THE DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JAMES (NEALE TRANSLATION)
English translation (public domain) · SermonIndex
Liturgy of Saint James · ancient

English translation (J. M. Neale, 1859; public domain), OCR text, prepared for reading by SermonIndex. https://www.sermonindex.net/fathers/liturgy-of-saint-james-neale/


THE DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JAMES

S. James. Priest. Master, LORD, and our GOD, reject me not utterly, though polluted with the multitude of my sins; for, behold, I have come to this Thy divine and heavenly mystery. Not as being worthy, but looking up to Thy goodness, I address my voice unto Thee. O GOD, be merciful to me a sinner: I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to present myself before this Thy sacred and spiritual Table, whereon Thine only-begotten Son, and our LORD, JESUS CHRIST, is mystically set forth as a sacrifice for me a sinner, and marked with every stain. Therefore I offer unto Thee this supplication and thanksgiving, in order to the sending down upon me thy SPIRIT of consolation, to confirm and prepare me for this service; and do Thou make me worthy to declare, without condemnation, the word delivered by me to Thy people from Thee, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD; with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy most holy, and good, and quickening, and consubstantial SPIRIT, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of Standing before the Altar. Glory to the FATHER, and to the SON, and to the HOLY GHOST, the Trinal and only light of Godhead, existing, One Substance in Trinity, and undividedly: for the one ALMIGHTY GOD is the Trinity, Whose glory the heavens relate, and the earth His power, and the sea his might, and every sentient and intelligent creature, heralds everywhere His greatness: for to Him befits all glory, honour, might greatness and magnificence, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE INCENSE.
Master and LORD, JESUS CHRIST, O Word of GOD, Who didst voluntarily offer Thyself, a spotless sacrifice, upon the Cross to GOD and the FATHER, the coal of two natures, Who didst kindle with the tongs the prophet's lips, and didst take away his sins, kindle also the perceptions of us sinners, and purify us from every spot, and cause us to stand pure before Thy holy altar, that we may offer to Thee the sacrifice of praise: and receive from us, Thine unprofitable servants, for a sweet-smelling savour, and make sweet that which is unsavoury both in our souls and our bodies; and sanctify us with the sanctifying power of Thy most Holy SPIRIT: for Thou only art holy, Who sanctifiest, and art distributed to, Thy faithful people; and glory befits Thee with Thy self existent FATHER, and Thy most holy and good and quickening SPIRIT, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.
O Beneficent King of Ages, and Maker of the whole Creation, accept Thy Church approaching Thee through Thy CHRIST; fulfil that which is profitable to each; bring all to perfection; and make us worthy of the grace of Thy sanctification; gathering us together in Thy holy Church, which Thou hast purchased by the precious blood of Thine Only-Begotten SON, our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST; with Whom Thou art blessed and glorified, together with the most holy and good and quickening SPIRIT, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. Deacon. Let us yet pray to the LORD. Priest. O GOD, Who didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifice of Noah and Abraham, the incense of Aaron and Zacharias, receive also out of the hand of us sinners, this incense for a sweet-smelling savour, and for the remission of our sins, and of all Thy people; for Thou art blessed, and to Thee glory is due, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, now and ever.

Deacon. Sir, give the blessing. Priest. JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and GOD, Who, through the exceeding greatness of Thy goodness, and Thy love not to be restrained, wast crucified, and didst not refuse to be pierced by the spear and the nails; Who didst provide this mysterious and fearful rite as an eternal remembrance to us continually; bless thy ministry in CHRIST our GOD, and bless our Entrance, and accomplish perfectly the ministration of this our Liturgy by His ineffable loving-kindness, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

RESPONSORY PRAYER FROM THE DEACON.
The LORD bless and vouchsafe to us to bring presents to Him seraphically, and to sing the widely-celebrated hymn of the divine Trisagion, by the measureless fullness of all the completeness of sanctification, now and ever. C Only-Begotten Son and Word of God, immortal, Who didst vouchsafe for our salvation to take flesh of the holy Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary, and didst without mutation become man, and wast crucified, Christ, our God, and by death didst overcome death, being one of the Holy Trinity, and glorified together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, save us.

THE PRIEST SAITH THIS PRAYER FROM THE GATES TO THE ALTAR.
O God, the Almighty and glorious Lord, Who hast given to us an Entrance to the Holy of Holies, by the sojourning on earth of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we beseech and supplicate Thy goodness, seeing that we are full of fear and trembling, when about to stand before Thy holy Altar, send down upon us, O Lord, Thy good grace, and sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits, and change our dispositions to piety, that we, with a pure conscience, may offer to Thee gifts, presents, fruits, to the putting away of our transgressions and for the propiation of all Thy people, through the grace and mercies, and love to man of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed to ages of ages. Amen.

AND AFTER ENTERING TO THE ALTAR, THE PRIEST SAITH—
Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. Priest. The Lord bless us all, and hallow us in the entrance and hierurgy of the divine and spotless Mysteries, giving peace also to the blessed souls with the holy and the just, through His grace and love to man, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. Then the Deacon saith the Collect—In peace let us make our supplication to the LORD. For the peace that is from above, and the loving-kindness of GOD, and the salvation of our souls, let us make our supplication to the LORD. For the peace of the whole world, and the union of all the holy Churches of GOD, let us make our supplication to the LORD. For the forgiveness of our sins, and the remission of our transgressions, and that we may be preserved from all affliction, passion, danger, and necessity, and the insurrection of our enemies, let us make our supplication to the LORD.

Then the Singers sing the hymn of the Trisagion. Holy GOD, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us. Priest. Merciful and pitiful, long-suffering, and gracious, and true LORD, look upon us from Thy prepared habitation, and hear us Thy suppliants, and preserve us from all temptation whether of the devil or of man, and set not Thy help far from us, nor bring upon us chastisements heavier than we can bear: for we are not able to conquer the things which are adverse to us: but Thou art able, O LORD, to save us from all adversities. Save us, O GOD, from the difficulties of this world, according to Thy goodness; that we, entering with a pure conscience to Thy holy Altar, may without blame send up to Thee, together with the celestial, the blessed hymns of the Trisagion; and, accomplishing the Liturgy, well-pleasing to Thee and divine, may be counted worthy of everlasting life.

c 2 Exclamation. For Thou art holy, O LORD, our GOD, and Thou dwellest and restest in the Holies, and to Thee we ascribe glory, and the hymn of the Trisagion, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, now and ever, and to ages of ages. People. Amen. Priest. Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. The Singers. Alleluia! Then are read consecutively () the sacred oracles of the Old Testament and the Prophets; and the Incarnation of the Son of Man, His sufferings and Resurrection from the dead, His Ascension into heaven, and His Second Coming with glory, are set forth. And this is done every () day in the holy and Divine Service. And after the reading and teaching, the Deacon says, Let us all say, LORD, have mercy. LORD, Almighty, GOD of our Fathers, we beseech Thee to hear us. For the peace that is from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us make our supplication to the LORD.

For the peace of the whole world, and the unity of the holy Churches of GOD, let us make our supplication to the LORD. For the salvation and succour of all the CHRIST-loving people, we beseech Thee to hear us. () διεξοδικότατα. So they usually interpret the word, though others will have it to mean at very great length. The Rubric is of the most venerable antiquity. () Καὶ ἱπέστην. It is most natural to understand ἡμέραν. This passage is another proof that the Primitive Liturgies were not confined to Sunday only. That we may be delivered from all affliction, passion, danger, and necessity, bondage, bitter death, and our iniquities, we beseech Thee to hear us. For the people that is standing round about, and expecting the rich and great mercy that is from Thee, we beseech Thee be compassionate and have mercy. Save, O LORD, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance.

Visit Thy world in mercy and loving-kindnesses. Raise the horn of Christians, by the might of the precious and quickening Cross. We beseech Thee, O LORD of many mercies, hear us who supplicate Thee, and have mercy. People (thrice.) LORD, have mercy. Deacon. For the forgiveness of our sins, and the remission of our offences, and that we may be preserved from all affliction, passion, danger, and necessity, let us make our supplication to the LORD. Let us beseech from the LORD, that we may pass through this whole day in perfectness, holiness, peace, and sinlessness. Let us beseech from the LORD, an Angel of peace, a faithful guide, guardian of our souls and bodies. Let us beseech from the LORD, pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions. Let us beseech from the LORD, such things as are good and convenient to our souls, and peace to the world.

Let us beseech from the LORD, that we may accomplish the remainder of our lives in peace and health. Let us beseech that the ends of our life may be Christian, without pain, and without shame, and a good answer at the dreadful and fearful judgment-seat of CHRIST. Priest. For Thou art the good tidings, and the illumination, the Saviour and the Guardian of our souls and bodies, GOD, and Thy Only-Begotten SON, and Thy all-holy SPIRIT, now and ever. People. Amen. Priest. Commemorating our all-holy, spotless, exceeding glorious Lady, the Mother of GOD, and ever-Virgin Mary, with all Saints and just men, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life to CHRIST, our GOD. People. To Thee, O LORD. Priest. O GOD, Who hast sounded into our ears Thy divine and salutary oracles, illuminate the souls of us sinners to the comprehension of that which has been before read, so that we may not only be seen to be hearers of spiritual things, but doers of good works, following after faith without guile, blameless life, conversation without charge of guilt.

Exclamation. In CHRIST JESUS our LORD, with Whom Thou art blessed, with Thy most holy and good and quickening SPIRIT, now and ever, and to ages of ages. People. Amen. Priest. Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Let us bow our heads to the LORD. People. To Thee, O LORD. Priest. LORD and Giver of Life, Supplier of good things, Thou That didst give to men the blessed hope of everlasting life, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, vouchsafe that we may in holiness accomplish this divine Liturgy to Thee, to the enjoyment of future blessedness. Exclamation. To the end that we, ever guarded by Thy might, and conducted to the light of truth, may send up to Thee glory and thanksgiving, FATHER SON, and HOLY GHOST, now and ever. People. Amen. Deacon. Let none of the Catechumens, let none of the uninitiated, let none of those who are not able to join with us in prayer;—look upon one another. The doors! All upright! Let us pray yet to the LORD.

PRAYER OF THE INCENSE.
Priest. Master, Almighty, King of Glory, Who knowest all things before their origin, be Thyself present with us who call upon Thee in this holy hour, and ransom us from the shame of our falls. Purify our mind and our thoughts from impure concupiscences and worldly deceit, and every diabolic influence; and receive from the hands of us sinners this Incense, as Thou didst receive to Thyself the offering of Abel and Noe, and Aaron and Samuel, and all Thy Saints; defending us from every evil thing, and preserving us to the being evermore well-pleasing to Thee, and worshipping Thee, the FATHER and Thine Only-Begotten SON, and Thy most Holy SPIRIT, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

AND THE READERS BEGIN THE CHERUBIC HYMN.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubin, and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the quickening TRINITY, lay by at this time all worldly cares, that we may receive the King of Glory, invisibly attended by the angelic orders. Alleluia. Priest. Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and stand with fear and trembling, and ponder nothing earthly in itself; for the King of Kings and LORD of Lords, CHRIST our GOD, cometh forward to be sacrificed and to be given for food to the faithful; and He is preceded by the choirs of the Angels, with every Domination and Power, the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, that cover their faces, and vociferate the hymn, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. The Priest brings in the Holy Gifts, and saith this prayer. O GOD, our GOD, Who didst send forth the heavenly Bread, the nourishment of the whole world, our LORD JESUS CHRIST as our Saviour and Ransomer and benefactor, blessing and sanctifying us, Thyself bless this offering, and receive it to Thy super-celestial Altar. Remember, as good and the Lover of men, them that brought it, and them for whom they brought it: and continually guard us without condemnation, in the hierurgy of Thy divine mysteries. For hallowed and glorified is Thine all-honourable and majestic name, of FATHER, and SON, and of HOLY GHOST, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Priest. Peace be with all. Deacon. Sir, give the blessing. Priest. Blessed be GOD, Who blesseth and halloweth us all at the offering of the divine and spotless mysteries, and giveth rest to the blessed souls with the Saints and the just, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Deacon. Let us attend in wisdom. The Priest begins— I believe in one GOD the FATHER Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible: and in one LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Only-Begotten SON of GOD, begotten of His FATHER before all worlds, Light of Light, very GOD of very GOD, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the FATHER; by Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was Incarnate by the HOLY GHOST of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the FATHER. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the HOLY GHOST, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the FATHER; Who with the FATHER and the SON together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THEN HE PRAYETH, BOWING THE NECK.
GOD and Master of all things, make us, the unworthy, O Lover of men, worthy of this hour, that we, remaining pure from all guile and all hypocrisy, may be united together by the bond of peace and of love, being stablished by the sanctification of Thy divine knowledge, through Thine Only-Begotten SON, our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST: with Whom. Deacon. Let us stand well; let us stand piously; let us stand with the fear of GOD, and compunction of heart. In the place of the LORD, let us pray. Priest. For the GOD of peace, mercy, love, bowels of compassion, and love to man, art Thou and Thine Only-Begotten Son, and Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever. People. Amen. Priest. Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Let us kiss one another with an holy kiss. Let us bow our heads to the Lord. The Priest bowing down, saith this prayer.

Thou Who alone art Lord and merciful God, on them that bow down their necks before Thine holy Altar, and seek the spiritual gifts that are from Thee, send forth Thy good grace; and bless us all with every spiritual blessing, that cannot be taken away, Thou Who dwellest on high, and regardest things that are humble. Exclamation. For laudable and adorable and exceeding glorious is Thy most holy Name, of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Deacon. Sir, give the blessing. Priest. The Lord shall bless, and shall minister with all of us in His grace and love to men. And again. The Lord shall bless, and make us worthy of standing before His holy Altar, always, now and ever, and to ages. And again. Blessed be God, Who blesseth and sanctifieth all of us in our presence at, and hierurgy of, His spotless mysteries, now and ever, and to ages.

The Deacon makes the universal Litany. In peace let us make our supplication to the LORD. People. LORD have mercy. For the peace that is from above, and the love of GOD, and the salvation of our souls, let us make our supplication to the LORD. [Each clause ends in the same way.] For the peace of the whole world, and the unity of all the holy Churches of GOD. For them that bear fruit and do good deeds in the holy Churches of GOD, that remember the poor, the widows and the orphans, the strangers, and them that are in need; and for them that have desired us to make mention of them in our prayers. For them that are in old age and infirmity, the sick, the distressed, and that are vexed of unclean spirits, their speedy healing from GOD and salvation. For them that lead their lives in virginity, and purity, and asceticism, and in venerable marriage, and them that carry on their struggle in the caves and dens and holes of the earth, our holy fathers and brothers.

For Christians that sail, that journey, that are strangers, and for our brethren that are in bonds and exiles, and imprisonment and bitter slavery, their peaceful return. For the forgiveness of our sins and remission of our offences, and that we may be preserved from all affliction, passion, danger and necessity, and the insurrection of enemies. For good temperature of the atmosphere, peaceful showers, pleasant dews, abundance of fruits, fulness of a good season, and for the crown of the year. For those, our fathers and brethren, that are present and pray together with us in this holy hour and at all seasons, their diligence, labour, and readiness. And for every Christian soul in affliction and distress, and needing the mercy and succour of GOD, and for the conversion of the erring, the health of the sick, the rescue of the prisoners, the rest of them that have departed afore, our fathers and brethren.

That our prayer may be heard and acceptable before GOD, and that His rich mercies and pities may be sent down upon us. Let us commemorate the most holy, spotless, exceedingly glorious, blessed Lady the Mother of GOD and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints together, that we may obtain mercy through their prayers and intercessions. And for the proposed, precious, heavenly, ineffable, spotless, glorious, fearful, terrible, divine gifts, and the salvation of the Priest that stands by and offers them, let us supplicate the LORD our GOD. People. LORD have mercy. Then the Priest signs the Gifts with the Cross, and standing saith secretly thus— Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men. (Thrice.) O LORD, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. (Thrice.) Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, O LORD, that I may set forth Thy glory, and Thy majesty all the day long. (Thrice.)

Of the FATHER. Amen. And of the SON. Amen. And of the HOLY GHOST. Amen. Now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. And bowing to this side and that, he saith— O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. And they answer, bowing down. The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. And the Priest at length.

LORD and Master, Thou That dost visit us with mercies and loving-kindnesses which has freely given boldness to us Thy humble and sinful and unworthy servants, to stand before Thy holy Altar, and to offer to Thee the fearful and unbloody sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorance of the people, look upon me, Thine unprofitable servant, and blot out my sins by Thy tender mercy; and cleanse my lips and heart from all pollution of flesh and spirit; and remove from me every unseemly and foolish thought, and make me fit, by the might of Thine all-holy SPIRIT, for this Liturgy; and receive me by Thy goodness, approaching to Thy holy Altar; and vouchsafe, O LORD, that these gifts, brought to Thee by our hands may be acceptable, condescending to my weaknesses: and cast me not away from Thy Face, neither abhor Thou mine unworthiness: but pity me according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy loving-kindnesses pass by my tears and passion: that I, coming blamelessly into the presence of Thy glory, may be counted worthy of the protection of Thine Only-Begotten SON, and of the illumination of the most HOLY SPIRIT; and may not, as a slave of sin, be rejected, but, as Thy servant, may find grace and mercy and remission of sins before Thee, in this world and in that which is to come. Yea, all-ruling Master, Almighty LORD, hear my supplication; for Thou art He That workest all in all, and we all seek in all things after the succour and assistance that is from Thee and Thine Only-Begotten SON, and the good and quickening and consubstantial SPIRIT, now and for ever.

O GOD, Who through Thy great and ineffable love to man didst send Thine Only-Begotten SON into the world, that He might turn back again the sheep that had gone astray; turn us not back, sinners, that take hold of Thee in the fearful and unbloody sacrifice: for we trust not in our own righteousness, but in Thy good mercy, by which Thou redeemest to Thyself our race. We supplicate and beseech Thy goodness that this Mystery planned for our salvation may not be to condemnation to Thy people, but to the blotting out of sin, to the renewal of souls and bodies, to the well-pleasing of Thee our GOD and FATHER, in the mercy and love to men of Thine Only-Begotten SON, with Whom Thou art blessed, with, &c.

LORD GOD, Thou That didst form us and bring us to life, Thou That hast manifested to us ways to salvation; Thou That hast vouchsafed to us the revelation of celestial Mysteries, and didst place us in this ministry in the might of Thine all-holy SPIRIT: vouchsafe, Master, that we may be servants of Thy New Testament, ministers of Thy spotless mysteries, and according to the multitude of Thy mercy receive us who approach to Thy holy Altar, that we may be worthy to offer to Thee gifts and sacrifices for our own ignorances and for those of the people; and grant us, O LORD, with all fear and with a good conscience to set before Thee this spiritual and unbloody sacrifice, which receiving into Thy holy and super-celestial and rational Altar, for a savour of spiritual sweetness, send down to us in its stead the grace of Thine all-holy SPIRIT. Yea, O GOD, look upon us, and have regard to this our reasonable sacrifice, and received, as Thou didst receive the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noe, the priestly offerings of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel, the repentance of David, the incense of Zacharias: as Thou didst receive from the hand of Thine Apostle this true worship, thus receive also from the hands of us sinners, in Thy goodness, these gifts that are laid before Thee. And grant that our oblations may be well-pleasing to Thee and hallowed by the HOLY GHOST, for a propitiation of our transgressions, and of the ignorances of the people, and for the repose of the souls that have fallen asleep; that we also, Thy humble and sinful, and unworthy servants, being counted worthy to minister without guile to Thy holy Altar, may receive the reward of faithful and wise stewards, and may find grace and mercy in the fearful day of Thy just and good recompense.

PRAYER OF THE VEIL.
We render thanks to Thee, LORD our GOD, for that Thou hast given us boldness to the entrance in of Thy holy places, the new and living way which Thou hast consecrated for us through the veil of the Flesh of Thy CHRIST. We therefore, to whom it hath been vouchsafed to enter into the place of the tabernacle of Thy glory, and to be within the veil, and to behold the Holy of Holies, fall down before Thy goodness: Master, have mercy upon us: since we are full of fear and dread, when about to stand before Thy holy Altar, and to offer this fearful and unbloody sacrifice for our sins and for the ignorances of the people. Send forth, O GOD, Thy good grace, and hallow our souls, and bodies, and spirits; and change our disposition to piety, that in a pure conscience we may present to Thee the mercy of peace, the sacrifice of praise.

Exclamation. Through the mercy and love to men, and Thine Only-Begotten SON, with likewise. People. Amen. Priest. Peace be with all. Deacon. Let us stand with piety; let us stand with the fear of GOD and compunction of heart; let us attend to the holy Anaphora, to offer peace [i.e., a peace-offering] to GOD. People. The mercy of peace, the sacrifice of praise. Priest. And do Thou, uncovering the veils of enigmas which mystically surround this holy rite; make them gloriously manifest to us; and fill our intellectual eyes with incomprehensible light; and, having cleansed our poverty from every pollution of flesh and speck, make it worthy of this fearful and dread ministration: for Thou art the GOD of exceeding tender mercy: and to Thee we send up the glory and the giving of thanks to the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST, now and for ever.

THEN HE EXCLAIMS—
The love of the LORD and FATHER, the grace of the LORD and SON, the communion and gift of the HOLY GHOST, be with us all. People. And with thy spirit. Priest. Lift we up our mind and our hearts. People. It is meet and right. Priest. It is verily meet and right, fitting and due, to praise Thee, to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee, to glorify Thee, to give thanks to Thee, Who madest all creation visible and invisible; the Treasure of eternal goods, the Fountain of life and immortality, the GOD and Master of all things, Whom heaven, and the heaven of heavens hymn, and all their powers: the sun and the moon and all the choir of the stars; the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Jerusalem the celestial assembly, the Church of the First-born written in heaven: the spirits of just men and of Prophets; the souls of Martyrs and Apostles; Angels, Archangels, thrones, dominations, principalities, virtues, and the tremendous powers; the Cherubin of many eyes, and the Seraphim that have six wings, with twain whereof they cover their faces, and with twain their feet, and with twain they do fly, crying one to the other, with ceaseless tongues and perpetual doxologies, the triumphal hymn to the majesty of Thy glory, singing with a loud voice, crying, praising, vociferating, and saying,

Choir. Holy, Holy, Holy LORD of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest: blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the LORD: Hosanna in the highest. Holy art Thou, King of ages, and LORD and Giver of all holiness: holy also Thine Only-Begotten SON, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, by Whom Thou didst make all things: holy also the HOLY GHOST, Who searcheth all things, yea, even the deep things of GOD: holy art Thou, O Omnipotent, Almighty, Good, Tremendous, Long-suffering, and of great compassion towards Thy creatures: Thou Who didst make man from the earth after Thine image and likeness: and didst give him the delight of Paradise, and when he transgressed Thy commandment and fell, Thou didst not disregard nor leave him, O good GOD: but didst correct him as a tender Father, didst call him by the law, didst educate him by the Prophets; and lastly didst send forth into the world Thine Only-begotten SON, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that He might come and renew and restore in us Thine image: Who descended from heaven, and being incarnate of the HOLY GHOST and Mary the Virgin and Mother of GOD, and having had His conversation with men, accomplished all the dispensation for the salvation of our race, and Who being about to endure His voluntary and life-giving death on the Cross, the sinless, for us sinners, in the night wherein He was betrayed, or rather surrendered Himself for the life and salvation of the world, (here the Priest takes the bread in his hands,) taking bread in His holy and spotless and pure and immortal hands, and looking up to heaven, and shewing it to Thee, His GOD and FATHER, He gave thanks, and hallowed, and brake, and gave to us His Apostles and Disciples, saying,

The Deacons. For the remission of sins and eternal life. Priest (aloud.) Take, eat: this is My Body which is broken for you, and is given for the remission of sins. People. Amen. Then he takes the cup, and saith, Likewise also the cup after supper, having taken, and mixed it with wine and water, and having looked up to heaven, and displayed it to Thee, His GOD and FATHER, He gave thanks, and hallowed, and blessed, and filled with the HOLY GHOST, and gave it to us, His Disciples, saying, Drink ye all of this: This is My Blood of the New Testament, which for you and for many is shed and distributed for the remission of sins. People. Amen. Priest. Do this in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye set forth the death of the Son of Man, and confess His resurrection, till He come.

Deacon. We believe and confess. People. We set forth Thy death, O LORD, and confess Thy resurrection. Priest. We therefore also, sinners, remembering His life-giving Passion, His salutary Cross, His Death, and Resurrection from the dead on the third day, His ascension into heaven, and session on the right hand of Thee, His GOD and FATHER, and His glorious and terrible coming again, when He shall come with glory to judge the quick and the dead, and to render to every man according to his works, offer to Thee, O LORD, this tremendous and unbloody sacrifice, beseeching Thee that Thou wouldst not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities: but according to Thy gentleness and ineffable love, passing by and blotting out the hand-writing that is against us, Thy suppliants, wouldst grant us Thy heavenly and eternal gifts, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which Thou, O God, hast prepared for them that love Thee. And set not at nought Thy people, O LORD and Lover of men, for me and for my sins. (He repeats thrice.) For Thy people and Thy Church supplicate Thee.

People. Have mercy upon us, LORD GOD, FATHER Almighty. Priest. Have mercy on us, GOD Almighty. Have mercy on us, GOD our SAVIOUR. Have mercy on us, O GOD, according to Thy great goodness, and send upon us, and upon these proposed gifts, Thy most HOLY GHOST, (he bends his head,) the LORD and Life-giving; sharer of the throne and of the kingdom with Thee, GOD and FATHER, and Thine Only-Begotten SON, consubstantial and co-eternal, Who spake in the Law, and the Prophets, and Thy New Testament, Who descended in the form of a dove on our LORD JESUS CHRIST in the river Jordan, and rested on Him, Who descended upon Thy holy Apostles in the likeness of fiery tongues in the upper room of the holy and glorious Sion, at the day of Pentecost: send down the same most HOLY GHOST, LORD, upon us, and upon these holy and proposed gifts, (he raises himself and saith aloud,) that coming upon them with His holy and good and glorious presence, He may hallow and make this bread the holy Body of Thy CHRIST.

People. Amen. Priest. And this cup the precious Blood of Thy CHRIST. People. Amen. Priest, rising up, in a low voice,

That they may be to those that partake of them, for remission of sins, and for eternal life, for sanctification of souls and bodies, for bringing forth good works, for the confirmation of Thy Holy Catholic Church, which Thou hast founded upon the rock of faith, that the gates of hell may not prevail against it; freeing it from all heresy and scandals, and from them that work wickedness, and preserving it till the consummation of all things. (Bending his head, he continues. We offer them also to Thee, O LORD, for Thy holy places which Thou hast glorified by the divine apparition of Thy CHRIST, and by the advent of Thine All-Holy SPIRIT: especially for the glorious Sion, the mother of all Churches. And for Thy holy Catholic Apostolic Church throughout the world. Supply it, O LORD, even now, with the plentiful gifts of Thy HOLY GHOST. Remember also, O LORD, our holy fathers and brothers in it, and the Bishops that in all the world rightly divide the word of Thy truth. Remember also, O LORD, every city and region, and the Orthodox that dwell in it, that they may inhabit it with peace and safety. Remember, O LORD, Christians that are voyaging, that are journeying, that are in foreign lands, in bonds and in prison, captives, exiles, in mines, and in tortures, and bitter slavery, our fathers and brethren. Remember, LORD, them that are in sickness or travail, them that are vexed of unclean spirits, that they may speedily be healed and rescued by Thee, O GOD.

Remember, LORD, every Christian soul in tribulation and distress, desiring the pity and succour of Thee, O GOD, and the conversion of the erring. Remember, LORD, our fathers and brethren that labour and minister to us through Thy holy Name. Remember, LORD, all for good; have pity, LORD, on all; be reconciled to all of us; give peace to the multitude of Thy people; dissipate scandals; put an end to wars;

stay the rising up of heresies. Give us Thy peace and Thy love, O GOD our SAVIOUR, the succour of all the ends of the earth. Remember, LORD, the healthfulness of the air, gentle showers, healthy dews, plenteousness of fruits, the crown of the year of Thy goodness, for the eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season; Thou openest Thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. Remember, LORD, them that bear fruit and do good deeds in Thy holy Churches, and that remember the poor, the widows, the orphans, the stranger, the needy; and all those who have desired us to remember them in our prayers. Furthermore, O LORD, vouchsafe to remember those who have this day brought these oblations to Thy holy Altar; and the things for which each brought them, or which he had in his mind; and those whom we have now commemorated before Thee. Remember also, O LORD, according to the multitude of Thy mercy and pities, me Thy humble and unworthy servant; and the Deacons that surround Thy holy Altar. Grant them blamelessness of life, preserve their ministry spotless, keep in safety their goings for good, that they may find mercy and grace with all Thy Saints that have been pleasing to Thee from one generation to another, since the beginning of the world, our ancestors, and fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Teachers, Holy Persons, and every just spirit made perfect in the faith of Thy CHRIST.

thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, because thou hast brought forth the SAVIOUR of our souls. (Aloud.) Especially the most holy, spotless, excellently laudable, glorious Lady, the Mother of GOD and Ever-Virgin Mary. Choir. It is very meet to bless thee, the Mother of GOD, the ever blessed, the entirely spotless, more honourable than the Cherubin, and infinitely more glorious than the Seraphim, thee, who didst bear without corruption GOD the Word, thee, verily the Mother of GOD, we magnify. In thee, O full of grace, all creation exults, and the hierarchy of Angels, and the race of men; in thee, sanctified temple, spiritual paradise, glory of virgins, of whom GOD took flesh; our GOD, That was before the world, became a child. For He made thy womb His throne, and rendered it more extended than the heavens. In thee, O full of grace, all creation exults: glory to thee.

The Deacons. Remember, LORD our GOD. Priest (bowing). Remember, LORD, the GOD of the spirits and all flesh, the Orthodox whom we have commemorated, from righteous Abel unto this day. Give them rest there, in the land of the living, in Thy kingdom, in the delight of paradise, in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our holy fathers, whence pain, sorrow, and groaning is exiled, where the light of Thy countenance looks down, and always shines. And direct, LORD, O LORD, in peace the ends of our lives, so as to be Christian, and well-pleasing to Thee, and blameless; collecting us under the feet of Thine elect, when Thou wilt, and as Thou wilt, only without shame and offence: through Thine Only-Begotten SON, our LORD and GOD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; for He alone hath appeared on the earth without sin. Deacon. And for the peace and stability of the whole world, and of the holy Churches of GOD, and for that for which each hath brought his offering, or hath in his mind: and for the people that stand around, and for all both men and women.

People. For all, both men and women. Priest. For which things' sake, to us also, as being good, and the Lover of men. People. Remit, forgive, pardon, O GOD, our offences, voluntary and involuntary, in deed and word, by knowledge and ignorance, by night and by day; in mind and intention: forgive us all as being good, and the Lover of men. Priest. Through the grace, and pity and love of Thine Only-Begotten SON, with Whom Thou art to be blessed and glorified, together with the most holy and good and life-giving SPIRIT, now and ever, and to all ages. People. Amen. Priest. Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Again and always in peace, let us make our supplications to the LORD. For the oblations, and hallowed, precious, celestial, ineffable, stainless, glorious, terrible, tremendous, divine gifts to the LORD GOD. That the LORD our GOD having received them to His holy, heavenly, intellectual and spiritual Altar, for the odour of a sweet-smelling sacrifice, would send down in their stead to us divine grace, and the gift of the most HOLY GHOST.

Having prayed for the unity of the faith, and the participation of the HOLY GHOST, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life to CHRIST our GOD. People. Amen. Priest. GOD, the Father of our LORD and GOD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, the mighty LORD, blessed nature, measureless goodness, the GOD and LORD of all, Who art blessed for evermore: Who sitteth upon the Cherubin, and art glorified by the Seraphim: before Whom stand thousand thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand armies of holy Angels, and Archangels. Thou hast received in Thy goodness the gifts, presents, fruits, that have been offered before Thee for a sweet-smelling savour, and hast been pleased to sanctify and perfect them by the grace of Thy CHRIST, and the visitation of Thy most HOLY SPIRIT: sanctify also, O LORD, our souls, bodies, and spirits; touch the powers of our minds, search out our consciences, and cast out from us every evil thought, every impure imagination, every base lust, every unfitting motion, all envy and pride and hypocrisy, all falsehood and guile, every worldly distraction, all avarice, all vain-glory, all idleness, vice, anger, passion, remembrance of wrongs, blasphemy, all motion of body and soul at variance with the will of Thy holiness. (Aloud.) And grant us, LORD, and Lover of men, with boldness, without condemnation, with a pure heart, with a broken spirit, with a face that needeth not to be ashamed, with hallowed lips to dare to call upon Thee, our holy GOD and FATHER in the heavens, and to say,

People. Our FATHER, &c. Priest (bowing). And lead us not into temptation, LORD GOD of Hosts, Who knowest our infirmity, but deliver us from the evil one, and his works, and all his insults and devices, for Thy holy Name's sake, by which our humility is called. Aloud. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and and the glory, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, now and ever. People. Amen. Priest. Peace to all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Let us bow our heads to the LORD. People. To Thee, O LORD. Priest. To Thee, O LORD, we Thy servants have bowed our necks before Thy holy Altar, waiting for the rich mercies that are from Thee: send down upon us, O LORD, Thy rich grace and blessing; and sanctify our souls, bodies, and spirits, that we may become worthy partakers and communicants of Thy holy mysteries: to the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.

Aloud. For Thou art to be worshipped and glorified, O our GOD, and Thine Only-Begotten SON, and Thy most HOLY SPIRIT, now and ever. People. Amen. Priest, (aloud). And the grace and mercies of the Holy and consubstantial and uncreated and adorable TRINITY shall be with us all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. With the fear of GOD let us attend. The Priest saith secretly. Holy LORD, That restest in the holies, hallow us by the word of Thy grace, and by the visitation of Thine All-holy SPIRIT, for Thou hast said, O LORD, Be ye holy, for I am holy. LORD our GOD, incomprehensible Word of GOD, consubstantial, co-eternal, indivisible, with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST, receive the pure hymn, in Thy holy and spotless Sacrifice, with the Cherubin and Seraphim, and from me a sinner, crying and saying, Then he elevates the gifts, and saith, Holy things for holy persons.

People. One holy, one LORD, JESUS CHRIST, in the glory of GOD the FATHER, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Deacon. For the remission of our sins, and the propitiation of our souls, and for every afflicted and distressed soul, that needeth the pity and help of GOD: and for the conversion of them that have strayed, the healing of them that are sick, the liberation of them that are in captivity, the rest of our fathers and brethren that have fallen asleep before us, let us pray earnestly and say, Kyrie eleison. People. Kyrie eleison. (Twelve times.) Then the Priest breaks the bread, and holds the half in his right hand, and the half in his left; and dips in the chalice that which he holds in his right hand, saying, The union of the most holy Body and precious Blood of our LORD and GOD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

Then he signs that which he holds in his left hand: then with that which is signed the other half: then he begins to divide before all, and to distribute one part into each chalice, saying, It hath been united and sanctified and accomplished in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST, now and ever. And when he signs the bread, he saith, Behold the LAMB of GOD, the SON of the FATHER, That taketh away the sin of the world, sacrificed for the life and salvation of the world. And when he distributes one part into each chalice, he saith, A holy portion of CHRIST, full of grace and truth, of the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST, to Whom be the glory and the might, for ever and ever. Then he begins to break, and to say, Psalm xxiii. Psalm xxxiv. Psalm cxlv.

Psalm cxvii. Deacon. Sir, bless. Priest. The LORD shall bless us and keep us without condemnation for the communion of His spotless gifts, now and ever, and to all ages. Deacon. Sir, bless. The LORD shall bless us and make us to receive with the pure tongs of our fingers the burning coal, and to place it in the mouths of the faithful, for the purification and renewal of their souls, and bodies, now and ever. O taste and see that the LORD is good: He That is broken, and not divided, distributed to the faithful, and not consumed, for the remission of their sins and eternal life, now and ever, and to all ages. Deacon. In the peace of CHRIST let us sing. Choir. O taste and see that the LORD is good. Priest, (before communicating). LORD our GOD, the Heavenly Bread, the Life of the world, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to partake Thy spotless mysteries: but do Thou, Who art a compassionate GOD, make me worthy by Thy grace to communicate without condemnation in the holy Body and precious Blood, for the remission of sins, and eternal life.

[The Priest communicates.] But when the Deacons take up the patens and chalices to communicate the people, the Deacon that takes the first paten, says, Sir, bless. Priest. Glory to GOD, Who hath sanctified, and sanctifieth us all. Deacon. Set up Thyself, O GOD, above the heavens, and Thy glory above all the earth; and Thy kingdom remaineth for ever and ever. And when the Deacon is about to take it up from the side table, the Priest saith, Blessed be the Name of the LORD our GOD for ever. People. Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the LORD. [The Communion.] And again, when the Deacon puts the paten down on the side table, he saith, Sir, bless. Priest. O LORD, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage. Glory to our GOD Who hath sanctified us all. Deacons and people. Fill our mouths with Thy praise, O LORD, and fill our lips with thankfulness, that we celebrate Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long.

We give Thee thanks, CHRIST our GOD, that Thou hast vouchsafed to make us partakers of Thy Body which the chalices, &c., were set down (by the rubric before, ὅταν διδῷ μερίδα ἀπλῆν εἰς ἕκαστον κρατῆρα, λέγει, it is clear that several were contemplated) in order that the Deacons might take them thence, and not from the Altar. By the transposition of the rubrics, all is now clear: when the Deacon takes the paten up, for the purpose of administering to the people, he says, "Blessed be the Name," &c. He then desires the people to approach; and they accordingly communicate. After this he returns to the παρατράπεζον, and setting down the paten or chalice, says, "Sir, bless," &c., as below. But if the alteration in the rubrics be not allowed, the only possible way of making sense is the arrangement which I adopted in another place, where I did not feel justified in making the change. (Tetralog. Liturgic., p. 192.) The Deacon, receiving the chalice from the Priest to set it on the side table, says, "Blessed be the Name," &c. He sets it down. He calls the people to approach. He then lifts it up, and says, "Sir, bless:" but the Priest does not bless till after the Communion is finished. The great awkwardness of this is clear.

and Blood, for the remission of sins, and eternal life. Keep us, we beseech Thee, without condemnation, because Thou art good, and the Lover of men.

THE PRAYER OF INCENSE AT THE LAST ENTRANCE.
Priest. We thank Thee, GOD and SAVIOUR of all, for all the good things which Thou hast bestowed on us; and for the participation of Thy holy and spotless mysteries. And we offer to Thee this incense, praying Thee to keep us under the shadow of Thy wings; and vouchsafe that, till our last breath, we may receive Thy sanctifications; for the sanctification of souls and bodies, for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven: for Thou, O GOD, art our sanctification, and to Thee we ascribe glory and thanks, &c.

THE DEACON BEGINS IN THE ENTRANCE.
Glory to Thee, glory to Thee, glory to Thee, CHRIST the King, Only-Begotten Word of the FATHER, for that Thou hast vouchsafed us sinners and Thy unworthy servants to enjoy Thy spotless mysteries, for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life: glory to Thee. And when he makes the entrance the Deacon begins to say thus, Again and again, and evermore in peace, let us make our supplications to the LORD. That the participation of His sanctification may be to us for the turning away of every evil thing, for a viaticum of eternal life, for the participation and gift of the HOLY GHOST. Priest. Commemorating the most holy, &c. People. To Thee, O LORD. Priest. GOD, Which through Thy great and ineffable love to man didst condescend to the weakness of Thy servants and hast And when he puts down the chalice on the holy table, the Priest saith,

Priest. Peace be with all. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. In the peace of CHRIST let us chant. And again In the peace of CHRIST let us depart. People. In the Name of the LORD; LORD, bless us. Prayer of Dismissal said by the Deacon. From glory to glory advancing, we hymn Thee, the Saviour of our souls. Glory to the FATHER, and to the SON, and to the HOLY GHOST. We hymn Thee, the Saviour of our souls. vouchsafed that we should partake of this heavenly Table, condemn us not in the participation of Thy spotless mysteries, but guard us, good GOD, by the sanctification of Thy HOLY GHOST; that, being holy, we may find part and inheritance with all Thy Saints who have pleased Thee from the beginning of the world, in the light of Thy countenance, through the mercies of Thine Only-Begotten SON, our LORD and GOD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; with Whom Thou art blessed, with Thy most holy and good and quickening SPIRIT, &c.

People. Amen. But, in all probability, this is nothing but a second edition of the two last prayers; it is hardly possible to conceive that both the Deacon and the Priest would say over again, in other words, what each of them has just been already saying; and the more so as the time is limited to that of the entrance. It will be seen that, as we at present have the Liturgy of S. James, the Priest remains at the Altar, while the Deacons distribute to the people. The Priest saith this prayer as he goes from the Altar to the Sacristy. From might to might advancing, and having accomplished all the Divine Liturgy in Thy temple, we now also pray Thee, vouchsafe to us Thy full mercy; rightly divide our paths: root us in Thy fear; and count us worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom, in CHRIST JESUS our LORD: with Whom, &c.

Deacon. Again and again and evermore in peace, let us make our supplications to the LORD. Prayer said in the sacristy after the dismissal. Thou hast given us, O LORD, sanctification, &c. As in the Liturgy of S. Mark. D

------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.sermonindex.net/fathers/liturgy-of-saint-james-neale/