The Prokimenon.

        After the Doxology the Prokímenon is recited. (The word means “foremost,” “principal,” “chief”). This name is given to a short verse, generally selected from the Holy Scriptures, which embodies the meaning of the entire service, and therefore, refers to the chief contents of the prayers, hymns, and lessons from Scripture for the day.* From its importance, the prokimenon is emphatically singled out of the service: The deacon calls out, “Let us attend!” the priest blesses all present, saying “Peace be unto all!” to which the worshippers respond, with an obeisance, “And to thy spirit,” (i.e., “we wish the same to thy soul”); the deacon once more calls out “Let us attend! Wisdom!” (i.e., “let us be attentive, for words of wisdom will be spoken”). The prokimenon is then sung three times. After which the Royal Gates are closed.

The Paremia. — On certain days, the prokimenon is followed by the reading of paremía; This word means “parable” or “allegory.” In church services the name is given to selected lessons or readings from the Scriptures, principally from the Old Testament, containing the prototype of the commemorated event or a prophecy concerning the same, or else explaining the meaning of the feast, or praising the Saint in whose honor the feast is instituted. Paremia are prescribed for all feast-days except Sundays, and for the days of Lent. They differ as to number. Usually two or three are read.*

The Triple Ectenia and the Ectenia of Supplication. — After glorifying Christ as God, we offer up our petitions in the words of two ecteniæ, spoken by the deacon: in the first we entreat mercy for all Christians, while in the second we specify what mercies we desire for their souls. The former is called the “Triple Ectenia” because “Lord, have mercy!” is sung thrice after each petition. The other is called the “Ectenia of Supplication,” because the response to each petition is “Grant [this], O Lord!”

The Triple Ectenia begins with the invitation: “Let us say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind let us say,” and consists of petitions for our Emperor, for his prosperous rule, (the preservation of his life, his peace of mind, happiness, salvation; “that the Lord may specially aid and assist him in all things, and subdue under his feet every foe and adversary; for the reigning House; for the most Holy Synod, the local bishop, and all our brethren in Christ; for the Christian army; for the blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy Temple (in which the service is performed), and of all our Christian fathers and brethren that have gone to their rest and lie here (buried around the church) (and in all other places); for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God, the brethren of this holy Temple, (i.e., the Parishioners of the church), those that bring forth fruit (who make donations) and do good work (i.e., bring gifts for the adorning of the church, or do other works for the good of the parish) in this holy and most venerable church, that labor (for the good of the church), that sing, and for the people that stand here before Thee and await of Thee great and abundant mercies.” The priest concludes these petitions by a Doxology, in which he explains that we hope to obtain from God what we ask, because he is “merciful and a man-loving God.”

The Ectenia of Supplication begins with the invitation: “Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord”; and consists of petitions that the Lord may grant us: “That the evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless; an Angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies; forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions; what is good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world; that the remaining part of our life may be spent in peace and repentance; a Christian end to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good account of ourselves before the dread judgment-seat of Christ.” In the concluding exclamation the priest again proclaims that we hope to obtain from God what we ask because He is “merciful and man-loving.” In confirmation of this hope, the priest, after the conclusion of the ectenia, blesses the congregation, saying, “Peace to all,” whereto the latter responds by the good wish “And to thy spirit.” After the ectenia, hymns are chanted in honor and memory of the person or event to which the services of the day are dedicated. These hymns are separated by verses taken from various parts of the Scriptures, and are, therefore, called Sticheræ on Verses.