The Byzantine office of Great Compline, celebrated especially during Great Lent. Directions in italics are rubrics.
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you!
O heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O good One.
Reader: 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 always, and for ever and ever. Amen.
O most 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 to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever. 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. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For yours are the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever.
Reader: Amen. Lord, have mercy (12 times). Glory… Now…
Then the following is said, with three prostrations:
Come, let us worship and bow down before our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ himself, our King and God.
Psalm 4
When I called, you answered me, O God of my righteousness; in distress you set me free. Have pity on me and hear my prayer. Sons of men, how long will you be heavy of heart? Why do you love vanity and seek after lies? Know that the Lord has glorified his holy one; the Lord hears me when I cry to him. Be angry, but do not sin; what you say in your hearts, repent of it on your beds. Offer a sacrifice of righteousness and trust in the Lord. Many say: “Who will show us good things?” The light of your face has been stamped upon us, O Lord. You have put gladness in my heart; they have had their fill of grain, wine and oil. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 6
O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are shaken, and my soul too is sorely troubled. But you, O Lord, how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for your mercy’s sake. For in death there is no one who remembers you; and in Hades who will give you thanks? I am worn out with my groaning; every night I wash my bed, and drench my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled with grief; I have grown old among all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord has received my prayer. Let all my enemies be put to shame and sorely troubled; let them be turned back and put to shame, and quickly.
Psalm 12 (13)
How long, O Lord, will you forget me? For ever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul, with grief in my heart day and night? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Look on me and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him,” and those who trouble me rejoice if I am shaken. But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, who has been good to me, and praise the name of the Lord Most High. Look on me and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him.”
Glory… Now… Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God (3 times). Lord, have mercy (3 times). Glory… Now…
Psalm 24 (25)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. My God, in you I have trusted; let me not be put to shame for ever, nor let my enemies laugh at me. For none of those who wait for you will be put to shame; let those be put to shame who transgress without cause. Make your ways known to me, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and for you I have waited all day long. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercies, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my ignorance; but according to your mercy remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord. The Lord is good and upright; therefore he shows sinners the way. He guides the meek in justice, he teaches the meek his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth for those who seek his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my sin, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose. His soul will dwell among good things, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord is a stronghold for those who fear him, and to them he reveals his covenant. My eyes are ever towards the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the snare. Look on me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; bring me out of my distress. Look on my lowliness and my toil, and forgive all my sins. Look on my enemies, for they have multiplied and hated me with unjust hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. The innocent and the upright have clung to me, because I have waited for you, O Lord. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.
Psalm 30 (31)
In you, O Lord, I have trusted; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me and rescue me. Incline your ear to me, make haste to rescue me. Be for me a God who protects me, a house of refuge to save me. For you are my strength and my refuge; for your name’s sake you will lead me and sustain me. You will bring me out of this snare that they have hidden for me, for you, O Lord, are my protector. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. You hate those who cling to empty vanities; but I have trusted in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy, for you have looked on my lowliness and saved my soul from distress; you have not shut me up in the hands of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am afflicted; my eye is troubled with grief, my soul and my body too. For my life is spent with pain, and my years with sighing; my strength has failed through poverty, and my bones are troubled. I have become a reproach among all my enemies, greatly so to my neighbours, and a fear to my acquaintances; those who saw me outside fled from me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I have become like a broken vessel. I have heard the slander of many who dwell around me; when they gathered together against me, they plotted to take my life. But I have trusted in you, O Lord; I said: “You are my God; my lot is in your hands.” Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Make your face shine upon your servant; save me in your mercy. O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I have called on you; let the ungodly be put to shame and brought down to Hades. Let the deceitful lips be silenced that speak iniquity against the righteous with pride and contempt. How great is the abundance of your goodness, O Lord, which you have stored up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who hope in you before the sons of men! You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men; you shield them in your tent from contentious tongues. Blessed be the Lord, who has made his mercy wonderful, a fortified city. I said in my alarm: “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Yet you heard the voice of my supplication when I cried to you. Love the Lord, all you his saints, for the Lord seeks out truth, and repays abundantly those who act in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 90 (91)
He who dwells in the help of the Most High will abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. He will say to the Lord: “You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. He will overshadow you with his shoulders, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth will surround you like a shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the thing that walks in darkness, nor the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand will fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but none will come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the reward of sinners. For you, O Lord, are my hope; you have made the Most High your refuge. No evil will come upon you, no scourge will draw near your dwelling. For he will give his angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the asp and the adder; you will trample the lion and the dragon. “Because he has hoped in me, I will deliver him; I will shelter him, because he has known my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”
Glory… Now… Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to you, O God (3 times). Lord, have mercy (3 times). Glory… Now…
“God is with us”
Then the following verses are sung (from Isaiah 8 and 9), with the refrain “For God is with us”:
God is with us: understand, O nations, and be defeated! For God is with us.
Listen, to the ends of the earth! For God is with us.
You mighty ones, be defeated! For God is with us.
For even if you grow strong again, you will be defeated again. For God is with us.
Whatever plan you devise, the Lord will bring it to nothing. For God is with us.
Whatever word you speak will not stand among you. For God is with us.
We will not fear what you fear, nor be troubled. For God is with us.
But the Lord our God, him we will sanctify, and he will be our fear. For God is with us.
And if I trust in him, he will be my sanctuary. For God is with us.
I will put my trust in him, and through him I will be saved. For God is with us.
Here am I, and the children whom God has given me. For God is with us.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For God is with us.
You who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, a light will shine on you. For God is with us.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. For God is with us.
And the government is upon his shoulder. For God is with us.
And of his peace there is no end. For God is with us.
And his name will be called Messenger of Great Counsel. For God is with us.
Wonderful Counsellor. For God is with us.
Mighty God, Ruler, Prince of Peace. For God is with us.
Father of the age to come. For God is with us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. For God is with us.
Now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen. For God is with us.
God is with us: understand, O nations, and be defeated! For God is with us.
Then these troparia:
Having passed through the day, I give you thanks, O Lord, and I ask you to grant me the evening and the night without sin, O Saviour, and save me.
Glory… Having passed through the day, I glorify you, O Master, and I ask you, O Saviour, to grant me the evening and the night without stumbling, and save me.
Now… Having passed through the day, I praise you, O Holy One, and I ask you to grant me the evening and the night safe from every snare, O Saviour, and save me.
At once the two choirs sing in turn:
The bodiless nature of the cherubim glorifies you with never-silent hymns;
the six-winged living creatures, the seraphim, exalt you with unceasing voices;
and all the armies of angels praise you with the thrice-holy song.
For before all things you are, O Father, and your Son, equal to you, is like you without beginning;
and bearing the Spirit of life, equal to you in honour, you show forth the undivided Trinity.
Most holy Virgin, Mother of God, and you, eyewitnesses and servants of the Word,
all you choirs of prophets and martyrs, who possess immortal life,
intercede without ceasing for all, for we are all in distress,
so that, delivered from the deceit of the evil one, we may cry out with the hymn of the angels: Holy, holy, holy, thrice-holy Lord, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
The Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. He rose on the third day, 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 the dead, and his kingdom will 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 is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Then these verses are sung:
Most holy Lady, Theotokos, intercede for us sinners. (3 times)
All you heavenly powers of the angels and holy archangels, intercede for us sinners. (twice)
Holy John, prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of our Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for us sinners. (twice)
Holy and glorious apostles, prophets and martyrs, and all the saints, intercede for us sinners. (twice)
Our righteous and God-bearing Fathers, shepherds and teachers of the world, intercede for us sinners. (twice)
Invincible, incomprehensible and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross, do not forsake us sinners. (twice)
O God, forgive us sinners (3 times), and have mercy on us.
“Holy God…” and what follows, up to “For yours are the kingdom…”
Then the following troparia:
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him.”
Glory… Be the defender of my soul, O God, for I walk in the midst of many snares; deliver me from them and save me, O good One, for you love mankind.
Now… Since we have no boldness because of the multitude of our sins, plead yourself with the One born of you, O Virgin Theotokos, for a mother’s prayer has great power to win the Master’s favour. Do not despise the prayers of sinners, O all-honoured one, for he is merciful and able to save us, he who accepted suffering for our sake.
Further troparia, added on Tuesday and Thursday (Tone 8):
O Lord, you know the sleepless watch of my unseen enemies, and you know the weakness of my wretched flesh, O my Creator. Therefore into your hands I commend my spirit: cover me with the wings of your goodness, lest I sleep in death; enlighten the eyes of my mind with the delight of your divine words, and rouse me at the proper time to glorify you, for you are good and love mankind.
Verse: Look on me and have mercy on me.
O Lord, how fearful is your judgment, when the angels stand by, and people are gathered, and the books are opened, and deeds are laid bare, and thoughts are examined. What will my judgment be, I who am held fast by sins? Who will quench the flames of the fire for me? Who will light my darkness, if you, O Lord, do not have mercy on me, for you love mankind?
Glory… Give me tears, O God, as you once gave them to the sinful woman, and make me worthy to wash your feet, which freed me from the way of error, and to offer you sweet-smelling myrrh: a pure life gained through repentance, so that I too may hear your gentle voice: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Now… O Theotokos, since I have placed in you a trust that does not fail, I shall be saved; and having gained your protection, O all-pure one, I shall not fear. I will drive back my enemies and put them to flight, taking your shelter alone as my shield, and I cry out to you, imploring your all-powerful help: save me, O Lady, by your intercessions, and rouse me from dark sleep to glorify you, by the power of the Son of God who took flesh from you.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (40 times). Glory… Now…
More honourable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, father, bless.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers…
And he reads this prayer of Saint Basil the Great:
O Lord, O Lord, who have delivered us from every arrow that flies by day, deliver us also from everything that walks in darkness. Accept the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice. Make us worthy to pass through the night without blame, untested by evil, and deliver us from all disturbance and fear that come from the demons. Grant our souls compunction, and our thoughts concern for the examination at your just and fearful judgment. Nail our flesh to the fear of you, and put to death our earthly members, so that even in the stillness of sleep we may be enlightened by meditating on your judgments. Remove from us every unseemly fantasy and harmful desire. Raise us up at the time of prayer, steadfast in faith and advancing in your commandments, by the good pleasure and goodness of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen.
Reader: Come, let us worship… (3 times)
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy; in the abundance of your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you alone have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right in your words and prevail when you are judged.
See, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother bore me.
For you love truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; you will wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. You will let me hear joy and gladness, and my humbled bones will rejoice.
Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a guiding spirit.
Then I will teach the wicked your ways, and the ungodly will turn back to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will rejoice in your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Had you wanted sacrifice, I would have given it; but you take no pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.
In your good pleasure, O Lord, do good to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt.
Then you will delight in the sacrifice of righteousness, in offerings and burnt offerings.
Then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 101 (102)
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Do not turn your face from me; in the day of my distress incline your ear to me; in the day when I call on you, answer me quickly. For my days have vanished like smoke, and my bones are dried up like kindling. I am cut down like grass, and my heart is withered, for I forgot to eat my bread. Through the sound of my groaning my bones cling to my flesh. I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl in the ruins. I lie awake, and I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. All day long my enemies reproach me, and those who once praised me have sworn together against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with tears, because of your anger and your wrath; for you lifted me up and cast me down. My days decline like a shadow, and I wither like grass. But you, O Lord, endure for ever, and your remembrance from generation to generation. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have compassion on her; the time has come. For your servants took pleasure in her stones and pitied her dust. And the nations will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory. For the Lord will build up Zion and appear in his glory. He has regarded the prayer of the lowly and has not despised their petition. Let this be written for another generation, and a people yet to be created will praise the Lord. For he looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven the Lord gazed upon the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoners and set free the children of the slain, so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples and the kings gather together to serve the Lord. He answered him in the way of his strength: “Tell me the shortness of my days; do not take me away in the midst of my days.” Your years are from generation to generation. In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak you will fold them up, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will not fail. The children of your servants will dwell secure, and their descendants will be established for ever.
The Prayer of Manasseh, King of Judah
The priest reads the Prayer of Manasseh:
O Lord almighty, God of our fathers, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of their righteous descendants; you who made heaven and earth with all their array; you who bound the sea by the word of your command, who shut up the deep and sealed it with your fearful and glorious name; before whom all things shudder and tremble before your power: for the majesty of your glory cannot be endured, and the wrath of your threat against sinners is irresistible, and the mercy of your promise is beyond measure and unsearchable. For you are the Lord Most High, compassionate, long-suffering and abounding in mercy, who relent over the evils of men. You, O Lord, according to the abundance of your goodness, have promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against you, and in the multitude of your compassion you have appointed repentance for sinners, that they may be saved. You therefore, O Lord, God of the powers, did not appoint repentance for the righteous, for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who did not sin against you; but you appointed repentance for me, a sinner, for I have sinned more than the grains of sand in the sea. My transgressions are multiplied, O Lord, my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to lift up my eyes and look at the height of heaven because of the multitude of my iniquities. I am bowed down by many iron fetters, so that I cannot lift up my head, and I have no relief; for I have provoked your anger and done what is evil in your sight, not doing your will nor keeping your commandments. And now I bend the knee of my heart, beseeching your goodness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I know my transgressions; but I earnestly beg you: forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and do not destroy me with my transgressions. Do not be angry with me for ever and store up evil for me, nor condemn me to the depths of the earth. For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, and in me you will show all your goodness; for, unworthy as I am, you will save me according to the abundance of your mercy, and I will praise you continually all the days of my life. For all the powers of heaven sing your praise, and yours is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
“Holy God…” and what follows, up to “For yours are the kingdom…”
Then the following troparia:
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, at a loss for any defence, we sinners offer you this supplication, O Master: have mercy on us.
Glory… Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have put our trust in you; do not be very angry with us, and do not remember our iniquities. But look on us now, since you are compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for you are our God and we are your people; we are all the work of your hands, and we call on your name.
Now… Open to us the door of compassion, O blessed Theotokos; hoping in you, we shall not be disappointed; through you may we be delivered from all adversity, for you are the salvation of the Christian people.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (40 times). Glory… Now… More honourable than the cherubim… In the name of the Lord, father, bless.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers… (and he says the following prayer:)
O Master, Father almighty, O Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, one Godhead and one power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and by the judgments you know, save me, your unworthy servant, for you are blessed for ever and ever.
Reader: Come, let us worship… (3 times)
Psalm 69 (70)
O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let those who seek my life be put to shame and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be turned back and disgraced. Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be turned away at once in shame. Let all who seek you, O God, rejoice and be glad in you; and let those who love your salvation say always: “May the Lord be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; O God, help me. You are my helper and my deliverer, O Lord; do not delay.
Psalm 142 (143)
O Lord, hear my prayer; in your truth give ear to my pleading; answer me in your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living will be found righteous before you.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground.
He has made me sit in darkness like those long dead; my spirit is weary within me, and my heart is troubled inside me.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all your works, I pondered the work of your hands.
I stretched out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like a land without rain.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, for my spirit fails.
Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down into the pit.
Let me hear your mercy in the morning, for in you I have put my trust.
Make known to me, O Lord, the way I should walk,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I have fled to you for refuge; teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life.
In your righteousness bring my soul out of distress, and in your mercy destroy my enemies.
And destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.
The Great Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among people. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory. O Lord, King, heavenly God, Father almighty; O Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who bear the sin of the world, have mercy on 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 on us. For you alone are holy, you alone are the Lord, Jesus Christ, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, I have fled to you for refuge; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that we may be kept this night without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name for ever. Amen. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our hope in you.
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master; make me understand your statutes. Blessed are you, O Holy One; enlighten me with your statutes. Lord, your mercy endures for ever; do not despise the work of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs song, to you is due glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen.
(Here, during the first week of Great Lent, the canon of the day is sung.)
“Holy God…” and what follows, up to “For yours are the kingdom…”
Then these troparia with their verses:
O Lord of the powers, be with us, for in our sorrows we have no other help but you; O Lord of the powers, have mercy on us.
Verse: Praise God in his saints, praise him in the firmament of his power. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
Verse: Praise him for his mighty acts, praise him according to the abundance of his greatness. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
Verse: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet, praise him with harp and lyre. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
Verse: Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipe. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
Verse: Praise him with tuneful cymbals, praise him with cymbals of joy; let everything that has breath praise the Lord. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
Verse: Praise God in his saints, praise him in the firmament of his power. – O Lord of the powers, be with us…
And at once:
Glory… O Lord, if your saints were not our intercessors, and your goodness did not have pity on us, how would we dare to sing your praise, O Saviour, whom the angels bless without ceasing? You who know the secrets of hearts, have pity on our souls.
Now… My offences have multiplied greatly, O Theotokos; to you I have fled, O pure one, seeking salvation. Visit my feeble soul and plead with your Son and our God to grant me forgiveness for the evil I have done, O you who alone are blessed.
O all-holy Theotokos, do not abandon me through all the years of my life, O intercessor of mankind, but support me and have mercy on me.
All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your protection.
Reader: Lord, have mercy (40 times).
You who at all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified; Christ God, long-suffering, rich in mercy and abounding in compassion, who love the righteous and have mercy on sinners, who call all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come. O Lord, receive our prayers at this hour, and direct our lives towards the keeping of your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, set our thoughts right, cleanse our intentions; deliver us from all sorrow, evil and pain. Surround us with your holy angels, so that, guarded and guided by their host, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of your unapproachable glory, for you are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (3 times). Glory… Now… More honourable than the cherubim… In the name of the Lord, father, bless.
Priest: May God have mercy on us and bless us, and make his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
Then he says the prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, with the three great prostrations:
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, curiosity, lust for power and idle talk.
But grant to me, your servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
Yes, O my King and my God, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers, for you are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
“Holy God…” and what follows, up to “For yours are the kingdom…”
Reader: Amen. Lord, have mercy (12 times).
Prayer to the most holy Theotokos
(By Paul, monk and abbot of the Monastery of the Evergetis)
Spotless Lady, pure Virgin, unblemished Bride of God, free from every stain, who by your wondrous child-bearing united God the Word with mankind and joined the outcast nature of our race to the heavenly ones; hope of those who have no hope but you, help of those who struggle, ready aid of those who run to you, refuge of all Christians: do not reject me, a guilty sinner, wholly defiled by shameful thoughts, words and deeds, who through laziness have become a slave to the pleasures of this life. But since you are the Mother of God who loves mankind, bend down in compassion over me, an exceeding sinner, and accept the prayer I offer you from my unclean lips. With the motherly boldness you have before your Son, our Lord and Master, entreat him to open to me the depths of his love for mankind, his compassion and his goodness, to overlook my countless faults, to bring me back to repentance, and to make me a tried and faithful doer of his commandments. Be always near me, merciful, compassionate and loving one. In this present life, by your fervent intercession and help, ward off from me the evil assaults of the adversary and lead me to salvation. At the departure of my wretched soul, come to my aid and drive far from me the dark visions of evil spirits. And on the dreadful day of judgment, deliver me from eternal punishment and make me an heir of the ineffable honour and glory of your Son and our God, which may I obtain through your mediation and help, O most holy Theotokos, my Lady, by the grace and kindness of your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his love for mankind; to him belong all glory, honour and worship, with his Father who is without beginning and his all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever.
Another prayer, to our Lord Jesus Christ
(By Antiochus the Monk, author of the Pandects)
And grant us, O Master, as we go to sleep, rest of soul and body; keep us from the dark sleep of sin and from every dark desire. Calm the surge of the passions, quench the fiery darts of the evil one that are craftily hurled against us; still the unrest of our flesh and lull to sleep every earthly and fleshly thought. Grant us, O God, a watchful mind, a pure thought, a wakeful heart, and a light sleep, free from every satanic fantasy. Raise us up at the hour of prayer, steadfast in your commandments and holding always within us the remembrance of your judgments. Grant us to sing your glory all night long, to praise, bless and glorify your all-honoured and majestic name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen.
O most glorious, ever-virgin, blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to your Son and our God, and plead with him to save our souls through you.
The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my protection: O Holy Trinity, glory to you.
All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your protection.
Here, during the first week of Lent, the Holy Gospel is read.
Priest: Peace be with all.
Chanter: And with your spirit.
Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.
Chanter: To you, O Lord.
Priest: O Master abounding in mercy, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the intercessions of our all-pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the supplications of the honoured, bodiless powers of heaven; through the prayers of the honoured and glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles; of the holy, glorious and victorious martyrs; of our righteous and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of Christ God, Joachim and Anne; and of all your saints: make our prayers acceptable, grant us forgiveness of our offences, shelter us under the shadow of your wings, drive away from us every enemy and adversary, keep our life in peace, O Lord; have mercy on us and on your world, and save our souls, for you are good and love mankind.
The priest makes a prostration to the ground and says to the brethren: Forgive me, my brothers, a sinner.
The brethren answer: May God forgive you, holy father.
Then the priest says the following petitions, and the people answer each one: “Lord, have mercy”:
- Let us pray for the peace of the world.
- For pious and Orthodox Christians.
- For the success and support of the Christ-loving armed forces.
- For our bishop N. and all our brothers in Christ.
- For our absent fathers and brothers.
- For those who hate us and those who love us.
- For those who show us mercy and those who serve us.
- For those who have asked us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them.
- For the deliverance of captives.
- For those who travel by sea, land and air.
- For those who lie sick.
- Let us pray also for the fruitfulness of the earth.
- And for all our Orthodox fathers and brothers who have fallen asleep before us, who lie here and everywhere.
- Let us also say for ourselves.
Chanter: Lord, have mercy (3 times).
Priest: Forgive, O Lord, those who hate us and wrong us; do good to those who do good; grant our brothers and those close to us all that leads to salvation and life eternal; visit the sick and grant them healing. Guide those at sea, accompany those who travel by land and air; grant forgiveness of sins to those who serve us and show us mercy; and those who have asked us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them, have mercy on them according to your great mercy. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen asleep before us, and give them rest where the light of your face shines. Remember, O Lord, our brothers in captivity, and deliver them from every distress. Remember, O Lord, those who bring offerings and do good works in your holy churches, and grant them all that leads to salvation and life eternal. Remember also us, O Lord, your sinful, lowly and unworthy servants, and guide us in the way of your commandments, through the intercessions of your all-pure Mother, our Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and of all your saints, for you are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
Then one of the following two troparia is sung, according to the day:
Monday and Wednesday (Tone 2):
O good one, protect all who flee with faith to your precious protection; for we sinners, bowed down by the multitude of our faults, have no other constant mediator with God in distress and sorrow but you, O Mother of God Most High. Therefore we fall down before you: deliver your servants from every hardship.
Tuesday and Thursday (Tone 1):
O Christ God, when the Virgin saw your unjust slaughter, she wept and cried out to you: “My most sweet child, how can you die unjustly? How have you been hung on a tree, you who hung the whole earth upon the waters? I beg you, do not leave me alone, your mother and your handmaid, O merciful Benefactor.”
Then the priest concludes:
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
