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^96:2

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says loudly:
O God of all and Lord, account these our unworthy selves to be worthy of this salvation so that without guile and united by the bond of love, we may greet one another with a holy and divine kiss and may raise glory and thanksgiving to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be unto 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 bow down our heads before the merciful Lord.

People: Before You, our Lord and our God.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O You, Who are alone merciful Lord, Who dwell on high and behold the humblest things; send blessings to those who have bowed down their heads before You and bless them by the grace of Your Only-begotten Son with Whom to You belong glory, honor and dominion with Your all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O God the Father, Who by Your great love toward mankind, did send Your Son into the world to bring back the sheep that had gone astray. Reject not, O my Lord, the service of this bloodless sacrifice for we rely not on our righteousness, but on Your mercy. Let not this Mystery, which was instituted for our salvation, be for our condemnation, but for the remission of our sins and for the rendering of thanks to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your all holy, good, adorable, life-giving and consubstantial Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

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^98:1 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:^98:2
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, placing his left hand on the altar, turns toward the people and blesses them, saying:^100:1
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:
Truly it is meet and right to thank, worship and praise the Creator of the whole world.

The celebrant, with his hands outstretched, says aloud:
He Whom the heavenly hosts, corporeal and incorporeal, glorify; the sun, the moon and all the stars; the earth, the seas and the first-born inscribed in the heavenly Jerusalem; angels and archangels, celestial virtues, principalities, thrones, dominions, powers, the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim who, covering their faces and feet, fly to one another, chanting thrice holy, crying and saying: Holy.

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:
In truth You are Holy and You make Holy, O King of the worlds, and Holy is Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy too is Your Holy Spirit Who searches out hidden things. You created man out of earth and placed him in paradise, and when he transgressed Your commandment, You did not leave him straying, but did guide him by the prophets, and in the fullness of time You sent Your Only-begotten Son into the world, Who when he had taken flesh of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, renewed Your image which was worn out.

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 upward, says aloud:
When He, the sinless One, was prepared to accept the voluntary death for us sinners, He took bread into His holy hands and when He had given thanks, He blessed + + and sanctified + and broke and gave to His holy disciples, and said: 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 eternal life.

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, He took the Cup and when He had given thanks, He blessed + + and sanctified + and gave it to His holy disciples, and said: Take, drink of it, all of you. This is My Blood which for you and for many is shed and given for the remission of sins and for eternal life.

People: Amen.

The celebrant takes the gomouro^102:1 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:
Do in remembrance of Me when you partake of this sacrament, commemorating My death and My resurrection until I come.^102:2

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:
While we remember, O Lord, Your death and Your resurrection on the third day, Your ascension into heaven, Your sitting at the right hand of God the Father and Your second coming whereby Your will judge the world in righteousness and reward everyone according to his deeds; on account of this, we offer You this bloodless sacrifice so that You may not deal with us according to our debts, nor reward us according to our sins, but according to Your abundant mercies, blot out the sins of Your servants for Your people and Your inheritance make supplication unto 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.

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:
Have mercy upon us, O God the Father, and send upon these offerings Your Holy Spirit, the Lord Who is equal to You and to the Son in dominion, reign and eternal substance; Who spoke through Your Old and New Testaments; and descended in the likeness of a dove on our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River and in the likeness of tongues of fire on the apostles in the Upper Room.

The celebrant stretches out his hands and 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:
So that, by His indwelling, He (the Holy Spirit) may make this bread the life-giving Body +, the Redeeming Body + and the Body + of Christ our God.

People: Amen.

The celebrant, likewise, waves his right hand over the chalice and says aloud:
And may He (the Holy Spirit) perfect this cup into the Blood + of the New Covenant, the Redeeming Blood + and the Blood + of Christ our God.

People: Amen.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
So that they (Holy Mysteries) may sanctify the souls and bodies of those who partake of them for the bearing of the fruit of good deeds; for the confirmation of the Holy Church which is founded on the rock of faith and is invincible to the gates of Sheol. Deliver her from heretical offenses to the end that she may raise glory and praise to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The Diptychs

The celebrant says silently:
We offer You, O Lord, this bloodless sacrifice on behalf of Holy Zion, the mother of all Churches, and on behalf of Your Holy Church throughout the whole world, that You may grant her the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Remember, O Lord, our just and upright fathers; our Patriarch, Mor Ignatius and Mor (N),^108:1 Mor Basilius, ^108:2 our prelate Mor(N),^108:3 and the priests, the deacons and all the orders of Your Church ^108:4 together with my wretched self. Remember not the sins of my youth, but make me live according to Your mercy. Also, remember our brethren: the prisoners, the sick, the infirm, the afflicted and those who are tormented by evil spirits. Bless the air, the crown of the year, filling all the living with good will.

The deacon stands in the Royal Entrance and intones Canon of the Living Fathers.

Deacon: 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 holy, 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 us O Lord, from every insurrection of wicked men, the assault and oppression of devils and from all punishments brought upon us by reason of our sins. Preserve us in the observance of Your holy commandments for You are a merciful God. And to You we raise glory and praise and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance, with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren who are now standing and praying with us. Remember also, those who have departed from among us, and those who wished to make offering, but could not and to every one grant his good petitions.^l10:1

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 whom we have mentioned and those whom we have not mentioned and receive their sacrifices onto the expanses of Your heaven. Bestow on them the joy of salvation and make them worthy of Your help. Strengthen them with Your power and arm them with Your might for You are merciful, and to You we raise glory and praise and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, the pious kings^112:1 and queens. Aid them with the spiritual armor and subdue all their enemies to them that we may lead a peaceful life.

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:
Because You are the Savior, the Helper and the Giver of victory to all those who put their trust in You, O Lord. To You we raise glory and praise and to Your Only begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Because You have authority over life and death, O Lord, remember the holy fathers, the prophets, the apostles, Mary^114:1 the Virgin Mother of God, St. John the Baptist, St. Stephen the martyr together with all the righteous.

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:
We beseech You, Almighty Lord, unite us with the multitudes of the first-born whose names are inscribed in heaven. We remember them that they may also remember us before You and partake with us of this spiritual sacrifice for the preservation of the living, for the encouragement of us, the miserable, and for the rest of the faithful departed, our parents, brethren and masters by Your grace and mercy and of Your Only-begotten Son and of Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, the true shepherds^116:1 who from James the archbishop until this day have confirmed the true faith in Your Church.

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^l18:1, 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:
Confirm in our souls the doctrines of the enlightened and the doctors who carried Your Holy Name before the gentiles, the kings and the children of Israel. Bring to an end the heresies that trouble us, and make us worthy of the blameless standing before Your dreadful judgment seat, for Your are Holy and the Sanctifier of the saints. And we raise praise and glory to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, all the orders of the Church who in true faith have gone before, slept and are at rest, and all those for whom they offered (the Liturgy) and those who are now mentioned.^118:2

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.^120:1

People: Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
O Lord God, the Lord of spirits and all flesh, remember all those who in the true faith have departed from us. Give rest to their bodies, their souls and their spirits. Deliver them from endless condemnation. Make them rejoice in the place where the light of Your countenance visits, blotting out their offenses and entering not into judgment with them, for there is none innocent before You except Your Only-begotten Son, 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:
Keep us, O Lord, without sin until our end and gather us at the feet of Your elect ones, when, where and as You will, only without shame by reason of our offenses, so that herein as in all things, Your all Honored and Blessed Name be glorified and praised with the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, 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 unto 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:
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 that is suitable for the occasion. The following hymn is one of many such hymns:

I was a lost and wandering sheep.
The Church responded, saying:
I was scattered and dispersed,
Lo! My Shepherd went out in search of me, and found me.
He carried me and put me on His shoulder,
And brought me into His fold of life,
He set before me the table of life:
His atoning Body and Blood,
So that, wherewith, my children and I together be always sustained.
Therefore, my children and I, with one accord,
Cry out unto Him, saying:
Holy, holy, holy are You,
O Son, Who gave us His Body and Blood.
Holy are You, O Son of God;
Blessed be Your honor from Your dwelling place.

Here the celebrant washes his finger tips and dries them. The deacon may intone the following general litany by taking part alternately:

Deacon:Barekhmor. An angel of peace and tranquillity, mercy and compassion, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People:Grant us, our Lord, through Your compassion.

Deacon:That there may be peace to the churches, tranquillity to the monasteries and a gracious preservation to their priests and to their children, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People:Grant them tranquillity, our Lord, by Your clemency.

Deacon: That we may become true Christians, well-pleasing unto God through the good deeds of righteousness, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People: Make us worthy, our Lord, through Your grace.

Deacon: May we and our departed and our congregation be delivered from the fire that does not go out, the worm that does not die and violent torment that has no end, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People: Deliver us, our Lord, through Your compassion.

Deacon: May these Pure and Holy Mysteries, that have been consecrated, be unto us provisions of salvation. May we, through them, be delivered from the fire which is decreed for the impious and burns the workers of iniquity, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People: Deliver us, our Lord, by Your grace.

Deacon: That there may be full recovery to the sick, rest to the afflicted, release to the prisoners, a return to those who afar, preservation for those who are near, gathering together to those who are scattered, concord and love to those who are at discord, provision and plenty to the hungry, full forgiveness to the sinners, exaltation to the priesthood, virtue to the deacons, peace among the kingdoms of the earth, cessation of wars, rest to the departed and to us forgiveness of transgressions and sins.

People: Grant to us, our Lord, through Your goodness.

Deacon: Again, let there be good remembrance of the Mother of God, Mary, and of the saints and of the faithful departed, my brethren, let us beseech the Lord at all times.

People: Grant, our Lord, through Your grace.

Deacon: Whereas, we are asking Christ our God for His abundant mercy and compassion on behalf of our souls and those of our fathers, our brethren, our masters, our departed and of ourselves.

Deacon: Let us give thanks to God the Father, Lord of all, worship His Only-begotten Son and glorify His Holy Spirit; let us commit our life into the hands of the merciful Lord, and beseech mercy of His loving-kindness.

People: O Good One, spare us and have mercy upon us.

The Prayer of Breaking and Signing of the Holy Mysteries
by Bar Salibi^126:1

The celebrant prays in a low voice:
Thus truly the Word of God did suffer in flesh, and was sacrificed and broken^126:2 on the Cross, and His soul separated from His Body, while His Godhead never separated neither from His Soul nor from His Body. And He was pieced in His side with a spear, and there flowed out of Him blood and water, the atonement of the whole world. And his Body was stained with them. And for the sin of the whole world, the Son died on the Cross, and His Soul came and united with His Body. And He turned us from the work of the left to that of the right. And by the Blood of His Person, He reconciled, united and combined the heavenly with the earthly, the people with the gentiles and the Soul with the Body. And on the third day, He rose from the tomb.^126:3 One is Emmanuel, and cannot be divided into two natures after the indivisible unity. Thus we believe and thus we confess and thus we confirm that this Flesh is of this Blood and that this Blood is of this Flesh.

The celebrant says the following metrical homily of St. Jacob of Sarug:

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 celebrant tinctures the Body with the Blood and says the following prayer, silently:
You are Christ God Who was pierced in His side on the heights of Golgotha in Jerusalem for us. You are the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world and saves it. You pardon our offenses, forgive our sins and make us to stand at Your right-hand side.

The sanctuary is unveiled.

Introduction to the Lord's Prayer

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who are blessed by the cherubim, hallowed by the seraphim and exalted by thousands of thousands and myriads of myriads of the rational hosts; You Who sanctify and make perfect the offerings and the ripe fruits, which have been offered for a sweet smelling fragrance, sanctify also our bodies, souls and spirits so that with a pure heart and a face unashamed we may call upon You, O God, the heavenly Father, and pray, saying: Our Father, Who art in heaven.

The Lord's Prayer

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:
Yea, Lord our God, enter us not into intolerable temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, making a way of escaping from temptation, and to You we raise glory and thanks and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Before receiving 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:
Unto You, Your servants, who are awaiting Your rich mercies, have bowed down their heads. Send forth, O Lord, Your blessings and sanctify our bodies, souls and spirits, and make us worthy to partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ, our Savior, and we will offer glory and thanks to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be with you all.

People: And with your spirit.

The celebrant now touches the chalice, the paten and the tablitho with his right hand. He crosses himself and draws the sign of the Cross to the left and the right sides of the altar. Then he turns to the people and blesses them with the Sign of the Cross three times, saying:
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: Merciful Lord, have compassion and mercy upon us and help us.

Celebrant: The Holies to the holy and pure alone ought to be given.^132:1

People: Barekhmor. One Holy Father. One Holy Son. One Holy Spirit. 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 Spirit with us Who is the Perfecter and the Fulfiller of all that has been and all 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.

HYMNS OF EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION

Quqalyons with Incense

With the Blessed Virgin Mary

People: The king's daughter stands forth in glory, halleluiah, halleluiah, and the queen stands at Your right hand.

Forget also your own people and your father's house, halleluiah, halleluiah, the king, then, shall desire your beauty. (Psalm 45: 9-11)

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

People: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

O You Who are the pride of the faithful, offer, on our behalf, supplications to the Only-begotten Son Who sprang forth from you that He may have mercy upon all of us. Stomen kalos. Kyrie eleison.

The archangel brought a message of peace to the daughter of David; announcing the good tidings to her, he declared: My Lord is with you; and from you He will spring forth.

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

A vessel became Mary, and carried, adored and glorified Him Who is the Helmsman and Lord of all creation.

Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

By Your Cross, O Lord Jesus, and by the prayers of Mary who brought You forth, turn aside and cause to cease from us all the afflictions and the rods of wrath.

If a Supplication Prayer is desired, it is said here.

Sermon of the Day^136:1

With the Saints

People:The righteous shall flourish like palm trees, halleluiah, halleluiah and shall grow up like the cedars of Lebanon. Shall blossom in old age and flourish, halleluiah, halleluiah, and shall be blessed with abundance. (Psalm 92: 12-14)

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

People: As it was in the beginning.

Your commemoration, O St. (N),^136:2 is here on earth as it is high above in heaven. May those who have honored your memory be supported by your prayers.

Stomen kalos. Kyrie eleison.

This time of prayer, O St. (N), lead your flock, as is your custom.

Stretch out your right hand as Moses did, and bless the sheep who gave heed to your sweet notes.

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Praise be to the Father Who chose you, O St. (N), and to the Son Who has honored your commemoration; adoration to the Holy Spirit Who crowns you; may we receive mercy by your prayers during all seasons. Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

O Saints, intercede for us to Him Whose will you fulfilled, that afflictions and rods of chastisement be removed from us.

With the Faithful Departed

People: As a father shows pity on his children, halleluiah, halleluiah, the Lord shows pity on those who fear Him. The days for man are as the grass, halleluiah, halleluiah, he grows as the flowers in the field. (Psalm 103: 13-15)

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

People:As it was in the beginning Your servants, who with trust and confidence have fallen asleep, may Your life giving voice awaken them from the graves to paradise.

Stomen kalos. Kyrie eleison.

With glory, the life-giving King shall descend from above to quicken the dead and raise the departed. Rising from their tombs together, they shall offer glory and praise to You Who are the Quickener of the dead.

Deacon: Barekhmor.

Priest: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Praise be to the voice which our Lord announced in His Gospel, saying: Whosoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood, shall not be left in Sheol. For it was for his sake that I descended and tasted death that he may have eternal life.

Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

Grant, O Lord, rest to our faithful departed in Your glorious mansions. Grant them rest and have mercy upon them, forgiving our trespasses and theirs.

The following anthem may be intoned instead of the previous services:

By the resurrection^138:1 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.

The celebrant blesses the bread (bourktho),^138:2 saying:
May the grace of the Holy Trinity descend form heaven and rest upon this bourktho, upon its donors, its receivers and its servers. And may the mercies of God be upon those who labored and have part in it, and upon those who partake of it, in both worlds forever and ever.

The celebrant stretches out his hands, turns to the clergy, the deacons and the people, saying:
My brethren and my beloved, pray for me.

The sanctuary is veiled.

The celebrant kneels on the altar step and prays silently:
Make me worthy, O Lord to partake of You with holiness and, by eating Your Holy Body, may my worldly desires be put away and, by drinking Your Living Cup, may my passions be suppressed. And by You, may I be worthy of the remission of debts and forgiveness of sins, our Lord and our God, forever.

The celebrant ascends the altar step, takes the gmourto^140:1 from the chalice with the spoon and says:
I am holding You, Who uphold the boundaries of the world; I am grasping You, Who rule the depths. You, O God, I put in my mouth. By You I shall be delivered from the unquenchable fire and be worthy of the forgiveness of sins, like the sinful woman and the thief, O our Lord and God, forever.

The celebrant takes the gmourto from the paten with the spoon and puts it into the chalice. He now fills the spoon from the chalice and drinks of the blood, saying:
By Your Living and Life-giving Blood which was shed on the Cross, may my offenses be pardoned and my sins be remitted, O Jesus the Word of God, Who came for our salvation and will come for our resurrection and for the restoration of our kind, forever and ever. Amen.

Then he gives Holy Communion to the priests with the spoon and to the deacons with his hand, saying:
The absolving gmourto of the Body and Blood of Christ our God is given to the reverend priest (or deacon) for the pardon of his offenses and the remission of his sins in both worlds forever and ever.

The celebrant covers the paten and the chalice and says:
Let us cry out and say:

Deacon: Worshiped 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 sanctuary is unveiled.

The celebrant, carrying the paten with his right hand and the chalice with his left hand, putting his right hand over his left hand in the shape of the Cross, descends from the altar step, 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.

He walks forward two steps, stretches out his hands 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.

He walks forward one step, stretches out his hands 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.

The celebrant administers Holy Communion to the faithful, saying:
The atoning gmourto of the Body and Blood of Christ our God is given to the faithful for the remission of offenses and for the forgiveness of sins in both worlds forever and ever.

The communicant answers reverently: Amen.

The celebrant crosses his hands, with the right hand above the left hand, bowing his head reverently, while the people chant the following hymn:

People: 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 following hymn is chanted on the festivals of our Lord:

People: Make, O Lord, good commemoration unto the holy Virgin Mary, who gave birth to You in her virginity; and help us through her prayers. Halleluiah.

Make, O Lord, good commemoration unto the prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, the just and the righteous; and help us through their prayers. Halleluiah.

Make, O Lord, good commemoration unto our father Mor Ignatius and Mor Basilius and our prelate Mor (N); and help us through their prayers. Halleluiah.

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 stretches out his hands and says:
Glory be to You, 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.

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

The celebrant turns to his left and returns to the altar. He ascends the altar step and puts the paten and the chalice on the tablitho.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
We give thanks to You, O Lord, for the abundance of Your mercy, by which we have been made worthy to partake of Your heavenly table. May we not be condemned for receiving Your Holy Mysteries, but being worthy, may we be in fellowship with Your Holy Spirit and find a portion and inheritance with all the righteous who have been from the beginning, and we raise glory and praise to You and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Peace be unto 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:
O great and wonderful God, Who descended from heaven and came down for the salvation of our human race, have compassion and mercy upon us so that, at all times, we may glorify You and God the Father Who begat You and Your Holy Spirit, all holy, good, adorable and life-giving, Who is of one substance with You, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

Huthomo

People: May the oblation that has been offered by the priest, O Lord, be pleasing unto Your will. May the angels of heaven rejoice in it. And the faithful departed will be pardoned by it.

The Dismissal of the Faithful

The celebrant turns to the faithful and blesses them.^146:1
Depart in peace +, our brethren and beloved ones, 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 by 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.^148:1

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 faithful say the following as they take of the blessed bread:
Lord, add to our prosperity, prosperity and our blessings, blessings from You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Post Communion Prayers

The celebrant kneels down and prays silently:
May the oblation, which we have offered today, be well-pleasing to the Lord and to His elect and holy angels. May He make good commemoration of His Mother, His saints and all the faithful departed, especially of him on whose behalf this oblation has been offered today.

Another Prayer

Your pure and holy mouth, O Lord, promised and said: He who eats My Body and drinks My Blood will abide in Me, and I in him; and I will raise him on the last day. We, who have eaten Your Holy Body and have drunk Your Atoning Blood, O Lord, may it not be for judgment and condemnation to me and to Your faithful people, but for the absolution of offenses, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection from the dead and for confidence before Your dreadful judgment seat, our Lord and our God, forever.

While the celebrant consumes the Body, he intones Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to rest in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valleys of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your star they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The celebrant holds the paten over the chalice with his left hand, and drops the particles into the chalice with his right thumb, saying:
If there be a particle remaining, it remains to Your knowledge that created the worlds; if there be a remaining portion, O God, be its Guardian and to me be the Absolver and Forgiver.

The celebrant consumes the particles that are in the chalice with the spoon, saying:
O Christ our God, may the living fire of Your Body and Your Precious Blood quench the flames of fire and the dreadful and violent tortures from my limbs and from the souls and bodies of the faithful departed who have been clothed with You from water and the Spirit. Call and raise them on the last day and make them stand at Your right-hand side, our Lord and our God, forever.

The celebrant consumes the Blood and says Psalm 116:12-19:
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all the people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, and me son of Your handmaid; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifices of thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all the people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of You, O Jerusalem.

Another Prayer

O Good One, Who came down and had His side pierced on Golgotha, by the Blood and water that flowed out from Your side, quench my thirst; O Son of God, Who on being sacrificed, redeemed the vanquished, by Your living sacrifice put an end to my sufferings and heal my sicknesses.

After consuming the elements in the chalice, the celebrant washes the paten with water from the mshamshonitho and pours the water into the chalice. He then dips the fingers of his tight hand twice.

The first time he recites:
My lips shall utter Your glory and my mouth Your thanks.

The second time he says:
By the nails in Your hands and feet and by the spear which pierced Your side, pardon me all that I have sinned against You.

He then dips the fingers of his left hand once, saying:
Keep me, O Lord, from all harm. Let Your right hand help me and preserve me from all the works of the left (evil works).

When he drinks the water from the chalice, he shall say Psalm 36: 8-11:
They shall flourish with the richness of Your house; and You shall give them to drink of the pleasant water of Your spring. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light shall we see light. O continue Your loving-kindness unto them that know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against us; and let not the hand of the wicked remove us. For there the workers of iniquity will fall; they will be cast down and will not be able to rise.

When the celebrant wipes the chalice, paten and rest with the sponge, he shall say the following supplication of St. Ephrem:
Wipe away, O Lord, with the sponge of Your compassion, all my debts, and remember not, O Merciful One, the sins that I have committed before You. O Christ the King, our Life-giver, I have administered Your Holy Mysteries; count me among the just who pleased You and the righteous who loved You. May I serve You, O Lord, in the everlasting heavenly kingdom at all times, now and forever and ever. Absolve, O Lord, absolve, O Merciful, spare us, O Merciful, the priests and deacons who offered you this sacrifice. Unceasing glory to the Lord and mercy upon you all on the day of judgment, and may the Just Judge forgive me, I, the poor sinner.

The celebrant washes his hands and says Psalm 26:
Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not waver. Prove me, O Lord and try me; examine my mind and my heart. For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your faith. I have not sat with evil persons; neither have I associated with the detestable. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and have not sat with the wicked. I have washed my hands clean, and I have gone around Your altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of Your praise and tell of all Your wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the ritual of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells. Destroy me not with sinners nor my life with bloody men, in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; save me and be merciful unto me. My foot has stood in the straight way; in the congregation will I bless the Lord.

The celebrant wipes his hands and says Psalm 29:
Bring unto the Lord the offspring of rams; bring unto the Lord glory and honor. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name; worship the Lord in the court of His holy temple. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the voice of the Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yea, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also to skip like calves, Lebanon and Sirion like a young ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the hinds to tremble, and uproots the forests; and in His temple everyone speaks of His glory. The Lord controls the flood; yea, the Lord sits king forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

The celebrant removes his vestments and says a prayer for the faithful departed.

Husoyo

Let us all pray and implore the Lord for mercy and kindness.

Proemion

Glory to Him Who by His death abolished our death and by His sacrifice for us absolved all the children of Adam. The Good One Whom we remember and praise at this time and at all feasts, times, seasons, hours and all the days of our life, now and forever and ever.

Sedro

O Quickener of the dead and Restorer of the buried, receive, O Lord, the souls of Your servants for whom we have offered the oblation today. Make them dwell in the blessed mansions of Your Father with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Your beloved ones, and with all the true faithful who fell asleep in Your hope. Quicken, O Lord, and make them stand at Your right-hand side and let Your mercy descend abundantly upon us all. And we will raise glory and praise to You and to Your Father and to Your Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.

A Hymn

Verse: Our Lord Jesus Christ:

Let not, O Lord, Your Body and Your Blood which we have received, be for us unto judgment and vengeance, but for pardoning of sins and for a standing at Your right-hand side, halleluiah, with confidence.

Verse: And You shall give them to drink of the pleasant water of Your spring.(Psalm 36:8)

Your Body which we have received, and Your Living Blood which we have drunk with faith, may they be a bridge and a passage wherewith we may be delivered from the fire and from hell, halleluiah, and inherit life.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

To You, O Christ the King, oblations are offered by the priests, Your servants. Accept them, O Good Lord, through Your compassion. And be reconciled with us by Your grace, halleluiah, and may we be pardoned by them.

From eternity to eternity. Amen.

The hands that stretched out their palms to receive the pledge from You, O Son of God, let them not be restrained by the vehemence of the flame on the last day, halleluiah, because they solemnly carried Your Body.

Etro

May this oblation, that we have offered today on behalf of Your servants and handmaids, be a sweet fragrance well-pleasing unto Your will and through Your mercies grant them, O Lord, eternal rest.

The celebrant puts on his garments and says the following eqbo:
If by the blood of animals, Moses gave life to Reuben who had sinned, how much more will the faithful departed be pardoned by the living sacrifice that has been offered on their behalf.

Then the celebrant shall say:
Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Our Lord have mercy upon us. Our Lord have mercy and compassion upon us. Our Lord answer us and have mercy upon us.

Glory to You, our Lord. Glory to You, our Lord. Glory to You, our hope forever.

Then he says the Lord's Prayer.

The celebrant bows before the altar three times kissing it to the middle to the right and to the left, and says:

Remain in peace, O holy altar. Remain in peace, O pardoning table.

Remain in peace, O majestic throne that carries its Master. May the Body and the Blood that I have received from you be for the remission of my offenses, for the forgiveness of my sins and for the everlasting new life, now and forever and ever. Amen.

_____

^96:1 The Anaphora of St. James may be used on all occasions, but is obligatory on the following occasions:

1. All the festivals of the Church.
2. At the ordination of deacons and priests and the consecration of a bishop or patriarch.
3. At the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, for the first time, by a newly ordained priest.
4. At the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, for the first time, at any church.

^96:2 The kiss of peace is a practice that goes back to apostolic times. St. Paul says: "Greet one another with a holy kiss." (II Corinthians 13.12)

^98:1 If the celebrant is a bishop, the deacon says: "this honorable prelate."

^98:2 The celebrant folds the shushefo and encircles it around the elements twice from north to south and once vice-versa. Then he kisses it and puts it on the altar to his left-hand side. He then takes the star and places it at his left-hand side.

^100:1 The celebrant puts his right hand on the altar board and takes power from the Mysteries. He first signs himself, facing forward, then toward the north, toward the south and then he turns and crosses the people three times.

^102:1 Gomouro is a small pillow stuffed with cotton.

^102:2 Here he raises high the gomouro and the spoon, to remind the faithful of the Lord's second coming which will happen like a flash of lightning.

^108:1 The Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria.

^108:2 The Catholicos of the East.

^108:3 The prelate of the diocese.

^108:4 On mentioning the names of the living Fathers of the Church, the celebrant makes the sign of the Cross with his right thumb on the altar board.

^110:1 He mentions the names of the sick, the penitents and all the living for whom the sacrifice is offered. On mentioning each name, he makes the sign of the Cross with his right thumb on the altar to the right of the altar board.

^112:1 The celebrant here mentions the President and those who are in authority in the country. As he mentions the names, he makes the sign of the Cross with the thumb of his right hand on the altar board.

^114:1 On mentioning the name of the Virgin Mary, he makes the sign of the Cross with the thumb of his right hand on the upper rim of the paten. As he mentions the names of the other saints, he makes the sign of the Cross on the lower rim of the paten.

^116:1 On mentioning the names of the Fathers of the Church, the celebrant makes the sign of the Cross with the thumb of his right hand on the left rim of the paten.

^118:1 Hermits who lived alone for religious meditation.

^118:2 On mentioning the names of the departed for whom the Eucharist is offered, the celebrant draws the sign of the Cross with the thumb of his right hand on the right rim of the paten. Then he signs the chalice, the paten, the tablitho and the book.

^120:1 The thurifer washes his fingertips, folds the shushefo and puts it on the northern side of the altar.

^126:1 Mar Dionysius Bar Salibi was the Bishop of Amid (Diyarbakir, in modern Turkey).

^126:2 The breaking of the sacrificial bread is performed in two patterns, i.e., the pattern of the Lamb and the pattern of the Crucifixion. The first pattern is preformed from Maundy Thursday till Ascension Thursday, while the second pattern is preformed during the rest of the year.

^126:3 When the celebrant says, "He rose from the tomb", he should hold the host between his two hands and raise it high to declare the Lord's resurrection from the tomb.

^132:1 The celebrant carries the paten with his hands over the tablitho. He encircles it twice, from west to east and moves it once, in the shape of the Cross, from east to west and from north to south, and puts it back on the tablitho. He then carries the chalice and elevates it over the tablitho in a similar fashion, finally tilting it in the form of a cross. Then he puts it back on the tablitho.

^136:1 According to early tradition, the sermon was to be given immediately following the reading of the Gospel.

^136:2 Here mention is made of the saint after whom the particular church is named or of the saint whose feast is celebrated.

^138:1 Variable to suit the festival of the day.

^138:2 Bourktho, the blessed bread, is made of the same dough as the Eucharistic bread, but is not consecrated. It is blessed by the celebrant and distributed to the faithful at the end of the Liturgy.

^140:1 'Gmourto' in Syriac means the particles of the Eucharist and alludes to the burning coal of Isaiah 6:6. The live coals on the altar symbolize our Lord Jesus Christ.

^146:1 The priest, with his left hand on the altar, his left foot on the altar step and his right foot down, takes power from the Mysteries by touching the chalice, paten and tablitho with his right hand and blesses the faithful by drawing the sign of the Cross three times.

^148:1 The faithful bless themselves by kissing the Holy Gospel. Each one then takes a piece of the bourktho, the blessed bread, and eats it. If a prelate is present, the faithful kiss his hand cross.