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diff --git a/old/34981.txt b/old/34981.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c950ac --- /dev/null +++ b/old/34981.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4228 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Orthodox Daily Prayers, by Anonymous + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Orthodox Daily Prayers + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: January 16, 2011 [eBook #34981] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORTHODOX DAILY PRAYERS*** + + +E-text prepared by Gerard Arthus, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images +generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + http://www.archive.org/details/OrthodoxDailyPrayers + + + + + +ORTHODOX DAILY PRAYERS + + + + + + +St. Tikhon's Seminary Press +1982 + +Printed +with the blessings +of +His Grace, +the Right Reverend +HERMAN +Bishop of Philadelphia +and +Eastern Pennsylvania + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + + Introduction 1 + Morning Prayers 5 + Commemoration of the Living and the Dead 25 + Prayers at the Table 33 + The Order of Compline 38 + Before Sleep 68 + The Three Canons 89 + Canon in Preparation for Holy Communion 119 + Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion 130 + Prayers for Thanksgiving After Communion 161 + + + + + INTRODUCTION + + + + + THE PRAYERBOOK + + +The present Prayerbook contains the most basic daily prayers of the +Orthodox Christian as they have been transmitted to us essentially by the +Russian Church, although the other Orthodox Traditions in this matter are +very similar. + +In this book, we will find the Psalms of the Holy Prophet King David, the +prayer which Our Lord Himself taught His holy disciples, prayers of the +desert fathers, prayers of the great hierarchs and teachers of the +Church, as well as the prayers of more recent fathers. + +The publication of such prayers does not limit the free expression of the +Christian soul to the Creator, the Most-holy Theotokos and the Saints. On +the contrary, by reading these prayers we learn how to pray. They become +models for our own, personal prayers. Often, we would like to pray but, +distracted by the bustling world around us, or troubled by fear or +sorrow, we do not even know how to begin. We then begin with the +Prayerbook and find that not only much of what we wanted to say is +included in the prayers of the fathers, but that afterwards, we find +words of our own to continue the outpouring of our soul. + +There is yet another gift in the Prayerbook. As Orthodox Christians we +are all members of the same Body. We express and partake of that oneness +in the services of the Church, especially in the Divine Liturgy. Through +the Prayerbook, this oneness is brought into our homes or any place that +an Orthodox Christian reads it. Our own prayers are carried to the Throne +of God on the wings of prayers that have been used by the People of God +for centuries. We no longer pray alone. + + + + + THE RULE OF PRAYER + + +Many rules of prayer have developed in the history of the Church. At no +place or time has there been a uniform rule. In 19th Century Russia, for +example, the rule varied considerably from one monastery to another, +though certain basic elements were found in all of them. Therefore, the +term "Rule of Prayer" should never be understood as a strait jacket, +regulating and limiting our communion with God. + +What the Rules do teach us is the importance of regularity in our life of +prayer. It is better to say a few prayers every day without fail than to +say a great number of prayers on an irregular, impulsive basis. Those of +us who are fortunate enough to have a spiritual father should consult him +before establishing our own Rule. Those of us who do not, should begin +with a modest Rule, increasing it only when it has become a regular and +integral part of our lives. + + + + + THE TRANSLATION + + +We have attempted to use a contemporary but dignified form of the English +language throughout this present translation. Wherever possible, existing +translations of the Orthodox Church in America have been used. For +example, the Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion are taken from the +official Divine Liturgy book (St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, 1977) with +very few changes. The Psalms, verses, troparia, and prayers not included +in that edition have now been translated and included to complete the +traditional order. + +The Psalms are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible with +changes made wherever significant differences with the Orthodox +liturgical Psalter (based on the Septuagint) made it necessary. The +numbering of the Psalms follows the Septuagint throughout the Prayerbook. +We are leaving to Biblical scholars the study of the merits of the +various texts of the Holy Scriptures. Our object here is to provide the +English-speaking Orthodox Christian with a Prayerbook as closely +equivalent as possible to the Prayerbooks that Orthodox Christians of +other nationalities have used for generations. + + + + + MORNING PRAYERS + + +_Having awakened, arise from your bed without laziness and, having +gathered your thoughts, make the Sign of the Cross, saying:_ + +In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. + +_Afterwards, stand in silence for a few moments until all your senses are +calmed. At that point, make three prostrations, saying:_ + +Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. + +_Then, begin the Morning Prayers with these words:_ + +Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure +Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. + +Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. + +O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere +and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life: Come and +abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O +Good One. + +Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Most Holy Trinity! Have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! +Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities for Thy name's sake. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation)_ + +Having arisen from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Blessed One, and +sing to Thee, O Mighty One, the angelic hymn: Holy! Holy! Holy! art Thou, +O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Having raised me from my bed and from sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind +and heart, and open my lips that I may praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy! +Holy! Holy! art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +The Judge will come suddenly and the acts of every man will be revealed; +but in the middle of the night we cry with fear: Holy! Holy! Holy! art +Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us. + +Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_ + +Having risen from sleep, I thank Thee, the Holy Trinity. In the abundance +of Thy kindness and long patience, Thou hast not been angry with me for +my laziness and sinfulness, nor hast Thou destroyed me in my lawlessness. +Instead, in Thy usual love for mankind, Thou hast raised me as I lay in +despair, that I might rise early and glorify Thy Reign. Enlighten now the +eyes of my mind and open my lips, that I might learn of Thy words, +understand Thy commandments, accomplish Thy will, hymn Thee in heart-felt +confession and praise Thine all-holy name, the Father and the Son, and +the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Come, let us worship God, our King! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and +our God! + + + + + Psalm 50 + + + Have mercy on me, O God, + according to Thy great mercy; + according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, + blot out my transgressions. + Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, + and cleanse me from my sin! + + For I know my transgressions, + and my sin is ever before me. + Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, + and done that which is evil in Thy sight, + so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence + and blameless in Thy judgment. + Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, + and in sins did my mother conceive me. + + Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; + therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. + Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; + wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. + Fill me with joy and gladness; + let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. + Hide Thy face from my sins, + and blot out all my iniquities. + Create in me a clean heart, O God, + and put a new and right spirit within me. + Cast me not away from Thy presence, + and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, + and uphold me with a willing spirit. + + Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, + and sinners will return to Thee. + Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, + Thou God of my salvation, + and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy deliverance. + + O Lord, open Thou my lips, + and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. + For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice; + were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. + The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; + a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. + + Do good to Zion in Thy good pleasure; + rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, + Then wilt Thou delight in right sacrifices, + in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; + then bulls will be offered on Thy altar. + + + + + The Symbol of Faith + + +I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and +of all things visible and invisible. + +And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten +of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; +begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things +were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, +and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. +And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was +buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, +and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and +He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose +Kingdom shall have no end. + +And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from +the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and +glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and +Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I +look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. +Amen. + + +1st Prayer, by St. Macarius the Great. + +O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have done nothing good before Thee. +Deliver me from the evil one, and may Thy will be in me, that I might +open my unworthy lips without condemnation and praise Thy holy name, +Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +2nd Prayer, by St. Macarius the Great. + +Having risen from sleep, I offer Thee, O Savior, the midnight song. +Falling down, I cry to Thee: let me not fall asleep in the death of sin. +Be gracious to me, Thou Who wast willingly crucified. Raise me quickly as +I lie in laziness, and save me as I stand in prayer. After the night's +sleep, O Christ God, shine a sinless day on me and save me. + + +3rd Prayer, by St. Macarius the Great. + +Having risen from sleep, I run to Thee, O Master, for Thou lovest +mankind, and I rush to accomplish Thy work. Help me, I pray Thee, at all +times and in all things. Deliver me from every evil thing of this world +and from works of the devil. Save me, and lead me into Thine eternal +Kingdom. Thou art my Maker, The Provider and Giver of everything good. +All my hope is in Thee and I glorify Thee, now and ever and unto ages of +ages. Amen. + + +4th Prayer, by St. Macarius the Great. + +O Lord, through Thy abundant goodness and great generosity, Thou hast +allowed me, Thy servant, to pass through the hours of this night +untempted by any evil of the enemy. Grant also, O Master and Creator of +all, that I might accomplish Thy will in Thy true light and with an +illumined heart, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +5th Prayer, by St. Macarius the Great. + +O Lord, the Almighty God, Who acceptest the thrice-holy hymn from Thy +heavenly hosts: accept this song of the night even from me, Thine +unworthy servant. Grant that at every year and hour of my life I might +glorify Thee, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and +unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +6th Prayer, by St. Basil the Great. + +Almighty Lord, the God of hosts and of all flesh, Thou livest in the +heights, yet lookest down on the humble, proving the hearts and emotions, +clearly foreknowing the secrets of men. Thou art the Light without +beginning, in Whom there is no variation nor shadow of change. O Immortal +King, accept the prayers which we now offer Thee from defiled lips. Free +us from the sins we have committed in deed, word or thought, knowingly +and unknowingly. Cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. +Grant us to pass through the entire night of this present life with a +watchful heart and a sober mind, awaiting the coming of the bright and +manifest day of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus +Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory to reward each +according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and lazy, but alert +and roused to action, prepared to enter into His joy and the divine +chamber of His glory, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing and +indescribable is the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty +of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true Light which enlightens and +sanctifies all, and all creation hymns Thee unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +7th Prayer, also by St. Basil. + +We bless Thee, most high God and Lord of mercies, Who ever doest great +and unfathomable things for us--glorious and awesome things without +number. Thou givest us sleep for the repose of our frailty, relieving the +labors of our over-burdened flesh. We thank Thee for not destroying us in +our lawlessness. Instead, Thou hast shown Thy usual love for mankind, and +raised us, as we lay in despair, to glorify Thy Reign. Therefore, we +implore Thy boundless goodness: enlighten our thoughts and eyes, and +awaken our minds from the heavy sleep of laziness. Open our lips and fill +them with Thy praise, that we may unwaveringly hymn and confess Thee, the +God glorified in all and by all, Father without beginning, with Thine +only-begotten Son and Thine all-holy, and life-giving Spirit, now and +ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +8th Prayer. A Midnight Song to the Most Holy Theotokos. + + I hymn your Grace, O Lady, + and pray that you grace my mind. + Teach me to walk correctly + on the path of Christ's commandments. + Strengthen me to watch in song, + dispelling the despair of sleep. + I am bound by fetters of sin, + free me by your prayers, O Bride of God! + Keep me in the night and in the day, + delivering me from warring enemies. + As you bore the life-giving God, + give life to me, who am wounded by passions. + As you bore the unsetting Light, + enlighten my blinded soul. + O wondrous palace of the Master, + make me a home of the divine Spirit. + As you bore the Physician, + heal my soul of its passion-filled years. + I am tossed in the tempest of life: + direct me to the path of repentance. + Deliver me from the eternal flame, + from the evil worm, and from hell. + Make me not a joy for demons, + though I am guilty of many sins. + Make me new, most undefiled one, + for I am aged by senseless sins. + Estrange me from all torments, + and pray for me to the Master of all. + Grant that, with all the saints, + I may inherit the joys of heaven. + Hear, most holy Virgin, + the voice of your useless servant. + Grant me a torrent of tears, most pure one, + to wash the filth of my soul. + The groans of my heart I bring you unceasingly: + open your heart, O Lady! + Accept my prayerful service, + and take it to the compassionate God. + You who are far higher than the angels, + raise me above this world's confusion. + O light-bearing heavenly cloud, + direct spiritual grace into me. + I raise in praise, all-undefiled one, + hands and lips defiled by sin. + Deliver me from soul-corrupting harm, + praying fervently to Christ, + To Whom glory and worship are due, + now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +9th Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ. + +My most merciful and all-merciful God, O Lord Jesus Christ! In Thy great +love, Thou didst come down and become flesh in order to save all. Again, +I pray Thee, save me by Grace! If Thou shouldst save me because of my +deeds, it would not be a gift, but merely a duty. Truly, Thou aboundest +in graciousness and art inexpressibly merciful! Thou hast said, O my +Christ: "He who believes in me shall live and never see death". If faith +in Thee saves the desperate, behold: I believe! Save me, for Thou art my +God and my Maker. May my faith replace my deeds, O my God, for Thou wilt +find no deeds to justify me. May my faith be sufficient for all. May it +answer for me; may it justify me; may it make me a partaker of Thine +eternal glory; and may Satan not seize me, O Word, and boast that He has +torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ my Savior: save me whether I +want it or not! Come quickly, hurry, for I perish! Thou art my God from +my mother's womb. Grant, O Lord, that I may now love Thee as once I loved +sin, and that I may labor for Thee without laziness as once I labored for +Satan the deceiver. Even more, I will labor for Thee, my Lord and God +Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever and unto ages of +ages. Amen. + + +10th Prayer, to the Angel, the guardian of human life. + +O Holy Angel, who stand by my wretched soul and my passionate life: do +not abandon me, a sinner, neither depart from me because of my lack of +self-control. Leave no room for the evil demon to gain control of me +through the violence of this mortal body. Strengthen my weak and feeble +hand, and instruct me in the path of salvation. O holy Angel of God, the +guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body: forgive all the +sorrows I have caused you, every day of my life. If I have sinned in this +past night, protect me during this day. Keep me from every adverse +temptation, that I may not anger God by any sin. Pray to the Lord for me, +that He may establish me in His fear and make me, His servant, worthy of +His goodness. Amen. + + +11th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos. + +O Most Holy Theotokos, my Lady: through your holy and all-powerful +prayers, turn away from me, your humble and unworthy servant, despair, +forgetfulness, unreasonableness, indifference, and all unclean, evil and +blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and darkened mind. Extinguish +the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched. Deliver me from my +numerous and wicked memories and fantasies. Free me from all evil acts, +for you are blessed by all generations, and your most honorable name is +glorified unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you. +Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for +you have borne the Savior of our souls! + +Most glorious Ever-Virgin Mother of Christ our God, bear our prayer to +your Son and our God, that through you He may save our souls. + +O heavenly hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners. + +O glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us +sinners. + +Pray to God for me holy ________ (your Patron Saint), for with fervor I +run to you, swift helper and intercessor for my soul! + +O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to +the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by virtue of Thy +Cross, preserve Thy habitation. + +It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, +and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more +glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave +birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and to ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, for the sake of Thy most pure Mother, our +venerable and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner. +Amen. + +_Some pious Christians use the following "Morning Prayer of the Last +Elders of Optina" with their morning prayers._ + +O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with +spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy +holy Will. + +At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. +Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept +it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy +holy Will. + +Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all +unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from +Thee. + +Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of +my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone. + +O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and +all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to +pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen. + + + + + COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD + + +_To be read daily by every monastic and pious Christian at the end of his +rule of prayer._ + +Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thine eternal mercies and +compassion, for whose sake Thou didst become man and willingly endured +crucifixion and death for the salvation of those who rightly believe in +Thee. Thou didst rise from the dead and ascend into Heaven and sittest at +the right hand of God the Father, looking down on the humble petitions of +those who call upon Thee with their whole heart. Bow down Thine ear and +hear the prayer which I, Thy useless servant, offer Thee for all Thy +people as a spiritual fragrance. First of all, remember Thy Holy, +Catholic, and Apostolic Church which Thou didst obtain through Thy +precious Blood. Establish, strengthen, broaden, and multiply her. Give +her peace and keep her eternally unassailable by the gates of hell. Calm +the quarrels of the churches, put out the arrogance of the heathen, and +swiftly destroy and uproot the rebellions of heresies, turning them into +nothing through the power of Thy Holy Spirit. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, our Lord, the +Most Blessed ________, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All +America and Canada; on our Lord, the Right Reverend ________, Bishop of +________; on priests, deacons and all the clergy whom Thou hast installed +to tend Thy reason endowed flock. Through their prayers, save me also, a +sinner, and have mercy on me. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on the President of our country, on all our +civil authorities and armed forces. Surround them with peace, and speak +peace and goodness into their hearts for Thy Holy Church and all Thy +people. In their calm may we live a calm and silent life in the True +Faith and in all piety and purity. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on our father (the name and title of the abbot +of your monastery or of your parish priest) with all our brethren in +Christ, and have mercy on me, who am wretched, through their prayers. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father ________, and forgive +my transgressions through his holy prayers. + +_Prostration. +(In Monasteries)_ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our brethren who labor in this holy +community--the laborers, the lay workers, and those who work the land for +this monastery, and all Christians. + +_(In Parishes)_ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our brethren who serve this holy +Church--the parish council, the choir, the teachers, the custodians and +cleaners, and all who work for our parish, and all Christians. + +_Prostration._ + +_(Any inapplicable terms in the following petition are simply omitted.)_ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on my parents ________(if they are still +living), my wife/husband ________, my children ________, my brothers and +sisters and all my relatives according to the flesh, those who are close +to my family, and my friends. Grant them Thy worldly and heavenly good +things. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on our fathers, brothers, and sisters who live +with patient faith in the monasteries of the Holy Mountain, Russia, +America, and any other place. Through their prayers, have mercy on me a +sinner. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy, according to the multitude of Thy +compassions, on all hieromonks, monks, and nuns, and on all who in +virginity, reverence, and fasting live in monasteries, in deserts and +caves, on mountains and pillars, in hermitages and cleft rocks, on +islands in the sea, and who live in the True Faith in every place of Thy +dominion, serving Thee piously and praying to Thee. Lighten their burden +and console them in sorrow. Grant them strength and resolution in their +struggles, and grant me remission of sins through their prayers. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor, the +orphans and widows, and on those who are in sickness and in sadness, in +misfortunes and in sorrow, in war and in captivity, in prison and in +exile--especially those who, being Thy servants, are persecuted for Thy +sake and the Orthodox Faith by godless heathens, apostates, and heretics. +Remember, visit, strengthen, and comfort them, giving them early release, +freedom, and deliverance by Thy might. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors who have mercy on us and +feed us, giving us alms and security, and ask us to pray for them, +despite our unworthiness. Be Thou merciful to them and grant their every +petition for salvation and the reward of eternal good things. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our fathers, brothers, and sisters and +all Orthodox Christians who are travelling in Thy service. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have caused to stumble, +turning them away from the path of salvation and leading them to evil and +unseemly deeds. Return them to the path of salvation by Thy Divine +Providence. + +_Prostration._ + +Save, Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and do me +harm. Do not let them perish because of me, a sinner. + +_Prostration._ + +Enlighten with the light of Thy knowledge those who have left the +Orthodox Faith and have been blinded by devastating heresies, reuniting +them to Thy Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. + +_Prostration._ + + + For the Departed + +Remember, Lord, all Orthodox Patriarchs and Metropolitans; archbishops +and bishops; priests and those who serve in holy orders; those who serve +Thee in monastic ranks and the blessed founder of our holy community (or +Church). Grant them rest with the saints in Thine eternal dwellings. + +_Prostration._ + +Remember, Lord, the souls of Thy departed servants, my parents +________(if they are already dead), and all my relatives according to the +flesh. Forgive all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary. Grant them +participation in Thine eternal good things and the enjoyment of the +eternal and blessed life. + +_Prostration._ + +Remember, Lord, all our departed fathers, brothers, and sisters, the +Orthodox Christians who lie here and everywhere in the hope of the +Resurrection and eternal life. Grant them to live with Thy saints under +the Light of Thy countenance. Have mercy on us also, for Thou art good +and lovest mankind. Amen. + +_Prostration._ + +_The following is said three times, each with a prostration._ + +Grant remission of sins, Lord, to all our fathers, brothers, and sisters +who have departed before us in faith and the hope of the Resurrection, +and make their memory eternal. + + + + + PRAYERS AT THE TABLE + + +Before Breakfast + +O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! +Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities for Thy name's sake. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art +holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +After Breakfast + +More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than +the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true +Theotokos, we magnify you. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and +ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +Before Lunch + +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. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art +holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +After Lunch + +We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thine +earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest +among Thy disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us and save +us! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us and fed us from His rich gifts, +through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto +ages of ages. Amen. + + +Before Supper + +The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall +praise Him; their hearts shall live forever! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art +Holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +After Supper + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Your womb became a Heavenly Table, bearing the Heavenly Bread--Christ our +God. Whoever eats of him shall not die, O Birth-giver of God, according +to the word of the Nourisher of all. + +More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than +the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true +Theotokos, we magnify you! + +Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in the works of Thy hands +shall we rejoice. Lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! +Thou hast put joy in my heart. With the fruit of wheat, wine and oil have +we been satisfied. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou +alone, O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +God is with us through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and +ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + + + + _The Order of Compline_ + + +_The priest gives the blessing:_ + +Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages! + +_NOTE: In the absence of a priest, laymen begin with:_ + +Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have +mercy on us! + +_The Reader continues:_ + +Amen! Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee! + +O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere +and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life: Come +and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, +O Good One. + +Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and +ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Most Holy Trinity have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. +Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities, for Thy name's sake. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and +ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_The priest exclaims:_ + +For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, +and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of +ages. + +_The Reader continues:_ + +Amen! Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and +ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Come, let us worship God, our King! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and +our God! + + + + + Psalm 50 + + + Have mercy on me, O God, + according to Thy great mercy; + according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, + blot out my transgressions. + Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, + and cleanse me from my sin! + + For I know my transgressions, + and my sin is ever before me. + Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, + and done that which is evil in Thy sight, + so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence + and blameless in Thy judgment. + Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, + and in sins did my mother conceive me. + + Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; + therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. + Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; + wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. + Fill me with joy and gladness; + let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. + Hide Thy face from my sins, + and blot out all my iniquities. + Create in me a clean heart, O God, + and put a new and right spirit within me. + Cast me not away from Thy presence, + and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, + and uphold me with a willing spirit. + + Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, + and sinners will return to Thee. + Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, + Thou God of my salvation, + and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy deliverance. + + O Lord, open Thou my lips, + and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. + For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice; + were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. + The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; + a broken and contrite heart, O God, + Thou wilt not despise. + + Do good to Zion in Thy good pleasure; + rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, + Then wilt Thou delight in right sacrifices, + in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; + then bulls will be offered on Thy altar. + + + + + Psalm 69 + + + O God, attend to helping me! + O Lord, make haste to help me! + Let them be put to shame and confusion + who seek my life! + Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor + who desire my hurt! + Let them be turned back in their shame + who jeer saying: "Well done! Well done!" + May all who seek Thee + rejoice and be glad in Thee! + May those who love Thy salvation + say evermore, "God is great!" + But I am poor and needy; + hasten to me, O God! + Thou art my help and my deliverer; + O Lord, do not tarry! + + + + + Psalm 142 + + + Hear my prayer, O Lord; + give ear to my supplications! + In Thy faithfulness answer me, + in Thy righteousness! + Enter not into judgment with Thy servant; + for no man living is righteous before Thee. + For the enemy has pursued my soul; + he has crushed my life to the ground; + he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. + Therefore my spirit faints within me; + my heart within me is appalled. + I remember the days of old, + I meditate on all Thou hast done; + I muse on what Thy hands have wrought. + I stretch out my hands to Thee; + my soul thirsts for Thee like a parched land. + Make haste to answer me, O Lord! + My spirit fails! + Hide not Thy face from me, + lest I be like those who go down to the Pit. + Let me hear in the morning of Thy steadfast love, + for in Thee I put my trust. + Teach me the way I should go, + for to Thee I lift up my soul. + Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! + I have fled to Thee for refuge! + Teach me to do Thy will, + for Thou art my God! + Let Thy Good Spirit lead me + on a level path! + For Thy name's sake, O Lord, give me life! + in Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! + And in Thy steadfast love cut off my enemies + and destroy all those who afflict my soul, + for I am Thy servant. + + + + + The Doxology + + + Glory to God in the Highest, + and on earth peace, + good will towards men. + We praise Thee! We bless Thee! We worship Thee! We glorify Thee! + We give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory! + O Lord, heavenly King, + God the Father Almighty! + O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ + and the Holy Spirit! + O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, + Who takest away the sins of the world, + have mercy on us! + Thou that takest away the sins of the world, + receive our prayer. + Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father + have mercy on us! + For Thou alone art holy, Thou only art Lord, + Thou only, O Jesus Christ, art most high + in the glory of God the Father. Amen! + Every night will I give thanks to Thee + and praise Thy name for ever and ever! + Lord, Thou hast been our refuge + from generation to generation! + I said, Lord be merciful to me, + heal my soul for I have sinned against Thee. + Lord, I flee unto Thee. + Teach me to do Thy will, + for Thou art my God. + For with Thee is the fountain of life, + and in Thy light shall we see light. + O continue forth Thy mercy + upon those who know Thee! + Grant, Lord, that we may be kept this night + without sin! + Blessed art Thou, Lord God of our fathers, + and praised and glorified + be Thy name forever. Amen! + Let Thy mercy, Lord, be upon us, + as we have set our hope on Thee. + Blessed art Thou, Lord, + teach me Thy statutes! + Blessed art Thou, Master, + make me to understand Thy commandments! + Blessed art Thou, Holy One, + enlighten me with Thy precepts! + Thy mercy, Lord, endures forever! + O despise not the works of Thy hands! + To Thee belongs worship! To Thee belongs praise! + To Thee belongs glory: + To the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen! + + + + + The Symbol of Faith + + +I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and +of all things visible and invisible. + +And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten +of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; +begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things +were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, +and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. +And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was +buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and +ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He +shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose +Kingdom shall have no end. + +And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from +the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and +glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and +Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I +look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. +Amen. + +_NOTE: In churches, the appointed Compline Canon to the Theotokos is sung +from the Octoechos at this point._ + +_When Compline is read privately, one or more Canons and/or an Akathist +Hymn is sung instead._ + +_It is the tradition of the Russian Church that those preparing to +receive the Holy Mysteries (Communion) read at least three Canons and one +Akathist Hymn the evening before (See page 89). Some read the Canon of +Preparation at this point (See page 119)._ + +_Whenever a Canon is sung, the following is sung to the same melody as +the Irmos of the Canon. If there is no Canon, it is either read or sung +to the 8th Tone._ + +It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, +and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more +glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave +birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you. + +_The Reader continues:_ + + Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us! _(3 times)_ + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! + Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy + One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake! + Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_If there is a priest, he gives the usual exclamation._ + +_After saying AMEN!, the Reader reads the appropriate TROPARIA:_ + + + + + Sunday Evening + + +We, the unworthy, ever pray to you, Supreme Commanders of the Heavenly +Hosts: shelter us, through your prayers, with the protective wings of +your glory. Keep us who fall down with fervor and cry: deliver us from +misfortunes, for you command the powers on high. + +O God of our fathers, Who dealest ever with us according to Thy meekness: +take not Thy mercy from us, but direct our lives in peace through their +prayers. + +Thy Church has been adorned with a robe of fine purple linen--the blood +of Thy Martyrs throughout the world, O Christ God. She therefore cries to +Thee: send Thy mercies upon Thy people, give peace to Thy community and +great mercy to our souls. + + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +O Christ, give rest to the souls of Thy servants with the saints, where +there is no sickness, sorrow or sighing, but everlasting life. + + Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Grant us Thy peace, O Lord, through the prayers of all the saints and the +Theotokos. Have mercy on us, for Thou alone art compassionate. + + + + + Monday Evening + + +The just man is remembered with praises. For you, O Forerunner, the +witness of the Lord is sufficient. You truly showed yourself more +honorable than the prophets, for you were made worthy to baptize in the +streams the One Whom you proclaimed. Having gladly suffered for the +truth, you proclaimed to those in Hades the true God Who has revealed +Himself in the flesh, taken away the sin of the world and given us great +mercy. + +O God of our Fathers ... + +Thy Church has been adorned ... + + Glory to the Father ... + +O Christ, give rest ... + + Now and ever ... + +Grant us Thy peace, O Lord, ... + + + + + Tuesday Evening + + +O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to +the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by the virtue of Thy +Cross, preserve Thy habitation. + +O God of our Fathers ... + +Thy Church has been adorned ... + + Glory to the Father ... + +O Christ, give rest ... + + Now and ever ... + +Grant us Thy peace, O Lord, ... + + + + + Wednesday Evening + + +O holy Apostles, pray to our merciful God, that He grant remission of +sins to our souls. + +The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an +Icon of meekness and a teacher of abstinence. You thus reached the +heights through humility and wealth through poverty. O holy hierarch, +father Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. + +O God of our Fathers ... + +Thy Church has been adorned ... + + Glory to the Father ... + +O Christ, give rest ... + + Now and ever ... + +Grant us Thy peace, O Lord, ... + + + + + Thursday Evening + + +_The same as Tuesday evening._ + + + + + Friday Evening + + +We pray to you, apostles, martyrs and prophets, hierarchs, venerable and +righteous ones, who have fought the good fight and kept the faith: having +boldness before the Savior, pray to Him Who is good for the salvation of +our souls. + + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +To Thee, Lord, the Planter of Creation, the universe offers the +God-bearing Martyrs as the first-fruits of nature. Through their prayers +and the Theotokos, Most Merciful One, keep Thy Church and Thy people in +profound peace. + + + + + Saturday Evening + + +_The Sunday Troparia and Kontakia are read, according to the Tone of the +week._ + + +Tone 1 + +When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; while the soldiers were +guarding Thy most pure Body; Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, +granting life to the world. The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, +O Giver of Life: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy +Kingdom! Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou who lovest mankind. + + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, raising the world with +Thyself. Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished! Adam +exults, O Master! Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage, and cries +to Thee: Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ! + + +Tone 2 + +When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal, Thou didst slay hell +with the splendor of Thy Godhead! And when from the depths Thou didst +raise the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: O Giver of Life! +Christ our God! Glory to Thee! + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, seeing the miracle of Thy +resurrection from the tomb! The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld +this and rejoiced with Thee! And the world, O my Savior, praises Thee +forever. + + +Tone 3 + +Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown +strength with His arm! He has trampled down death by death! He has become +the firstborn of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths of hell, +and has granted the world great mercy! + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us +from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with +the prophets and patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of +Thy power! + + +Tone 4 + +When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous +message of Thy Resurrection; they cast away the ancestral curse and +elatedly told the apostles: Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen, +granting the world great mercy. + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the +earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as +Master, He has risen on the third day! + + +Tone 5 + +Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, coeternal with the +Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He +willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to +raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as +Almighty; resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of +death. Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we +all cry to Thee: O Lord, save us! + + +Tone 6 + +The angelic powers were at Thy tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary +stood by Thy grave, seeking Thy most pure Body. Thou didst capture hell, +not being tempted by it. Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. O +Lord who didst rise from the dead: glory to Thee! + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +When Christ God, the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the +valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the +human race. He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the +God of all. + + +Tone 7 + +By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! To the thief, Thou didst open +Paradise! For the myrrhbearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! And +Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art +risen, granting the world great mercy! + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive, for Christ +descended, shattering and destroying its powers! Hell is bound, while the +prophets rejoice and cry: The Savior has come to those in faith! Enter, +you faithful, into the Resurrection! + + +Tone 8 + +Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! Thou didst accept the +three-day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and +Resurrection: glory to Thee! + + Glory to the Father.... Now and ever.... + +By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam. +Eve exults in Thy Resurrection, and the world celebrates Thy rising from +the dead, O greatly Merciful One! + +_NOTE: On the eve of Great Feasts of the Lord or the Theotokos, the +Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast are read._ + +_After the Troparia, the Reader continues:_ + +Lord, have mercy! _(40 times)_ + + + + + A Prayer of St. Basil the Great + + +O Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; +Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the +righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with +the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now +offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our +souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and +deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy +holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach +unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for +blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + + Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, + now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than +the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true +Theotokos, we magnify you! + +_When a priest is serving, the Reader concludes:_ + +Bless, father, in the name of the Lord! + +_The priest exclaims:_ + +O God, be gracious to us and bless us! Shine Thy countenance upon us, and +have mercy on us! + +_In the absence of a priest, a layman says:_ + +"Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, +have mercy on us. Amen". + +_In either case, the Reader, after saying_ "Amen", _continues with the +following:_ + +_NOTE: During Great Lent the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim is said at this +point of most services during the week (not on Saturday or Sunday). It is +also appropriate for Morning Prayers and the Prayers Before Sleep on the +same days._ + + +Prayer of St. Ephraim + +O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, +lust of power and idle talk. _(Prostration)_ + +But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to +Thy servant. _(Prostration)_ + +Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to +judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. +_(Prostration)_ + +O God, cleanse me a sinner. _(12 times)_ + +_(Then the entire Prayer of St. Ephraim is read and a single prostration +is made at the end.)_ + + + + + Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos + by the Monk Paul + + +O undefiled, immaculate, incorrupt and most pure Lady, the pure Virgin +Bride of God! Through your most glorious birth-giving, you united God the +Word to mankind and joined our fallen human nature to the heavenly. You +are the only hope of the hopeless, the aid of the embattled a ready help +to those who run to you and a refuge for all Christians. Do not turn away +from me who am sinful and vile, even though I have made myself totally +useless through defiled thoughts, words and deeds, and my mind has become +enslaved to the lazy pleasures of this life. As Mother of the God Who +loves mankind, have pity on me, a prodigal sinner, in that same love for +mankind. Receive the prayer I offer to you with defiled lips and pray to +your Son, our Master and Lord, with your maternal boldness. May He open +even to me the goodness of His deep love for mankind. May He overlook my +countless transgressions, turn me to repentance and make me an +experienced accomplisher of His commandments. Stand by me always in your +mercy, compassion and love of good. Be my fervent intercessor and help in +this life, driving off the assaults of enemies and guiding me to +salvation. Guard my wretched soul at the time of my death, driving away +the dark forms of the evil demons. Deliver me from eternal torments at +the Day of Judgment and reveal me an heir of the inexpressible glory of +your Son and our God. May I receive this, my Lady most glorious +Theotokos, through your help and intercession: through the Grace and love +for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus +Christ, to Whom belong all glory, honor and worship, with His Father Who +is without beginning, and His most holy, good and life-creating Spirit, +now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + + + + A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ + by the Monk Antiochus + + +As we prepare for sleep, Master, grant rest to our bodies and souls. Keep +us from the dark sleep of sin and from every dark and passionate pleasure +of the night. Still the impulses of passions and put out the flaming +arrows which the Evil One looses deceitfully against us. Still the +rebellions of the flesh and put to sleep our worldly and material +reasonings. O God, grant us an alert mind, chaste thoughts, a sober +heart, and a light sleep, free of every satanic dream. Raise us at the +time of prayer confirmed in Thy commandments--the memory of Thy judgments +firmly in us. Grant that we may glorify Thee throughout this night, +singing, blessing and glorifying Thy most honorable and majestic name: +the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of +ages. Amen. + +_NOTE: In churches, Compline concludes at this point with brief prayers +and a Litany. (See the BOOK OF HOURS)_ + +_When read privately, Compline moves into PRAYERS BEFORE SLEEP, beginning +with the Troparia: "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us...." (page +68)._ + + + + + BEFORE SLEEP + + +Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure +Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. + +Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee! + +O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere +and fillest all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and +abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O +Good One. + +Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Most Holy Trinity: have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. +Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities for Thy Name's sake. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation)_ + +_After the AMEN, the following Troparia are sung (Tone 6) or read:_ + +Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for laying aside all excuse, +we sinners offer to Thee, as to our Master, this supplication: have mercy +on us. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust. Do not be +angry with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down on us even now, +since Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou +art our God and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and +we call on Thy name. + +Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O blessed Theotokos, open the doors of compassion to us whose hope is in +you, that we may not perish but be delivered from adversity through you, +who are the salvation of the Christian people. + +Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_ + + +1st Prayer, to God the Father, +by St. Macarius the Great + +O Eternal God and King of all Creation, Who hast granted me to reach this +hour: forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and +thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every defilement of flesh +and spirit. Grant, Lord, that I may pass through this night in peace. +When I rise from my humble bed, may I please Thy most holy Name all the +days of my life and trample under foot the physical and bodiless enemies +that wage war against me. Deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts which +defile me and from evil lusts. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and +the Glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and +ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +2nd Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ +by St. Antiochus + +Almighty Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Who art perfect: never abandon +me, Thy servant, for Thy great mercy's sake, but ever abide in me. O +Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, do not deliver me to the serpent's +rebellion! Do not abandon me to Satan's will, for the seed of corruption +is within me! Instead, O Lord God the Adored, Holy King Jesus Christ, +keep me while I sleep by Thy unwavering Light, Thy Holy Spirit by Whom +Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant to me, Thine unworthy +servant, salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of +understanding Thy Holy Gospel; my soul with the love of Thy Cross; my +heart with the purity of Thy Word; my body with Thy passionless Passion. +Keep my thoughts with Thy humility and raise me at the right time to +glorify Thee. For Thou art most glorified, with Thine unoriginate Father +and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen. + + +3rd Prayer, to the Holy Spirit + +O Lord, the Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth: have +compassion and mercy on me, Thy sinful servant! Absolve me, who am +unworthy. Forgive all the sins I have committed this day both in my +humanity and my inhumanity, behaving worse than beasts in sins voluntary +and involuntary, known and unknown, from my youth, from evil suggestions, +haste and despondency. If I have sworn by Thy name or blasphemed it in +thought; if I have reproached anyone or become angered by something; or +slandered or saddened anyone in my anger; or have lied, or slept +unnecessarily; or a beggar has come to me and I have despised him; or +have saddened by brother or quarrelled with him; or have judged someone; +or have allowed myself to become haughty, proud or angry; or, when +standing in prayer, my mind has been shaken by the wickedness of this +world; or have entertained depraved thoughts; or have over-eaten, +over-drunk or laughed mindlessly; or have had evil thoughts or seen the +beauty of someone and been wounded by it in my heart; or have spoken +inappropriately; or have laughed at my brother's sins when my own +transgressions are countless; or have been indifferent to prayer; or have +done any other evil that I can not remember--for I have done all this and +more: have mercy, O Master, my Creator, on me, Thy despondent and +unworthy servant! Absolve, remit and forgive me, in Thy goodness and love +for mankind, that I, who am prodigal, sinful and wretched, may lie down +in peace and find sleep and rest. May I worship, hymn and praise Thy most +honorable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +4th Prayer, of St. Macarius the Great + +What can I bring Thee? With what can I repay Thee, O Immortal King, the +bestower of great gifts, O generous Lord, the Lover of mankind? Though I +have been lazy in pleasing Thee and have done no good, Thou hast brought +me to the end of this day, ordering the conversion and salvation of my +soul. Be merciful towards me, a sinner devoid of any good deeds. Raise up +my fallen soul, defiled by immeasurable sins. Remove from me every evil +thought of this visible life. Forgive, O only Sinless One, all the sins I +have committed against Thee this day, in knowledge or in ignorance, in +word, deed or thought or through any of my senses. Covering me Thyself, +protect me from every assault of the enemy through Thy divine Power, +inexpressible Love for mankind and Strength. Cleanse, O God, cleanse the +multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the snares +of the Evil One, and save my passionate soul. When Thou comest in glory, +illumine me with the light of Thy countenance. May I fall uncondemned +into a sleep free of apparitions. Keep the thoughts of Thy servant +untroubled, and keep far from me every satanic activity. Enlighten the +reason-endowed eyes of my heart, that I fall not into the sleep of death. +Send to me an angel of peace, the guide and guardian of my soul and body, +that he may deliver me from my enemies. Then, when I arise from my bed, I +shall offer Thee prayers of thanksgiving. Yea, Lord, hear me, Thy sinful +servant, impoverished in will and conscience. Grant that I may learn from +Thy words when I arise. Cause Thy Angels to drive demonic despondency far +from me. May I bless Thy holy Name and praise and glorify Mary, the most +pure Theotokos, whom Thou hast given to us sinners as an intercessor. +Receive her as she prays for us. We know that she imitates Thy love for +mankind and never ceases to pray. Through her intercessions, the Sign of +the Precious Cross and for the sake of all Thy saints, O Jesus Christ our +God, have mercy on my wretched soul, for Thou art Holy and most glorified +unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +5th Prayer + +O Lord our God, forgive all the sins I have committed this day in word, +deed and thought, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me a +peaceful sleep, free of restlessness. Send Thy Guardian Angel to protect +and keep me from all harm. For Thou art the Guardian of our souls and +bodies, and to Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and +to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +6th Prayer + +O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and upon Whose Name we call more than +any other name: grant relief to our souls and bodies as we go to sleep. +Keep us from every fantasy and dark pleasure. Halt the rushing of +passions and quench the fiery arousals of the flesh. Grant us to live +chastely in word and deed. Having embraced a virtuous life, may we not +fall away from Thy promised blessings, for blessed art Thou for ever. +Amen. + + +7th Prayer, by St. John Chrysostom + +_Prayers of Supplication, corresponding to the twenty-four hours of day +and night._ + + + For the Day + + Lord, exclude me not from Thy heavenly blessings. + Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. + Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or thought, word or deed, forgive + me. + Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice, and + stone-like insensitivity. + Lord, deliver me from every temptation. + Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened. + Lord, as a man I have sinned: as a gracious God, have mercy on me, + seeing the weakness of my soul. + Lord, send Thy Grace to my aid, that I may glorify Thy holy name. + Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Thy servant, in the book of life, and + grant me a good end. + Lord, my God, even though I have done nothing good before Thee, grant + by Thy Grace that I may make a good beginning. + Lord, sprinkle the dew of Thy Grace into my heart. + Lord of Heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful, shameful and impure + servant, in Thy Kingdom. Amen. + + + For the Night + + Lord, accept me in penitence. + Lord, abandon me not. + Lord, lead me not into temptation. + Lord, grant me good thoughts. + Lord, grant me tears, the remembrance of death and compunction. + Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. + Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. + Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. + Lord, cause the root of good to dwell in me--Thy fear in my heart. + Lord, grant that I may love Thee with all my soul and mind and to do + Thy will in all things. + Lord, protect me from certain people, demons and passions, and from any + other unseemly thing. + Lord, I know that Thou doest as Thou wilt: may Thy will be in me, a + sinner, for blessed art Thou for ever. Amen. + + +8th Prayer, to our Lord Jesus Christ + +O Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honorable +Mother, Thy bodiless Angels, Thy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the +Divinely inspired Apostles, the bright and victorious Martyrs, the +venerable and God-bearing Fathers and all the Saints: deliver me from +this present assault of the devil. Yea, O Lord my Creator, Who desirest +not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live: +grant repentance to me, wretched and unworthy. Snatch me from the jaws of +the consuming serpent, its mouth opened to devour me and take me down to +hell alive. Yea, my Lord and my Comfort, Who didst put on corruptible +flesh for my wretched sake: deliver me from wretchedness and bring +comfort to my wretched soul. Implant in my heart the accomplishment of +Thy precepts, the abandonment of evil deeds and the obtainment of Thy +blessings. In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted: save me! + + +9th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos, +by Peter, the Studite monk + +Before you, the Most Pure Mother of God, I who am wretched fall down and +pray: you know, O Queen that I sin constantly and anger your Son and my +God. No matter how often I repent, I appear a liar before God, and repent +with trembling. Can God shake me and I do those same things again an hour +later? Knowing this, my Mistress, O Lady Theotokos, I pray: have mercy on +me, strengthen me and grant that I may do good. You know, my Lady +Theotokos, that I abhor my evil deeds and love the Law of my God with all +my mind. But, most pure Lady, I do not know how I can love what I abhor +and turn away from what is good. Do not allow my will to be done, Most +Pure One, for it is not appropriate. May the will of your Son and my God +be done. May He save and enlighten me, and give me the Grace of His Holy +Spirit, in order that I might stop sinning from this time on and live the +remainder of my life in obedience to your Son, to Whom belongs all glory, +honor and majesty, with His Father Who is without beginning, and His Most +Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. +Amen. + + +10th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos + +O Good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Mary the Theotokos: +pour out the mercy of your Son and our God on my passionate soul. Direct +me towards good deeds through your prayers, that I may pass through the +remainder of my life without stain, and find Paradise through you, O +Virgin Theotokos who alone are pure and blessed. + + +11th Prayer, to the Holy Guardian Angel + +Angel of Christ, my holy guardian, the protector of my soul and body: +forgive me for all the sins I have committed this day. Deliver me from +all the evil of my militant Enemy, that I may not anger my God by any +sin. Pray for me, your sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me +worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity, the Mother of +my Lord Jesus Christ and all the Saints. Amen. + + +Then this Kontakion to the Theotokos + +O victorious leader of triumphant hosts! We your servants, delivered from +evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos! As you possess +invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: +Rejoice, O unwedded Bride! + +Most glorious ever-Virgin Mother of Christ our God, bear our prayer to +your Son and our God, that through you He may save our souls! + +All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your +protection! + +Virgin Theotokos, do not despise me a sinner who craves your help and +intercession. My soul hopes in you, have mercy on me! + + +Also the Prayer of St. Ioannikios + +My Hope is the Father; my Refuge is the Son; my Protection is the Holy +Spirit: O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee! + +It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, +and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more +glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave +birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Lord, bless! + +Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most +pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, +save me, a sinner. Amen. + + +A Prayer of St. John of Damascus, +said pointing at the bed + +O Master Who lovest mankind, is this bed to be my coffin? Or wilt Thou +enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Behold: before me lies the +coffin, before me stands death! O Lord, I fear Thy judgment and the +endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. I always anger Thee, my +Lord God, and Thy most pure Mother, all the heavenly hosts and my holy +Guardian Angel. I know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love for mankind. +Indeed, I am worthy of every condemnation and torment. Yet, Lord, save me +whether I want it or not! When Thou savest the righteous, it is no great +thing. When Thou hast mercy on the pure, it causes no wonder, for they +are worthy of Thy mercy. Astound us with Thy mercy towards me, a sinner. +Reveal in this manner Thy love for mankind, that my wickedness may not +overcome Thine inexpressible goodness and mercy. As Thou wilt, order my +life! + +_Wishing to lie down on your bed, say:_ + +Enlighten my eyes, Christ--God, that I fall not asleep to death and that +my enemy may not say of me: I have overcome him. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Be the Helper of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me +from them, O Good One, and save me, for Thou lovest mankind. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Let us ever hymn the most glorious Mother of God, who is holier than the +Holy Angels. With heart and lips let us confess that she is the +Theotokos, for she truly bore God incarnate for us and prays ceaselessly +for our souls. + +_Kiss your Cross. Then, make the Sign of the Cross over your bed, from +head to foot and either side, saying the Prayer to the Precious Cross:_ + +Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered! Let those who hate Him +flee from before His face! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish. As wax +melts before the fire, so let sinners perish before the face of those who +love God and sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say joyfully: +rejoice, most precious and life-creating Cross of the Lord, which chases +demons away through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was nailed to +you, descended into hell and, having trampled down the power of the +devil, gave to us His precious Cross for the routing of all enemies. Help +me for ever, most precious and life-creating Cross of the Lord, with the +Holy Lady Virgin Theotokos and all the Saints. Amen. + +Remit, absolve and forgive, O God, all our voluntary and involuntary +sins, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, in the day or +in the night, in mind and in thought! Forgive us everything, for Thou art +good and lovest mankind. + +O Lord Who lovest mankind, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good +to those who do good. Grant to our brethren and relatives all petitions +for salvation and eternal life. Visit the afflicted and heal them. Guide +those at sea. Travel with travellers. Join the Orthodox Christians in +battle. Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and are kind to us. +Have mercy, according to Thy great mercy, on those who have asked us to +pray for them, unworthy though we be. Remember, Lord, our fathers and +brethren who have fallen asleep before us, and give them rest under the +light of Thy countenance. Remember, Lord, our captive brethren, and +deliver them from every misfortune. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit +and do good works in Thy holy churches, and grant them all their +petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember us also, Lord, Thy +humble, sinful, and unworthy servants. Enlighten our minds with the light +of Thy reason and direct us onto the path of Thy commandments, through +the prayers of our most Pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and +all Thy Saints, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. + + + + + THE THREE CANONS + + +_A tradition has developed in the Church of reading three (sometimes +four) Canons the evening before receiving Holy Communion. Many monastic +Rules of Prayer prescribe this reading daily. Many Canons have been +composed over the years, and certain Canons are prescribed for specific +days of the week. We have not attempted to publish a large selection of +Canons in the limited space of what is, essentially, a "pocket" Prayer +Book. We have provided three of the most commonly used Canons and printed +them in the order in which they are traditionally read. This order can +also serve as a model for combining other Canons. If these Canons are not +read during Compline (p. 37), they are preceded by the Opening Prayers +and Psalm 50 (pp. 37 to 41)._ + + + + + THE THREE CANONS + ODE 1 (Tone 6) + + +Irmos: Treading over the floor of the sea as over dry land, and seeing + their pursuer Pharaoh drown, Israel cried out: Let us sing to God + a song of victory! + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Sinful and burdened, I now approach Thee, my Master and my God. I dare +not look up towards heaven, but simply pray, saying: grant me, Lord, the +sense to weep bitterly over my deeds. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +O woe is me, a sinner! I am the most wretched of men! There is no +repentance in me! Grant me tears, Lord, that I may weep bitterly over my +deeds. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +O senseless and wretched man, you are destroying your life in laziness! +Think about your life and turn to the Lord God, weeping bitterly over +your deeds. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O most pure Mother of God, look on me, a sinner, and deliver me from the +snares of the devil. Direct me onto the path of repentance, that I may +weep bitterly over my deeds. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Beset by many temptations, I run to you, seeking salvation. Save me from +burdens and evils, O Virgin Mother of the Word. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +The increase of passions troubles me, filling my soul with great +despondency. Still it, O Maiden, with the stillness of your Son and God, +O All-Undefiled One. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +I pray you, O Virgin who bore our Savior and God, deliver me from +terrors! I run to you now, laying before you my soul and my thoughts. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O only Mother of God, grant me, who am afflicted in body and soul, divine +visitation and your own concern, for you are good and gave birth to the +Good One. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Lord Jesus Christ, my God, have mercy on me! + +Grant, O Savior, that Thy servant may worthily hymn and praise the +bodiless Angel who is my instructor and guardian. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +I lie alone in folly and laziness, O my instructor and Guardian. Do not +leave me to perish! + +Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Direct my mind, through your prayers, to accomplish the commandments of +God, that I may receive from God the remission of my sins. Teach me to +hate evil, I pray you. + +Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +With my Guardian Angel, O Virgin, pray to the Benefactor for your +servant. Teach me to accomplish the commandments of your Son and my +Creator. + + + + + ODE 3 + + +Irmos: None is holy as Thou, O Lord my God! Thou hast raised the strength + of Thy faithful, O Good One, and made us stand firmly on the rock + of Thy confession. + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +When the thrones will be set up for the dread Judgment, the deeds of all +men will be recalled. Alas for the sinners who will be sent to torment! +Knowing this, my soul, repent of your evil deeds! + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +The righteous shall rejoice, but sinners shall lament. No one will be +able to help us at that moment--our deeds will condemn us! Before the end +comes, repent of your evil deeds! + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Woe is me, a great sinner! I have defiled myself in deed and thought and +cannot even shed a single tear in my hard-heartedness. Free yourself from +the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Your Son calls, O Lady, and teaches us what is good. Yet I, a sinner, +always flee from good. Have mercy on me, nevertheless, O merciful one, +that I may repent of my evil deeds. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +I hold you as the Intercessor and Protection of my life, O Virgin +Birth-Giver of God. Pilot me to your haven, O Cause of good things, O +only all-hymned Support of the faithful. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +I pray, O Virgin: dispel the storm of my sorrows and spiritual turmoil. +You are the Bride of God who bore the Origin of stillness and alone are +most pure. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Pour a wealth of generosity for all, O you who bore the Benefactor, the +Cause of all good. You can do anything, for God has blessed you, the +Bearer of Christ Who is mighty in strength. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Help me, O Virgin, for I am cruelly tried by severe illness and painful +afflictions. I know, Ever-Undefiled One, that you are an inexhaustible +and generous treasury of healings. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +I have laid all my thoughts and my soul before you, my Guardian. Deliver +me from every assault of the Enemy. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +The Enemy humiliates and oppresses me and teaches me always to do his +will. But you, my Instructor, leave me not to perish! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Grant me with thanksgiving and fervor to sing a hymn to my Creator and +God and to you my good Guardian Angel. Free me from my oppressive +enemies, O my Deliverer. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Heal, Most Pure One, the most painful wounds of my soul and drive off the +enemies that are constantly warring against me. + +Lord have mercy! (3 times) + + +Sessional Hymn, Tone 6 + +I think of the Dread Day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer +the immortal King? Or how shall a prodigal like me dare to look up at the +judge? O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit: have +mercy on me! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + + +Sessional Hymn, Tone 2 + +In fervent love I cry to you, O Guardian of my soul, my all-holy Angel: +protect me and keep me always from the entrapment of the evil one. Direct +me to the heavenly life, enlightening, illumining, and strengthening me. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +Kontakion, Tone 6 + +Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the +Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come +speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition +and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who +honor you. + + + + + ODE 4 + + +Irmos: "Christ is my strength, my God and my Lord"--the sacred Church + reverently sings with a mighty voice, rejoicing in the Lord. + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Our present path is wide and conducive to pleasures, but bitter will the +Last Day be when the soul will part from the body. O man, beware of those +pleasures, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Why do you mistreat the poor? Why do you withhold the worker's pay? Why +do you not love your brother? Why do you pursue lust and pride? Abandon +all that, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +O foolish man! How long will you bustle like a bee, gathering your +wealth? It will soon perish like dust and ashes. Seek rather the Kingdom +of God. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Have mercy on me a sinner, O Lady Theotokos, and strengthen me in +virtues. Protect me, so that insolent death may not seize me unprepared, +and bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O Bride of God, who bore the Lord Pilot, still the tumult of my passions +and the storm of my transgressions. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Grant me the abyss of your kindness, upon which I call, O you who gave +birth to the Compassionate One, the Savior of those who hymn you. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Enjoying your gifts, O Pure One, we sing a hymn of thanksgiving to you +whom we know to be the Mother of God. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +As you love good, O Theotokos, the only ever-Virgin, help me as I lie on +my bed of illness and infirmity. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +We are delivered from every difficulty, O All-Hymned One, for we have you +as our hope, our confirmation, and immovable wall. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Pray to God Who loves mankind, my Guardian, and do not abandon me! Keep +my life in peace and grant me invincible salvation. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +I received you from God, holy Angel, as a helper and guardian of my life. +Free me from all harm, I pray you! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Cleanse my vileness with your holiness, my Guardian! May I be excluded +from the left side through your prayers and become a partaker of glory. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +I am bewildered by the evils that surround me, Most Pure One. Deliver me +from them quickly, for I run only to you. + + + + + ODE 5 + + +Irmos: I pray Thee, O Good One: Enlighten with Thy Divine Light the souls + which look to Thee from early dawn, that they may know Thee, O + Word of God, as the True God Who calls them out from the darkness + of sin. + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Remember, wretched man, how you have been enslaved to lies, slander, +crime, infirmities, and wild beasts because of your sins. Is this what +you wanted, my sinful soul? + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +My members tremble, for I have been guilty through all of them: my eyes +by seeing, my ears by hearing, my tongue by speaking evil, surrendering +my whole self to Gehenna. Is this what you wanted, my sinful soul? + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Thou didst receive the Prodigal and the thief who repented, O Savior. I +alone have been weighed down by sinful laziness and submitted to evil +deeds. Is this what you wanted my sinful soul? + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O Mother of God, the wondrous and swift helper of all mankind, help me, +the unworthy, for this is what my sinful soul wants! + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Fill my heart with joy, O Pure One who bore the Cause of Joy, by giving +us your incorruptible joy. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Deliver us from harm, Pure Theotokos who bore the Eternal Redemption and +the Peace which passes all understanding. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Lessen the gloom of my transgressions with the enlightenment of your +brightness, O Bride of God who bore the divine and eternal Light. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Heal the infirmity of my soul by granting me your visitation, O Pure One, +and grant me wholeness by your prayers. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Since you have boldness before God, my holy Guardian, pray to Him for my +deliverance from the evils that harm me. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Brightly illumine my soul, O bright Light, the Angel given to me by God, +my instructor and guardian. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Though I sleep in the evil weight of sin, protect me as one who keeps +vigil, O Angel of God, and rouse me to praise through your prayers. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Lady Mary, the unwedded Theotokos and hope of the faithful: Cast down +the arrogance of the Enemy and give joy to those who hymn you. + + + + + ODE 6 + + +Irmos: Beholding the Sea of Life raging with the storm of temptations, I + have fled to Thy calm haven and cry to Thee: Deliver my life from + destruction, O Most-merciful One! + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +I have lived my life on earth prodigally and committed my soul to +darkness. Now, O Merciful Master, I pray: free me from the Enemy's labor +and give me the intelligence to do Thy will. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Who does what I do? As a pig wallows in mud, so do I serve sin! Pull me +out of this mire, Lord, and give me the heart to accomplish Thy +commandments. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Lift yourself towards God, wretched man, recalling your transgressions! +Fall down before the Creator with tears and groans! Being merciful, He +will give you the mind to know His will. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Keep us from both visible and invisible harm, O Virgin Theotokos! Receive +my prayers, Most Pure One, and bear them to your Son, that He may give me +the mind to do His will. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +My nature was captive of death and corruption, O Virgin, but your Son and +Lord saved it from both by surrendering Himself to death. Pray to Him for +my deliverance from the evil deeds of my enemies. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +I know that you are the Intercessor of my life, O Virgin, my firm +Protectress, healing the rebellions of temptations and dispelling the +wiles of demons. I pray constantly that you will deliver me from my +destructive passions. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +We have obtained you, O Maiden, as a wall of refuge and a most thorough +salvation of souls. The multitude of human sorrows is not too great for +you, and we ever rejoice in your illumination. Save us now, O Lady, from +passions and misfortunes. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +I am lying on a bed of infirmity and there is no cure for my flesh. But I +pray to you, the Good One who bore the God and Savior of the world: raise +me from the destruction of illnesses. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +I pray to you, holy Angel whom God has give to me as my good guardian: +free me from every temptation! + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Shine light on my mind, O good one, and enlighten me! I pray you, holy +Angel: teach me always to have wholesome thoughts. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Deliver my heart from this present noise, O my Guardian, and strengthen +me to keep a good vigil, wondrously instructing me towards life-giving +stillness. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +The Word of God dwelt in you, O Theotokos, and showed you to mankind as a +Ladder to Heaven. Through you, He Who is on high came down to us. + +Lord, have mercy! (3 times) + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +Kontakion, Tone 6 + +O my soul, why do you enrich yourself with sins? Why do you do the +Devil's will? In what have you put your hope? Cease all this and turn to +God, weeping and crying: O compassionate Lord, have mercy on me, a +sinner! + + +Ikos + +Contemplate, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the dread judgment of +your Creator and God. Threatening angels will seize you, my soul, and +lead you to eternal flames. Repent before your death, therefore, crying: +O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! + + + + + ODE 7 + + +Irmos: The Angel made the furnace a source of dew for the pious youths, + and the Will of God, which burned the Chaldeans, made the + persecutor call out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers! + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Put not your hope in corruptible wealth, my soul, nor in things unjustly +gathered. You do not know to whom you will leave it all. Instead, cry +out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy! + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Remember, my soul, both the eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom +prepared for the saints and the outer darkness and divine wrath prepared +for the wicked. Then cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the +unworthy! + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +Do not count on physical health, my soul, nor on fleeting beauty. You see +how both the strong and the young die. Instead, cry out: O Christ God, +have mercy on me, the unworthy! + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Fall down before the Mother of God, my soul, and pray to her, for she is +the swift helper of penitents. She will entreat her Son, Christ God, and +He will have mercy on me, the unworthy! + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Desiring to establish our salvation, O Savior, Thou didst enter the +Virgin's womb, showing her as the Intercessor for the world. Blessed art +Thou, O God of our Fathers! + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Pray to Him Who is mercifully disposed and Whom you bore, O Pure Mother, +that we may be delivered from transgressions and defilement of soul, who +cry out with faith: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers! + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Thou didst show her who gave birth to Thee as a source of healing, a +strong pillar, and a gate of repentance for those who cry out: Blessed +art Thou, O God of our fathers! + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Grant healing from physical weakness and spiritual infirmities to those +who draw near to your Protection with love, O Virgin Birthgiver of God, +who bore Christ the Savior for us. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Have pity on me, Angel of the Lord, and pray to God for me, for He has +given you to me forever as a helper, instructor, and guardian throughout +my life. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +God entrusted my wretched soul to you undefiled, Holy Angel. Do not let +it be killed by thieves on its journey, but direct it rather to the path +of repentance. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +I bring my soul, completely shamed by my evil thoughts and deeds. Hasten +to me, my Instructor, and grant me the healing of good thoughts which +lead me forever on the right path. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +For the sake of the Theotokos, O Personal Wisdom of the Most High, fill +with wisdom and divine strength those who cry out: Blessed art Thou, O +God of our fathers! + + + + + ODE 8 + + +Irmos: Thou didst cause dew to pour from the flames over the pious + youths, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with + water--for Thou doest all things, O Christ, by Thy Will alone. We + exalt Thee throughout all ages. + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +How can I not weep when I think of death? I have seen my brother lying in +the tomb without glory and without form. What can I expect? What can I +hope? Only grant me, Lord, repentance before the end. _(twice)_ + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and that +everyone will stand in his rank: the old and the young; masters and +princes; virgins and priests. Where will I find myself? Therefore, I cry +out: grant me, Lord, repentance before the end. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Receive my unworthy prayer, Most Pure Theotokos. Keep me from sudden +death, and grant me repentance before the end. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O Virgin, do not disdain those who need your help, hymning and exalting +you forever. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +You heal the infirmities of my soul and the illnesses of my body, O +Virgin, that I may glorify you, O Pure One, forever. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +You pour an abundance of healing, O Virgin, on those who hymn you with +faith and exalt your inexpressible birth-giving. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +You chase away the wiles of temptation and the onsets of passions, O +Virgin. We therefore hymn you forever. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Most good Angel, sent from God: strengthen my life and never abandon me. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +I hymn you forever, most blessed and good Angel, the Instructor and +Guardian of my soul. + +We bless the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord: + +Be my protection and rampart on the day when all mankind will be tried +and all deeds will be tested, both the good and the bad. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Be the help and stillness of your servant, Ever-Virgin Theotokos, and +never release me from your service. + + + + + ODE 9 + + +Irmos: No man can see God, upon Whom the Angelic ranks dare not gaze. But + through you, O Pure One, the Incarnate Word was revealed to + mankind. Magnifying Him with the heavenly hosts, we call you + blessed. + + + + + Canon of Repentance + + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +I now turn to you, angels, archangels, and all the heavenly host who +stand by the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He deliver my soul +from eternal torments. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +I now weep before you, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and +hierarchs, and all the elect of Christ: help me at the Judgment, that my +soul be saved from the strength of the Enemy. + +Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! + +I now lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, desert-dwellers, virgins, +righteous ones, and all saints who pray to the Lord for the whole world: +may He have mercy on me at the hour of my death. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Help me, Mother of God, for I have great hope in you! Pray to your Son, +that when He sits to judge the living and the dead, He may place me at +His right hand, even though I am unworthy. + + + + + Canon to the Theotokos + + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O Virgin who bore Christ and wipes away every tear from every face: turn +not away from my flowing tears. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +O Virgin who received the fullness of joy which destroyed the sorrow of +sin: fill my heart with joy! + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Be a haven and intercession, an indestructible wall, a refuge, protection +and rejoicing for those who run to you, O Virgin. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Enlighten with the rays of your light those who in the True Faith confess +you to be the Theotokos, O Virgin, dispelling the darkness of ignorance. + +Most Holy Theotokos, save us! + +Heal me, O Virgin, as I lie humbled on the place of misfortune, bringing +me from illness to health. + + + + + Canon to the Guardian Angel + + +Lord Jesus Christ, my God, have mercy on me! + +Have mercy on me, my only Savior, since Thou art merciful and +compassionate, and join me to the choir of the Just. + +Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner! + +Grant that I may always think and do what is good and useful, O Angel of +the Lord, and show me to be strong and spotless in weakness. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +Since you are bold before the Heavenly King, pray to Him with all the +bodiless powers, that He may have mercy on me, a wretch. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +You have great boldness before the One Who took flesh from you, O Virgin. +Remove me from my fetters and grant me freedom and salvation through your +prayers. + + + + + CANON IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION + + + + + ODE 1 (Tone 2) + + +Irmos: Come, O People, let us sing a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the + sea and guided the people Whom He led out of the bondage of Egypt, + for He has glorified Himself. + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +May Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood, O Lord, be my Bread of everlasting +life, healing me of various afflictions. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +Make me worthy to partake of Thy most pure Body and Divine Blood, O +Christ, for I am unworthy and accursed, defiled by unseemly deeds. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +You are the good soil, blessed Bride of God, which bore the ear of grain, +the Savior of the world, which sprang from your untilled field. Grant +that I may be saved by eating it. + + + + + ODE 3 + + +Irmos: Having established me on the rock of faith, Thou hast strengthened + me against my enemies. My spirit rejoices when I sing: There is + none holy as our God, and none more righteous than Thou, O Lord! + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +Give me tears, O Christ, to cleanse the filth from my heart. Then, +cleansed and with a good conscience, may I come with fear and faith to +partake of Thy Divine Gifts, O Master. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +O Lover of mankind, may Thy most pure Body and Divine Blood be for the +remission of my sins, the communion of the Holy Spirit, life everlasting, +and estrangement from passions and sorrows. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Most holy Table of the Heavenly Bread which mercifully came down from on +high, giving new life to the world; grant that I, who am unworthy, may +now taste of Him in fear and live! + + + + + ODE 4 + + +Irmos: Thou didst not come as an emissary or an angel, Lord, but from a + Virgin, taking flesh and saving the fulness of my humanity. I + therefore call out to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord! + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +Because of human sins, Thou didst will to be slaughtered like a lamb, +Most Merciful One Who wast incarnate for us. I pray, therefore: cleanse +my sins as well. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +Heal the wounds of my soul, Lord, and fully sanctify me. Grant, Master, +that I, who am wretched, may partake of Thy Divine Mystical Supper. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Incline towards me, O Lady, the One Who came from your womb. Keep me, +your servant, undefiled and spotless, that I may be sanctified by +receiving the spiritual pearl. + + + + + ODE 5 + + +Irmos: Guide us in the light of Thy commandments, O Lord, the Giver of + Light and Creator of the Universe. For we know no other God than + Thee. + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, so may it be with Thine inadequate +servant, and abide in me according to Thy promise: for behold, I eat Thy +Flesh and drink Thy Blood. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +May the burning coal of Thy Body, O God and Word of God, be a light in my +darkness, and may Thy Blood be the cleansing of my defiled soul. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Mary, Mother of God, precious Tabernacle of the divine Fragrance: make +me a chosen vessel, by your prayers, that I may partake of the +consecrated elements of your Son. + + + + + ODE 6 + + +Irmos: Sunk in the depths of sin, I call on the unfathomable abyss of Thy + compassion: Deliver me from destruction, O God! + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +Sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and body, O Savior! Grant, Master, that I +may draw near, uncondemned, to the dread Mysteries. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +By partaking of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Christ, may I be estranged from +passions, joined to Thy Grace, and confirmed in life. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Through the prayers of Thy holy Mother, O God, the Holy Word of God, +sanctify me wholly as I come to Thy divine Mysteries. + +Lord, have mercy! (3 times) + +Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +Kontakion, Tone 2: + +Do not judge me unworthy to receive Thy Body and Divine Blood at this +time. May the communion of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries not be to my +condemnation, though I am wretched. Be it rather for eternal and +everlasting life. + + + + + ODE 7 + + +Irmos: The most wise youths would not serve the golden idol, but walked + into the flames themselves, scorning the pagan gods. They sang + amid the flames and an Angel bedewed them with the words: The + prayer of your lips has been heard. + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +May this communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the fountain of good, O +Christ, be my light, my life, and my dispassion. May it lead to progress +and the increase of divine virtues, only Good One, that I may glorify +Thee. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +As I draw near to Thine immortal and divine Mysteries with love and +trembling, may I be delivered from passions, enemies, want, and every +sorrow. Grant that I may sing to Thee: blessed art Thou, Lord God of our +fathers. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +To you who are full of the Grace of God and bore Christ the Savior beyond +understanding, I your servant pray--the impure praying to the Pure One: +cleanse me, who now wish to draw near to the most pure Mysteries, from +all defilement of flesh and spirit. + + + + + ODE 8 + + +Irmos: God came down upon the Hebrew youths in the fiery furnace and + changed the flames into dew. Praise the acts of the Lord, and + exalt Him throughout all ages! + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +O God, my Savior, allow me in my present despair to be a partaker of Thy +heavenly, awesome, and holy Mysteries and of Thy divine and mystical +supper, O Christ. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +Having run to Thy kindness, O Good One, I cry out to Thee in fear: be in +me and I in Thee, as Thou didst say, O Savior! Behold: emboldened by Thy +mercy, I eat Thy Flesh and drink Thy Blood. + +Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord; now +and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +I tremble when I partake of fire, for fear that I might burn like wax or +grass. O the awesome Mysteries! O the kind-heartedness of God! How can I, +who am clay, commune of the Divine Body and Blood and become +incorruptible? + + + + + ODE 9 + + +Irmos: Our God and Lord, the Son of the Eternal Father, revealed Himself + to us. He was incarnate of a Virgin that He might enlighten those + in darkness and gather those who were scattered. We therefore + magnify the all-hymned Theotokos. + +Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within +me. + +Taste and see that this is Christ, the Lord Who of old became like us for +us and Who, having once offered Himself as an offering to His Father, is +forever immolated, sanctifying communicants. + +Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. + +May I be sanctified in soul and body, Master! May I be enlightened! May I +be saved! May I become Thy dwelling through communion of the Sacred +Mysteries, having Thee living in me with the Father and the Spirit, O +Most Merciful Benefactor! + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. + +May Thy Body and Most Pure Blood, my Savior, be to me as fire and light. +May they set flame to my sinful matter, burning the thorns of passions +and fully enlightening me to worship Thy Divinity. + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +God took flesh of your pure blood. Every race therefore hymns you, O +Theotokos, and the intelligent multitudes glorify you, for through you we +beheld the Ruler of all becoming substance in humanity. + + + + + PRAYERS IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION + + +Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure +Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. + +_A priest uses the following:_ + +Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. + +O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere +and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life: Come and +abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O +Good One. + +Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! +Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities for Thy name's sake. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation)_ + +Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +_NOTE: When the Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion are read +immediately after Morning Prayers, we begin the former at this point._ + +Come, let us worship God our King! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God! + +Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and +our God! + + + + + Psalm 22 + + + The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; + He makes me lie down in green pastures. + He leads me beside still waters; + He restores my soul. + He leads me in paths of righteousness + for His name's sake. + Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death + I fear no evil; + for Thou art with me; + Thy rod and Thy staff, + they comfort me. + Thou preparest a Table before me + in the presence of my enemies; + Thou anointest my head with oil, + and most excellent is Thy Cup + which brings me joy! + Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me + all the days of my life; + and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord + for ever. + + + + + Psalm 23 + + + The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, + the world and those who dwell therein; + for He has founded it upon the seas, + and established it upon the rivers. + Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? + And who shall stand in His holy place? + He who has clean hands and a pure heart, + who does not lift up his soul to what is false, + and does not swear deceitfully. + He will receive blessing from the Lord, + and vindication from the God of his salvation. + Such is the generation of those who seek Him, + who seek the face of the God of Jacob. + Lift up your heads, O gates! + and be lifted up, O ancient doors! + that the King of glory may come in. + Who is the King of glory? + The Lord, strong and mighty, + the Lord, mighty in battle! + Lift up your heads, O gates! + and be lifted up, O ancient doors! + that the King of glory may come in. + Who is this King of glory? + The Lord of hosts, + He is the King of glory! + + + + + Psalm 115 + + + I kept my faith, even when I said, + "I am greatly afflicted"; + I said in my consternation, + "Every man is a liar." + What shall I render to the Lord + for all His bounty to me? + I will lift up the Cup of Salvation + and call on the name of the Lord, + I will pay my vows to the Lord + in the presence of all His people. + Precious in the sight of the Lord + is the death of His saints. + O Lord, I am Thy servant; + I am Thy servant, the son of Thy handmaid. + Thou hast loosed my bonds. + I will offer to Thee the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving + and call on the name of the Lord. + I will pay my vows to the Lord + in the presence of all His people, + in the courts of the house of the Lord, + in your midst, O Jerusalem. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and +ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! _(3 times)_ + +_And the following TROPARIA, TONE 8:_ + +Disregard my iniquities, O Lord Who wast born of a Virgin! Cleanse my +heart and make it a temple of Thy most pure Body and Blood. Turn me not +away from Thy countenance, for Thy great mercy is immeasurable. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +How dare I partake of Thy Holiness in my unworthiness? Even if I dare to +approach Thee with the worthy, my garment accuses me, for it is not a +wedding-garment, and I secure the condemnation of my most sinful soul. +Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul and save me, for Thou lovest +mankind. + +Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Great is the multitude of my sins, O Theotokos! I come to you, O Pure +One, in need of salvation. Visit my ailing soul, O You who alone are +blessed, and pray to your Son and our God that He absolve the evil I have +done. + +_NOTE: On Great and Holy Thursday, the following TROPARION is used, in +TONE 8:_ + +When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the washing of their feet +before the supper, then the impious Judas was darkened, ailing with +avarice, and to the lawless judges he betrayed Thee, the Righteous Judge. +Behold, O lover of money, this man who because of money hanged himself. +Flee from the greedy soul which dared such things against the Master. O +Lord Who art good towards all men, glory to Thee! + +_If the Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion has not been read the +preceding evening, it may be read here._ + + Lord, have mercy! _(40 times, with as many prostrations as desired)_ + +_Then, we read the following Verses of Instruction:_ + + When you intend, O man, to eat the Master's Body, + Approach with fear, lest you be burned--for It is fire! + Before drinking the Divine Blood in Communion, + Make peace with those who have grieved you. + Only then may you dare + To eat the Mystical Food. + +_We also add the following verses:_ + + Before partaking of the Dread Sacrifice, + The life-giving Body of the Master, + Pray, trembling, in this manner: + + +1st Prayer, of Saint Basil the Great. + +O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ our God, the Fountain of life and +immortality, the Creator of everything visible and invisible, the eternal +and everlasting Son of the eternal Father: Thou hast come in these latter +days because of the abundance of Thy goodness. Thou hast put on our human +flesh and wast crucified and buried for us thankless and graceless men, +and through Thine own blood Thou hast renewed our human nature which is +corrupted by sin. And now, O Immortal King, accept the repentance of me a +sinner, and incline Thine ear to me and listen to my words: + +I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned before heaven and before Thy face, +and I am not worthy to look upon the height of Thy Glory. + +I have provoked Thy goodness, I have transgressed Thy commandments, I +have not obeyed Thy statutes. + +But, O Lord, since Thou dost not remember evil, but art long-suffering +and of great mercy, Thou hast not given me over to destruction for my +lawlessness, but hast ever awaited my conversion. + +O Lover of mankind, Thou hast said by Thy prophets: "I have no pleasure +in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and +live." + +For Thou dost not wish, O Master, that the work of Thy hands should +perish, neither dost Thou take pleasure in the destruction of men, but +Thou desirest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of +the truth. + +Therefore, although I am unworthy both of heaven and of earth and of this +passing life, having wholly yielded myself to sin and defiled Thine +image, yet being Thy creature and of Thy making, I do not despair of my +salvation in my wickedness. But made bold by Thine infinite compassion, I +draw near. + +Receive me, O Christ Who lovest mankind, as Thou didst receive the +prostitute, the thief, the tax-collector and the prodigal. Take away the +heavy burden of my sins, for Thou takest away the sins of the world, Thou +healest the infirmities of mankind, Thou callest to Thyself and givest +rest to those who labor and are heavy laden. + +Thou hast not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. +Cleanse me from every stain of flesh and spirit. Teach me to fulfill +holiness in fear of Thee, that having the testimony of my own conscience +clean, and having communion of Thy holy things, I may be united with Thy +Body and Blood and may have Thee to dwell and abide in me, with the +Father and Thy Holy Spirit. + +O Lord Jesus Christ my God, may the communion of Thy most pure and +life-creating mysteries not bring me into judgment, nor may I become weak +in soul and body by partaking in an unworthy manner, but grant me to +receive communion of Thy holy things without condemnation even to my very +last breath, and by them to receive communion of the Holy Spirit, +provision for the journey of eternal life, and an acceptable answer at +Thy dread judgment seat; that I, together with all Thy chosen ones, may +also be a partaker of the incorruptible blessings which Thou hast +prepared for those who love thee, O Lord, in whom Thou art glorified +forever. Amen. + + +2nd Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom + +O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy nor sufficiently pleasing that +Thou shouldst come under the roof of the house of my soul for it is +entirely desolate and fallen in ruin, and Thou wilt not find in me a +place worthy to lay Thy head. But as Thou didst humble Thyself from on +high for our sake, so now humble Thyself to my lowliness. + +As Thou didst deign to lie in a cavern, in a manger of dumb beasts, so +now deign to enter into the manger of my beastly soul, and into my soiled +body. + +As Thou didst not disdain to enter and to eat with sinners in the house +of Simon the leper, so now be pleased to enter into the house of my soul, +humble and leprous and sinful. + +As Thou didst not cast away the sinful woman who came to touch Thee, so +have compassion on me a sinner who comes to touch Thee. + +As Thou didst not abhor the kiss of her sin-stained and unclean mouth, do +not abhor my mouth, worse stained and more unclean than hers, nor my +stained and shamed and unclean lips, nor my still more impure tongue. + +But let the fiery coal of Thy most pure Body and Thy most precious Blood +bring me sanctification, enlightenment and strengthening of my lowly soul +and body, relief from the burden of my many transgressions, protection +against every action of the devil, repulsion and victory over my wicked +and evil habits, mortification of my passions, accomplishment of Thy +commandments, increase of Thy divine grace, and inheritance of Thy +Kingdom. + +For I do not come to Thee in presumption, O Christ my God, but made bold +by Thine inexpressible goodness, lest I stray far away from Thy flock, O +Master, and become caught by the wolf of souls. + +Therefore, I pray Thee, O Master, for Thou alone art holy: sanctify my +soul and body, my mind and heart, my muscles and bones. Renew me +entirely. Implant Thy fear in my fleshly members and let Thy +sanctification never be removed from me. + +Be my helper and defender, guide my life in peace and make me worthy to +stand at Thy right hand with all Thy saints. + +By the prayers and supplications of Thy most pure Mother, of Thy +spiritual servants, the most pure angelic powers, and of all the saints +who have been well-pleasing to Thee. Amen. + + +3rd Prayer, of St. Simeon Metaphrastes + +O only pure and incorruptible Lord! Because of the inexpressible mercy of +Thy love for mankind, Thou didst take to Thyself our entire human +composition from the pure blood of the Virgin who gave birth to Thee +beyond nature, by the descent of the Holy Spirit and the good-will of the +ever-existing Father. + +O Christ Jesus, Wisdom of God and Peace and Power, through the human +nature which Thou didst take to Thyself, Thou didst suffer the +life-creating and saving passion: the Cross, the nails, the spear--death +itself. Put to death in me the soul-destroying passions of the body. + +Through Thy burial Thou didst capture the kingdom of death. Bury in me +the evil devices of the devil with good thoughts, and destroy the spirits +of evil. + +Through Thy life-bringing Resurrection Thou didst raise up the first +father who had fallen. Raise me up who am sunk down in sin and give me +the image of repentance. + +Through Thy glorious Ascension Thou didst deify the flesh which Thou +didst assume, and placed it on the throne at the Father's right hand. +Grant me to receive a place at the right hand with the saved through +communion of Thy holy mysteries. + +Through the coming of Thy Spirit, the Comforter, Thou didst make Thy +consecrated disciples to be honorable vessels. Show me also to be the +receptacle of His coming. + +Thou hast promised to come again to judge the world in righteousness. +Grant that I may go to meet Thee in the clouds, my Judge and Creator, +with all Thy saints; that I may glorify and praise Thee without end, +together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy most holy and +good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +4th Prayer, of St. John of Damascus + +O Lord and Master Jesus Christ our God, Who alone hast power to absolve +men from their sins, for Thou art good and lovest mankind: forgive all my +transgressions done in knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy +without condemnation to have communion of Thy divine and glorious and +pure and life-creating mysteries. Let them not be for my punishment, or +for the increase of my sins. But let them be for my purification and +sanctification, as a promise of the life and Kingdom to come, a defense +and a help and a repulsion of every attacker and the removal of my many +transgressions. For Thou art a God of mercy and generosity and love for +mankind, and to Thee we ascribe glory, with the Father and the Holy +Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +5th Prayer, of St. Basil the Great + +I know, O Lord, that I have communion unworthily of Thy most pure Body +and Thy most precious Blood, and that I am guilty and drink condemnation +to myself not discerning Thy Body and Blood, O my Christ and God. But +daring upon Thy generous loving-kindness I come to Thee Who hast said: +"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him." Be +merciful, therefore, O Lord, and do not rebuke me, a sinner, but deal +with me according to Thy mercy, and let Thy holy things be for my +purification and healing, for enlightenment and protection, for the +repulsion of every tempting thought and action of the devil which works +spiritually in my fleshly members. Let them be for boldness and love for +Thee, for the correction and grounding of my life, for the increase of +virtue and perfection, for the fulfillment of Thy commandments, for the +communion of the Holy Spirit, for the journey of eternal life, for a good +and acceptable answer at Thy dread judgment, but not for judgment or +condemnation. Amen. + + +6th Prayer, of St. Simeon the New Theologian + + From lips defiled + and a vile heart, + from an impure tongue + and a soul defiled, + receive my prayer, O my Christ, + and do not despise + my words, my appearance, + nor my shamelessness. + Grant me the boldness, my Christ, + to say what I desire + Even more--teach me + what to do and say. + I have sinned more than the harlot + who, on learning where Thou wast, + bought myrrh and came boldly + to anoint thy feet, my God, + my Master and my Christ. + As Thou didst not turn her away + when she came with her heart, + so, O Word, turn me not away, + but give me Thy feet + to hold, to kiss, + and to anoint boldly + with a stream of tears + as a precious ointment. + Wash me with my tears, O Word, + and cleanse me with them! + Remit my transgressions + and grant me forgiveness. + Thou knowest the multitude of my evil: + Thou knowest also my wounds! + Thou seest my scars: + Thou knowest also my faith! + Thou seest my intentions + and hearest my sighs. + Nothing is hidden from Thee, + my God, my Maker, my Redeemer-- + not even a tear-drop + or part of that drop. + Thine eyes have seen + that which I have not yet done. + Thou hast inscribed in Thy book + things yet to happen. + See my humility! + See each of my labors and all of my sins! + Absolve me, O God of all, + that with a pure heart, + trembling thoughts + and a contrite soul + I may partake of Thine undefiled + and most holy Mysteries + which enliven and deify + all who partake of them + with a pure heart. + Thou hast said, O Master: + "Whoever eats my Body + and drinks my Blood + abides in me + and I in him!" + True is every word + of my Master and God! + When I partake of Thy divine + and deifying Grace, + I am no longer alone-- + I am with Thee, my Christ, + the Light of the Triple Sun + which enlightens the world. + May I not remain alone-- + without Thee, O Life-Giver, + My Breath, my Life and my Joy, + the salvation of the world. + I approach Thee, therefore, + with tears, as Thou seest, + and a contrite soul. + I beg to receive + deliverance from my sins. + May I partake uncondemned + of Thy life-giving + and spotless Mysteries, + that Thou mayest abide, + as Thou hast said, + with me, the thrice-wretched. + May the Tempter not find me + without Thy Grace + and seize me deceitfully + and lead me, deceived, + from Thy deifying words. + Therefore, I fall down before Thee + and fervently cry: + as Thou didst receive the Prodigal + and the harlot who came to Thee, + O Gracious One, receive me, + prodigal and defiled. + With a contrite soul + I approach Thee now: + I know, O Savior, that no-one has sinned + against Thee as I have, + nor done the deeds + that I have done. + But I also know + that neither the greatness of my + transgressions + nor the multitude of my sins + surpass the great patience of my God + and His extreme love for mankind. + Through Thy merciful compassion + Thou dost cleanse and brighten + those who repent with fervor, + making them partakers of Light + and full communicants + of Thy Divinity. + To the astonishment of angels + and human minds, + Thou dost converse with them often + as with Thy true friends. + This makes me bold, my Christ, + this gives me wings! + Emboldened by the wealth + of Thy generosity towards us, + with both joy and trepidation, + I who am grass + partake of fire. + O strange wonder! + I am sprinkled with dew + and am not burned, + as the bush burned of old + without being consumed. + With grateful thoughts + and a grateful heart, + with my grateful members, + my soul and my body, + I now fall down and worship + and glorify Thee, my God, + for blessed art Thou, + now and for ever. + + +7th Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom + +O God, absolve, remit and pardon me my transgressions--as many sins as I +have committed by word or action or thought, willingly or unwillingly, +consciously or unconsciously; forgive me everything since Thou art good +and lovest mankind. And by the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of Thy +spiritual servants, the holy angelic powers and all the saints, who from +all ages have been well-pleasing to Thee, be pleased to allow me to +receive Thy most pure Body and Thy most precious Blood for the healing of +my soul and body, and the purification of my evil thoughts. For Thine is +the Kingdom and the power and the glory with the Father and the Holy +Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +8th Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom + +I am not worthy, Master and Lord, that Thou shouldst enter under the roof +of my soul; yet inasmuch as Thou desirest to live in me as the Lover of +mankind, I approach with boldness. Thou hast commanded: Let the doors be +opened which Thou alone hast made and Thou shalt enter with Thy love for +mankind just as Thou art. Thou shalt enter and enlighten my darkened +reasoning. I believe that Thou wilt do this. For Thou didst not cast away +the prostitute who came to Thee with tears, neither didst Thou turn away +the tax-collector who repented, nor didst Thou reject the thief who +acknowledged Thy Kingdom, nor didst Thou forsake the repentant +persecutor, the Apostle Paul, even as he was. But all who came to Thee in +repentance Thou didst unite to the ranks of Thy friends, Who alone art +blessed forever, now and unto the endless ages. Amen. + + +9th Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom + +O Lord Jesus Christ my God, absolve, loose, cleanse and forgive me Thy +sinful and useless and unworthy servant my errors, transgressions and +sinful failing as many as I have committed from my youth up to this +present day and hour, consciously and unconsciously, in words or actions +or reasonings, thoughts, pursuits and in all my senses. By the prayers of +Thy Mother the most pure and ever-virgin Mary who gave birth to Thee +without human seed, my only hope which will not put me to shame, my +intercessor and salvation, grant me to have communion without +condemnation of Thy most pure, immortal, life-creating and awesome +mysteries; for the remission of sins and unto life everlasting; for +sanctification, enlightenment, strength, healing and health of soul and +body; for the most perfect removal and destruction of my evil thoughts +and reasonings and intentions, fantasies by night, brought by dark and +evil spirits; for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory and +the honor and the worship with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit, now and +ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +10th Prayer, of St. John of Damascus + +I stand before the doors of Thy temple, and I do not forsake my wicked +thoughts. But, O Christ my God, as Thou hast justified the tax-collector, +and hast had mercy on the woman of Canaan and hast opened the gates of +paradise to the thief, open to me the interior depths of Thy love for +mankind and receive me as I come and repent before Thee. Receive me as +Thou didst receive the sinful woman and the woman with the flow of blood. +For the first embraced Thy most pure feet and received the forgiveness of +her sins, and the second just touched the hem of Thy garment and received +healing. But I who am lost, daring to receive Thy whole Body, may I not +be burned; but receive me as Thou hast received them, and enlighten my +spiritual senses, burning up my spiritual faults by the prayers of her +who gave birth to Thee without human seed, and of the heavenly angelic +powers, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. + + +Another Prayer of St. John Chrysostom + +I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son +of the living God Who earnest into the world to save sinners, of whom I +am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most pure Body, and +that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee: have +mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and +involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance. +And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure +Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting. Amen. + +_As you approach to partake, say silently the following verses of +Metaphrastes:_ + + Behold: I draw near to the Divine Communion. + Burn me not as I partake, O Creator, + For Thou art a Fire which burns the unworthy. + Rather, cleanse me of all defilement. + +_Then say:_ + +Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me this day as a +communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, +neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I +confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. + +_And the following verses:_ + + Be awed, O man, when you see the deifying Blood! + It is a fire which burns the unworthy! + The Divine Body both deifies and nourishes me. + It deifies the spirit and wondrously nourishes the mind. + +_Then, the following Troparia:_ + +With love hast Thou drawn me, O Christ, and with Thy divine love hast +Thou changed me. Burn away my sins with a spiritual fire and satisfy me +with joy in Thee, that I may joyfully magnify Thy two comings, O Good +One. + +How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the radiance of Thy saints? If I +dare to enter the bridal-chamber, my garment accuses me, for it is not a +wedding garment, and the angels will bind me and cast me out. Cleanse, O +Lord, the filth of my soul and save me, for Thou lovest mankind. + +_And this prayer:_ + +O Master Who lovest mankind! O Lord Jesus Christ my God! May these holy +things not be to my condemnation, though I am unworthy of them. May they +be for the cleansing and sanctification of my soul and body and a pledge +of the life and Kingdom that are to come. + +It is good for me to cleave to God and to place in the Lord the hope of +my salvation + +_Then repeat:_ + +Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me this day as a +communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, +neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I +confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. + + + + + PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION + + +Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! + +I thank Thee, O Lord my God, for Thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but +hast made me worthy to be a partaker of Thy holy things. I thank Thee, +for Thou hast permitted me, the unworthy, to commune of Thy most pure and +heavenly Gifts. But, O Master, Who lovest mankind, Who for our sakes +didst die and rise again, and gavest us these awesome and life-creating +Mysteries for the good and sanctification of our souls and bodies; let +them be for the healing of soul and body, the repelling of every +adversary, the illumining of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my +spiritual powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the fulfilling of +wisdom, the observing of Thy commandments, the receiving of Thy Divine +Grace, and the attaining of Thy Kingdom. Preserved by them in Thy +holiness, may I always remember Thy Grace and live not for myself alone, +but for Thee, our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life in the +hope of eternal life, and so attain to the everlasting rest, where the +voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the gladness of those who +behold the goodness of Thy countenance is unending. For Thou art the true +desire and the ineffable joy of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, +and all creation sings of Thy praise forever. Amen. + + +A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great + +O Master Christ our God, King of the Ages, Maker of all things: I thank +Thee for all the good things Thou hast given me, especially for the +communion with Thy most pure and life-creating Mysteries. I pray Thee, O +gracious Lover of Man: preserve me under Thy protection, beneath the +shadow of Thy wings. Enable me even to my last breath, to partake +worthily and with a pure conscience of Thy holy things, for the remission +of sins and unto life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the +Fountain of Holiness, the Giver of all Good; to Thee we ascribe glory, +with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. +Amen. + + +A Prayer by Saint Simeon Metaphrastes + +Freely Thou hast given me Thy Body for my food, O Thou Who art a fire +consuming the unworthy. Consume me not, O my Creator, but instead enter +into my members, my veins, my heart. Consume the thorns of my +transgressions. Cleanse my soul and sanctify my reasonings. Make firm my +knees and body. Illumine my five senses. Nail me to the fear of Thee. +Always protect, guard, and keep me from soul-destroying words and deeds. +Cleanse me, purify me, and adorn me. Give me understanding and +illumination. Show me to be a temple of Thy One Spirit and not the home +of many sins. May every evil thing, every carnal passion flee from me as +from a fire as I become Thy tabernacle through communion. I offer Thee as +intercessors all the saints: the leaders of the bodiless hosts, Thy +Forerunner, the wise apostles, and Thy pure and blameless Mother. Accept +their prayers in Thy love, O my Christ, and make me, Thy servant, a child +of light. For Thou art the only Sanctification and Light of our souls, O +Good One, and to Thee, our Master and God, we ascribe glory day by day. + + +Another Prayer + +O Lord Jesus Christ our God: let Thy holy Body be my eternal life; Thy +precious Blood, my remission of sins. Let this Eucharist be my joy, +health, and gladness. Make me, a sinner, worthy to stand on the right +hand of Thy glory at Thine awesome second Coming, through the prayers of +Thy most pure Mother and of all the saints. + + +A Prayer to the Theotokos + +O most holy Lady Theotokos, the light of my darkened soul, my hope, my +protection, my refuge, my rest, and my joy: I thank you, for you have +permitted me, the unworthy, to be a partaker of the most pure Body and +precious Blood of your Son. Give the light of understanding to the eyes +of my heart, you that gave birth to the True Light. Enliven me who am +deadened by sin, you that gave birth to the Fountain of Immortality. Have +mercy on me, O loving Mother of the merciful God. Grant me compunction +and contrition of heart, humility in my thoughts, and a release from the +slavery of my own reasonings. And enable me, even to my last breath, to +receive the sanctification of the most pure Mysteries, for the healing of +soul and body. Grant me tears of repentance and confession, that I may +glorify you all the days of my life, for you are blessed and greatly +glorified forever. Amen. + +Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy +word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared +before the face of all people: a light to enlighten the Gentiles and to +be the glory of Thy people, Israel. + +Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +O most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us! O Lord, cleanse us from our sins! +O Master, pardon our transgressions! O Holy One, visit and heal our +infirmities, for Thy name's sake. + +Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +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. + +_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation.)_ + + +At the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom + +Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the +universe. It has shown to the world the riches of poverty. It has +revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words, O +Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to +save our souls. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +You received Divine Grace from Heaven, all blessed and venerable John +Chrysostom, and taught all by your mouth to worship one God in the +Trinity. We praise you worthily, for you are an instructor who reveals +things divine. + + * * * * * * * * + + +At the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great + +Your proclamation has gone out into all the earth, for it was divinely +taught by hearing your voice. You expounded the nature of creatures and +ennobled the manners of men. O holy father of royal priesthood, entreat +Christ God that our souls may be saved. + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: + +You were revealed as the sure foundation of the Church, granting all men +a lord-ship which cannot be taken away, sealing it with your precepts, O +venerable and heavenly father. + + * * * * * * * * + + +At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts +Troparion of Saint Gregory the Dialogist + +The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an +Icon of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. You thus reached the +heights through humility and wealth through poverty. O holy hierarch, +father Gregory, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. + + * * * * * * * * + +Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the +Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come +speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition +and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who +honor you. + +Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_ + +Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever +and unto ages of ages. Amen. + +More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than +the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True +Theotokos, we magnify you. + +_The priest pronounces the dismissal._ + + +ST. 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