Sts. Peter and Paul
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
Opening Acclamation: “Blessed is the kingdom…”
Great Litany. “Lord, have mercy.” “Most holy Theotokos…” “To Thee, O Lord.”
First Antiphon. Verses (Choir) & Refrain: “Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.”
Little Litany. “Lord, have mercy.” “Most holy Theotokos…” “To Thee, O Lord.”
Second Antiphon. Verses (Choir) & Refrain: “O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto Thee: Alleluia.”
“Only-begotten Son and Word of God Who art immortal, Thou didst take on Thee for our salvation to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and without change wast made man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God; and by Thy Death hast death subdued; Who art One of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: O save, O save us; O save, O save us; O save us.”
Little Litany. “Lord, have mercy.” “Most holy Theotokos…” “To Thee, O Lord.”
Third Antiphon, during the Little Entrance. The Beatitudes (All).
“In Thy Kingdom, O Lord, remember us, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice, rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.”
Entrance Hymn, the Eisodikon (All). “Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ! O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia.”
Hymns of the Day.
Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 1 (All).
“While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding thy most pure body, thou didst arise on the third day O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto thee , O giver of life; glory to thy resurrection, O Christ, glory to thy kingdom, glory to thy providence O thou who alone art the lover of mankind.
“Troparion of Sts. Peter and Paul”, Tone 4 (Choir).
“O Foremost of the Apostles and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Troparion of St. Joseph, Tone 2 (All).
“Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the ancestor of God, the amazing wonders, for by the angel they were revealed unto thee. For thou hast seen a Virgin great with child, and thou gave glory with the shepherds and didst worship with the Magi. Wherefore plead with Christ God to save our souls.”
Kontakion of the Theotokos , Tone 4 (Choir).
“O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant. O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned. But be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid who in faith cry unto thee: hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication thou who dost ever protect O Theotokos those who honor thee..”
Trisagion Prayer and Hymn. “Lord, have mercy.”
“Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” (3x)
The Readings. Priest: “Let us attend! Wisdom!”
Prokeimenon, Tone 8 (Chanter).
“Their voices have gone forth into all the earth. The Heavens declare the glory of God.”
“Brethren: Whatever any man boast, I boast also. They are Hebrews, so am I. They are Israelites, so am I. They are the seed of Abraham, .so am I. They are ministers of Christ, I am more ; in many more labors, in prison, more frequently in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, less one. Thee times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea. In journeying often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren. In labors and painfulness, in much watching, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often in cold and nakedness. Besides those things which are without, my daily instance, the solitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire? If I must glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The god and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is blessed forever knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretus guarded the city of the Damascenes to apprehend me. And through a window in a basket I was let down by a wall and escaped his hands. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish, I will say the truth. But I boast lest any man think of me more than what he sees or hears from me. Lest the revelations should exalt me, I was given a thorn in the flesh, and angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which I three times besought the Lord that it should leave me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore, will I glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Alleluia and Verses with Censing (Apostolos 84-85, Chanter).
Priest: “Wisdom! Let us attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.”
“At that time: When Jesus came to the quarters of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples
“Whom do men say that the Son of man is? They said “Some say John the Baptist and others Elijah, some say like Jeremiah and others one of the Prophets.” Jesus asked them “Whom do you say that I am?” Peter answered “You are Christ, the son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, blessed are thou Simon Bar-Jona because flesh and blood have not been revealed to thee, but to my Father in heaven. Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shall bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
“At At The The
Sermon.
Prayers of the Catechumens and the Faithful . “Lord, have mercy.”
Great Entrance: Cherubimic Prayer & Hymn.
“All we that in myst’ry holy Cherubim portray, as the Life-creating Trinity with thrice-holy song we adore and praise. Come, let us cast off all earthly care, and forget, and forget every vain employ.” (Repeat.)
“For the King of All comes in triumph by unseen Hosts of Angels brought to us that bid Him welcome. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”
Litany of the Prothesis and the Peace . “Lord, have mercy.” “Grant this…” “Most holy Theotokos…” “To Thee, O Lord.”
Priest: “Peace be to all. Let us love one another, that with one accord we may confess:”
“Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence and undivided.”
The Nicene Creed . Priest: “The Doors! The Doors! In wisdom let us attend.”
“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 Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one Essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end;
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; I look for the Resurrection of the dead and the Life of the world to come. Amen.”
Eucharistic Prayer of St. John Chrysostom.
Anaphora. “A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.”
Priest: “Let us lift up our hearts.”
“We lift them up unto the Lord.”
Priest: “Let us give thanks to the Lord.”
“It is meet and right to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence, and undivided.”
“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!”
The Prayers of Consecration.
Priest: “Take, eat: this is My Body which is broken for you, for the forgiveness of sins. Drink ye this: this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. Thine own of Thine own we offer unto Thee, in behalf of all, and for all.”
“We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, and we pray unto Thee, O our God, our God.”
Priest: “Make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ; and that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ; changing them by thy Holy Spirit.”
“Amen, amen, amen.”
Megalynarion, Tone 7 (All). “It is truly meet, it is truly meet to call thee blessed, Lady Theotokos: Lady ever greatly blessed, and most perfect in innocence, and the Mother of our God. Lady more precious than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond all measure than the seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: We magnify thee, we magnify thee.”
The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer. “Lord, have mercy.” “Grant this...” “To Thee, O Lord.”
The Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name…”
Priest: “Peace be to all. Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.”
The Elevation. Priest: “Let us attend! The Holy things are for the Holy.”
“One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.”
Communion Prayers.
“I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly Thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray Thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.”
“Of Thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant, for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.”
Communion Hymns, the Koinonikon. Verses (Chanter) & Refrain (All): "Their sound has gone out into all the earth. Alleluia.”
Communion.
Receiving Holy Communion unites us with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Bishop, and with all the Orthodox in heaven and earth. Only baptized and/or chrismated Orthodox Christians who are not under penance and have prepared by fasting and frequent confession are invited and encouraged to
receive communion as spiritual food, for the healing of soul and body and as a sign of forgiveness of sins.
Post-Communion Hymns. Priest: “O God, save Thy people and bless thine inheritance.”
“We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity: for He hath saved us.”
“Let our mouths be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, that we may sing of Thy glory; for Thou hast permitted us to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal, and life-giving Mysteries. Establish us always in Thy Sanctification, that all the day we may meditate on Thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”
Litany of Thanksgiving and the Prayer behind the Ambon. “Lord, have mercy.”
“Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forever.” (3x)
Dismissal and Final Blessing.
Parish Announcements .