At the Threshold of the Church
Leader
At the threshold of this church and before these God-accepted
and resplendent holy symbols, we bow down in awe and
worship; we glorify your holy, wondrous and triumphant
Lordship, and we offer praise and glory to the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
All say
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
All sing
Lord's Prayer ( PDF file )
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
All say
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory unto the ages.
Amen.
Leader
Lord, receive our supplications through the intercession
of the holy Mother of God, the immaculate bearer of your onlybegotten Son,
and by the supplications of all your saints. Hear us, Lord, and have mercy
on us; forgive, expiate, and remit our sins; make us worthy to give you
thanks and to glorify you together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Antiphonal Recitation
Psalm 100
A: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all lands;
serve the Lord with gladness.
B: Come before his presence with joy;
know that he is the Lord our God.
A: It is he who made us and not we ourselves;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
B: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving;
and into his courts with praise.
A: Be thankful to the Lord; and bless his name.
B: The Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endures from generation to generation.
A: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
B: Now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All sing
In all things blessed are you, O Lord ( PDF file )
In all things blessed are you, O Lord. We bless you, we praise
you; We give thanks to you; We pray to you, O Lord our God.
Readers shall recite the selected verses in turn
I Confess in Faith (St. Nerses Shnorhali) ( Prayer for every believer in Chist )
All sing
Christ in our midst has been revealed; ( PDF file )
He Who Is, God, is here seated.
The voice of peace has resounded;
Holy greeting is commanded.
This Church has now become one soul,
The kiss is given for a full bond.
Enmity has been removed;
And love is spread over us all.
Now, Ministers, raise your voices,
And give blessings with one accord
To the Godhead consubstantial,
To whom Seraphim give praise.
Leader
Again in peace let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For the peace of the whole world and for the stability of the holy
Church, let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For all the holy and orthodox bishops, let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For the life of our Patriarch Lord Karekin and for the salvation
of his soul, let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For vardapets, priests, deacons, readers and the whole congregation
of the Church, let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For pious and God-loving civil leaders and their armed forces,
let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Lord, have mercy.
Leader
For the souls of those who are at rest and have fallen asleep in
Christ in the true and right faith, let us beseech the Lord.
Congregation
Be mindful, Lord, and have mercy.
Leader
O Christ, Son of God, forbearing and compassionate, have
mercy, in your love as our creator, upon the souls of your servants who
are at rest, especially, Lord, remember the Catholicos at the time this
Church was built; the architects, builders, benefactors and servants of
this church; the governors and soldiers who fervently defended it; and the
faithful congregation of this church.
Leader
Silent prayer and reflection appropriate to the site.
See Church and Monastery descriptions
All sing
Lord have mercy ( PDF file)
Leader
Be mindful of them in the great day of the coming of your
kingdom. Make them worthy of mercy, of expiation and forgiveness of sins.
Glorify them and reckon them with the company of your saints at your right
hand. For you are Lord and creator of all, judge of the living and of the
dead. And to you is befitting glory, dominion and honor, now and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
All say
Prayer
from The Prayerbook of St. Gregory of Narek
Prayer 9D
For yours is salvation,
and from you is redemption,
and by your right hand is restoration,
and your finger is fortification.
Your command is justification.
Your mercy is liberation.
Your countenance is illumination.
Your face is exultation.
Your spirit is benefaction.
Your anointing oil is consolation.
A dew drop of your grace is exhilaration.
You give comfort.
You make us forget despair.
Leader
Be blessed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Depart in peace
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.