Welcome to St. Mary's . . .




. . . a holy place in the country.




For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.




How blessed is the one whom Thou dost choose, and bring near to Thee, to dwell in Thy courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, Thy holy temple.




Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter through it.




And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.




And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.




Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.




"Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."




In giving birth you retained your virginity. In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were taken to life, O Mother of Life.




And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.




But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them,




for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.




Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.




May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.




And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."




And when He had taken a cup, and given thanks, He gave it to them; and they all drank from it. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."




"Do this in remembrance of Me."




Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place?




Lord, Who blesses those who bless Thee and sanctifies those who put their trust in Thee, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.




The blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon you through His divine grace and love toward mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.




The people come forward . . .




. . . for the final blessing,




. . . to receive a portion of the blessed bread,




. . . to venerate the cross,




. . . and to give thanks for the Holy Eucharist.




"O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of thy servants."




Fr. George and Fr. Antony

"The Lord God remember you all in His Kingdom, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen"