Service with a lay rite: order of the liturgy without a priest, rules of conduct

The concept of secular service in Orthodoxy

Christian worship in the absence of a clergyman is called obednitsa. This is a meeting of the laity at which prayers, Holy Scripture are read, and Christian hymns are sung. In the Orthodox tradition, it is allowed in special cases for the laity to conduct such services of the daily/weekly/annual cycle, with the exception of the Divine Liturgy.

In this case, it is necessary to comply with the rules of the Typikon:

Divine services are performed outside the altar, which must be closed and the Royal Doors curtained.
You cannot put on sacred vestments, bless believers, or call for peace.
Exclamations and litanies, which are due to the priest according to the rules, are canceled in all cases.
It is permitted to read excerpts from Holy Scripture and the Acts of the Apostles.
The censing is performed with a home censer.
In conclusion, a small dispensation is read.

A layman conducting a service must know the Church Slavonic language, the order of worship, and liturgical books. In the manner of reading, he must adhere to intelligible, clear pronunciation, without imitating the priest and deacon. Before the censing begins, a piece of incense is placed on the coal and a prayer is said with the sign of the cross: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen". Hand movements during censing: twice from top to bottom, once horizontally from left to right.

On a small vacation, it is permissible to remember:

temple saint (in whose honor the temple was consecrated);
a daily saint (to whom the day of the week is dedicated);
saint (to whom the service was performed);
all saints (who are celebrated on this day).

At the end of the service, the worshipers themselves come up to venerate the Cross lying on the lectern or next to the temple icon.

If there is a threat of imminent death (for example, a newborn baby), the Sacrament of Baptism can also be performed by a lay person if he (she) is an Orthodox believer and knows the short charter of the Sacrament of Baptism. After reading the prayers, there is a three-time immersion or dousing with holy (ordinary) water with the appropriate words.

The main liturgical book for the lay service is the book of hours, from which the laity can read all 7 services of the daily circle, replacing the liturgy with pictorial ones.

In addition, according to the lay order the following can be read:

Akathist;
canon;
regular lithium;
Easter litia;
funeral lithium;
memorial service;
funeral service;
parastas;
prayer service;
consecration of the home.

Lay people can conduct worship:

in the temple;
chapel;
houses of worship;
privately;
in specially designated rooms;
at roadside booths:
worship crosses;
open air.

The need for secular worship arises when a populated area is remote from the temple and there is a shortage of clergy. The rite of worship has ancient origins. At the dawn of Christianity, ascetic monks did not take the priesthood and held services in their cells independently.

Order of the liturgy without a priest

Instead of the liturgy, the secular rite is represented by the pictorial (statutory readings).

The service is conducted by two laymen: one pronounces the most important exclamations, censes, reads the Holy Scriptures (the elder); the second reads prayers (reader). The rest of those present at the prayer are laymen (brothers).

Elder: Through the prayers of the Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Brethren: Amen.

Brethren: Lord, have mercy. (12 times) – read instead of the Great Litany

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Elder: Bless the Lord, my soul: blessed art thou, O Lord.

The reader reads Psalm 103: Bless my soul the Lord, and bless all that is within me His holy name. Bless my soul the Lord, and do not forget all His rewards; Who cleanses all your iniquities, who heals all your illnesses; He who delivers your belly from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and bounty; Who fulfills your desires for good: your youth will be renewed like an eagle. The Lord grant alms and destiny to all those who are offended. Moses told the sons of Israel His ways; The Lord is generous and merciful, long-suffering and abounding in mercy. He is not completely angry, he is at enmity forever; He did not make us eat because of our iniquity, but repaid us because of our sins. As the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord established His mercy on those who feared Him. The east is far removed from the west, and our iniquities have been removed from us. As a father gives generously to his sons, the Lord will provide for those who fear Him. As He knew our creation, I will remember, as the dust of Esma. Man, like the grass of his days, like the flower of the field, will bloom; For a spirit has passed through it, and will not be, and will not know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. And His righteousness is upon the sons of sons, who keep His covenant and remember His commandments to do. The Lord has prepared His Throne in heaven, and His Kingdom possesses everyone. Bless the Lord, all His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all His might, His servants who do His will. Bless the Lord, all His works, in every place of His dominion.

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Brethren: Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Blessed are you, Lord.

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The reader reads Psalm 145: Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord in my belly, I will sing to my God as long as I am. Do not trust in princes, in the sons of men, for in them there is no salvation. His spirit shall depart and return to his land: in that day all his thoughts shall perish. Blessed is the God of Jacob, his helper; his trust is in the Lord his God; Who created heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; Keeping the truth forever, bringing justice to the offended, giving food to the hungry. The Lord makes the bound, the Lord makes wise the blind. The Lord raises up the downtrodden, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects strangers, He will accept the orphan and the widow, and He will destroy the path of sinners. The Lord your God will reign forever in Zion, forever and ever.

Elder: And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Elder: The only begotten Son, and the Word of God, is immortal. And for the sake of our salvation he deigned to be incarnate from the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, immutably becoming human. He who was crucified, O Christ our God, trampled down death by death. One of the Holy Trinity, glorified to the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

Elder: In Your Kingdom, remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your Kingdom.

Brethren: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who cry, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blesseds of mercy, for there will be mercy.

Reader - reads the verse of the sixth voice: Remember me, O my Savior God, when you come into Your Kingdom, and save me as the only Lover of mankind.

Brethren: Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they will see God.

The reader reads the verse of the sixth tone: By the tree of Adam, who was deceived, by the tree of the cross you saved the thief, crying out: remember me, Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

Brethren: Blessed are the peacemakers, for these shall be called sons of God.

Reader - reads the verse of the sixth tone: Having broken the gates of Hell and the faiths, O Life-Giver, Thou hast raised up all those crying out to the Savior: glory to Thy rise.

Brethren: It is blessed to expel righteousness for the sake of them, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

The reader reads the verse of the sixth tone: Remember me, who was captivated by death by Your burial, and filled with all joy by Your Resurrection, as I am blessed.

Brethren: Blessed are you, when they revile you, and destroy you, and say all sorts of evil things against you, who lie to Me for my sake.

The reader reads the verse of the sixth tone: The myrrh-bearing woman came to the tomb and heard the angel calling: Christ is risen, illuminating everything.

Brethren: Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is abundant in heaven.

The reader reads the verse of the sixth tone: He who was nailed on the Tree of the cross, and who delivered the world from delusion, according to all, let us sing of Christ.

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The reader reads the trinity of the sixth voice: We glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, saying: Holy Trinity, save our souls.

Elder: And now and ever and unto ages of ages.

The Reader reads the Theotokos in the sixth tone: Ineffably conceived in the last, and having given birth to Thy Creator, O Virgin, save Thy greatness.

Brethren: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Reader - reads the prokeimenon in the sixth tone: Prokeimenon, Psalm of David, sixth tone. Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thy inheritance. To You, Lord, I will cry, O my God, do not keep silent from me.

Reader: Reading of the Acts of the Saints.

(Or: the Epistle of John [Petrov] reading. Moreover, it is not customary to say which epistle this is - the first, second, or third. Or: To the Romans [To the Corinthians; To the Galatians; To Timothy, etc.] the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul reading )

The elder reads the Apostle.

Reader: Alleluia, tone six. Brethren: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The reader reads the alleluia in the sixth tone: He who lives in the help of the Most High will dwell in the shelter of the Heavenly God. Brethren: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The reader continues to read the alleluia in the sixth tone: The Lord says: Thou art my Protector and my Refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. Brethren: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Brethren: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Elder: From [Matthew; Brand; Luke; John] Holy Gospel reading. Brethren: Glory to Thee, Lord, glory to Thee. -bow-

The elder reads the Sunday Gospel: “At the time it comes...”

Brethren: Glory to Thee, Lord, glory to Thee. -bow-

Brethren: Lord, have mercy. (40 times) – read instead of a special litany

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Reader: Forgive those who hate and offend us, O Lord, Lover of Mankind. Do good to those who do good. To our brethren and relatives grant petitions for salvation and eternal life. Visit (names) those who are infirm and give healing. Even in the sea, manage. Travelers (names) travel. Grant forgiveness of sins to those who serve and pardon us. Those who commanded us unworthy to pray for them (names) have mercy according to Your great mercy. Remember, Lord, our captive brothers and deliver me from every situation. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, and give them petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember, O Lord, us, humble and sinful and unworthy Thy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy understanding, and guide us on the path of Thy commandments, through the prayers of our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and all Thy saints: for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages . Brethren: Amen.

Brethren: Remember us, Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom. -bow- Remember us, Master, when you come to Your Kingdom. -bow- Remember us, Holy One, when you come to Your Kingdom. -bow-

Reader: The face of heaven sings to You and says: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Come to Him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be ashamed. The face of heaven sings to You and says: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory.

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Reader: The face of the holy Angels and Archangels with all the heavenly powers sings to You and says: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, fill heaven and earth with Your glory.

Elder: And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Brethren: I believe in One God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in the One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, Who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, True God from True God, born, uncreated, Consubstantial with the Father, by Him all things were. For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human. She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of the Father. And again the coming one will be judged with glory by the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, Who proceeds from the Father, Who is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son, Who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Amen.

Elder: Weaken, forgive, God forgive, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, even in word and in deed, even in knowledge and not in knowledge, even in days and in nights, even in mind and thought, forgive us all, as Good and Lover of Humanity.

Brethren: Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Elder: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Brethren: Amen.

Here the reader can read the kontakion to the saint of the day

The reader reads the Sunday kontakion of the sixth tone: By the life-giving hand of those who died from dark pleasures, the Giver of Life raised all, Christ God, the resurrection was given to the human race: for there is a Savior of all, the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Brethren: Lord, have mercy. (12 times) – read instead of the litany of petition

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

Elder: All-Holy Trinity, Consubstantial Power, Undivided Kingdom, Wine of all good things, be kind to me, a sinner, strengthen, enlighten my heart, and remove all my filth, enlighten my thought, so that I may glorify, sing, worship and say: One is Holy , One Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Brethren: Amen.

Elder: I believe, Lord, and confess that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who came into the world to save sinners, from whom I am the first. I also believe that This is Your Most Pure Body, and This is Your Most Honest Blood. I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, in word, in deed, in knowledge and ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Your Most Pure Mysteries, for the remission of sins and eternal life. Brethren: Amen.

Elder: Thy Mystical Supper this day, O Son of God, accept me as a partaker; I will not tell your enemies the secret, nor give you a kiss like Judas, but like a thief I will confess to you: remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom. Brethren: Amen.

The eldest receives communion himself and then administers communion to the laity with the spare Holy Gifts. When giving communion, the elder says: The servant of God (name) partakes of the Honest and Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of his sins and into Eternal Life. Amen.

Brethren (during communion): Receive the Body of Christ, taste the immortal Source.

After communion, the elder says: Blessed be the Name of the Lord from now on and forever -bow- Be the Name of the Lord blessed from now on and forever -bow- Be the Name of the Lord blessed from now on and forever -bow-

Elder: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Brethren: Amen.

The reader reads Psalm 33: I will bless the Lord at all times; I will make His praise in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord, that the meek may hear and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Seek the Lord and hear me, and deliver me from all my sorrows. Come to Him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be ashamed. This beggar cried out, and the Lord heard and saved him from all his sorrows. The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear Him and deliver them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Nan. Fear the Lord, all your saints, for there is no hardship for those who fear Him. Those who are poor and hungry are rich, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good.

Brethren: It is worthy to eat that You are truly blessed, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and the Mother of our God. We magnify You, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption.

Brethren: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy. Bless.

Elder: Risen from the dead, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother, the holy Apostle of Love John the Theologian and other saints and all-praised Apostles, the holy (name of the saint of this day), the holy and righteous Godfather Joachim and Anna and all the saints, have mercy and save us, as he is good and a lover of humanity. Brethren: Amen.

Hour Three.

Come, let us worship the King our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King God.

Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, the King and our God.

Psalm 16:

Hear, O Lord, my righteousness, listen to my prayer, bring my prayer not into flattering lips. From Your presence my destiny will come, let my eyes see righteousness. You have tempted my heart, you have visited me at night, you have tempted me, and iniquity will not be found in me. For let not my mouth speak of the deeds of men; for the words of Thy walls I have kept cruel ways. Make my steps in Thy paths, and let not my feet go astray. I cried, because you heard me, God, incline your ear to me and hear my words. Surprise Your mercy, save those who trust in You from those who resist Your right hand. Save me, Lord, like the apple of your eye, cover me in the blood of Your wing. From the face of the wicked, who have enraged me, have conquered my soul. You shut up your fat, your mouth speaks of pride. Those who cast me out have now despised me, and have cast their eyes upon the earth. Having declared me like a lion ready to hunt and like a skiman who dwells in secret places. Arise, Lord, precede me and stifle them, deliver my soul from the wicked, Thy weapon from Thy enemy’s hand. Lord, from the little ones of the earth, I divided them in their bellies, and filled their bellies with your hidden ones, being satisfied with sons, and leaving the remains for my own children. But I will appear before Thy face with righteousness, I will be satisfied, and Thy glory will ever appear to me.

Psalm 24:

To You, Lord, I have lifted up my soul, my God, in You I have trusted, so that I will not be ashamed forever; let my enemies laugh at me, for all those who endure You will not be ashamed. Let the wicked be ashamed in vain. Tell me Your ways, Lord, and teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth, and teach me that You are the God of my Savior, and I have endured You all day long. Remember Your bounties, O Lord, and Your mercies, as they have been since time immemorial. The sin of my youth, and my ignorance, do not remember; by Your mercy, remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, Lord. The Lord is good and right; for this reason He will give a law to those who sin along the way. He will guide the meek in judgment, He will teach the meek in His way. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to those who seek His covenant and His testimonies. For the sake of Your name, Lord, and cleanse my sin, for there is much. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will lay the law on his path according to his will. His soul will settle in good things, and his seed will inherit the earth. The Lord is the power of those who fear Him, and He will show His covenant to them. I will lift up my eyes to the Lord, for He will pluck out my eyes from the snare. Look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am the only begotten and the poor. The sorrows of my heart have multiplied, and lead me away from my needs. See my humility and my work, and forgive all my sins. My enemies have seen how they have multiplied, and they have hated me with unrighteous hatred. Save my soul and deliver me, so that I will not be ashamed because I trusted in You. I cling to kindness and justice, for I have suffered Thee, Lord. Deliver, O God, Israel from all his sorrows.

Psalm 50:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; For I know my iniquity, and I will bear away my sin before me. I have sinned against You alone and have done evil before You, so that You may be justified in Your words and triumph over Your judgment. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have shown me Your unknown and secret wisdom. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my ears; the bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn away Your face from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked your way, and wickedness will turn to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a contrite and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then take pleasure in the sacrifice of righteousness, the offering and the burnt offering; then they will place your calf on the altar.

Glory, and now:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you God. Three times.

Lord, have mercy, three times.

Glory, troparion for the day.

And now: Theotokos :

Mother of God, You are the true vine, / Who has grown for us the Fruit of life, / We pray to You: / We pray, O Lady, with the saints, the Apostles / to have mercy on our souls.

Blessed is the Lord God, / blessed is the Lord day by day, / the God of our salvation will hasten for us, / our God, the God to save.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice.)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy (three times). Glory, and now:

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, as it is in Heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Kontakion of the holy, or received, holiday.

Lord, have mercy, (40).

And at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, worshiped and glorified, Christ God, Long-suffering, Much-merciful, Many-compassionate, Who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners, Who is all call for salvation promises for the sake of future blessings. Himself, Lord, accept our prayer at this hour and straighten our life to Your commandments, sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our thoughts and deliver us from all sorrow and evil. and illnesses, protect us with Your holy Angels, and with a militia By observing and instructing them, we will achieve the unity of faith and the mind of Your unapproachable glory, as blessed are You forever and ever, amen.

Lord have mercy, three times. Glory, and now:

The most honorable Cherub / and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, / who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, / the real Mother of God, we magnify Thee.

Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Mardarius:

Master God, Father Almighty, Lord, Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Soul, One Divinity, One Power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and in the face of fate, save me , Thy unworthy servant, for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages, amen.