Priest (silently): We give thanks to You, O Master lover of mankind benefactor of our souls, that even this day You have deemed us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Make straight our path, confirm us in our fear of You, guard our life, make firm our steps, through the prayers and intercessions of the glorious Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Your saints.
Priest makes the sign of the cross with the Gospel Book, saying:
PRIEST: For You are our sanctification, and we render glory to You. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST: Let us go forth in peace.
PEOPLE: In the name of the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST: O Lord, Who bless those who bless You, and sanctify those who trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, preserve the fullness of Your Church, sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house; glorify them by Your divine power, and do not forsake us who hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the priests, to our civil authorities and to all Your people. For every good bestowal and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights; and we render glory, thanksgiving, and adoration to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and for ever (3 times).
Priest (silently): You, O Christ, Our God, Who are the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, have fulfilled the whole plan of the Father, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.
PRIEST: The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
PRIEST: Glory be to You, O Christ, our God, our Hope: Glory be to You.
DURING THE YEAR
PEOPLE: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Bless us.
DURING EASTERTIDE
PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead, conquering death by death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Bless us.
PRIEST: May Christ, our true God, risen from the dead, through the prayers of His most Holy Mother, and of the holy, glorious and illustrious apostles, and our holy father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and of Saint (N . . . whose church it is) and of Saint (N . . . whose feast it is) and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is gracious and loves mankind.
PEOPLE: Amen.
DURING EASTERTIDE
PRIEST & PEOPLE: Christ is risen from the dead, by death He conquering death , and to those in the graves, He granted life (3 times).
When you have time, I would be really interested in hearing about the Byzantine death rituals. For instance, in the Russian Orthodox Church there is a 40 day grieving period. On the 40th day, there is Divine Liturgy and then the person gives the clothes away. I am wondering if it is the same for Eastern Catholics.
ReplyDeleteI always love to read the Divine Liturgies. The service to Mother's was a wonderful experience long ago. I would be interested to hear the above answer. These things bring sanity to a God-starved world.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless.