The Offertory
The Rite of Choosing the Lamb
Signing the Lamb
Priest
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; One God. Blessed be God the Father, the Pantocrator. Blessed be His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Glory and honour, honour and glory, to the All-holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Priest
A sacrifice of glory.
Priest
A sacrifice of blessing, a sacrifice of honour, a sacrifice of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Zechariah, Simeon…
Commentary
The Priest chooses the best loaf among the bread offered and blesses it. This chosen bread will become the Holy Body of Christ — it is therefore called the Lamb. The bread is round, having no beginning and no end, symbolising the eternity of our Lord. It is stamped with a large cross representing Jesus, surrounded by twelve small crosses representing the apostles.
The bread is pierced in five places, referencing the three nails, the crown of thorns, and the spear that pierced His side — His wounds are presented before us at all times to remind us of His love and salvific pain for us.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”— Isaiah 53:5
The Priest signs the rest of the offerings by dipping his finger in wine and signing a cross on the back of each loaf. The signing with wine expresses the sanctification of the offering with the substance of the sacrament — indicating that the Lord Christ sanctifies His sacrifice by Himself.
Lord Have Mercy (41 times)
Congregation
Lord have mercy. (×41)
Commentary
The Congregation sings "Lord have mercy" 41 times while the Priest lays his hands on the offerings in the shape of the cross — as the priest of the Old Testament laid his hand on the sacrifice while confessing sins (Leviticus 1:4). This declares that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, has carried our sins on His shoulders.
“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'”— Luke 18:13
The number 41 reminds us of the 39 lashes Jesus received before His crucifixion, the crown of thorns, and the spear which pierced His side on the cross.
Holy, Holy, Holy
All
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory and honour. Have mercy upon us, O God the Father, the Pantocrator; All-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. Lord, God of hosts, be with us, for we have no other supporter in our tribulations and adversities but You. Absolve, remit, and forgive us, O God, our trespasses: those committed willingly, and those committed unwillingly; those committed knowingly, and those committed unknowingly; the hidden and the manifest. O Lord, forgive us for the sake of Your holy name that is called upon us; according to Your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins.
Our Father
All
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord; For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.