Edited by N. Michael Vaporis
Preface
The need for a bilingual edition of the Synekdemos, the very popular prayer book of the Orthodox Church, has been present for a long time among Greek Orthodox Christians. Unfortunately for the translator/editor, the Synekdemos contains some 1300 pages of text in the original Greek, making the publication of a bilingual volume of the entire book a cumbersome task.The present volume is much more modest. It contains only the first part of the Synekdemos, that is, the prayers and services used by Orthodox Christians on a daily basis. I hope that despite this limitation the book proves useful for those who wish an English translation of the daily prayers and services but would also like to have the original Greek text on the facing pages.
I owe special thanks to Father Peter Chamberas for reviewing the entire volume and offering many valuable suggestions. Thanks are due to the translation committee of the faculty of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek School of Theology whose English translation of the Creed is used here. I am also indebted to Fathers Thomas FitzGerald and George Papademetriou, Professor Ioanna Buttlar Clarke, Miss Georgia Stathopoulou, and Miss Eleni Baker for their invaluable suggestions and assistance. Any imperfections are, of course, my own.
Father N. Michael Vaporis
Contents
THE SYMBOL OF FAITH
MORNING PRAYERS
AT MEALTIME PRAYERS
BEFORE SLEEP
THE SIX PSALMS
SMALL COMPLINE
SERVICE OF PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
THANKSGIVING FOLLOWING HOLY COMMUNION
The Symbol Of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father, the
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all
things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before
all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created,
of one essence with the Father through whom all
things were made. For us and for our salvation he
came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was
crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered
and was buried. On the third day he rose according to the
Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. And
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and
the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the
prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect
the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
Morning Prayers
(After rising from sleep, stand with reverence and fear of God, make the sign of the cross, and say:)
In the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to you, our God, glory
to you. Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are present
everywhere filling all things, Treasury of good
things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us.
Cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls,
gracious Lord. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us
(3). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. All holy Trinity,
have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master,
pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal
our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen. Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom
come, your 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. For yours is the
kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(Then the following prayers to the Holy Trinity:)
Having risen from sleep, we fall before you, O good One,
and sing to you, mighty One, the angelic hymn: Holy, holy,
holy are you, O God. Through the prayers of the
Theotokos, have mercy on us. Glory to the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having aroused me from sleep and bed, O
Lord, enlighten my mind and open my heart and lips
that I may sing to you, Holy Trinity: Holy, holy,
holy are you, O God. Through the Theotokos, have
mercy on us. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Suddenly the
Judge will come and everyone’s deeds will be
revealed. But with awe we cry out in the middle of the night:
Holy, holy, holy are you, O God. Through the prayers of the
Theotokos, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy (12).
Psalm 120 (121)
I will lift, up my eyes to the hills. From
where comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and
earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you
will not slumber. Behold, he who watches over Israel shall
neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord shall protect
you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand. The sun shall
not burn you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall
preserve you from all evil; the Lord shall preserve
your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
from this time forth, and forevermore.
A Prayer Of Thanksgiving
As I rise from sleep, I thank you, Holy
Trinity, for because of your great goodness and
patience, you were not angry with me, an idler and
sinner, nor have you destroyed me in my sins, but
have shown your usual love for me. And when I was
prostrate in despair, you raised me to glorify with your power.
Enlighten now my mind’s eye, open my mouth to study your
words and understand your commandments, to do your
will and sing to you in heartfelt adoration, and
praise your most holy name, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer
Glory to you, King, God almighty, who
through your divine and loving providence have
consented that I, an unworthy sinner, should rise
from sleep and obtain entrance into your holy
house. Accept, Lord, the voice of my prayer as you accept
those of your holy and spiritual powers; and that not through
my defiled lips, but from a pure heart and humble
spirit, praise may be offered to you so that I
also, with the bright lamp of my soul, may become a
companion of the wise virgins and glorify you, God
the Word, who is glorified in the Father and the
Spirit. Amen. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to ages of ages. Amen. I believe in
one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one
Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true
God, begotten not created, of one essence with the
Father through whom all things were made. For us
and for our salvation he came down from heaven and
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became
man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he
suffered and was buried. On the third day he rose
according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at
the right hand of the Father. He will come again in
glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom
will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father, who together with the
Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who
spoke through the prophets. In one, holy,
catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life
of the ages to come. Amen.
Prayer of Saint Basil (Read daily except on Saturday)
We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of
mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable
things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without
number. You grant us sleep for rest from our
infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our
much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed
us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and though
we were sunk in despair, you have raised us up to
glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your
incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our
understanding and raise up our minds from the
heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill
it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction
to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and
by all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten
Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Another Prayer (Read on Saturday)
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the
resurrection to eternal life, and all those who
ended this life in piety and faith. Pardon their
every transgression, committed voluntarily or involuntarily,
in word, or deed, or thought. Place them in a place of light,
a place of refreshment, a place of peace from which
every ailment, sorrow, and lamentation are
banished, and from which the light of your
countenance shines and gladdens all your saints
from all ages. Bestow on them and on us your kingdom.
Grant to them the participation of your ineffable and everlasting
blessings, and the enjoyment of your endless and
blissful life. For you are the life, the
resurrection, and the peace of your departed
servants, Christ our God, and to you we give glory,
together with your all holy, good, and life giving
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer Of Saint Eustratios (Read on Saturday)
Most highly do I praise you, Lord, for you
have taken notice of my lowliness and have not
delivered me into the hands of my enemies but have
relieved my soul of its needs. Now, Master, let
your hand shelter me, and let your grace descend upon
me, for my soul is distracted and pained at the departure
from this, my miserable and sordid body, that the end design
of the adversary may not overtake her and make her
stumble into the darkness for the unknown and known
sins amassed by me in this life. Be gracious to
me, Master, and do not let my soul see the dark
countenance of the evil spirits, but let her be
received by your angels bright and shining. Glorify
your holy name, and by your might set me before your divine
judgment seat. When I am being judged, do not allow the hand
of the prince of this world to take hold of me, to
throw me, a sinner, into the depths of hell, but
stand by me and be a savior and mediator to me.
Have mercy, Lord, on my soul, defiled through the
passions of this life, and receive her cleansed by
penitence and confession, for .you are blessed to
the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers At Mealtime
Before Breakfast
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our
Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your 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. For yours is the kingdom
and the power and the glory, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen. Christ our God, bless the food and drink of your
servants, for you are holy always, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Breakfast
We thank you, Christ our God, for you have
satisfied us with earthly gifts. Do not deprive us
of your heavenly kingdom, but as you, O Savior,
came among your disciples and gave them peace, come
among us also and save us.
Before Lunch
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our
Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your 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. For yours is the kingdom
and the power and the glory, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen. Christ our God, bless the food and drink of your
servants, for you are holy always, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Lunch
We thank you, Christ our
God, for you have satisfied us with earthly gifts.
Do not deprive us of your heavenly kingdom, but as
you, O Savior, came among your disciples and gave them
peace, come among us also and save us.
Prayers Before Dinner
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and
they who seek the Lord shall praise him; their
hearts shall live to the ages of ages. Glory to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ our God, bless the food and drink of
your servants, for you are holy always, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Dinner
Glory to the Father and
to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord,
have mercy. Lord, you have gladdened our hearts in your creation, and
we have rejoiced in the work of your hands. The
light of your countenance has shined upon us, Lord.
You have gladdened our hearts. We have been
satisfied with the good things of the earth. We
shall sleep in peace and repose in you, for you
alone, Lord, have sustained us in hope.
Another Prayer
Blessed is God, who has mercy upon us and
nourishes us from his bountiful gifts by his grace
and love always, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Prayers Before Sleep
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are present
everywhere filling all things, Treasury of good things and
Giver of life, come and dwell in us. Cleanse us of
every stain, and save our souls, gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord,
forgive our sins. Master, pardon our
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day has come to a close, I
thank you, Lord, and entreat that the evening and
the night be sinless. Grant this to me, Savior, and
save me. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now that
the day has passed, I glorify you, Master, and I
entreat that the evening with the night be without offense.
Grant this to me, Savior, and save me. Now and forever and to
the ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day has ended, I praise you,
Holy One, and entreat that the evening and the
night be undisturbed. Grant this to me, Savior, and
save me.
Lord, have mercy (12).
A Prayer For Children
Lord Jesus Christ, you
received the children who came to you, receive
also from the lips of your child this evening
prayer. Shelter me under the protection of your wings that
I may lie down in peace and sleep. Awaken me in due time that
I may glorify you, for you alone are good and love
all people.
A Prayer For Adults
Lord our God, whatever
sins I have committed this day, in word, deed or
thought, forgive me, for you are good and love all
people. Grant me a peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Protect
me from every abuse and plot of the evil one. Raise me up
in due time that I may glorify you, for you are blessed,
together with your only begotten Son, and your all
holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
I believe in one God, the Father, the
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all
things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before
all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created,
of one essence with the Father through whom all
things were made. For us and for our salvation he
came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was
crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered
and was buried. On the third day he rose according to the
Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. And
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and
the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the
prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect
the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
At all times and in every hour, you are
worshiped and glorified in heaven and on earth,
Christ our God. Long in patience, great in mercy
and compassion, you love the righteous and show
mercy to sinners. You call all to salvation through the
promise of good things to come. Lord, receive our prayers
at the present time. Direct our lives according to your
commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our
bodies. Set our minds aright. Cleanse our thoughts
and deliver us from all sorrow, evil, and distress.
Surround us with your holy angels that, guarded
and guided by their host, we may arrive at the unity of the
faith and the understanding of your ineffable glory. For you
are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Theotokos
Theotokos virgin, hail
most blessed Mary, the Lord is with you. Blessed
are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb, for you have given birth to the Savior of our
souls.
Baptizer Of Christ
Baptizer of Christ, remember us, so that we
may be saved from our sins. For to you has been
given grace to intercede for us. Glory to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Intercede for us, holy Apostles,
and all you saints, so that we may be saved from
danger and sorrow. We have received you as fervent
defenders before the Savior. Now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Beneath your compassion we seek refuge,
Theotokos. Do not overlook our prayers, but deliver
us from danger, only pure and blessed one. My hope
is the Father; my refuge, the Son; my protection,
the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity, glory to you. I place all my hope in you,
Mother of God. Keep me under your protection.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ
our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
(When ready for sleep, say:) Under
the protection of your wings I shall be covered and
fall asleep, for in you only, Lord, does my hope lie. Into your hands, O
Lord, I commend my soul and my body. Do bless me,
do have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life.
Amen.
Service Of The Six Psalms
Holy God, Holy Mighty,
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3). Glory to the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages
of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord,
forgive our sins. Master, pardon our
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for your name’s sake. Glory to the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, save your people and bless your
inheritance. Grant victory to the Orthodox over
their adversaries and guard your commonwealth with
your cross. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You
were lifted up upon the cross of your own will, Christ
our God. Grant your mercy upon the new commonwealth that bears
your name. In your strength make glad the Orthodox,
giving them victory over their adversaries. May
they have your alliance as a weapon of peace, and
an invincible trophy. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O awesome and ever present protection, do
not overlook, O gracious one, our supplications.
Most praised Theotokos, establish the Orthodox
people, save those whom you have called to govern
and grant them victory from above, for you have
given birth to God, only blessed one. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will among all people (3). Lord, open
my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise
(3).
Psalm 3
Lord, why have they
multiplied who afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say to my soul,
there is no salvation for him in his God. But you, Lord,
are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me from
his holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I awoke,
for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of
people who have set themselves against me all
around. Arise, Lord, save me, my God. For you have struck all those who
without cause are my enemies; you have broken the
teeth of sinners. Salvation belongs to the Lord,
and your blessing is upon your people.
Psalm 37 (38)
Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor
chasten me in your wrath. For your arrows pierce me
deeply, and your hand presses me down. There is no
health in my flesh because of your anger, nor is there any health in my
bones because of my sins. For my iniquities have risen higher than my
head; like a heavy burden they have pressed heavily upon me. My wounds
are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am troubled and
bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing
in my flesh. I am afflicted and exceedingly humbled; I have
roared from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my
desire is before you; and my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart
is troubled, and my strength has failed me; and the light of my eyes, it
also has gone from me. My friends and my neighbors drew near me and
stood against me. And my kinsmen stood afar off.
Those who sought my soul used violence; those who sought evil for me
spoke vain things and meditated deception all day
long. But I became like a deaf man who does not hear; and I am like a
mute who does not open his mouth. Thus I am like a man who does not
hear, and in whose mouth there is no response. For
in you, Lord, have I hope; you will hear me, Lord my
God. For I said, never let my enemies rejoice over me, and when
my feet are shaken, they magnify themselves against me.
For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually
before me. For I will declare my iniquity, and I will be in
anguish over my sin. But my enemies live and become
stronger than me. And those who hate me unjustly have multiplied. Those
who render evil for good slandered me because I pursued
goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord, my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, Lord of my salvation.
Psalm 62 (63)
O God, my God, early at dawn I rise to you.
My soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you in a barren, untrodden
and unwatered land. So I have appeared before you in the sanctuary to
see your power and your glory. For your mercy is
better than life; my lips shall praise you. Thus I
shall bless you while I live, and I will lift up my
hands in your name. Let my soul be filled with marrow and fatness, and
my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips. When I remember you on my
bed, I meditate on you at dawn. For you have become my helper; I shall
rejoice in the shelter of your wings. My soul
follows close behind you; your right hand has been
quick to help me. But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go
into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall
by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by
him shall be praised; but the mouths of those who speak lies
shall be stopped. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord,
have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 87 (88)
O Lord, God of my
salvation, I have cried out day and night before
you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my
soul is filled with evil, And my life draws near to Hades. I am counted
with those who go down into the pit; I am like a man without help,
adrift among the dead. Like the bodies of the slain who sleep in the
grave, whom you remember no more, and who are cut
off from your hand. They have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness,
and the shadow of death. Your wrath lies heavy upon
me, and you have afflicted me with all your waves.
You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and
I cannot get out; my eyes have grown weak from poverty. I have
cried to you, Lord, the entire day. I have stretched
out my hands to you. Will you work wonders for the dead? Or shall
physicians raise them up so that they might thank
you? Shall any in the grave speak of your mercy and your truth
in the place of destruction? Shall your wonders be known in
the dark, and your righteousness in the land of
forgetfulness? But as for me, I have cried out to you, Lord, and in the
morning my prayer shall come before you. Lord, why
do you cast off my soul, and turn away from me? I am a poor man and in
trouble. From my youth, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought
to distress. Your fierce wrath has gone over me, and
your terrors have sorely troubled me. They came
around me all day long like water; they engulfed me
altogether. You have put far away from me friend and neighbor, and my
acquaintances because of my misery.
Psalm 102 (103)
Bless the Lord, my soul;
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all that he has done
for you. He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your
infirmities. He redeems your life from corruption. He crowns you with
mercy and compassion. He satisfies your desire with
good things, so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy, and justice for all who
are wronged. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts
to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and
compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in
mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will he keep his anger
forever. He has not dealt with us according to our
iniquities, nor has he rewarded us according to our
sins. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is
his mercy toward those who fear him; As far as the east is
from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities
from us. As a father has compassion upon his son, so has the Lord
compassion upon those who fear him. For he knows what we
are made of, he remembers that we are dust. As for
man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field,
so shall he blossom. For the wind passes over it, then it shall be
gone. And its place remembers it no more. But the
mercy of the Lord is from eternity to eternity upon
those who fear him, and his righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon
those who keep his covenant and remember to do his
commandments. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his
kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all of his
angels, who excel in strength, who do his word,
heeding the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you
ministers of his, who do his pleasure. Bless the
Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, my
soul.
Psalm 142 (143)
Lord, hear my prayer. In
your truth, give ear to my supplications; in your righteousness, hear
me. And enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one
living is justified in your sight. For the enemy has pursued
my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he
has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long
been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within
me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I
meditated on all your works; I pondered on the work of your hands. I
spread out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like
a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails. Turn not
your face away from me, lest I be like those who go
down into the pit. Let me to hear your mercy in the morning, for in you
I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the
way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul
to you. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to you have I fled for
refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your
good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake,
you shall preserve my life. In your righteousness, you shall bring my
soul out of trouble, and in your mercy, you shall utterly destroy my
enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for
I am your servant. Hear me, Lord, in your righteousness,
And enter not into judgment with your servant (2). Your good Spirit
shall lead me on a level path. Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, God (3). Lord,
you are our hope, glory to you.
Small Compline
In the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen. Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth who are present
everywhere filling all things, Treasury of good things and
Giver of life, come and dwell in us. Cleanse us of
every stain, and save our souls, gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3). Glory to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. All holy Trinity, have mercy on
us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities, for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your 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. For yours is the kingdom
and the power and the glory, of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto
the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy upon me, O
God, according to your great mercy; and according to the multitude of
your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me
thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from
my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before
me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done evil in
your sight, that you may be found just when you
speak, and victorious when you are judged. For
behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother
bore me. For behold, you have loved truth; you have made known to
me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; you shall
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and
gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice.
Turn your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create
in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast
spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your
Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your
salvation, and establish me with your governing
Spirit. I shall teach transgressors your ways, and the ungodly shall
turn back to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O
God, the God of my salvation, my tongue shall joyfully declare your
righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your
praise. For if you had desired sacrifice, I would give it; you do
not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a
broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a
humbled heart. Do good in your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls
of Jerusalem be built. Then you shall be pleased
with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation
and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on your altar.
Psalm 69 (70)
O God, be attentive to
help me. Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be
ashamed and confounded who seek my life. Let them be turned back and be
ashamed who desire evil against me. Let them be
turned back because of their shame, who say to me,
Well done! Well done! Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in
you; and let those who love your salvation say continually, Let
God be magnified! But as for me, I am poor and needy; O
God, help me! You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
Psalm 142 (143)
Lord, hear my prayer. In
your truth, give ear to my supplications; in your righteousness, hear
me. And enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one
living is justified in your sight. For the enemy has pursued
my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he
has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long
been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within
me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I
meditated on all your works; I pondered on the work of your hands. I
spread out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like
a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails. Turn not
your face away from me, lest I be like those who go
down into the pit. Let me to hear your mercy in the morning, for in you
I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the
way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul
to you. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to you have I fled for
refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your
good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake,
you shall preserve my life. In your righteousness, you shall bring my
soul out of trouble, and in your mercy, you shall utterly destroy my
enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for
I am your servant.
Doxology
Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will to all people. We praise you, we
bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give
thanks to you for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the
Father, almighty Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy
Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who take away the
sin of the world, have mercy upon us, you who take away
the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit at the right hand
of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For you
only are holy, only you are Lord, Jesus Christ, to
the glory of God the Father. Amen. Each evening we bless you, and we
praise your name forever and to the ages of ages.
Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said:
Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have
sinned against you. Lord, to you have I fled; teach me to do your will,
for you are my God. For you are the source of life,
and in your light we shall see light. Continue
your mercy to those who know you. Lord, grant to keep us this night
without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, God of our
fathers. Your name is praised and glorified from all ages. Amen. Let
your mercy, Lord, lighten upon us, as our trust is in
you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are
you, Master, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One,
enlighten me in your commandments. Yourmercy, Lord, endures forever;
turn not away from the works of your own hands. To
you belongs praise, to you belongs worship, to you belongs
glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Symbol Of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father, the
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all
things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before
all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created,
of one essence with the Father through whom all
things were made. For us and for our salvation he
came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was
crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered
and was buried. On the third day he rose according to the
Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. And
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and
the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the
prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect
the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
It is truly right to bless you, the
Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure and mother of
our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim,
incorruptibly you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you,
the true Theotokos.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have
mercy on us (3). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. All
holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins.
Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal
our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God of our fathers, you always treat us
with leniency. Do not withdraw your mercy from us,
but by the intercessions of our fathers, guide our
life in peace. With the blood of your martyrs throughout the world, as
if with purple and fine linen having been adorned,
your Church through them cries out to you, Christ
our God. Send down your mercies upon your people.
Grant peace to your commonwealth, and to our souls
your great compassion. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
With your saints, O Christ, give rest to
the souls of your servants where there is no pain
nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.
Through the intercessions of all your saints and the Theotokos,
O Lord, grant us your peace and have mercy upon us, only
merciful One. Lord, have mercy (40).
At all times and in every hour, you are
worshiped and glorified in heaven and on earth,
Christ our God. Long in patience, great in mercy
and compassion, you love the righteous and show
mercy to sinners. You call all to salvation through the
promise of good things to come. Lord, receive our prayers
at the present time. Direct our lives according to your
commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our
bodies. Set our minds aright. Cleanse our thoughts
and deliver us from all sorrow, evil, and distress.
Surround us with your holy angels that, guarded
and guided by them, we may arrive at the unity of faith and
the understanding of your ineffable glory. For you are blessed
to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more
glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you
gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the
true Theotokos. In the name of the Lord, Father bless. Through the
prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our
God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
Prayer To The All Holy Theotokosby Paul the Monk of the Monastery of Evergetis
Spotless,
undefiled, immaculate, unstained, pure Virgin,
Lady, and Bride of God, by your wondrous conceiving you united
God the Word with human beings and joined the fallen nature
of our race to heavenly things. You are the only
hope of the hopeless, and the help of those
oppressed. You are the ready protection of those
who flee to you and the refuge of all Christians.
Do not spurn me an accused sinner, though I have
made myself completely useless by my shameful thoughts, words,
and deeds and through indolence have become a slave to the
pleasures of life. But as the Mother of God who
loves all people, mercifully have compassion upon
me a sinner and a prodigal and receive my prayer
though it be offered to you by unclean lips.
Entreat your Son and our Lord and Master, using
your boldness as a mother, so that he may open to me
the loving mercy of his goodness, overlook my numberless
transgressions, turn me to repentance, and make me
an acceptable doer of his commandments. Always be
near me, for you are merciful, compassionate, and
loving. Be my ardent help and protection in this present
life, defending me from the assaults of adversaries, and lead
me to salvation. At the hour of my death, care for my
miserable soul and drive the dark visions of evil
spirits far from it. On the awesome day of
judgment, save me from eternal punishment and make
me an inheritor of the ineffable glory of your Son,
our God. May this be my lot, my Lady, all holy Theotokos,
through your intercession and help, by the grace and love
of your only begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior
Jesus Christ; to whom belong all glory, honor, and
worship, with his eternal Father, and his all holy,
righteous, and life giving Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer To Our Lord Jesus Christ
By the Monk Antiochos of Pandektes
Grant us, Master, as we depart for sleep,
rest for body and soul. Protect us from the gloom
of sinful sleep and from all dark pleasures of the
night. Calm the impulses of passion, and quench the
fiery darts of evil which are treacherously cast
against us. Check the turbulence of our flesh and lull
all our earthly and mundane thoughts. Grant us, O God, a watchful
mind, prudent reason, a vigilant heart, and tranquil
sleep, free from all evil dreams. Raise us up at
the hour of prayer, strengthen us in your
commandments, and keep unshaken within us the
remembrance of your judgments. Grant us to glorify
you all night long that we may praise and bless and glorify
your all honorable and magnificent name, of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, ever virgin, blessed
Theotokos, present our prayers to your Son and our
God, and plead with him, that through you he may
save our souls. My hope is the Father; my refuge, the Son; my
protection, the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity, glory to
you. My every hope I place in you, Mother of God, keep me under
your protection.
Dismissal
May Christ our true God have mercy upon us
and save us through the intercessions of his most
pure and holy Mother, and of all your Saints, for
he is a good and loving God. Through the prayers of our holy fathers,
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, and save us.
Amen.
Service of Preparation For Holy Communion
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are present
everywhere filling things, Treasury of good things and Giver
of life, come and dwell in us. Cleanse us of every
stain, and save our souls, gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord,
forgive our sins. Master, pardon our
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassion,
blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from
my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I
acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before
me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done evil in your
sight, that you may be found just when you speak, and
victorious when you are judged. For behold, I was
conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore
me. For behold, you have loved truth; you have made known to me the
secret and hidden things of your wisdom. You shall
sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; you shall wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that
the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn your face
away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean
heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within
me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and establish me with your governing Spirit. I
shall teach transgressors your ways, and the ungodly shall
turn back to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the
God of my salvation, my tongue shall joyfully declare your
righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your
praise. For if you had desired sacrifice, I would give it; you do
not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a
broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a
humbled heart. Do good in your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls
of Jerusalem be built. Then you shall be pleased
with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation
and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on your altar.
Psalm 69 (70)
O God, be attentive to
help me. Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be
ashamed and confounded who seek my life. Let them be turned back and be
ashamed who desire evil against me. Let them be
turned back because of their shame, who say to me,
Well done! Well done! Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in
you; and let those who love your salvation say continually, Let
God be magnified! But as for me, I am poor and needy; O
God, help me! You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
Psalm 142 (143)
Lord, hear my prayer. In
your truth, give ear to my supplications; in your righteousness, hear
me. And enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one
living is justified in your sight. For the enemy has pursued
my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he
has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long
been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within
me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I
meditated on all your works; I pondered on the work of your hands. I
spread out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like
a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails. Turn not
your face away from me, lest I be like those who go
down into the pit. Let me to hear your mercy in the morning, for in you
I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the
way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul
to you. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to you have I fled for
refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your
good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake,
you shall preserve my life. In your righteousness, you shall bring my
soul out of trouble, and in your mercy, you shall utterly destroy my
enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for
I am your servant.
Doxology
Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will to all people. We praise you, we
bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give
thanks to you for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the
Father, almighty Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy
Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who take away the
sin of the world, have mercy upon us, you who take away
the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit at the right hand
of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For you
only are holy, only you are Lord, Jesus Christ, to
the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Each evening we bless you, and we praise
your name forever and to the ages of ages. Lord,
you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord,
have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have sinned
against you. Lord, to you have I fled; teach me to do your will, for
you are my God. For you are the source of life, and
in your light we shall see light. Continue your
mercy to those who know you. Lord, grant to keep us this night without
sin. Blessed are you, Lord, God of our fathers.
Your name is praised and glorified from all ages. Amen.
Let your mercy, Lord, lighten upon us, as
our trust is in you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach
me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, teach me your
commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me in your
commandments. Your mercy, Lord, endures forever; turn not away from the
works of your own hands. To you belongs praise, to
you belongs worship, to you belongs glory, to the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages. Amen.
The Symbol Of Faith
I believe in one God, the Father, the
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all
things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before
all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created,
of one essence with the Father through whom all
things were made. For us and for our salvation he
came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was
crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and he suffered
and was buried. On the third day he rose according to the
Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and dead. His kingdom will have no end. And
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and
the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the
prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect
the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
First Ode Second Tone
May your sacred body and your precious
blood, compassionate Lord, become for me the bread
of eternal life and the guardian from manifold
afflictions. Defiled as I am by disgusting deeds, O Christ, I am
unworthy to receive your pure body and your divine
blood. But make me worthy of this communion.
Theotokion
Blessed Theotokos, the
good earth that grew the unsown wheat that saved
the world, make me worthy to eat of it and be saved.
Third Ode
Grant me, O
Christ, the tears to cleanse the uncleanliness of
my heart, that I may in good conscience, faith, and fear
approach, O Master, the communion of your divine gifts. May your
pure body and sacred blood become for me, loving
God, forgiveness of sins, communion with the Holy Spirit,
eternal life, and estrangement from passion and affliction.
Theotokion
All holy one, you are the table of the
bread of life, who out of mercy came down from
above giving new life to the world. Make me also
worthy, who am now unworthy, to eat from it with
fear and live.
Fourth Ode
Most merciful One,
you put on flesh for our sake and as a lamb you
were willing to be slain for our sins. Therefore, I
beseech you: also wipe out my sins. Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord,
wretched as I am; and Master, make me worthy,
totally, to receive your mystical Supper.
Theotokion
Lady, propitiate on my behalf him who was
born of you, and preserve me; your supplicant,
pure and undefiled, so that by receiving the
intelligible pearl I may be sanctified.
Fifth Ode
As you foretold, O
Christ, let it be to your unworthy servant as you
promised, and abide in me. For behold, I eat your divine
body and drink your blood. God and Word of God, may the ember of
your body light up my darkness, and may your blood
cleanse my defiled soul.
Theotokion
Mary, Mother of God,
honorable tabernacle of sweet ointments, make me
through your prayers a chosen vessel that I may receive
the sanctification of your son.
Sixth Ode
Savior, sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and
body, and deem me worthy, Master, to approach your
fearful Mysteries without condemnation. O Christ,
grant, that I may be rid of my passions, increase
in your grace, and be confirmed in my life by the communion
of your holy Mysteries.
Theotokion
Holy, divine Word of God, sanctify me
wholly as I now approach your holy Mysteries
through the prayers of your holy Mother.
Kontakion Second Tone
As I now receive your awesome Mysteries,
your pure body and your precious blood, O Christ,
do not turn away from me, wretched as I am. Let my
communion not be a judgment upon me but lead to
everlasting and immortal life.
Seventh Ode
May the communion of your immortal
Mysteries be for me light and life, freedom from
passion, progress, and an increase in more
spiritual virtues that I may glorify you, O Christ,
for you alone are good. Approaching now your immortal and divine
mysteries, trembling and longing for piety, grant,
loving God, that I may be delivered from passions
and enemies and every affliction. Grant that I may
sing to you: Blessed are you, O God of our fathers.
Theotokion
I pray that you, the pure one, who are
favored by God and who incomprehensively gave birth
to Christ the Savior, cleanse me, your impure
servant, from all defilement of flesh and spirit as
I desire now to approach the most pure Mysteries.
Eighth Ode
O God my Savior, grant that I, your
despairing servant, may now become a partaker of
your heavenly, awesome and holy Mysteries, and of
your divine and mystical Supper. Seeking refuge in your loving kindness,
good Savior, I cry to you with fear; abide in me
and, as you promised, let me also abide in you. For
behold, trusting in your mercy, I eat your body
and drink your blood. I tremble as I take this fire lest I be consumed
as wax and grass. O fearful mystery! O divine love!
How is it that I, an earthly creature, partake of
the divine body and blood and am made
incorruptible?
Ninth Ode
Taste and see that
the Lord is good. For our sake he became like us
and offered himself once for all to his Father to
be forever slain, sanctifying those who partake. Master, let me be
sanctified in body and soul. Let me be enlightened
and saved, and let me become your dwelling place
through the communion of your holy Mysteries by having you,
most merciful Benefactor, live in me with the Father and the
Spirit. May your body and your precious blood,
Savior, be like fire and light to me, consuming
the substance of sins, burning the tares of my
passions, and wholly enlightening me to worship
your divinity.
Theotokion
God took flesh from your
pure blood. Therefore, all generations praise you,
Lady, while the hosts of incorporal powers glorify
you. For they clearly behold him who rules all things to be
endowed with human nature through you. It is truly right to
bless you, the Theotokos, ever blessed and most
pure and mother of our God. More honorable than the
Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim,
you incorruptibly you gave birth to God the Word. We
magnify you, the true Theotokos.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord,
forgive our sins. Master, pardon our
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities, for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God of our fathers, you always treat us
with leniency. Do not withdraw your mercy from us,
but by the intercessions of our fathers, guide our
life in peace. With the blood of your martyrs throughout the world, as
if with purple and fine linen having been adorned,
your Church through them cries out to you, Christ
our God. Send down your mercies upon your people.
Grant peace to your commonwealth, and to our souls
your great compassion.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
With your saints, O Christ, give rest to
the souls of your servants where there is no pain
nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.
Through the intercessions, of all your saints and the Theotokos,
O Lord, grant us your peace and have mercy upon us, only
merciful One.
Lord, have mercy (40).
At all times and in every hour, you are
worshiped and glorified in heaven and on earth,
Christ our God. Long in patience, great in mercy
and compassion, you love the righteous and show
mercy to sinners. You call all to salvation through the
promise of good things to come. Lord, receive our prayers
at the present time. Direct our lives according to your
commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our
bodies. Set our minds aright. Cleanse our thoughts
and deliver us from all sorrow, evil, and distress.
Surround us with your holy angels that, guarded
and guided by their host, we may arrive at the unity of faith
and the understanding of your ineffable glory. For you are
blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and
incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, you
incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word. We
magnify you, the true Theotokos. In the name of the Lord, Father bless.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ
our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
Prayer To The All Holy Theotokos
byPaul the Monk of the Monastery of Evergetis
Spotless,
undefiled, immaculate, unstained, pure Virgin,
Lady, and Bride of God, by your wondrous conceiving you united
God the Word with human beings and joined the fallen nature
of our race to heavenly things. You are the only
hope of the hopeless, and the help of those
oppressed. You are the ready protection of those
who flee to you and the refuge of all Christians.
Do not spurn me an accused sinner, though I have
made myself completely useless by my shameful thoughts, words,
and deeds and through indolence have become a slave to the
pleasures of life. But as the Mother of God who
loves all people, mercifully have compassion upon
me a sinner and a prodigal and receive my prayer
though it be offered to you by unclean lips.
Entreat your Son and our Lord and Master, using
your boldness as a mother, so that he may open to me
the loving mercy of his goodness, overlook my numberless
transgressions, turn me to repentance, and make me
an acceptable doer of his commandments. Always be
near me, for you are merciful, compassionate, and
loving. Be my ardent help and protection in this present
life, defending me from the assaults of adversaries, and lead
me to salvation. At the hour of my death, care for my
miserable soul and drive the dark visions of evil
spirits far from it. On the awesome day of
judgment, save me from eternal punishment and make
me an inheritor of the ineffable glory of your Son,
our God. May this be my lot, my Lady, all holy Theotokos,
through your intercession and help, by the grace and love
of your only begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior
Jesus Christ; to whom belong all glory, honor, and
worship, with his eternal Father, and his all holy,
righteous, and life giving Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer To Our Lord Jesus Christ
By the Monk Antiochos of Pandektes
Grant us, Master,
as we depart for sleep, rest for body and soul.
Protect us from the gloom of sinful sleep and from all
dark pleasures of the night. Calm the impulses of passion,
and quench the fiery darts of evil which are treacherously
cast against us. Check the turbulence of our flesh
and lull all our earthly and mundane thoughts.
Grant us, O God, a watchful mind, prudent reason, a
vigilant heart, and tranquil sleep, free from all
evil dreams. Raise us up at the hour of prayer,
strengthen us in your commandments, and keep unshaken within
us the remembrance of your judgments. Grant us to glorify
you all night long that we may praise and bless and
glorify your all honorable and magnificent name, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, ever virgin, blessed
Theotokos, present our prayers to your Son and our
God, and plead with him, that through you he may
save our souls. My hope is the Father; my refuge, the Son; my
protection, the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity, glory to
you. My every hope I place in you, Mother of God, keep me under
your protection.
Dismissal
May Christ our true God
have mercy upon us and save us through the
intercessions of his most pure and holy Mother, and of
all your Saints, for he is a good and loving God. Through the
prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us, and save us. Amen.
On The Next Day(After the usual morning prayers say:)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. All holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins.
Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit
and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be
your name. Your kingdom come, your 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. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (12).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. Amen. Come, let us worship and bow down to God, our king. Come,
let us worship and bow down to Christ, our king and
God. Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ himself, our
king and God.
Psalm 22 (23)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside
the still waters. He restores my soul; he leads me in the
paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in
the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs
over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 (24)
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its
fullness, the world and those who dwell in it. For
he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon
the waters. Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord? And who
shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not lifted up his soul to what is false,
nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor. He shall receive a blessing from
the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his
salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek the Lord, of those
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your
gates, you princes, and be lifted up, you everlasting
gates. And the King of glory shall enter. Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in
war. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, you everlasting
gates, and the King of glory shall enter. Who is
this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King
of glory.
Psalm 115
I believed and therefore I
spoke. But I was humbled exceedingly. I said in my ecstasy, every man
is a liar. What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has rendered
to me? I will take the cup of salvation, and I will
call upon 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. Lord, I am
your servant, and the son of your handmaiden. You have broken my bonds.
I will offer a sacrifice of praise to you, and I will call
upon 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 the midst of you,
Jerusalem. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now
and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy. (Then the following hymns).
Tone 6
Turn away from my transgressions Lord, born
of the Virgin, and purify my heart, making it a
temple for your most pure and precious body and
blood. Do not cast me away from your presence, for
your great mercy is boundless.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
How shall I, the unworthy, be not ashamed
of your holy things? If I dare to approach you with
the worthy, my garment will condemn me, for it is
not a supper garment, and I shall bring reproach
upon my most sinful soul. Therefore, cleanse me Lord
of the defilement of my soul and save me, for you are a loving
God. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Because of the multitude of my
transgressions, I come to you, pure Theotokos,
asking for salvation. Visit my ailing soul, only
blessed one, and beseech your Son, our God, to
grant me remission of the evil I have done.
On Holy And Great Thursday
The glorious disciples were illumined at
the Supper during the washing of the feet. But
ungodly Judas was darkened by the disease of
avarice, and he delivered you, the righteous judge,
to lawless judges. Behold, lover of money, how for
the sake of money he hanged himself. Flee from greed which
made him dare to do such things against his Master. Glory
to you, Lord, who are good towards all people.
Lord, have mercy (40).
(Prostrations as desired, and immediately the following supplicatory prayers:)
Instructive Verses (How one should approach the immaculate Mysteries).
As you are about to eat the body of the
Master, approach with fear lest you be burned, for
it is fire. And before you drink in communion the
blood, be first reconciled with all those you have
offended; then you may take courage to eat the
mystic Food. Before you take part in the awesome sacrifice of the
life‑giving body of the Master, take care and pray
with fear of God.
First Prayer: Saint Basil
Master, Lord Jesus Christ
our God, the source of life and of immortality,
creator of everything visible and invisible,
coeternal and co‑everlasting Son of the Father without
beginning; because of abundant goodness, you put on flesh
and were crucified and buried for us unthankful and
ungrateful people in these latter days, and have by
your own blood renewed our nature corrupted by
sin. Accept, immortal king, my repentance, that of a
sinner, and turn towards me, and hear my words. I
have sinned, Lord, I have sinned before heaven and before
you, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of your glory,
for I have provoked your goodness. I have
transgressed your commandments. I have disobeyed
your ordinances. But you, Lord, being
long‑suffering, and of great mercy, do not remember
evil, and have not given me over to destruction because of
my lawlessness, but have ever awaited my conversion. You
who love all people, said by your prophet, I do not
desire the death of a sinner but that he should
turn and live. For, Master, you do not wish that
the work of your hands should perish, nor do you
take pleasure in the destruction of human beings,
but desire that everyone should be saved and come
to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, even I, although
I am unworthy both of heaven and earth and of this temporary
life, having wholly yielded myself to sin, and become
the slave of pleasure and have defiled your
image, yet being your creature and of your shaping,
I do not despair for my salvation in my
wretchedness. But I am emboldened by your infinite
compassion and I draw near. Therefore, O Christ,
you who love all people, receive even me as the harlot, as
the thief, as the publican, as the prodigal. Take away the
heavy burden of my sins, you who take away the sin of
the world, who heal the infirmities of all people,
who call to yourself the weary and burdened and
give them rest, who came not to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance. Do cleanse me from
defilement of the flesh and spirit, and teach me to
fulfill holiness in your fear, that in the pure testimony
of my conscience, receiving my portion of your holy gifts,
I may be united to your holy body and precious blood,
and have you dwell and remain within me with the
Father and your Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord Jesus Christ
my God, grant that the communion of your holy and
life giving mysteries may not be to my
condemnation. Do not let me be afflicted in soul and
body by partaking of them unworthily. But grant that to the
last breath of my life I shall partake of my share
uncondemned of your holy gifts, looking to the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit for eternal life, and
to a favorable answer at your awesome judgment
seat, that even I may also become a partaker with
your elect of your incorruptible blessings which you
have prepared for those who love you and in whom, Lord, you
are glorified to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer: Saint Basil
I know, Lord, that I
partake unworthily of your pure body and precious
blood, and that I am guilty, my Christ and my God,
as I eat and drink condemnation to myself not discerning
your body and blood. Yet, emboldened by your loving kindnesses,
I come to you, who said, “he who eats my flesh and
drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him.” Take
pity, therefore, Lord, and do not rebuke me, a
sinner, but deal with me mercifully. Let these holy
gifts give me healing and cleansing, enlightenment
and protection, salvation and sanctification of soul and body.
May they avert every fantasy, evil practice, and operation
of the devil enacted in my members by design. May
they give me confidence in and love for you;
amendment of life and perseverance, increase of
virtue and perfection, fulfillment of your commandments,
fellowship of the Holy Spirit, provisions for the journey
of eternal life, and an acceptable answer at the awesome
judgment seat. But let them not be for judgment or
condemnation. Amen.
Third Prayer: John Chrysostom
Lord my God, I know that I
am not worthy, nor sufficient, that you should
come under the roof of the house of my soul, for it
is entirely desolate and in ruins, and you do not have
a worthy place in me to lay your head. But as you humbled
yourself from on high for our sake, do likewise also for my
unworthiness. And as you willed in the cave to lie
in a manger of dumb animals, take it upon yourself
now to enter the manger of my dumb soul and into my
soiled body. And as you did not refuse to enter
and eat with sinners in the house of Simon the
leper, so also deign to enter into the house of my soul,
leper and sinner that I am. And as you did not cast out the
harlot, a sinner like me, who came and touched you, so
have compassion on me the sinner who now comes to
touch you. And as you did not abhor the kiss of her
sinful and unclean mouth, do not abhor my mouth,
more stained and unclean than hers, nor my sordid
and unclean and shameless lips, nor my more
unclean tongue. But let the fiery coal of your most pure body
and of your most precious blood bring sanctification,
illumination, and strengthening of my lowly soul
and body, relief of the burden of my many
transgressions, protection against every operation
of the devil, an averting and hindering of my mean
and evil habits, mortification of my passions, fulfillment
of your commandments, an increase of your divine grace, and
inheritance of your kingdom. For it is not with a
light heart, Christ my God, that I venture to
approach you. But I trust in your ineffable
goodness. May I not become prey to Satan by
abstaining for long from your communion. Therefore, Lord,
I pray to you who alone are holy that you sanctify my soul
and body, my heart, and my mind, and renewing me wholly,
implant in my members fear of you. Do not let your
sanctification be taken from me, but be my help and
protector, governing my life in peace. Make me
worthy to obtain a place at your right hand with
your saints, through the prayers and supplications
of your most pure Mother, of your bodiless ministers and pure
angelic powers, and of all your saints who from the ages have
found favor in you. Amen.
Fourth Prayer: John Chrysostom
I am not worthy, Sovereign Lord, for you to
come under the roof of my soul. Yet because of
your love for all people, you wish to dwell in me. I
boldly come. Command that the gates open which you
alone made and you will come in with love toward
all people, as is your nature. You will come in and enlighten
my darkened reasoning. I believe that you will do this, for
you did not send away the harlot who came to you
with tears, nor cast out the repenting publican,
nor reject the thief who acknowledged your kingdom,
nor forsake the repentant persecutor for what he
was. But you counted as your friends all of those
who came to you in repentance. You alone are blessed, always,
now and to the endless ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer: John Chrysostom
Lord Jesus Christ my God, absolve, remit,
forgive, and pardon me, your sinful, unprofitable,
and unworthy servant the errors, transgressions,
and trespasses which I have committed from my youth
to the present day and hour, whether in knowledge
or in ignorance, in words, or deeds, or thoughts, or reasonings
and pursuits, and in all my senses. And through the
intercession of the all pure and ever virgin Mary,
your Mother, who conceived you without sin, my only
hope, protection, and salvation, count me worthy,
uncondemned, to partake of your pure and immortal
and life giving, awesome Mysteries, for the remission
of sins, for eternal life, for sanctification and enlightenment,
for strength, and healing and health of both soul and
body, for the erasing and complete removal of my
evil thoughts and recollections, superstitions and
nocturnal phantasies brought by dark and evil
spirits. For yours is the kingdom, the power, the
honor, and worship, together with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Prayer: John Of Damascus
Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, you alone
have the authority to forgive human beings their
sins, for you are good and love everyone. Forgive
all my transgressions committed in knowledge or in
ignorance. Make me worthy uncondemned to receive your
divine and glorious, pure and life giving Mysteries; incurring
thereby neither punishment, nor the increase of my
sins, but receiving cleansing, sanctification, and
a pledge of the life to come and of the kingdom.
Let them be for me a rampart, a help, and an
overturning of my adversaries, and a wiping out of
my many transgressions. For you are a God of
mercy, compassion, and love of all human beings, and to
you we give glory, with the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Prayer: Symeon The New Theologian
From foul lips and impure heart, from
unclean tongue and a defiled soul, receive my
prayer, O my Christ. Take not into account my words, my ways, or my
shamelessness. Grant me boldness, my Christ, to say all that I wish. But
rather teach me all that I should do and say. I have sinned more than
the harlot who, learning where you lived, boldly
came forward to anoint your feet, O my Christ, my Master, and my God.
And as you did not reject her to come with eagerness of heart,
reject not me, O Word, but extend to me your feet that I may
hold and kiss and with streams of tears, as with a
precious myrrh, I may boldly anoint them. Wash me in my tears and
purify me in them, O Word. Forgive my errors, and grant me pardon. You
know the multitude of my sins, you also know my wounds
and see my bruises. Yet you know my faith, you see my eagerness and
hear my sighs. From you, my God, my Creator, and my Redeemer is hid not
one tear, nor even a part of one. Your eyes know my
imperfections; in your book already written down
are all the acts yet not done. Behold my lowliness, behold how great is
my weariness and all my sins. God of all, remit
everything so that with a clean heart, a conscience
filled with holy fear, and a contrite soul, I may partake of your most
pure, and wholly spotless mysteries, that give life
and divinity to all who eat and drink of you with a
pure heart. For you have said, Master, that whoever eats my flesh and
also drinks my blood, does indeed abide in me, and I
in him. True indeed is the word of my Master and my God. For he who
shares in these divine and deifying graces is in no
way alone, but is with you, my Christ, the triple‑radiant light
that enlightens the world. But so that I may never be
alone without you, O Giver of life, my breath, my
life, my joy, and the world’s salvation, I have, as you
see, with tears and a contrite soul drawn near to you to ransom
my errors, beseeching you to rescue me and uncondemned
to share in your life giving Mysteries. So as you
have said you might dwell with me, the most wretched
one, that I not be found by the deceiver, without your grace, and be
seized by deception and seducing me lead me away from
your life giving words. Therefore, I fall before you and fervently
cry out to you: as you received the prodigal and the harlot when she
came to you, so receive me, the harlot and
prodigal, compassionate One, as I come to you now,
with a contrite heart. I know Savior that no one has offended you as I
have, nor committed the deeds that I have done. But
this again I know, that neither the greatness of my sins
nor the multitude of my transgressions exceed my God’s great
forbearance and his great love for all. But with
the oil of forgiveness you cleanse and illumine
those who fervently repent and make sharers of your light and partakers
of your divinity. And although this is strange to the minds of angels
and of men, you speak with them often as your true
friends. These thoughts make me bold, these thoughts give me wings,
my Christ, and seeing your rich kindness towards us, I
rejoice and tremble too. I partake of fire, being
grass, and behold, a strange wonder, I am
unexpectedly refreshed as was the burning bush, burning but not
consumed. Therefore, thankful in mind, thankful in heart, thankful
in every member of my body and soul, I worship and
magnify and glorify you, my God, as being blessed
both now and to the ages.
Eighth Prayer: Symeon Metaphrastes
Jesus Christ, wisdom of
God, peace and power, only pure and spotless Lord,
moved by the ineffable pity in your love toward all
people, you took upon yourself our whole frame from the
chaste and virgin blood of her who wondrously conceived you
at the coming of the Holy Spirit and by the favor of the
eternal Father. In this assumed nature you
underwent the life giving and saving passion: the
cross, the nails, the spear‑death itself. Mortify
in me the passions of the body that destroy the
soul. You who destroyed the power of Hades by your burial,
bury and destroy the devices of the evil spirits through pure
thoughts. You who raised the fallen forefather by
your resurrection, raise me up from the sin that I
have fallen into and show me the way of repentance.
By your glorious ascension you deified the assumed
body and honored it at the right hand of the Father.
Make me worthy, by partaking of your holy Mysteries, of a
place at your right hand with the saved. You made your holy
disciples precious vessels by the coming of the
Comforter, the Spirit. Declare me also a vessel of
your coming. You promised to come again to judge
the world in righteousness. Grant that I shall go
to meet you, my Creator and Maker, in the clouds,
with all the saints, and that I may glorify you forever and
praise you, with your eternal Father, and your all holy,
gracious and life giving Spirit, now and forever
and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ninth Prayer: John Of Damascus
I stand before the doors
of your temple, but I have not refrained from
wicked thoughts. But you, O Christ, my God, justified
the publican, and showed mercy to the Canaanite woman, and
opened the gates of paradise to the thief. Open for me the
depth of your love, and receive me as I draw near and
touch you, as did the harlot and the woman with
the issue of blood. The latter only touched the hem
of your garment, and she immediately received
healing, while the former, clinging to your pure
feet, obtained forgiveness of her sins. But may I, the miserable
one, be not consumed, by daring to receive your whole
body. Receive me as you did them, and enlighten the
perception of my soul, through the intercession of
her who gave birth to you without sin, and of the
heavenly powers. For you are blessed to the ages of
ages. Amen.
Tenth Prayer: John Chrysostom
I believe and confess, Lord, that you are
truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who
came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
first. I also believe that this is truly your pure
body, and that this is truly your precious blood.
Therefore, I pray to you, have mercy upon me, and forgive
my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, in word
and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without
condemnation to partake of your pure Mysteries for
the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen.
When coming forward to receive communion, say these verses of Symeon Metaphrastes:
Behold, my Maker, I approach holy
Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for you are
fire which burns the unworthy. But cleanse me from
every stain. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of your
mystical Supper. I will not reveal your Mystery to
your adversaries. Nor will I give you a kiss as did
Judas. But as the thief I confess to you: Lord,
remember me in your kingdom.
And the following verses:
Seeing the divine blood, have fear, O man,
for it is coal that burns the unworthy. It is God’s
body that deifies and nourishes me; it deifies the
spirit and nourishes the mind mystically.
And the following hymns:
You have smitten me with yearning, O
Christ, and with your divine love you have changed
me. Burn away my sins with spiritual fire and make
me worthy to be filled with your joy, that rejoicing
in your goodness, I may magnify your two Comings.
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into
the splendor of your saints? If I dare to enter
into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse
me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being
bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In
your love, Lord, cleanse the vileness of my soul and save
me.
Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God,
do not let these Holy Things be to my condemnation
because of my unworthiness, but rather for
purification and sanctification of my soul and
body, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come.
For it is good for me to cleave to God, and to place the hope
of my salvation in the Lord.
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker
of your mystical Supper. I will not reveal your
mystery to your adversaries. Nor will I give you a
kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
you: Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
Thanksgiving After Holy Communion
When you have had your
due and rightful part in these life giving and
mysterious gifts, give immediate praise and great
thanks to God, and say the following with fervent soul:
Glory to you, O God (3). (Then the following thanksgiving prayers:)
Anonymous
I thank you, Lord, my God, that you have
not rejected me, a sinner, but have made me worthy
to partake of your holy Mysteries. I thank you that
you have permitted me, although I am unworthy, to
receive your pure and heavenly gifts. O loving
Master, who died and rose for our sake, and granted
to us these awesome and life‑giving Mysteries for the
well‑being and sanctification of our souls and bodies,
let these gifts be for healing of my own soul and body, the
averting of every evil, the illumination 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 your commandments, the
receiving of your divine grace, and the inheritance
of your kingdom. Preserved by them in your
holiness, may I always be mindful of your grace and no
longer live for myself, but for you, our Master and Benefactor.
May I pass from this life in the hope of eternal life,
and attain to the everlasting rest, where the
voices of your saints who feast are unceasing, and
their joy, beholding the ineffable beauty of your
countenance, is unending. For you, Christ our God,
are the true joy and the inexpressible gladness of those
who love you, and all creation praises you forever. Amen.
Prayer Of Saint Basil
I thank you, Christ and
Master our God, King of the ages and Creator of all
things, for all the good gifts you have given me,
and especially for the participation in your pure
and life-giving mysteries. I, therefore, pray to you, good
and loving Lord: keep me under your protection and under the
shadow of your wings. Grant that to my last breath I
may with a pure conscience partake worthily of your
gifts for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal
life. For you are the bread of life, the source of
holiness, the giver of all good things, and to you
we give glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer Of Symeon Metaphrastes
You who have voluntarily
given me your flesh as food, who are a burning fire
to the unworthy, do not consume me. No, my
Creator. Rather, penetrate into my members, all my joints,
my organs, my heart and burn like thorns all my iniquities.
Cleanse my soul, hallow my thoughts, make firm my knees
and my bones as well. Illumine my five senses and
make my entire being vigilant with the fear of you.
Watch over me always, shield and protect me from
every deed and word that corrupts the soul. Cleanse
me, purify and put me in order. Adorn me, give me
understanding, and illumine me. Mark me as your dwelling
place, of the Spirit only and no longer a place of sin, so
that when you enter as if into your own home of communion,
every evil doer and every passion will flee from
me as from fire. As advocates, I bring to you all
the saints, the captains of the incorporeal hosts,
your Forerunner, your wise Apostles, and more than
these, your spotless, pure Mother, whose prayers
accept, my compassionate Christ. Make your servant a child
of light. For in your goodness, you alone sanctify and
enlighten our souls, and to you, our God and
Master, do we give, as it is right, glory every
day.
Anonymous
Let your sacred body, Lord Jesus Christ our
God, lead me to eternal life, and your precious
blood to remission of sins. Let this Eucharist be
to me joy, health, and gladness. And at your
fearful Coming deem me a sinner worthy to stand at
the right hand of your glory, by the intercession of your
most pure Mother, and of all your saints. Amen.
All holy Lady, Theotokos, light of my
darkened soul, my hope, shelter, refuge, comfort,
and joy, I thank you, for you have deemed me, the
unworthy one, worthy to partake of the most pure
body and of the precious blood of your Son. But you who
gave birth to the true Light, enlighten the spiritual eyes
of my heart. You conceived the source of immortality. Now
give life to me who am dead in sin. You, the
compassionate Mother of the merciful God, have
mercy on me and give me penitence and contrition of
heart and meekness in my thoughts and an awakening
of my thoughts from captivity. And grant me, until
my last breath, to receive without condemnation the sanctification
of your sacred Mysteries for the healing of soul and
body. Grant me tears of repentance and confession
that I may praise ad glorify you all the days of my
life. For you are blessed and glorified to the
ages. Amen.
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace
according to your word. For my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared before the face
of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory Be To God
Liturgical Texts courtesy and copyright of Holy Cross Press, Brookline, MA
http://www.goarch.org/chapel/liturgical_texts/daily_prayers
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