خمسون عامًا
خمسونَ سنة من عمري، أبحَرَتْ في عُمق محيط الذكريات، وأنا ما أزال في حنين إلى ما كنت، وشوقٍ إلى ما سوف أكون. وبين هذا الحنين وهذا الشوق، ينتصبُ الحاضرُ غُربةً تتلمَّسُ أسرارَ الحياةِ ومعانيها. أنا لا أؤمنُ بحدودٍ من صُنع بشرٍ تفصلُ بين ما سمَّوه أوطانًا، لأنَّ الأرضَ هي موطنٌ واحدٌ للجميع. وأنا لا أؤمن بأزمنةٍ وأوقات من صُنع الناس تفصلُ بين الثواني والسنين، لأنَّ زمنَ الإنسان هو اللهُ في سرمديَّته. ومَن كان خارجَ اللهِ فهو خارجُ الوجود.
أنا في الخمسين كما في الخامسة، وكما في كلِّ وقتٍ، قائمٌ في الوجود لا في العدم. لكنَّني الآنَ بالعقلِ والإيمانِ، أرتفعُ فوقَ الطبيعةِ وأنا بعدُ فيها، ويكبرُ فيَّ الإنسانُ. ليس عندي الآنَ همٌّ أعمقُ من أن أعرفَ الحقيقةَ. أنشُدُها لإنَّها غايتي الوحيدةُ وإن كان بيني وبينها فواصلُ الفرح وحواجزُ الحزن. كلَّما أدركتُ بعضًا منها كلَّما ازددتُ شوقُا لبعضها الآخر، ونِشدانها في ديمومةٍ. أقمتُ بيني وبينها عهدًا بأن أكونَ على نِشدانها وفيًّا وثابتًا ومُلِحًّا ومؤمنًا.
في كلِّ اضطرابٍ، يصهرني السكونُ لأنَّني أنا أنا، واحدٌ في سعيي في كلِّ مواسمِ عمري. أنا في تطوُّرٍ لا في تغيُّرٍ، لإنَّني بحرِّيَّتي اخترتُ ما اخترتُ ورفضتُ ما رفضتُ، ورضيتُ ولبَّيت، وإلى اللهِ انجذبتُ. هو وحده الحقيقةُ الثابتةُ التي لا تتغيَّرُ ولا تُخادعُ ولا تتزيَّفُ ولا تغشُّ ولا تتبدَّلُ. ومع كوني بالحرِّيَّة قادِرًا على رفضِه، غيرَ أنَّني إليه أندفعُ وأطمئنُّ وأركنُ بسلام.
أنتَ يا اللهُ عُمري وأعوامي الخمسين وكلُّ الثواني.
أشكرُك!

المطران إبراهيم

50 ans

 50 ans de mon âge, plongés dans l’océan de mes souvenirs, avec la nostalgie de ce j’ai été, et le désir de connaître ce que je serai. Entre cette nostalgie et ce désir se dresse mon présent comme un éloignement à la recherche des secrets et des sens de la vie. Personnellement je ne crois pas aux frontières de fabrication humaine qui séparent ce qu’ils ont appelé patries. Car la terre est l’unique patrie pour tous. Je ne crois pas non plus à des époques ni à des temps, invention des hommes, qui séparent entre les secondes et les années, car le temps de l’homme, c’est Dieu dans son éternité. Et qui est hors de Dieu est hors de l’existence.

Je suis dans ma cinquantaine comme dans mes cinq ans, et comme en tout temps, je me tiens dans l’existence, non dans le néant. Mais maintenant par ma raison et ma foi, je dépasse la nature, alors que j’y suis encore, et l’homme grandit en moi. Je n’ai aucun souci plus profond que celui de connaître la vérité. Je la chante parce qu’elle est mon unique objectif, même si entre elle et moi il y a les séparations de la joie et les obstacles de la tristesse. Chaque fois que j’en atteins une partie, dans la même mesure je désire l’autre, et la chante éternellement. Avec elle j’ai conclu une alliance pour la chanter avec fidélité, permanence, insistance et foi.

À chaque trouble, m’habite le calme, parce que je suis moi-même, le même dans le parcours des épisodes de mon âge, moi-même en évolution, non en changement, parce que dans ma liberté j’ai choisi ce que j’ai choisi, refusé ce que j’ai refusé, accepté et exécuté. C’est vers Dieu que j’étais attiré, lui la seule vérité immuable qui ne change pas, ne trompe pas, ne falsifie pas, n’induit pas en erreur et ne se transforme pas. Et même si, par ma liberté,  je peux le refuser, par contre c’est vers lui que je me dirige, en lui aussi j’ai confiance et par lui je retrouve la paix.

Dieu, c’est toi mon âge, mes 50 ans et toutes mes secondes.

Je te rends grâces !

Monseigneur Ibrahim

Bulletin – May 20, 2012

Bulletin – May 13, 2012

Bulletin – May 06, 2012

Bulletin – Apr 29, 2012

Bulletin – Apr 22, 2012

Bulletin – Apr 15, 2012

Bulletin – Apr 08, 2012

Bulletin – Apr 01, 2012

Bulletin – Mar 25, 2012

Bulletin – Mar 18, 2012

Bulletin – Mar 11, 2012

Bulletin – Mar 04, 2012

Bulletin – Feb 26, 2012

Bulletin – Feb 19, 2012

Bulletin – Feb 12, 2012

Bulletin – Feb 05, 2012

Bulletin – Jan 29, 2012

Bulletin – Jan 22, 2012

Bulletin – Jan 15, 2012

Bulletin – Jan 08, 2012

Bulletin – Jan 01, 2012

The Funeral of a Priest

Deacon: Give the blessing, Master!

Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (In tone 8 and repeated after each Stikhon)

Stikhon 1: Blessed are those you have chosen and drawn near to the good things of your courts, O Lord, and may they be filled with the good things of your house.

Stikhon 2: Their souls shall abide in abundance, and their generation shall inherit the earth.

Stikhon 3: Their memory will remain forever and ever.

The  following Troparia are then sung:

Unique Creator, Lord, who in the depth of your wisdom and love for mankind directs us all, giving to each one what is good for salvation: grant rest to the soul of your servant for he has put his trust in you, our Creator, Maker and God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

In you we have a wall and a refuge, and an intercessor acceptable to the God to whom you gave birth, O Virgin Theotokos: you are the salvation of the Faithful.

The following verses of Psalm 118 are now sung:

PART 1 (Tone 6)

1. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless. Alleluia. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. Alleluia.
2. My soul is longing at all times for your judgements. Alleluia.
3. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Alleluia.
4. Incline my heart to your instructions, and not to selfish gain. Alleluia.
5. Distress takes hold of me when I see the wicked who abandon your ways. Alleluia.
6. I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your commandments. Alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.

PART 2 (Tone 5)

1. Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
2. I am yours, save me, for I seek your commandments. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
3. I do not turn away from your judgements, because you, yourself, have instructed me. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
4. I devote myself to obeying your laws, their reward is eternal. Have mercy on me, O Lord.
5. It is time for you, O Lord, to act, for they have broken your law. Have mercy on me, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me.

PART 3 (Tone

1. Have mercy on me, O Lord. Alleluia. Turn to me and have pity on me as to those who love your Name. Alleluia.
2. In your faithful love, O Lord, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life. Alleluia.
3. Long may I live to sing your praise, may your commandments always be my help.
4. I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and search for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments. Alleluia.

The following Evloghitaria are sung:

             The Evloghitaria of the Dead (Tone 5)

1-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes! 

The choirs of saints have discovered the Fountain of Life and the Gate of Paradise; may I also, through repentance find the way to you, O Lord. I am the lost sheep: O Saviour, call me back to your fold and save me.

2-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

O holy martyrs, who preached the Lamb of God and like lambs were led to the slaughter and thus passed on to eternal and everlasting life, pray unceasingly that our sins may be forgiven us.

3-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

All you who in this life have walked the narrow road in sorrow and pain, and taken up your cross as a yoke, and followed me faithfully, come now, enter the rewards of heaven and receive the crowns I have prepared for you.

4-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

I am the image of your ineffable glory, even though I bear the wounds of sin. Look with compassion on your creature, O Lord, and purify me in your mercy. In your loving kindness cleanse me, restoring to me the right of those who dwell in paradise for which I long.

5-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

O Lord, who with your own hand fashioned me from nothingness, and adorned me with your divine image, and who, when I transgressed your commandments, did cast me down into the dust from which I had been made: deign, O Lord, to restore me to your likeness, that my original beauty may be renewed in me.

6-                Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes! 

Grant rest, O God, to your servant, and appoint him a place in paradise where choirs of saints and righteous ones shine forth like stars. O Lord, grant rest to your departed servant, and forgive him all his sins.

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

With devotion, let us praise the threefold splendour of God, and let us say: Holy are you, the Eternal Father, and Holy is your Co-eternal Son and Holy is your  Divine Spirit!  Enlighten us who adore you with faith, and deliver us from everlasting fire.

Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Hail, O Noble One, who, for the restoration of humankind, has brought forth God in the flesh. Through this same God, the human race has found salvation, O pure and blessed Mother of God; may we also through you find paradise.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  Glory to you O God! (Three times).

On Sundays and Easter Season the Evloghitaria of the Resurrection are sung in Tone 5

Evloghitaria of the Resurrection

1- Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

The orders of Angels were amazed, as they beheld you, O Saviour, among the dead, destroying the power of death, and raising up Adam with you, and releasing all from Hades.

2- Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

The radiant angel standing within the tomb cried out to the Myrrh-bearers: “Why, O women Disciples, do you mingle myrrh with your tears of pity? Look upon the tomb and rejoice, for the Saviour has risen from the dead”.

3-  Blessed  are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

Very early in the morning, the Myrrh-Bearers ran lamenting to your tomb. But the angel stood by them and said: “Do not weep, the time for lamenting has passed. Announce the Resurrection to the Apostles”.

4-  Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes!

The Myrrh-bearing women came with myrrh to your tomb, O Saviour, and heard the angel say to them: “Why do you think that the Living One is among the dead? For as God He has risen from the dead”.

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

We worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, One in substance, and with the Seraphim we cry out: “Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O Lord.”

Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

Since you gave birth to the Giver of Life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and you granted joy to Eve instead of sadness, for he who took flesh from you, God and Man, restored to life him who had gone astray.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  Glory to you O God! (Three times).

The Deacon incenses the coffin while chanting the little synapsis, facing east:

Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy (Three times)

Deacon: Again, let us pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God, our brother and concelebrant, N, and that to him may be remitted every transgression, both deliberate and indeliberate. That the Lord God may grant his soul to rest where the just repose.

Choir: Lord, have mercy (Three times)

Let us ask for the mercies of God, theKingdomofHeaven, and the forgiveness of his sins through Christ, our immortal King and God. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For you are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servant, our brother and concelebrant, N, O Christ, our God, and we give glory to you, together with your Eternal Father and your All–Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

The Celebrant then sings the following Troparion in Tone 5:

Celebrant: O our Saviour, grant this your servant to rest with the righteous ones and to dwell in your courts, as it is written. Since you are gracious, forgive his sins both deliberate and indeliberate, and all the transgressions he committed knowingly or unknowingly, O Lover of Mankind!

Choir: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

Priest: O Christ our God, who shone upon the world from the Virgin, and through her made us to be the children of light: have mercy on us.

The Odes are sung followed by their particular Prosomia

First Ode

1. O Lord, in my distress, I cried out to you, hear my grief.
2. They who seek refuge in the desert are consumed by heavenly love because they have been removed from the vanity of this world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

Honour and glory are due to the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and to the Son. Therefore we give praise to the majesty of the Holy Trinity.

Prosomia (Tone 1)

1. We implore you, O Saviour, in your loving kindness, to welcome our brother and establish him in the dwelling-places of the Just and in the company of your Saints in heaven. In your mercy, do not look upon his sins but give him rest.
2. No one is without sin, except you, O Eternal One. Therefore, O bountiful God, place your servant in the light with the ranks of angels. In your mercy, do not look upon his sins but give him resurrection.
3. O Saviour, all that you have promised is beyond the visible- no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has imagined. Accept, O Master, your departed servant into your company, and, give him eternal life.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

1. O Virgin Mother, implore Christ to forgive the sins of your servant who devoutly proclaimed and taught correctly that you are the Theotokos, and to welcome him into the splendour of the saints and their happiness in his kingdom.

ODE 8 (Tone

1. Since my youth, the enemy has pursued me and tormented me with temptations and desires. But by putting my trust in you I conquered him, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

1. By the Holy Spirit there is life given to all. He is Light from Light, Great God, therefore we praise him with the Father and the Son.

Prosomia (Tone

1. 1.     When you shed your blood, O Master, you signed my decree of freedom in purple ink. Now, we implore you, O Compassionate One, to number your servant amongst the first-born and to welcome him into the joy of your Just, he who has departed from us.
2. 2.     O Lover of mankind, in your humanity you became our High Priest, and, in sacrificing yourself as an offering to the Father, you saved mankind from corruption. Therefore, bring your departed servant to the City of the Living, where flow blessed streams and wherein spring forth fountains of Eternity.
3. 3.     O Lord, in your deepest wisdom which is beyond description, you foresee death, and, transfer humankind to another life. Lead the one you have taken from us to restful waters, in the splendour of your holy lights where is the sound of happiness and praise.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and forever and ever.  Amen.

1. 4.     O Theotokos, as you have conceived he who is God and the Eternal Word of God, in your maternal intercession, implore him fervently to number your servant amongst your joyful choir wherein there is eternal splendour and the sweetest hymns.

The Deacon incenses the coffin while chanting the little synapsis, facing east:

Deacon:  Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:  Lord, have mercy (Three times).

Deacon: Again, let us pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God, our brother and concelebrant, N, and that to him may be remitted every transgression, both deliberate and indeliberate. That the Lord God may grant his soul to rest where the just repose.

Choir:  Lord, have mercy (Three times).

Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of heaven, and the forgiveness of his sins through Christ, our immortal King and God. Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For you are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servant, our brother and concelebrant, N, O Christ, our God, and we give glory to you, together with your Eternal Father and your All–Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

The choir sings the following Kondakion. (Tone 8):

Choir:  O Christ God, with the saints grant rest to the soul of your servant, in a place where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing, but everlasting life.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

 The Priest sings the following hymn:

Priest: You are the only Immortal One, O Creator and Maker of humankind.  We are mortals; out of the earth we were fashioned and to the same earth we shall return, as you have said and ordered, O my Maker:  “Dust you are, and, unto dust you shall return”.  We all go down to the dust and we sing to you:  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

The following Beatitudes are sung. (Tone 6)

- Remember us, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom!

- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

- Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.

- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Remember us, also, O Compassionate One, as you remembered the thief in the heavenly kingdom.

- Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

All those who fear God will rejoice in him in the heavenly kingdom.

- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

This is the one who worshipped you on earth, O Christ, in asceticism and the true dogma, now glorify him in heaven.

- Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is the one who lived on earth in accord with God, in faith, hope and love, now glorify him, O Saviour, in the heavenly kingdom

- Blessed are you when men reproach you and persecute you, and speaking falsely say all manner of evil against you for my sake.

O God, who are good, grant rest to this your departed servant with the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

-         Rejoice and exalt, because your reward is great in heaven.

This one who has left the world and had lived in pure conduct and devotion, glorify him, O Saviour, in the heavenly kingdom.

……………………………………………………………..

If he who died is a bishop, we change the last four prayers by the following ones:

- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

This is the one who served you on earth, in zeal and true worship, detachment and humility, now glorify him, O Saviour, in heaven.

- Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is the one who lived on earth worthy of the archbishops, in faith, hope and love, now glorify him, O Saviour, in the heavenly kingdom

- Blessed are you when men reproach you and persecute you, and, speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you for my sake.

Grant rest, O Lord, you who are good, to this our archbishop with the saintly pontiffs in the heavenly kingdom.

-         Rejoice and exalt, because your reward is great in heaven.

This one who has served humankind and the altars, and, had lived in pure conduct and apostolic zeal, glorify him, O Saviour, in heavens.

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

We, who are faithful, worship in reverence one Divine Majesty in Three Persons.

Now and always and forever and ever. Amen

We exult you, O pure One for, without man, you gave birth in the flesh to God, the King of the heavens.

The Reader sings the Prokimenon. (Tone 2)

Reader:  Blessed is the way in which you shall walk today, for a place of rest is prepared for you.

Stichon: Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt graciously with you.

Deacon:  Wisdom!

Reader: A reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians

Deacon:  Let us be attentive!

Reader:  Brethren, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.

Priest: X Peace be to you, reader.

Choir:  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Priest:  Wisdom.  Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel. X Peace be to all.

Choir:  And to your spirit.

Priest:  The Holy Gospel according toSt. John the Evangelist

Choir:  Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you!

Priest:  Let us be attentive!

At that time, the Lord Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: “In truth, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has life everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life. In truth, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is here, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Angel of God, and those who hear shall live. For as the Father has life in himself, even so he has given to the Son also to have life in himself; and he has granted him power to render judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not wonder at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good shall come forth unto resurrection of life; but they who have done evil unto resurrection of judgement. Of myself I can do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just because I seek not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Choir: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you!

Another Gospel

The Holy Gospel according to St John the Evangelist (6: 48-54).

The Lord said to the Jews who had believed in him, “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “In truth, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.”

The Deacon recites the following Ekteny:

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in Your great mercy: We pray to you, hear us and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy! (Three times)

Deacon: Again let us pray for the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God, our brother and concelebrant, (N), that to him may be remitted every transgression, both deliberate and indeliberate. That the Lord God may establish his soul where the just repose.

Choir: Lord, have mercy! (Three times)

Deacon: The mercy of God, the kingdom of heaven and the remission of his sins we ask of you, O Christ, our immortal King and God.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Celebrant: O God of all spirits and of all flesh, you have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and have given life to the world: grant O Lord, to the soul of Your servant (N), our brother and concelebrant, who has departed this life, to rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since you are a gracious God and lover of Mankind, forgive him every sin he has committed by thought or word or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin: you alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true.

For you are the Resurrection and the Life, and the Repose of your departed servant (N), O Christ, our God, and we send up glory to you, together with your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Then the greeting with a final kiss takes place as follows:

They proceed two by two, one on each side. After the metania, facing the Holy Doors, they kiss the Holy Gospel and the Cross. Then another metania, facing the altar, then one bowing down to the Celebrant, and another to the opposite clergyman.

And during this the choir sings:

Choir: Come brethren, let us give a last kiss to him who is dead, and let us give thanks to God. He has left his own people and is now in the grave. No longer is his mind concerned with passing things, or with the flesh so weak. We, his relatives and friends, are cut away from him: let us ask the Lord to give him rest.

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

Sixth Tone

O you, my brethren and beloved ones, my acquaintances and relatives, when you see me lying voiceless and deprived of breath, you may well weep for me: for yesterday I spoke with you, and suddenly the terrible hour of death fell upon me. Come you all who love me, and greet me with a final kiss, for never shall I walk with you or talk to you again: I go before the Judge where there is no respect of persons, where slave and master stand together, king and soldier, rich and poor, in equal worthiness, for each is glorified or shamed according to his deeds. But I beg you all, and entreat you unceasingly, to pray Christ God for me, that I be not sent to the place of torment on account of my sins, but that he may appoint my lot where the light of life is shining.

Same Tone

Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Through the prayers of Your Mother, O Christ our God, give rest to the soul of this your departed servant; and through the intercession of your Forerunner, of your Prophets, Apostles, Patriarchs and all your saints.

Then the following dismissal:

Priest: Glory to you, O Christ God, our hope. Glory to you!

May Christ our true God, who has dominion over the living and the dead (on Sundays:  who is risen from the dead) have mercy  on  us  and  save  us  through  the prayers of his all pure Mother, of his holy and glorious Apostles who are worthy of all praise, of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers, and of all the saints; and may he establish in the mansions of the Just the soul of his departed servant (Amen), grant him rest in the bosom of Abraham (Amen), and number him among the saints (Amen), for he is good and loves mankind (Amen).

Priest and Choir alternately:  May his memory be eternal. (Three times).

All: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT

OF HOLY MATRIMONY

FIRST PART:

THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY

The priest stands before the Tetrapod near the  Sanctuary and on the Tetrapod are placed the Holy Gospel, the Cross, two candlesticks, two crowns and a glass of wine.

According to the present custom, the bridal party is received by the Priest at the entrance of the Church. Then they make a procession into the Church while the Priest is incensing, and the Choir is chanting the Hirmos of Pentecost in the 4th Tone:

Choir: Hail O Queen, glory of virgins and mothers: for your praise is beyond the eloquence of the most cultured tongues, and the wonderful manner in which you gave birth to Christ throws every intelligence into amazement. Therefore, we the faithful magnify you with one accord.

The priest stands before the Holy Doors, and the bridal couple approach with the two witnesses, the bridegroom on the right and the bride on the left, and on each side of them the best man, and the maid of honour, all holding lighted candles. The priest then places the two rings on the right side of the table, and begins the service thus:

Priest: Blessed is our God, at all times, now and always, and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

THE BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Priest: O Lord our God, who wedded together from the nations the pure and Virgin Church, bless + this betrothal and unite and protect these your servants in peace and harmony.

For all glory, honour and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the handmaid of God (Name), + in the name of  the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The handmaid of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God (Name) is betrothed  to the handmaid of God (Name), + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

SECOND PART:

THE CROWNING CEREMONY

Choir: Glory be to You, Oh our God, glory be to You.

This refrain is repeated after each verse of Psalm 127:

Priest: - Happy are those who fear the Lord and follow in his paths.

- You will eat what your hands have worked for, happiness and prosperity will be yours.

- Your wife, a fruitful vine on the inner walls of your house. Your sons, around your table like shoots around an olive tree.

- Such are the blessings that fall on all those who fear the Lord.

The priest here begins the Exchange of Consent:

Priest: (Name of Groom) do you freely and willingly come to take the handmaid of God (Name of Bride) here present, for your lawful wife, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Groom: I do.

Priest: And do you (Name of Bride) freely and willingly come to take the servant of God (Name of Groom) here present, for your lawful husband, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Bride: I do.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross with the Gospel Book as in the beginning of the Divine Liturgy:

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon/Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:  Lord, have mercy.

- For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- For this holy place and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- For our Bishop (Name), the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- For the servant of God (Name) and the handmaid of God (Name) who are now being joined together in the partnership of marriage and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- That this marriage may be blessed like the marriage at Cana in Galilee, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- That this couple may be granted for their own good both purity and the fruit of the womb, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- That they may rejoice at the sight of their sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord have mercy

- That they may be overwhelmed with joy at the sight of their many children, and that their life may be without stain, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- That they, and all those present here, may be granted whatever they ask which is good for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- For their deliverance and our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

_: Lord, have mercy.

- Let us remember our all‑holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever‑Virgin Mary with all the saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

_: To You, 0 Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honour and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and

always and forever and ever.

Choir:  Amen.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, who are the Maker of every pure and mystical marriage, and the Lawgiver of that of the flesh, the Guardian of purity, and the provider of good things beneficial for our life. It is You, O Master, who in the beginning made man and set him as king over creation and said, “It is not good for man to be alone on earth, let us make for him a helpmate like himself.” (Cf. Gen. 2:18) You took one of his ribs and formed woman, and when Adam saw her he said, “This at last is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken from man.” (Cf. Gen. 2:23) This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body, and those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Now also, O Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace upon these your servants (Names), and grant that this your handmaid (Name) may in all things be subject to her husband and this your servant (Name) may be the head of his wife, so that they may live according to your will.

- Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sarah.

- Bless them, O Lord our Grid, as you blessed Joachim and Ann.

- Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elizabeth.

- Remember them, O Lord our God, as you remembered your Forty Holy Martyrs, upon

whom you sent crowns from heaven.

- Be mindful O Lord our God of their parents who raised them, for the prayer of parents strengthens the foundations of homes.

- Remember, O Lord our God, your servants the best man and maid of honour who share this celebration with us.

- Be mindful, O Lord our God, of your servant (Name) and your handmaid (Name) and bless them. Grant them the fruit of the womb, healthy children, harmony of soul and body. Exalt them as Cedars of Lebanon and protect them as a fruitful vine. Grant them the seed of offspring and provide them with sufficient goods, so that they may abound in every deed that is good and acceptable to you. Let them see their children’s children like olive branches around their table. And after they have pleased you, may you illuminate them as the stars of heaven.

By You O our Lord, to whom belongs glory, power, honour, and worship, and also to your eternal Father and your all‑holy, good and life giving Spirit, now and always, and forever and

ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O holy God, who created man out of dust and fashioned a woman out of his rib and joined her to him as a helpmate like himself, it so pleased your majesty that man should not be alone on the earth. O Master, extend your hand from your holy dwelling place and unite your servant (Name) and your handmaid (Name) (here they join their hands, the groom’s left to the bride’s right). For by you woman is united to man. Join them in chastity, crown them with glory, wed them into one flesh, grant them the fruit of the womb and the procreation of good children who will lead blameless lives.

For yours is the dominion, and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

The priest begins the crowning ceremony with the groom, then the bride and then the groom. Each time the priest exchanges the crowns in the form of a Cross.

Priest: The servant of God (Name) is crowned to the handmaid of God (Name), + in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The handmaid of God (Name) is crowned to the servant of God (Name), + in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God (Name) is crowned to the handmaid of God (Name), + in the name

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

Choir: Amen.

The following hymn in the seventh tone is chanted 3x by the priest and people:

O LORD OUR GOD, CROWN THEM WITH GLORY AND HONOUR, AND GRANT THEM DOMINION OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS.

EPISTLE:

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader:

You put crowns of pure gold on their heads.

They asked for life, and you gave it to them, length of days for ever and ever.

Priest: Wisdom

Reader: A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians.                                          (5:15-23)

Priest: Let us be attentive

Reader:

Brethren,

Always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22           Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is Himself its Saviour. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present the church to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,  because we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church; 33 however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

[Commentary cf. Rudolf Schnackenburg, The Moral Teaching of the New Testament. P. 250.]

Priest: Peace be with you, Reader.

Priest: (Incensing) Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with all of you.

Choir:  And to your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John the Evangelist.             (John 2:1-11)

Choir:  Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Priest: Let us be attentive.

On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom [10] and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Priest: And make us worthy, Master, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call You Father, O God of heaven and to say:

People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 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 evil.

Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the

Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

Choir:  Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

Choir:  And to your spirit.

Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

Choir:  To You, O Lord.

THE BLESSING OF WINE & PROCESSION

The priest blesses the glass of wine with the following prayer:

Priest: Almighty God and Maker of all things, who arranged the universe in an orderly way and adorned all your creation with dignity: Bless now, with a spiritual blessing, this common cup

which you give to those who are now joined together in the partnership of marriage.

For blessed is your name and glorified is your kingdom, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir:  Amen.

Then the priest offers the common cup, first to the groom and then to the bride; likewise, to the best‑man and the maid of honour, while the choir chants the following koinonikon:

Choir: I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.

Now, led by the priest, they make a procession around the tetrapod three times, while the choir chants the following hymns:

Fifth Tone

Choir: Rejoice, O Isaiah, for the Virgin has conceived in her womb, and has given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, both God and man. His name is Orient, magnifying Him, we praise the Virgin.

Seventh Tone

- O holy martyrs, who fought well and were crowned, intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.

- Glory to You, O Christ God, glory of the apostles and delight of the martyrs, who preached the consubstantial Trinity.

The priest then removes the crown from the head of the bridegroom, saying:

Priest: May God exalt you, O Bride‑groom, like Abraham, and bless you like Isaac, and multiply you like Jacob. Walk in peace and be faithful to the commandments of God.

He removes the crown from the head of the bride, saying:

Priest: And you, O Bride, may God exalt you like Sarah, and gladden you like Rebecca and multiply you like Rachel. Rejoice in your husband and keep the precepts of the law, for in this is God pleased.

THIRD PART: PRAYER FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CROWNS

Priest; Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, you blessed the crown of the year, and allowed these crowns to bo placed on the heads of those who were joined together by the law of marriage, and imparted to them as it were a reward of purity, because chaste are they whom you have joined together in a lawful marriage; also, in the removal of these crowns, bless + those who were joined to each other and protect their indissoluble union, so that they may always give thanks to your all‑holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.

Priest: O Lord, these your servants who have come together in union and fulfilled the covenant of marriage, and contracted the pledges thereof just as in Cana of Galilee, give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir:  Amen.

Priest: Glory to You, O Christ God, our hope, Glory to You!

May Christ our true God who through his presence at Cana in Galilee proclaimed marriage worthy of special honour, have mercy on us and save us, through the prayers of his all‑pure  Mother of his holy and glorious Apostles who are worthy of all praise, of the holy‑crowned kings and saints equal to the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy and great martyr, Procopius, and of all the saints, for He is good and loves mankind.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.

Choir:  Amen.

***********************************************************

THE SACRAMENT

OF

HOLY MATRIMONY

FIRST PART: THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY

The priest stands before the Tetrapod near the Sanctuary and on the Tetrapod are placed the Holy Gospel, the Cross, two candlesticks, two crowns and a glass of wine.

According to the present custom, the bridal party is received by the Priest at the entrance of the Church. Then they make a procession into the Church while the Priest is incensing, and the Choir chanting the Hirmos of Pentecost in the 4th Tone:

Choir: Hail O Queen, glory of virgins and mothers: for your praise is beyond the eloquence of the most cultured tongues, and the wonderful manner in which you gave birth to Christ throws every intelligence into amazement. Wherefore, we the faithful magnify you with one accord.

The priest stands before the Holy Doors, and the bridal couple approach with the two witnesses, the bride-groom on the right and the bride on the left, and out each side of them the best man, and the maid of honor, all holding lighted candles. The priest then places the two rings on the right side of the table, and begins the service thus.

 Priest: Blessed is our God, at all times, now and always, and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen

THE BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Priest: O Lord our God, who wedded together from the nations the pure and Virgin Church, bless + this betrothal and unite and protect these your servants in peace and harmony.  For all glory, honor and worship, are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God …………… is betrothed to the handmaid of God ……………, + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The handmaid of God …………… is betrothed to the servant of God……………, + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God …………… is betrothed to the handmaid of God ……………, + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

SECOND PART: THE CROWNING CEREMONY

Choir: Glory be to You, O our God, glory be to You.

This refrain is repeated after each verse of Psalm 127:  

Priest: Happy all those who fear the Lord and follow in his paths.

You will eat what your hands have worked for, happiness and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife: a fruitful vine on the inner walls of your house. Your sons: round your table like shoots round an olive tree.

Such are the blessings that fall on the man who fears the Lord.

The Priest here begins the exchange of Consent:  

Priest: ……………  do you freely and willingly come to take the handmaid of God …………… here present, for your lawful wife, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Groom: I do.

Priest: And do you, …………… freely and willingly come to take the servant of God …………… here present, for your lawful husband, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Bride: I do.

The priest makes the sign of the Cross with the Gospel Book: 

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For peace in the whole world, the well-being of the holy churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For this holy place and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let Ms pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our Bishop ( ………….. ), the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ, and For all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the servant of God …………… and the handmaid of God …………… who are now being joined together in the partnership of marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That this marriage maybe blessed like the marriage at Cana in Galilee,  let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That this couple may be granted for their own good both purity and the  fruit of the womb, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That they may rejoice at the sight of their sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That they may be overwhelmed with joy at the sight of their many children, and that their life may be without stain, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That they, and all those present here, may be granted whatever they ask  which is good for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For their deliverance and our deliverance from all affliction, wrath,  danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and Id protect us, O God, by your grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Let us remember our all-holy, spotless, most highly blessed and  glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary with all the

saints, and commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

Choir: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honor and worship, are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, who are the Maker of every pure and mystical marriage, and the Lawgiver of that of the flesh, the Guardian of purity, and Provider of good things beneficial for our life. It is You, O Master, who in the beginning made man and set him as king over creation and said, “It is not good for man to be alone on earth, let us make for him a helpmate like himself”. You took one of his ribs and formed woman, and when Adam saw her he said, “This at last is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken from man.” This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body, and those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Now also, O Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace upon these your servants …………… , and grant that this your handmaid …………… ; may in all things be subject to her husband and this your servant ……………  may be the head of his wife, so that they may live according to your will.

Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sarah.  

Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Ann.  

Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elizabeth.

Remember them, O Lord our God, as you remembered your Forty Holy Martyrs, upon whom you sent crowns from heaven.  

Be mindful, O Lord our God, of their parents who raised them, for the prayer of parents strengthens the foundations of homes.  

Remember, O Lord our God, your servants the best man and maid (or matron) of honor, who share this celebration with us.

Be mindful, O Lord our God, of your servant ……………  and your handmaid ……………  and bless them. Grant them the fruit of the womb, healthy children, harmony of soul and body. Exalt them as Cedars of Lebanon, and protect them as a fruitful vine. Grant them the seed of offspring and provide them with sufficient goods, so that they may abound in every deed that is good and acceptable to you. Let them see their children’s children like olive branches around their table. And after they have pleased you, may you illuminate them as the stars of heaven.

By You, O our Lord, to whom belongs glory, power, honor, and worship, and also to your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O holy God, who created man out of dust and fashioned a woman out of his rib and joined her to him as a helpmate like himself, it so pleased your majesty that man should not be alone on the earth. O Master, extend your hand from your holy dwelling place and unite your servant ……………  and your handmaid ……………  (Here they join their Hands, the groom’s left to the bride’s right). For by you woman is united to man. Join them in chastity, crown them with glory, wed them into one flesh, grant them the fruit of the womb and the procreation of good children who will lead blameless lives. For yours is the dominion, and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

THE CROWNING

The priest begins the crowning ceremony with the groom, then the bride. and then the groom. Each time the priest exchanges the crowns in the form of a Cross.

Priest: The servant of God ……………  is crowned to the handmaid of God …………… , + in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The handmaid of God ……………  is crowned to the servant of God …………… , + in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God ……………  is crowned to the handmaid of God …………… , + in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  

Choir: Amen.

The following hymn in the seventh tone is chanted 3 times  by the priest and people:

O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor, and grant them dominion over the works of your hands.

 THE EPISTLE

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: You put crowns of pure gold on their heads. They asked for life, and you gave it to them, length of days for ever and ever.

Priest: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.  

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: BRETHREN: Always give thanks for all things to God who is our Father in the name of OUR Lord Jesus Christ. Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is the head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to him-self she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body—and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church. To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.

Priest: Peace to you, reader.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

THE GOSPEL

Priest: Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the holy Gospel. Peace to all.

Choir: And to your spirit.

Priest: The holy Gospel according to St. John.

Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Priest: Let us be attentive.

At that time, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine”. Jesus said, “Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet”. His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”, and they filled them to the brim. “Draw some out now” he told them “and take it to the steward.” They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from—only the servants who had drawn the water knew—the steward called the bridegroom and said, “People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now”. This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.

Choir: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!  

Priest: And make us worthy, Master, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call You Father, O God of heaven and to say:

People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 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 evil.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.  

Choir: Amen.

Priest: peace to all.

Choir: And to your spirit.

Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

THE  BLESSING OF  WINE & PROCESSION

 The priest blesses the glass of wine with the following prayer:

 Priest: Almighty God and Maker of all things, who arranged the universe in an orderly way and adorned all your creation with dignity: Bless now, with a spiritual blessing, this common cup which you give to those who are now joined together in the partnership of marriage.

For blessed is your name and glorified is your kingdom, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Then the priest offers the common cup, first to the groom and then to the bride; likewise, to the best-man and the maid of honor, while the Choir chants the following kinonikon: 

Choir: I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.

Now, led by the priest, they make a procession around the Tetrapod Three times, while the choir chants the following hymns: 

 Fifth Tone 

Choir: Rejoice, O Isaias, for the Virgin has conceived in her womb, and has given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, both God and man. His name is Orient, magnifying Him, we praise the Virgin.

 Seventh Tone 

O holy martyrs, who fought well and were Crowned, intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.

Glory to You, O Christ God, glory of the apostles and delight of the martyrs, who preached the consubstantial Trinity.

The priest then removes the crown from the head of the bridegrooms saying: 

Priest: May God exalt you, O Bride-groom, like Abraham, and bless you like Isaac, and multiply you like Jacob. Walk in peace and be faithful to the commandments of God.

He removes the crown from the head of the bride, saying:

Priest: And you, O Bride, may God exalt you like Sarah, and gladden you like Rebecca and multiply you like Rachel. Rejoice in your husband and keep the precepts of the law, for in this is God pleased.

THIRD PART: PRAYER FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CROWNS

 Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, you blessed the crown of the year, and allowed these crowns to be placed on the heads of those who were joined together by the law of marriage, and imparted to them as it were a reward of purity, because chaste are they whom you have joined together in a lawful marriage; also, in the removal of these crowns, bless + those who were joined to each other and protect their indissoluble union, so that they may always give thanks to your all-holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: And now, O Lord, these your servants having come together in a perfect union in the service of marriage just as in Cana of Galilee, they put of its symbols, and for that we give glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen. 

Priest: Glory to You, O Christ God, our hope, Glory to You!

May Christ our true God who through his presence at Cana in Galilee proclaimed marriage worthy of special honor, have mercy on us and save us, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother of his holy and glorious Apostles who are worthy of all praise, of the holy-crowned kings and saints equal to the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy and great martyr, Procopius, and of all the saints, for He is good and loves mankind.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.

Choir: Amen.

The Coat of Arms of His Excellency

The Most Reverend 

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, BSO, D.D.

Eparch of St. Sauveur, Canada

Significance

The entire “achievement” or Coat of Arms as it is generally called, is composed of the shield with its charges, the motto and the external ornaments. As one looks at the shield, the terms dexter and sinister must be understood contrariwise, as the shield was worn on the arm in medieval days, and these terms were used in the relationship of one behind the armor.

 The dexter impalement on the left of the viewer bears, according to custom in ecclesiastical heraldry, the jurisdictional Arms of the Eparchy of St. Sauveur in Canada. The sinister impalement, on the right of the viewer, displays the personal Arms of Eparch Ibrahim. By combining the personal Arms on the same shield with those of the Eparchy of St. Sauveur the spiritual unity of the Eparch with his flock is signified.

 The personal Arms of Eparch Ibrahim consist of a green area upon which stands a lamb, supporting an olive branch. The altar and the lamb symbolize the sacrifice of Abraham (Gen.22: 1-19) patron of the Eparch, his family and the church of his hometown, Jensnaya. The green field of the shield recalls the verdant countryside of Lebanon, the birthplace of the Eparch.

 The lamb is standing to symbolize the victory of Christ over death through his resurrection. The olive branch represents the Eparch’s commitment to peacemaking and ecumenical work. It is customary for members of religious orders raised to the episcopate, to display on their Arms a symbol of their order. In this instance, the dome of the church of the monastery of St. Savior represents the Basilian Salvatorian Order, through which the Eparch received his monastic vows and holy priesthood. The lily symbolizes the Mother of God and her distinctive role in the life of the Eparch.

 The Arms of the Eparchy of St. Sauveur in Canada is divided into two fields: The blue field represents the Mother of God. On the field is placed the symbol of the Savior, patron of the Eparchy, expressed by the Greek letters IC XC NIKA which stand for “Jesus Christ conquers”. The two letters, A and W, which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolize Christ as the beginning and the end. These letters are placed on the globe which is surrounded by the wreaths of victory of the Savior, King of the Universe and Master of Creation. The white field and the red maple leaf that is placed on it denote the Canadian territory of the Eparchy.

 The motto: Keep My Covenant (Genesis, 17: 9) recalls God’s command to Abraham and complements the emblems on the Arms.

 Behind the shield is a processional cross and a Byzantine pastoral staff (both gold) placed in saltire, the whole displayed upon an open mandyas surmounted by an Episcopal crown, or mitre. It is a custom among Eastern rites to display the shield in front of an open mandyas, analogous to the Western capa magna (great cloak). The mandyas (a long mantle) is usually purple, and is the dress of an eparch (bishop) in the Eastern Church.