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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Lord have mercy / Kyrie eleison / Ya Rabb-urham

Reply in Litanies

"Lord have mercy" or "Kyrie eleison" or "Ya Rabb-urham" is the standard reply in litanies.

There are several litanies during the Divine Liturgy, including the beginning Litany of Peace.

English Language and Greek Language

The word "mercy" is the translation of the Greek word "eleos". This word has the same ultimate root as the old Greek word for "oil", or more precisely, "olive oil". Olive oil was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. Olive oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in the wound. Olive oil soothed, comforted and made whole the injured part.

Hebrew Language, Greek Language , and English Language

The Hebrew word "hesed" is translated as the Greek word "eleos" and as the English word "mercy". "Hesed" means "steadfast love". The Greek words "Kyrie, eleison" have the meaning "Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love."
The word "mercy" refers to to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children. The word "mercy" does not refer to the Western world's concepts of justice or acquittal.

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Saturday, July 10, 2004, 16:21:28, PDT
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