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Russian Orthodox Hymnody / The Great Ektenia

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.


The Great Ektenia

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our Archbishop (of Bishop, or Metropolitain) N., for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the President of the (...) and all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That he will aid them and grant them victory over every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For travellers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Calling to remembrance our allholy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos 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.

(The Priest says quietly

The Prayer of the First Antiphon :)

Priest: O Lord our God, whose might is beyond compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love toward mankind is ineffable: do thou thyself, O Master, in thy tender compassion look down upon us and upon this holy house, and grant us and those who pray with us thy rich mercies and compassions.

Priest: (Aloud) For unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.


THE REFRAINS OF THE FIRST ANTIPHON

Choir: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.


THE LITTLE EKTENIA

Priest: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Calling to remembrance our allholy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos 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.

(The Priest says quietly

The Prayer the Second Antiphon :)

Priest: O Lord our God, save thy people and bless thine inherritance: preserve the fulness of thy Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of thy house: do thou glorify them in recompense by the divine power, and forsake not us who put our trust in thee.

Priest: (Aloud) For thine is the majesty, and thine is the kingdom, 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.

Choir: Amen.


THE REFRAINS OF THE SECOND ANTIPHON

Choir: O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia. (Twice).

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Only begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and without change wast made man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy didst Death subdue; who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.


THE LITTLE EKTENIA

Priest: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God by Your grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, one each other, and all our life, to Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

(The Priest says quetly

The Prayer of the Third Antiphon)

Priest: O thou who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests : Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to came, life everlasting.

Priest:(Aloud) For thou art a good God and 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 the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.


The Refrains of the Third Antiphon

( The Choir sing the Troparion of the Tone of the Day, which is used as the Refrain of the Third Antiphon)


The Little Entrance

The Priest makes the Little Entrance with the Holy Gospel. Standing before the Holy Doors, facing the Altar, he says :


The Prayer of the Little Entrance

Priest: (quietly) O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the service of thy glory: cause that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels serving with us and glorifying thy goodness : for unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

( Then the Priest blesses the Entrance, saying quietly : )

Priest: Blessed is the Entrance of thy Saints: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

( When the Choir has finishing the Troparion, the Priest kisses the Gospel Book and lifts it up with both hands, saying in a loud voice: )

Priest: Wisdom ! Attend !

( The Priest enters the Sanctuary through the Holy Doors and places the Gospel Book on the Altar. Meanwhile the Choir sings the Entraance Hymn.)


The Entrance Hymn

Choir: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ. O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.

( Then the Choir sings the Troparia and the Kontakion of the day.)

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For holy art thou, O our God, 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.


The Trisagion Hymn

Choir: 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 ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

Dinamis!

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.

(Meanwhile the Priest reads quietly

The Prayer of the Trisagion)


The Prayer of the Trisagion

Priest: O holy God, who restest in thy Holy Place; who art hymned by the Seraphim with thrice-holy cry, and glorified by the Cherubim, and worshipped by every heavenly Power; Who out of nothing hast brought all things into being; who hast created man after thine own image and likeness and has; adorned him with thine every gift; who givest to him that askest wisdom and understanding; who despisest not the sinner, but hast appointed repentance unto salvation; who hast vouchsafed unto us, thy humble and unworthy servants, even in this hour to stand before the glory of thy holy Altar and to offer the worship and praise which are due unto thee: Thyself, O Master, accept even from the mouth of us sinners the Hymn of the Trrisagion, and visit us in thy goodness. Forgive us every transgression both voluntary and involuntary; sanctify our souls and bodies; and grant us to serve thee in holiness all the days of our life: through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and of all the Saints who from the beginning of the world have been well-pleasing unto thee.

For holy art thou, O our God, 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. Amen.

(The Priest also says the Trisagion; then he goes towards the throne behind the Altar, quietly saying as he goes:)

Priest: (Quietly) Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

( Then staning before the throne he says, quietly:)

Priest :Blessed art thou on the throne of the glory of thy kingdom, who sittest upon the Cherubim: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


The Apostle

Priest: Let us attend!

(The Reader recites the Prokeimenon of the Epistle)

Priest: Wisdom !

(The Reader announces the title of the Epistle)

Priest: Let us attend!

(The Reader sings the Epistle for the day. When he has finished the Priest says to the Reader:)

Priest: Peace be to thee that readest.

Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

(During the reading of the Epistle, the Priest censes the Altar, the ikons, and the people, and reads quietly the Prayer before the Gospel.)


The Prayer before the Gospel

Priest: Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of thy Gospel teachings; implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that tramlping down all carnal desires we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee: for thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


The Gospel

Priest: Wisdom! Attend! Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be to all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The Rading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint N.

Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.

( The Priest sings the appointed passage from the holy Gospel; when he has finished, the Choir sings:)

Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord, glory to thee.


The Ektenia of Fervent Supplication

Priest: Let us say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say:

O, Lord almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians; for our Archbishop (or Bishop, or Metropolitan) N; for Priests, Deacons, and all other clergy; and for all our brethren in Christ.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God N. (NN.), and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy temple; And for all our fathers and brethren the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord; and for the orthodox servant (s) of God departed this life N. (NN.) and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this Holy and all-venerable Temple: for those who serve and those who sing; and for all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

(Meanwhile the Priest makes the sign of the Cross over the Antimins with the Gospel Book, and places it upright before the Altar tabernacle; he unfolds the Antimins, makes the sign of the Cross above it with the sponge, and quietly says the following prayer:)


The Prayer of the Ektenia of Fervent Supplication

Priest: (quietly)

O Lord our God, accept this fervent supplication of thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of the mercy; and send down thy compassions upon us and upon all thy people, who await the rich mercy that cometh from thee. From thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and to thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(NOTE: The Priest says the following three prayers quietly, up to the ending of the Second Prayer of the Faithful, which is said aloud).


The Prayer for the Catechumens

Priest: O Lord our God, who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart; who hast sent forth as the salvation of the race of meen thine only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ: Look down upon thy servants the Catechumens, who have bowed their necks befor thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the robe of incorruption. Unite them to the thy Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and number them with thy chosen flock: that with us they may glorify thine all-honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen


The First Prayer of the Faithful

Priest: We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God of the Powers, who hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before thy holy Altar, and to fall down before thy compassions for our sins and the errors of the people. Accept our supplicatios. O God; make us worthy to offer unto thee prayerss and supplications, and unblody sacrifices for all thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without offense, in the pure witness of our conscience, to call upon thee at all times and in every place: that hearihg us thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the plenitude of thy goodness: for unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


The Second Prayer of the Faithful

Priest: Again and oftentimes we fall down before thee and beseech thee, O Good Lord who lovest mankind, that looking down upon our petition thou wilt cleanse our souls and bodies from all defilement of flesh or spirit; and grant us to stand blameless and without condemnation before thy holy Altar. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us growth in life and faith and spiritual understanding, Grant them always blamelessly to serve thee with fear and love, and to partake without condemnation of thy Holy Mysteries, and to be accounted worthy of thy heavenly Kingdom:

Priest: (aloud)

Help us; Save us, have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Wisdom:

That guarded always by thy might we may ascribe glory unto thee: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Choir: Amen.

(The Choir how sings the Cherubinic Hymn as far as the words "the Kihg of all"; meanwhile, the Priest reads the Prayer of the Cherubimic Hymn, and prepares to make the Great Entrance.)