In prevailing practice these petitions are situated at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, though not their original place. The Kingdom of God is pronounced blessed, and the Church invites the peace and mercy of God into the functions of the created world and the affairs of human life. The antiphons are a technical component of the service, originating in stational liturgies. They indicate antiphonal chanting of psalm verses intercalated with responsorial hymns ("Save us, O Son of God...", "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos..."), to be noted here is the order of the Typika.
The Liturgy opens with the blessing “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Our prayer begins by turning toward God’s Kingdom.
Listen for the breadth of the Church's prayer: peace, leaders, neighbors, the created world, those who suffer, and our life together in Christ. Then consider how the antiphons join psalm verses to responses about Christ and the Theotokos.
These four readings introduce the lesson: God’s Kingdom and presence, the people’s Amen, and our prayer for mercy. Read each passage, then follow its connection into the lesson.
Revelation 21:22
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
In the heavenly city, God and the Lamb are its temple. Read this vision beside St. Symeon's explanation of the sanctuary and the church as images of heaven.
Read St. Symeon on the church Read Revelation 21:22 in context (opens a new tab)Mark 1:14–15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete selected verses
Christ announces the Kingdom of God. This gives us a way to reflect on the opening blessing, “Blessed is the Kingdom…”, and the direction of our prayer.
Explore the opening blessing Read Mark 1:14–15 in context (opens a new tab)1 Chronicles 16:35 (36)
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From ages unto the ages. All the people said, “Amen.” And they praised the Lord.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse 35
The people answer God's blessing with Amen and praise. Listen for this shared response when the priest concludes the Litany with a doxology, a prayer glorifying God.
Explore the concluding doxology Read 1 Chronicles 16:35 (36) in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Luke 18:13
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!’
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
The tax collector approaches God with humility and asks for mercy. His prayer helps us reflect on our own response, “Lord, have mercy,” and the Litany's appeal for God's help and grace.
Explore the prayer for God's mercy Read Luke 18:13 in context (opens a new tab)Choose a petition to explore its Scripture readings or a commentary from the Fathers. The opening petition connects with St. Nicholas Cabasilas on prayer in peace.
Patristic commentary for this petition
St. Nicholas Cabasilas explains how peace with others and within ourselves prepares us for prayer.
Read St. Nicholas Cabasilas on prayer in peaceScripture readings for this petition
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Verses 8–9
Ephesians names salvation as God's gift through grace and faith.
Read Ephesians 2:8 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete selected verses
Matthew connects prayer in agreement with gathering in Christ's name.
Read Matthew 18:19–20 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
St. Symeon reads the church building in relation to heaven and creation. Revelation and Luke invite reflection on God's presence and humble prayer.
Read Revelation 21:22 in context (opens a new tab)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!’
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
St. Symeon reads the church building in relation to heaven and creation. Revelation and Luke invite reflection on God's presence and humble prayer.
Read Luke 18:13 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
Hebrews asks us to remember those who have spoken God's word to us. The connection concerns spiritual leadership; the verse does not itself enumerate the liturgical offices.
Read Hebrews 13:7 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete selected verses
This passage explicitly asks for prayer for kings and all who are in authority, so that people may live peacefully and with godliness.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1–2 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Seek the peace of the land into which I carried you captive. Pray to the Lord for them, for in its peace you shall have peace.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse
Jeremiah calls the exiles to seek the peace of the place where they live and pray to the Lord for it. The handbook uses the parallel prosperity wording.
Read Jeremiah 36:7 (OSB) in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Ask for yourself rain from the Lord during the time of the early rain and the late rain. The Lord made a great display and will give winter rain to each crop in the field.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse
Zechariah directly connects asking the Lord with rain and crops. The reading illuminates weather and fruitfulness; it does not explicitly mention peaceful times.
Read Zechariah 10:1 in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete selected verses
James speaks directly of prayer for the sick. Hebrews speaks of remembering prisoners and the mistreated. These selections illuminate sickness and captivity; neither passage explicitly mentions travelers.
Read James 5:14–15 in context (opens a new tab)Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
James speaks directly of prayer for the sick. Hebrews speaks of remembering prisoners and the mistreated. These selections illuminate sickness and captivity; neither passage explicitly mentions travelers.
Read Hebrews 13:3 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
I sought the Lord, and He heard me; And He delivered me from all my sojourning.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse, line breaks normalized
The handbook's selection describes deliverance from fears. OSB describes deliverance from sojourning. Read the edition note: this connection does not turn the OSB wording into a promise explicitly about fear.
Read Psalm 33 (34):5 (OSB) in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Verses 8–9
Ephesians identifies salvation as God's gracious gift; the tax collector in Luke asks for mercy.
Read Ephesians 2:8 in context (opens a new tab)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!’
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete verse
Ephesians identifies salvation as God's gracious gift; the tax collector in Luke asks for mercy.
Read Luke 18:13 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for this petition
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Verses 1–2
The cloud of witnesses and the call to perseverance offer a thematic connection with remembering the saints and living faithfully. This verse is not, by itself, a quotation about the Theotokos or an explicit explanation of intercession.
Read Hebrews 12:1 in context (opens a new tab)Scripture readings for the concluding doxology
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the might. You are master over all that is in heaven and on the earth. Every king and nation is thrown into confusion before You.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse
Chronicles praises God's greatness, power, and glory; the psalm blesses and magnifies the Lord. This is a suggested connection with the concluding doxology, rather than a separate petition.
Read 1 Chronicles 29:11 in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with waters, Who makes the clouds His means of approach, Who walks on the wings of the winds, Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Verses 1–4; psalm superscription omitted
Chronicles praises God's greatness, power, and glory; the psalm blesses and magnifies the Lord. This is a suggested connection with the concluding doxology, rather than a separate petition.
Read Psalm 103 (104):1 (OSB) in context (PDF, opens a new tab)Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From ages unto the ages. All the people said, “Amen.” And they praised the Lord.
SAAS (OSB Old Testament) · Complete OSB verse 35
Chronicles praises God's greatness, power, and glory; the psalm blesses and magnifies the Lord. This is a suggested connection with the concluding doxology, rather than a separate petition.
Read 1 Chronicles 16:35 (36) in context (PDF, opens a new tab)The summaries follow the concerns of the Greek Orthodox service. Open the official liturgical text (pp. 3–4) ↗ (opens a new tab)
The place of worship.
The peace of the heart.
The voice of the prophets.
Read slowly. Each comment offers a different way to notice what happens when the Church prays.
The Liturgical Commentaries: On the Sacred Liturgy
The moment to begin the liturgy is given to the first of the deacons by the bishop. For without him it is not possible to do anything, and the great high priest Jesus says, "Without me you can do nothing." The deacon calls on the priest to give the blessing and the priest who has done the prothesis blesses God.
...in a more condensed way, we say here that the priests in the sanctuary represent the first celestial orders: the bishop represents the Lord, and those with him represent the angels who rendered service at the divine incarnation and the God-announcing apostles. And because the sanctuary typifies the holy of holies above the heavens—and heaven itself—whereas the sacred altar typifies God's throne, the Resurrection of Christ, and the venerable tomb, the church thus typifies both the celestial realm and paradise, and the things at the end of the church and narthex typify the creation of the earth for us and all that is on earth.
Course handbook, p. 8.
What does this description ask us to notice about the church building and the gathered ministers?
A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, p. 46
When the priest says "peace," he does not only mean that we shall be at peace with each other and not bear any ill-will, but that we shall be at peace with ourselves so that we are not condemned by our own hearts. This is indeed a great benefit; it is above all essential to our well-being. For because of the very nature of agitation the troubled mind is quite powerless to approach God. Peace establishes unity among many, but agitation divides one into many, and how could an individual so disturbed be united to the One and Indivisible God? Therefore he who is not at peace cannot pray aright, and cannot expect any good to come of his prayer. If anger disturbs his soul or if ill-feeling has driven out peace, his prayer will not obtain forgiveness of his sins, and still less will he receive any other grace.
Course handbook, p. 8.
How does St. Cabasilas distinguish peace with others from peace within ourselves?
On the Divine Liturgy, p. 73
The antiphons of the liturgy are the prophecies of the prophets, foretelling the coming of the Son of God, proclaiming: "Our God has appeared upon earth and dwelt among men" (Bar 3:38) and "He is clothed in majesty" (Ps 92:1). The prophets are indicating his incarnation, of course, which we proclaim, having accepted and comprehended it through the ministers and eye-witnesses of the Word, who understood it.
Course handbook, p. 9.
How does St. Germanos connect the words of the prophets with Christ's incarnation and the singing of the antiphons?
Continue exploring the lesson with these passages and commentary.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Complete selected verses
The passage joins prayer and thanksgiving to the peace of God. It offers a further connection with the lesson's opening prayer in peace.
Read Philippians 4:6–7 in context (opens a new tab)I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
NKJV (OSB New Testament) · Verses 1–3
This verse explicitly joins unity and peace, extending the theme explored by St. Cabasilas.
Read Ephesians 4:3 in context (opens a new tab)Homily 6 on First Timothy · On 1 Timothy 2:1–4
What is “first of all”? It means in the daily Service; and the initiated know how this is done every day both in the evening and the morning, how we offer prayers for the whole world, for kings and all that are in authority.
St. John Chrysostom relates St. Paul's instruction to the Church's daily worship and the celebration of the holy Mysteries. Prayer embraces everyone, including unbelieving rulers and those who persecute Christians. He connects prayer for rulers with a peaceful common life, and prayer and thanksgiving for others with love that overcomes hostility. Read this alongside 1 Timothy 2:1–2 and the petitions for peace and public authorities.
How does praying for someone change the way we regard that person, especially when there is disagreement or hostility?
Book VIII · Chapter 10: The Bidding Prayer for the Faithful; chapter 13: the litany before Communion
Let us pray for the peace and happy settlement of the world, and of the holy churches; that the God of the whole world may afford us His everlasting peace, and such as may not be taken away from us; that He may preserve us in a full prosecution of such virtue as is according to godliness.
In VIII.10, the deacon leads intercessions for the world and the churches, bishops and clergy, the sick, travelers, prisoners, and enemies. VIII.13 adds prayer for rulers, with an explicit appeal to 1 Timothy 2:2, and for favorable weather and fruitful crops. These ancient litanies help us hear how the Church gathers many human needs into a common prayer for peace. These passages witness to the antiquity of this practice: the Apostolic Constitutions, a fourth-century collection, already record common intercessions for peace and the needs of the world. In the Litany of Peace today, we recognize the same ancient pattern of prayer.
Which concerns in these ancient litanies do you recognize in the Litany of Peace today?
Try these optional study activities. Each response opens an explanation; there are no scores.
Antiphons weave psalm verses together with responses. Choose what comes between the verses.
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The main Bible edition is the Orthodox Study Bible: the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint (SAAS) for the Old Testament and NKJV for the New Testament. Source links open in a new tab.
Old Testament: St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint (SAAS), copyright 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology. New Testament: New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson.