Chapter 23

1Let him offer three loaves on Saturday as a complete symbol of the Trinity, but on the first day of the week let him offer four loaves as a complete symbol of the Gospel.

2Because the ancient people went astray, when he offers, let the veil before the door be closed. Within it, let him offer with the presbyters, deacons, canonical widows, subdeacons, deaconesses, readers, and those who have gifts.

3Let the bishop stand first in the middle, with the presbyters immediately behind him on either side. Let the widows stand immediately behind the presbyters on the left, and the deacons behind the presbyters on the right. Let the readers stand behind them, the subdeacons behind the readers, and the deaconesses behind the subdeacons.

4Then let the bishop place his hand on the loaves set upon the altar, and let the presbyters place their hands with his. Let the rest only stand.

5Do not receive the loaf of a catechumen. Even if he has a believing son or wife and wishes to offer on their behalf, it must not be offered unless he is baptized.

6Before the bishop or presbyter offers, let the people give the Peace to one another. Then, when a great silence has been made, let the deacon speak as follows:

7ADMONITION OF THE DEACON AT THE EUCHARIST

8Lift up your hearts to heaven. If anyone is angry with his companion, let him be reconciled. If anyone has a conscience without faith, let him confess it. If anyone has a thought contrary to the commandments, let him depart. If anyone has fallen into sin, let him not hide himself; he cannot hide himself. If anyone has a disordered mind, let him not draw near. If anyone is defiled or is not steadfast, let him give way. If anyone is a stranger to the commandments of Jesus, let him depart. If anyone despises the prophets, let him separate himself and deliver himself from the wrath of the Only-Begotten.

9Let us not despise the cross. Let us flee from the threat. We have our Lord as an observer, the Father of Lights with the Son, and the angels who visit us. Take care that you are not angry with your neighbors. Take care that no one remains wrathful, for God sees. Lift up your hearts to offer for the salvation of life and holiness. In the wisdom of God, let us receive the grace bestowed upon us.

10Then let the bishop say, giving thanks with a voice filled with awe:

11Our Lord be with you.

12And let the people say:

13And with your spirit.

14Let the bishop say:

15Lift up your hearts.

16Let the people say:

17They are lifted up to the Lord.

18Let the bishop say:

19Let us give thanks to the Lord.

20And let all the people say:

21It is fitting and right.

22Let the bishop cry out:

23Holy things for holy people.

24And let the people call out:

25In heaven and on earth without ceasing.

26EUCHARIST, OR THANKSGIVING OVER THE OFFERING

27Let the bishop immediately say:

28We give thanks to you, O God, Holy One, Father of Lights, Strengthener of our souls, Giver of our life, Treasure of incorruptibility, and Father of the Only-Begotten, our Savior, whom in the latter times you sent to us as Savior and Proclaimer of your purpose. For it is your purpose that we should be saved in you.

29Our heart, mind, and soul, with all its thought, give thanks to you, O Lord. May your grace come upon us, O Lord, so that we may continually praise you, your Only-Begotten Son, and your Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

30O Power of the Father, Grace of the nations, Knowledge, true Wisdom, Exaltation of the meek, Medicine of souls, and Confidence of us who believe—for you are the Strength of the righteous, the Hope of the persecuted, the Haven of those who are buffeted, the Illuminator of the perfect, and the Son of the living God—cause courage, might, confidence, wisdom, strength, unfailing faith, unshaken hope, knowledge of your Spirit, meekness, and uprightness to arise in us from your unsearchable gift. Then may we, your servants, and all the people always praise you purely, bless you, give thanks to you at all times, and pray to you.

31And let the bishop also say:

32You, Lord, are the Founder of the heights and King of the treasuries of light, Visitor of heavenly Zion, King of the orders of archangels, Dominions, Praises, Thrones, Garments, Lights, Joys, and Delights, and Father of kings. You hold all things in your hand and provide for all by your reason, through your Only-Begotten Son, who was crucified for our sins.

33You, Lord, sent your Word, who belongs to your counsel and covenants and through whom you made all things, being well pleased with him, into a virgin womb. When he was conceived and became flesh, he was revealed as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin. Fulfilling your will and preparing a holy people, he stretched out his hands to suffering so that he might release from suffering, corruption, and death those who have hoped in you.

34When he was delivered to voluntary suffering, it was so that he might raise those who had fallen, find those who were lost, give life to the dead, release from death, tear apart the bonds of the Devil, fulfill the counsel of the Father, trample down Sheol, open the way of life, guide the righteous to light, establish the boundary, illuminate the darkness, nurture the infants, and reveal the resurrection.

35Taking bread, he gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat. This is my body, which is broken for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you do this, you enact my resurrection.” Likewise, he mixed the cup of wine and gave it as a symbol of the blood he shed for us.

36And let him also say:

37Remembering your death and resurrection, therefore, we offer you the bread and the cup. We give thanks to you, who alone are God forever and our Savior, because you have promised us that we may stand before you and serve you in the priesthood. Therefore, we, your servants, give thanks to you, O Lord.

38And let the people say the same.

39And let the bishop also say:

40We offer you this thanksgiving, Eternal Trinity: O Lord Jesus Christ, O Lord the Father, before whom all creation and every nature trembles and retreats into itself, and O Lord the Holy Spirit. We have brought you this drink and this food of your holiness. Cause it to be for us not condemnation, reproach, or destruction, but medicine and support for our spirit.

41Yes, O God, grant that through your name every thought of things displeasing to you may flee. Grant, O God, that every proud conception may be driven from us by your name, which is written within the veils of your sanctuaries, those high places—a name which, when Sheol hears it, is amazed; the depth is torn open; the spirits are driven away; the dragon is crushed; unbelief is cast out; disobedience is subdued; anger is appeased; envy is made powerless; pride is reproved; greed is uprooted; boasting is removed; arrogance is humbled; and every root of bitterness is destroyed.

42Grant, therefore, O Lord, that our innermost eyes may see you as we praise, glorify, remember, and serve you, having our portion in you alone, O Son and Word of God, who subdues all things.

43Sustain to the end those who have gifts of revelation. Confirm those who have the gift of healing. Give courage to those who have the power of tongues. Keep upright those who have the word of teaching. Care for those who always do your will. Visit the widows. Help the orphans. Remember those who have fallen asleep in the faith.

44Grant us an inheritance with your saints, and give us the power to please you as they also pleased you. Feed the people in uprightness. Sanctify us all, O God. Grant that all who partake of and receive your holy things may become one with you and be filled with the Holy Spirit, for the confirmation of faith in truth, so that they may always raise a doxology to you and to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, through whom praise and power be to you with your Holy Spirit forever and ever.

45Let the people say:

46Amen.

47The deacon says:

48Let us earnestly pray to our Lord and our God that he may grant us unity of spirit.

49The bishop says:

50Give us unity in the Holy Spirit, and heal our souls through this offering, so that we may live in you throughout all ages.

51The people say:

52Amen.

53Let the people also pray with the same words.

54After these things, let the thanksgiving be sealed as follows:

55May the name of the Lord be blessed forever.

56The people say:

57Amen.

58The priest says:

59Blessed is he who has come in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the name of his praise.

60And let all the people say:

61So be it. So be it.

62Let the bishop say:

63Send the grace of the Spirit upon us.

64If the bishop is polluted, let him not offer, but let a presbyter offer. Let him not receive the mystery either—not because he is defiled, but for the honor of the altar. After he has fasted and bathed in pure water, let him approach and minister. The same applies to a presbyter.

65If a widow is menstruating, let her not approach. Likewise, if a woman, a layman, or anyone among the clergy is polluted, let that person not approach, for the honor of the altar, except after fasting and bathing.

66Let the priests receive first, in this order: bishops, presbyters, deacons, widows, readers, and subdeacons. After them, let those who have gifts receive, then the newly baptized and infants. Among the people, let the old men receive first, then the virgins and the rest. Among the women, let the deaconesses receive first, and then the rest.

67Whenever anyone receives the thanksgiving, let that person say before partaking:

68Amen.

69After receiving the Eucharist, let that person pray as follows:

70Holy, Holy, Holy, ineffable Trinity, grant that I may receive this body for life and not for condemnation. Grant that I may produce fruit pleasing to you, so that when I am shown to be pleasing to you, I may live in you and keep your commandments. Then I may boldly call you Father as I call for your kingdom and your will to come to me. May your name be sanctified in me, O Lord, for you are mighty and worthy of praise, and praise belongs to you forever and ever. Amen.

71After the prayer, let that person receive. When taking the cup, let that person say “Amen” twice, as a complete symbol of the body and blood.

72After everyone has received, let them pray and give thanks for what they have received, with the deacon saying:

73Let us give thanks to the Lord for receiving his holy things, so that receiving them may bring life and salvation to our souls. Let us ask and pray for his grace, raising a doxology to the Lord our God.

74After this, let the bishop say:

75O Lord, Giver of eternal light, Helmsman of souls, and Guide of saints, give us understanding eyes that always look toward you and ears that hear you alone, so that our souls may be filled with grace. Create a clean heart in us, O God, so that we may always comprehend your greatness.

76O wonderful God who loves humanity, make our souls better. Through this Eucharist, which we your servants—who fail in many things—have now received, form our thoughts so that they do not go astray. For your kingdom is blessed, O Lord God, glorified and praised in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before the ages, now and always, throughout the ages, forever and ever without end.

77The people say:

78Amen.