office second_marriage.doc

THE ORDER OF SECOND MARRIAGE

The Prayer at the Removal of the Crowns

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

The Dismissal Troparion of the Day is sung here.

The priest stands in the Nave, while they that desire to be joined together stand in the Narthex before the doors of the Nave, the man on the right side and the woman on the left. And on the right side of the Holy table are laid their two rings, a golden one and a silver one s) towards the right and the golden one (the Bridegroom s) towards the left, close to one another. And the Priest makes the sign of the Cross thrice over the heads of the bridal pair. And he leads them within the temple. And censes in cross-wise form. And the Deacon, if he is serving says:

Choir: Amen.

Comforter, Spirit of Truth, / Who art everywhere present / and fillest all things, / Treasury of good things / and Giver of life: / Come and dwell in us, / and cleanse us of all impurity, // and save our souls, O Good One.

Clergy: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

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

Choir: O Heavenly King, /

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

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

Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory: of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

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

Reader: Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 the evil one.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Lord have mercy. (12 times)

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon or Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness, Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop N.); for the venerable priesthood, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For the God-preserved Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--For the servants of God, N. and N., and for the protection which is from God; and for their life together, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--That they may dwell together uprightly and in oneness of mind, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: To Thee O Lord.

--Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

--Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: Amen.

O Eternal God, who hast brought into unity those who were sundered, and hast ordained for them an indissoluble bond of love; who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca, and didst make them heirs of thy promise: Bless also these thy servants, N. and N., directing them unto every good work. For Thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind; and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

For unto Thee are due all honor, glory, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And to the woman he saith:

Then the Priest saith this Prayer:

And when he has spoken thus to each one thrice, he makes the Sign of the Cross with the rings upon their heads, and places them on the fingers of their right hands. Then the sponsor changes the rings of the bridal pair.

Choir: Amen.

s nature, in that thou art his Maker and Creator; who didst pardon Rahab the harlot, and accept the contrition of the Publican: remember not the sins of our ignorance from our youth up. For if Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? Or what flesh shall be justified in thy sight? For Thou only art righteous, sinless, holy, plenteous in mercy, of great compassion, and repentest Thee of the evils of men. Do Thou, O Master, who hast brought together in wedlock thy servants, N. and N., unite them to one another in love: vouchsafe unto them the contrition of the Publican, the tears of the Harlot, the confession of the Thief; that, repenting with their whole heart, and doing Thy commandments in peace and oneness of mind, they may be deemed worthy also of Thy heavenly kingdom.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

For Thou art He who ordereth all things, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

For Thou art God, the God of the contrite in heart, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

For Thine is the dominion, and Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

And after the Amen the priest, taking the crowns, crowneth first the Bridegroom, saying:

Priest: O Lord our God, Who hast espoused the Church as a pure Virgin from among the Gentiles: Bless this Betrothal, and unite and maintain these Thy servants in peace and oneness of mind.

And likewise he crowneth also the Bride saying:

Then the Priest, taking the rings, blesseth the Bridal Couple therewith, making the sign of the Cross over the Bridegroom with the ring of the Bride, and over the Bride with that of the Bridegroom, and saith to the Man:

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Priest: The servant of God, N., is betrothed to the handmaiden of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

--Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God, N. and N. (And here he also maketh mention of whomsoever else he will).

Priest: The handmaiden of God, N., is betrothed to the servant of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

For Thou art our God, the God Who showeth mercy and saveth, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

--That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Priest: O Master, Lord our God, who showest pity upon all men, and whose providence is over all Thy works; who knowest the secrets of man, and understandest all men: Purge away our sins, and forgive the transgressions of thy servants, calling them to repentance, granting them remission of their iniquities, purification from their sins, and pardon of their errors, whether voluntary or involuntary. O Thou who knowest the frailty of man

--Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Amen.

--Things good and profitable for souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

--That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

--A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

--Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

(Aloud) For blessed is Thy name, and glorified is Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, Who wast lifted up on the precious and life-giving cross, and didst thereby destroy the handwriting against us, and deliver us from the dominion of the Devil: Cleanse Thou the iniquities of Thy servants; because they, being unable to bear the heat and burden of the day and the hot desires of the flesh, are now entering into the bond of a second marriage, as Thou didst render lawful by Thy chosen vessel, the Apostle Paul, saying, for the sake of us humble sinners, It is better to marry in the Lord than to burn. Wherefore, inasmuch as Thou art good, and lovest mankind, do thou show mercy and forgive, Cleanse, put away, pardon our transgressions; for Thou art He Who didst take our infirmities on thy shoulders; for there is none sinless, or without uncleanness for so much as a single day of his life, save only Thou, Who without sin didst endure the flesh, and bestowest on us passionlessness eternal.

Then, taking the common cup in his hand, the priest giveth it to them thrice: first to the man, and then to the woman. And immediately the priest taketh them, the groomsmen behind them holding their crowns, and leadeth them in a circle thrice around the analogion. And the priest, or the choir chant these troparia:

Choir: Amen.

Tone 7: Rejoice, O Isaiah! /

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The Virgin is with child, /

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, / both God and Man: / Orient is His name; // Whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed.

Priest: O Holy God, Who didst create man out of the dust, and didst fashion his wife out of his rib, and didst join her unto him as a helpmeet; for it seemed good to Thy majesty that man should not be alone upon the earth: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, now also stretch out Thy hand from Thy holy dwelling-place and join together Thy servant, N., and this Thy handmaiden, N., for by Thee is the husband joined unto the wife. Unite them in one mind: wed them into one flesh, granting unto them of the fruit of the body, and the procreation of fair children.

O Holy Martyrs, / Who fought the good fight and have received your crowns: / Entreat ye the Lord // that He will have mercy on our souls.

Choir: Amen.

Glory to Thee, O Christ God, /

Priest: The servant of God, N., is crowned unto the handmaiden of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

the Apostles

Choir: Amen.

joy, // whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

Priest: The handmaiden of God, N., is crowned unto the servant of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Then, taking the crown of the Bridegroom, the priest saith:

Choir: Amen.

And when he taketh the crown of the Bride, he saith:

Then he blesseth them thrice, saying thrice:

Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Priest: O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor.

Father, bless.

Deacon: Let us attend.

The Bridegroom and Bride kiss each other and the people come and congratulate the newly-weds.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Revised 11/24/2015

Reader: And to thy spirit.

The priest stands in the Nave, while they that desire to be

Deacon: Wisdom!

joined together stand in the Narthex before the doors of the Nave,

Reader: The prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

the man on the right side and the woman on the left. And on the

Choir: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

another. And the Priest makes the sign of the Cross thrice over the al pair. And he leads them within the temple. wise form. And the Deacon, if he is serving Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: For Thou shalt give them blessing for ever and ever, and Thou shalt gladden them in joy with Thy countenance.

Choir: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Reader: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones.

Choir: They asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Reading if from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

Deacon: Let us attend!

Reader: Brethren: Give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Priest: Peace be unto thee.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: Alleluia in the 5th Tone: Thou, O Lord shalt keep us and shalt preserve us from this generation, and forevermore.

Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Deacon: Wisdom! Aright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John [John 2:1-11].

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Priest: At that time: there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what is that to me and to thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of Mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who in Thy saving providence didst vouchsafe by Thy presence in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, now also maintain in peace and concord thy servants, N. and N., whom it hath pleased Thee to join together. Cause their marriage to be honorable. Preserve their bed undefiled. Be pleased to grant them to live together blameless; and vouchsafe them to attain to a ripe old age, walking in Thy commandments with a pure heart.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: And vouchsafe us, O Master, with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call upon Thee the heavenly God as Father, and to say:

People: Our Father, who art in the Heavens,* 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 the evil one.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: (Silently) O God, Who hast created all things by Thy might, and hast established the world, and hast adorned the crown of all things made by Thee: Bless now with Thy spiritual blessing this common cup, which Thou dost give to those who are now joined in the union of marriage.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Be Thou exalted, O Bridegroom, like unto Abraham; and be thou blessed like unto Isaac; and do thou multiply like unto Jacob, walking in peace, and keeping the commandments of God in righteousness.

Priest: And thou, O Bride: Be thou exalted like unto Sarah; and exult thou, like unto Rebecca; and do thou multiply, like unto Rachel. Rejoice thou in thy husband, fulfilling the conditions of the law; for so it is well-pleasing unto God..

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O God, our God, Who didst come to Cana of Galilee, and didst bless there the marriage feast: Bless also these Thy servants, who through Thy good providence are now joined together in wedlock. Bless their comings in and their goings out; fill their life with good things; receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto the ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial, and life-creating Trinity, one Godhead and one Kingdom, bless you, and grant you length of days, fair children, good success in life and faith, and fulfill you with all good things on the earth, and vouchsafe you to obtain the blessings of the promise; through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and all the saints.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord, our God, Who hast blessed the crown of the year, and permittest these crowns to be laid upon those who are united to each other by the law of marriage, and thus grantest unto them, as it were, a reward of chastity; for they are pure who are united in the marriage which thou hast made lawful: Do Thou Thyself bless also in the removal of these crowns those who have been united to each other, and preserve their union indissoluble; that they may ever more give thanks unto Thine all-holy name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: These Thy servants having come together in concord, O Lord, and having accomplished the order of marriage, as at Cana of Galilee, and having contracted the pledges thereof, send up glory to Thee: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Priest: O most holy Theotokos, save us.

Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to Thee.

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

Priest: May Christ our true God, Who by His presence at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee did declare marriage to be an honorable estate, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy and glorious apostles; of the holy God-crowned Monarchs and Equals-of-the-Apostles, Constantine and Helen; of the holy Great-martyr Procopius; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loveth mankind.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation, and good success in all things, grant, O Lord, to Thy newly-wedded servants, N., and N., and preserve them for many years!

Choir: Many Years! Thrice.