Divine Liturgy for Independence Day – July 4th

For the Bicentennial celebration in 1976 Father Levkulic compiled holy day style variable parts for the Divine Liturgy. These have since been used on July 4th, Independence Day, in the years since by various parishes. I reproduce them here so that others can use or enjoy the annual celebration.

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Civil Holiday

For the Welfare & Forgiveness of Sins of USA Compiled by Fr. Levkulic

First Antiphon

Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, * the people He has chosen for His own inheritance.

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O savior save us!

The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him, * upon those who hope for His kindness.

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O savior save us!

Our soul waits for the Lord who is our help and our shield, * in his holy name we trust.

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O savior save us!

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen!

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O savior save us!

Second Antiphon

I hear what God the Lord proclaims! * for He will speak peace unto his people.

O Son of God, Whose truth has set us free, save us who sing to you.  Alleluia!

His salvation is near indeed to those who fear Him; * and his glory will then remain in our land.

O Son of God, Whose truth has set us free, save us who sing to you.  Alleluia!

Truth shall spring out of the earth; * and justice shall look down from heaven.

O Son of God, Whose truth has set us free, save us who sing to you.  Alleluia!

Third Antiphon (Tone 6)

Happy are they who dwell in your house! * Happy are they whose strength You are.

O Father of all nations and Lord of the universe, * may we always show ourselves to be a holy people, * trusting in You our God and fulfilling Your will.  * Since You have bestowed upon us this heritage of Your bounties, * may we ever worship You * and make our nation a place of freedom, equality and justice for all.

O Lord of host hear our prayers; * happy are they who trust in You.

O Father of all nations…

The Lord will not withold any good things * from those who walk in sincerity.

O Father of all nations…

Entrance Hymn (Tone 6)

All the nations You have made shall come and worship You O Lord, * and glorify Your Name.

Troparion (Tone 6)

O Father of all nations…

Kondakion (Tone 6)

O Lord, over two hundred years ago * our country claimed its place among the family of nations.  * You have richly favored us with Your blessings * and prospered us with the fullness of the land.  * We now offer our gratitude to You, * and we rededicate ourselves to serviing You, * so that the works of justice and freedom might be shared by all peoples.

Bohorodicen (Tone 8)

Our founding fathers established this nation * with an abiding trust in God our Heavenly Father, * giving liberty to all its in habitants. * We have become the stewards of this cherished heritage.  * Deem us worthy, O Theotokos, Ever-Virgin * to protect and transmit this treasured inheritance. * Lead us to your Son, Christ our God, * so that He would betow upon us His eternal freedom granting us His great Mercy, * and leading us into the land of the righteous.

Prokimenon (Tone 5)

Proclaim liberty through all the land * unto all the inhabitants thereof!

Verse: Justice and judgment are the foundation of Your Throne; * kindness and truth go before You.

Reading

Hebrews 12:7-11; 14-17; 25-28

John 8:31-42

Alleluia (Tone 7)

Verse: I will walk at liberty; * because I seek Your commandments.

Verse: Your justice is everlasting justice, * and Your law is permanent.

Communion Hymn

He gave them the land of the nations, that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws.  Alleluia! Alleluia!  Alleluia!