Celebrated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Lent.
Procession
The Apolytikion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy is chanted by all as the procession begins:
We worship Your pure image, O Good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for of Your own will You were well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that You might deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom You had fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to You thankfully: You filled all things with joy, O our Savior, when You came to save the world.
At the North side of the church petitions are said for the living:
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Again we pray for our Archbishop Demetrios, and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
As the procession continues, all sing the Thrice Holy Hymn.
At the West side of the church, petitions are said for those who have reposed in the faith:
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray for the blessed memory and eternal repose of Your departed servants: emperors, patriarchs, hierarchs, priests, hieromonks, deacons, monks, nuns, and all departed faithful and Orthodox Christians here and everywhere who have been laid to pious rest: our fathers, forefathers, parents, brothers, sisters, spouses, children, relatives, and friends.
People: May their memory be eternal. (3)
Priest: For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servants, Christ our God, and to You we give glory, with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
As the procession continues, all sing the Thrice Holy Hymn.
At the South side of the church, petitions are said for the community:
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious and Orthodox Christians who dwell in this city, the parishioners, parish council, contributors, and benefactors of this holy church.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray for those who bear offerings, those who do good works, in this holy and venerable church, those who labor, those who sing, and all here present who await Your great and abundant mercy.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Priest: For you are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
As the procession continues, all sing the Thrice Holy Hymn.
At the East side of the church (on the solea), petitions are said for the world:
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Again we pray for our country, our President, all civil authorities and those in public service.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray for the protection of this holy church, this city, and every city and town from violence and pestilence, famine and earthquake, flood and fire, from the sword and enemy invasion, civil strive, and sudden death; that our good and loving God will be merciful and gracious and open to our entreaties, to turn back all violence and evil that arises against us, and deliver us from His impending righteous chastisement and be merciful to us.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Deacon: Further we pray that the Lord our God will hear the voice of the prayer of us sinners and will have mercy on us.
People: Lord have mercy. (3)
Priest: Hear us, O God, our Redeemer, the hope of all, at the ends of the earth or far away at sea, and show mercy; show mercy, O Master, towards our sins and have mercy on us. For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You we give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The passage from the Synodikon of the Seventh Ecumenical Council is read in unison by all.
As the Prophets beheld,
As the Apostles taught,
As the Church received,
As the Teachers dogmatized,
As the Universe agreed,
As Grace illumined,
As the Truth revealed,
As falsehood passed away,
As Wisdom presented,
As Christ awarded,
Thus we declare,
Thus we assert,
Thus we proclaim Christ our true God
and honor His saints,
In words,
In writings,
In thoughts,
In sacrifices,
In churches,
In holy icons.
On the one hand, worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord.
And on the other hand, honoring and venerating His Saints as true servants of the same Lord.
This is the Faith of the Apostles.
This is the Faith of the Fathers.
This is the Faith of the Orthodox.
This is the Faith which has established the Universe.
Priest: Therefore, with brotherly love, we praise these preachers of piety, for the glory and honor of their own pious struggles for the Faith, and we say: Eternal be the memory of the champions of Orthodoxy, pious Emperors, most-holy Patriarchs, Hierarchs, Teachers, Martyrs, and Confessors.
People: May their memory be eternal. (3)
Priest: Let us entreat God, that we may be instructed and strengthened by the trials and struggles of these Saints, which they endured for the faith, even unto death, and by their teachings, entreating them that we may imitate their godly life unto the end. May we be deemed worthy of obtaining our requests through the mercy and grace of the Great and First Archpriest, Christ our God, through the intercessions of our glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, of the divine Angels, and of all the Saints.
People: Amen.
Priest: Who is so great a god as our God? You are the God alone who works wonders.
Cantor: (Verse): You have revealed Your power among the people.
Who is so great a god as our God? You are the God alone who works wonders.
Cantor: (Verse): I remembered the deeds of the Lord.
Who is so great a god as our God? You are the God alone who works wonders.
Conclusion of the Divine Liturgy
