Chapter IV: Part 4

For thou art God great and wonderful, who keepest thy testament and thy mercy unto them that love thee, granting deliverance from sins through thy holy child, Jesus Christ, who regenerateth us from sin, enlighteneth the blind, setteth up them that are cast down, loveth the righteous, and is merciful to sinners, who hath called us out of darkness and the shadow of death, saying unto them that are in bonds, Come forth, and to them that are in darkness, Be ye unveiled. For he hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of his countenance, in that for our sake he was made manifest upon earth, and dwelt among men; and to them that accepted thee gave he power to become the children of God; and hath bestowed upon us a sonship through the laver of regeneration, and made us to have no participation in the domination of the devil. For thou wast not pleased that we should be cleansed through blood, but hast given, through holy oil, an image of his cross, that we may be a flock of Christ, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, cleansing us by water, and sanctifying us by thy holy spirit. Do thou thyself, O Master Lord, give grace unto us in this thy service, as thou didst give unto Moses, thine accepted, and unto Samuel, thy beloved, and unto John, thine elect, and unto all who in every generation have been acceptable unto thee. And so make us to be ministers of thy new testament upon this oil, which thou hast made thine own through the precious blood of thy Christ, that, putting away worldly lusts, we may die unto sin and live unto righteousness, so that we may be led of the proposed oil to be invested in him with the anointing of sanctification. May this oil, O Lord, be an oil of gladness, an oil of sanctification, a royal investiture, a cuirass of power, an averting of every diabolical operation, an inviolable seal, a rejoicing of the heart, an eternal joy, that they that are anointed with this oil of regeneration may be terrible to adversaries, and may shine in the brightness of thy saints, having no spot or wrinkle; and may they attain unto thine eternal rest, and gain the prize of the calling from on high.

For it is thine to have mercy, and to save us, O our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine only-begotten Son, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages, Amen.

_And after the prayer; the priest taketh a twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person in the form of a cross, on the forehead, on the nostrils, on the cheeks, on the lips, on the breast, on the hands on both sides, saying this prayer._

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies, who didst send thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who healeth every infirmity, and delivereth from death; do thou heal thy servant, _name_, from the bodily and spiritual weakness that presseth upon him, and quicken him by the grace of thy Christ; through the prayers of our most holy Lady, the God-bearing and ever-virgin Mary; through the intercession of the honourable, heavenly bodiless powers; through the power of the precious and life-effecting cross; of the honourable glorious prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-praised apostles; of the holy glorious, and excellently victorious martyrs; of our venerable and god-bearing fathers; of the holy and unmercenary physicians, Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Pantelimon and Hermolaus, Sampson and Diomed, Photius and Anicetas; of the holy and righteous god-progenitors, Joakim and Anna, and of all the Saints.

For thou art the fount of healing, O our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine only-begotten Son, and with thy consubstantial Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_This prayer is said by each priest after he hath said his gospel and prayer, while he anointeth the sick person with oil._

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_The second priest._ Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone ii._

The Lord is my strength and song, and is become for salvation unto me.

_Verse._ When thou chastenest, thou hast chastened me, O Lord; but thou hast not given me up unto death.

_The epistle to the Romans, section cxvi._

Brethren, we that are strong ought.... _ending_, received us to the glory of God.[17]

_The second priest._ Peace to thee.

_Alleluia, tone v._

_Verse._ I will sing of thy mercy, O Lord, for ever.

_The second priest._

_The gospel from Luke, section xciv._

At that time, Jesus passed through.... _ending_, to save that which was lost.[18]

_And the deacon._

Have mercy upon us, O God.... _Page 98._

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

For a merciful and man-loving God....

_Priest, the prayer._

O God, great and most high, who art worshipped by all creation, thou true fountain of wisdom, and impenetrable depth of goodness, and boundless ocean of benignity; do thou thyself, O man-loving Master, O God of things eternal and wonderful, whom none among men by thinking can comprehend, look upon us, and hearken unto us, thine unworthy servants, and wheresoever in thy great name we bring this oil, do thou send down thy gift of healing, and the remission of sins, and heal him in the plentitude of thy mercy. Yea, O Lord, thou good physician, thou sole merciful one and lover of mankind, who repentest thee concerning our ills, who knowest that the intention of man inclineth unto evil from his youth up, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should return and live, who for the salvation of sinners, being God, becamest man, and for thy creature wast thyself created: thou art he that hath said, I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance: thou art he that hath sought the lost sheep: thou art he that hath diligently sought the lost drachma, and found it: thou art he that hath said, He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out: thou art he that did not loathe the sinful woman, who watered thy revered feet with tears: thou art he that hath said, As often as thou fallest, arise, and be saved: thou art he that hath said, There is joy in heaven over, one sinner that repenteth: do thou thyself, O benign Master, look down from the height of thy sanctuary, visiting us, thy sinful and unworthy servants, at this hour, with the grace of thy Holy Ghost, and be present with thy servant, _name_, who acknowledgeth his iniquities, and in faith draweth nigh unto thee; and, accepting him in thine own love to man, in whatsoever he hath offended, by word, or deed, or intention, making remission, do thou cleanse him, and make him pure from every sin, and, being ever present with him, keep the remaining time of his life, that walking in thy statutes, he may never become a derision to the devil, so that in him may be glorified thy most holy name.

_Exclamation._

For it is thine to have mercy, and to save us, O Christ God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And after the prayer the second priest straightway taketh a second twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies....

_Vide page 101._

_And the deacon._ Let us attend.

_The third priest._ Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone iii._

The Lord is my light, and my Saviour, whom shall I fear?

_Verse._ The Lord is the defence of my life, of whom shall I be afraid.

_The epistle to the Corinthians, section cliii._

Brethren, ye are the body of Christ.... _ending_, Charity never faileth.[19]

_The third priest._ Peace to thee.

_Deacon._ Wisdom. _Alleluia, tone ii._

_Verse._ In thee, O Lord, have I trusted, let me never be confounded.

_The third priest readeth._

_The gospel from Matthew, section xxxiv. from the paragraph,_

At that time, Jesus called.... _ending_, freely give.[20]

_And the deacon straightway saith this ectenia._

Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

_And, with a loud voice_, For a merciful....

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_The priest saith the prayer._

Master Almighty, holy King, who chastenest, and killest not, who supportest them that are falling, and settest up them that are cast down, who restorest the bodily afflictions of men; we entreat thee, O our God, that thou wouldest send down thy mercy upon this oil, and upon them that are anointed therewith in thy name, that it may be to them for the healing of soul and body, and for the cleansing and removal of every passion, and of every sickness and wound, and of every defilement of flesh and spirit. Yea, O Lord, send down from heaven thy healing power; touch the body; allay the fever; soothe the suffering; and banish every lurking weakness. Be the physician of thy servant, _name_, raise him from a bed of suffering, and from a couch of ailment whole and perfectly restored, granting him in thy church to be acceptable, and one that doeth thy will.

_Exclamation._

For it is thine to have mercy and to save us, O our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And after the prayer the third priest taketh a third twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies....

_Vide page 101._

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_The fourth priest._

Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone iv._

In whatsover day that I call upon thee, O hearken unto me speedily.

_Verse._ O Lord, hearken unto my prayer, and unto my crying.

_The epistle to the Corinthians, section clxxxii._

Brethren, ye are the temple.... _ending_, holiness in the fear of God.[21]

_Priest._ Peace to thee.

_Alleluia, tone ii._

_Verse._ I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me.

_The fourth priest._

_The gospel from Matthew, section xxvi._

At that time, Jesus came into Peter’s house.... _ending_, his disciples followed him.[22]

_And the deacon._ Have mercy upon us, O God....

_Page 98._

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

_And the exclamation_, For a merciful....

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, the prayer._

O good and man-loving, benign and most merciful Lord, great in mercy and plenteous in goodness, O Father of compassions and God of every consolation, who hast empowered us, through thy holy apostles, to heal the weaknesses of the people by prayer with oil; do thou thyself appoint this oil for the healing of them that are anointed therewith, for the alleviation of every sickness and every wound, for deliverance from evils of them that expect salvation that is from thee. Yea, O Master, Lord our God, we beseech thee, thou almighty one, to save us all, and, thou that alone art the physician of souls and bodies, to sanctify us all; thou that healest every sickness, do thou heal thy servant, _name_; raise him from the bed of suffering through the mercy of thy grace; visit him through thy mercy and compassions; remove from him every ailment and weakness, that, being raised by thy mighty hand, he may serve thee with all thanksgiving, as also that we, now participating in thine unspeakable love to man, may sing and glorify thee, who doest great and wonderful, glorious and transcendent things.

For it is thine to have mercy, and to save us, O our God....

_And after the prayer the fourth priest straightway taketh a fourth twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls.... _Vide page 101._

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_The fifth priest._ Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone v._

Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and shalt protect us, from this generation, and for ever.

_Verse._ Save me, O Lord, for the righteous are become few.

_Deacon._ Wisdom.

_The epistle to the Corinthians, section clxviii._

Brethren, we would not have you ignorant.... _ending_, by many on our behalf.[23]

_Priest._ Peace to thee.

_Alleluia, tone v._

_Verse._ I will sing of thy mercy, O Lord, for ever.

_The gospel from Matthew, section cvi._

The Lord spake this parable, Then shall the kingdom.... _ending_, wherein the Son of man cometh.[24]

_And the deacon._

Have mercy upon us, O God.... _Page 98._

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

_And the exclamation._

For a merciful....

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, this prayer._

O Lord our God, who chastenest and again healest, who raisest the poor from the earth, and liftest up the beggar from the dunghill, O Father of the orphans, and haven of the tempest-tost, and physician of them that are sick; who painlessly bearest our weaknesses, and takest away our sicknesses; who shewest mercy with gentleness, overlookest transgressions, and takest away unrighteousness; who art quick to help and slow to anger; who didst breathe upon thy disciples, and say, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; who acceptest the repentance of sinners, and hast power to forgive many and grievous sins, and vouchsafest healing unto all that continue in weakness and protracted sickness; who me also, thine humble, sinful, and unworthy servant, involved in many sins, and overwhelmed with lusts of pleasures, hast called to the holy and exceeding great degree of the priesthood, and to enter in within the veil into the holy of holies, where the holy Angels desire to stoop to look, and hear the evangelical voice of the Lord God, and behold as eye-witnesses the presence of the holy oblation, and be enraptured with the divine and sacred liturgy; who hast counted me worthy to minister the sacred rite of thy most heavenly mystery, and to offer unto thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins, and for the ignorances of the people, and to mediate for thy rational flock, that, through thy great and unspeakable love to man, thou mayest cleanse their iniquities; do thou thyself, O most good King, attend unto my prayer at this hour, and on this holy day, and in every time and place, and accept the voice of my prayer, and grant healing unto thy servant, _name_, who is in weakness of soul and body, vouchsafing unto him remission of sins and forgiveness of voluntary and involuntary iniquities: heal his incurable wounds, and every sickness and every sore, bestowing upon him spiritual healing. It was thou who didst touch the mother-in-law of Peter, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered unto thee: do thou thyself, O Master, bestow a remedy upon thy servant, _name_, and an alleviation of every mortal pain, and remember thine abundant compassions, and thy mercy. Remember that the intention of man inclineth constantly toward evil from his youth up, and that none is to be found sinless upon earth; for thou alone art without sin, who didst come and save the race of men, and deliver us from the servitude of the enemy. For if thou shouldest enter into judgment with thy servants, there is none that would be found pure from defilement, but every mouth would be shut, not having wherewith to answer; for all our righteousness is as filthy rags before thee. For this cause remember not, Lord, the sins of our youth; for thou art the hope of the hopeless, and the rest of them that are weary and heavy-laden with transgressions, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And after the prayer the fifth priest straightway taketh a fifth twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies....

_Vide page 101._

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_And the sixth priest._ Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone vi._

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to great mercy.

_Verse._ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

_The epistle to the Galatians, section ccxiii._

Brethren, the fruit of the spirit.... _ending_, so fulfil the law of Christ.[25]

_The sixth priest._ Peace to thee.

_Deacon._ Wisdom, let us attend.

_Alleluia, tone vi._

_Verse._ Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, in his commandments he rejoiceth exceedingly.

_Deacon._ Wisdom, standing, let us hear the holy gospel.

_The gospel from Matthew, section lxii._

At that time, Jesus went.... _ending_, from that very hour.[26]

_And the deacon._

Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

_Exclamation._ For a merciful...

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_The priest, this prayer._

We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, thou good lover of mankind, and physician of our souls and bodies, who painlessly bearest our sicknesses, and by whose stripes we have all been healed; thou good shepherd, who camest to seek the wandering sheep; who givest consolation unto the faint-hearted, and life unto them that are broken down; who didst heal the source of the issue of blood that had lasted twelve years; who didst deliver the daughter of the Chananitish woman from the ruthless demon; who didst forgive the debt unto the two debtors, and give remission unto the sinful woman; who didst bestow healing upon the paralytic, with the remission of his sins; who didst justify the publican by a word, and didst accept the thief in his last confession; who takest away the sins of the world, and wast nailed on the cross; to thee we pray, and thee we beseech, Do thou thyself, O God, in thy goodness, loosen, forgive, and pardon the transgressions and sins of thy servant, _name_, and his voluntary and involuntary iniquities, those in knowledge and in ignorance, those by trespass and disobedience, those by night and by day; or if he be under the curse of a priest, or of a father or a mother; or if by the glance of the eye, or a movement of the eyelid; or by the contact of adultery, or the tasting of prodigality, or in any excitement of flesh and spirit he have estranged himself from thy will, and from thy holiness. And if he have sinned, and in like manner we also, as the good God that rememberest not evil and the lover of mankind, do thou pardon, not leaving him and us to fall into a dissolute life, neither to walk in ways of destruction. Yea, O Master Lord, hear me, a sinner, at this hour on behalf of thy servant, _name_, and overlook, as the God that rememberest not evil, all his iniquities; deliver him from eternal torment; fill his mouth with thy praise; open his lips to the glorification of thy name; extend his hands to the doing of thy commandments; direct his feet in the path of thy gospel, confirming all his members and his intention by thy grace. For thou art our God, who, by thy holy apostles, hast commanded us, saying, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in the heavens, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in the heavens; and again, Unto whomsoever ye remit sins, they are remitted unto them, and, If ye bind them, they are bound. And, as thou didst hearken unto Ezekias in the affliction of his soul in the hour of his death, and didst not despise his prayer, so hearken unto me, thine humble, and sinful, and unworthy servant at this hour. For thou, O Lord Jesus Christ, art he that, in thy goodness and love to man, biddeth to forgive until seventy times seven them that fall into sins; and thou repentest thee concerning our evils, and rejoicest over the return of the wanderer. For, as is thy greatness, so also is thy mercy, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And after the prayer the sixth priest straightway taketh a sixth twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies....

_Vide page 101._

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_And the seventh priest._ Peace to all.

_Prokimenon, tone vii._

O Lord, rebuke me not in thy fury, neither chasten me in thine anger.

_Verse._ Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.

_The epistle to the Thessalonians, section cclxxiii._

Brethren, we exhort you.... _ending_, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.[27]

_And the seventh priest._ Peace to thee.

_Deacon._ Wisdom.

_Alleluia, tone vii._

_Verse._ The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble, the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.

_The gospel from Matthew, section xxx._

At that time, Jesus, passing by.... _ending_, sinners to repentance.[28]

_And the deacon._ Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

That to him may be remitted....

_And the exclamation._ For a merciful....

_The deacon saith_, Let us pray to the Lord.

_The priest, this prayer._

O Master, Lord our God, physician of souls and bodies, who restorest from long-continued sufferings, healest every sickness and every wound among the people, willest that all men should be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, and desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should return and live. For, thou, Lord, in the old testament didst appoint repentance unto sinners, to David, and to the Ninevites, and to them that were before these; but during the course of thine incarnate dispensation, didst not call the righteous but sinners to repentance, even accepting the publican, the harlot, the thief, and the blaspheming persecutor, the great Paul, through repentance. Thou, through repentance, didst accept Peter, the leader and thine apostle, who denied thee thrice, and didst make promise unto him, saying, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it, and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Wherefore we also, O good one and the lover of mankind, being bold according to thine undeceiving promises, pray unto thee, and supplicate at this hour. Hearken unto our prayer and accept it as incense offered unto thee, and visit thy servant, _name_, and if he have sinned by word, or deed, or intention, or in the night, or in the day, if he be under the curse of a priest, or be fallen under his own curse, or be embittered by a curse, and have forsworn himself, we supplicate thee, and to thee we pray, Pardon, forgive, and loosen him, O God, overlooking his transgressions, and the sins which in knowledge and in ignorance have been done by him. And in whatsoever he have transgressed thy commandments, or have sinned, because he beareth flesh and liveth in the world, or because of the operation of the devil, do thou thyself, as the good and man-loving God, loosen him; for there is no man that liveth and sinneth not: thou only art without sin, thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word is the truth. For thou didst not form man for destruction, but for the keeping of thy commandments, and for the inheritance of life incorruptible, and to thee we ascribe glory, with the Father, and with the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And after the prayer the seventh priest taketh a seventh twig, and, dipping it in the holy oil, anointeth the sick person, saying the prayer,_

Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies....

_Vide page 101._

_And after this, the sick person that receiveth the sacred unction, if he be able, cometh himself into the midst of the priests, or, held by his own people, standeth, or sitteth. And if he be not able, the priests themselves stand around him lying on the bed. And the president, taking the holy gospel and opening it, layeth the text upon the head of the sick person, the book being held by all the priests. And he that is the leader doth not lay on his hand, but he saith this prayer with a loud voice._

O Holy King, O loving-kind and most merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the living God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should return and live; I lay not my sinful hand upon the head of him that cometh to thee in sins, and beseecheth of thee through us remission of sins, but thy strong and mighty hand which is in this holy gospel which my fellow-ministers hold upon the head of thy servant, _name_, and I pray with them and entreat thy merciful love to man, which remembereth not evil, O God, our Saviour, who, through thy prophet Nathan, didst grant remission of his iniquities unto the repentant David, and didst accept the prayer of repentance of Manasse; and do thou thyself, in thy wonted love to man, accept thy servant, _name_, who bewaileth on account of his own offences, and overlook all his iniquities. For thou art our God, who hast bidden to forgive until seventy times seven them that have fallen into sins; for as is thy greatness, so also is thy mercy, and to thee is due every glory, honour, and worship, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And taking the gospel from the head of the sick person, they present it to him to kiss._

_And the deacon._ Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life....

And that to him may be remitted....

_Exclamation._

For a merciful and man-loving....

_Then they sing, Glory, idiomelon, tone iv._

Having a fountain of remedies, O holy unmercenary ones, ye bestow healings unto all that are in need, as being counted worthy of mighty gifts from the ever-flowing fountain of our Saviour. For the Lord hath said unto you, as unto co-emulators of the apostles, Behold, I have given unto you power over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out, and to heal every sickness and every wound. Therefore in his commandments having virtuously liv’d, freely ye receiv’d, freely ye bestow, healing the sufferings of our souls and bodies.

_Both now, tone the same._

Attend unto the supplications of thy servants, thou altogether undefiled one, quelling the uprisings of evils against us, and releasing us from every affliction; for thee we have alone a sure and certain confirmation, and we have gain’d thy mediation that we may not be put to shame, O Queen, who call upon thee. Be instant in supplication for them that faithfully exclaim to thee, Hail, Queen, thou aid of all, the joy and safeguard, and salvation of our souls.

_Glory. Both now._ Lord, have mercy, _thrice_. Bless.

_And the dismissal._

Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother, through the power of the honourable and life-effecting cross, of the holy, glorious, and all-praised James, apostle and first highpriest of Jerusalem, the brother of God, and of all the Saints, save us and have mercy upon us, as being good and the lover of mankind.

_And he that receiveth the prayer oil maketh reverence, saying,_

Bless me, holy fathers, and forgive me, a sinner.

_Thrice._

_And, having received from them blessing and forgiveness, he departeth, thanking God._

_Chapter XIV._

THE OFFICE WHEN IN EXTREME URGENCY OCCASION ARISETH TO GIVE COMMUNION TO A SICK PERSON.

_The priest taketh a particle of the holy mysteries, and placeth it in a chalice, and poureth thereunto a little wine, as much at may be sufficient for the sick person to receive it._

_And he beginneth_, Blessed be our God, always, now.... _Then_, Trisagion. _After_ Our Father.... Lord, have mercy, _xii_. O come, let us worship.... _thrice_. I believe in one God.... _all to the end_.

_Then he saith,_

Of thy mysterious supper, Son of God, me a communicant accept to-day; for I thy mystery to thy foes will not betray, nor give to thee a kiss as Judas did; but, as the thief, I will confess thee: Lord, in thy kingdom O remember me.

_Glory._

O heavenly king, O comforter, Spirit of truth who art everywhere and fillest all, treasury of blessings and giver of life; come and abide in us, and cleanse us from all stain, and save our souls, O blessed one.

_Both now. Theotokion._

God-bearing Virgin, we have understood the God made flesh from thee, whom do thou pray to save our souls.

Lord, have mercy, _xl_.

_Then this prayer._

Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who alone hast power to forgive sins, as the good and man-loving God, do thou overlook all the iniquities, in knowledge and in ignorance, of thy servant, _name_, and count him worthy to partake, without condemnation, of thy most pure mysteries, not to torment, nor to the increase of sins, but to the cleansing of soul and body, and as an earnest of thy kingdom; for thou art his assistance, and firm wall, and bulwark against the adversary, and the cleansing of his iniquities. For thou art a merciful and man-loving God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

_Second prayer._

Lord, I know that I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof, into the house of my soul; for it is all deserted and in ruins, and thou hast not in me a fitting place where to lay thy head; but since thou wishest to abide with me, trusting in thy compassions, I come unto thee. Bid the doors of mine unworthy lips to open, that I may be satisfied with thee alone; enter into me, and cleanse me from every bodily and spiritual defilement; be thou my helper and defender, and count me worthy to stand at thy right hand, through the prayers and supplications of our most pure Lady, the God-bearing and Ever-virgin Mary, and of all the Saints, who from ages have been acceptable unto thee; for blessed art thou to ages. Amen.

_Third prayer._

The Lord God most merciful have compassion upon thee. The Lord Jesus Christ bestow upon thee every good desire. The Lord Almighty deliver thee from every calamity. The Lord teach thee. The Lord give thee understanding. The Lord help thee. The Lord save thee. The Lord protect thee. The Lord keep thee. The Lord cleanse thee. The Lord fill thee with spiritual joy. The Lord be the defender of thy soul and body. The Lord, as the merciful and good lover of mankind, bestow upon thee forgiveness of sins. The Lord God Jesus Christ have mercy upon thee in the day of judgment, and bless thee all the days of thy life. For to him is due all glory, honour, and worship, with his unbeginning Father, and with his most holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And if the sick person shall have been previously confessed, let him straightway communicate of the holy mysteries. But if not, the priest biddeth them that are there present to retire for a short time, and he interrogateth him concerning offences diverse and of many kinds, being careful that nothing shall be concealed, or unconfessed because of shame. And then, after the confession, the priest saith this prayer._

O Lord our God, who didst forgive sins unto Peter and unto the harlot through their tears, and didst justify the publican who acknowledged his iniquities; do thou accept the confession of thy servant, _name_, and that wherein he hath sinned against thee, his voluntary and involuntary sins, by word, or deed, or intention, as being good, do thou overlook. For thou alone hast power to forgive sins, for thou art God merciful and compassionate, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_After the communion he saith,_

Now dismiss thy servant, O Master.... _all to the end_. _Then_, Trisagion. _After_ Our Father.... _the troparion of the day_.

_Glory. Both now. Theotokion._

Through the prayers, O Lord, of all the Saints, and of the God-bearing one, grant us thy peace, and have mercy upon us, as being alone compassionate.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_. Bless.

_And the dismissal of the day that is._

_Chapter XV._

PRAYERFUL CANON TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND TO THE MOST HOLY GOD-BEARING MOTHER OF THE LORD AT THE PARTING OF THE SOUL FROM THE BODY OF EVERY RIGHT-BELIEVER.

_The abbot cometh, but to a layman his spiritual father, and asketh if through forgetfulness or shame he have any word or deed, or any malice against a brother, unconfessed, or unforgiven: it is obligatory to examine and interrogate the dying concerning all things one by one._

_After this he beginneth_, Blessed be our God.... _Trisagion._ _After_ Our Father.... Lord, have mercy, _xii_. O come, let us worship.... _thrice_. _Psalm l._ Have mercy upon me O God....

_A prayerful canon to the Most Holy God-bearing one, with the irmi to vi, from the person of a man who is being parted from his soul, and who is not able to speak._

_Tone vi. Ode i. Irmos._

Passing as on dry land....

_Refrain._ God-bearing one most holy, save thou us.

Like unto drops of rain, mine evil and brief days, becoming scant with summer’s roll, already well-nigh vanish’d are: do thou save me, O Queen.

In thy benignity and many mercies, O thou Queen, in this dread hour, when nature faileth, stand by me, an aid invincible.

Now mighty fear constrains my soul, it trembleth inexpressibly and grieves: console it, thou Most Pure, as it the body quits.

_Glory._

Known refuge of the sinful and the low, make known to me thy mercy, O thou Pure, and me from demons’ hands set free; for like as many dogs they me surround.

_Both now._

Lo, ’tis the time for help: lo, for thy mediation ’tis the time: lo, O thou Queen, it is the time concerning which I have both day and night with fervour cast me down and pray’d to thee.

_Ode iii. Irmos._

There is none holy like to thee, O Lord....

From long ago this day, O Queen, have I foreseen, and, ever musing thereupon as though it had arriv’d, with fervent tears I thee have pray’d, Forget me not.

They, roaring, me surround, the mental lions, and seek to seize and rend me bitterly; but crush their teeth and jaws, O Pure, and save thou me.

Although henceforward be my vocal organs dumb, my tongue be bound, my speech be stay’d, in heart’s contrition thee I pray, O my deliverer, save thou me.

_Glory._

Thine ear to me incline, Mother of Christ my God, from thy great glory’s height, thou blessed one, and hear my latest sigh, and reach thy hand to me.

_Both now._

Thy many mercies take thou not from me, nor close thy loving tenderness for man ’gainst me, O Pure; but stand thou by me now, and in the hour of judgment think on me.

_Ode iv. Irmos._

Christ is my might, the God and Lord....

Now make a flood of tears offences’ bath, thou that art good; my heart’s contrition take; yea, blessed one, confirm my trust in thee, that thou wilt free me from the fearful fiery pain; for thou, God-bearing one, thyself art grace’s fount.

Thou that for all in need a refuge art, that put to shame is not, and all offenceless is; be thou, O Queen most undefil’d, an advocate for me in trial’s hour.

Thou stretchest forth thy most rever’d and precious hands in guise of wings of dove divine, and ’neath their shade and shelter coverest me, O Queen.

_Glory._

By him, the prince of air, and him that violent is, and him that torturer is, and him that standeth in the fearful ways, and by the false accusing words of these, grant me to pass unovercome, when I depart from earth.

_Both now._

Lo, terror meeteth me, O Queen, and I have dread thereof. Behold, a great event befalleth me, and O be thou therein a helper unto me, O trust of my salvation thou.

_Ode v. Irmos._

With thy divine light, O blessed one....

Thou that art good, forget me not, nor from thy servant turn thy face; but hear thou me, for I am griev’d, and O attend unto my soul, and rescue this.

O ye my kinsfolk in the flesh, and ye my brethren in the spirit, and ye my friends and comrades known, weep, sigh, lament; for lo, I now depart from you.

Now none delivereth, and in truth nothing affordeth aid: be thou mine aid, O Queen, lest I be as a man that hath no help, and in mine enemies’ hands enclos’d.

_Glory._

Go, ye my holy Angels, stand at the judgment-seat of Christ, and bend your spiritual knees, and tearfully exclaim to him, Have mercy, Maker of all things, and, blessed one, reject thou not the work of thine own hands.

_Both now._

Unto the Queen bow ye yourselves, and my God’s most pure Mother pray that she may bend her knees with you, and unto mercy him incline; for hearken’d unto she will be, as Mother and as nurturer.

_Ode vi. Irmos._

Life’s sea perturbed....

My lips are silent, and my tongue speaks not, but my heart cries, because, contrition’s fire consuming it within, it burns, and, with a voice unutterable, invoketh thee, O Virgin.

Regard me from on high, O Mother of God, and mercifully now attend to come and visit me, that, seeing thee, I may rejoice, departing from the body.

When broken are the bonds, dissolv’d the laws of natural setting, and those of every bodily substance, to need importable and straight they subject me.

_Glory._

Place me, O Queen, in holy Angels’ sacred and revered hands, that cover’d by their wings, I may not see the forms devoid of grace, and foul, and dark of demons.

_Both now._

Thou all-revered bridal-room of God, me worthy count to enter in the heavenly spiritual bridal-room, enkindling with thy mercy’s holy oil my quenched and unshining lamp.

_Condakion, tone vi._

My soul, my soul, arise, why sleepest thou? The end draws very near, and thou hast need to pray. Then rouse thyself, that Christ God may compassionate thee, he who is present everywhere, and filleth everything.

_Icos._

Beholding open Christ’s remedial fount, and Adam drawing healing thence, the devil, suffering, wounded was, wailed as they who ill receive, and cried to those conjoin’d with him, What shall I do to Mary’s Son? He killeth me, the Bethleemite, he who is present everywhere, and filleth everything.

_Ode vii. Irmos._

The angel made the furnace to bedew....

Me unprepar’d death’s dark and moonless night o’ertaken hath, and journeying unprepar’d, along that straight and fearful way, O may thy mercy company me, O Queen.

Lo, verily, all my days in vanity wasted are, as hath been written, and my years with care, and deadly bitter snares, in truth, prevented have my soul, and these me still constrain.

Let not the number of my sins thy great beneficence exceed, O Queen; but let thy mercy come on me, and all mine oversteppings do thou hide.

_Glory._

Leading me hence they go, on all sides binding me, and, fill’d with much rebellion, quelled is my soul, and fears; but, O thou Pure, with thine appearance, do thou it appease.

_Both now._

In mine affliction have I no one found to mourn with me and comfort me, O Queen; for mine acquaintances and friends have now together quitted me; but, thou who art my trust, do thou forsake me not.

_Ode viii. Irmos._

From flame thou didst a dew outpour on reverend ones....

As God’s man-loving Mother, be man-loving thou, with gentle eyes and merciful regarding me, as from the body goes my soul, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.

Me worthy count to overcome the hosts of bodiless foes, to mount th’ aërial space and enter heaven, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.

Thou who didst bear th’ Almighty Lord, from me far keep away the world-controlling prince of bitter guiles when I approach mine end, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.

_Glory._

When the great final trump shall sound, arousing all to resurrection menacing and dread, O then do thou remember me, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.

_Both now._

Palace high rais’d of Christ the Lord, send from on high thy grace, and now in trouble’s day prevent thou me, that I may ever thee extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.

_Ode ix. Irmos._

Mortals may not see God....

O how shall I th’ invisible behold? how that most dreadful vision bear? how venture to lift up mine eyes? how dare my Master to regard, whom, from my youth, I never ceased have to give offence?

Thou holy maiden, Bringer-forth of God, look on my lowliness with tender heart; accept thou this, my last and penitential prayer; and make thou speed to rescue me from the tormenting endless fire.

My soul, that temples holy hath defil’d, having a stain’d and bodily temple left, beseecheth thee, O maiden, Virgin Mother, that it may ’scape the gloom profound, and fierce gehenna’s flame.

_Glory._

Seeing the end of life draw near, and on my most unseemly thoughts and deeds bethinking me, O thou All-pure, the darts of conscience fiercely wound mine active soul; but O in mercy turn thyself to me, and be mine advocate.

_Both now._

The Son in mercy gave himself for us, the Son of God and angels’ King eterne, becoming man from thy pure blood; move him to mercy on my passionate soul, O Maid, which is with violence from my wretched body torn.

_Then_, It is very meet....

_Prayer said by the priest at the departure of a soul._

O Master, Lord Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desirest that all men should be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should return and live; we pray and make supplication unto thee, Loosen the soul of thy servant, _name_, from every bond, and deliver him from every curse: forgive him the iniquities, known and unknown, which from youth up, in deed and word, he hath confessed sincerely, or, through forgetfulness or shame hath hidden; for thou alone art he that looseth them that are in bonds, and setteth upright them that are crushed down, thou hope of them that have no hope, who canst remit the sins of every man that hath a trust in thee. Yea, O man-loving Lord, bid that he be set free from carnal and sinful bonds, and receive in peace the soul of this thy servant, _name_, and rest it in the eternal habitations with thy Saints, through the grace of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, with whom also thou art blessed, together with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Chapter XVI._

THE MORTUARY ORDER OVER LAY BODIES.

_On the decease of one of the right-believers, his kinsfolk straightway send for the priest, who cometh to the house in which the remains of him that hath fallen asleep lie, and putting on the epitrachelion, and putting incense into the censer, censeth the body of the dead, and them that stand by, and beginneth as customarily,_

Blessed be our God....

_And the bystanders begin,_

Holy God.... O most holy Trinity.... Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom....

_And straightway they sing these troparia. Tone iv._

With the spirits of the righteous dead, O Saviour, rest thy servant’s soul, keeping it in that blessed life which is with thee, thou lover of mankind.

In thy resting-place, O Lord, where all thy Saints repose, O rest thy servant’s soul; for thou alone art lover of mankind.

_Glory._

Thou art the God that wentest down to hades, and didst burst the captives’ bonds: rest also thou thyself thy servant’s soul.

_Both now._

O only pure and spotless Virgin, who without seed didst bring forth God, pray that his soul be sav’d.

_The deacon saith,_

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hear, and have mercy.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_.

Furthermore let us pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _name_, who hath fallen asleep, and that to him may be remitted every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_.

The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of his sins, we ask of thee, O Christ, our immortal King and God.

Vouchsafe, O Lord.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

_The priest saith this prayer,_

O God of spirits and of every flesh, who didst tread down death, and overcome the devil, and bestow life upon thy world; do thou thyself, O Lord, rest the soul of thy servant, _name_, who hath fallen asleep, in a place of light, in a place of refreshment, in a place of rest, whence pain, and grief, and sighing are driven away; and every iniquity wrought by him, in word, or deed, or in intention, as the good man-loving God, do thou remit; for there is no man that shall live and shall not sin; for thou alone art without sin, thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word the truth.

_Exclamation._

For thou art the resurrection and the life, and the repose of thy servant, _name_, who hath fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Deacon._ Wisdom.

_Choir._ The more honourable than the Cherubim.... _And the rest._

_And straightway the dismissal is made by the priest on this wise,_

He that hath dominion over quick and dead, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother, of our venerable and god-bearing fathers, and of all his Saints, place the soul of his servant, _name_, departed from us, in holy tabernacles, and number it with the just, and have mercy upon us, as being good and the lover of mankind.

_And then if all things be ready for the departure, the priest again maketh the beginning,_

Blessed be our God....

_And we begin to sing_, Holy God.... _with fear, and with every compunction_.

_And taking up the remains of him that hath fallen asleep, we go forth to the temple; preceded by the priests with tapers, and the deacon with the censer._

_And when they come unto the temple, then the remains are placed in the porch, (or in the temple, as is here in great Russia the custom.)_

_And they begin,_

Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High....[29]

_And after this they sing with a loud voice,_

Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes.

The undefiled in the way. Alleluia.

_And the first stasis of the undefiled[30] is sung to tone vi, and at the end of every verse we sing,_ Alleluia.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the law of the Lord. Alleluia.

Blessed are they that, searching out his testimonies, seek him with the whole heart. Alleluia.

_And the rest of the psalm. Glory._ Alleluia.

_Both now._ Alleluia.

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

Furthermore let us pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, _name_, who hath fallen asleep, and that to him may be remitted every transgression, voluntary and involuntary.

That the Lord God may place his soul where the righteous rest.

The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of his sins let us ask of Christ, our immortal King and God.

Vouchsafe, O Lord.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

_The priest saith this prayer._

O God of spirits.... _Vide page 139._

_And after this they begin the second stasis in tone v, in which also, at the ending of a verse, we say,_

Have mercy upon thy servant.

_The choir beginneth_, Thy commandments.

Have mercy upon thy servant.

_Again the same choir,_

Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me: O give me understanding, and I shall be taught by thy commandment.

Have mercy upon thy servant.

They that fear thee beheld me and rejoiced, for I have trusted in thy words.

Have mercy upon thy servant.

_And the rest of the psalm, and at the end, Glory._

Have mercy upon thy servant. _Both now._

Have mercy upon thy servant.

_Deacon._ Again and again.... _Vide page 142._

_And again they begin the third stasis in the third tone._

Thy name. Alleluia.

_Again the same choir singeth,_

Look upon me, and have mercy upon me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name. Alleluia.

Direct my steps according to thy word, and let not every transgression have dominion over me. Alleluia.

_And the rest. And, after the ending, straightway,_

_Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes._

The choir of saints have found life’s spring, and paradise’s door; and may I also find the way through penitence. I am a wandering sheep: O Saviour, me recall, and save thou me.

_Blessed art thou, O Lord...._

Ye saints, that preach’d the Lamb of God, and sacrificed were as lambs, and unto life that grows not old and aye endures translated are; this ceaselessly, ye martyrs, pray, that unto us vouchsaf’d may be remission of our trespasses.

_Blessed art thou, O Lord...._

O ye that walk’d the narrow way, that ever-suffering is; all ye that during life accepted have as yoke the cross, and follow’d me in faith; come, and enjoy those things prepar’d for you, rewards and crowns celestial.

_Blessed art thou, O Lord...._

Of thy narrateless glory I an image am, and, though I bear offences’ scars, compassionate thy creature, Lord, and cleanse me in thy tenderness, and the desired fatherland give thou to me, a citizen of paradise me making once again.

_Blessed art thou, O Lord...._

Thou who of old didst form me out of nothingness, and with thy godlike image didst adorn, but, for transgressing the commands, didst turn again to earth, whereout I taken was, to that which sembleth thee do thou me call once more, shaping again the erewhile comeliness.

_Blessed art thou, O Lord...._

O rest thy servant, God, and O in paradise appoint his place, where choirs of saints and righteous ones, O Lord, are luminous as stars: O to thy sleeping servant give thou rest, and pass all his offences by.

_Glory._

The tri-illuminating of the Godhead one let us with reverence sing, exclaiming, Thou, O Father unbeginning, holy art, and thou, co-unbeginning Son, and thou, O Spirit Divine: enlighten us who serve thee faithfully, and save us from eternal fire.

_Both now._

Hail, pure one, who didst bring forth God in flesh for all men’s saving, through whom the human race hath found salvation! through thee may we find paradise, God-bearing one, who pure and blessed art. Alleluia, _thrice_.

_Then the deacon_, Again and again.... _Vide page 142._

_And, after the exclamation, we sing the present troparia, tone v._

Our Saviour, rest thy servant with the just, and place him in thy courts, as it is written, as being good, despising his iniquities, both willing ones and those unwilling, and all those done in knowledge and in ignorance, O lover of mankind.

_Glory. Conclusion._

And all those done in knowledge and in ignorance, O lover of mankind.

_Both now. Theotokion._

Christ God, who from the Virgin shinedst to the world, who hast through her made manifest the sons of light, have mercy thou on us.

_Then psalm l, and the canon, whereof the acrostic is,_

To him that is departed a sixth song I address. _Theophany._

_Ode i. Tone vi. Irmos._

Passing as on dry land....

In heavenly palaces the noble martyrs ever pray thee, Christ, Him whom thou hast remov’d from earth, a faithful one, count worthy to attain eternal blessedness.

Thou that adornest everything, mid life compound createdst me a man, lowly and also great. Then, Saviour, rest thy servant’s soul.

_Glory._

A citizen and husbandman of paradise in the beginning thou appointedst me; but thou didst exile me for breaking thy command. Then, Saviour, rest thy servant’s soul.

_Both now. Theotokion._

He that aforetime from a rib our protomother Eva form’d, from thy pure womb assumed flesh, and thereby hath annull’d the might of death, thou Pure.

_Ode iii. Irmos._

There is none holy like to thee, O Lord....