+ Repentance & Confession + On the Way to Church + Entering the Church + Vespers Tasbeha, Raising of Incense & Doxologies + Midnight Prayers, Tasbeha & Morning Doxologies + Morning Raising of Incense 1

Divine Liturgy Preparatory Activities Repentance & Confession Covered in Spiritual Theology Class 2

Divine Liturgy Preparatory Activities On the Way to Church +Recite psalms which help you get prepared Psalm 122 (121 in the Agpya, Vespers): “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord…” Psalm 84 (83 in the Agpya, Sixth Hour): “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!...” Psalm 15 (14 in the Agpya, Prime Hour): “O Lord who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill…” 3

Divine Liturgy Preparatory Activities Entering the Church +At the door make the sign of the cross and enter quietly in awe and reverence. + At the altar, make the sign of the cross and kneel worshiping three times, saying: During the first “we worship You O Christ our God”, During the second “with Your good Father”, During the third “and the Holy Spirit”, for You came and saved us. 4

Vespers Tasbeha Shorter than that of Midnight Beautiful Hymn of Ps. 117 ( Ni eynoc ]rou...) Fourth Hoas Psalia of the day or feast or both Theotokia of the day Lobsh, Tarh (Commentary) & Conclusion 5

The Rite of Raising Incense Biblical : Separate Altar in OT Tabernacle, Malachi 1:11, and NT in Revelations (Rev. 8:3). Before every Liturgy during Vespers (except Lent) and Morning Prayers. 6

Raising of Incense Prayers The Thanksgiving Prayer Prosterations&Entering/ Exiting Holy Sanctuary 7

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Mystery of Incense Prayers 5 spoonfuls represent 5 OT acceptable offerings: Abel, Noah, Melchizadek/Abraham, Aaron, Zachariah 8

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Mystery of Vespers & Morning Incense 9

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Three Major Litanies with Three Circuits of Incense around the Altar 10

The Circuit of Incense around Altar 11

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Litanies followed by Procession of Incense The Litany of the Departed (always during Vespers). The Litanies of the Sick, the Travelers, and the Offering in Morning Incense during weekdays (No Travelers Litany on Sundays and Feasts). On Saturday mornings, the Litany of the Reposed, in commemoration of our Lord Jesus Christ in the tomb on Easter Saturday. 12

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. The Procession of Incense: After the litanies, the priest enters the sanctuary and offers incense over the altar three times, then outside at St. Mary’s icon, then towards the west, then south at St. John’s icon, then towards east, then to relics of saints (if present), and Pope/Bishop (if present). 13

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Incense Circuit outside the Altar: After incensing before the clergymen, the Incense Tour around the Church begins. After offering incense before the icons to the North of the sanctuary the priest proceeds westward among the congregation, offering incense and blessing them, saying: +During Vespers Incense: "The blessing of the Vespers incense be with us, Amen." +During Morning Incense: "The blessing of the Morning incense be with us, Amen." 14

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Five Inspiring Contemplatory Verses The priest recites them after he comes down the centre towards the East when he reaches the place of the Passover (Holy Week) Prayers and where the place of the crucifixion icon is usually placed on Good Friday. They are five verses glorifying Christ, Who was crucified for our sake, and gave us salvation. 15

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Mystery of Confession: With the penitent prayers and collective repentance that is offered by the congregation during the incense tour, the priest goes back to the altar and prays The Mystery of Confession. 16

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Vnou] nainan (God Have Mercy on us): After the Doxologies and the Creed. Litany of the Gospel 17

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. The Five Minor Litanies: Having put one spoonful of incense in the censer, the priest stands before the door of the sanctuary and prays the Five Minor Litanies concerning Safety, the Church Fathers, the Holy Places, the Weather and Vegetation, and the Congregations. 18

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. The Absolutions The First Absolution: This prayer is called a Prayer of Submission to the Son The Second Absolution: This is also a Prayer of Submission to the Son The above two are prayed by the priest inaudibly while facing the East. The Third Absolution: The priest prays this absolution while facing the West and bowing his head 19

Raising of Incense Prayers, cont. Blessing, and Dismissal The Blessing: The priest says the blessing while facing the West. At the end he says : Christ is our God ( P,#c# Pennou]) Congregation respond: Amen, let it be ( Am/n c~eswpi) The Dismissal: Priest : Go in peace, the Lord be with you all,Amen. Congregation: An also with your spirit. 20