Hierarchical Divine Liturgy – Full Video
60 minutes
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Note: The Liturgy was recorded on November 9, 205 at the annual Diaconate Retreat in the Cathedral of the St. Josaphat Eparchy of Parma, Ohio. The instructions below are taken from the Hierarchical Liturgy text in the book, “Holy Mysteries”, published in 2012. As in any Liturgy, there will be a few minor differences between the instructions and the video.
| The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy |
| Begor the Liturgy |
| 100 When a bishop is to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, the curtain is opened after Proskomedia and remains open until the end of the Divine Liturgy. If possible, confirm that bishop will complete the Proskomedia at the Great Entrance. |
| Coming to the Church |
| 110 The clergy, led by the trikeri and dikeri, go in procession to the doors of the church to greet the bishop. The youngest priest bears the handcross on a tray. He presents the cross to the bishop. |
| 114 All the priests approach, according to their rank, to receive the blessing of the bishop, kissing his hand and the cross. The cross is returned to the tray. The Priests then enter and form 2 columns along the main aisle. |
| Entering the Church |
| 117 When the bishop enters the church, he is met by two deacons standing at the end of the Priest column with censors. They incense the bishop and the Deacon 1 intones: May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see all the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life, now, and ever and unto the ages of ages. The People sing, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” 3 times. |
| 120 When the procession reaches the ambon of the Hierarch, the Bishop blesses the people who sing: Ton Despotin ke Arkhierea imon, Kyrie fylate eis polla eti, eis polla eti, eis polla eti, Despota. |
| Vesting the Bishop |
| 124 If the bishop has not vested prior to entering the church, the vesting takes place at this point. The Deacons stand at the head of the ambon and intone the vesting prayer as they continue to incense as each vestment is donned. There is a separate instructional video for vesting a bishop. |
| The Initial Incensing |
| 127 The deacon, receiving a blessing for the incense, incenses the altar, the holy icons, the bishops, the priests, the ministers and the faithful. If there are 2 Deacons, they stand side by side at the ambon while incensing. |
| 130 After the Deacons finish incensing, the Bishop, standing on the Ambon of the Hierarch, receives the trikeri and dikeri. The deacon, standing at the ambon, incenses him, intoning: Let your light shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, always, now and forever and ever. The bishop blesses with the trikeri and dikeri in the form of a cross to the east, the west, the south and the north, saying: Lord, Lord, look down from heaven and see; etc. |
| Preliminary Prayers |
| 134 The celebrant makes three bows and says: O God, be merciful to me a sinner Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, etc.. The usual prayers continue through Holy Master remember me. |
| 137 With the Bishop’s blessing, the celebrant proceeds to the Holy Table with the Deacon. If there are two deacons, the second deacon remains at the left of the bishop. At the command of the priest, the deacon opens the royal doors. The holy doors remain open until the exclamation “Let us be attentive, Holy Gifts for the holy”. After that they are opened and closed as usual. |
| 140 The Deacon then continues to the usual place and intones: Master, give the blessing. The Litany of Peace is prayed as usual. When commemorating the Pope, Patriarch and Bishop, he turns to the Bishop as his name is intoned. |
| 144 The first deacon bows to the bishop then stands before the icon of Christ. After the Antiphon, as the Hymn of the Incarnation begins, the second deacon receives the blessing from the bishop and joins the first deacon at the ambon and stands in front of the icon of the Mother of God. At the conclusion of the Hymn of the Incarnation, the second deacon offers the small litany. |
| Little Entrance |
| 147 At the conclusion of the small litany, the deacons enter through the south door. Deacon 1 receives the Gospel from the priest. Deacon 2 carries a censor in procession. |
| 150 Coming to the Bishop, Deacon 1 says, “let us pray to the Lord and Master Bless the Holy Entrance” etc. Deacon 2 remains with the Bishop holding the censor. Deacon 1 continues to the ambon with the Gospel book. |
| 154 The Deacon standing on the Solea raises the Gospel Book and intones: Wisdom! Stand aright! If it is a feast such as Easter and several others with its own response (such as in your choirs etc.), the deacon chants this first and then the Bishop calls all to worship with Come Let us worship etc.. The exact sequence and phrasing should be confirmed in advance. |
| 157 Bishop blesses the four directions then enters the Sanctuary. On the fourth blessing, the Deacon enters the sanctuary and places the Gospel on the Holy Table. Deacon 2 takes the censor and gives it to the bishop as the bishop enters the sanctuary. |
| 160 The Bishop places the dikeri on the altar and hands the trikeri to Deacon 1 who stands opposite the Bishop as he incenses the Holy Table. Deacon 1 continues to hold the trikeri at each point of incensation around the sanctuary and the icons. Liturgy continues up to the singing of the Trisagion. |
| The Trisagion |
| 164 People sing the Trisagion twice in the chosen language then the Bishop sings the third time in Greek. At the conclusion of the Bishop’s verse the deacon intones: Give glory to Christ our God. |
| 167 The usual “Master proceed” etc. follows the intonation. The usual intonations for the reading of the epistle are taken. While Alleluia is being sung, the deacon takes the censer with incense and goes to the bishop for a blessing. Then he incenses the altar, the whole sanctuary and the bishop. Standing before the throne on high, the bishop says the prayer before the Gospel. |
| The Gospel |
| 170 The deacon returns the censer to its accustomed place, and goes again to the holy table. He takes the Gospel from the first concelebrant and goes to the bishop. Bowing his head before him, he says, “Master, bless the reader of the Gospel of the holy apostle and evangelist” etc.. |
| 174 The deacon, bowing to the bishop, preceded by candle bearers and the sub deacons bearing the trikeri and dikeri, goes out before the royal doors. There, he stands on the ambon or in another assigned place for the reading of the Gospel. After the Gospel, the bishop descends from the throne on high and stands before the holy doors, blessing the people with the trikeri and dikeri. |
| The Great Entrance |
| 177 Following the homily the Deacon receives the blessing from the Bishop and prays the Insistent Litany. Confirm beforehand if there will be any special petitions inserted and who will be praying them. |
| 180 The Deacon intones: “Wisdom”. If there is a subdeacon, he takes a pitcher of water and towel and goes out a deacon door and stands before the entrance. The bishop approaches, washes his hands, returns the towel to the subdeacon and returns to the Holy Table. The subdeacon returns to his place inside the sanctuary. If there is no subdeacon, an altar server performs this task. |
| 187 After the deacon finishes incensing, he returns to the Holy Table for the usual prayers at the altar. Going to the Proskomedia, the bishop removes the veil. He completes the prayers of the Proskomedia, placing particles from the prosphora, and makes the usual commemorations. |
| 189 Deacon 1 proceeds to the Proskomedia, going around the Holy Table, Approaching the Bishop, saying, “Master, lift it up” etc.. The Bishop takes the diskos and places it with care and reverence at the head of the deacon. The first concelebrant bows, takes the chalice from the bishop, and kisses his hand. The censor is returned to the Bishop. The deacon, preceded by the servers, goes out the north door, followed by the first concelebrant. |
| 190 The second Deacon carries the large veil; the first deacon carries the diskos. Only 1 deacon need intone “May the Lord God remember in His kingdom” etc. The Great Entrance proceeds as usual. |
| Prayers After the Great Entrance |
| 194 Following the Great Entrance, the usual dialogue at the Holy Table takes place, continuing through “Holy Master remember me”. The bishop goes to the royal doors and blesses the people with the trikeri and dikeri and the choir responds with Many Years. |
| After the Great Entrance |
| 197 Bowing to the bishop, the deacon goes out before the royal doors and stands in his accustomed place. At the kiss of peace, the deacon awaits the bishop or clergy to approach him at the royal door entrance. The Deacon intones, “Let us complete our prayer to the Lord and Continues as usual until after the Creed |
| 200 Deacon 1 intones. “Let us stand well, let us stand with fear” etc. After the choir’s response, the bishop turns to the people and blesses them with the trikeri and dikeri. The liturgy continues as usual. |
| The Anaphora |
| 204 The striking of the star on the diskos is done by Deacon 2 coming from the Bishop’s left. The words of institution are as usual. After the Bishop’s incensation, Deacon 1 continues the incensation of the Holy Table. Deacon 2 receives the blessing and goes out the north door to pray the Angel of Peace Litany. |
| 207 The usual rubrics are followed through communion. Deacons partake after Priests and deacon 1 combines the gifts. |
| After Communion |
| 210 The Bishop intones, “Save your people, O God, and bless your inheritance etc. The bishop returns again to the Holy Table and incenses three times, saying softly: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; above all the earth be Your glory. The bishop takes the holy diskos and places it at the head of the deacon 1. The deacon receives it with reverence. Both deacons turn to the doors, saying nothing. Deacon 1, accompanied by deacon 2, proceeds to the proskomedia and places the diskos on the Proskomedia.. |
| 214 The bishop makes a reverence, takes the holy chalice, and turns to the royal doors and softly intones, “Blessed be our God”, then aloud, “Always, now and forever and ever”. One of the priests takes the chalice with both hands from the hand of the bishop, kisses it and goes with it to the Proskomedia, and there he leaves the holy Gifts. Deacon 2 come to the Proskomedia and begins consuming the gifts. |
| Conclusion |
| 217 Deacon 1, unfastening his orar, goes out before the doors, to his place, and intones, “Stand aright! Etc.. The usual prayers continue until the end. |
| Dismissal |
| 220 The Bishop intones, “Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You”. The usual dismissal follows. Choir: Amen, then sings. Is polla eti, Despota etc. |
| Commemorations |
| 224 The Bishop and Priest intone the Commorations. Confirm in advance if the deacon has any parts. |
| Postscript |
| 225 Return to the sacristy, Greet the Bishop, and hear how well you served – Or not. Take the vestments off and join the party. |