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Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church

Altar Servers’ Handbook

April 27, 2010

Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Altar Servers’ Handbook

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1. Introduction

This is the Altar Servers’ Handbook for 2010. It is to serve as a guide for all

of the responsibilities for the boys and men who will serve in the altar of

our parish. Enclosed you will find the information you need in order to

serve every week, as well as things that altar servers ought to know. At the

end, you will find some things that are very necessary each week, and in

order to live a Godly and Orthodox lifestyle. If there are any questions,

each server is invited to ask Father at any time. From time to time, changes

may be made to this Handbook, and every server will be told.

Altar Server Pledge To be administered at the beginning of the Church Year.

+ In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I, ____________________________ an altar server of Ss Peter & Paul

Orthodox Church, do solemnly promise to serve You, O God,

faithfully, obediently and reverently. Let nothing separate me

from You. If I am weak in my faith, strengthen me. Help me to

devote myself to Your Holy Gifts. Guide me in the path that leads

to Your Kingdom. Teach me to become a better Christian so that

I may wear the altar server's robe worthily and in humility. My

prayer is to serve You in all my thoughts, words and deeds and to

become a better Orthodox Christian so that in all I do I may testify

to Your glory. For blessed glorified is your Holy name of the

Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!


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2. Ground Rules

1. Learn the order of the Divine Liturgy so that you know what comes next.

This is included at the end of the Handbook.

2. Memorize the Creed and Lord's Prayer. These are also included at the end

of the Handbook.

3. Servers must be vested at least 5 minutes before the beginning of the

Liturgy, if they are not in Sunday School.

4. If you are scheduled for a position on a particular Sunday, please do your

best to make it to Church. Attendance is necessary each week for every

Orthodox Christian. You don’t want to know what the Church says

happens after three weeks of missing Church!

5. No shorts. You ought to be in Sunday clothes to show proper respect for

God and the holy work you are about to do.

6. No sitting in the Altar. Stand in a neat and orderly manner in the Altar

when not assigned to do something else.

7. The bathroom should be used only when absolutely necessary. (Remove

your robe before entering).

8. Sing & Pray along with the Priest and keep your mind on the service. As

visible servers in the parish, your behavior in the Altar will be a strong

example to the parish family.

9. Unnecessary talking and fooling around will be grounds for suspension.

(Reinstatement will be made under the discretion of the priest).

10. Never touch the Altar Table of Table of Oblation – this for the clergy only.

Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men

abhorred the offering of the LORD. 1 Samuel 2.17

Vespers Orthodox life is one of constant preparation and fulfillment. That is why attendance at

Vespers is crucial to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, altar servers can spend

more time in the Holy Altar by serving at Vespers when it is offered.

Schedules Again, everybody who is properly prepared may serve in the Altar, every week. The four

main positions will be scheduled, and are your responsibility to fulfill. If you are unable

to do so, please make sure that your job is filled by someone who is properly trained,

knowledgeable, and attending the Divine Liturgy.


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3. Altar Boy Jobs There are many things that an altar server may be asked to do. While everyone is

invited to serve every week, there will be certain jobs that are assigned on a rotating

basis.

South Door (Head Server) This is the head altar server. He is stationed by the South Door, near to the priest. He is

responsible for knowing the order of the service, and closing the Royal Door at the

appropriate time. He is there to be attentive to the needs of the Priest, and to oversee

the other altar servers.

Bread Cutter The server assigned to this job will be responsible for the following additional

responsibilities each week:

� Cutting up the antidoron

� Keeping the table clean

� Making sure the Hot Water is turned on and ready for the Priest

� Preparing the Zupifka (Wine and Bread) for after communion

� Cleaning the dishes

� Make sure there are a few pieces of bread and a cup of wine for the Priest

North Door This server is stationed by the North Door. He is responsible for opening and closing

the North Door and Royal Door, and for closing the curtain. He is also responsible for

assisting with the commemorations that are brought into the altar during the Divine

Liturgy.

Censer This server is responsible for handling the censer for the entirety of the Liturgy. He must

be familiar with the order of the service, and the times when the censer is needed by the

priest. He also needs to ensure that the censer is prepared for the Requiem Service

(Panikhida) after the Liturgy, if there is one scheduled. He also carries the censer at the

Great Entrance.


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4. Responsibilities during the Divine Liturgy In addition to the assigned positions, all servers are to assist where possible, and to pray

at all times. The responsibilities for the entire service are available at the end of the

Handbook, and is available in the Altar as well. Here are diagrams for the different

Entrances and for the Gospel reading.

Little Entrance

Candles

Gospel reading

F F


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Great Entrance

F F

Candles cross censer candles

Clean Up

a. The other servers begin to clean up after venerating the cross.

b. All dishes are to be cleaned and put away.

c. The table is to be left neat.

d. No crumbs are to be left on the table or floor.

e. The censer is to be emptied in the coffee canister; care should be taken not to spill

the coals.

f. All remaining prosphoron are to be brought down to Coffee Hour.

g. Make sure the Hot Water Pot is turned off.

h. All candles/torches in the Altar are to be extinguished. Do not blow out the candles

on the Alltar Table or Oblation Table. These should always remain lit. Blow out the

candles behind the Altar Table (on the 7 Branch Candle stand).

i. Receive the Blessing from the Priest and return vestments to the Vestment Closet.


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5. Church Year The Church Year of our Holy Orthodox Church begins on September first and continues

through August 31st. It is divided into three seasons based upon Pascha (called Easter

by non-Orthodox Churches), and all the seasons refer to it as their starting point. The

three seasons are: (1)The Triodion, the ten weeks before Pascha including Lent; (2) The

Pentecostarion or Pentecost Season which begins with Pascha and ends the Sunday

after Pentecost Sunday which is All Saints Day; and (3) the Season of the Eight Tones

(Octoechos) for the rest of the year.

The Triodion The first part, of the Triodion, begins just prior to Lent and runs through Holy Week. The

Sundays of the Triodion are: The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the Sunday of

the Prodigal Son, Meat-fare Sunday, Cheese fare Sunday, and the Sundays of the Great

and Holy Lent. the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, the Sunday

of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder, the Sunday of

St. Mary of Egypt, and Palm Sunday, finally closing on Holy Saturday morning.

Pentecostarion The second season is the Pentecostarion, the Paschal or Pentecost Season which begins

on Pascha Sunday and is followed by St. Thomas Sunday, Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing

Women, the Sunday of the Paralytic, the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, the Sunday

of the Man Born Blind, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

(325AD), Sunday of Pentecost and the Monday of the Holy Trinity, and ends with the

Sunday of All Saints.- This period focuses around the Resurrection of Christ and the

coming of the Holy Spirit upon us.

Eight tones Season (Octoechos) The third season, is the season of the Eight Tones, the Octoechos as it is called in Greek

and deals with all the other Sundays of the Year. This season begins on the Sunday

following All Saints Sunday and ends on the week before the Sunday of the Publican

and the Pharisee. The Octoechos is a liturgical book of the Orthodox Church, and has

the hymns for the divine services during that period from Pentecost to the beginning of

the Triodion. Its hymns are sung consecutively in the eight tones of which were

composed by the hymnographers from the very first days of our Church. Occasionally,

an important Feast Day replaces the Octoechos when the feast falls on Sunday.


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6. Vestments As you may already know, there are three major orders of clergy in our

Orthodox Church: The Deacon, the Priest and the Bishop and two minor

orders, Reader and Sub-deacon. All have vestments that are common to

them all. With each elevation, from Reader to Sub-deacon to deacon to

Priest and from Priest to Bishop, there are some additions that occur in

the vestments. Clergy usually vest in what is called the Sacristy, the

room where the vestments are kept. Many times, the clergy vest in the

Altar as there may not be a Sacristy for them. As they put on each

vestment particular to their position, they recite certain prayers as

appropriate for each item.

Robe Or Sticharion (Reader, Deacon, Priest and Bishop) This is the basic vestment of the clergy and must be worn for the

celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Baptism. This is usually a long,

straight robe with wide sleeves and is called" a robe of salvation and a

tunic of gladness." It symbolizes a pure and peaceful conscience and

spiritual joy.

Stole Or Orarion (Sub Deacon and Deacon). This is a wide and long band of material that is the distinctive vestment

of the Deacon and Sub-deacon. It is crossed over the back or falls over

the left shoulder. As the deacon prays, he holds the front part of it while the back part

hangs behind his back. During the Lord’s Prayer it is crossed over the back. It

symbolizes the wings of angels. The Sub-deacon wares the stole crossed over the back

always.

Cuffs Or Epimanika (Deacon, Priest and Bishop) These are the cuffs, one for the right hand and one for the left which

are worn by the Deacon, the Priest and the Bishop. Thus, they are

common to all the major clergy. They symbolize the tying of Christ's

hands and wrists at the time He was flogged, and also serve to remind

us that all things that we do with our hands, we should do for the glory

of God. They also have a practical purpose; to hold the wide sleeves of

the Sticharion in place.

Stole or Epitrachelion (Priest and Bishop) This is the distinctive sign of the Priesthood and is worn on the shoulders and hangs

down in front. It symbolizes the grace of the Priesthood that the Priest receives on the


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day of his ordination. Thus it is worn by Priests and Bishops. In effect it is a development

of the Orarion, actually being an Orarion doubled with both ends hanging in front and

reaching the full length of the Sticharion.

Belt or Zone (Priest and Bishop) This is ceremonial belt that ties at the back. The Zone is worn by the Priest and the

Bishop. It Symbolizes the power of the grace of the Priesthood and has the practical

function of holding the epitrachelion in place against the sticharion or tunic.

Award or Epigonateon (Priest and Bishop) The square or diamond shaped Epigonateon is suspended, hanging over the right knee.

It is Worn by Priests who have received the privilege to wear it and by Bishops always. It

symbolizes the Holy Spirit and the power of the angels. It denotes that the Priest

wearing it has the title of distinction given to him by the Church.

Cape or Phelonion, (Priest only) Resembling a cape, the Phelonion rests on the shoulders of the Priest and is put on

through a head opening. It is about arms length in the front and reaches the edge of the

tunic or Sticarion in the back. On the back is usually an embroidered Cross or an icon.

Symbolizing the seamless robe of Christ it stands for righteousness. With the Phelonion,

the Priest's liturgical attire is completed.

Pectoral Cross, (Priest) A Priest wears a cross according to the rank bestowed on him by the Bishop beginning

with silver then the gold then to an ornately decorated Archpriest cross.

Sakkos, (Bishop only) The Sakkos is a richly embroidered liturgical vestment. It is one of the principal

vestments worn by a Bishop and replaces the Phelonion of the Priest yet it carries the

same meaning: the seamless robe of Christ.

Omophorion, (Bishop only) This scarf-like article worn by the Bishop is symbolic of the wayward lamb carried on the

shoulders of the Good Shepherd. It falls over the shoulders and hangs in front and the

back. There is a shorter one that hangs only in front and is worn after the reading of the

Gospel.

Mitre (Bishop only) A Mitre is the Bishops ceremonial crown. It denotes his apostolic sovereignty.


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Pectoral Cross and Panaghia Medallion (Bishop only) The pectoral cross and the Panaghia are worm by the Bishop during the Divine Liturgy.

The cross denotes the self-denial of the Shepherd of the flock. The Panaghia is the

distinctive sign of the office of the Bishop and is usually oval in shape and suspended

from a chain and has an icon of the Theotokos and Christ on it.

Pastoral Staff (Bishop only) This, made of a precious metal and having at the top a cross with serpents turned

inward towards it, denotes the power of the Holy Spirit and especially the Cross as an

instrument of support for all the faithful. It is pastoral in nature and is there for all the

people to see and to know that the Cross can lead them, chastise the disorderly, and

gather the dispersed. It reminds us of Moses who held up the staff in the wilderness as

the snakes came to bite the people. As long as they looked at his staff, they suffered no

harm. The serpents on top, turn inwardly toward the Cross as reminders of the Lord

saying-. "Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents

and innocent as doves."

Kamilafka (Priest and Bishop) The Kamilafkion is the black cyclindrical head covering or hat worn by the Bishop or

Certain Priests. It is tall and has a flat top. It is covered with a black veil if the priest is a

monastic.

7. Altar Server Vestments Robe or Sticharion

The long robe or sticharion that is similar to that of the deacon, is a reminder of the role

the Altar Boy has in the service in the Altar. It symbolizes the cleanliness of mind and

heart that the server brings each time he enters the altar.

Stole or Orarion The Stole or Orarion is also similar to the deacon but it is worn differently. It is shaped in

a cross at the back with two parts hanging down the front. It denotes the calling of the

altar boy to be a server much as the angels of God serve Him attentively and willingly. It

is given by the Bishop as a special honor for years loyal service as an altar boy when

they become a subdeacon

Service Book It would be good for each Altar Server to obtain a copy of the Divine Liturgy service

book, in order to follow along during the service. Consider this a part of your

vestments.


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8. Sacred Vessels

Chalice and Paten (Diskos) Every Altar Server has seen the Priest vest himself and arrange the sacred vessels for the

Divine Liturgy and other services. The two most important of these is the Chalice and

Paten. The Chalice will contain the Sacred Blood of Christ. It is frequently made of gold

or gold plated silver. The Paten is a plate that matches the Chalice, and is usually on a

small stand. During the Service of Preparation or Proskomidia, the bread that will

become the Body of Christ is placed there with the appropriate prayers along with

particles for the Virgin Mary, the Angels and Saints, particles for the living and for those

who have departed this life. The Paten symbolizes, the cave where Christ was born and

the manger where Christ was laid.

Spear and Spoon The Spear and the Spoon are also found alongside of the Chalice and the Paten for they

are used during the services. The Spear is used to cut the Prosphora during the Service

of Preparation. It denotes the Spear that the soldiers used when they pierced Christ's

side out of which came blood and water. The Spoon is used for Holy Communion.

Asterisk or Star The Asterisk or Star is a ceremonial implement consisting of two gold plated metal strips

held together in the middle and bent at a right angle and is set upon the Paten. Along

with serving the practical purpose of keeping the cloth cover from touching, the bread

to be consecrated into the Body of Christ, it is believed to symbolize the star that led the

Magi to Bethlehem and stood over the manger where Christ lay as a new born child.

Aers or Veils The Cloth Coverings or aers are the veils cut in the shape of a cross and are used to

cover and protect the Chalice and the Paten. There is a larger one which is used to cover

both of these during the Divine Liturgy, and is carried by the Priest or worn on the

shoulder by the deacon during the Great Entrance.

Red Communion Cloth The Red Communion Cloth is a square cloth used as the Priest administers Holy

Communion to the faithful and it covers the Chalice following the giving of Holy

Communion. It should be in place on the Altar Table prior to the Divine Liturgy along

with the Spoon that is used for Holy Communion.


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Cruets Also found on the Preparation Table are the Cruets; one holding wine and the other

water. These are to be kept full at all times and are used in the Preparation Service.

during the Great Entrance.

Table of Oblation, or Preparation or Prothesis All of the above are usually in place prior to the Divine Liturgy on the Preparation or

Prothesis Table. Here is where the solemn preparation of the Elements takes place. The

Prothesis Table is on the left side of the Altar and it can be either a separate small table,

or built into the wall. It symbolizes the Manger of Christ and is decorated with an ornate

table cloth, an icon of the Birth of Christ, or that of the Extreme Humility.

Altar Bread (Prosphora, Antidoron) The Altar Bread that is used for the Divine Liturgy is bread that is brought to the

Preparation Table to be cut and used for the Service. Along with it there are names to

be remembered and prayed for at the proper time. If it is your turn to cut the remaining

bread for distribution to the faithful after the Divine Liturgy, make sure that you cut

them all the same size, cutting them neatly and cleaning up after you have finished. At

the end of the service, you will bring the antidoron, the bread that has been cut for

distribution to the faithful. Left over antidoron will be placed outside on the grass for

the birds after being offered at Coffee Hour.

Censer or Kadilla Close by the Preparation Table is found the Censer where incense is placed on a burning

charcoal - It symbolizes the prayers that are offered and rise to heaven. The Censer has

four chains which denote the four evangelists and twelve bells which denote the twelve

disciples of Christ.

The Altar Server and The Censer Care should be taken in lighting the charcoal, since most of the charcoal we use in our

Church services is quick lighting. When you light it, it sparks until the whole of the top is

lit. When you take it in the tongs, hold it to the tip of the flame and make sure that the

sparks from it do not fall on anything that will catch fire. Make sure that any sparks that

have fallen are extinguished.

a. Place the charcoal in the censer.

b. Ask your Priest before placing incense in the censer. Whenever you go in

procession make sure you have some incense along with you to add, as needed.

c. If anyone (Servers, Priest, Deacon) drops the lighted charcoal on the rug it must

be quickly extinguished with water.


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Appendix A: Order of the Divine Liturgy

Third Hour – The Priest covers the gifts

Sixth Hour – The Priest or Deacon Censes the Altar and Church

Liturgy of the Word “Blessed is the Kingdom of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit…”

Great Litany

First Antiphon “Bless the Lord, O

my soul…”

Little Litany

Second Antiphon “Praise the

Lord, O my soul…”

Little Litany

Third Antiphon “In Thy Kingdom

remember us, O Lord…”

Little Entrance

Singing of the Troparia and

Kontakia (Hymns of the day)

The Trisagion Hymn “Holy God,

Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal…”

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Sermon

Litany of Fervent Supplication

“Let us say with all our soul and all our

mind…”

Litany of the Catechumens “Pray

to the Lord, you catechumens…”

Liturgy of the Faithful Litanies of the Faithful “Help us,

save us, have mercy on us…”

The Cherubic Hymn

Great Entrance

Litany of Supplication

The Nicene Creed

The Anaphora “Let us stand

aright…”

Consecration of the gifts

Litany before the Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer at the Bowing of the

Heads

Communion Clergy Communion

Preparation of the Body

Communion of the Laity

Litany of Thanksgiving

The Prayer Before the Ambo

Dismissal

Announcements

Veneration of the Cross


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Appendix B: The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father

before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with

the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy

Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius

Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the

Scriptures; and ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of the Father.

And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there

shall be no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the

Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,

Who spoke by the prophets.

In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;

I look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Appendix C: The Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in the heavens,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in the heavens.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.


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Appendix D: Church Calendar, Feasts and Fasts The Church Year is very important to know. This is how we know when to celebrate the Great Feasts

of the Church, and when we are supposed to be participating in the fasts. It is important for those

called to serve in the Lord’s Altar to know what the Church expects from us in our daily lives. What

follows is the list of feasts and fasts of the Orthodox Church. Normally, we will have Divine Liturgy on

these days, and will need altar servers.

PASCHA, the Feasts of Feasts

12 Great Feasts:

1. September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos

2. September 14, the Exaltation of the Cross

3. November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos

4. December 25, the Nativity of Christ

5. January 6, the Baptism of Christ -- Theophany, also called Epiphany

6. February 2, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

7. March 25, the Annunciation

8. The Sunday before Pascha -- the Entry into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday

9. Forty Days after Pascha -- the Ascension of Christ

10. Fifty Days after Pascha -- Pentecost

11. August 6, the Transfiguration

12. August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos

Parish Feast Day:

June 29th: the Commemoration of the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul

Fasting Seasons:

Nativity Fast: From November 15th to December 25th

Great Lent: From Cheesefare Sunday until Lazarus Saturday

Holy Week: From Palm Sunday until PASCHA

Apostles Fast: The week following Pentecost until June 29th

Dormition Fast: August 1st to 15th

Special Days of Fasting:

January 5th, the Eve of Theophany

August 29th, the Beheading of St John the Forerunner

September 14th, the Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross Orthodox Christians also regularly fast on Wednesdays and Fridays to commemorate,

respectively, Christ’s betrayal by Judas Iscariot and His Crucifixion.


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Appendix E: What to do during the Divine Liturgy

When the 6th Hour is done The bells are rung.

Blessed is the Kingdom of the

Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit…

The Divine Liturgy has begun. Turn on all lights.

All altar servers who are not cutting bread should

be standing in the Altar.

In peace let us pray to the Lord! The Great Litany. Stay alert and be attentive to

the needs of the Priest. Pray.

Again and again let us pray to the

Lord!...

The First Little Litany. Continue to stay alert and

be attentive. Pray more.

Again and again let us pray to the

Lord!...

The Second Little Litany. Prepare for the Little

Entrance. And pray.

Wisdom! Let us attend!

The Little Entrance. If you carrying the Fans, Cross

or candles, stand straight, be still and focus on what

you are doing.

Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy

Immortal!...

The Time of the Thrice Holy. Put incense in the

hot censer and bring it to the Priest when he

returns to the altar table. The Priest will cense the

Sanctuary; be ready to take the censer back.

Epistle Reading Prepare the candles and fans for the Gospel

Reading. Be alert for when you are supposed to go.

Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear

the Holy Gospel!

The Priest reads the Gospel: Stand reverently and

attentively at your assigned place. When the Priest

reenters the Altar, go to the High Place, Bow, and

put your candles away.

Sermon

At this time, the Priest will give a homily.

Immediately after the putting the candle away, go

sit in the pews to hear the homily.

Choir: Let us who mystically

represent the cherubim… (three

times)

The Cherubic Hymn. Bring the censer to the Priest

when he is finished with his prayer.

The Priest will cense the Church: one altar server

stand ready to take the censer from the priest and

bring it to the Oblation Table; all other altar servers

should prepare for the Great Entrance.


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His Beatitude, the most blessed… The Great Entrance. All altar servers participate in

the Great Entrance. Whoever has the censer must

make sure that the censer is brought to the Priest

when he enters the Sanctuary. Afterwards, the

Royal Doors and Curtain are shut.

Let us complete our prayer unto

the Lord!

The Litany of Supplication. The hot water pot is

turned on. All other altar servers should stand in

the Sanctuary, praying and remaining attentive to

the needs of the Priest. Pray.

The Doors! The Doors! In wisdom

let us attend!

The Creed. Gather around the Altar Table and say

the Creed and remain attentive to the needs of the

Priest.

Singing the Triumphal Hymn,

shouting, proclaiming and saying!

The Holy Anaphora. Remain around the Altar.

Take eat! … Drink of this all of

you!... Thine own of Thine own…!

The Holy Anaphora (continued). The Holy Spirit

is coming. Pray hard.

Priest: And make this bread the

precious Body of Thy Christ… And

that which is in this cup the

precious Blood of Thy Christ…

The Epiclesis. God Himself in the person of the

Holy Spirit is invisibly present in the Sanctuary.

Pray harder. Give the Priest the censer. Be

prepared to take the censer back.

Having remembered all of the

saints …!

The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer. Continue to

pray.

All: Our Father, who art in

Heaven…

The Lord’s Prayer. Pray. Gather at the Altar once

again. At the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer,

transfer the boiling water from the hot water pot to

the pitcher.

Prayer at the Bowing of the Heads The Royal Doors and Curtain are shut at the

conclusion of the prayer. Prepare for communion

and pray.

Priest: The Holy Things are for the

Holy!

The Elevation. Bring the pitcher of hot water

(Zeon) to the Priest. Pray for your clergy and stand

ready to bring the bread into the Nave for Holy

Communion. Make sure the censer is hot; add

charcoal if necessary.

In the fear of God, and with faith

and love draw near!

Holy Communion for the People. Bring the bread

and wine into the Nave. Be prepared to hold the


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communion cloth if necessary. If possible, you

should receive Holy Communion first.

O God, save Thy people and bless

Thine inheritance!

The End of Holy Communion. Return to the

Sanctuary, immediately add incense to the censer

and give it to the Priest.

Deacon: Attend! Having partaken

of the Divine, Holy, Immaculate…!

The Litany of Thanksgiving. Pray and give thanks

to God.

Priest: O Lord, who blesses those

who bless Thee and sanctifiest

those who put their trust in Thee…

The Prayer Behind the Ambon. Begin to clean up.

Be quiet so as not to disturb those who are praying.

Priest: The Blessing of the Lord be

upon you though his Grace…

The Dismissal. Stand ready to give the Priest the

stand and bring the bread to the people.

Conclusion After venerating the cross, finish cleaning up.

When the Priest reenters the Altar, ask his blessing

to get undressed, and hang up your sticharion.

Notes:

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