both go to the altar, kiss the book of Gospels on it, and the deacon, holding up his orarion, says, "It is time to do sacrifice to the Lord."[1] Here begin the litanies ((
Greek characters)). The doors of the Ikonostasis are opened, and the deacon goes out into the choir through the north (servers') door. They stay open while he recites a litany praying for various causes — for peace, for the Church, bishop, king, fruits of the earth, travellers, sailors, prisoners, &c. Then follows the first Antiphon,[2] and the priest says a collect. The second litany is shorter; the deacon remembers our Lady and the Saints, and the choir answers Kyrie eleison, and "To you, Lord (be honour)." They sing a second Antiphon, and the priest says a second collect. The same thing is then repeated a third time.[3] The Mass of the Catechumens now begins with what is called the little entrance ((Greek characters)). The deacon has gone back to the priest's side in the sanctuary before the third collect. They come out, the deacon holding the gospels, preceded by candle-bearers in procession. The troparia of the day (short hymns) are sung, ending with the Trisagion.[4] The priest, as always, is saying other prayers while the choir sings. A reader sings the epistle, and the deacon the gospel of the day, having incensed the book. There is a gradual after the epistle, and some more prayers after the gospel. Then follow prayers for the catechumens, and they are dismissed by the deacon: "All catechumens go out. Catechumens go out. All catechumens go away. Not one catechumen (shall stay)."[5] Here begins the Mass of the Faithful. The deacon says: "All the faithful again and again pray to the Lord in peace," and repeats several times the curious exclamation: "Wisdom!"[6]
6 The ejaculation "Wisdom!" occurs often. Before the gospel, the deacon says: "Wisdom! stand up ((Greek characters))."
- ↑ For a detailed account of the Preparation, see E. d'Or. iii. pp; 65-78, La preparation des oblats dans le rite grec.
- ↑ On ordinary Sundays it is Psa. cii.
- ↑ The third Antiphon on Sundays consists of part of the Beatitudes with other Stichera (short verses).
- ↑ This is what we sing on Good Friday: "Holy God, holy strong One, holy immortal One, have mercy on us," three times, followed by the Gloria Patri, Sicut erat, and then again "Holy immortal One, have mercy on us," and lastly, the whole first verse: "Holy God," &c.
- ↑ Of course, there are no catechumens present at all. For the prayers said by the priest, &c., see Brightman, pp. 362-375.
- ↑ 6
