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Holy Catechism

Nikolaos Voulgaris, tr. Daniel, 1893

Concerning the Great Ectene

69. Ex. Let US come to the prayers and petitions which occur after the Holy Gospel.

C. These are made equally for the Faithful and for Catechumens. And according to S. Germanus they signify two things. The prayers and petitions which follow the reading of the Sacred Gospels as far as the Cherubic Hymn set forth the three years’ teaching of Christ our God, and the Instruction of those who are preparing for Baptism. And first the Deacon or Priest begins the Great Ectene, which is

Let us all say with all our soul.

It was so named as being a Prayer much extended and exceeding earnest, from the verb ἐκτείνω, I stretch out, which means, I prolong. Basil the Great calls it the earnest supplication; Methodius, earnest petition; Hesychius, the extended prayer. It is so called not so much because of its extent or width of petition, as because of the contention and earnestness of Prayer, since beginning with all his soul (earnestly is interpreted by the lexicographers, with the whole soul) and with all his mind the Priest goes on, “We entreat Thee, hearken and have mercy;” and again, “We entreat Thee, hearken, O Lord, and have mercy;” and the people reply, “Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.” See the activity and earnestness of the Prayer.