Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2
Service Book of the Orthodox Church, Part 2
continued
Offices of Thanksgiving
1 [After the Liturgy is ended, the Deacon saith:] Bless, Master. Priest. Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Reader. O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before him. (Three reverences.) [And PSALM LXV.] 2 Thou, O God, art praised in Sion; and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem. Thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. My misdeeds prevail against me: O be thou merciful unto our sins. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and receivest unto thee: he shall dwell in thy court, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Thou shalt show us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God of our salvation; thou that art the hope of the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the broad sea. Who in his strength setteth fast the mountains, and is girded about with power. Who stilleth the raging of the sea, and the noise of his waves, and the madness of the people. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be afraid at thy tokens, thou that makest the out-goings of the morning and evening to praise thee. Thou visitest the earth and blessest it; thou makest it very plenteous. The river of God is full of water: thou preparest their corn, for so thou providest for the earth. Thou waterest her furrows; thou sendest rain into the little valleys thereof; thou makest it soft with the drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy clouds drop fatness. They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness, and the little hills shall rejoice on every side. The folds shall be full of sheep; the valleys also shall stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and sing.
3 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice.) [Then the Deacon saith the following Litany:] In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls : R For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of them all : R For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein : R For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity : R [Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).]
4 That he will aid them in all things, and subdue under their feet all heathen who are hateful unto Christ, and every foe and adversary : R For this city, and for every city and land, and for those who with faith dwell therein : R That he will graciously accept this present thanksgiving and supplication of us unworthy sinners on his most heavenly Altar, and in his compassion have mercy upon us : R That our prayers may be well-pleasing in his sight, and that he will forgive us and all his people their transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary, which we have wickedly committed in the year that is past : R That he will bless the beginning and continuance of this year with the grace of his love for mankind : and will grant unto us peaceful times and favourable temperatures, and that we may live without sin, in health and plenty : R
5 That he will turn aside from us his wrath, which hath been justly kindled against us because of our sins : R That he will banish from us all soul-destroying passions and corrupting usages : and that he will implant in our hearts his divine fear, unto the fulfilment of his commandments : R That he will renew a right spirit within us, and confirm us in the Orthodox faith; and make us to be zealous in the performance of good deeds, and the fulfilment of all his commandments : R That he will overthrow all heresies and schisms, and everywhere plant right belief and piety, and convert all who have departed from the true faith unto a knowledge of his truth, and unite them all unto his holy Orthodox Church : R That he will deliver his holy Church, and us all, from every tribulation, calamity, wrath and distress, and from all enemies, both visible and invisible; and that he will always hedge about his faithful people with health, long life and peace, and the host of his holy Angels : R
6 let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
7 Priest. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Then: God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Verse (Stikh) 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, because his mercy endureth forever. Verse 2: All the nations compassed me about, but in the Name of the Lord have I driven them back. Verse 3: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
And the following Hymns, in Tone IV.:
8 We, thine unworthy servants, O Lord, grateful for thy great benefits which thou hast showed upon us, glorifying thee do praise, bless, give thanks, sing and magnify thy loving-kindness, and cry aloud unto thee in humble submissivness: O our Benefactor and our Saviour, glory to thee. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Tone III.) O Master, who hast freely vouchsafed thy benefits and gifts unto thine unprofitable servants, zealously resorting unto thee, we offer unto thee thanksgiving according to our strength, and glorifying thee as our Benefactor and our Creator, we cry aloud: Glory to thee, O God most bountiful. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Tone II.) O thou Author of all created things, who hast set the seasons and the years in thy power, bless thou the crown of the year with thy goodness, O Lord, preserving in peace the Emperor and thy city, through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God; and save us.
9 Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend. Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. I will sing praises unto the Lord who hath dealt bountifully with me, and will sing the Name of the Lord Most High. Verse (Stikh): My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. [Then he readeth the Epistle.] (1 Timothy ii. 1-6.) My son Timothy, I exhort thee, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; who gave himself a ransom for all. To him be honour and glory unto ages of ages. Amen.
10 Priest. Peace be unto thee. Reader. And to thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. Alleluia, in the Fourth Tone. [Then the Deacon:] And that he will graciously vouchsafe unto us to hear his Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Luke. Deacon. Let us attend. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [And immediately the Priest readeth the Gospel.] (Luke iv. 16-22). Then came Jesus to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.
11 Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [Then immediately the Deacon saith the following Litany:] Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind let us say, Choir. Lord, have mercy. (1hrice.) O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ [Here follow petitions for the Ruler of the Land and for all the Authorities (Emperor, or King, and Reigning House, or President, according to the elements and nationalities of which the Parish is constituted).] For our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; for the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the clergy and the laity. ℟ Returning thanks with fear and trembling, as unprofitable servants, unto thy loving-kindness, O Lord, our Saviour and our Master, for thy benefits, which thou hast poured out abundantly upon thy servants, we fall down in worship, and offer unto thee praise as God, and with fervour do cry aloud unto thee: Deliver thou thy servants from all calamities, and in that thou art merciful fulfil thou always the desires of us all, as may be expedient for us, we diligently entreat thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟
12 That thou wilt bless the crown of the coming year with thy goodness, and quench within us all enmities, discords and civil strife; that thou wilt give us peace, love steadfast and unfeigned, as also a decorously ordered and virtuous life, we beseech thee, O all-gracious Lord: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ That thou wilt not call to mind our innumerable transgressions and evil actions, which we have committed during the year which is past, and that thou wilt not requite us according to our deeds; but that thou wilt remember us in mercy and bounty, we beseech thee, O tenderly-compassionate Lord: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ That thou wilt give rain in due season, both the early and the latter rains, fruitful dew, temperate and healthful breezes; and that thou wilt illumine with the warmth of the sun, we beseech thee, O all-bountiful Lord: hearken, and have mercy. ℟
13 That thou wilt call to mind thy holy Church, and strengthen and establish it, enlarge it, and give it peace, and preserve it unscathed by the gates of hell, and impregnable against all assaults of enemies both visible and invisible forever, we beseech thee, O all-sovereign Lord: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ That thou wilt root out and extinguish every blasphemous impiety of the pagan world and speedily destroy its kingdom, and give it into the hand of the right believers, we beseech thee, O all-powerful Lord: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ Choir. Lord, have mercy. (1hrice.) That thou wilt deliver us through the coming year, and all the days of our life, from pestilence, famine, earthquake, flood, hail, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies, and from civil war, and from all death-dealing wounds, calamity and distress, we beseech thee, O tenderly-compassionate Lord: hearken, and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
14 Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Again, yet again, on bended knees let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) [And the Priest readeth the following Prayer:] O Master, Lord our God, the Source of life and of immortality, the Author of all created things both visible and invisible, who hast placed all seasons and years in thy power, and dost direct all things with thy most-wise and all-gracious providence: We thank thee for thy bounties, which thou hast poured out upon us during our life that is past, and we entreat thee, O all-bountiful Lord! Bless the crown of the coming year with thy goodness: preserve thy beloved servant, our (in Russia) Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias; and all the Reigning House. Multiply the days of their life in health unalterable, and grant them progress in all virtues. Bestow thy good things from above upon all thy people, as also health and salvation, and good furtherance in all things. Deliver thy holy Church, this city, and all cities and lands from every evil assault, and vouchsafe unto them peace and tranquillity; and grant that we may always offer thanksgiving unto thee, the Father who is from everlasting, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, God glorified in one Essence, and to hymn thine all-holy Name.
15 [Exclamation.] Glory to thee, O God, our Benefactor, unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Then is sung: Glory be to God on high: (See page 34.) Or, in place of it, the Hymn of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan: 16 We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy Glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; the Father of an infinite Majesty; thine adorable, true, and only Son; also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage. Govern them, and lift them up forever. Day by day we magnify thee; and we worship thy Name, ever, world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee. O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
17 [And when it is finished, the Deacon saith:] Wisdom! Priest. O most holy Birth-giver of God, save us. Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Priest. Glory to thee, O Christ-God, our hope; glory to thee. Choir. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless. Priest. May Christ, our true God, who for our salvation condescended to be circumcised in the flesh, through the prayers of his most holy Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, in that he is gracious and loveth mankind. [The Deacon then proclaimeth:] Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life, health and safety, and furtherance in all things, as also conquest and victory over his enemies, unto our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., Emperor of All the Russias, and to all the Reigning House (and to the Ruler of the Land, mentioning him by his title, if it be in a foreign country): and preserve them for many years.
18 And the Choir singeth: Many years. SUNG IN RUSSIA ON THE DAY OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST: IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DELIVERANCE OF THE CHURCH AND THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE FROM THE INVASION OF THE GAULS AND THE TWELVE NATIONS [When the Divine Liturgy hath been said, the Clergy come forth from the Sanctuary, and take their stand in the middle of the Temple; and making three reverences, they begin.] Deacon. Bless, Father. Priest. Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One. Reader. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice, and three reverences.)
19 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) 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: Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Reader. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
20 O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before him. (Three reverences.) [Then the Choir singeth the Prophecy of the holy Prophet Isaiah (viii., ix.):] God is with us: Understand, ye nations, and submit yourselves: For God is with us. Reader. Hear ye, even unto the uttermost ends of the earth: ℟ Yield yourselves, ye mighty: ℟ If again ye shall rise up in your might, again shall ye be overthrown: ℟ And if any take counsel together, them shall the Lord destroy: ℟ And the word which ye shall speak shall not abide in you: ℟ For we fear not your terror, neither are we troubled: ℟ But the Lord our God, he it is to whom we will ascribe holiness, and him will we fear: ℟
21 And if I put my trust in him, he shall be my sanctification: ℟ I will set my hope on him, and through him shall I be saved: ℟ Lo, I and the children whom God hath given me: ℟ The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: ℟ And they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, on them hath the light shined: ℟ For unto us a son is born, unto us a child is given: ℟ And the government shall be upon his shoulder: ℟ And of his peace there shall be no end: ℟ And his Name shall be called in the great Council of the Angels: ℟ Wonderful, Counsellor: ℟ The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace: ℟ The Father of the world to come: ℟ God is with us: Understand, ye nations, and submit yourselves: ℟
22 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. ℟ God is with us: Understand, ye nations, and submit yourselves: ℟ Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Choir. God is with us: Understand, ye nations, and submit yourselves: For God is with us. Reader. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice.) Deacon. In peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls: ℟ For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of them all: ℟ For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein: ℟ For the most Holy Synod of Russia, and for our Bishop (or Archbishop), N., of N.; for the honourable Presbytery; for the Diaconate in Christ; and for all the clergy and laity: ℟
23 For our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias: ℟ For God is with us. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. That he will aid them in all things, and subdue under their feet every foe and adversary : ℟ For this city, and for every city and land ; and for those who with faith dwell therein : ℟ For healthful seasons ; for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times : ℟ For those who travel by sea or by land ; for the sick and the suffering ; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation : ℟ That this our prayer may be set forth as incense before our God and Saviour, and these free will offerings of our hearts and lips may be accepted from us who have rendered thanks in the day of salvation, unto the Lord who heard us in the day of trouble : ℟
24 That he will look with benignity and mercy upon our most God-fearing Emperor, and his conquering Empire, who now lay their crowns of victory before the footstool of Him who hath the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession, the King of kings and Lord of lords ; falling down in worship before whom let us pray. Choir. Lord, have mercy. That he will give unto us grace, with faith and love, henceforth and forever to proclaim salvation, and the might and the kingdom of our God, and the dominion of his Anointed One, let us beseech the Lord, who hath granted the power to his kingdom, and requiteth us with the joy of his salvation. Choir. Lord, have mercy. That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us by thy grace.
25 Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God, and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
26 Priest. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Verse (Stikh) 1 : O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, because his mercy endureth forever. Verse 2 : All the nations compassed me about, but in the Name of the Lord have I driven them back. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Verse 3: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. [Then the following shall be sung, in Tone VI.:]
27 Choir I. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace. To-day doth Bethlehem receive him who sitteth with the Father forever enthroned. To-day Angels majestically magnify the Child who is born. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Choir II. (Tone II.) Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace. Behold, the Lamb of Bethlehem hath crushed under his feet the lion and the adder for us, and hath given peace unto his world. Wherefore, unto the Child who is the Sovereign Lord of the universe, do we, together with the Angels, offer glorious praise. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Choir I. (Tone I.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, granting to our most God-fearing Emperor, N., victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross preserving thine Estate.
28 Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. HYMN TO THE BIRTH-GIVER OF GOD (Bogoróditchen). Tone I. Let us sing the praises of Mary, Virgin, Door of heaven, Glory of all the world, sprung forth from man, who also bare the Lord; the Song of the Bodiless Powers, and the Enriching of the faithful. For she revealed herself as Heaven and the Temple of the Godhead. She destroyed the bulwarks of enmity, and ushered in peace, and threw open the kingdom. Wherefore, in that we possess this confirmation of our faith, we have a Defender, even the Lord who was born of her. Be bold, therefore, ye people of God, for he, the All-Powerful, will vanquish your foes. Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Reader. And with thy spirit. [The following Parable (Paremiyá) is then read by the Reader or a Deacon:] Principal Deacon. Wisdom!
29 Deacon or Reader. The Lesson from the Prophecy of Isaiah. Principal Deacon. Let us attend. (Isaiah xiv. 13-18; 24-28.) Thus saith the Lord to the King of Babylon: For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms: that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof: that opened not the house of his prisoners? The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
30 Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you. Reader. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Seventh Tone. Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art God, and doest wonders. Verse (Stikh) 1: Thou hast declared thy power among the nations. Verse 2: I said: To-day have I begotten thee. These are the rewards of the right hand of the Most High. Verse 3: I have remembered the works of the Lord; for I recall thy marvels from the beginning. And again: Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art God, and doest wonders. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews. Deacon. Let us attend. Reader. (Heb. xi. 32-35; xii. 1-2.) Brethren: What shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
31 Priest. Peace be unto thee. Reader. And to thy spirit. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. Alleluia. (Tone VII.) The Lord shall give strength unto his people: the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. Deacon. That he will mercifully vouchsafe unto us to hear his Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Priest. Peace be with you all. People. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. (Matt. xxiv. 6–8, 21–35.) Jesus said unto his disciples: Ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
32 Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [Then straightway the Deacon reciteth this Litany:] Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind let us say, Choir. Lord, have mercy. O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ Again we pray for our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias; for his might, victory, maintenance, peace, health, salvation; and that the Lord our God will abundantly aid and prosper him in all things, and subdue under his feet every foe and adversary. ℟ And for all the Reigning House. (And for the Ruler of the Land, by his title, if it be in a foreign country.) ℟ Again we pray for our Holy Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N., of N.; and for all our brethren in Christ. ℟
33 Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy. ℟ Furthermore we pray that our Lord and Saviour will accept the confession and thanksgiving of us, his unworthy servants: for he hath not dealt with us according to our sins, neither rewarded us according to our iniquities. But in the hour of trial also, which came upon all the world, he delivered us; and when our enemies compassed us round about, he revealed unto us his salvation. ℟ O thou who, at the hand of Melchisedec, didst accept the tithe of Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Abraham, after that he had overthrown four kings, and had set free the captives; and when Pharaoh together with his host was engulfed in the Red Sea, didst give heed from the cloudy pillar to the Song of Moses and Miriam, to the trumpets also and dancing; and didst teach David, the king after thine own heart, to write Psalms of triumph unto thee alone: Do thou, the same Lord of Hosts, now, also, in that thou hast overcome him who was an enemy and alien from thee, and hast saved thine Anointed, and glorified the majesty of Russia, and established the Church, as out of the mouths of babes make the praises out of the mouths of all us acceptable unto thee; receive into thy salvation as a burnt-offering our souls which had vanished away. Hearken to the voice of our rejoicing; and, as of old, we fervently beseech thee, show mercy upon us in the day of trouble. ℟
34 Furthermore we pray for our victorious chieftains and warriors, and for all those zealous defenders of the Faith and of righteousness, who have laid down their lives for their brethren in the year of tribulation: that the King of Glory will recompense them, in the day of his just requiting, with life everlasting and the crown which fadeth not away; and that he will confirm us all in their spirit, and in faith and concord. ℟ Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the seas; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
35 Choir. Amen. Deacon. Let us attend, and in lowliness of heart bowing the knees of our souls and bodies, let us pray to the Lord. [Then the Priest, kneeling down (as doth also the whole congregation), shall recite, aloud, with all fervour and emotion, the following Prayer:] O God, great and inscrutable, O Father, who hast no beginning, O Son who likewise hast no beginning, and Spirit who equally existest from everlasting; who bringest into being that which had no being, and savest those who are ready to perish, and givest life to the dead, working after thy will among the heavenly hosts, and in the dwellings of earth, and by thy marvellous Providence directing all things! Incline thine ear from thy holy place on high, and accept from us, thy humble and unworthy servants, upon whom thou hast manifested thy great salvation from calamity and utter destruction, these prayers of gratitude, praise and thanksgiving which we offer unto thee with our heart, and with our lips. For not according to our transgressions hast thou dealt with us, O Lord, neither rewarded us according to our iniquities. Thou didst say of old unto the Children of Israel, that if they would not
36 Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) 37 hearken unto thy voice to keep and to do all thy commandments, thou wouldest send upon them the heathen shameless of countenance, who should crush them in their cities, where also their walls should be cast down; and we have seen how this terrible word came upon us, and upon our fathers. Yet fearing not thy warning, and despising thy compassion, we departed from the way of thy righteousness, and walked after the lusts of our own hearts, and strove not to have in our hearts thee, the God of minds and of hearts; and heeding not the traditions of our fathers, we angered thee through strangers. For which cause, also, like unto the Children of Israel of old, a fierce host encompassed us round about, and those in whose customs we were zealous, these same turbulent and brutal-natured ones have we had as our enemies. But thou, O Lord God, who art pitiful and merciful, long-suffering and rich in loving-kindness, and faithful, keeping righteousness and showing mercy unto thousands, taking away iniquities and transgressions, after that thou hadst departed from us for a little space, with great mercy hast been merciful unto us: and having visited our wrong-doings with thy rod, like as a father is bountiful unto his children, even so hast thou been bountiful unto us.
38 For thou hast regarded our affliction and the wasting away of the Imperial City, wherein, from ancient days, thy Name hath been invoked, and our supplications which, trusting not in our own righteousness but in thy great bounties, we have laid at thy feet, O Lord. And thou hast given us the ascendancy over our ungodly adversaries; thou hast crowned our most God-fearing Emperor, Alexander Pávlovitch, with the panoply of thy favour, that vanishing thine enemies might vanish before the face of thy Christ even as the smoke, and that they who love thee might shine even as the rising sun in his splendour. We have seen, O Lord, we have seen, and all nations have seen in us, that thou art God, and that there is none beside thee. Thou slayest and makest alive; thou smitest and healest, and there is none who shall wrest us out of thy hand. Therefore is our heart fixed upon our Lord, who hath exalted our horn in God, and we have rejoiced in thy salvation. We thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast chastised us for a little space, but hast not given us over unto death forever. Enable us, O Lord, unceasingly and steadfastly to bear within us the memory of this, thy glorious visitation, unto the establishment in us of filial fear, together with love and faith in thee. And vouchsafe that, compassed about by thy protection, we may ever henceforth, as this day, praise and magnify thy holy Name.
39 Confirm thy good will upon our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias: and may thy blessed spirit abide upon him evermore. Grant in his godly dominion: to the Pastors, holiness; to the Rulers, judgment and uprightness; to the People, peace and quietness in the law, and advancement in the faith. O most merciful Lord! satisfy with thy mercy those who have known thee; and unto those who have not possessed thee, reveal thou thyself; and turn thou also the hearts of our enemies unto thee; and be thou known unto all tribes and nations in thy Christ. And let all the peoples, from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, cry aloud with praise unto thee, in every tongue, with the voice of rejoicing. 40 [Then he proclaimeth, with a loud voice :] Glory to thee, O God, Saviour of all, unto ages of ages ! Choir. Amen. [Then is sung the GREAT HYMN OF PRAISE (The Gloria in Excelsis. See page 34), or We praise thee, O God ; . . (See page 539.)] [And the following BENEDICTION is pronounced :] May he who, like a lamb, did lie in the manger at Bethlehem, who also, like a lion, doth overthrow the power of the enemy and doth guide his own faithful sheep in the way of righteousness and salvation, Christ our true God and Saviour ; through the intercessions of his most holy Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, in that he is gracious and loveth mankind. [Then the Deacon proclaimeth :] Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life, health and safety, and furtherance in all things, as also conquest and victory over his enemies, unto our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias ; and to all the Reigning House (and to the Ruler of the Land, mentioning him by his title, if it be in a foreign country) : and preserve them for many years.
41 Choir. Many years. Deacon. Unto thy departed servant, our most God-fearing Sovereign, the Emperor Alexander the First, grant repose eternal in the assumption of the blessed, O Lord ; and make his memory to be eternal. Choir. Memory eternal ! (Thrice.) To the Christ-loving Army of Russia, Many years. Choir. Many years. (Thrice.) [And when the Many years hath been sung, the bells begin to peal, and so continue until Vespers.] WHICH IS USED IN RUSSIA ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE EMPEROR'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, AND OF HIS CORONATION; AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS OF SOLEMN THANKSGIVING Priest. Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.
42 O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice, and three reverences.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) 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: Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
43 Choir. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Priest. O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before him. (Three reverences.) [Then the Choir chanteth the Imperial Psalm:]
Psalm Xxi.
44 The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord; exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation. Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not denied him the request of his lips. For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness, and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life, even for ever and ever. His honour is great in thy salvation: glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him. For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity, and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance. And why? Because the King putteth his trust in the Lord; and in the mercy of the Most Highest he shall not miscarry. All thine enemies shall feel thine hand: thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee. Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in the time of thy wrath; the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them. Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they intended mischief against thee, and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou put them to flight, and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready against the face of them. Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
45 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (Thrice.) [Then the Deacon saith the Litany:] In peace let us pray to the Lord. ℟ For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls: ℟ For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of them all: ℟ For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and in the fear of God have entered therein: ℟ For the Most Holy Synod, and for our Bishop, N., of N.; for the honourable Presbytery; for the Diaconate in Christ; and for all the clergy and laity: ℟ For our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias: ℟ That his sceptre may be strengthened by the right hand of the Most High: ℟
46 That he may receive from heaven strength and wisdom, unto rule and righteous judgment: ℟ That he may receive from heaven prosperity in all things, and length of reign: ℟ That the Lord God will hear him in the day of trouble, and that the Name of the God of Jacob may defend him: ℟ That the Lord will send him help from his holy dwelling-place, and defend him out of Zion: ℟ That the Lord will give him the desire of his heart, and fulfil all his counsel: ℟ That he will preserve free from venality and partiality the judges who are subject unto him: ℟ let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. That the Lord of hosts will ever strengthen his armed hosts : R That he will subdue under his feet every foe and adversary : R For this imperial city, and for every city and land; and for those who with faith dwell therein : R
47 For healthful seasons; for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times : R For those who travel by sea or by land; for the sick and the suffering; for those who are in captivity, and for their salvation : R That he will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, peril and necessity : R Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
48 Priest. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Then: God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Verse (Stikh) 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious; because his mercy endureth forever. Verse 2: All the nations compassed me about, but in the Name of the Lord have I driven them back. Verse 3: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
And these Hymns (Tropar), in Tone IV.
49 We, thine unworthy servants, O Lord, grateful for thy great benefits which thou hast shown upon us, glorifying thee, do praise, bless, give thanks, sing, and magnify thy loving-kindness, and do cry aloud unto thee in humble love: O our Benefactor and our Saviour, glory to thee! Tone I. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance, granting to the most God-fearing (Emperor, King, or President), N., victory over all adversaries, and by thy Cross preserving thine Estate. Tone II. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Do thou who, of thine own good will, upon the Cross wast lifted up, bestow thy bounties upon the new State which is called by thy Name, O Christ, our God; make glad with thy might our most God-fearing (Emperor, King, or President), N., granting victory over his adversaries unto him who hath thine aid, which is a panoply of peace, a trophy invincible.
50 Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Reader. And with thy spirit. The Gradual (Prokimen), in Tone IV.: The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord; exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation. Verse (Stikh): Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not denied him the request of his lips. Deacon. Wisdom! Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. Deacon. Let us attend. Reader. (Rom. xiii. 1-8.) Brethren: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
51 Alleluia. (Thrice.) Deacon. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. (Matt. xxii. 15-22.) Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teacheth the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
52 Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Again we pray for our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias; for his might, victory, maintenance, peace, health, salvation; and that the Lord our God will abundantly aid and prosper him in all things, and subdue under his feet every foe and adversary. ℟ Furthermore we pray for his Consort, the most God-fearing Sovereign Lady, the Empress, N.; and for his Mother, the most God-fearing Sovereign Lady, the Empress, N. ℟ Furthermore we pray for his Heir, the Orthodox Lord (Tzesar-évitch), and Grand Duke, N.; and for his Consort, the Orthodox Lady (Tzesarévna), and Grand Duchess, N.; and for all the Reigning House (and for the Ruler of the Land, by his title, if it be in a foreign country). ℟
53 Furthermore we pray for the Most Holy Governing Synod (or Patriarch); for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N., of N.; and for all our brethren in Christ. ℟ Furthermore we pray for all their Christ-loving Army and Navy. ℟ Returning thanks with fear and trembling, as unprofitable servants, unto thy loving-kindness, O Lord, our Saviour and our Master, for thy benefits, which thou hast poured out abundantly upon thy servants, we fall down in worship, and offer unto thee praise as God, and with fervour do cry aloud unto thee: Deliver thou thy servants from all calamities, and in that thou art merciful fulfil thou always the desires of us all, as may be expedient for us, we diligently entreat thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ O Lord our God, inscrutable in mercy, grant unto thy servant, our most God-fearing Sovereign, whom thou hast appointed to reign over us, the succour vouchsafed to Moses, the valour of David, and the wisdom of Solomon, to the glory of thy Name, we beseech thee, O King Almighty: hearken, and have mercy. ℟
54 O Master, who art the Creator of all wisdom and the Ruler of all created things, establish thou the Supremacy of thy servant, our Sovereign, the Emperor, N. Fulfil the desire and petitions of his heart; and exalt the horn of thy Christ, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. ℟ Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Priest. Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. [Then the Bishop or the Priest, kneeling down, shall recite this Prayer:]
55 O God, great and wonderful, who by thine inscrutable goodness and rich providence rulest all things; by whose all-wise yet unsearchable judgments the life and sojourn upon earth of mankind receiveth different bounds: With gratitude we acknowledge that not according to our iniquities hast thou dealt with us, neither according to our sins hast thou rewarded us. We have sinned, O Lord, we have wrought evil, and have rendered ourselves worthy of thine extreme displeasure. But thou, O Ineffable Loving-kindness! art merciful and long-suffering, and grievest over the wickedness of men, O Master. Having chastened us with a brief visitation of sorrow, lo! thou hast filled our hearts abundantly with joy and gladness, in that thou hast appointed to rule over us thy beloved servant, our most God-fearing, Supreme Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias. Wherefore, endue thou him with wisdom, and direct thou him, that without hindrance he may discharge this great service unto thee. Grant him reason and understanding, that he may judge thy people uprightly; and preserve this thine inheritance in tranquillity, and without affliction. Make him victorious over his enemies; terrible to evil-doers, gracious unto those who are good and worthy to be trusted. Kindle his heart unto consideration of the needy, unto hospitality to strangers, unto the defence of those who are assailed; that, guiding those who are subject to his rule in the way of truth and of righteousness, and putting aside all dissembling and venality, he may maintain in loyalty unfeigned all the people whom thou hast committed to his authority.
56 Make him to be a joyful father of children, and show forth thy marvellous mercies upon us. Multiply thou the days of his life in health unalterable and prosperity unchangeable. Vouchsafe, also, in his day and unto us all peace, tranquillity and prosperity, favourable seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and all things necessary to life both temporal and eternal. O our Lord all-merciful, the God of Bounties, and Father of all consolation! turn not thy face from us, and put not to confusion in our sure hope us, who, in firm expectation, make our supplications unto thee, and entreating thee, do set our trust upon thy bounties. For thou only knowest our necessities, and givest before we ask, and confirmest thy gifts: and every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights. Unto thee be glory and dominion, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
57 Choir. Amen. [Then immediately is sung the Great Hymn of Praise: Glory be to God on high, . . . (See page 34.)] [Or, in its stead, the Anthem of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan:] We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. . . . (See page 539.) [And when it is finished, the Priest bestoweth the customary BENEDICTION.] May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most holy Mother; of Saint N. (the Saint of the day); and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, in that he is gracious, and loveth mankind. [And after the Benediction, the Deacon proclaimeth]
Many Years (Long Life)
58 [To his Imperial Majesty as followeth:] Unto our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias, grant, O Lord, length of days, a peaceful life, health, salvation and prosperity in all things; as also, conquest and victory over his enemies; and preserve him for many years. Choir. Many years. O God Almighty, who hast made the heavens with wisdom, and hast established the earth upon its firm foundations, the Creator and Author of all men: Look upon thy servant, N., to whom it hath seemed good to set up a house for his dwelling in the dominion of thy power, and to rear it by building. Establish thou the same upon a stable rock, and found it according to thy divine word in the Gospel, so that neither wind nor flood nor any other thing shall be able to harm it. Graciously grant that he may bring it to an ending; and deliver all those who shall wish to dwell therein from every attack of the enemy.
59 For thine is the dominion, and thine are the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
When One is About to Take Up his Abode in a New House
60 O God our Saviour, who didst deign to enter into the house of Zaccheus, unto the salvation of the same and of all who were in the house: Do thou, the same Lord, keep safe also from all harm those who have now desired to dwell here, and who together with us unworthy ones do offer unto thee prayers and supplications; blessing this their dwelling, and preserving their life free from aspersion. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, together with thy Father who hath no beginning, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
For the Blessing of Any Object
61 [After the customary beginning: The Thrice-Holy (O Holy God, Holy Mighty). Then: Our Father, . . . (See page 550.) And after the Exclamation, the Priest saith:] Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. [And he readeth this Prayer:] O Creator and Author of the human race, Giver of spiritual graces and Bestower of eternal salvation: Do thou, the same Lord, send down thy Holy Spirit with a blessing from on high upon this object; that fortified by the might of heavenly protection, it may be potent unto bodily salvation and succour and aid, unto all who shall desire to make use of it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [He then sprinkleth the object thrice with holy water, and pronounceth the customary Benediction.] Deacon. Bless, Master. Priest. Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and take up thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One.
62 Reader. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us; O Lord, wash away our sins; O Master, pardon our transgressions; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto 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 the Evil One: Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
63 Choir. Amen. Deacon. God is the Lord, and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed be he who cometh in the Name of the Lord. Verse 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious; because his mercy endureth forever. Verse 2: All the nations compassed me about, but in the Name of the Lord have I driven them back. Verse 3: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Choir. God is the Lord, . . . (as above). [And if it be a Prayer Service to the Saviour, this Hymn:] We do homage to thy pure image, O Good One, entreating forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God: for of thine own good will thou wast graciously pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that thou mightest deliver from bondage to the enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned. For which cause we cry aloud unto thee with thanksgiving: With joy hast thou filled all things, O our Saviour, in that thou didst come to save the world.
64 [If it be a Prayer Service to the Birth-giver of God, this Hymn (Bogoróditchen):] Unto the Birth-giver of God let us sinners and humble ones now diligently have recourse; and let us fall down in penitence exclaiming, from the bottom of our souls: O Sovereign Lady, help us, having compassion on us! Show zeal, for we perish with the multitude of our sins; turn not thy servants empty away; for we have thee as our only hope. [If it be a Prayer Service to a Saint, the Hymn (Tropár) of the Saint to whom appeal is being made.] [Refrains.] Priest and Deacon. (To the Saviour.) Glory to thee, our God; glory to thee. Priest and Deacon. (To the Birth-giver of God.) O most holy Birth-giver of God, save us. Priest and Deacon. (To a Saint.) O holy Saint N., pray unto God for us. Priest and Deacon. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
65 Choir. Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [Then they sing:] (To the Saviour.) Deliver from distress thy servants, O greatly-merciful One; for we have diligent recourse unto thee, the merciful Deliverer of all men, O Lord Jesus Christ. (To the Birth-giver of God.) Deliver from distress thy servants, O Birth-giver of God; for unto thee in God we have recourse, as to a Wall Impregnable, and to thy intercession. Look with benignity, O all-hymned Birth-giver of God, upon my dire bodily suffering, and heal thou the sickness of my soul. (To a Saint.) Pray thou unto God for us, O holy N.; for we diligently have recourse unto thee, who art a speedy help and intercessor for our souls. Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee: hearken, and have mercy. Choir. Lord, have mercy (Thrice.) Furthermore we pray for our most God-fearing Sovereign, N., the Emperor of All the Russias; for his might, victory, maintenance, peace, health, salvation; and that the Lord our God will abundantly aid and succour him in all things, and subdue under his feet every foe and adversary; and for all the Reigning House (and for the Ruler of the Land, if it be in a foreign country). ℟
66 Furthermore we pray for the Most Holy Synod (or Patriarch) and for our Bishop (or Archbishop, or Metropolitan), N.; and for all our brethren in Christ. ℟ Furthermore we pray for the mercy, life, peace, health and salvation of the servants of God, NN., and for the persons here present, and who pray. ℟ Furthermore we pray for all the brethren and for all Christians. ℟
Exclamation.
67 Priest. For thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. [The Refrains (see page 560) are then repeated.]
The LITTLE LITANY.
68 Deacon. Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Choir. Lord, have mercy. Calling to remembrance our most holy, undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir. To thee, O Lord.
Exclamation.
69 Priest. For blessed be thy Name, and glorified be thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Let us attend. Priest. Peace be with you all. Deacon. Wisdom! The Gradual (Prokimen). To the Saviour: Lord, we will walk in the light of thy countenance and rejoice in thy Name forevermore. To the Birth-giver of God: I will call upon thy name from generation to generation. Choir. Lord, have mercy (Thrice.) To a Saint: Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. [The Choir then singeth the Gradual, in the usual manner.] Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Exclamation.
70 Priest. For holy art thou, O our God, and restest in the Saints, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Verse: Praise the Lord from heaven, praise him in the heights. [The Choir repeateth the same. (Thrice.)] Deacon. And that he will vouchsafe us grace to listen to the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel according to N. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend. [Here the Gospel is read, appropriate to the Saint, or to the petition, Matt. vii. 8-11. If the Service is to the Saviour, Matt. xii. 27-30. If to the Birth-giver of God, Luke i. 39-49, 56.]
71 Then the Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. [Then again the Refrains, as above.] Then the Choir singeth: Meet is it of a truth to bless thee, O Birth-giver of God, ever-blessed, and all-undefiled, and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Deacon. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, . . . (See pages 560-561.)
Exclamation.
72 Priest. Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen. Deacon. Wisdom! Priest. O most holy Birth-giver of God, save us. Choir. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee. Priest. Glory to thee, O Christ-God our hope; glory to thee. Choir. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Bless.
73 Priest. May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother; of Saint N. (the Patron Saint of the Temple); (of Saint N., to whom the Service is said); and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for he is good and loveth mankind. Choir. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) [And the Priest holdeth the cross to be kissed.]