Rod of the Desert

THE DIVINE AND HOLY LITURGY

OF THE AMERICAN MELKITE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Liturgy of the Divine Feminine

(Note: The titles Holy Spirit and the Divine Feminine are interchangeable in this special liturgy)

Prayer before the Altar

Priest and Deacon:

Priest and deacon face the altar and bow three times saying while bowing each time:

(+ means sign of the cross)

Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

All: (chant standing)

Holy God, Holy Love, Holy Immortal One, we are your children. (Three times)

Glory be to God, the Son and Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit), now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

All Holy Trinity look upon us and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.

(Three times)

Priest and Deacon

(address the icon of Jesus)

This prayer we make in the name of our Mother (and or Father) God, whom Jesus embodied as our primary model: in with and through whom we offer our praise, this day and forever.

Deacon:

Glory be to God, the Son and Divine Feminine (or The Holy Spirit).

Priest:

O God, You are our hope and we are Your people, we are all the work of Your hands and we constantly call upon Your name.

Deacon:

Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Both kiss the icon of Christ. Then they go before the icon of the Theotokos:

Priest: (addressing the icon of the Theotokos)

Blessed Theotokos open the portal of your deep love to us who put our trust in you, so that we may not be brought to confusion, but through you may be delivered from adversity.

Priest: (turning to icon of Jesus)

Before Your most pure image we bow, O Good One, because You chose of Your own free will to ascend upon the cross in the flesh in order to deliver from the enemy’s yoke those created by the Divine Will. For this reason we cry out to You in thanksgiving: “You, our Savior, have filled all things with joy when You came to save the world.”

They make three metanies before the Holy Table. The Priest kisses the Holy Gospel and the Holy Table.

Priest: (chants)

O Heavenly Mother (and/or Father), Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of Life, come, O Good One, and dwell in us.

They bow three times saying:

Priest and Deacon:

Glory to God, and on earth peace, good will to all. (Twice)

O Feminine Divine,(or Holy Spirit) You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise. (Once)

Deacon:

Give the blessing, (NOC).

Lifting the Holy Gospel Book with both hands and making with it the sign of the cross over the Antimension, the Priest proclaims:

Blessed is our God, the Son and Feminine Divine (or Holy Spirit) , now and always and forever and ever.

The Deacon intones the Litany of Peace in a strong voice while standing before the altar.

THE LITANY OF PEACE

Deacon:

In peace let us pray.

All:

God, hear us! (sit)

(To be repeated after each petition)

1.For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray.

2.For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy Churches of God and the union of all.

3. For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith and reverence let us pray.

4. For our Bishop “Name” his/her honorable presbyterate, the diaconate and for all the clergy and the people.

5. For the government and for the armed forces, that they may be upheld in every good deed.

6. For this city for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray.

7. For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray.

8. For the travelers by sea, air and land, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation.

9. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray.

10. Help us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

11. Let us remember our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary, with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All:

To You, O God

THE ORDER OF TROPARIA

PRIEST OR DEACON

OK John this is where your expertise comes in. There usually are three troparia said or sung here by the deacon or the cantor. Antiphons are prose or poetry extolling the Creator – Jesus – the Divine Feminine and or the Feast or Remembrance of the day. Get creative!!!! At the end the priests says:

Priest: (aloud or silently)

O God whose power is without compare, whose glory is incomprehensible, whose mercy is beyond measure and whose love for us is beyond words: be pleased in the depth of Your compassion, to look on us and on this holy place, and grant us and those praying with us the riches of Your compassion and Your tender mercy.

Priest:

(aloud)

For all glory, honor and worship, are Your due, Mother (and/or Father), Son, Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit)now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen

Deacon:

Again and again in peace, let us pray.

All:

God hear us!

Deacon:

Help us, save us and protect

us, O God, by Your grace.

Deacon:

Let us remember our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.

Priest:

O You who have granted us to pray together in harmony, and who promised that when two or three are gathered to call upon Your name, You will give what they ask, do You now fulfill what Your children ask, so far as it is good, granting us in this world the knowledge of Your truth, and in the world to come, eternal life. For You are good, O our God, You love your children and we render glory to You, Mother (and/or Father), Son, Feminine Divine (or Holy Spirit) now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen.

THE LITTLE ENTRANCE

The Priest takes the Holy Gospel Book in his hands and passes it to the Deacon.

The Deacon kisses the Priest’s hand and the Gospel Book, which he raises to the height

of his forehead, while placing the edge of his orarion over the top of the Gospel Book.

They proceed behind the Holy Table, and up the aisle to their right ending in the middle aisle before the altar preceded by the candle---bearers, the Ripidia, the Cross and the Censer bearers. They all proceed through the church until they reach the altar.

Priest and the Deacon

Let us pray , O God who have established in Heaven the ranks and armies of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory; at our entrance, ask the holy angels to enter also, to minister with us and with us to glorify Your goodness. For all glory, honor and worship are Your due, Creator, Son, Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit), now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Deacon

Bless the holy entering, (NOC).

Priest:

Blessed are Your Holy Places, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

The Deacon presents the Gospel Book to the Priest

Deacon:

Wisdom. Let us stand!

(Stand)

Entrance Hymn:

On Sundays:

Priest:

Come let us worship and Raise our hands before Christ.

All: (chant)

O Son of God, who are risen from the dead we sing to You: Alleluia.

On ordinary weekdays:

Priest:

Come let us worship and Raise our hands before Christ.

All: (chant)

O Son of God, who are wonderful in Your saints, we sing to You: Alleluia

Kontakion for ordinary Sundays and Weekdays

All: (chant)

O Never Failing Protectress of Christians and their ever present intercessor before our God, in your goodness extend your help to us who call upon you with confidence. Hasten, O Theotokos, to intercede for us, for you have always protected those who honor you.

HERE AGAIN IS WHERE YOU SHINE JOHN. Add for us a Kontakion or two extolling a theme of your choosing

TRISAGION

The celebrants alternate in singing the Trisagion Hymn: the choir sings it twice, then

the celebrants once. Each time, the celebrants and the people bow, making the sign of the cross:

All: (chant)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, We Glorify You!

(Three times)

Deacon: (chant)

Glory be to the Father (and/or Mother), the Son and the Divine Feminine (or the Holy Spirit) now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

(once)

All: (chant)

Holy Immortal One, we glorify You!

(once)

Deacon:

With Greater Power!

All: (chant louder)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, we glorify You!

THE EPISTLE

Deacon:

Let us be attentive!

The Reader, standing in the middle of the central aisle of the church facing the Altar, chants the verses of the Prokimenon (preliminary Psalm):

JOHN, THIS IS ANOTHER PLACE FOR YOUR EXPERTISE

The Prokiminon is brief and to your chosing

The reading is one chosen by the celebrant

The Reader chants the refrain. The People repeat it. The Reader chants the verse. The People repeat the refrain.

Deacon:

Wisdom! (Sophia )

Turning to the People, the Reader proclaims the title of the Epistle:

Reader:

A reading from the Epistle of St. N to … (or from the Acts of the Apostles)

Deacon:

Let us be attentive!

The Reader chants the Epistle in a liturgical melody, with a calm and articulate voice, without dragging the chant.

Before the end of the Epistle, the Priest comes and stands before the Holy Table. The Deacon, head uncovered, holding the edge of his orarion, approaches the Priest and says quietly:

Deacon:

Bless, (NOC) the herald of the Gospel according to the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist N.

Priest:

Mother (and Father) God grant through the prayers of the holy and glorious Apostle and Evangelist N. that you proclaim the Good News with great power for the fulfillment of the Gospel of The beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deacon:

Amen.

At the conclusion of the Epistle, the Reader turns to the Altar to be blessed by the Priest,

who says aloud:

Priest:

Peace be to you, Reader.

The Deacon, standing before the altar takes the censer from the server and censes the Holy Table, the Icons and then returns the censer to the server.

The Priest hands the Deacon the Holy Gospel.

When the Alleluia verses are chanted, he raises it up, with the candle holders on both sides.

THE HOLY GOSPEL

The Epistle Reader, turning again to the Altar, leads the chanting of the Alleluia verses:

All: (chant)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reader reads the first verse.

JOHN, THE VERSES BEFORE THE GOSPEL ARE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR EXPERTISE

All: (chant)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reader reads the second verse.

All: (chant)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Prayer Before the Gospel

Priest:

Shine in our hearts Father and Mother of us all, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the announcing of Your Good News; set in us the understanding of Your blessed commandments, so that, we may live according to the Spirit, both willing and doing everything that pleases You. For You are the light of our souls and bodies and we render glory to You now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Then, turning to the people, the Deacon proclaims:

Deacon:

Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel

Priest: (Blesses people

Peace be to all.

All: (standing)

And to your spirit.

Deacon: (chants)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint N. the Evangelist.

All:

Glory to You, Our God, Glory to You.

Priest:

Let us be attentive!

Deacon:

The Deacon chants the Gospel in a liturgical melody, with a calm and articulate voice, without dragging the chant. At the end of the Gospel we sing:

All:

Glory to You, Our God, Glory to You.

The Deacon returns the Gospel Book to the Priest.

Priest:

Peace be to you, herald of the Gospel.

Then he blesses the people with the Gospel Book and places it on the Holy Table.

H OM I L Y

Following the homily, the Deacon stands before the altar and recites the Ektene.

After each petition, we chant: Hear our Prayer

Deacon:

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

1. Creator Divine, God of our ancestors, we pray to You.

2. Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great mercy, we pray to You.

General and specific petitions made here out loud by priest and any one else followed by all saying: Hear our prayer

3. We pray for our Friend and Bishop N.

4. We pray for the priests, the deacons, the monks, the nuns, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

5. Again, we pray for love, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, for the servants of God who live in this city

8. Again, we pray for the blessed and ever to be remembered founders of this holy church and for our brethren who lie asleep in the Lord.

(Names of deceased may be remembered here)

9. Again, we pray for those who bear offerings, those who do good works in this

holy and most venerable church, those who toil, those who sing and all the people here present who offer You great and abundant love.

The Priest unfolds the Antimension.

Deacon:

Wisdom.

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

Priest:

WE NEED A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND PREPARATION

That being ever protected by Your power we may render glory to You, Creator, Son, Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit) now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen

THE GREAT ENTRANCE

The Cherubic Hymn

All: (sing)

We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the Life Giving Trinity the thrice holy hymn, let us lay aside all earthly cares, and prepare to receive our God. Invisibly escorted by angel hosts.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Then the Priest kisses the Antimension. Then he blesses the censer and takes it from the Deacon. He censes the Table from its four sides, while the Deacon proceeds opposite him with a lighted candle in his hand. The deacon stands facing East, while the Priest censes the icons, the two Choirs and the People

Saying quietly:

Priest:

We have seen the Resurrection of Christ.

Deacon:

Lift up, (NOC)

The Priest lifts up the outer veil from the oblations and places it on the Deacon’s shoulders, saying quietly:

Priest:

Lift up your hands to the Holy Places and bless our God.

The Priest takes the covered Diskos and reverently hands it to the Deacon who holds

it at the level of his forehead with both hands and walks ahead of the

Priest.

The Priest holds the holy Chalice with both hands and raises it to the level of his

forehead. They both leave the altar to process again as in the LITTLE ENTRANCE

preceded by the candle, fans (ripidia) and cross bearers.

They process through the church

Deacon:

(while processing remembers out loud the celebrant and any others that have requested remembrance)

May our God remember N. all at all times, now and always and

forever and ever.

All:

Amen

When they reach the altar the Deacon stands to the right of the

table, holding the Diskos.

Priest: (facing the people)

May the Lord God remember us all at all times, now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen.

Invisibly escorted by angel hosts.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Priest places the Chalice on the Holy Table, then he takes the Diskos from the Deacon and places it on the left of the Chalice. He picks up the outer veil from the

Deacon’s shoulders; the Deacon censes it; the Priest covers the oblations with it saying

quietly:

Priest:

The noble Joseph, taking down Your Spotless Body from the wood and wrapping it in a clean shroud with aromatic spices, carefully laid it in a new tomb.

Taking the censer from the Deacon, he censes the oblations three times, saying each

time:

Priest:

Then shall they offer calves upon Your altar.

The Priest returns the censer and bows his head towards the

East, saying to the deacon:

Priest:

Remember me, my brother/sister and fellow celebrant.

Deacon:

May our God remember your priesthood

Priest:

Pray for me, my fellow celebrant.

Deacon:

The Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit) will come upon you and the power of the Most High will over shadow you.

Priest:

The Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit) will celebrate with us all the days of our lives.

Bowing his head and holding the edge of the orarion with his fingers, the deacon

says:

Deacon:

Remember me, holy (NOC)

Priest:

May God remember you at all times, now and always and forever and ever.

Deacon:

Amen.

LITANY OF THE GIFTS

Deacon:

Let us complete our prayer.

All:

God hear our prayer.

(To be repeated after each petition)

Deacon:

1. For the precious gifts here offered, let us pray.

2. For this holy house and those who enter it with faith, reverence let us pray.

3. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray.

4. Help us, save us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Priest:

God who alone are holy, who accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept also the prayer of your children here and bring us to Your Holy Altar. Make us fit to offer You spiritual gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and the faults of the people. Make us worthy to find grace in Your eyes, that our sacrifice may become acceptable to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may abide with us and with the gifts here laid out and with all Your people.

Through the mercies of Your Only Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All Holy, Good and Life Giving Divine Feminine, (or Spirit) now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen.

Turning to the people, the Priest blesses them, saying:

Priest:

Peace be to all.

All:

And to your spirit.

Deacon:

Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess:

All:

Creator, Son, Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit); most Holy Trinity, one in essence and undivided

Hymn of love may be sung here

The Priest and the Deacon make three metanies where they stand saying each time:

Priest and deacon quietly:

I love You God with all my strength; my God is my fortress, my refuge and my deliverance.

The Priest kisses the veiled oblations, starting with the Diskos, then the Chalice, then the

Holy Table. The Deacon kisses the cross on the edge of the orarion.

Turning to the people, the Priest says:

Priest:

Christ is among us.

All:

He is and always will be.

THE KISS OF PEACE IS SHARED BY ALL

THE CREED

Deacon:

In wisdom let us be attentive!

(chanted)

The whole people recite the Creed, while the Priest, raising the outer veil, fans with it over the oblations.

When the passage “He rose again on the third day” is reached, he/she kisses the veil, folds it and puts it aside.

I believe in one God, Father (and/or Mother) Almighty, Creator 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 the Creator before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Creator, by whom all things were made. Who, for us all and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. He rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ascended into Heaven, and is enthroned at the right hand of the Creator. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead and of His realm there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Feminine Divine, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Creator, who together with the Creator and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen

The Priest and the Deacon make three metanies where they stand saying each time:

Priest and deacon quietly:

I will love You, Lord, my strength; the Lord is my fortress, my refuge and my deliverance.

The Priest kisses the veiled oblations, starting with the Diskos, then the Chalice, then the

Holy Table. The Deacon kisses the cross on the edge of the orarion.

Turning to the people, the Priest says:

Priest:

Christ is among us.

All:

He is and always will be.

THE ANAPHORA

Deacon:

Let us stand well, let us stand in awe, let us be attentive to offer the holy oblation in peace. (chanted)

All:

A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.

(chanted)

Priest:

(turning to people)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of our Creator God and the communion of the Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit) be with you all.

If the celebrant is a Bishop he blesses the people with the Trikirion.

All:

And with your spirit.

The Priest raises his hands and proclaims:

Priest:

Let us lift up our hearts.

All:

We lift them up to the Lord.

Turning to the East, the Priest bows his head and crosses his hands

Priest:

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

All:

It is fitting and right.

The Priest recites the following prayer aloud, while the Deacon fans the gifts.

Priest:

It is fitting and right to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, to worship You in every place of Your dominion; for You are God, beyond description, beyond understanding, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing, always

the same, You and Your Only Begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Out of nothing, You brought us into being, and when we had fallen, raised us up again; and You have left nothing undone until You brought us to Heaven and graciously gave us Your future realm. For all these things, we thank You and Your Only Begotten Son and

Your Divine Feminine: for all these blessings, known and unknown, manifest and hidden, that were lavished upon us. We thank You also for this Liturgy which You are pleased to accept from our hands, though there stand before You thousands of archangels and myriads of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim, six---winged, many---eyed, soaring on their pinions,

The Priest proclaims with a mighty voice.

Priest:

Singing, proclaiming, shouting the hymn of victory and saying:

The Deacon raises the Asterisk, forms with it the sign of the cross over the Diskos, kisses it and puts it aside.

All:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of our God. Hosanna in the highest.

The Priest continues aloud:

Priest:

With these blessed powers, O God who loves us, we too cry out and say: Holy are You and all holy, You and Your Only Begotten Son and Your Feminine Divine (or Holy Spirit). Holy are You and all holy and magnificent is Your glory: who so loved Your world as to give Your Only Begotten Son, that every one who believes in Him shall not perish but may have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled all that was appointed Him to do for our sake, on the night on which He was delivered up, or rather delivered Himself up for the life of the world, taking bread in His holy, spotless and blameless hands, giving thanks and blessing, sanctifying and breaking it, gave it to His holy Disciples and Apostles and said:

Here, the Priest bows his head, reverently points to the Diskos and proclaims with a devout voice, while the Deacon also points with the edge of his orarion to the Diskos:

Priest:

Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

All:

Amen.

The Priest and the Deacon bow. The Deacon points to the Chalice:

Priest:

Likewise the Chalice after He had supped saying:

The Priest, his head bowed, reverently points to the Chalice and proclaims:

Priest:

Drink of this all of you, this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.

All:

Amen.

The Priest and Deacon bow. The Priest continues the prayer aloud:

Priest:

Remembering, therefore, this precept of salvation and everything that was done for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into Heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again:

The Deacon, or the Priest if there is no Deacon, holds the Diskos with his right hand and the Chalice with his left hand; crossing the right hand over the left hand; he traces with the Diskos and the Chalice the form of a cross over the Antimension,

raising them up high, as the Priest proclaims:

We offer You Your own, from what is Your own, in all and for the sake of all.

All:

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, O Lord, and we pray to You, O our God.

The Priest continues to pray aloud:

Priest:

Moreover, we offer You this spiritual and unbloody worship, and we ask and pray and entreat: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here offered.

The Deacon points with the edge of the orarion to the holy bread:

Deacon:

Bless the holy bread, (NOC)

Priest:

And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.

Deacon and People:

Amen.

The Deacon points at the Chalice with his orarion.

Deacon:

Bless the holy Chalice, (NOC)

Priest:

And that which is in this Chalice the precious Blood of Your Christ.

Deacon and People:

Amen.

The Deacon points to both the Chalice and the Diskos with his orarion.

Deacon:

Bless both, (NOC)

Priest:

Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.

Deacon and People:

Amen. Amen. Amen.

They both bow

Priest:

So that, to those who partake of them, they may be for the cleansing of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the communion of Your Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit), for the fullness of the Realm of Heaven, for intimate confidence in You, and not for judgment or condemnation.

The Deacon fans the gifts.

Priest:

Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those resting in the faith, the forefathers and foremothers, fathers, mothers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous soul who has run the course in the faith.

Blessing the censer, he censes the Holy Table proclaiming:

Especially for our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.

He returns the censer to the deacon who censes the Holy Table all around, remembering whomever he wishes of the living and the deceased, while all

sing the following hymn:

H IR M O S

All: (sing)

It is truly right to call you blessed, O Theotokos. You are ever blessed and all blameless, and the Mother of our God. Higher in honor than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you gave birth to God the Word in virginity. You are truly Theotokos, you do we exalt.

During the singing of the Hirmos, the Priest continues:

Priest:

For the holy prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, for the holy glorious Apostles worthy of all praise, for holy N. whose memory we honor today, and for all Your saints

at whose supplications visit us, O God. And remember all those (he/she mentions whomever he/she wishes among the deceased) who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection to eternal life and give them rest where the light of Your face keeps

watch. Again, we pray You: remember, God, all the Orthodox bishops rightly dispensing the word of Your truth, all the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and all the ranks of the clergy and the monastics. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic and apostolic Church; for those who lead pure and honorable lives; for our civil authorities; for the government and the armed forces. O God, grant them peaceful rule that we too in their tranquility may lead a calm and quiet life in all virtue and honor (he/she mentions whomever he wishes among the living.)

And grant that with one mouth and one heart we may glorify and extol Your most noble and magnificent name, Mother and Father, Son and Feminine Divine (or Holy Spirit), now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen

P RE P A RA T I O N F O R H OL Y C OM M U N I ON

Deacon

(People respond: Hear our prayer)

1. For the precious gifts here offered and sanctified, let us pray.

2. That our God who loves us all, having received these gifts on His holy and mystical altar in Heaven as a sweet spiritual fragrance, may send down upon us in return His divine grace and the gift of the Divine Feminine (or Holy Spirit), let us pray.

3. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray.

4. Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

5. That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin.

Deacon continues

(People respond: Grant this O God)

6. For an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask.

7. For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask.

8. For what is good and profitable to our souls and for peace in the world, let us ask.

9. That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask.

10. That the end of our life may be Christian, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good defense before the awesome Judgment Seat of Christ let us ask.

11. Let us ask for unity of faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All:

To You, O Lord.

The Priest recites the following prayer:

Priest:

To You, God who loves us, we commend our whole life and hope. We ask You, we pray You, we entreat You: make us worthy to partake of Your heavenly and awesome mysteries of this sacred and spiritual Table, with a pure conscience, for the remission of sins, for indulgence towards failures, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the inheritance of the Realm of Heaven and intimate confidence in You, and not for judgment or condemnation.

He proclaims aloud:

And make us worthy, God, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call You Mother and Father, O God of Heaven and to say:

“The Lord’s Prayer”

All:

O Cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration! Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with your desire. Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that binds us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment. For you are the ground and faithful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.

Priest:

Peace be to all.

All:

And to your spirit.

Deacon:

Bow your heads to God.

All:

To You, O God.

PRAYER OF INCLINATION

Priest:

We thank You, invisible God who in Your measureless power have fashioned all things and in the abundance of Your mercy have brought all things out of nothing into being. Creator Spirit, look down from Heaven upon those who bow their heads to You, for they bow them not to flesh and blood, but to You the awesome God. Be pleased, then to guide our lives for our good, according to the need of each one. Sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel, heal the sick, O Physician of our souls and bodies. Through the grace and mercies and love of Your Only Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your All Holy, Good and Life Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All:

Amen

Priest and Deacon bow three times from their places, saying each time:

Priest and Deacon:

O God, great and wonderful is our love for you.

ELEVATION AND COMMUNION

The Priest raises the Lamb with both hands. When the Deacon sees this, he proclaims with a mighty voice:

Deacon:

Let us be attentive.

Priest:

Holy gifts for the holy.

All:

One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God . Amen.

All: (sing)

Praise our God from the heavens! Praise God in the highest. Alleluia.

At this point, the Deacon stands on the right of the priest who is holding the Lamb and says in a low voice:

Deacon:

(NOC) break the Holy Bread.

The Priest breaks the Lamb in four pieces and reverently places them on the Diskos in the

form of a cross:

Priest:

Broken and distributed is the Lamb of God, broken and not dismembered, always eaten and never consumed, but making holy those who receive it.

The Deacon points to the Holy Chalice and says:

Deacon:

(NOC), fill the Holy Chalice.

Taking the upper part (IC) and making with it the sign of the cross over the Chalice, he drops it into the Chalice saying:

Priest:

The fullness of faith of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon:

Amen.

JOHN: A PROPER COMMUNION MEDITATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED HERE FOR THE PEOPLE AFTER THEY RECEIVE OR WHILE THEY AND WAITING

HOLY COMMUNION

The priest communicates him/herself and then the deacon and then the faithful.

The bread is dipped into the wine and then placed into the mouth of the recipient.

Priest:

Says to deacon and then the faithful receiving communion

The Precious and Holy Body of our God, and Savior Jesus Christ is given to you, the N., for eternal life.

Deacon:

Holds chalice so priest can dip bread and says:

Approach with faith and with love.

All:

Amen, Amen. Blessed is He who comes in the name of our Creator.

During Communion, the Choir sing an appropriate hymn.

Following Communion, the Priest blesses the people saying:

Priest:

O God, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance.

All:

We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the True Faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity who has saved us.

The Priest and the Deacon carry the oblations back to the Altar. The Priest empties the remaining portions into the Chalice and covers it. He places the folded Asterisk on the Diskos and covers it. Then he censes the oblations three time saying:

Priest:

May You be exalted above the heavens, O God, and Your glory above all the earth.

(Three times)

The priest/deacon takes the covered Chalice, turns the people and says:

Priest/Deacon

Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.

Then he carries it to the Prothesis, puts it down, and returns to the Holy Table.

All:

Amen.

All: (sing)

Let our mouth be filled with Your praise, O God, for You have counted us worthy to share Your holy, immortal, and spotless Mysteries; keep us in sanctification that we may sing Your glory, meditating on Your holiness all the day. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Deacon:

Let us stand.

Now that we have received the divine, holy, spotless, immortal, heavenly, life giving, awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us give worthy thanks to

God.

All:

God, have mercy.

Let us ask that this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and without sin, and let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All:

To You, O Lord.

The Priest folds the antimension and then turns to the people.

JOHN an appropriate closing prayer can be inserted here;

Priest blesses the people and announces closing hymn and then exits led by the candle bearers, cross and deacon.

THE END

Rod of the Desert

Friday, November 28, 2014

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A working copy of the Byzantine Liturgy of the Divine Feminine - Rod of the Desert