declare His generation?

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

Deacon: Master, lift up.

And the priest inserts the holy spear obliquely into the right side of the prosphora and lifts out the Holy Bread, saying:

Priest: For His life is taken away from the earth.

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

Deacon:

Master, sacrifice.

And the priest sacrifices it, in the form of a Cross, and saying:

Priest: The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, is sacrificed for the life and salvation of the world.

He turns it over so that the seal is upwards. The deacon says:

Deacon: Master, pierce.

And the priest pierces it with the spear on the right side (in the upper right corner, where the letters "JC" are imprinted), saying:

Priest:

One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

He who saw it has borne witness - his testimony is true.

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

Deacon: Master, bless this holy union.

And having obtained the blessing over them, the deacon (or priest, if there is no deacon) pours wine together with a little water into the holy chalice.

SECOND PROSPHORA

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

Priest : In honor and memory of our most blessed Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary:

through whose prayers, 0 Lord, accept this sacrifice upon Your most heavenly Altar.

And cutting off a particle, he places it to the right of the Holy Brea d, close to the middle, saying:

The Queen stood at your right hand, vested in robes woven with gold, adorned in many colors.

THIRD PROSPHORA

Then he takes a third prosphora, and says:

The honorable, heavenly and bodiless Hosts.

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 honorable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, and all the holy prophets.

Cutting off the second particle, he places it properly below the first particle. Then he says:

The holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, and all the other holy Apostles.

Cutting off the third particle, he places it below the second, thus completing the first column.

Then he says:

Our holy Fathers among the Saints, 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 Theodore of Mukachevo and all holy Hierarchs.

Cutting off the fourth particle, he places it near the first particle, in this way beginning the second column.

Then he says:

The holy Apostle, First-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, the holy Great-Martyrs:

Demetrius, George, Theodore the Recruit, and all the holy Martyrs.

Cutting off the fifth particle, he places it below the first particle of the second column. Then he says:

Our venerable and God-bearing Fathers:

Anthony, Euthymius, Sabbas, Onuphrius, and all venerable men and women.

Cutting off the sixth particle, he places it below the second particle of the second column, thus completing the second column.

Then he says:

The holy Wonder-Workers, the Unmercenaries: Cosmas and Damian,

Cyrus and John, Pantaleimon and Hermolaus, and all the holy Unmercenaries.

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

The holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna.

Cutting off the eighth particle, he places it in order below the first particle of the third column.

Then he says:

And in memory of Saint N. (the Saint of the temple ), of Saint N. (the Saint of the day), and all the Saints,

through whose prayers, 0 God, watch over us.

Cutting off the ninth particle he places it in order below the second particle of the third column, thus completing the third column.

FOURTH PROSPHORA

Then he takes a fourth prosphora, and says:

Re member, 0 Master, Lover of Mankind, our holy ecumenical pontiff N., Pope of Rome, our most reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan N., our God-loving Bishop N., and the entire episcopate of the Orthodox, the honorable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all others in priestly orders; (If in a monastery: our archimandrite , N ., or our hegumen, N.,)[our concelebrating brother priests, N., and deacons, N.,] and all our brethren whom You, in Your compassion, have called to communion with You, 0 all-good Master.

Cutting a particle, he places it below the Holy Bread, beginning the first horizontal row.

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

Remember , 0 Lord, N.

Then he places each particle below the Holy Bread, filling the first horizontal row.

FIFTH PROSPHORA

Then he takes the fifth prosphora, and says:

For the blessed memory and the forgiveness of the sins of the blessed founders of this holy temple

(if a monastery: of this holy monastery).

Then he remembers the bishop who ordained him (if he be among those who have fallen asleep) and any others among those who have fallen asleep, by name. At the mention of each name he cuts off a particle, saying:

Remember , 0 Lord, the soul of Your servant, N. who has fallen asleep.

Then he places each particle below the Holy Brea d, beginning the second horizontal row under the Holy Bread.

Finally, in conclusion he says:

And of all our Orthodox fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection, eternal life, and communion with You, 0 Lord, Lover of Mankind.

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

Remember also, 0 Lord, my unworthiness, and, according to Your great mercy,

forgive me my every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

He cuts off a particle and places the particle at the end of the row of the living. It should be noted that additional particles may be added for the living and the dead at any time up until the Great Entrance.

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 BLESSING OF INCENSE AND VEILING OF THE GIFTS

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

Deacon : Master, bless the incense.

And immediately he adds:

Deacon : Let us pray to the Lord.

And the priest says the Prayer of Incense.

Priest: We offer incense to You, 0 Christ, our God, as a pleasing fragrance that, having received it on Your most heavenly

Altar, You may send down upon us in return the grace of Your most Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest incenses the asterisk (star) and then places it over the Holy Bread, saying:

Priest:

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

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The priest incenses the first veil and then covers the Holy Bread and the discos with it, saying:

Priest:

The Lord has reigned, He is clothed with majesty ;

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 everlasting.

The rivers have lifted up, O Lord ,

the rivers have lifted up their voices;

the rivers will lift their waves at the voices of many waters. Wonderful are the surges of the sea,

wonderful is the Lord on high. Your testimonies are a sure pledge;

holiness is becoming to Your house, 0 Lord, unto length of days.

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

The priest incenses the second veil and with it covers the holy chalice, saying:

Priest :

Your glory, 0 Christ , has covered the heavens, and the earth is filled with Your praise -77

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:

Priest: Shelter us under the shadow of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and foe.

Make our life peaceful, 0 Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world, and save our souls,

for You are good and the Lover of Mankind .

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

Priest:

Blessed is our God, Who was thus well-pleased. Always , now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon:

Amen.

And they both bow reverently. The deacon then says:

Deacon: For the precious Gifts here set forth, let us pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: 0 God, our God,

Who sent forth the heavenly Bread, as food for all the world our Lord and God, Jesus Christ,

the Savior and Redeemer and Benefactor, to bless and sanctify us: bless these Gifts here set forth before You

and accept them on Your most heavenly Altar.

As You are good and the Lover of Mankind, remember those who have brought the offerings and those for whom they are being offered; and keep us without condemnation in the holy celebration of Your divine Mysteries.

For sanctified and glorified is Your most honorable and majestic Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The priest then begins the dismissal, saying:

Priest: Deacon:

Glory to You , 0 Christ, our God , our hope, glory to You.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord , have mercy. Give the blessing.

The priest says the dismissal:

Priest:

May Christ our true God, (if it is a Sunday: risen from the dead) through the prayers of His most pure Mother,

of our Father among the Saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the Saints,

have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

Deacon: Amen.

Censing

After the dismissal, the priest proceeds to the Holy Table. The deacon censes the prepared Gifts in strokes of three. Then he departs and censes the Holy Table all around, in the form of a Cross, saying quietly:

Deacon: In the tomb bodily, in Hades with the soul as God, in paradise with the thief,

and on the throne You we re, 0 Christ, with the Father and the Spirit, filling all things, the Uncircumscribed One.

Then Psalm 50.

As the deacon prays Psalm 50 he incenses the apsidal icon and other icons. He then leaves the Altar through the northern door and approaches the Holy Doors. After bowing before them, he censes the icons on the southern part of the iconostasis, beginning with the icon of the Savior, then the icons on the northern part, beginning with the icon of the Mother of God, then the left and right choirs. He censes the people from the soleas, or if it is customary, the whole temple through to the narthex. Returning into the Altar through the southern door, he again censes the Holy Table in strokes of three, but only from the front, and then censes the priest. Returning the censer to the server, the deacon stands to the right of the priest.

Prayers Before the Liturgy

Standing together before the Holy Table, the priest and deacon make three bows, each praying quietly and saying:

Priest and Deacon:

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

0 Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

The priest then kisses the holy Gospel Book, the deacon the Holy Table. After which the deacon bows his head to the priest, and holding the orarion with three fingers of his right hand he says:

Deacon: It is time for the Lord to act: Master, bless.

The priest, blessing him, says:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Deacon: Master, pray for me.

Priest: May the Lord direct your steps.

Deacon: Holy Master, remember me.

Priest: May the Lord God remember you in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages .

Deacon: Amen.

Enarxis

The deacon bows and leaves the Altar through the northern door (since the Holy Doors are kept closed until the Entrance). Standing in his customary place before the Holy Doors, he bows reverently three times, saying quietly:

Deacon: 0 Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

The deacon then intones:

Deacon: Master, bless.

And the priest begins the Liturgy of the Word: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…

It should be noted that whenever the priest serves 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 bless," and, "Master, let it be pierced," and, "It is time for the Lord to act," are not said, but only the ektenies and the Rit e of Preparation as prescribed. He incenses, etc., just as the deacon would.1 01

Whenever priests concelebrate, only one of them shall perform the Rite of Pre pa ration; the other concelebrants do not recite the Rite of Preparation separately .

At a Hierarchical 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 Curtain (Veil) to the Holy Doors is opened.