Chapter III: Part 3

For the peace of the whole world, the good estate....

For this holy temple, and for them that with faith....

For the most holy governing Synod....

For our Most Pious....

For the servant of God, _name_, and for the handmaid of God, _name_, who are now being betrothed to one another, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be vouchsafed unto them children for the succession of generation, and all desires that tend to salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be sent down upon them perfect love, peace, and assistance, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be preserved in unanimity, and stedfast faith, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be blessed with a blameless course of life, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may grant unto them an honourable marriage, and a bed undefiled, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction....

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed....

_Priest._

For to thee is due all glory....

_Then he saith the prayer with a loud voice._

O God eternal, who bringest things that are divided unto unity, and imposest upon these an indissoluble bond of love, who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca, and declare them to be the inheritors of thy promise; do thou thyself bless these thy servants, _name_, _name_, directing them in every good work. For a merciful and man-loving God thou art, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

_Choir._ And to thy spirit.

_Deacon._ Bow your heads to the Lord.

_Choir._ To thee, O Lord.

_Priest._

O Lord our God, who hast espoused the church as a pure virgin from among the gentiles; do thou bless these espousals, and unite and keep these thy servants in peace and unanimity.

For to thee is due all glory, honour, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Then the priest, taking the rings, giveth first the golden one to the man, then the silver one to the woman._

_And he saith to the man,_

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 Ghost. Amen.

_Then to the woman he saith,_

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 Ghost. Amen.

_And when he hath thus spoken to each one thrice, he maketh a cross with the rings upon their heads, and placeth them on the fingers of their right hands. Then the sponsor changeth the rings of the bridal pair._

_The priest saith the prayer._

Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, our God, who didst accompany the servant of the patriarch Abraham to Mesopotamia, when he was sent to espouse a wife for his lord Isaac, and didst reveal to him by means of the drawing of water to betroth Rebecca; do thou thyself bless the betrothal of thy servants, this, _name_, and this, _name_, and confirm the word that hath been spoken by them, confirm them by the holy union that is from thee; for thou from the beginning hast created male and female, and by thee a woman is conjoined to a man, for assistance and for the succession of the generation of man. Therefore, O Lord our God, who hast sent forth thy truth unto thine inheritance, and thy promise unto thy servants, our fathers, even thine elect in every generation, do thou thyself regard thy servant, _name_, and thine handmaid, _name_, and confirm their betrothal in faith, and unanimity, and truth, and love. For thou, O Lord, hast declared that troth should be given and confirmed in everything. By a ring was given might unto Joseph in Egypt; by a ring Daniel was exalted in the land of Babylon; by a ring was revealed the truth of Thamar; by a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion upon his son; for, said he, Put ye a ring upon his right hand, and kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice. Thine own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the red sea; for, by thy true word, the heavens were established and the earth firmly founded, and the right hand of thy servants shall be blessed by thy mighty word, and by thine uplifted arm. Therefore, O Master, do thou thyself now bless this putting on of rings with thy heavenly benediction; and may thine Angel go before them all the days of their life.

For thou art he that blesseth and sanctifieth all things, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Straightway the deacon this ectenia._

Furthermore let us pray for our Most Pious, Autocratic, Great Lord, THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH of all Russia.

Furthermore let us pray for His Consort, the Most Pious Lady, THE EMPRESS MARIA THEODOROVNA.

Furthermore let us pray for His Heir, the Right-believing Lord, the Cesarevitch and Grand Duke, NICOLAUS ALEXANDROVITCH.

Furthermore let us pray for the Most Holy Governing Synod.

Furthermore let us pray for all Their christ-loving army.

Furthermore let us pray for the servants of God, _name_, and _name_, who are being betrothed to one another.

_Choir._ Lord have mercy, _thrice_.

Furthermore let us pray for the whole brotherhood....

_Exclamation._

For a merciful and man-loving God thou art, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Then the dismissal._

_Chapter X._

THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION.

_Now if at the same time they desire to be crowned, they go into the temple with burning tapers, preceded by the priest with the censer, and singing psalm cxxvii thus. And the people say after each verse,_

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

They that walk in his ways.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labours.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the gables of thine house.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Thy sons shall be as newly-planted olive trees round about thy table.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

The Lord shall bless thee out of Sion, and thou shalt see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

And thou shalt see thy son’s sons: peace be upon Israel.

_Glory to thee, O our God, glory to thee._

_After this the priest saith a word of instruction, telling them what is the mystery of marriage, and how in marriage they have to live acceptably unto God, and honourably. And after the conclusion of this, the priest interrogateth the bridegroom, saying,_

Hast thou, _name_, a good and unconstrained will, and a firm intention to take unto thyself this woman, _name_, whom here thou seest before thee?

_And the bridegroom answereth, saying_, I have, reverend father.

_The priest again_, Thou hast not vowed thyself to another bride?

_Bridegroom._ I have not vowed myself, reverend father.

_And straightway the priest, regarding the bride, interrogateth her, saying_, Hast thou a good and unconstrained will, and a firm intention to take unto thyself this man, _name_, whom thou seest here before thee?

_And the bride answereth, saying_, I have, reverend father.

_The priest again_, Thou hast not vowed thyself to another man?

_And the bride answereth_, I have not vowed myself, reverend father.

_Then the deacon saith_, Bless, master.

_Priest._ Blessed be the kingdom....

_Choir._ Amen.

_Deacon, the ectenia._

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace that is from above....

For the peace of the whole world....

For this holy temple....

For the Most Holy Governing Synod.

For our Most Pious....

For the servants of God, _name_, _name_, who are now being conjoined to one another in the community of marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That this marriage may be blessed as was that in Cana of Galilee, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be vouchsafed unto them chastity, and fruit of the womb for their benefit, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may be rejoiced in the beholding of sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be granted unto them the acquisition of fair children, and a blameless course of life, let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be granted unto them and unto us all desires that tend unto salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For their deliverance and ours from every affliction.

Help us, save us, have mercy....

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed....

_Priest, with a loud voice,_

For to thee is due all glory....

_Choir._ Amen.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Choir._ Lord have mercy.

_The priest, with a loud voice, this prayer._

O God most pure, and the Author of all creation, who, through thy love to man, didst transform a rib of Adam the forefather into a woman, and didst bless them, and say, Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the earth, and, by the conjoining, didst declare them both to be one member; for because of this a man shall forsake his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be in one flesh; and whom God hath joined together let man not put asunder; who didst also bless thy servant Abraham, and open the womb of Sara, and didst make him the father of many nations; who didst bestow Isaac upon Rebecca, and didst bless her offspring; who didst join Jacob unto Rachel, and from them didst make manifest the twelve patriarchs; who didst yoke Joseph and Aseneth together, and as the fruit of generation didst bestow upon them Ephrem and Manasse; who didst accept Zacharias and Elizabeth, and didst declare their offspring the Forerunner; who out of the root of Jesse, according to the flesh, didst produce the Ever-Virgin, and from her wast incarnate and wast born for the salvation of the human race; who through thine unspeakable grace and plenteous goodness, wast present in Cana of Galilee, and didst bless the marriage there, that thou mightest show that a lawful union, and a generation therefrom is according to thy will. Do thou thyself, O most holy Master, accept the prayer of us, thy servants, and, with thine invisible presence being here, as there, do thou bless this marriage, and give unto thy servants, _name_, _name_, a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for one another in the bond of peace, a long-lived seed, grace upon their children, and an unfading crown of glory. Count them worthy to see their children’s children; preserve their bed undefiled; and give them of the dew of heaven from above, and of the fatness of the earth. Fill their houses with corn, wine and oil, and with every bounty, that they may have to give to them that are in need, bestowing also unto them that are here assembled with us all desires that tend to salvation.

For a merciful, and compassionate, and man-loving God thou art, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and thy most holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Choir._ Lord, have mercy.

_The priest this prayer with a loud voice._

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, thou hierurgist of mystical and pure marriage and lawgiver of that of the body, thou guardian of incorruption, thou good provider of the means of life. Do thou thyself now, O Master, who in the beginning didst create man, and appoint him as the king of creation, and say, It is not good for man to be alone upon the earth, let us make him a helpmeet for him; and, taking one of his ribs, didst make woman, whom when Adam saw he said, This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of her man: for this cause a man shall forsake his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and two shall be in one flesh: and whom God hath joined, let not man divide: do thou thyself now, O Master, Lord our God, send down thy heavenly grace upon these thy servants, _name_, _name_, and grant unto this thine handmaid to be in all things subject unto the man, and to this thy servant to be at the head of the woman, that they may live according unto thy will. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Abraham and Sara. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Isaac and Rebecca. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Jacob, and all the patriarchs. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Joseph and Aseneth. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Moses and Sepphora. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Joakim and Anna. Bless them, O Lord our God, as thou didst bless Zacharias and Elizabeth. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as thou didst preserve Noe in the ark. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as thou didst preserve Jonas in the belly of the whale. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as thou didst preserve the three holy children from the fire, sending down upon them dew from heaven; and may that joy come upon them which the blessed Helen had when she found the precious cross. Remember them, O Lord our God, as thou didst remember Enoch, Sem, and Elias. Remember them, O Lord our God, as thou didst remember thy holy forty martyrs, sending down upon them crowns from heaven. Remember, O God, the parents who have reared them; for the prayers of parents confirm the foundation of houses. Remember, O Lord our God, thy servants, the paranymphs, who are present at this rejoicing. Remember, O Lord our God, thy servant, _name_, and thine handmaid, _name_, and bless them. Give them fruit of the womb, fair children, and unanimity of soul and body. Exalt them as the cedars of Libanus, and as a well-cultured vine. Bestow upon them seed of corn, that, having every sufficiency, they may abound in every work that is good and acceptable unto thee; and let them behold their sons’ sons as newly planted olive-trees round about their table, and, being accepted before thee, may they shine as the luminaries in heaven unto thee, our Lord. And, together with thee, be glory, might, honour, and worship, to thine unbeginning Father, and to thy life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Choir._ Lord, have mercy.

_And again the priest saith this prayer with a
loud voice._

O holy God, who didst form man from the dust, and from his rib didst fashion woman, and yoke her unto him a helpmeet for him, because so it was seemly unto thy majesty for man not to be alone upon the earth; do thou thyself now, O Master, stretch forth thy hand from thy holy dwelling-place, and conjoin this thy servant, _name_, and this thine handmaid, _name_; for by thee a woman is conjoined unto a man. Yoke them together in unanimity, crown them in one flesh, bestow on them fruit of the womb, and the gain of well-favoured children.

For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_And after the Amen the priest, taking the crowns, crowneth first the bridegroom, saying,_

The servant of God, _name_, is crowned for the handmaid of God, _name_, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

_Then he crowneth also the bride, saying,_

The handmaid of God, _name_, is crowned for the servant of God, _name_, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

_Then he blesseth them thrice, saying thrice,_

O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honour.

_Then the prokimenon of the epistle, tone viii._

Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of thee, and thou gavest it them.

_Verse._ For thou wilt give them a blessing to ages of ages, thou wilt make them glad through joy with thy countenance.

_The epistle to the Ephesians, section cci._

Brethren, give thanks.... _ending_, that she reverence her husband.[13]

_Alleluia._

_Verse._ Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us, and shalt protect us, from this generation, and to ages.

_Deacon._ Wisdom, standing, let us hear....

_The gospel from John, section vi._

At that time there was a marriage.... _ending_, believed on him.[14]

_Deacon._ Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind let us say.

O Lord Almighty, the God....

Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God, _names_, _and he commemorateth whom he wisheth_.

_Exclamation._ For a merciful....

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Choir._ Lord have mercy.

_Priest, this prayer._

O Lord our God, who, in thy saving providence, didst vouchsafe in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honourable by thy presence; do thou now thyself preserve in peace and unanimity thy servants, _name_, and, _name_, whom thou art well-pleased should be conjoined to one another: declare their marriage honourable: preserve their bed undefiled: be pleased that their mutual life may be unblamable, and count them worthy to attain unto a ripe old age, keeping thy commandments in a pure heart.

For thou art our God, the God to have mercy and to save, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Deacon._ Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

_Choir._ Lord, have mercy.

That the whole day may be perfect, holy....

_Choir._ Vouchsafe, O Lord.

An angel of peace....

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins....

What is good and profitable for our souls....

That the remaining time of our life....

A christian end of our life....

Having prayed for the unity of the faith, and the communion of the Holy Ghost....

_Choir._ To thee, O Lord.

_The priest exclaimeth,_

And count us worthy, O Master, with boldness to dare without condemnation to call upon thee, our heavenly Father God, and say,

_And the people_, Our Father.... _all to the end_.

_The priest exclaimeth_, For thine is the kingdom....

Peace to all.

Bow your heads to the Lord.

_Then the common cup is brought, and the priest blesseth it, and saith this prayer._

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

O God, who by thy might createst all things, and confirmest the universe, and adornest the crown of all things created by thee; do thou, with thy spiritual blessing, bless also this common cup given for the community of marriage unto them that are conjoined.

_With a loud voice_, For blessed is thy name, and glorified thy kingdom....

_Choir._ Amen.

_Then the priest, taking in his hand the common cup, giveth them to drink thrice, first to the man, and then to the woman. And straightway the priest taketh them, while the groomsman holdeth the crowns behind, and leadeth them in the form of a circle. And the priest, or the people, sing the present troparion in tone v,_

Rejoice, O Esaias, the virgin is with child, and bringeth forth a son, Emmanuel, God and man: the orient is his name, whom magnifying, we call the virgin blessed.

_Another, tone vii._

O holy martyrs, who valiantly contended, and are crowned; pray ye the Lord for mercy on our souls.

Glory to thee, Christ God, apostles’ boast, and martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

_Then, taking the crown from the bridegroom, he saith,_

Be thou magnified, O bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as Jacob, walking in peace, and performing in righteousness the commandments of God.

_And when he taketh the crown from the bride, he saith,_

And thou, O bride, be thou magnified as Sara, and rejoiced as Rebecca, and increased as Rachel, being glad in thy husband, and keeping the paths of the law, for so God is well-pleased.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Choir._ Lord, have mercy.

_Priest, The prayer._

O God, our God, who wast present in Cana of Galilee, and didst bless the marriage there; do thou bless also these thy servants, who, by thy providence, are conjoined in the community of marriage. Bless their incomings and outgoings, replenish their life with good things, accept their crowns in thy kingdom unsullied and undefiled, and preserve them without offence to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

Bow your heads to the Lord.

_And the priest prayeth._

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the all-holy, and consubstantial, and life-originating Trinity, one Godhead and sovereignty, bless you, and vouchsafe unto you long life, well-favoured children, progress in life and faith, and replenish you with all the good things of earth, and count you worthy of the obtaining of promised blessings, through the prayers of the holy God-bearing one, and of all the Saints. Amen.

_Then they come and congratulate them, and they kiss one another, and the full dismissal is made by the priest._

_Saith the deacon_, Wisdom.

_Choir._ The more honourable than the Cherubim....

_Priest, the dismissal._

He that by his presence in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be honourable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all-praised apostles; of the holy god-crowned sovereigns and equals of the apostles, Constantine and Helen; of the holy great martyr Procopius, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, as being good and the lover of mankind.

_Chapter XI._

PRAYER AT THE TAKING OFF OF THE CROWNS ON THE EIGHTH DAY.

O Lord our God, who blessest the crown of the year, and permittest these crowns to be put on them that are conjoined to one another by the law of marriage, vouchsafing them to them as the reward of chastity; for they are pure that are conjoined in the lawfully appointed marriage that is from thee; do thou thyself also bless, in the taking off of these crowns, them that have been conjoined together, and preserve their union unbroken, that they may ever give thanks unto thine all-holy name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

O Lord, thy servants, having met in concord and accomplished the order of marriage as at Cana of Galilee, and contracted the signs according thereto, ascribe glory to thee, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And the dismissal._

_Chapter XII._

THE ORDER FOR A SECOND MARRIAGE.

_The priest beginneth_, Blessed be our God.... _Then_, Trisagion. _After_ Our Father.... _the troparion of the day_.

_Then, ectenia._

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace that is from above....

For the peace of the whole world....

For this holy temple....

For the servants of God, _name_, and, _name_, and for their protection by God and mutual life, let us pray to the Lord.

That they may live together virtuously in unanimity, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy....

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed....

For to thee is due....

_Then_, Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, the prayer._

O God eternal, who bringest things that are divided unto unity, and imposest upon these two an indissoluble bond of love, who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca, and declare them to be the inheritors of thy promise; do thou thyself also bless these thy servants, _name_, and, _name_, directing them in every good work.

For a merciful and man-loving God thou art, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

_Deacon._ Bow your heads to the Lord.

_Priest, the prayer._

O Lord our God, who hast espoused the church as a pure virgin from among the gentiles; do thou bless these espousals, and unite and keep these thy servants in peace and unanimity.

For to thee is due all glory, honour, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_Then the priest, taking the rings, giveth first the golden one to the man, and the silver one to the woman, and saith to the man,_

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 Ghost. Amen.

_And in like manner to the woman_, 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 Ghost. Amen.

_And he maketh a cross with the rings upon their heads, and placeth them on the fingers of their right hands. Then the sponsor changeth the rings of the bridal pair._

_After this, the deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, the prayer._

Master, Lord our God, who sparest all, and providest for all, who knowest the secrets of men, having knowledge of all things; do thou cleanse our sins, and pardon the transgression of thy servants, calling them to repentance: vouchsafe unto them remission of iniquities, cleansing of sins, pardon of voluntary and involuntary transgressions, O thou that knowest the weakness of human nature, thou Fashioner and Creator. O thou who didst forgive Raab the harlot, and accept the repentance of the publican, remember not our sins of ignorance from our youth up. For if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark transgressions, who should stand before thee, O Lord? or what flesh should be justified in thy sight? For thou only art just, sinless, holy, of abundant mercy, plenteous beneficence, and repentest thee concerning the evils of men. Do thou thyself, O Master, who claimest thy servants, _name_, _name_, unite them to one another in love; give unto them the conversion of the publican, the tears of the harlot, and the confession of the thief, that, through repentance from all their heart, performing thy commandments in unanimity and peace, they may be counted worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.

For thou art the provider for all, and to thee we ascribe glory....

_Priest._ Peace to all.

_Deacon._ Bow your heads to the Lord.

_And this prayer._

O Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God, who wast lifted up upon the precious and life-effecting cross, and didst tear up the handwriting that was against us, and deliver us from the power of the devil; do thou cleanse the transgressions of thy servants, for, unable to bear the burden and the heat of the day, and the burning of the flesh, they are come to a second community of marriage, in accordance with that which thou hast lawfully appointed by thy chosen vessel, Paul, the apostle, saying, because of our low estate, It is better to marry in the Lord than to burn. Do thou thyself, as being good and man-loving, have mercy and pardon, cleanse, remit, and forgive our debts; for thou art he that took our weaknesses on thy shoulders: for there is none sinless, or without defilement for even one day of his life: thou only art the one who didst bear flesh sinlessly, and thou bestowest upon us eternal passionlessness.

For thou art God, the God of the penitent, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

_People._ Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, the prayer._

O holy God, who didst form man from the dust, and from his rib didst fashion woman, and yoke her unto him a helpmeet for him, because so it was seemly unto thy majesty for man not to be alone upon the earth; do thou thyself, now, O Master, stretch forth thy hand from thy holy dwelling-place, and conjoin this thy servant, _name_, and this thine handmaid, _name_; for by thee a woman is conjoined to a husband. Yoke them together in unanimity, crown them in one flesh, bestow on them fruit of the womb, and the gain of well-favoured children.

For thine is the might, and thine is the kingdom, and the power....

_And, taking the crowns, he crowneth the bridegroom, saying,_

The servant of God, _name_, is crowned for the handmaid of God, _name_, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

_In like manner he crowneth also the bride, saying,_

The handmaid of God, _name_, is crowned for the servant of God, _name_, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

_Then he blesseth them, saying thrice,_

O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honour.

_Then he saith the epistle and gospel, as they are written in the first coronation. Vide page 67._

_Then the deacon._

Let us all say with our whole soul....

O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers....

Have mercy upon us, O God....

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God, _names_, _and he commemorateth whom he wisheth_.

_Exclamation._ For a merciful....

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

_Priest, this prayer._

O Lord our God, who, in thy saving providence, didst vouchsafe in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honourable by thy presence; do thou now thyself preserve in peace and unanimity thy servants, _name_, and, _name_, whom thou art well-pleased should be conjoined to one another: declare their marriage honourable: preserve their bed undefiled: be pleased that their mutual life may be unblamable, and count them worthy to attain unto a ripe old age, keeping thy commandments in a pure heart.

For thou art our God, the God to have mercy and to save, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unbeginning Father, and with thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Deacon._

Help us, save us, have mercy....

That the whole day may be perfect, holy....

An angel of peace, a faithful....

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins....

What is good and profitable for our souls....

That the remaining time of our life....

A christian end of our life....

Having prayed for the unity of the faith, and the communion....

_The priest exclaimeth,_

And count us worthy, O Master....

_People._ Our Father....

_Priest_, For thine is the kingdom....

Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

Bow your heads to the Lord.

_Then the common cup is brought, and the priest blesseth it, and saith this prayer._

O God, who by thy might createst all things, and confirmest the universe, and adornest the crown of all things created by thee; do thou, with thy spiritual blessing, bless also this common cup given for the community of marriage unto them that are conjoined.

_With a loud voice,_

For blessed is thy name, and glorified thy kingdom....

_Then the priest, taking in his hand the common cup, giveth them to drink thrice, first to the man, and then to the woman. And straightway the priest, taking them, leadeth them in the form of a circle, and singeth in tone v,_

Rejoice, O Esaias, the virgin is with child, and bringeth forth a son, Emmanuel, God and man: the orient is his name, whom magnifying, we call the virgin blessed.

_Another, tone vii._

O holy martyrs, who valiantly contended and are crown’d; pray ye the Lord for mercy on our souls.

Glory to thee, Christ God, apostles’ boast and martyrs’ joy, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

_And, taking the crown from the bridegroom, he saith,_

Be thou magnified, O bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as Jacob, walking in peace, and performing in righteousness the commandments of God.

_And, taking the crown from the bride, he saith,_

And thou, O bride, be thou magnified as Sara, and rejoiced as Rebecca, and increased as Rachel, being glad in thy husband, and keeping the paths of the law, for so God is well pleased.

Let us pray to the Lord.

_Then the prayer._

O God, our God, who wast present in Cana of Galilee, and didst bless the marriage there; do thou bless also these thy servants, who, by thy providence, are conjoined in the community of marriage. Bless their incomings and outgoings, replenish their life with good things, accept their crowns in thy kingdom unsullied and undefiled, and preserve them without offence to ages of ages.

_Choir._ Amen.

_Priest._ Peace to all.

Bow your heads to the Lord.

_And he prayeth._

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the all-holy, and consubstantial, and life-originating Trinity, one Godhead and sovereignty, bless you, and vouchsafe unto you long life, well-favoured children, progress in life and faith, and replenish you with all the good things of the earth, and count you worthy of the obtaining of promised blessings, through the prayers of the holy God-bearing one, and of all the Saints. Amen.

_Then they come and congratulate them, and they kiss one another. And the dismissal is made._

He that by his presence in Cana of Galilee declared marriage to be honourable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all-praised apostles; of the holy god-crowned sovereigns and equals of the apostles, Constantine and Helen; of the holy great-martyr Procopius, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, as being good and the lover of mankind.

_Chapter XIII._

THE ORDER OF HOLY UNCTION SUNG BY SEVEN PRIESTS ASSEMBLED IN A CHURCH OR IN A HOUSE.

_A table is prepared, and on this they place the holy gospel and a dish of wheat, and on the wheat an empty oil cruet, and round it in the wheat seven twigs wrapped with cotton wool for the anointing; and they give tapers to all the priests. And, all standing round the table vested in phelonia, the first of the priests taketh the censer with incense, and censeth the table upon which the oil is round about, and all the church, or the house, and the people; and, standing before the table, looking towards the east, he beginneth,_

Blessed be our God.... _And_ Trisagion. O most holy Trinity.... Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom.... Lord, have mercy, _xii_. O come, let us worship.... _thrice_.

_And psalm cxlii._ O Lord hear my prayer....

Glory. Both now. Alleluia, _thrice_.

_And the deacon, the ectenia._

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

Help us, save us, have mercy....

Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed....

_Priest._ For to thee is due....

_Choir._ Amen.

_And straightway they sing Alleluia in tone vi._

_Verse i._ O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy fury.

_Verse ii._ Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.

_Then troparia._

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us; for, destitute of all defence, we sinners offer unto thee, as Master, this prayer, Have mercy upon us.

_Glory._

O Lord, have mercy upon us; for we have put our trust in thee. Be not exceedingly wroth against us, neither remember our transgressions; but, as being loving-kind, look now upon us, and deliver us from our enemies: for thou art our God, and we are thy people, we are all the work of thy hand, and we call upon thy name.

_Both now._

Open unto us the gates of loving-kindness, O blessed God-bearing one, that we perish not who put our trust in thee, but through thee may we be delivered from calamities; for thou art the salvation of the christian race.

_After this_, Have mercy upon me, O God....

_And the canon, whereof the acrostic is,_

A song of prayer oil by Arsenius.

_Ode i. Irmos. Tone iv._

Through the red sea’s depth....

O Master, who with oil of loving-kindness dost mortals’ souls and bodies alway tranquilize, and them that faithful be preserv’st with oil; do thou thyself now have compassion upon those approaching thee by means of oil.

The earth, O Master, is of thy mercy full. Therefore to-day anointed with thy sacred precious oil, in faith we pray thee to bestow thy mercy that surpasseth thought on us.

_Glory._

O lover of mankind, who mercifully thine apostles didst command to minister thy priestly unction on thine ailing servants; do thou, at their entreaties, through thy seal, have mercy upon all.

_Both now._

O only pure one, who didst bear the boundless sea of peace, by thine entreaties alway unto God, thy servant free from ailings and from griefs, that he may magnify thee ceaselessly.

_Ode iii. Irmos._

In thee thy church is glad....

Thou that alone art wonderful to faithful men, merciful Christ, grant from on high thy grace to him that suffereth grievously.

O Lord, who once, for thy divine token that the flood had ceas’d, didst shew an olive branch, in mercy save the afflicted one.

_Glory._

With a lamp of light divine, in mercy lighten him, O Christ, who now, in faith through the anointing, to thy mercy maketh speed.

_Both now._

O Mother of the Maker of all things, look from on high with favour, and release, by thine entreaties, the sufferer from his bitter pain.

_Kathisma, tone viii._

_Like_, The pastoral reed....

Thou that art a divine river of mercy, a depth of abundant sympathy, O compassionate one; manifest the divine streams of thy mercy, and heal all: let the springs of wonders flow plenteously, and wash all; for, ever betaking ourselves to thee, we fervently entreat thy grace.

_Another, tone iv._

_Like_, Thou that wast lifted up....

Physician and helper of them that are in sufferings, redeemer and Saviour of them that are in sicknesses; do thou thyself, O Master and Lord of all, grant healing unto thine afflicted servant: have compassion and mercy upon him who hath greatly offended, and deliver him, O Christ, from iniquities, that he may glorify thy divine power.

_Ode iv. Irmos._

Seeing thee lifted up....

Thou, Saviour, that, as myrrh corruptless, dost, through thy grace, thyself outpour and cleanse the world; compassionate be, yea, merciful to him, who doth, in faith divine, the body’s sores anoint.

With the tranquility of thy mercy’s seal, O Master, sign now the senses of thy servants, and make the way thereto accessless and approachless to all opposing powers.

_Glory._

Thou who dost bid that thy divine hierurgists be call’d to them whose strength hath fail’d, and these by prayer and unction with thine oil to save; do thou, O lover of mankind, save, by thy mercy, the afflicted one.

_Both now._

Most holy and God-bearing ever-virgin, strong shelter and defence, thou ladder and thou wall, have mercy and compassion on the sufferer; for he hath fled to thee, and thee alone.

_Ode v. Irmos._

Thou, Lord, my light....

Thou, good one, that art mercy’s depth, do thou, O merciful, have mercy, in thy mercifulness divine, on him that suffereth; for thou art loving-kind.

Sanctifying unspeakably from on high, O Christ, our souls and bodies with the divine impression of thy seal, with thine own hand heal all.

_Glory._

O most good Lord, who, through thine untold love, acceptedst myrrh-anointing from the sinful woman; compassionate thy servant.

_Both now._

All-praised, pure, and most good Queen, have mercy upon them that are anointed with the oil divine, and save thy servant.

_Ode vi. Irmos._

I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice....

O lover of mankind, who shewest by thy words anointing is for kings, and this performest by highpriests; save thou the sufferer by thy seal, for thou art loving-kind.

Let no communicating act of bitter demons touch his senses who is sign’d with the divine anointing, Saviour; but with the safeguard of thy glory him surround.

_Glory._

Stretch from on high thy hand, O lover of mankind, and sanctify thine oil, and grant this to thy servant, Saviour, for healing and deliverance from all sicknesses.

_Both now._

Mother of the Creator, thou, in thy sacred temple, hast appear’d a fruitful olive tree, whereby the world appeareth fill’d with mercy. Therefore save the sufferer by the touching of thy prayers.

_Condakion, tone ii._

_Like_, Seeking the things above....

Thou that art the fountain of mercy, O thou that art most good, do thou deliver from every calamity them that with fervent faith fall down before thine unspeakable mercy; and, O thou that art loving-kind, taking away their ailings, do thou grant unto them thy divine grace from on high.

_Ode vii. Irmos._

The abrahamic children in the furnace....

Thou, Saviour, that alone art God, who in thy mercy and compassions, healest the spiritual passions and bodily wounds of all; physician be thou for this sufferer with disease, and make him whole thyself.

Since with anointing oil the heads of all anointed are, so give to this one joy of gladness, Christ, granting the mercy of thy redemption unto him that seeketh this, for thy rich mercy’s sake, O Lord.

_Glory._

Thy seal, O Saviour, against demons is a sword, and prayers of priests a fire that burneth passions of the soul. Therefore in faith we praise thee, we, who have healing gain’d.

_Both now._

O thou, the Mother of God, who didst conceive within thy womb, in wise befitting God, him that doth all things hold within his hand, and flesh didst give to him unspeakably; we pray thee, Be thou gracious to this suffering one.

_Ode viii. Irmos._

With hands extended, Daniel....

O Saviour, have mercy upon all, according to thy mercy mighty and divine; for, for this cause, we all are gather’d here to image forth in mystic wise the condescension of thy mercies, and to bring the unction with the oil in faith unto thy servant, whom visit thou likewise.

With thy mercy’s streams, O Christ, and by thy priests’ anointing wash away, as Lord the loving-kind, the pains and wounds, and overwhelmings of affliction of him tormented with the stress of sufferings, that he, being sav’d, may praise thee with thanksgiving.

_Glory._

The sign of condescension from on high and of tranquility being drawn on us, O Master, through thy godlike mercy; do thou thy mercy not withdraw, nor him reject who ever crieth faithfully, O bless the Lord, all ye his works.

_Both now._

Glorious as a crown, O pure one, nature hath gain’d thy sacred giving-birth, which crusheth hosts of foes, and mightily doth vanquish them. Therefore, with festal brightness crowned through thy grace, we thee extol, O most extolled Queen.

_Ode ix. Irmos._

Unquarried rock....

Look down from heaven, O compassionate one, and shew thy mercy unto all; and thine assistance and thy strength bestow on him who now approacheth thee through the divine anointing by thy priests, O lover of mankind.

O Saviour, thou most good, we have, rejoicing, seen the oil divine, which, through thy godlike condescension for them that are recipients, thou thyself accepted hast, and typically hast given to them that have participated in the font divine.

_Glory._

O Saviour, be compassionate and have mercy: deliver out of dangers and afflictions—deliver from the arrows of the evil one the souls and bodies of thy servants, and heal them, as the Lord, the merciful, by thy divine anointing.

_Both now._

Accept thy servants’ songs and prayers, O Virgin, and, by thy supplications, from sufferings and from ills deliver us, even us who to thy sacred shelter us betake, O thou most pure.

It is very meet....

_Exapostilarion._

_Like_, He hath visited us....

In mercy, O thou good one, with thine eyes regard our prayer, ours, who to-day are gather’d in thy holy temple to anoint with oil divine thy suffering servant.

_Then stichera, tone iv._

_Like_, Thou hast given a sign....

Thou hast given thy grace through thine apostles, O good physician, lover of mankind, to heal the wounds and sicknesses of all men through thy holy oil. Therefore, as being loving-kind, him that now faithfully to thy mercy hieth sanctify, have mercy upon him, and cleanse him from all sickness, and count him worthy of thy corruptless sweetness, Lord.

O lover of mankind incomprehensible, who, with thine unseen hand, as being loving-kind, sealest our senses with thine oil divine; look down from heaven, and give to him that faithfully betaketh him to thee, and asketh pardon of iniquities, healing of soul and body, that he may glorify thee lovingly, and magnify thy might.

Through the anointing with thine oil, and through the touching of thy priests, O lover of mankind, hallow thy servant from on high, free him from sicknesses, cleanse him from soul’s defilement, wash him, O Saviour, and deliver him from scandals manifold; tranquilize his grief, remove his hindrances, and banish his afflictions, as being merciful and loving-kind.

_Glory. Both now. Theotokion._

O most pure royal palace much extoll’d, I pray thee, cleanse my mind defil’d by every kind of sin; and make it a meet dwelling-place for the most holy Trinity, that I thy worthless servant, being sav’d, may magnify thy might and mercy measureless.

_Then_, Trisagion. O most holy Trinity.... _After_ Our Father.... For thine is the kingdom....

_Then troparion, tone iv._

Thou that alone art quick to help, O Christ, make manifest from on high a speedy visitation to thine ailing servant: deliver him from sicknesses and bitter pains, and raise him up, that, without ceasing, he may praise and glorify thee, through the God-bearing one’s entreaties, O thou sole lover of mankind.

_And after these the deacon, or the first of the
priests, saith this ectenia._

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace that is from above....

For the peace of the whole world....

For this holy temple, and for them that with faith....

That this oil may be blessed by the might, and operation, and descent of the Holy Ghost, let us pray to the Lord.

For the servant of God, _name_, and for his visitation by God, and for the coming upon him of the grace of the Holy Ghost, let us pray to the Lord.

For his deliverance and ours from every affliction, passion, and want.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God....

Commemorating our most holy, most pure....

_Then the first of the priests saith the prayer of oil over the cruet._

_Note. Be it known that in the great church they pour wine instead of water into the cruet of prayer-unction._

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

O Lord, who, through thy mercy and compassions, healest the infirmities of our souls and bodies; do thou thyself, O Master, sanctify this oil, that it may be to them that are anointed therewith for healing, and for the removal of every passion, of defilement of flesh and spirit, and of every ill, and that thereby may be glorified thy holy name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_And the other priests likewise read this prayer, but quietly to themselves._

_And while the prayer is being said by the priests, they sing these troparia._

_Tone iv._

Thou that alone art quick to help, O Christ, make manifest from on high a speedy visitation to thine ailing servant: deliver him from sicknesses and bitter pains, and raise him up, that, without ceasing, he may praise and glorify thee, through the God-bearing one’s entreaties, O thou sole lover of mankind.

With blinded spiritual eyes to thee, O Christ, I come, as he that from his birth was blind; and penitentially to thee I cry, Be merciful to us, thou that alone the good physician art.

_Tone iii._

My soul, that, Lord, by every kind of sin and unbecoming deeds is paralys’d, O by thy godlike intervention do thou raise, as thou of old a paralytic didst upraise, that I, being sav’d, may cry to thee, Give healing unto me, O Christ compassionate.

_Tone ii._

O just one, as the Lord’s disciple, thou the gospel didst receive; as martyr, dost possess that which unwritten is; a daring, as God’s brother, hast; as hierarch, hast to pray: do thou beseech Christ God to save our souls.

_Tone iv._

The Father’s sole-begotten, who is God the Word, in latter days hath come to us, O James divine, declaring thee first pastor and instructor of them that of Jerusalem were; a faithful steward too of ghostly mysteries. Therefore, apostle, we all reverence thee.

_Tone iii._

To them of Myra, saint, thou didst appear a hierurgist; for Christ’s evangel, thou, O venerated one, fulfilling, didst for thy people yield thy soul, and save the innocent from death. For this cause art thou sanctified as a great mystic of the grace of God.

_The same tone._

O pain-enduring one, that overcame the heathen, in dangers hath the world thee found a champion great. Therefore, as thou didst humble Lyev’s pride, and in the strife make Nestor brave, so, saint Demetrius, pray Christ God to give great mercy unto us.

_The same tone._

Thou holy pain-enduring one, physician too, O Pantelimon, mediate with God the merciful, that he may grant our souls remission of iniquities.

_Tone viii._

Ye saints that were unmercenary and wonders wrought, make visitation in our weaknesses. Freely ye have receiv’d: O freely give to us.

_Tone ii._

Who can narrate thy mightiness, O virgin one? for thou dost wonders gush, and pourest cures, and prayest for our souls, O thou divine and friend of Christ.

Warm advocate and assailless wall, the spring of mercy and the world’s defence, to thee unceasingly we cry, God-bearing Queen, prevent thou us, and us from dangers free, thou that alone art quick to intercede.

_Deacon._ Let us attend.

_The first priest._ Peace to all.

_Choir._ And to thy spirit.

_Deacon._ Wisdom, let us attend.

_Reader, the prokimenon, tone i._

Let thy mercy, O Lord, come upon us like as we have put our trust in thee.

_Verse._

Rejoice, O ye righteous, in the Lord, for praise becometh the upright.

_The epistle._

The lection of the catholic message of James.

_And be it known that the epistle is read by the deacon, section lvii,_

Brethren, take for an example.... _ending_, availeth much.[15]

_The first priest._ Peace to thee. Alleluia.

_Tone viii. Verse._ I will sing unto thee of mercy and judgment, O Lord.

_The gospel from Luke, section liii._

At that time, a certain lawyer.... _ending_, do thou likewise.[16]

_Then_, Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hear and have mercy.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_.

Furthermore let us pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, and forgiveness of sins for the servant of God, _name_.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_.

That to him may be remitted every iniquity, voluntary and involuntary, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy, _thrice_.

_And the exclamation._

For a merciful and man-loving God thou art, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

_Deacon._ Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

_Priest, the prayer._

O thou that art unbeginning, eternal, and in the holy of holies, who didst send down thine only-begotten Son, who healeth every infirmity and every wound of our souls and bodies; do thou send down thy Holy Ghost, and sanctify this oil, and let it be unto thine anointed servant, _name_, for a perfect deliverance from his sins, and for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

_Be it known that some say this prayer only thus far, with the exclamation,_

For it is thine to have mercy.....

_But others say even unto the end,_