SOR Logo
Search
 
Anaphora of St. Jacob of Sarugh
The Bishop of Batnan (+AD 521)

Anaphoras: The Book of
Divine Liturgies

Preface
Introduction

Order of the Liturgy

Mawrbo
Preparatory Order
Public Celebration
Kiss of Peace
Supplications

Anaphoras

St. James
St. Mark
St. Peter
Twelve Apostles
St. John
St. Xystus
St. Julius
St. John Chrysostom
St. Cyril
St. Jacob of Sarugh
St. Philoxenus
St. Severius
Mar Bar Salibi

Appendix

Supplication to
    Virgin Mary
Consecration of
    Vestments/Vessels
Purification of Altars
Blessing of Icons
For the Sick
Repentance

 

© Syrian Orthodox Dioceses of North America and Canada. Reproduced with permission. No part of the material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without written permission from the publisher.

The Prayer of the Kiss of Peace

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O God the Father, Who are infinite tranquility indivisible peace and unbreakable love; Who, according to the abundance of Your goodness, created man in the state of incorruptibility, and because he transgressed the commandment and was condemned to death by the envy of the evil one, consequently, You did fill the earth with peace from heaven by the life-giving coming of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God, Whose glory even the heavenly hosts praised, saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good hope for men. Fill, O Lord, our hearts with Your good will, cleansing us from all defilement, all malice, all death-bearing spite, all wickedness and cunning. Make us worthy to give sincere peace to one another with a holy kiss and to partake, without condemnation, of Your heavenly and incorruptible gift in Christ Jesus, our Lord, through Whom befit You praise, honor and dominion, with Your Living Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Barekhmor. Let us give peace to one another, everyone to his neighbor with a holy and divine kiss, in the love of our Lord and God.

People: Make us worthy, O Lord and God, of this peace all the days of our lives.

Deacon: After this holy and divine peace which has been given, let us once again bow down our heads before the merciful Lord.

People: Before You, our Lord and our God.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O Adorable, Who are praised by the angels, blessed by the cherubim, hallowed by the seraphim, glorified by the fiery companies, magnified by the spiritual beings, honored by men and exalted and worshiped by the whole creation; look, O Lord, upon Your servants who have bowed down their necks before Your Majesty. Make Your right hand that is full of mercies rest upon this congregation of Your worshipers. Send to them, from the heights of Your sanctuary, springs of blessings, fountains of good things, sources of holiness, an overflow of purity, streams of virtue, and make us children and inheritants of the heavenly kingdom by virtue of this peace which we have been worthy to receive from You. We offer You praise and thanksgiving and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O Great and Everlasting God, Who are sublime and exalted, admirable and invisible; Who shows mercy to the thousands and myriads of those who love You and keep Your commandments; Who revealed to us the Mystery which was hidden from old times and from generations by the coming of Your Only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and made us worthy to be mediators and ministers of Your revered and heavenly Mysteries. Do not look upon our worthlessness because weare not worthy to approach and partake of Your heavenly gifts. Nevertheless, through Your grace and Your love toward men, visit us with Your mercy and compassion and deliver us from all guile and envy; grant us Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of knowledge and mightiness, the Spirit of chastity and holiness, the Spirit of piety and good will, so that, when we become cleansed by the sprinkles of Your purifying hyssop, we may be worthy to stand before You with a pure heart and offer You this revered and bloodless sacrifice for the remission of our debts, the forgiveness of our sins, the remembrance of our departed ones and for Your glory, O God the Father, and that of Your Only-begotten Son and of Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant waves the shushefo (veil) over the elements.

Deacon: Barekhmor. Let us stand well, let us stand with fear, let us stand with modesty, purity and holiness and let us all stand, my brethren, in love and true faith. Let us intelligently behold, with the fear of God, this awesome and Holy Eucharist which is being set before us by this reverend priest who, in peace and tranquillity, offers this living sacrifice on behalf of us all to God the Father, Lord of all.

People: Mercy, peace and a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

The celebrant lifts up the shushefo (veil) and waves it three times over the elements, saying in a low voice:
You are the hard rock which sent forth twelve rivers of water for the twelve tribes of Israel. You are the hard rock which was set against the tomb of our Savior.

The celebrant puts his left hand on the altar, turns to the people and blesses them, saying:
The love of God the Father +, the grace of the Only-begotten Son + and the fellowship and descent of the Holy Spirit + be with you all, my brethren, forever.

People: Amen. And with your spirit.

The celebrant, extending and elevating his hands, says aloud:
Upward, where Christ sits on the right hand of God the Father, let our thoughts, minds and hearts be at this hour.

People: They are with the Lord God.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord in awe.

People: It is meet and right.

The celebrant bows down his head, waves his hands over the elements, and says in a low voice:
Unto You we lift up our minds and hearts, O God, Lord of all, Who are revered, glorified, Wonder Worker, the Father of life, the King of all worlds, the invisible Who is inconceivable, the Most High Who is inscrutable, the glorious Who is infinite, God Who is unsearchable, the Father and Begetter of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, Who is like You, the Only-begotten Who is similar to You, hypostasis of Your substance, the glorious Son of Your Majesty, the manifestation of Your light, the splendor of Your flame, the brightness of Your glory, the expressed image of Your being and Who upholds all things by the power of His word, Who is begotten of You everlastingly and without beginning and Who is with You eternally and endlessly, by Whom and through Whom You created the worlds by Your grace. Even we, O Lord, worship, give thanks and glorify You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit, one triune, indivisible God.

The celebrant stretches out his hands and says aloud:
Glory to You, O Lord, from Your Church which You have enlightened for Your worship. Thanksgiving to You from the mouths which have been honored by Your word. You are hallowed by the unclean who have been cleansed by Your hyssop. Not that You are not in need of praise, nor You are magnified by our thanksgiving because You have in heaven and in the heaven of heavens innumerable praise singers, unlimited worlds of light, heavenly hosts who honorably praise Your being fiery choirs who move one another and raise their voices chanting Your glory and thousands upon thousands and myriads upon myriads who stand before You and worship Your Holy Name. Extensive ranks of the consuming fire354:1 offer gifts of praise to Your Majesty. The admirable powers of the mighty wind354:2 send blessings to Your place. The awesome legions of the flame make joyful sounds of praise to Your invisibility, the thunder of wheels and the voice of the cherubim bless Your honor and the assemblies of the seraphim, by the sound of their wings and their swift flying on high, sing sweet and sacred songs to Your holiness, and with mouths formed of fire and lips clothed in flame, with thrice holies, praise and cry out and say:  

People: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty; heaven and earth are full of His glories. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who came and will come in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The celebrant, waving his hands over the elements, prays silently:
O Lord, the voice of the seraphim proclaims Your Trinity. The assemblies of the cherubim bless Your secrecy. The ranks of the angels praise Your admirable being. Glory to You, the Magnifier of our race by Your grace and Who has joined the voices of the earthly beings with the praise of the heavenly hosts. You are, O Lord, He Who, by Your abundant mercies,did send the Savior and Deliverer, Your beloved Only-begotten Son Who shone forth from You through the Virgin like a flash of light to clear the eye. He took upon Himself  the form of a servant356:1 from the holy womb, whereas, in truth, He is the likeness of Your Majesty. He became man of His own will in order to make us gods as it pleased Him. He was born of the womb of flesh that He might bring us forth from the spiritual womb. He became unto us a brother and made us Your children. He raised us from the humiliation of slaves and granted us to obtain the honor of inheritants. He took away from us the work of the laborers and raised us to the state of the beloved children. He restrained us from the spirit of slavery that we may no longer be in fear of the subdued, and gave us the Spirit of adoption356:2 by which we confidently call on You our Father.

The celebrant takes the host from the paten with his right hand. He puts it on the palm of his left hand, and raising his eyes skyward, says aloud:
And when He was prepared to suffer, he left a memorial for us. On that evening in which all the mysteries and symbols came to an end, on that night when He was being delivered for the life and the salvation of the world, He took bread in His holy hands and gave thanks and He blessed + + and sanctified + and broke and gave the assemble of His disciple and said to them: Take, eat of it. This is My Body which for you and for many is broken and given for the remission of sins and for life eternal.

People: Amen.

The celebrant takes the chalice with both hands, then he holds it with his left hand and makes over it the sign of the Cross three times. Then he puts the second finger of his right hand on its edge and tilts it crosswise, saying:
Likewise, after they had supper, He also blended the cup of life of wine and water and gave thanks and blessed + +, sanctified + and gave the assembly of His disciples and said to them: Take, drink of it all of you, this is the cup of the New Covenant in My Blood which for you and for many is shed and given for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal.

People: Amen.

The celebrant takes the gomouro from the northern side with his left hand; then he takes the spoon from the southern side with his right hand and puts it on the gomouro. He now raises them with his right hand to remind the faithful of the Lord's second coming, which will be like a flash of lightning, and puts them on the southern side. Then he places the sponge on the northern side and says aloud:
Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, make remembrance of My death and My resurrection until I come.

People: Your death, our Lord, we commemorate, Your resurrection we confess and Your second coming we wait for. May Your mercy be upon us all.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
Who can relate the greatness of Your exalted and everlasting Majesty, O Word of God, or who can understand Your willing renunciation. Who is capable to explain Your admirable birth of the Virgin, or who can suitably relate the voluntary and blameless passions You bore and endured for us, or who is qualified to worship and honor all Your redemptive dispensation for our sake. We, therefore, beseech You, O Lord, that on the last day of Your second coming when You shall judge the quick and the dead358:1, when You shall sit down on the sublime and majestic throne, when the angels and the archangels shall stand before You, O just and upright Judge, when all the hidden things shall be revealed and all the deeds shall be examined and all men shall stand in fear and trembling; at that hour of judgment, O Merciful Lord, do not turn Your face away from us, do not enter into judgment with us. Do not bring our offenses to exact trial. Do not disgrace us with that eternal shame. Do not cast us away from among Your servants. Do not throw us from Your presence. Do not drive us away from the gate of Your chamber, and do not say to us: "I do not know you," for we have not denied Your Holy Name, but return mercifully, O Lord, and have compassion and mercy upon us. Pardon the sinners. Forgive the evildoers. Have pity on the guilty. Hear the prayers of Your servants. Accept the supplications of Your worshipers and be pleased with the requests of Your intercessors. On account of all these and of all such things, Your repentant Church entreats You and through You to Your Father, saying:

People: Have mercy upon us, O God, Father Almighty. We glorify You, we bless You, we worship You and we beseech You. O Lord our God, have compassion and mercy upon us, O Good One.

The celebrant, stretching out his hands at equal level and gazing upward, says silently:
We also, O Lord, Your weak and sinful servants, offer You thanksgiving and acknowledge Your loving-kindness unto all and for all.

People: We glorify You, we bless You, we worship You, O Lord God, and we beseech You for mercy. Have mercy upon us.

Deacon: Barekhmor, How awful is this hour and how dreadful is this moment, my beloved, wherein the Holy Spirit from the topmost heights takes wing and descents and hovers and rests upon this Eucharist here present and sanctifies it. Be in calm and awe, while standing and praying. Pray that peace may be with us and for all of us tranquillity.

People: May peace be with us and tranquillity to all of us.

The Invocation of the Holy Spirit

The celebrant waves his hands over the Mysteries, and bowing down his head, says silently:
Yea, O Lord God Almighty, we entreat You to have mercy upon us. Let the gates of heaven be opened and let Your Holy Spirit, Who is consubstantial with You and with Your Son, come down, abide, move upon and rest over us and over these offerings that are set before us and change them.

The celebrant stretches out his hands and, looking upward, says aloud:
Answer me, O Lord; answer me, O Lord; answer me, O Lord; O Good One, have compassion and mercy upon me.

People: Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant stretches out his left hand and waves his right hand over the Body and says aloud:
And may he prove this bread to be the honored Body + + + of our Lord Jesus.

People: Amen.

The celebrant waves his right hand over the chalice, saying:
And this cup the redeeming Blood + + + of our Lord Jesus.

People: Amen.

The Diptychs

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
May He make them one Body and Blood, one worthy and supreme sacrifice so that, when it is mingled with our souls and our bodies, it may become unto us and unto those who receive it for the growth of the true faith in You and for the washing from all spots. May the sinners be pardoned by it, the penitents be sanctified, the evildoers be justified, the erring be converted, the wrathful be reconciled, the malicious be calm, the brutal be pacified, the distressed be delighted, the mourners be comforted, the afflicted be relieved and the sick be healed so that, from all, in all and for all, we offer praise and thanksgiving to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
We offer You this fearful and bloodless sacrifice for Your Holy Universal Church that is in every place. Confirm her in the true faith and adorn her with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Be mindful, O Lord, of her shepherds and teachers, in particular, our blessed Patriarch Mor (N) and Mor (N) and the Catholicos Mor Basilius and our Bishop Mor (N) with the rest of all the orthodox bishops and all the ranks of Your Holy Church. Remember me, O Lord, a sinner and miserable who is defiled with all filthy deeds. Purify me with the sprinkling of Your cleansing hyssop. Do not turn Your face away from Your servant. Do not detest me because of the multitude of my sins, but according to the abundance of the multitude of Your mercies, let Your grace be increased unto me and Your compassion grow upon me.

Canon of the Living Fathers of the Church.

The deacon stands in the Royal Entrance and intones Canon of the Living Fathers:
Barekhmor. Let us pray and beseech our Lord and our God at this great, awful and holy time for all our fathers and leaders who are ruling over us this day and in this present life, who tend and rule the Holy Churches of God in the four corners of the world; our, venerable and blessed Patriarch: Mor Ignatius  and Mor (N), Mor Basilius and our Prelate Mor (N), that they may be confirmed by God with the rest of all the orthodox bishops. May their prayers be a stronghold for us. Let us beseech the Lord.

People: Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Deliver, O Lord, Your faithful people from all afflictions and rods of wrath, and from the evil spirits and from all the misleading guiles of the wicked and from all heathen deception and from fear of demons. Do not allow Your Holy Name to be defiled among the pagans. Do not neglect or forsake us that we be unjustly humiliated and trampled, but help us, O God our Savior, for You alone are capable of redeeming us; and to You we offer continuous glory and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, also those who have offered these offerings at Your priestly altar, and those of Your Church who bring forth fruit and those who had the desire to offer, but were unable to do so and those who requested us to remember them in prayers raised to You, O Our God; bestow upon them the good things that come from You.

Canon of the Faithful Brethren

Deacon: Barekhmor. Again, we remember all our faithful and true Christian brethren who have urged and entreated our humble and weak selves to remember them at this hour and at this time: and on behalf of all those who are fallen into all kinds of hard temptations and who take refuge in You, Lord God Almighty, and for their salvation and speedy visitation by You; for this city sustained by God and for the concord and prosperity of all its faithful dwellers that they may attain righteousness. Let us beseech the Lord.

People: Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
 Remember, O Lord, all those who are standing and praying with us and those who are afar, and those who help the poor, me needy and the distressed. Protect them and us by the multitude of Your angelic powers. Preserve and deliver us from all the burning and destructive arrows of the adversary, from the ambushes and the snares of the evil spirits, from all hunger and the corruption of evil doctrines, from all the opposition of the impudent enemies, from the hands of foreigners and from evil and wicked men and from those who speak perversity. Girding us with peace and tranquility from You, make us worthy to be preserved unharmed until the last breath, and we offer praise and thanksgiving to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, all the faithful and Christian kings and their armies and do battle against those who fight them. Be mindful, O Lord, also of those who journey by sea and by rough roads. Grant quick healing and salvation to the sick and afflicted. Be mindful, O Lord, of the atmosphere, the rains, the dews, the fruits and the crown of the year. To You the eyes of everyone are lifted for You are the One Who fulfills their necessities at the convenient time.

Canon of the Faithful Kings

Deacon: Barekhmor. Again, we remember all the faithful and true Christian rulers, who in the four corners of the earth, have supported and confirmed the churches and monasteries of God in the true faith, and for all Christendom, all the clergy and all the faithful people that they may attain righteousness. Let us beseech the Lord.

People: Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Help, O Lord, all the pious patrons and Your people who have taken refuge in You. Bring to an end the schisms of the Churches. Suppress the arrogance of the pagans. Break down the opposition of the heretics. Free those who are in prisons, exile and slavery. Deliver those who are in captivity, persecution and perils. Restore to health those who suffer from difficult diseases. Relieve those who are afflicted and weary. Bring back those who journey by seas and distant roads. Send to the places in need early rains, gentle showers and bless the crown of the year by Your grace for You are kind and compassionate. To You we offer praise and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, all the just, the righteous and the holy fathers form Adam until the present time, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who did not experience marriage, and St. John the Baptist, Stephen the archdeacon and those who have pleased You.

Canon of the Mother of God and the Saints

Deacons: Barekhmor. Again, we commemorate her who is worthy to be blessed and glorified by all generations of the earth, the holy, glorious, blessed, exalted and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God. With her, let us remember the prophets, the apostles, the preachers, the evangelists, the martyrs, the confessors, the blessed St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of his Master, the holy, illustrious St. Stephen, the head of the deacons and the protomartyr, and the exalted heads of the apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul. Let us also remember together all the saints, both men and women. May their prayers be a stronghold for us. Let us beseech the Lord.

People: Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Arrange and count us in the companies of Your beloved ones, O Lord, and in the ranks of those who loved Your truth, in the bands of the just and the righteous who waited upon Your salvation, in the congregations of the martyrs who were slain trusting in You in the glorious assemblies of the hermits and celibates, Your intimate friends; in the circle of the disciples, the preachers and the prophets, the eyewitnesses of Your revelation; in the feasts and delights of those who struggled and fulfilled Your will and in the places of everlasting delights and bliss so that with them and among them we may offer You praise and thanksgiving and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, all the holy fathers and the renowned teachers who, in true faith, governed Your Holy Churches and fought for the doctrine of the true faith, in particular, Ignatius, Dionysius, Basilius, Gregorius and the rest of the orthodox fathers and teachers.

Canon of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church

Deacon: Barekhmor. Again, we commemorate those who have gone before, fallen asleep in holiness, and are at rest among the saints; those who have kept the one apostolic faith without blemish and entrusted it to us. We proclaim the three sacred and holy Ecumenical Synods of Nicaea, of Constantinople and of Ephesus. We also remember our glorious and God-fearing fathers, prelates and doctors present at the Synods. Bishop James, the first bishop of Jerusalem, the apostles and martyrs and the saints: Ignatius, Clement, Dionysius, Athanasius, Julius, Basilius, Gregorius, Dioscoros, Timothy, Philoxenus, Antemus, Ivanius. Particularly, St. Cyril that exalted and firm tower who declared and made manifest the incarnation of the Word God, our Lord Jesus Christ Who took flesh. We also remember our Patriarch St. Severius, the crown of the Syrians, that rational mouth, pillar and teacher of all the Holy Church of God; and our saintly and holy father St. Jacob Burd`ono the supporter of the orthodox faith and St. Ephrem, St. Jacob, St. Isaac, St. Balai, St. Barsaumo, head of the anchorites, St. Simon the Stylite and the chosen St. Abhai. Let us, also, remember all those before them, with them and after them, who kept the one, true and uncorrupted faith and delivered it to us. May their prayers be a stronghold to us. Let us beseech the Lord.

People: Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Remember, O Lord, the victorious illuminators of Your Holy Churches who showed fortitude for the true religion, those who preached Your Name among the gentiles, the kings and the children of Israel. By their acceptable prayers, bring to an end the insolence of heresy, establish in our souls the true teachings of their faith, place us in their blessed ranks, join us to the splendor of their heavenly companies and grant us confidence before Your glorious throne for You are Holy Who finds rest in the saints and makes them perfect. To You befits glory, honor and dominion with Your Only-begotten Son and with Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, all those who, in the true faith, have preceded and fallen asleep from Adam until the present day; the priests, the deacons, the subdeacons, the readers, the singers, the hymn instructors, the monks and the laymen who have fallen asleep in Christ, as well as those for whom this sacrifice is offered.

Canon of the Faithful Departed

Deacon: Barekhmor. Again, we commemorate all the faithful departed who from this holy sanctuary, from this place and from everywhere have departed, fallen asleep in true faith and are at rest; those who have already departed and have attained to God the Father of spirits and of all flesh. Let us ask and beseech Christ our God, Who has received their souls and spirits unto Himself, that, in His abundant mercy, He may make them worthy of the remission of trespasses and the forgiveness of sins, and carry us and them to His heavenly kingdom. Let us cry out and say kyrie eleison three times.

People: Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Yea, O Lord God, grant rest to the souls of those whom we have mentioned, and write their names in Your book of life. Make them worthy of the bliss of paradise. Place them in the realm of the righteous. Number them among the companies of the just and bring them safe to the haven of life where the habitation of rest exists, where all pains, misery, griefs and sighing flee away, where all the saints rejoice and all the just repose, making us not condemned, cast away or separated from Your heavenly kingdom because only one appeared on earth without sin, Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and our God Jesus Christ, through Whom we also hope to find mercy and forgiveness of sins for His sake both for us and for them.

People: O God, remove, pardon and forgive the offenses of ours and theirs which we have committed before You willingly and unwillingly, wittingly and unwittingly.

The celebrant says silently:
O God, remove and pardon our offenses committed in thought, word and deed, those that are manifest and those that are concealed, yet evident to You.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Absolve, O Lord, and forgive all our and their unlawfulness. Deliver us from all the kinds of sicknesses of iniquity and sin. Direct our footsteps in the paths of Your divine commandments. Grant us to become holy people, a redeemed congregation and an angelic priesthood for You. Make us worthy that, with spiritual exaltation, intellectual bands and joyful dancing, we may rejoice and be delighted with the blessed ones so that with them and among them we may praise, extol and glorify Your All Respected and Blessed Name with that of our Lord Jesus Christ and Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People:Amen. As it was is now and ever shall be unto ages of ages and all the ages of the world without end. Amen. Barekhmor.

The celebrant takes power from the Mysteries, stretches out his right hand toward the people and shall say:

Celebrant:Peace be with you all.

People:And with your spirit.

The celebrant takes blessing from the chalice, paten and the edge of the tablitho, crosses himself, then he draws the sign of the Cross first to the north then to the south. He then turns to his right-hand side and draws the sign of the Cross on the people three times, saying:

Celebrant:May the mercies of God the Great + and our Savior Jesus Christ + be with you all, my brethren + forever.

The curtain is drawn across the sanctuary. The people sing a hymn suitable for the occasion, then they may chant the general litany. The celebrant breaks and the signs the Mysteries, then he recites the metrical homily of St. Jacob:

O Father of truth, behold Your Son, the well-pleasing sacrifice unto You,
Accept You Him Who died for me, and may I be forgiven through Him.
Receive this offering from my hands and reconcile with me.
And remember not the sins I committed before Your greatness.
Behold His Blood is shed on Golgotha by the wicked, and it is pleading for me.
For my sake, accept my petition.
If you weigh how much my debts and how much Your mercy,
Your compassion is heavier than the mountains that are weighed by You.
Look, You, at the sins and look at the offering for them.
The offering and the sacrifice are much greater than the debts.
Because I sinned, Your beloved One endured the nails and the spear.
Sufficient are His passions to reconcile You and by them shall I live.
Glory be to the Father Who delivered His Son for our salvation,
Adoration to the Son Who died on the Cross and gave life to all of us,
Thanks be to the Spirit Who began and fulfilled the Mystery of our salvation,
O Trinity, exalted, above all, have mercy on us all.

The curtain is withdrawn.

The Lord's Prayer

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
O God, Who are wonderful and indescribable, invisible and inscrutable, Most High and incomprehensible, Who are unceasingly exalted by the heavenly hosts, adored by the spiritual ranks and are praised by the sublime hymns of glory. To You, Who behold our secrets, we pray with the mouths of our minds for You are the first and the last Creator and God and there is no other god besides You. You are the hope of the persecuted, the companion of the strangers, the nourisher of the poor, the comfort of the mourners and the finder of the lost. Let, then, O God, Your mercifulness seek our loss, and may we be cleansed by Your grace from the defilement of sins and be delivered from the temptation that injures the body and soul. Grant us that our weak prayers may fly with the wings of the wheels of Your grace until they reach to the throne of Your glory; and may we stand before You with confidence and with a pure heart and pray to You that prayer which Your Only-begotten Son taught to His holy disciples, and cry and say: Our Father Who art in heaven.

People: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 forever and ever. Amen.

Celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
O Lord, lead us not into the temptation of soul and body that may afflict with sickness and sins, but You, O Lord God, through Your grace as a merciful and kind Father, protect our bodies from distresses and illnesses and our souls from offenses and sins. Along with these, may we also be protected from the evil one, his hosts, snares and plots for we do not have the power to resist the evil one if Your Holy Name does not help us. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, with Your Only-begotten Son and Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Before partaking of these Divine and Holy Mysteries that have been offered, let us bow down our heads before the merciful Lord.

People: Before You, our Lord and our God.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
Before You, O King of kings, Lord of lords and Wonder Worker; Most High in Your glory, magnified in Your majesty and invisible in Your being, Your servants have bowed their heads at this time, looking for Your hope, awaiting Your compassion and thirsting for the mercies that are given by You. Stretch out, O Lord, Your mighty and omnipotent hand and bless Your servants and worshipers. Perfect them to be pure and without the spot and stain of sin so that they may be counted worthy to receive Your Holy and Divine Mysteries. Deliver us from illusions by night, day, noon time and evening, and may the Body and Blood of Your Only-begotten Son be unto us the leaven and the pledge of life on the day of judgment, and also now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

Celebrant:May the grace + and the mercies of the Holy and Glorious Trinity, uncreated +, self-existent, eternal, adorable + and of one substance be with you all, my brethren, forever.

People: Amen.

Here incense is burnt.

The Elevation of the Holy Mysteries

Deacon: Barekhmor. With fear and trembling let us look.

People: Lord, have compassion and mercy upon us and help us.

Celebrant: The Holies to the holy and pure alone ought to be given.

People: Barekhmor. One Holy Father. One Holy Son. One Holy Spirit.

People: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Living Holy Spirit, Who are one, forever and ever. Amen.

The celebrant carries the paten with his right hand and the chalice with his left hand, and putting his right hand on his left hand in the shape of the Cross, he says:
The one Holy Father with us Who formed the world by His compassion.

People: With us. Amen.

Celebrant: The one Holy Son with us Who redeemed us by His Person's precious sufferings.

People: With us. Amen.

Celebrant: The one Holy and Living Spirit with us Who is the Perfecter and Fulfiller of all that has been and that which will be. May the Name of the Lord be blessed forever and ever.

People: With us. Amen.

The celebrant puts the paten and the chalice on the tablitho and covers the Holy Mysteries. Then he descends from the altar step and burns incense. Then the people shall intone the following prayer:

People: In offerings and in prayers, let us remember our fathers, who while they were alive, taught us to become children of God in this transitory world. O Son of God, grant them rest in the heavenly kingdom, with the just and the righteous, in the world that never passes away. Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

Then they shall sing the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints and the faithful departed. On the festivals of our Lord they may say:
By the resurrection of Christ the King, we receive atonement for our souls. Let us, in true faith, cry out together in praise of the Son Who redeemed us by His Cross and say: Blessed be Your salvation, our Savior. Holy, holy are You Who everywhere magnify the commemoration of Your Mother, Your saints and the faithful departed. O Christ the King, halleluiah. Halleluiah, halleluiah, O Christ the King, halleluiah. The heavenly hosts stand with us in the sanctuary and exalt the Body and Blood of the Son of God Who is sacrificed before us. Come near, O faithful, partake of Him for the remission of offenses and sins, halleluiah, halleluiah, halleluiah, O Christ the King, halleluiah. On Your altar, Lord, remember our fathers, our brethren and our elders. Let them stand at Your right hand of the shining forth of Your Majesty. Christ the King, halleluiah, Christ the King, halleluiah.

Here the celebrant blesses the bread (bourktho) and delivers the sermon of the day.

The celebrant turns to the people with outstretched hands, saying:
My brethren and my beloved, pray for me.

The curtain is drawn across the sanctuary.

The celebrant kneels on the altar step and prays silently:
Make us worthy, O Lord God, to eat Your Holy Body and drink Your Atoning Blood and become inheritants in Your heavenly kingdom with all those who pleased Your good will, our Lord and our God, forever.

Then the celebrant ascends the altar step and partakes of the Holy Mysteries, then he communicates the clergy and the deacons.

Celebrant:Let us cry out and say.

Deacon:Worshipped and glorified are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. From eternity and forever and ever glory to Him. Halleluiah.

The Procession of the Holy Mysteries

The curtain is drawn back. The celebrant carries the paten in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand. He then turns around from the left-hand side toward the people, saying:
From Your atoning altar, may atonement descend upon Your servants, O Son of God, Who came for our salvation and will come for our resurrection and the restoration of our kind, forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant descends from the altar step, walks forward two steps and says:
Stretch out, O Lord God, Your invisible right hand and bless this congregation of Your worshipers who are prepared to receive Your Precious Body and Blood for the remission of debts, the forgiveness of sins and confidence in Your presence, our Lord and our God, forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant crosses his hands, walks one step forward and says:
May the mercies of God the Great and of our Savior Jesus Christ be upon the bearers of these Holies, their donors, their receivers and upon all those who labored and took part and are taking part in them. May the mercy of God be upon us and upon them in both worlds.

People: Amen. Our Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Lord, spare us and have mercy upon us. Our Lord, answer us and have mercy upon us. Glory to God in the highest, exaltation to His Mother, a crown of glory to the martyrs and compassion and mercy to the departed. Halleluiah.

The celebrant administers the Holy Communion to the faithful.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says:
Glory be to You, glory be to You, our Lord and our God, forever. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, let not Your Holy Body, which we have eaten, and Your Atoning Blood, which we have drunk, be unto us for judgment nor for revenge, but for eternal life and for the redemption of all of us, and have mercy upon us.

People: The world shall kneel and worship You and every tongue shall confess Your Name for You are the Raiser of the dead and the Good Hope to those who are buried, halleluiah.

The celebrant returns to the altar.

Deacon: We give thanks to You, our Lord and our God, and especially for Your grace unto us.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
What have we to render the Lord on account of all His rewards toward us and for all His graces, His gifts and His kind visitation to us, He Who made us mortals, worthy to partake of His Holy Mysteries? We give thanks, worship, praise and raise the hymns of thanksgiving. We beseech You, O Lover of mankind, as You called us and brought us near this blessed and life-giving banquet, so also grant us and count us worthy of the remission of debts, the forgiveness of sins, the provisions for the way of eternal life and for the glory and the exaltation of Your Name, that of Your Only-begotten Son and that of Your Spirit, all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: After having received these Holy and Divine Mysteries, that have been given, let us again bow down our heads before the merciful Lord.

People: Before You, our Lord and our God.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
Before You, O Lord God, we bow down our minds, our understanding, our impulses, our thoughts and all the structure of our bodies with our souls, beseeching and entreating You to let Your invisible hand, which is full of blessings, rest upon all of us. Bless, sanctify, preserve and protect, by Your redemptive Cross, all of us, the receivers of Your Holy Body and the drinkers of Your Innocent Blood, from the injuries of body and soul. Confirm in us Your life-giving will, strengthen in us the true faith in You, give us the power to observe Your holy commandments, lead us to the blessed end and to the delight in the kingdom, and,with all Your saints, we offer to You praise and thanksgiving and to Your Father and to Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Huthomo

Deacons: Huthomo

The Dismissal of the Faithful

Celebrant: Depart in peace +, our brethren and beloved, while we entrust you to the grace and mercy of the Holy and Glorious Trinity, with the food for the way and the blessings which you have received from the atoning altar of the Lord; those who are far off and those who are near, the living and the departed, redeemed by the victorious Cross + of the Lord and sealed with the seal of the Holy Baptism; may the Holy Trinity forgive your offenses, pardon your debts and grant rest to the souls of your departed. And may I, a weak and sinful servant, be helped and spared by your prayers. Depart in peace +, happy and rejoicing, and pray for me always.

People: Amen. May the Lord accept your offering and help us by your prayers.

The veil is drawn across the sanctuary.

The deacons sing the following metrical homily of St. Jacob of Sarug during the closing acts of the Liturgy:

The Lord Whom the seraphs fear to look at,
The same you behold in bread and wine on the altar.
The lightning clothed hosts are burned if they see Him in His brilliance.
Yet the contemptible dust partakes of Him with confidence.
The Son's Mysteries are fire among the heavenly beings,
Isaiah bears witness with us to have seen them.
These Mysteries which were in the Divinity's bosom,
Are distributed to Adam's children on the altar.
The altar is fashioned like the cherubim's chariot,
And is surrounded by the heavenly hosts.
On the altar is laid the Body of God's Son,
And Adam's children carry it solemnly on their hands.
Instead of a man clad in linen, stands the (priest),
And distributes alms (the Eucharist) among the needy.
If envy existed among the angels,
The cherubim would have envied men.
Where Zion set up the Cross to crucify the Son,
There grew up the tree that gave birth to the Lamb.
Where nails were driven in the Son's hands,
There Isaac's hands were bound for an offering.
Welcome, priest, who carries the Mysteries of his Lord,
And with his right hand distributes life to men.
Welcome, priest, who carries a pure censer,
And with its fragrance makes the world sweet and pleasant.
Welcome, priest, whom the Holy Spirit did raise up,
And on his tongue bears the keys to the house of God.
Welcome, priest, who binds man in the depth below,
And the Lord binds him in heaven on high. Halleluiah.
Welcome, priest, who unbinds men on earth,
And the Lord unbinds him in the highest. Kyrie eleison.
Praise be to the Lord. His mercy upon you and absolution for me.
And good commemoration to Mor Jacob the malphono.

The Post Communion Prayers to be recited by the celebrant.

_____

354:1 Hebrews 12:29

354:2 Acts 2:2

356:1 Philippians 2:7

356:2 Romans 8:15

358:1 II Timothy 4:1

 
Copyright © Syriac Orthodox Resources. All Rights Reserved.
Last Update: June 4, 1998