The Divine Liturgy of Church of the East

Counsellor
Come, let us be gathered in meditation.

Draw near to the One Eternal God - All Mighty One, Holy Spirit, Father of our spirits; All Knowing One, Holy Wisdom Mother of our souls; One God who creates and upholds all things and all universes seen and unseen – who for our sakes remain ever present. Light of all lights, Love of all loves, the Beginning and the End of all forces, and by whom we were loaned these bodies, which are changing, and will soon be returned.

+ Amen

Deacon
We read from Holy Scripture:

“There was never a time when I, you, or these kings did not exist: nor shall we ever cease to exist in the future.

As spirit, the indweller in the body, experiences childhood, youth and an old age in the body during this life, similarly does it pass on to another body. The serene ones are not affected by this.” (BG 2.13)

Let us listen to the Voice in Heaven

Fellowship
Be still and know that I am God (x3)

You are my God that healeth me (x3)

Counsellor
God, Father and Mother of All, in Your illimitable love for Your children You sent the Prince of Your throne, our brother and Your son Yesu, to wake us from our dreams, and to show us the Way back to Paradise.

God the Mother found in Her son Yesu a pure heart and She anointed it to Herself as a place of presence; and God the Father found in his son Yesu a spirit perfected by humility and love, and He anointed it to Himself as Holy Spirit. By the purity and humility of Yesu the Energies of God are ministered to us as an undeserved blessing.

The anointed one of God, Yesu our Saviour, Yesu our brother, remain with us unto our perfection. Let us praise him as Lord of our souls:

Fellowship
Song
Deacon
Let us pray

Yesu our Lord, you offered to God our Father and Mother your spotless heart, and your holy mind, as an acceptable sacrifice for salvation of the whole world - guide us to be worthy to also offer ourselves as a living sacrifice for humanity.

Yesu our Lord, for ever. We recall the memory of our Lord and Saviour Yesu Christ, and of all his saving actions for our sake. We recall his announcement by an angel, his reception by the sages, his incarnation in the person of Yesu, his mastery of the mysteries, his baptism in the Jordan, his saving passion, his obedience and humility of the cross, his life-giving teaching, his glorious unifying mission after the cross, his ascension into heaven and his sitting at the right hand of God the Father.

We recall then at this holy gathering, first of all our first brother Adam and our first sister Eve, and Yusaf and Mari the chosen ones who raised the Lord as a child, the prophets and apostles, the martyrs and confessors, and blessed Mari from Maghdal - beloved companion of the Lord.

We recall the just and true pastors, the doctors of the faith, all true devotees departed or present who stand to pray with us; and all those who have been pleasing to God from the beginning until the present day.

We remember also our friends, naming particularly the benefactors of this church, both past and present, and all who have assisted us in word or deed, much or little, and especially Saint Thomas the twin brother of Lord Yesu the Saviour - at whose instruction this gathering is made today.

We remember, St N, whose memory we celebrate today, that all may take refuge in the help of their prayers.

If prayer is offered for the sick
Merciful God, have compassion on N, and grant him\her health of soul and body by the prayers of all your saints.

If prayer is offered for the departed
O God, grant N, rest and renewal in Your places of Light with all those who have done Your will. May our prayers and healing thoughts be to them a soothing balm in this time.

+ Amen

Counsellor
Lord God, strengthen us by Your grace, that we may partake in the Holy Mysteries which were given for the renewal and restoration of our nature, through the mercies of Your Beloved Son. O Creator of all, God our Mother and Father.
May the name of God be worshipped, glorified, honoured, exalted, confessed and blessed in heaven and on earth.
O Ruler over all, Omniscient God, forever.

Fellowship
Amen, glory be to God!

Counsellor
Glory be to God!

Fellowship
Peace and goodwill to all creation.
God the Father Almighty, we worship You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
God the Mother All Knowing, we worship You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Yesu Christ, son of God, perfect spirit that takes away the darkness of the world, receive our prayer and have mercy on us. (+)

Counsellor
O God, when the sweet fragrance of Your love penetrates us, and our souls are enlightened by knowledge of Your truth, may we be made worthy to receive the revelation of Your Beloved from heaven.
May we contemplate and glorify You without ceasing, putting away all desires, knowing You fill us with everything we need for the healing of our souls.
For You are God and Creator of all, forever. Amen.

Fellowship
(+) Glory to God: the Mother, the Father, spirit within - from everlasting and forever. Amen.

Deacon
Let us raise our souls to God in song.

(Song of the Pearl Option)
Fellowship
Song
Counsellor
Yesu, in truth you give bread to our bodies; you are the good saviour of our souls and the constant preserver of our life.

Listen now to the Holy Scripture and let the Spirit communicate with you through the word.

Reader
Reading of the Lesson
Deacon
Glory to the everlasting mercies which sent you to us, O Saviour, light of the world and light of all forever. Amen.
Make us wise to your Way and the Law, O Yesu, our Lord and Saviour.
As it is written: If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
Enlighten our minds by your knowledge, O Lord, and sanctify our souls by your truth. Grant that we may be obedient to your words, and fulfill your commandments at all times.
By the mercy of God. Amen.

Fellowship
In song:
Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus,

To reach out and touch him,

To say that we love him.

Open our ears Lord, and teach us to listen,

Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus (x2)

Counsellor
May the Saviour make you wise by his holy teaching, and may you be as a beautiful mirror to those who hear you speak of his message.
Peace be with you.

Fellowship
And with your soul and your spirit.

(A sermon may be said at this point. Other sacraments are
incorporated here; alternatively we sing in praise)
The Litany
Fellowship
The Lord’s Prayer, (Acts of Thomas 14:24)
‘Our Father, which are in heaven, praised be Your name, so Your kingdom come as Your will be done, as in heaven so it is on earth.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
My Lord and God, hope and confidence and teacher, you have taught us to pray thus, behold, we pray this prayer and fulfil your commandment.’

Deacon
In petition and in supplication we ask for an angel of peace and mercy, and for empowerment to walk the Way.

Fellowship
From You, O God.

Deacon
Night and day, throughout our life, we ask for continual peace for Your Church, and a life without offense.

Fellowship
From You, O God.

Deacon
We ask for the mercy and compassion of God, for inner conviction to change at all times.

Fellowship
From You, O God.

Deacon
Let us commit ourselves and one another to God - and the teaching of the Saviour.

Fellowship
To You, Oh God, and you, Yesu our Lord, we commit ourselves.

Counsellor
Father and Mother our God, fill us with Your grace and pour Your gift into us.
May Your energies and laws be for the mercy and compassion of Your children, and the pardon of the offences of Your children, O God, Holy Spirit, Holy Wisdom, forever. Amen.

The Confession of the Name
Confession of the name of Yesu as set forth by the Apostle Thomas for Church of the East
Fellowship
How am I to tell about your beauty, Yesu?

I am not able, for I have no power to declare it.

O Saviour, who alone knows what is in our heart and thought,

O Glorious, merciful and tranquil one; to you be glory, wise word of God.

Glory to your compassion, that was poured out upon us;

Glory to your pity, that was spread out over us;

Glory to your majesty, which for our sakes was made small;

Glory to your most exalted kinship, which for our sakes was humbled;

Glory to your strength, which for our sakes was made weak;

Glory to your divinity, which for our sakes was seen in the likeness of men;

Glory to your humanity, which for our sakes died that it might make us live;

Glory to your resurrection from the dead, for through it rising and rest come to our souls;

Glory and honour to your ascent into the heavens,

For through it you showed us the Way, to ascend to the heights of heaven.

You are the heavenly word of the Father.

You are the hidden light of Wisdom,

He who shows the Way of truth.

+ Amen.

Deacon
Let us stand and sing to God


The sharing of the Peace
Counsellor
Peace be with you!

Fellowship
And with your soul and your spirit!

Counsellor
Give the peace to one another in the love of Christ.

(The Peace is exchanged throughout the community. Hymns follow after the Peace)
Counsellor
Glory to You, O finder of the lost. Glory to You, O gatherer of the dispersed. Glory to You, who brings near those off which are far. Glory to You, who turns the erring to the knowledge of truth. Glory to You, our God, who has called us, even us frail ones, in Your grace, and have drawn us near to You in Your compassion.
You have set us as appointed members in the great body of Your Church, that we may offer before You our selves as a living sacrifice, which is the memorial of the obedient life of our Lord and Saviour, Yesu Christ in whom You reconciled with us of little faith.

Holy meditations and songs of praise
Counsellor
May God bless our congregation, guard our company and make our people glorious, which came and rejoiced in the power of His glorious, holy, life-giving and divine mysteries.
With the living sign of the cross and the indwelling spirit of our Lord – be sealed and guarded from all harm, hidden and open, now, always and forever (+).
Go in peace to love and serve God and all neighbours in need.

Fellowship
The measure by which we love our fellow beings, is the measure of our love or God.
May all go in peace.

The Common Liturgy ends here.
If this is Mystery Sunday, the Rite of the Great Mystery follows directly hereafter. Initiates may partake in the Mystery Meal while all are welcome to attend the rite and partake in the Liturgy.


 

The Divine Liturgy of the Mystery of Mysteries
 

Counsellor
The Mystery Meal is on the holy table. We come to God in awe and love, crying aloud with the angels, Holy, Holy, Holy God.

Deacon
Let us pray.

Fellowship
Peace be with us.

Counsellor
Let us lift up praise and meditation to the Spirit.

Yesu our Saviour, Lord over our souls – you are a Counsellor according to the Order of Melchizedek, you taught us the mystery of ages, Mystery of Mysteries. In ancient times offered by blessed Mithra; of which father Abraham also took part by the hands of holy Melchizedek; administered by holy Zoroaster of the Persians; and was delivered over to us by you, Yesu our Lord, Christ of God. Through your chosen one, twin brother Thomas; you handed down through the ages this Great Mystery to serve for all initiates unto remission of sins, wisdom on the Way, humility and strength to labour in service of God.

Bread, water and wine; body, soul and spirit – upon the banquet table of life.

In the Way of Christ – the Spirit is present here.
We beg to be made worthy of the mystery.

By your command, Yesu our Lord, these glorious, holy, life-giving and divine mysteries are set and ordered on the holy table – unto the indwelling of our Lord, the second time from heaven, the coming of Christ, to whom be glory at every season forever. Amen.

Fellowship
Amen. Amen. Let us lift up our spirits to the Mercy of God.

Meditation:

God have mercy (x4)

Christ have mercy (x4)

Lord have mercy (x4)

Hallelujah (x4)


Deacon
For N, our Bishop (Archbishop), all leaders of the church, all the clergy, and all the faithful of the Counsellorhood in Christ, help us in our weakness by Your mercy, and make us worthy of Your mysteries.
The lives to offer before You, by this congregation, is Yours for the peace of the world; as a living and holy sacrifice, and for the prosperity, and for the aid of the whole of all lands - that we within the Mystic Body of Christ may be blessed, and filled by Your grace, our God, and Yesu our Lord forever. Amen.

Counsellor
O Lord, make us worthy of the precious Body and precious Blood – your precious teaching and your mystical Way. Also, make this sacrifice of ourselves worthy of acceptance on our day of judgment. Amen.

Fellowship
Amen.

Counsellor (+)
May the grace of our Lord Yesu the Saviour, the power of God the Father, the wisdom of God the Mother, be in communion with our spirits, here, now and forever.

Fellowship (+)
Amen.
Unto You, Father of all, God above all gods, Spirit of all spirit, we offer ourselves.

Counsellor
God, give us great humility - impress love, peace and unity upon our hearts.

O God, Your Energies are worthy to be praised and professed, adored and glorified by all creatures. For You have created the universes and all that it contains.

You fill every creature with Your grace, and save humanity by Your compassionate laws.
O God, numberless holy angels cast themselves down adoring Your majesty; ministers of fire and spirit bless Your name, and together with hosts of deities and divine Energies offer adoration to Your supreme power. Proclaiming and glorifying, they call to each other without ceasing, singing:

Fellowship
Holy, Holy, Holy - O God Almighty

The Call to Worship (stand)
Counsellor
Lift up your thoughts.

Fellowship
Unto You, Creator of all: Father of all spirit, Mother of all soul.


The Invocation
Counsellor
Acts of Thomas 11.42
‘Bread of life, of which whoever eats remains incorruptible. Bread that fills the hungry souls with the blessing thereof, you are he that concede to receive a gift, that you may become to us remission of sins, and that they who eat you may become immortal. We invoke upon you the name of the Mother, of the unspeakable Mystery of the hidden powers and authorities of the Father; we invoke upon you the name of your Lord Yesu.’

‘Let the powers of blessing come, and be established in this bread, that all the souls which partake of it may be washed from their sins.’

The Counsellor signs the bread with the sign of the cross and breaks it. The Deacon prepares the wine and water.
Counsellor
Our Lord Yesu said: ‘No person drinks aged wine and immediately wants to drink new wine. New wine is not poured into aged wineskins, for the skins may break, and aged wine is not poured into new wineskins, for the wine may spoil. An old patch is not sewn onto a new piece of clothing, for it would rip apart.’

The mystery of this wine and water is an unspeakable and ever new delight to the spirit. You who are about to partake of this mystery, by the acceptance in heaven of your initiation, are neither new wineskins nor old wineskins but are changing according to the grace of God and your dedication on the Way. This wine is neither new wine or old wine to you but is changed by the unspeakable power of God according to your need.

Exhortation to repentance
Approach not the holy table with a deceitful mind, holding any matter in your heart of which you are blinded. As the Donkey witnessed, the demons delight in sacrifices made by deceitful minds. As it was said:

‘And they do what they want, sacrificing to demons and bringing them food, by oils and by wine and water and offering with praises’

And the devil itself witnessed as such when it said: (Acts 7:22)

‘I am refreshed by murders and adulteries and sacrifices made with wine upon altars; and like you convert human beings to eternal life, so I also pervert them that obey me to eternal destruction and torment - and you receive your own and I mine.’

Let us thus duly prepare ourselves to come forward and partake of this mystery with renewed hearts and minds, resolving to commitment on the Way and to approach the Holy Spirit with a good and humble heart, our souls open to listen to the voice in Heaven.

Incensation
Deacon
Before we partake of the Holy Mystery given to us as a free undeserved gift, now being on the holy table for our sake, let us in silence acknowledge our sins, and grievances to Almighty God and ask for the grace of correction, and discipline unto repentance.

Each individual briefly examines his\her life in Christ, and makes a silent confession of sinful thoughts, words, deeds and incorrect priorities, committed against God’s Plan of the Way, against one’s neighbour, and oneself: each one recommits his or her life to the Way in Christ.
After the time of confession we meditate in song
God have mercy (x4)

Christ have mercy (x4)

Lord have mercy (x4)

Hallelujah (x4)

The Counsellor now Imparts the Absolution. All make the sign of the Cross making solemn pledge of re-commitment to the Way.(+)
Counsellor
Upon our true repentance - the Spirit, our true God, absolve and remit us of our sins, and preserve us worthy of these Holy Mysteries, to stand blameless before our Heavenly Parent at our day of judgment.
And may the grace of the Lord Yesu, Christ and Saviour, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now, and ever unto the ages of ages. Amen (+)

The invitation and prayer before Holy Communion (Acts 4:24-26)
Counsellor
‘Come, O perfect compassion; come, O communion of the Male; come, She that knows the mysteries of him that is chosen; come, She that have part in all the combats of the noble athlete; come, the silence that reveals the great things of the whole greatness; come, She that manifests the hidden things and makes the unspeakable things plain, the holy dove that bears the twin young; come, the hidden Mother; come, She that is manifest in her deeds and gives joy and rest to them that are joined to her - come and communicate with us in this mystery which we celebrate in Your name and in the love-feast wherein we are gathered together at Your calling.’

Fellowship
+ Amen.

Counsellor
Draw near and receive the Mystery of Mysteries.

Upon receiving the Body from the Counsellor, the communicant is addressed approximately like this: ‘N, This shall be to you for remission of sins and eternal transgressions.’
Communicant: ‘Amen’
Upon receiving the Blood from the celebrant, the communicant is addressed like this: ‘N, Let this gift be to you for renewed life and inner silence, and not for judgement and pride.’
Communicant: ‘Amen’
Meditation (repeat for duration of communion)
Be still and know that I am God (x3)

You are the Lord that healeth me (x3)

In You O Lord, do I put my trust (x3)

You are the Lord that saves my soul (x3)

Deacon
Rise and praise God

Fellowship
Our God, we thank you for this great and wondrous allowance towards us.
We glorify You without ceasing, with unveiled faces within Your Church, which has been redeemed by the mystical life revealed by Your son, our Lord Yesu Christ.
We give You glory, honour, thanksgiving and adoration - now and forever.(+)

Counsellor
O God, transform our corruption into the sweet aroma of Your love. May Your sweet love purify us from the stain of forgetfulness of our true home: O Good Shepherd, You went out in search of us and found us when we were lost, and You were delighted when we were found.
In Your mercy cleanse us of our trespasses and sins, both those which we know, and those which we do not know, our God and Father, Holy Spirit, Mother Wisdom - forever.(+)

Fellowship
Songs of praise are offered while Counsellor and Deacons perform the Ablution
Upon consuming the Body and the Blood, the Counsellor and Deacon pray:
‘For that we have received your Body openly, may your power dwell in us in mystery.
May we go forth to meet you joyfully, may we sing glory to you, O Christ the Hope of our nature, make us worthy, O my Lord, with the robber to sing glory in paradise, with the just who have fulfilled the will of the Father. Amen.’
Counsellor
God has blessed us, with all spiritual blessings in heaven through Yesu our Lord, - He has called us to the Heavenly Kingdom, and has taught us and brought wondrous blessings to us, blessings which never pass away, cease or vanish.
Yesu our Lord, has promised and assured us in his life-giving Sayings (106), “Whoever drinks from my mouth will be like me and I myself shall be that person, and what is hidden will be revealed to that one.”

May God bless our congregation, guard our company and make our people glorious, which came and rejoiced in the power of these glorious, holy, life-giving and divine mysteries.

With the living sign of the cross and the indwelling spirit of our Lord be sealed and guarded from all harm, hidden and open, now, always and forever (+).

Go in peace to love and serve God and all neighbours in need.

Fellowship
The measure by which we love our fellow beings, is the measure of our love or God.

May all go in peace.

Counsellor
Go in peace, show holy love for one another, and serve the Lord. Minister to all in need. In the Name of God: the Father, the Mother, the spirit within. + Amen.

The Divine Liturgy has ended.
Counsellor and Deacons exit. Hymns may be sung by those desirous to remain.


 

Liturgy Option
 

Song of the Pearl
Counsellor
As the apostle Thomas prayed, all the prisoners looked on him, and begged him to pray for them, and when he had prayed and sat down, he began to sing this mystical song:

‘When I was a little child, I played in the kingdom of my Father, and enjoyed the wealth and luxuries, of those who raised me up.

From our homeland, in the East, my Parents prepared me and sent me.

And from the riches of our treasury, they gave me a load, Great the treasure was, but so light I could carry it alone.

Deacon
They girded me with determination, which crushes iron.

They took off from me the splendid robe, which in their love they had made for me, and the purple toga, which was woven to the measure of my eminence.

They made with me an oath, and wrote it in my heart, that I might not forget:

Fellowship

“If you go down to Egypt and bring the one pearl, which is in the middle of the sea, in the place where the loud-breathing serpent lives, then you will again put on your splendid robe, and the toga which lies over it.
And with your Brother, our next in rank, you shall inherit our kingdom."

Counsellor
I quitted the East and went down, led by two companions, for the way was dangerous and difficult, and I was very young to travel it.

I went down into Egypt, and my companions left me to go alone.

I went straight to the serpent, and close to the place where he lives I stayed.

Since I was all alone, I was a stranger to those who lived there with me.

But I dressed in clothes like theirs, so they would not suspect I came from outside to take the pearl, and so may wake the serpent up against me.

Deacon
But for some reason or other they saw that I was not from their country, so they treated me treacherously, and gave me to eat of their food.

Fellowship
Very soon I forgot that I was a king’s child, and I served their king.

And soon I forgot about the pearl, for which my Parents had sent me.

Because of the heaviness of their food, I fell into a deep dream.

All that happened to me, my Parents observed and were sad for me.

Deacon
They decided that I must not be left in Egypt, and they wrote me a letter, and every family member signed it:

Counsellor
“From your Father, the King of kings, and your Mother, the mistress of the East, and from your Brother, our other child, to you, our child in Egypt, greetings!
Awake and rise up from your sleep, and listen to the words of our letter.
Remember that you are a child of a king. See the slavery of those serving the one you also serve!
Remember the pearl, for which you went into Egypt.
Remember the beautiful robe, and think of your glorious toga, that you may put them on again, that your name may be read in the book of the heroes, and that with your Brother, our crown prince, you inherit our kingdom."

Fellowship
The letter was a reminder of the oath they made with me, that they wrote in my heart, so that I might not forget.

Then I remembered I am a child of a king, and my noble birth asserted itself.

I remembered the pearl for which I was sent to Egypt, and I began to cast a spell on the terrible loud-breathing serpent.

I brought him to dream and sleep, by naming my Father’s name over him, and of my mother, the queen of the East, and the name of our next in rank, my Brother.

I snatched away the pearl, and turned about, to go to my Father’s house.

Deacon
The dirty clothes of that land, I took off and left it there.

Then I changed my way, to face the light of our homeland, the East.

My beautiful robe that I had taken off, and my toga with which it was wrapped about, from the heights of our kingdom, my Parents sent it to me.

Counsellor
Amazed, I forgot how dignified it was, for I had left it in my childhood in my Father’s house, but suddenly, when I put it on, it became like me, as my reflection in a mirror; I saw it in me, and in it I saw myself, apart from myself, so that we were two in distinction, and again one in a single form.

The likeness of the king of kings, was embroidered all over it.

Fellowship
Again I saw that all over it, the movements of knowledge were stirring.

I hear the sounds of its songs, which it whispered as it came down:

Deacon
“I belong to the brave servant, who was reared for me by my Father, and I saw in myself how I grew, as the servant laboured."

Counsellor
With royal movements, it poured itself toward me, and my love made me run to meet it, and receive it, I stretched out and took it. With the beauty of its colours I dressed myself.

And my toga of brilliant colours, I put on completely over myself. I clothed myself with it, and went up to the gate of greeting and adoration.

I bowed my head and worshipped the splendour of the Father who sent the robe, whose commands I had accomplished, as he also had done what he promised.

Deacon

All
For he rejoiced over me and received me, and I was with him in his kingdom.

And he promised that I will again walk with the crown prince, to the gate of the king of kings, and with my pearl, with him, we will appear before our King.”

Deacon
Father, we thank You for Your promise: If we remember that we are children form heaven and are not from this world, that we can conquer the serpent and find the pearl, and return home to You and our Glorious Mother Holy Wisdom, and to our brother the Crown Prince. O God, who makes everything holy.

Fellowship
Let us remember who we are, and not think this world is our home, and not think the rule of this world is the rule of our King.

Counsellor
Let us give thanks to our Parents the rulers of heaven. They sent us a message so that we may wake up from the sleep of fools. So we stop believing the dream that this world of many gods is our home - so that we turn our faces to the Light and go home as heroes who conquered the serpent.

+ Amen