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

The Prayer of the Kiss of Peace¹

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O Lord God Almighty, Who are the True and Holy Love, make us worthy, during all the days of our life, to be bound with and enjoy Your divine love. And as we give peace to one another with a holy kiss, may we become unto You a glorious and undefiled flock, free from all disgrace in Christ Jesus our Lord, Your Only-begotten Son, with Whom befit glory, honor and dominion with Your Holy Spirit, 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:
Before You, O Lord, we have bowed the necks of our souls and bodies, entreating and beseeching Your compassion that You may grant us the riches of Your grace and kindness. And may Your pity and help sustain us all the days of our lives by the grace, mercy and love toward mankind of Your Only-begotten Son with Whom befit You glory and honor with Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant, with crossed hands, says aloud:
O God the Holy Father, Who sent Your Only-begotten Son for the salvation of us, weak sinners and miserable ones, and by His Lordly Blood, He brought us back, we who were lost, to Your spiritual fold; we entreat You, O Lord, to accept from the hands of us sinners, this fearful and bloodless sacrifice and through it pardon the sins and the transgressions which have been committed by us through Your grace and the goodness of the will of Your only-begotten Son with Whom befit You glory and honor with Your Holy Spirit, 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 priest² 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:³
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:⁴
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, all glory, all thanksgiving, all praise, all exaltation and all honor befit You, O Maker of all things, God the Father, with Your Only-begotten Son and with Your Holy Spirit.

The celebrant stretches out his hands and says aloud:
In truth, O Lord, the angels, archangels, principalities, rulers, thrones, dominions, incorporeal power, the cherubim and the seraphim all bless, glorify, praise and honor You with all the heavenly orders hailing, shouting and crying with one consent and saying:

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:
Holy, holy, holy are You, O Father Almighty, with the Son Who is of You and Your Holy Spirit. You, while we were lost due to the transgression of the commandment, did sent Your Only-begotten Son for our help, and by His redemptive passions brought us back to our former inheritance and redeemed us by His Divine Blood.

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:
When He, by His grace, came to the passion in the flesh for our sake, He, in Whom there is no sin, took bread in His Holy hands, looked toward heaven and gave thanks. He blessed + + and sanctified + and broke and said to his disciples: This is My Body; take, eat for your propitiation and that of all the true faithful and for everlasting 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, also the cup blended with wine and water; He gave thanks, blessed + + and sanctified + and gave to His holy disciples, and said: This is My Blood of the New Covenant; take, drink of it all of you for your propitiation and that of all the true faithful and for everlasting life.

People: Amen.

The celebrant takes the gomouro⁵ 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 fulfill these My commandments, preach My death and My resurrection until I come.⁶

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:
Our Lord Jesus Christ, remembering all Your redemptive dispensation for our sake, namely Your conception, Your birth, Your holy baptism, Your redeeming passion,Your life-giving death, Your burial for three days, Your glorious resurrection, Your ascension into heaven, Your sitting at the right hand of God the Father and Your fearful, awful and lordly coming in which You will judge everyone according to his deeds; we entreat You, O Lord, in that awe inspiring hour and at that time of fearfulness and trembling, to save us and have mercy upon us by Your compassion. Absolve our debts by Your grace, forgive our sins by Your mercy and blot out our iniquities by Your holy hyssop. On account of this, Your Church and Your flock beseech You, and with 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 You 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, have mercy upon me, and hear me at this time and send, from Your high heaven, Your Holy Spirit that He may sanctify this spiritual Eucharist; the Holy Spirit Who is of one substance and honor with You, Who appeared like a dove upon Your Only-begotten Son in the Jordan River and Who rested like fiery tongues upon Your holy apostles in the Upper Room. May He also, according to the abundance of Your grace, perfect me into a chosen vessel that is fit for the service of Your honor.

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:
May He (the Holy Spirit), while blessing and sanctifying, complete this bread into the Body + + + of Christ the God.

People: Amen.

The celebrant waves his right hand over the chalice, saying:
And this cup into the Blood + + + of Christ the God

People: Amen.

The Diptychs

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
So that these Holy Mysteries may be for the absolution of offenses, for the forgiveness of sins, for the confidence and the shameless standing before Your awful judgment seat, for the glory and the edification of Your Holy Church and for the preservation of her children without sins forever and ever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Lord God, I bow down before You at this time and beseech Your compassion. Help me, save me and absolve my sins, my iniquities and all the trespasses committed by me as a man clothed in flesh. Accept from my hands this glorious and bloodless sacrifice. Exalt the horn of Your Holy Church throughout the four corners of the world. Preserve in peace and tranquillity all the days of their lives, her orthodox pastors, in particular, our Patriarch: our father Mor Ignatius and our father Mor (N),⁷ our father Mor Basilius⁸ and our prelate Mor (N)⁹ with the rest of all the orthodox bishops and by Your grace purify the honorable priest, the deacons and all the ranks of the altar.

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:
Confirm, O Lord, by Your compassion, Your Holy Church through the law-abiding of her just and upright instructors, grant wisdom to her high priest by Your grace and to the priests through the splendor of perfecting Your Holy Mysteries. Grant the deacons of Your rational service that they may serve in purity, and show, O Lord, the faithful and holy people how to be steadfast in performing the Christian virtuous manners so that, in one spiritual feast, they may offer You praise and thanks giving and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Be mindful, O Lord, of this divine sacrifice that is set before us and sanctify it by Your grace. And perfect us into fulfilling Your life-giving will. Pardon those who have partaken of this oblation and deliver their lives from the influence of the evil one.¹⁰

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:
Together with these, O Lord, remember all those who call upon You Holy Name; bless those who are near, bring back those who are afar, visit those who are sick, strengthen those who are weak, confirm those who are feeble, liberate those who are possessed by the evil spirits, free those who are imprisoned, help those who are oppressed, call to Your worship those who are lost and reward with good gifts, O Lord, all those who have offered oblations and tithes to Your Holy Church because You are merciful and compassionate and to You befit glory, honor and dominion with your only-begotten Son and with Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Grant peace, O Lord, to the kings who fear Your Name,¹¹ preserve the judges and remember all the faithful. Drive away from them local and foreign wars that they may lead a tranquil life and protect them with the sign of Your victorious Cross.

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:
By Your mercies, O Lord, deliver the persecuted and the strays of this flock, bring the seafarers unto Your appointed haven, be a rendezvous to the strangers, a companion to the wayfarers and grant a holy ending to the monks, the hermits and those who live in the caves of the earth. And because You diligently help all in everything, therefore, all offer You praise and thanksgiving and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember at this time, O Lord, on Your heavenly altar and on this earthly one, the prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, the confessors, the messengers, the preachers, the evangelist and, in particular, the Holy Mother of God, the Ever-virgin and Blessed Mary,¹² and St. John the Baptist and forerunner, St. Stephen, head of the deacons and protomartyr and all the rest of the saints.

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:
And as the good and compassionate Lord, join us for the support of our weakness with the ranks of Your victorious ones in their blessed order, their wonderful presence in their joyous feast, their joyful standing and in the array of their splendid praise; and by their intercession, may our offerings, our tithes and our prayers be accepted before the glorious throne of Your Majesty, and with them may we gloriously offer You praise and thanksgiving and to Your Only-begotten Son and to Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, by Your passion the renowned true teachers,¹³ the holy high priests and those who were instructed by the Holy Spirit and who have preceded and fallen asleep in the orthodox faith, particularly and namely: Ignatius, Dionysius, Julius, Ivanius and the rest of all who were persecuted for the sake of the Holy 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,¹⁴ 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:
O Lord, implant in our souls their sincere faith. Establish in us, O Lord, the excellency of their upright manners. Confirm in our minds the integrity of the blameless laws which we have learned from them, particularly, those who valiantly suffered tortures in support of Your Holy Churches and those who abundantly shed streams of tears from their eyes for the deliverance of the sinners. And as we speedily follow in their footsteps, join us among their blessed ranks so that with them and from among them may we sincerely sing unto You proper praise and unto Your Only-begotten Son and unto Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen.

The celebrant says silently:
Remember, O Lord, by Your compassion, those who are worthy of remembrance of holiness; the priest, the honorable deacons, the pure subdeacons, the readers, the singers and all the faithful departed; in particular, our fathers, our brothers, our teachers and all who have asked and are asking the prayers of our humble selves,and who have contributed to the Church's well-being and for the necessities of the poor, their fellow men. And make good remembrance, O Lord, of all those whom we have mentioned and those whom we have not mentioned.¹⁵

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.¹⁶

People: Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

The celebrant, with outstretched hands, says aloud:
We entreat You, O Lord, the God of the holy fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the company of the just and the righteous, so that You may grant rest in Your blessed mansions to all who have departed from us and have come to You. Blot out, release and forgive all their sins, the known and the unknown, the intentional and the unintentional, because no one has appeared on earth who is sinless except our Lord,our God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Your Only-begotten Son, through Whom we also trust 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:
Blot out, O Lord, by Your compassion, all our and their sins, hidden and evident, those that You alone know. Make us worthy, when we depart from this temporal life, that we may stand before You without sin and without condemnation. May we be worthy to celebrate there, with them and among them, with dances of triumph, there in that eternal life that lasts forever; so that in this, as in all things, Your All-respected and Blessed Name be praised and exalted with that of our Lord Jesus Christ and of 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 compassionate, merciful, kind, good and patient God the Father, Who are worshiped by the archangels, the angels and all the immaterial order; You Who sanctify and make wholly perfect this divine service by Your good pleasure, the race of Your Only-begotten Son and the descent of Your Holy Spirit. Even now, O Lord, sanctify us so that we may become unto You spiritual, pure and holy children, in order that, with a pure heart and an enlightened soul, we may dare to call upon You, O Father, glorious and lover of mankind and pray, saying: 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:
Deliver us, O Lord from the temptations of the soul and the body. Subdue and lay low the adversary, our enemy, under our feet and grant us the rich mercies that are from You, through Jesus Christ our Lord with Whom You are blessed and glorified with Your Holy Spirit, 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:
Look, O Lord, upon this Your inheritants who are bent down before You and humbled. Set our footsteps in Your straight paths. Make us worthy to partake of this sacrifice that is before us. May it be for us and for all those who receive it for the holiness of soul and body in Christ Jesus our Lord with Whom befit You glory, honor and dominion with Your Holy Spirit, 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.¹⁷

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)¹⁸ and delivers the sermon of the day.¹⁹

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 mercy 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:
Who among men can repay Your grace, O Lord, You Who gave us, we miserable and poor, this divine and holy gift; and made us worthy to partake of the Body and Blood of Your Only-begotten Son Who saved us by His own Person, with Whom befit You glory, honor and dominion with Your Holy Spirit, 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:
O Lord our God Jesus Christ, Who are worshiped and holy, bless and absolve the priests, Your stewards, the servants of Your Mysteries and all the faithful who have partaken of this sacrifice. Look after the orphans, provide for the widows, feed the poor, satisfy the hungry and preserve, without sin, all those who call upon Your Holy Name everywhere, so that from all, by all and for the sake of all Your Name be glorified and that of Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now, always and forever.

People: Amen. Barekhmor.

Celebrant: Huthomo

Deacons: Huthomo

The Dismissal of the Faithful

Celebrant turns to the faithful and blesses them:²⁰ 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.²¹

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.

The End

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¹ 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).

² If the celebrant is a bishop, the deacon says: "this honorable prelate."

³ 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.

⁴ 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.

5 Gomouro is a small pillow stuffed with cotton.

6 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.

7 The Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria.

8 The Catholicos of the East.

9 The prelate of the diocese.

10 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.

¹¹ 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.

¹² 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.

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ Hermits who lived alone for religious meditation.

¹⁵ 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 Eaten, the tablitho and the book.

¹⁶ The thurifer washes his fingertips, folds the shushefo and puts it on the northern side of the altar.

¹⁷ 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.

¹⁸ 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.

¹⁹ According to early tradition, the sermon was to be given immediately following the reading of the Gospel.

²⁰ 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.

²¹ 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.