PRAYERS BEFORE THE HOLY DOORS
The priest and deacon who are about to celebrate the divine mysteries must be reconciled with all and have nothing against any one. As much as possible, they must have kept their hearts free from all evil thoughts; they must have fasted according to ecclesiastical custom.
When the time is come, they bow in the usual manner before the throne and stand on the solea. They make three metanies towards the East before the holy doors.
Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.
Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
Priest: Heavenly King, Consoler, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of blessings and the Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Deacon: Holy God! Holy Mighty One! Holy Immortal One! Have mercy on us (three times).
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
Then they say:
Have mercy on us, Lord. Have mercy on us. At a loss for any defense, we sinners offer this prayer to You, the Master: have mercy on us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have put our trust in You: Rise not in anger against us, remember not our transgressions, but in the depth of your mercy look upon us even now and save us from our enemies: for You are our God and we are your people, we are all the work of your hands and we constantly call upon your name.
Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
They bow profoundly.
Blessed Mother of God, open the portal of your deep mercy to us who put our trust in you, so that we may not be brought to confusion, but through you may be delivered from adversity, for you are the salvation of the Christian fold.
Then they go before the icon of Christ. With the deacon at the priest's right and bowing in worship, they say:
Before your most pure image we bow in worship, O Good One, begging forgiveness of our stumbling, Christ God: because You chose of your own free will to ascend upon the cross in the flesh in order to deliver from the enemy's yoke those You had created. For this reason we cry out to You in thanksgiving: "You, our Savior, have filled all things with joy when You came to save the world."
And they kiss the icon of Christ.
Then they go before the icon of the Mother of God. With the deacon at the priest's left and bowing in worship, they say the troparion:
Mother of God, since you became a fountain of mercy, count us worthy of your compassion; look upon a people that has sinned, show forth your power as you always do. Because we have put our trust in you, we hail you as once did Gabriel, the captain of the angels.
And they kiss the icon of the Mother of God, then bow their heads.
Looking towards the altar, they bow their heads and say:
Lord, stretch forth your hand from your dwelling place on high, and strengthen me for your ministry now forthcoming, so that I may stand without condemnation before your awesome judgment seat and complete the unbloody sacrifice. For yours is the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Both priest and deacon make three metanies before the holy doors, then bow to the two choirs, and to each other saying:
Forgive me, Father.
And responding:
Forgive me, fellow minister.