The Proskomedia and the Liturgy of the Word (for the catechumens) are generally conducted in the same way (with the same prayers) as in the Liturgy of John Chrysostom. However, the Liturgy of the Faithful follows the same rite but with different prayers (according to the current, pagan practice, the ‘laity’ (as the pagans call God’s people, the royal priesthood!?) do not feel any difference between the Liturgies of John Chrysostom and Basil the Great, as they only differ in the content of the prayers, which, unfortunately, ‘profanes’ cannot hear, something zealously guarded by the priests!). Therefore, we will begin the description of the rite with the prayer for the catechumens, which concludes the Liturgy of the Word, after which the catechumens are dismissed from the church, and the Liturgy of the Faithful begins.
Presbyter (prayer for the catechumens): Lord our God, who lives in heaven and watches over all Your works; look upon Your servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before You, give them an easy yoke, make them worthy members of Your Holy Church and grant them the font of rebirth, forgiveness of sins, and the garment of incorruption for the knowledge of You, the True God. So that they, along with us, may glorify Your most honorable and majestic name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen. Then follows the litany: ‘Catechumens, depart…’, at the end of which the presbyter prays (the first prayer of the faithful):
Lord, You have shown us this great mystery of salvation; You have made us, humble and unworthy servants, ministers of Your holy altar. You have made us worthy of this service by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we, standing blamelessly before Your holy glory, might offer You a sacrifice of praise, for You work in all things. Grant, Lord, that our sacrifice may be acceptable and pleasing to You, both for our sins and for human ignorance. For to You belongs all glory, honor, and worship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen. The litany continues, at the end of which the presbyter speaks (the second prayer of the faithful):
God, with mercy and bounties, You have looked upon our humility; You have placed us, humble, sinful, and unworthy servants, before Your holy glory to serve at Your holy altar. Strengthen us by the power of Your Holy Spirit for this service and grant us the word, opening our mouths, to invoke the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon the gifts to be offered. For always under Your dominion, we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
The faithful sing the Cherubic Hymn, the presbyter prays:
‘No one who is bound by carnal desires…’, the Holy Gifts are transferred to the Altar, followed by a litany, which ends with the presbyter’s prayer of offering:
Lord our God! You have created us and brought us into this life; shown us ways to salvation; granted us the revelation of heavenly mysteries; You have placed us in this service by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us, Lord, to be ministers of Your New Covenant, servants of Your Holy Mysteries; make us, approaching Your holy altar with great mercy, worthy to offer You this verbal and bloodless sacrifice for our sins and human ignorance, accept our offering on Your holy, heavenly, and noetic altar as a fragrant incense, and send down upon us Your Holy Spirit.
Look upon us, God, behold this service of ours, and accept it, as You accepted the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the whole burnt offerings of Abraham, the sacred sacrifices of Moses and Aaron, the peace offerings of Samuel. As You accepted from Your holy apostles this true service, so accept these gifts from our sinful hands with Your mercy, Lord; that we, having been made worthy to serve flawlessly at Your holy altar, may receive the reward of faithful and wise stewards on the terrible day of Your just recompense.
By the mercies of Your Only Begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Presbyter (turning to the people and blessing): Peace to all.
Faithful: And to your spirit.
Presbyter: Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess.
Faithful: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence and undivided.
Presbyter: The doors, the doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive.
The entire church sings the Creed: ‘I believe in one God, the Father…’.
Presbyter: Let us stand aright, let us stand with fear. Let us be attentive, that we may offer the holy sacrifice in peace.
Faithful: A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
Presbyter (addressing the faithful and blessing them):
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Faithful: And with your spirit.
Presbyter: Let us lift up our hearts. Faithful: We lift them up to the Lord.