The Entrance Prayers and Vesting Prayers of the Divine Liturgy

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The celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with the other Holy Mysteries, is the greatest thing that any human being is called upon to do – far greater than reigning as monarchs, governing as politicians, creating as artists, composing as compsers, discovering as scientists or explorers… than walking on the moon or travelling into the depths of outer space.

The fruits, relevance or temporal value of the labours of all of these people is finite, and will perish and pass away in due season.

In the Eucharistic Offering, we encounter Christ the immortal, eternal, changeless and infinite, despite the paradox and  seeming contradiction implicit in the very sacrament itself – in Christ becoming real and present beneath the veils of bread and wine, in space and in time – an earthly place which becomes heavenly, as time merges with eternity in a foretaste of the age to come.

The Divine Liturgy is humanity’s greatest offering and – in as much as the priesthood is a necessary part in this offering – it is humanity’s greatest achievement.

Thus, in accomplishing this Great Mystery, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the love and generosity of the Father, and the selfless self-giving and self-offering of the Son (our High-Priest and Sacrifice), nothing is casual, accidental or ‘optional’ (despite the Liturgical slovenliness and laziness to encountered in some places).

We give our best, we do our best, we try our best – in awe of the almost unfathomable Mystery of Love that comes to pass.

No other human activity or offering approaches the awesome reality of the Holy Mysteries: the apex of the sacramental life of the Church, in Christ’s self-giving of His Body and Blood.

Given this profound truth and reality, before the Divine Liturgy, the bishop or priest does not simply enter the sanctuary and get on with vesting and preparing the gifts.

Rather, mindful that through the power of the Holy Spirit the Saviour will Himself descend to be present, the celebrant spiritually prepares to enter the altar – where the Lord will be truly present – by praying before his entrance.

Though the assembled clergy at the Hierarchical Liturgy makes it much more obvious that the clergy before the ikonostas are praying, I continue to be astounded when parishioners come up to me and try to ask a question, or wish me good morning even from a distance. Is it not obvious that prayers are being offered?

Please be aware that the priest is still preparing for the awesome celebration of the Divine Mysteries.

Be silent, be prayerful yourself, and cause no disturbance – including staying away from the area before ikonostas unless you are there on an obedience.

Equally, please understand that there are prayers throughout the vesting, indeed at the putting on of EVERY article of the vestments, so this is not a time for the priest to be disturbed with requests or for talking in the altar, and he cannot simply put on vestments quickly before hearing your confession.

And, PLEASE, read on to understand what happens before we even begin the prokomidia. It’s a relatively short read, but a valuable one.

May God bless you.

Hieromonk Mark

The priest that desireth to celebrate the Divine Mysteries must first be at peace with all, have nothing against anyone, and insofar as is within his power, keep his heart from evil thoughts, be continent from the evening before, and be vigilant until the time of divine service. When the time is come, he goeth into the temple, in company with the deacon, and together thy make three reverences towards the east before the holy doors.

The deacon saith: Bless, Master.

​Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

​Deacon: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King and the Trisagion Prayers.

Then they say: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, at a loss for any defense, this prayer do we sinners offer unto Thee as Master, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us; for we have hoped in Thee, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember out iniquities; but look upon us now as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we Thy people; all are the works of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

The door of compassion open unto us, O blessed Theotokos, for hoping in thee, let us not perish; through thee may we be delivered from adversities; for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.

Then they approach the icon of Christ and kiss it, saying: We venerate Thine immaculate Icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ God; for of Thine Own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Savior, when Thou camest to save the world.

Then they kiss the icon of the Theotokos, saying the Troparion: As thou art a well-spring of compassion, vouchsafe mercy unto us, O Theotokos. Look upon a sinful people; show forth, as always, thy power. For hoping in thee we cry “Rejoice!” to thee, as once did Gabriel, the SupremeCommander of the Bodiless Hosts.

Then, with bowed head, the priest saith: O Lord, stretch forth Thy hand from Thy holy place on high, and strengthen me for this, Thine appointed service; that standing uncondemned before Thy dread altar, I may celebrate the bloodless ministry. For Thine is the power and the glory unto the ages of ages. Amen.

[According to custom the priest says this prayer: Remit, pardon, forgive, O God, our offenses, both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance, by day and by night, in mind and thought; forgive us all things, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.]

Then they make a bow to each choir, and go into the prothesis, saying: I shall go into Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine enemies, make straight my way before Thee. For in their mouth there is no truth; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God. Let them fall down on account of their own devisings; according to the multitude of their ungodliness, cast them out, for they have embittered Thee, O Lord. And let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall ever rejoice, and Thou shalt dwell among them. And all shall glory in Thee that love Thy name, for Thou shalt bless the righteous, O Lord, as with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast Thou crowned us.

Having come into the sanctuary, they make three bows before the Holy Table and kiss the Holy Gospel and the Holy Table. Then each one taketh his sticharion in his hands, and they make three reverences toward the east, while saying to themselves with each:

O God, cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me.

Then the deacon cometh to the priest, holding in his right hand the sticharion with the orarion, and bowing his head before the priest, saith:

Bless, Master, the sticharion with the orarion.

The priest saith: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Then the deacon goeth to one side of the sanctuary, putteth on the sticharion, praying thus: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He hath clothed me in the garment of salvation, and with the vesture of gladness hath He covered me; He hath placed a crown upon me as on a bridegroom, and He hath adorned me as a bride with comeliness.

And then kissing the orarion, he placeth it on the left shoulder. Then putting the epimanikia on the hands, with the right cuff he saith: Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand, O Lord, hath shattered enemies, and in the multitude of Thy glory hast Thou ground down the adversaries.

And with the left, he saith: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding and I will learn Thy commandments.

​Then, going to the prothesis, he prepareth the holy things. The holy diskos he placeth on the left side; the chalice, that is the holy cup, on the right; and the rest [the spoon and spear, etc.] with them.

Then the priest vesteth himself thus: taking the sticharion in the left hand, and bowing thrice toward the east, as mentioned before, he signeth it with the sign of the Cross, saying:

​Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then he vesteth himself, saying: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for He hath clothed me in the garment of salvation, and with the vesture of gladness hath He covered me; He hath placed a crown upon me as on a bridegroom, and He hath adorned me as a bride with comeliness.

​Then taking the epitrachelion and signing it, he putteth it on, saying: Blessed is God Who poureth out His grace upon His priests, like unto the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment.

​Then taking the zone (belt) and girding himself, he saith: Blessed is God, Who girded me with power, and hath made my path blameless, Who maketh my feet like the feet of a hart, and setteth me upon high places.​

Then putting the epimanikia on the hands, with the right cuff he saith: ​Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand, O Lord, hath shattered enemies, and in the multitude of Thy glory hast Thou ground down the adversaries.

​And with the left, he saith: ​Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding and I will learn Thy commandments.

​Then taking the nabrdnenik and then the palitsa (if awarded it), if he have it, and having blessed and kissed it, he saith: Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O Mighty One, in Thy comeliness and Thy beauty, and bend Thy bow, and proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and meekness and righteousness, and Thy right hand shall guide Thee wondrously, always now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.Amen.

​Then taking the Phelonion, and having blessed and kissed it, he saith thus: Thy Priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy saints with rejoicing shall rejoice, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

​Then, having gone to the prothesis, they wash their hands, saying: I will wash my hands in innocency and I will compass Thine altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of Thy praise and tell of all Thy wondrous works. O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Destroy not my soul with the ungodly, nor my life with men of blood, in whose hands are iniquities; their right hand is full of bribes.But as for me, in mine innocence have I walked; redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot hath stood in uprightness; in the congregations will I bless Thee, O Lord.

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Eighth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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God in His mercy stooped and came down to mingle His compassion with the water and to blend the nature of His majesty with the wretched bodies of men. He made occasion by the water to come down and to dwell in us: like to the occasion of mercy when He came down and dwelt in the womb: O the mercies of God, Who seeks for Himself all occasions to dwell in us!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

To the cave in Horeb He stooped and came down and on Moses He caused His majesty to dwell. He imparted His glorious splendour to mortals. There was therein a figure of Baptism: He Who came down and dwelt in it tempers within the water the might of His majesty, that He may dwell in the feeble. On Moses dwelt the Breath and on you the Perfecting of Christ.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

That might then none could endure: not Moses chief of deliverers; nor Elijah chief of zealots; and the Seraphim too veil their faces; for it is the might that subdues all. His mercy mingled gentleness in the water and by the oil, that mankind in its weakness might be able to stand before Him when covered by the water and the oil.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The captive priests again, in the well hid and concealed the fire of the sanctuary, a mystery of that glorified fire which the High-priest mingles in Baptism. The priests took up of the mire and on the altar they sprinkled it for its fire, the fire of that well with the mire had been mingled mystery of our bodies, which in the water with the fire of the Holy Spirit have been mingled.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The famous Three in Babylon in the furnace of fire were baptised, and came forth. They went in and bathed in the flood of flame; they were buffeted by the blazing billows. There was sprinkled on them there the dew that fell from heaven; it loosed from off them there the bonds of the earthly king. Lo! The famous Three went in and found a fourth in the furnace.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

That visible fire that triumphed outwardly pointed to the fire of the Holy Ghost which is mingled, lo! And hidden in the water. In the flame, Baptism is figured in that blaze of the furnace. Come, enter, be baptised, my brethren, for lo! It looses the bonds; for in it there dwells and is hidden the Mediator of God, Who in the furnace was the fourth.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Two words again our Lord spoke which in one voice agree in unison: He said, I have come to send fire, and again, I have a baptism to be baptised with. By the fire of Baptism is quenched the fire that which the Evil One had kindled: and the water of Baptism has overcome those waters of contention by which he had made trial of Joseph who conquered and was crowned.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! The pure fire of our Redeemer which he kindled in mankind of His mercy! Through His fire He quenched that fire which had been kindled in the defiled and sinful. This is the fire wherein the thorns are burnt up and the tares. But happy are your bodies that have been baptised in the fire which has consumed your thickets and by it your seeds have sprung up to heaven!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Jeremiah in the womb He sanctified and taught. But if the lowly bosom of wedlock was sanctified in conceiving and bringing him forth, how much more shall Baptism sanctify its conception and its bringing forth of them that are pure and spiritual! For there, within the womb is the conception of all men, but here, out of the water is the birth whereof the spiritual are worthy.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

For Jeremiah though sanctified in the womb, they took up nails and cast him into the pit. Holy was the prophet in his befoulment, for clean was his heart though he was in the mire. Be afraid, my brethren, for lo! Today is washed away your secret befoulment, and the abomination of your sins. Turn not again to uncleanness for there is but one cleansing of your bodies!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The presumptuous who is baptised and again sins is as the serpent that casts its slough and again puts it on, that is renewed and made young, and turns again putting on anew its skin of old for the serpent does not cast off its nature. Cast off the tempter the corrupter of souls even the old man let it not make old the newness you have put on!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Elisha cast the wood into the water, and made the heavy float and the light sink: their natures were exchanged in the water. There a new thing came to pass not according to nature. How much easier then, O Lord, is this for Thy grace; that in the water should sink transgression which is heavy, but that the soul which is light should be drawn forth and raised up on high!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Joshua, son of Nun, on Jericho laid a curse on its walls and a doom on its fountains. They whom Joshua cursed to their destruction again in the mystery of Jesus have been blessed. There was cast into them salt and they were healed and sweetened: a mystery of this salt the sweet salt that came from Mary, that was mingled in the water whereby was healed the noisomeness of our plagues.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! quiet waters are before you holy and tranquil and pleasant for they are not the waters of contention that cast Joseph into the dungeon, nor yet are they the waters those waters of strife beside which the people strove and gainsaid in the wilderness. There are waters whereby there is reconciliation made with Heaven.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Hagar saw the spring of water and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness. Instead of that fountain of water is Baptism. In it are baptised the sons of Hagar and have become gentle and peaceful. Who has seen rams like these that are yoked, lo! And labour along with tame bullocks and the seed of their tillage is reaped an hundredfold!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

In the beginning the Spirit that brooded moved on the waters; they conceived and gave birth to serpents and fishes and birds. The Holy Spirit has brooded in Baptism, and in mystery has given birth to eagles – Virgins and Prelates; and in mystery has given birth to fishes – celibates and intercessors; and in mystery of serpents, lo! The subtle have become simple as doves!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! The sword of our Lord in the waters! that which divides sons and fathers: for it is the living sword that makes division, lo! Of the living from the dying. Lo! They are baptised and they become Virgins and saints who have gone down, been baptised, and put on the One Only begotten. Lo! Many have come boldly to Him!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

For whoever have been baptised and put on Him the Only begotten the Lord of the many has filled thereby the place of many, for to him Christ has become a great treasure: for He became in the wilderness a table of good meats and He became at the marriage feast, a fountain of choice wines. He has become such to all in all things by helps and healings and promises.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Elisha was the equal of the Watchers in his doings, glorious and holy. The camp of the Watchers was round about him thus let Baptism be unto you a camp of guardians for by means of it there dwells in the heart the hope of them that are below and the Lord of them that are above. Sanctify for Him your bodies for where He abides, corruption comes not near.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

They are no more, the waters of that sea which by its billows preserved the People and by its billows laid low the peoples. Of contrary effect are the waters in Baptism. In them, lo! The people have life in them, lo! The People perishes: for all that are not baptised in the waters that give life to all they are dead invisibly.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

They are no more, the waters of that sea which were tempestuous, and boiled against Jonah and plunged into the depths the Son of Amittai. Though he fled he was bound in the prison-house, God cast him in and bound him in dungeon within dungeon for he bound him in the sea, and He bound him in the fish. For him Grace stood surety and she opened the prison and brought forth the preacher.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The Prophets have called the Most High a fire: a devouring fire, and who can dwell with it? The People were not able to dwell in it; its might crushed the peoples and they were confounded. In it, with the unction you have been anointed; you have put Him on in the water; in the bread you have eaten Him; in the wine you have drunk Him; in the voice you have heard Him; and in the eye of the mind you have seen Him!

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Sixth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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The Spirit came down from on high and hallowed the waters by His brooding. In the baptism of John, He passed by the rest and abode on One: but now He has descended and abode  on all that are born of the water.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences

Out of all that John baptised, on One it was that the Spirit dwelt: but now He hath flown and come down that He may dwell on the many, and as each after each comes up, He loves him and abides on him.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A marvel it is that surpasses all! To the water He went down and was baptised. The seas declared it blessed, that river wherein Thou wast baptised: even the waters that were in heaven envied because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also that while the fountains are full of water, it is the water of baptism that alone is able to atone. Mighty is the water in the seas, yet is it too weak for atonement.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides within the humble, it exalts him like as royalty and if it abide within the desert gives it peace. Water by Thy might has triumphed over sin, for Life hath encompassed it.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The sheep exulted when they saw the hand draw near to baptise them. Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock! For more than over all the flock, over you rejoice the Watchers today.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The Angels and the Watchers rejoice over that which is born of the Spirit and of water: they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit the corporeal have become spiritual. The Seraphim who sing “Holy” rejoice that they who are made holy have been increased.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

For lo! The Angels rejoice over one sinner if he repent: how much more do they now rejoice that in all churches and congregations lo! Baptism is bringing forth the heavenly from the earthly!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The baptised when they come up are sanctified; the sealed when they go down are pardoned. They who come up have put on glory; they who go down have cast off sin. Adam put off his glory in a moment; ye have been clothed with glory in a moment.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A house that is of dust when it hath fallen by means of water can be renewed: the body of Adam that was of dust which had fallen by water hath been renewed. Lo! The priests as builders renew afresh your bodies.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A great marvel is this of the wool, that it can take every dye as the mind takes every discourse. By the name of its dye it is called as ye who were baptised when Hearers, have gained the name of Recipients.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The common waters he sanctified, even Elisha through the Name that is secret. In them washed the leper openly and was cleansed by the Power that is secret: the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Today, lo! Your offences are blotted out and your names are written down. The priest blots out in the water and Christ writes down in Heaven. By the blotting out and the writing down, lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Lo! Mercy hath dawned today and from bound to bound it stretches: the sun hath sunk and mercy hath dawned. Justice hath drawn in her wrath; Grace hath spread forth her love. Lo! She pardoneth and quickeneth freely.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The sheep that beforetime were in the fold, lo! They hasten forth to greet the new lambs that have been added to it. They are white and are clad in white within, and white without are your bodies as your vestments.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

From every mouth, Blessed are ye. On every side Blessed are ye. Sin from you is driven out and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling. The Evil One hath become sad of countenance; the Good God makes glad your countenance.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The gift that ye have received freely cease not from watching over: this pearl if it shall be lost cannot again be sought out; for it is like to virginity, which if it be lost is not to be found.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

May you from all defilement be kept by the power of your white robes! And he whose freedom hath defiled itself, may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping! For me who am a servant of the community, may the supplication of the community win pardon!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

To the author who hath toiled in words, let there be reconciliation in rest! To the teacher who hath toiled with voice, let thee be forgiveness through grace! To the priest who hath toiled in baptising, let there come the crown of righteousness!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

From every mouth with one consent, of those beneath and those above, Watchers, Cherubim, and Seraphim, the baptised, the sealed, and the hearers; let each of us cry aloud and say: Glory to the Lord of our feasts!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Fourth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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Descend my sealed brethren, put on our Lord, and be rejoined to His lineage, for He is son of a great lineage, as He has said in His Word.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

From on high is His Nature, and from beneath is His  Vesture. Each that puts off his vesture, commingled is that vesture, with His Vesture forever.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

You too in the water, receive from him the vesture that wastes not, nor is lost for, it is the vesture that vests them that are vested in it forever.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

But the blessed Priest, is mediator between two: the covenant shall be made before Him, He is mediator of his Lord, and surety on our part.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The Godhead in the water, lo, has mingled His leaven for the creatures of dust, that leaven raises up and the Godhead joins them.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For it is the leaven of the Lord that can glide into the bondman and raise him to freedom; it has joined the bondman to the lineage of Him the Lord of all.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For the bondman who has put on Him, Who makes all free in the waters though bondman he be on earth, is son of the free on high, for freedom He has put on.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The freeman who has put on, that Angel in the waters, is as the fellow of servants, that he may be made like to the Lord, Who became bondman unto bondmen.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

He Who enriches all came down, and put on poverty, that He might divide to the poor, the stores that were hidden out of the treasure-house of the water.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The lowly one again that has put on the Giver of all greatness, in the water even though he be base in the sight of fools, yet is great in the sight of the Watchers, for that he is clad in greatness.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For like as He Who is great, Who became lowly in His love by the unbelievers was persecuted, and by the Watchers* was worshipped, was made lowly and makes the lowly great.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Thus, let him be lowly who is great, that in him the lowly may be great: Let us be like to Him Who is greater than all, Who became less than all: He was made lowly, and makes all men great.

The meek man who has put on Him Who is great, in the water though humble be his countenance, very great is his discernment, for He Who is exalted above all dwells in him.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For who could be found to despise the bush of thorn the despised and humble, wherein the Majesty in fire made its dwelling within?

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Who again could be found to despise Moses the meek and slow of speech when that excelling glory dwelt upon his meekness?

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

They that despised him despised his Lord; the wicked that despised him the earth swallowed up in anger; the Levites who scorned Him the fire devoured in fury.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Of Him Christ commanded, You shall not call him who is baptised and has put Him on Raca (worthless/empty); for whoso despises the despised, despises with him the Mighty.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In Eden and in the world are parables of our Lord; and what tongue can gather the similitudes of His mysteries? For, He is figured all of Him in all things.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In the Scriptures He is written of; on Nature He is impressed; His crown is figured in kings, in prophets His truth, His atonement in priests.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In the rod of Moses was He, and in the hyssop of Aaron and in the crown of David: to the prophets pertains His similitude, to the Apostles His Gospel.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Revelations beheld Thee, proverbs looked for Thee, mysteries expected Thee, similitudes saluted Thee, parables showed types of Thee.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The Covenant of Moses looked forward to the Gospel: all things of old time flew on and alighted thereon in the new Covenant.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Lo! The prophets have poured out on Him their glorious mysteries; the priests and kings have poured out upon Him their wonderful types: they all have poured them out on all of Him.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Christ overcame and surpassed, by His teachings the mysteries by His interpretations the parables; as the sea into its midst receives all streams.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For Christ is the sea, and He can receive the fountains and brooks, the rivers and streams, that flow from the midst of the Scriptures.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

* Syriac: ‘ira = Watcher/Angel. The book of Daniel refers t ‘irin and qaddishin, “Watchers and Holy Ones” among the angels.

St Ephrem the Syrian’s First Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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The heavens He has renewed, for that fools worshipped all the luminaries: He has renewed the earth, for that in Adami t was wasted. That which He fashioned has become new by His spittle: and the All-Sufficing has restored bodies with souls.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Gather yourselves again O sheep and without labour receive cleansing! For one needs not as Elisha to bathe seven times in the river, nor again to be wearied as the priests are wearied with sprinklings.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Seven times Elisha purified himself in a mystery of the seven spirits; and the hyssop and blood are a mighty symbol. There is no room for division  He is not divided from the Lord of all Who is Son of the Lord of all.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock in the day of Thine Epiphany!

Moses sweetened in Marah the waters that were bitter because the People complained and murmured: Thus he gave a sign of baptism wherein the Lord of life makes sweet them that were bitter.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock in the day of Thine Epiphany!

The cloud overshadowed and kept off the burning heat from the camp it showed a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which overshadows you in baptism tempering the flaming fire that it harm not our bodies.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Through the sea the People then passed, and showed a symbol of the baptism wherein ye were washed. The People passed through that and believed not: the Gentiles were baptised in this and believed and received the Holy Spirit.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The Word sent the Voice to proclaim before His Coming, to prepare for Him the way by which He came and to betroth the Bride till He should come that she might be ready when He should come and take her from the water.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The voice of prophecy stirred the son of the barren woman and he went forth wandering in the desert and crying, “Lo! The Son of the Kingdom comes! prepare the way that He may enter and abide in your dwellings!”

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

John cried, Who comes after me, He is before me: I am the Voice but not the Word; I am the torch but not the Light the Star that rises before the Sun of Righteousness.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

In the wilderness this John had cried and had said, “Repent ye sinners of your evils and offer the fruits of repentance; for lo! He comes that winnows the wheat from the tares.”

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The Light-giver has prevailed and marked a mystery, by the degrees he ascended: Lo! There are twelve days since he ascended, and today this is the thirteenth: a perfect mystery of Him, the Son, and His twelve!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Darkness was overcome to make it manifest that Satan was overcome and the Light prevailed that he should proclaim that the Firstborn triumphs: darkness was overcome with the Dark Spirit, and our Light prevailed with the Light-giver.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

In the Height and the Depth the Son had two heralds. The star of light proclaimed Him from above John likewise preached Him from beneath: two heralds, the earthly and the heavenly.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The star of light, contrary to nature, shone forth of a sudden less than the sun yet greater than the sun. Less was it than he in manifest light and greater than he in secret might because of its mystery.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The star of light shed its rays among them that were in darkness and guided them as though they were blind so that they came and met the great Light: they gave offerings and received life and adored and departed.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The herald from above showed His Nature to be from the Most High; likewise he that was from beneath showed His Body to be from humankind, mighty marvel! that His Godhead and His Manhood by them were proclaimed!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Thus whoever reckons Him as of earth, the star of light will convince him that He is of Heaven: and whoever reckons Him as of spirit, this John will convince him that He is also bodily.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

John drew near with his parents and worshipped the Sun and brightness rested on His Face. He was not moved as when in the womb. Mighty marvel! That here he worships and there he leaped!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The whole creation became for Him as one mouth and cried out concerning Him. The Magi cry out in their gifts; the barren cry out with their children the star of light, lo! It cries out in the air, Behold the Son of the King!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The heavens are opened, the waters break forth, the dove is in glory! The voice of the Father is stronger than thunder as it utters the word, “This is My Beloved”; the Watchers brought the tidings, the children acclaimed Him in their Hosannas.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The Feast of St Philip of Moscow With Bishop Irenei

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Given the great spiritual, physical and culinary labours of the last few days, there are, no doubt, many people in our community who are tired, but saying “Slava Bogu… glory to God!” for the blessing of being able to welcome our hierarch and archpastor, Bishop Irenei to Cardiff – with today’s hierarchical Divine Liturgy as the crown of our celebration.

After more than a year and a half since his last hierarchical visitation, Vladika’s visit was important, especially given the great changes and expansion in our parish and local missions since the trials of covid and lockdown.

We rejoice that we were able to come together as a scattered community of Orthodox faithful, representing our Cardiff parish and our Cheltenham and Swansea missions, with the blessing of welcoming Deacon Andrey and Reader George to serve with us. The contribution of Hierodeacon Avraamy – now blessed to serve in our South Wales communities – was also most welcome.

Gathered around our hierarch, the Liturgy expressed the spiritual bond and catholicity/sobornost of our common and shared life as the Church, in which each of us called to individual ministry and vocation, as alluded to by Vladika in his homily.

Within our community we glorify God for so many vocations, great gifts and talents – in singing, reading, icon painting, cooking, liturgical expertise, floral craft, and the simple ability to organise hospitality and to welcome all who gather not only to the Holy Table of the eucharist, but also to the table of Christian fellowship to share in food and drink.

As well as catching up with familiar parishioners in the parish, His Grace was able to meet those who now travel from England for Liturgy, those baptised since his last visitation, and our catechumens, several of whom will be baptised in the next couple of months. For many parishioners this was their first meeting with Vladika, and for some, it was there first encounter with an Orthodox bishop – and such a personable, warm and positive one.

We were also very happy to welcome our brother-priest, Father Sorin of the Romanian Parish of St Stephen, and were so pleased that he was able to meet Vladika Irenei once again, and join us for trapeza.

The festive table on this feast of the Holy Hieromartyr, Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow summed up the wonderful diversity of our parishioners – with Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Spanish, British and Caribbean fare feeding all those assembled, as well as supplying many parishioners with meals for the next few days.

We are so very grateful to all who contributed so generously, and especially for Melangell who took on the role of Senior Sister, having this episcopal visitation as her first rather daunting duty, ceremonially starting with the welcome she offered to Vladika, with the traditional offering of bread and salt, after which the children of the parish offered posies of flowers to their bishop.

We are particularly indebted to our kliros and oltarniky, for their part in the Liturgy, particularly to our oltarnik Oswald, who so capably served with Reader George in fulfilling what would ordinarily have been the obedience of subdeacon.

As Vladika commented, it is the choir who face the greatest challenge in the Hierarchical Liturgy, given the many variations from our usual celebration. May God bless you all!

Thank you everyone for your many and varied offerings, obediences, gifts, generosity and goodwill in making the feast of St Philip such a truly memorable and joyful day and for welcoming Vladika Irenei to lead us in our celebrations.

Above all, we express our thanks to His Grace Bishop Irenei, for his fatherly love and care, and for visiting and nurturing his flock in the fullness of Orthodoxy within our God-Preserved Diocese.

Eis polla eti Despota!

Theophany Celebrations in Cardiff

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After Wednesday’s Vesperal Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters in Llanelli, we continued our Theophany celebrations in Cardiff today.

Due to the daily mass at Nazareth House, we were unable to start the Hours and Liturgy until 11:00, so that with the Great Blessing of the Waters, our celebration reached well into the afternoon. 

Having not enjoyed Theophany in Nazareth House since 2020, it was wonderful to celebrate the feast again, though on a smaller scale, given that the feast fell on a work day. This said, we still had community members from Wiltshire and Bath joining us, singing, serving and reading for the feast.

Gathering before our water vessels at the end of the Liturgy, the Theophany hymns and prayers called us to participate in the outpouring of God’s Grace once manifested in the consecration of the Jordan and the whole creation at the Saviour’s baptism, continually realised anew in the celebration of His Baptism and the Great Blessing of the Waters, each year.

What joyous words we heard, with the poetic joy of creation’s renewal through the wonder of  the Incarnate-God bringing grace, light and life by His selfless descent into the world as the God-Man and in His humble and self-effacing descent into the streams of the Jordan, though He was holy, divine and sinless.

From the Prophet Isaiah we heard the wonderful expectation that,

“… the desert places of Jordan shall blossom, and all shall be glad and rejoice; the glory of Lebanon hath been given to it, and the honour of Carmel; and My people shall see the glory of the Lord, and the majesty of God… For the mountains and the hills shall exult to welcome you with joy, and all the trees of the field shall clap with their branches. And instead of the bramble shall come up the cypress, and instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle: and the Lord shall be for a name, and for an everlasting sign, and shall not fail.”

And in His Baptism, the glory of the Lord and the majesty of God was the manifestation of the Trinity, in the ceaseless outpouring and exchange of love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bearing witness together in the events of the Jordan river.

The special petitions of the Litany of Peace reminded us that on the feast we do not merely come as witnesses, but rather to be participators in the great mystery of Christ’s Baptism, to be partakers of the grace of the Holy Spirit and the consecration of God’s world and the waters of Theophany.

They speak of our illumination, liberation, sanctification, purification, participation, and standing before the vessels of water we ask the Lord to

“impart unto it the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan. Make it a fountain of immortality, a gift of sanctification, the remission of sins, the healing of infirmities, the destruction of the demons, unapproachable by hostile powers, filled with angelic might. And may it be unto all those who shall draw it, and shall partake of it unto the purification of their souls and bodies, unto the healing of their passions, unto the sanctification of their homes, and unto every expedient service.”

I sincerely hope that those who prayed with me throughout the Liturgy and the consecration of the waters felt themselves to be participators in the wonderful and joyful feast, and (with their bottles of holy water) have gone back to their towns, villages, and homes buoyed with the feeling that they have truly been part of  the Lord’s Theophany, in a celebration in which His Baptism became spiritually real as an event which transcends time and place, whose joy and grace is renewed in God’s world, even if just in our little corner of it, every year.

We now look forward to continuing in this joy and being participators in the illumination and manifestation of God’s glory and grace as we travel across the counties in which our faithful live – in both Wales and England – enthusiastically blessing dwellings, gardens and land, as we continue to sing the festal hymns – desirous and mindful of our need for sanctification, illumination, liberation and purification through our life in Christ, and through Him in our life in the Holy Trinity.

Theophany: the Baptism of the Lord

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“O ye faithful, let us hymn the magnitude of God’s benefactions toward us; for having become man for the sake of our transgressions, He Who alone is pure and incorrupt, Who sanctifieth me and the waters, and crusheth the heads of the serpents in the water, is purified in the Jordan with our purification. Wherefore, let us draw forth water with gladness, O brethren; for the grace of the Spirit is invisibly imparted to those who draw it forth with faith, by Christ God, the Saviour of our souls.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings for the feast of the Theophany: the Baptism of the Lord.

S prazdnikom!

At the beginning of the feast, we celebrated the vesperal Liturgy on the eve of the Lord’s Theophany, with the thirteen readings for the feast rich with images of water.

We heard of the creation of the waters of the world by the Lord on the third day; of the waters of the Red Sea as the passage of the children of Israel to safety and freedom in the exodus from Egypt; of the sweetening of the waters of Marah, rendered drinkable when Moses cast a tree – prefiguring of the Life-Giving Cross – into the bitter, undrinkable spring; of the parting of the Jordan as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stepped into its watery fringes; of the waters poured upon the sacrifice of Elijah, ‘licked up’ by the flames which descended form heaven – a symbol of the fire of the Holy Spirit and the waters of baptism; of Elisha parting the Jordan by striking it with the mantle of his master, Elijah; of the waters of the Nile being the salvation of the infant Moses when the sons of the Israelites were slain.

In the prayers of the Great Blessing of Waters, we returned to the Old Testament:

“For Thou art our God, Who through water and the Spirit hast renewed our nature which had fallen  into decay through sin. For Thou art our God, Who with water didst drown sin in the days of Noah. For Thou art our God, Who by the sea, through Moses, freed the Hebrew people from slavery to Pharaoh. For Thou art our God, Who smote the rock in the wilderness, so that waters gushed forth, and torrents welled forth, and Who satisfied Thy thirsty people. For Thou art our God, Who by water and fire, through Elijah, didst set Israel free from the errors of Baal.”

Through these episodes run themes of safe passage, freedom, salvation and transformation, of the waters as a path to a promised land or sacred destination, and of spiritual renewal  – and each of these themes prefigure the Lord’s Baptism, narrated in the final reading from the Gospel of Mark, and celebrated each year on this feast:

“At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

In this cosmic event, the freedom, exodus, safe-passage and transformation images of the Old Testament lessons become an eternal spiritual reality, whose promise and power bring freedom and redemption not simply in an earthly and temporal manner to a generation of God’s people in an historical time and place, but to all who seek the Lord in Faith until the end of the ages by entering into the mystery of the Saviour’s victory over death through the waters of the mystery of Holy Baptism.

At His baptism by John, the Eternal Logos and Creator descended into the waters which He Himself had created on the third day, consecrating them by entering their depths with His Divinity clothed in the physicality of the God-Man. Not simply Christ’s Humanity, but His Divinity entered into the Jordan and the elemental waters of the world.

God-Incarnate entered the waters, thus consecrated by the Creator’s very presence, as the the Triune God was made manifest as all of the persons of the Trinity were revealed in this wondrous event – as we hear not only in Mark’s Gospel, but also in the troparion of the feast:

“When Thou, wast baptised in the Jordan, O Lord,  the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word.”

Thus, the Life-Giving Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – in whose name we are born again in our own baptism – seals this feast, and on this annual memorial, we call upon the operation of the Holy Trinity to consecrate the waters.

We beseech the Father to send forth the Holy Spirit, as He did upon the very day of the Lord’s Baptism. We pray that through the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Saviour’s blessing may descend upon and transform the waters, just as His physical descent into the Jordan consecrated, restored and renewed the creation that had been marred and tainted by the disobedience and rebellion of the first-father and first-mother. And, we pray boldly, with confidence in the goodwill and love for man of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as we ask,

“That these waters may be sanctified by the power, effectual operation and descent of the Holy Spirit… That there may descent upon these waters the cleansing operation of the super-substantial Trinity… That He will endue them with the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan, the might, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit… That satan may speedily be crushed under our feet, and that every evil council directed against us may be brought to nought… That the Lord our God will free us from every attack and temptation of the enemy, and make us worthy of the good things He hath promised… That He will illumine us with the light of understanding and of piety, through the descent of the Holy Spirit… That the Lord God will send down the blessing of Jordan and sanctify these waters…That this water may be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal… That it may manifest itself effectual unto the averting of every machination of our foes, whether visible or invisible… For those who shall draw of it and take of it unto the sanctification of their homes… That it may be for the purification of the souls and bodies of all those who, with faith, shall draw and partake of it… That He will graciously enable us to perfect sanctification by participation in these waters, through the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit…”

Throughout its existence since its foundation by the very Saviour whose baptism is celebrated on this feast,  the Church of Christ has had confidence in this grace-filled sanctification and renewal through the cleansing, restorative and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

But, as St John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco reminds us, as rational, soul-endowed human beings – not simply elements of nature –  we have to make the conscious decision whether we wish to enter into this wonderful renewal, or rather to allow the grace of the Holy Trinity to renew and restore us. Is it our will, and do we open ourself to the Lord’s wonderful grace?

“Today the Holy Spirit, descending up on the waters when the Cross of Christ is immersed into them, descends up on all of nature. Only in man He cannot enter without his will.

Let us open our hearts and souls to receive Him and with faith cry from the depths of our souls:

“Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works, and there is no word which sufficeth to hymn Thy wonders.”

Amen!

Confessions This Week

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Dear brothers and sisters, 

As announced at Liturgy on Sunday, confessions will be heard on Thursday and Saturday this week. 

Those who confessed last weekend are blessed to commune at the Theophany Liturgy, and those preparing for communion on Sunday may confess after the Great Blessing of the Waters. 

There will be limited time before our 11:00 Liturgy, so I would appreciate an idea of how many confessions are expected. I have already received several requests, and will confess those respective parishioners first. If needed, parishioners may be confessed and communed after the service. Please let us know if you would like to confess on Thursday. 

On Saturday, we will celebrate Great Vespers with Vladika at 17:00, and I and Father Luke will be available to confess people before and after the service. 

There will be confessions before the Sunday service, but these must end by 10:55, as Vladika will be greeted at 11:00. Those confessing should be mindful of the time, and long confessions will NOT be possible. 

Whatever day works best for you, please drop us a line. 

May God bless you all! 

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Passing From the Nativity to the Circumcision of the Infant Saviour

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Dear brothers and sisters, I have just stopped en route from St Nicholas to the station so that I can send greetings on this Leave-Taking of the Nativity. Christ is Born! Happy Feast!

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord in Cheltenham. 

This celebration joins the Afterfeast of the Nativity to the Forefeast of the Theophany, joining the rites of the old covenant (signified by circumcision) to the new covenant (signified by baptism) through the salvific earthly-life and work of Christ.

The Church Fathers see this feast as the effective abolition of the old rites by Christ leading us from circumcision to the saving waters of baptism in the coming feast of His Theophany. As St John of Damascus says in the canon,

“The transcendent Word Who became incarnate hath been circumcised that the law might cease; and He hath given us the beginning of divine grace and life incorruptible.” (Canon, Ode III)

The fathers see the feast as the passing from law to grace:

“Circumcision hath ceased since Christ was willingly circumcised, saving the multitude of nations by grace.” (Canon, Ode IV)

The Lord’s submission to the Law, even though He is the giver of the law, and His willingness to suffer in the flesh to the shedding of blood – a foretokening of His passion – is a sign of his love and the humility of God – a phrase which seems shocking: the personal source of all that exists, the creator and giver of life bows down to embrace humanity and even accede to the religious laws given to His chosen people.

This this is a feast which continues to demonstrate the self-effacing and sacrificial love of the Incarnation. ‘He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all…’ and suffers in His economy of salvation even as an eight day old child.

“He Who is invisible in essence hath now become visible in the flesh; the uncreated Word hath now taketh form, born of the pure Virgin. * Wherefore, following the law for the sake of mankind, He hath been circumcised as a babe eight days of age. Let us therefore worship Him as our Saviour.”

As we move from one feast to another, S prazdnikom!

In Christ – Fr Mark