Presanctified Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts — the solemn Lenten evening service at which the faithful receive Communion from Gifts consecrated the previous Sunday. Served on Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Lent.

This is an abridged text. The complete service will follow in a later update.

Vespers of the Presanctified

The service begins as Lenten Vespers, with Psalm 103 and the kathisma, during which the Presanctified Gifts are transferred to the table of oblation.

Let My Prayer Be Set Forth

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Sung kneeling, with the verses of Psalm 140)

The Prayer of St. Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Now the Powers of Heaven

Now the powers of heaven do serve invisibly with us. Lo, the King of Glory entereth. Lo, the mystical sacrifice is upborne, fulfilled. Let us draw near in faith and love, and become communicants of life eternal. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Before Communion

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first…

O Taste and See

O taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia.