St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Presanctified Divine Liturgy for Weekdays in Great Lent

After making three metanias in their respective places, the Deacon intones in a loud voice:

Deacon: Bless, Master!

Priest: Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

THE PSALM OF INTRODUCTION—PSALM 104 (103)

Reader: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire. Thou hast laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the birds of the air have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from His chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that He may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. Thou hast appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth it’s going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all. The earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, which Thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath; they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth.

The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will rejoice in the Lord. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless Thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. The sun knows its time for setting. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works, in wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

During the preceding Psalm, the Priest stands before the Altar and QUIETLY says the fifth, sixth and seventh lamplighting prayers. The first four lamp-lighting prayers are said quietly during the first four Ektenia.

Priest: (Quietly) O Lord, our God, Thou upholdest all things by Thy pure and perfect hand, Thou art patient with us all and mournest over our wickedness: remember Thy compassions and Thy mercy. Visit us with Thy goodness; and grant us to complete the present day, avoiding the diverse plots of the evil one; and preserve our lives free from attack, through the grace of Thine all-holy Spirit. Through the mercy and love toward mankind of Thine only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: (Quietly) O great and wonderful God, with Thine inexpressible wisdom, and Thine abundant providence Thou administerest all things. Thou hast bestowed on us good things on earth; Thou hast given us a pledge of the promised kingdom through the good things already bestowed on us; and Thou hast made us to flee from all evil during that part of this day which is past: Grant us also to complete this day without blame before Thy holy glory, and to glorify thee, our God, who art the only good One, and lover of mankind. For Thou art our God, and unto thee we give glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: (Quietly) O great and most high God, Thou alone hast immortality and dwellest in unapproachable light. Thou hast made all creation in wisdom. Thou hast separated the light from the darkness. Thou hast made the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars to rule the night. Thou hast made us sinners at this present hour worthy to come before Thy face with thanksgiving and to offer to thee our evening praises. Thou Thyself, O Lord, lover of mankind, direct our prayer as incense before thee, and accept it as a fragrant offering. Grant us to pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us with the armor of light. Deliver us from the terror of the night and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness. Grant us sleep, which Thou hast appointed for the alleviation of our weakness, free from every imagination of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, bestower of good things, may we, being moved toward repentance on our beds, remember Thy name in the night, that, illuminated by meditation on Thy commandments, we may rise up in joyfulness of soul to glorify Thy goodness, offering up prayers, and supplications to Thy tender love for our sins and for those of all Thy people, whom Thou visitest in mercy, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos. For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE GREAT EKTENIA

At the conclusion of the Psalm, the Deacon bows to the Priest and exits the Altar through the north door.

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the Holy Churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our father and Bishop JOSEPH, for the venerable Priesthood, the Deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the President of the United States, for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: (Quietly) O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Show us a sign of Thy favor; lead us in Thy way, so that we may walk in Thy truth. Gladden our hearts, so that we may fear Thy holy name, for Thou art great, and Thou workest wonders. Thou alone art God, and there is none like thee among the gods, O Lord. Thou art mighty in mercy and benevolent in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in Thy holy name.

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

Choir: Amen.

The Deacon enters the Altar through the south door. While the following Psalms are being read, the Priest makes two prostrations before the Holy Table, kisses the Gospel Book, stands it before the tabernacle and then carefully, and with reverence, respect and fear, opens the Antimins. The Deacon brings the diskos from the Prothesis Table and places it on the Antimins. The Priest opens the Pyx (the box containing the Presanctified Lamb) and with great reverence places the Lamb on the diskos with the seal up. The Priest and Deacon each make one prostration before the Holy Table.

PSALM 120

Reader: In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me: “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war!

PSALM 121

Reader: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

PSALM 122

Reader: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they prosper who love you! Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!” For my brethren and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

PSALM 123

Reader: To thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Too long our soul has been sated with the scorn of those who are at ease, the contempt of the proud.

PSALM 124

Reader: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say -- if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)

Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

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

At the conclusion of Psalm 124, the Deacon bows to the Priest and exits the Altar through the north door.

THE LITTLE EKTENIA

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: (Quietly) Lord, do not rebuke us in Thine anger, or discipline us in Thy wrath, but deal with us in all Thy kindness, O physician and healer of our souls. Bring us to Thy desired haven. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of Thy truth. And grant us that the completion of this day, and our whole life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints.

Priest: (Aloud) For Thine is the might and Thine is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The Deacon enters the Altar through the south door. While the following Psalms are being read, the Priest and Deacon make two prostrations before the Holy Table. The Priest takes up the censer and the Deacon takes up a candle and goes to stand behind the Holy Altar. The Priest censes around the Holy Altar three times with the Deacon staying opposite to him. After the third circle around the Holy Table, the Priest gives up the censer and the Deacon gives up the candle. The Priest and Deacon make one prostration before the Holy Table.

PSALM 125

Reader: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside upon their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be in Israel!

PSALM 126

Reader: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb! May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

PSALM 127

Reader: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

PSALM 128

Reader: Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!

PSALM 129

Reader: “Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth,” let Israel now say -- “Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand or the binder of sheaves his bosom, while those who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)

Lord, have mercy. (THRICE)

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

At the conclusion of Psalm 129, the Deacon bows to the Priest and exits the Altar through the north door.

THE LITTLE EKTENIA

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: (Quietly) O Lord, our God, remember us sinners, Thy worthless servants, when we call upon Thy holy name; and let us not be put to shame in our hope of Thy mercy; but grant us, Lord, all our petitions which are for our salvation. And make us worthy to love and fear thee with all our hearts, and to do Thy will in all things.

Priest: (Aloud) For Thou art a good God Who lovest mankind and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The Deacon enters the Altar through the south door and takes his place at the Holy Table. While the following Psalms are being read, the Priest and Deacon make two prostrations before the Holy Table. The Priest takes up the censer and the Deacon takes up a candle. The Priest continuously censes the gifts. When the reader says, “Let us go to his dwelling place … (132:7)” the Priest gives the censer to the Deacon.

PSALM 130

Reader: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice! Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If Thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that Thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

PSALM 131

Reader: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

PSALM 132

Reader: Remember, O Lord, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured; how he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, “I will not enter my house or get into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” Lo, we heard of it in Eph’rathah, we found it in the fields of Ja’ar. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O Lord, and go to Thy resting place, Thou and the ark of Thy might.

The reader stops and all kneel. The Priest takes up the diskos upon which rests the Lamb, elevating it above his head, and the Deacon, holding a candle in his left hand, censes the Lamb as it is carried by the Priest to the Prothesis, passing the High Place. After the diskos has been placed on the Prothesis, the Priest takes up the censer and censes the Presanctified Lamb three times, gives up the censer, all rise and the reader continues:

PSALM 132 - CONTINUES

Reader: Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints shout for joy. For Thy servant David’s sake do not turn away the face of Thy anointed one. The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies which I shall teach them, their sons also for ever shall sit upon your throne.” For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: “This is my resting place for ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown will shed its luster.”

PSALM 133

Reader: Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore.

PSALM 134

Reader: Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (THRICE)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

After the reading of the Psalms has continued, the Priest pours water and wine into the chalice saying:

Priest: (Quietly) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest then holds the star and diskos veil over the censer and places them over the diskos saying:

Priest: (Quietly) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest then holds the chalice veil over the censer and places it over the chalice saying:

Priest: (Quietly) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest then holds the Aer over the censer and places it over the chalice and diskos saying:

Priest: (Quietly) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest places a candle at the front of the Prothesis Table and then censes the chalice and the diskos saying:

Priest: (Quietly) Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

The Priest and the Deacon make one prostration and return to the Holy Table where the Priest folds the Antimins and replaces the Gospel Book upon it. At the conclusion of Psalm 134, the Deacon bows to the Priest and exits the Altar through the north door.

THE LITTLE EKTENIA

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: (Quietly) O Lord, who art hymned by the holy angelic powers with never-silent hymns and incessant praises, fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we may ascribe majesty to Thy holy name. Grant us a share and an inheritance with those who fear thee in truth, and who keep Thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints.

Priest: (Aloud) For Thou art our God, the God of mercy and salvation, and unto Thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

The Deacon enters the Altar through the south door.

THE SUNSET PSALM

Choir: O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee: hear Thou me, O Lord.

The Deacon takes up the censer, asks the Priest’s blessing on the incense, and does the great censing. The Deacon begins the great censing at the Prothesis Table. After censing the Prothesis Table, he moves in front of the Holy Table. After censing the four sides of the Altar and the High Place, he exits the Altar through the north door. He censes the Episcopal Throne three times. After censing the icons on the iconostasis and the west of the Church, he walks down the center aisle censing the people on the south side of the church and then walks up the center aisle censing the people on the north side of the church. When he reaches the solea, he censes the icon of Christ and the icon of the Theotokos and enters the Altar through the south door. He goes to the Prothesis and censes the Prothesis first. He then moves to the front of the Altar and censes the front of the Altar, the High Place, the Priests twice and everyone else in the altar once.

Choir: Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.

+ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips.

+ Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

+ With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.

+ The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

+ For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.

+ They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.

+ But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.

+ Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.

+ Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape.

+ I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my supplication.

+ I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.

+ When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.

+ In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.

+ I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me.

+ Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.

+ I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

+ Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.

+ Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

NOTE: Now consult this week’s special insert for the continuation of the Presanctified Divine Liturgy. After that portion is completed, continue the service as follows below.

LET MY PRAYER ARISE

At the end of the reading, the Priest takes up the censer as the Deacon, holding a lighted candle, says:

Deacon: Wisdom!

The Deacon goes to stand behind the Holy Table, opposite the Priest. On each of the following verses, the Priest moves to and continuously censes a side of the Holy Table; and the Deacon, holding the candle, moves to stand opposite him. The Priest censes the front of the Holy Table as he slowly chants the following:

Priest: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Then the Priest moves to the south side of the Holy Table, censes and intones:

Priest: Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee.

Choir: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Then the Priest moves behind the Holy Table, censes and intones:

Priest: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips.

Choir: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Then the Deacon exits the Altar through the Royal Doors and stands in the center of the Solea, facing the Holy Altar as the Priest moves to the north side of the Holy Table, censes and intones:

Priest: Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

Choir: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

Then the Priest moves to the Prothesis, censes and intones:

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Choir: Let my prayer arise in Thy sight as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

The Priest moves in front of the Holy Table and censes as he slowly chants:

Priest: Let my prayer arise;

Then, turning to stand in the Royal Doors, the Priest censes the Icon of Christ on the Iconostasis as he continues:

Priest: In Thy sight as incense;

He then censes the other icons on the Iconostasis and the people as the choir concludes:

Choir: And let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

The Priest then returns to the Holy Table and gives up the censer and the Deacon enters the Altar through the Royal Doors.

THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN

Priest: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk. (The clergy and people prostrate.)

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. (The clergy and people prostrate.)

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. (The clergy and people prostrate.)

NOTE: For the First Week in Great Lent, read the prescribed Gospel lesson as found in that day’s special insert. Resume with the Ektenia below.

THE EKTENIA OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

Deacon: Let us say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our Fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.