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Horologion

Great Compline

Triodion

On Monday of the First Week at Compline.

__________

GREAT COMPLINE

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Glory to You, O God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever 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; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER

Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 4.

You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. How long, O you sons of men, will you be slow of heart? Why do you love vain things and seek after lies? Know that the Lord made His Holy One wondrous; the Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. Be angry, and do not sin; have remorse upon your beds for what you say in your hearts. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the Lord. There are many who say, “Who will show us good things?” O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. You put gladness in my heart; from their season of wheat, wine, and oil they were multiplied. I will both sleep and rest in peace, for You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope. [SAAS]

Psalm 6.

O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled; and my soul is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, and deliver my soul. Save me because of Your mercy for there is no remembrance of You in death; and in Hades who will give thanks to You? I am weary with my groaning; every single night I will dampen my bed; I will drench my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled by anger; I grow old among all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of lawlessness; for the Lord heard the voice of my weeping; the Lord heard my supplication; the Lord received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be suddenly ashamed. [SAAS]

Psalm 12 (13).

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me to the end? How long will You turn Your face from me? How long will I take counsel in my soul, having grief in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Look upon me and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I prevailed against him”; those who afflict me greatly rejoice, if I am shaken. But I hope in Your mercy; my heart shall greatly rejoice in Your salvation; I will sing to the Lord, who shows kindness to me; I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 24 (25).

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God. I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies laugh at me. For all who wait upon You shall not be ashamed; let those be ashamed who act lawlessly in vain. Make known Your ways to me, O Lord, and teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, and on You I wait all the day. Remember Your compassion, O Lord, and Your mercy, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor of my ignorance; but remember me according to Your mercy, because of Your loving-kindness, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He will instruct sinners in His way. He will guide the gentle in judgment; He will teach the gentle His ways. All the ways 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 instruct him in the way He chooses. His soul shall dwell among good things; his seed shall inherit the earth. The Lord is the strength of those who fear Him, and to those who fear Him, His name is the Lord, and He will show them His covenant. My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the trap. Look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am only-begotten and poor. The afflictions of my heart have been widened; bring me out of my distresses. Look on my humiliation and my pain and forgive all my sins. Look on my enemies, because they multiply, and they hate me with unjustified hatred. Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, because I hope in You. The innocent and the upright cleave to me because I wait upon You, O Lord. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his afflictions. [SAAS]

Psalm 30 (31).

In You, O Lord, I hope; may I not be ashamed forever; in Your righteousness deliver and rescue me. Incline Your ear to me; rescue me speedily; be to me a God who protects me, and a house of refuge to save me. For You are my strength and my refuge, and for Your name’s sake You will guide and sustain me; for You will bring me out from the snare they hid for me; for You are my protector. Into Your hands I shall entrust my spirit; You redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. You hate those who maintain their empty vanities, but I hope in the Lord. I will greatly rejoice and be glad because of Your mercy, for You beheld my humiliation; You saved my soul from distress, and did not shut me up into the hands of the enemy; You set my feet in a wide place. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am afflicted; my eye is troubled with anger; so are my soul and my stomach. For my life is wasted with grief and my years with sighing; my strength is weakened with poverty, and my bones are troubled. I became a reproach among all my enemies, and especially to all my neighbors, and a fear to all my acquaintances; those who saw me outside fled from me. I am forgotten like one whose heart is lifeless; I was made like a vessel that is utterly broken. For I heard the blame of many who dwell round about when they were gathered together against me, when they plotted to take my life. But as for me, I hope in You, O Lord; I said, “You are my God.” My times are 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, do not let me be ashamed, because I call upon You; let the ungodly be ashamed, and lead them down into Hades. Let deceitful lips become speechless when they speak lawlessness against the righteous with arrogance and contempt. How great, O Lord, is the abundance of Your goodness You hide for those who fear You, which You will work for those who hope in You in the sight of the sons of men. You shall hide them in the secret of Your presence from the disturbance of men; You will shelter them in Your tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues. Blessed is the Lord, for He magnified His mercy in a fortified city. But I said in my ecstasy, “Indeed, I am cast away from the countenance of Your eyes.” Therefore 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 He repays those who act with great arrogance. Be courageous, and let your heart be strengthened, all who hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Psalm 90 (91).

He who dwells in the help of the Most High shall lodge in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say to the Lord, “You are my protector and my refuge, my God; I will hope in Him; for He shall free me from the snare of the hunters, and from every troubling word.” He shall overshadow you with His shoulders, and under His wings you shall hope; His truth shall encircle you with a shield. You shall not be frightened by fear at night, nor from an arrow that flies by day, nor by a thing moving in darkness, nor by mishap and a demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, yet it shall not come near you; but you shall observe with your eyes, and you shall see the reward of sinners. For You, O Lord, are my hope; You made the Most High your refuge. Evils shall not come to you, and a scourge shall not draw near your dwelling; for He shall command His angels concerning you, to keep you in all your ways; in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone; You shall tread upon the asp and the basilisk, and you shall trample the lion and the dragon. “For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him, because he knew My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him; I am with him in affliction, and I will deliver and glorify him. With length of days I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

God is with us. Know this, O Gentiles, and be defeated. For God is with us. [SAAS]

Give ear, all you to the very ends of the earth. For God is with us.

Be defeated although you are strong. For God is with us.

For even if you should be strong again, you will be defeated again. For God is with us.

Then too, whatever counsel you take, the Lord will scatter it abroad. For God is with us.

And whatever word you shall speak, it will not continue among you. For God is with us.

But do not be afraid of their terror, nor be troubled. For God is with us.

Sanctify the Lord Himself, and He shall be your fear. For God is with us.

So if you trust in Him, He shall be as a sanctuary for you. For God is with us.

I shall wait for God, and I will trust in Him. For God is with us.

Behold, I and the children God gave me. For God is with us.

A people who walk in darkness, behold a great light. For God is with us.

And you who dwell in the country of the shadow of death, upon you a light will shine. For God is with us.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. For God is with us.

And the government will be upon His shoulder. For God is with us.

And of His peace there is no end. For God is with us.

His name will be called the Angel of Great Counsel. For God is with us.

Wonderful Counselor. For God is with us.

Mighty God, Master, Prince of Peace. For God is with us.

Father of the age to come. For God is with us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. For God is with us.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. For God is with us.

God is with us. Know this, O Gentiles, and be defeated.

For God is with us.

READER (intoned)

Having passed the day, I give thanks to you, Lord; and I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night without sin, O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now that the day has gone by, I glorify you, Master; I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night without sin, O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Having traversed the day, I sing hymns to you, O Holy One; I ask of you to grant me the evening and the night free of plots, * O my Savior, and save me. [HC]

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

As a bodiless nature, the Cherubim * ever glorify You with unceasing hymns; [SD]

And the six-winged beings, the Seraphim, * also highly exalt You with endless voice;

The entire array of angelic hosts * sings its praises of You with thrice-holy hymns.

You, O Father, existing before all things, * have Your Son unoriginate with yourself,

And the equally honored Spirit of life; * thus You show that inseparable are the Three.

O all-holy and virgin Mother of God * and you servants and witnesses of the Word,

With the choirs of prophets and martyred saints, * all of you who enjoy everlasting life:

Intercede in great earnest on our behalf, * inasmuch as we all are in dire straits;

So that all of us, freed now from the deceit * of the devil, may sing the angelic hymn:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Thrice-holy Lord, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

READER

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father 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. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator 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 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. [GOA]

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

O all-holy Lady and Theotokos, intercede for us sinners. (3) [SD]

All you heavenly Hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, intercede for us sinners. (2)

Saint John the Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for us sinners. (2)

Holy, glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and all Saints, intercede for us sinners. (2)

Devout, God-bearing Fathers, Shepherds, and Teachers of the whole world, intercede for us sinners. (2)

(local patron saint), intercede for us sinners. (2)

O invincible and indestructible and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross, do not abandon us sinners. (2)

God, be gracious to us sinners. (2)

God, be gracious to us sinners, and have mercy on us.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever 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; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

READER (read)

Mode 2.

Illumine my eyes, O Christ, my God, lest I sleep to death; lest my enemy say: “I prevailed over him.” [HC]

Glory.

O God, be the protector of my soul, for I walk in the midst of many snares; deliver me from them and save me, O gracious one, as a good friend of man. [HC]

Both now. Theotokion.

Since we have no standing because of our many sins, urgently plead with him who was born of you, O Virgin Theotokos; for the pleadings of a Mother have much weight toward the favor of the Master; do not overlook the pleas of us sinners, O most venerable one, for he who condescended to suffer for us in the flesh is merciful and has the power to save us. [HC]

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

( Amen. )

Prayer of St. Basil

Lord, Lord, who have delivered us from every arrow that flies by day, deliver us from anything that lurks about in darkness. Accept the lifting of our hands as an evening sacrifice. Make us worthy to traverse the time of night blamelessly, untouched by evil, and redeem us from every disturbance and fear caused by the devil. Grant contrition to our souls and concern to our minds about the accounting at your awesome and just judgment. Nail down our bodies with your fear, and deaden our earthly members, so that even in the quiet of our slumber we may be enlightened by the contemplation of your ordinances. Keep away from us every indecent fantasy and harmful desire. Awaken us in the time of prayer rooted in the faith, and thriving in your instructions; through the good will and goodness of your only-begotten Son with whom you are blessed, together with your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

READER

Amen.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, 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. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Psalm 101 (102).

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. Do not turn Your face from me; in the day when I am afflicted, incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call upon You, hear me quickly. For my days vanished like smoke, and my bones burned up like firewood. I was cut down like grass, and my heart became withered, for I forgot to eat my bread. Because of the sound of my groaning, my bones cleaved to my flesh. I have become like a pelican in a desert; I have become like an owl in a ruined house; I kept watch, and have become like a sparrow alone on a housetop. My enemies reproached me all day long, and those who praised me swore against me. For I ate ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with weeping because of the wrath of Your countenance and Your anger; for You lifted me up and broke me down. My days were far spent like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But You, O Lord, remain forever, and Your remembrance is from generation to generation. When You rise up, You shall have compassion on Zion, for it is time to have compassion on her, because the time is come; for Your servants took pleasure in her stones, and they shall have compassion for her dust. And the Gentiles shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory; for the Lord shall build Zion, and He shall be seen in His glory. He regarded the prayer of the humble, and He did not despise their supplication. Let this be written for another generation, and the people who are created shall praise the Lord; for He looked down from the height of His holy place; the Lord looked upon the earth from heaven, to hear the groaning of those bound, to set free the sons of the slain, to declare the Lord’s name in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples and the kingdoms are gathered together to serve the Lord. He replied to Him in the way of strength, “Declare to me the fewness of my days; take me not away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. In the beginning, O Lord, You founded the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. They shall perish, but You shall remain, and all things shall grow old like a garment, and like a cloak You shall change them, and they shall be changed; but You are the same, and Your years shall not fail. The children of Your servants shall dwell there, and their seed shall be led to prosperity forever.” [SAAS]

PRIEST

Prayer of Manasses, King of Judah

O Lord, Almighty, the God of our Fathers, of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and of their righteous seed; who created the heaven and the earth with all their adornment; who bound the sea by the word of your command; who shut up the abyss and sealed it with your awesome and glorious name; whom all things dread and before whose power they tremble, because the majesty of your glory is unbearable and the threat of your anger against the sinners unendurable; yet the mercy of your promise is both, immeasurable and unfathomable, for you are the Lord most high, compassionate, long-suffering and all merciful, and relent on the wickedness of man. You, Lord, in the multitude of your goodness promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against you, and in your infinite compassion appointed repentance for sinners that they may be saved. Therefore, Lord, the God of the powers, you have not appointed repentance for the righteous, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who have not sinned against you, but you appointed repentance for me the sinner, for I have committed more sins than the grains of the sand of the sea. My transgressions have multiplied, Lord; my transgressions have multiplied, and I am not worthy to look up and see the height of the sky from the multitude of my iniquities, being weighted down by many iron chains, so that I cannot raise my head; there is no respite left for me because I provoked your anger and committed evil before you not having done your will and not having kept your commandments. And now I bend the knee of my heart, beseeching your goodness. I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned and I acknowledge my transgressions; but I beg and ask of you: Forgive me, Lord, forgive me and do not destroy me with my transgressions; do not be angry with me forever and keep my evils in me, and do not condemn me to the depths of the earth; for you are God, the God of those who repent, and in me you shall show all your goodness; for even though I am unworthy, you shall save me according to the multitude of your mercy, and I shall praise you without ceasing all the days of my life. For every heavenly power sings your praises, and yours is the glory unto the ages of ages. [HC]

( Amen. )

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever 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; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHANTER

Mode pl. 2.

Have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us. For with nothing to say in our own defense, we sinners offer this supplication to you our Master. Have mercy on us. [SD]

Glory.

Lord have mercy on us, for in You we trust. Be not enraged with us greatly, nor remember our iniquities. But look upon us now, being compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us the work of Your hands, and now we have invoked Your name. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Open the gate of compassion for us, O blessed Theotokos. For hoping in you, let us not fail in our aim. Through you may we be delivered from adversities. For you are the salvation of the Christian race. [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

( Amen. )

Prayer of St. Mardarios

O Master God, Father Almighty, only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit: One Godhead, One Power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and in your knowing ways save me, your unworthy servant; for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. [HC]

READER

Amen.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 69 (70).

O God, [give heed] to help me. [O Lord, make haste to help me.] May those who seek my soul be dishonored and shamed; may those who plot evils against me be turned back and disgraced; may those be turned back immediately who shame me, saying, “Well done! Well done!” May all who seek You greatly rejoice and be glad in You, and let those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified.” But I am poor and needy; O God, help me. You are my helper and deliverer, O Lord; do not delay. [SAAS]

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. [SAAS]

Doxology

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every evening I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this night we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. [HC]

In the first week of Lent, we sing the section of the Great Canon appointed for each day, prefacing each Troparion with the verse: “Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.” After Ode vi, we sing the Kontakion slowly and melodically. At the end of Ode ix, we sing its Heirmos again.

CHOIR

Ode i. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

He became for me a helper and a shelterer for salvation. * He is my God, and I will glorify Him, * the God of my father, and Him will I exalt, * for He is greatly glorified. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Where shall I begin to weep for the actions of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, in this my lamentation? But in Your compassion grant me forgiveness of sins. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Come, wretched soul, with your flesh to the Creator of all. Make confession to Him, and abstain henceforth from your past brutishness; and offer to God tears of repentance. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have rivaled in transgression Adam the first-formed man, and I have found myself stripped naked of God, of the eternal Kingdom and its joy, because of my sins. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Woe to you, miserable soul! How like you are to the first Eve! For you looked in wickedness and were grievously wounded; you have touched the tree and rashly tasted the deceptive food. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Instead of the visible Eve, I have the Eve of the mind: the passionate thought in my flesh, showing me what seems sweet; yet whenever I taste from it, I find it bitter. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Adam was justly banished from Eden because he disobeyed one commandment of Yours, O Savior. What then shall I suffer, for I am always rejecting Your words of life? [un]

Glory.

Trinity beyond all being, worshipped in Unity, take from me the heavy yoke of sin, and in Your compassion grant me tears of compunction. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos, the hope and protection of those who sing your praises, take from me the heavy yoke of sin. O pure Lady, accept me in repentance. [un]

Ode ii. Heirmos.

Attend, O Heaven, and I shall speak and sing in praise of Christ Who took flesh from a Virgin and came to dwell among us. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Attend, O Heaven, and I shall speak; give ear, O earth, to the voice of one who repents before God and sings His praise. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Look upon me, God my Savior, with Your merciful eye, and accept my fervent confession. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

More than all men I have sinned; I alone have sinned against You. But as God take pity on Your creation, O Savior. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With my lustful desires I formed within myself the deformity of the passions and disfigured the beauty of my mind. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I am surrounded by the storm of sin, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Your hand to me, as once You did to Peter. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have stained the garment of my flesh, O Savior, and defiled that which was made in Your image and likeness. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With the lusts of passion I have darkened the beauty of my soul, and turned my whole mind entirely into earth. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have torn the first garment that the Creator wove for me in the beginning, and now I lie naked. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have clothed myself in the torn coat that the serpent wove for me by his counsel, and I am ashamed. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I offer to You, O merciful Lord, the tears of the Harlot. Take pity on me, O Savior, in Your compassion. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I looked upon the beauty of the tree and my mind was deceived, and now I lie naked and ashamed. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

All the ruling passions have ploughed upon my back, making long furrows of wickedness. [un]

Glory.

I sing Your praises, One in Three Persons, God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos undefiled, Virgin alone worthy of all praise, intercede fervently for our salvation. [un]

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Upon the unshaken rock of Your commandments, O Christ, make firm Your Church.

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, the Lord once rained down fire from Heaven and consumed the land of Sodom. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, flee like Lot to the mountain, and take refuge in Zoar before it is too late. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Flee from the flames, O my soul, flee from the burning heat of Sodom, flee from destruction by the fire of God. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I alone have sinned against You, I have sinned more than all men; reject me not, O Christ my Savior. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You are the Good Shepherd: seek me, the lamb that has strayed, and do not forget me. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

You are my beloved Jesus, You are my Creator; in You shall I be justified, O Savior. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I confess to You, O Savior: I have sinned, I have sinned against You. But in Your compassion absolve and forgive me. [un]

Glory.

O God, Trinity in Unity, save us from error and temptation and distress. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, Womb that held God! Rejoice, throne of the Lord! Rejoice, Mother of our Life! [un]

Ode iv. Heirmos.

On hearing about Your advent, * O Lord, the Prophet Habakkuk of old was frightened: * that You purposed from a Virgin to be born * and appear to humankind. And thus he said: * O Lord, I have heard Your report and I am frightened. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O righteous Judge, despise not Your works; forsake not Your creation. I have sinned as a man, I alone, more than any other man, O You Who love mankind. But as Lord of all You have the power to pardon sins. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The end draws near, my soul, the end draws near; yet you do not care or make ready. The time grows short, rise up: the Judge is at the door. The days of our life pass swiftly, as a dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain? [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Awake, my soul, consider the actions which you have done; set them before your eyes, and let the drops of your tears fall. With boldness tell Christ of your deeds and thoughts, and so be justified. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

No sin has there been in life, no evil deed, no wickedness, that I have not committed, O Savior. I have sinned as no one ever before, in mind, word and intent, in disposition, thought and act. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

For this I am condemned in my misery, for this I am convicted by the verdict of my own conscience, which is more compelling than all else in the world. O my Judge and Redeemer, Who know my heart, spare and deliver and save me in my wretchedness. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The ladder which the great Patriarch Jacob saw of old is an example, O my soul, of approach through action and of ascent in knowledge. If then you wish to live rightly in action and knowledge and contemplation, be you made new. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In privation Jacob the Patriarch endured the burning heat by day and the frost by night, making daily gains of sheep and cattle, shepherding, wrestling, and serving, to win his two wives. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

By the two wives, understand action and knowledge in contemplation. Leah is action, for she had many children; and Rachel is knowledge, for she endured great toil. For without toil, O my soul, neither action nor contemplation will succeed. [un]

Glory.

Undivided in Essence, unconfused in Persons, I confess You as God: Triune Deity, one in kingship and throne; and to You I raise the great thrice-holy hymn that is sung on high. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

You give birth and are a virgin, and in both you remain by nature inviolate. He Who is born makes new the laws of nature, and the womb brings forth without travail. When God so wills, the natural order is overcome; for He does whatever He wishes. [un]

Ode v. Heirmos.

Early in the morning when I rise from night, * give me Your light, I pray, * and direct me in the way of Your divine commandments, * and teach me always to do Your will, O gracious Master. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In night have I passed all my life: for the night of sin has covered me with darkness and thick mist. But make me, O Savior, a son of the day. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

In my misery I followed Reuben’s example, and devised a wicked and unlawful plan against the most-high God, defiling my bed as he defiled his father’s. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I confess to You, O Christ my King: I have sinned; I have sinned like the brethren of Joseph, who once sold the fruit of purity and chastity. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

As a figure of the Lord, O my soul, the righteous and gentle Joseph was sold into bondage by his brethren; but you sold yourself entirely to your sins. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O miserable and wicked soul, imitate the righteous and pure mind of Joseph; and do not live in wantonness, sinfully indulging your disordered desires. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Once Joseph was cast into a pit, O Lord and Master, as a figure of Your Burial and Resurrection. But what offering such as this shall I ever make to You? [un]

Glory.

We glorify You, O Trinity, the one God. Holy, holy, holy, are You: Father, Son, and Spirit, simple Essence and Unity, worshipped forever. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin inviolate and Mother who has not known man, from you has God, the Creator of the ages, taken human flesh, uniting to Himself the nature of men. [un]

Ode vi. Heirmos.

I cried aloud and shouted with all my heart * unto the tender-loving God, * and He heard my voice from the lowest depths of Hades, * and He raised my life from the pit of corruption. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I offer to You in purity, O Savior, the tears of my eyes and groanings from the depths of my heart, crying: “I have sinned against You, O God; be merciful to me.” [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Like Dathan and Abiram, O my soul, you have become a stranger to your Lord; but from the lowest depth of hell cry out, “Spare me,” that the earth may not open and swallow you up. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Raging as a maddened heifer, O my soul, you have become like Ephrem. So rescue your life, like a hart from the nets, gaining wings through action and the mind’s contemplation. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O my soul, the hand of Moses shall be our assurance, proving how God can cleanse a life full of leprosy and make it white as snow. So do not despair of yourself, though you are leprous. [un]

Glory.

“I am the Trinity, simple and undivided, yet divided in Persons, and I am the Unity by Nature one,” says the Father and the Son and the divine Spirit. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

Your womb bore God for us, fashioned in our shape. O Theotokos, pray to Him as the Creator of all, that we may be justified through your intercessions. [un]

Then we sing the following slowly.

Kontakion. Mode pl. 2.

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why are you sleeping? The end draws near and soon you shall be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ your God may spare you, for He is everywhere present and fills all things. [un]

Ode vii. Heirmos.

We sinned, O Lord, and we broke Your law, * we behaved unrighteously before You, * and neither have we kept Your word, nor acted according to the way You commanded for us. * Yet, O God of the fathers, we pray, do not utterly deliver us up. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have sinned, I have offended, and I have set aside Your commandments, for in sins have I progressed, and to my sores I have added wounds. But in Your compassion have mercy upon me, O God of our fathers. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The secrets of my heart have I confessed to You, my Judge. See my abasement, see my affliction, and attend to my judgment now; and in Your compassion have mercy upon me, O God of our fathers. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

When Saul once lost his father’s asses, in searching for them he found himself proclaimed as king. But watch, my soul, lest unknown to yourself you prefer your animal appetites to the Kingdom of Christ. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David, the forefather of God, once sinned doubly, pierced with the arrow of adultery and the spear of murder. But you, my soul, are more gravely sick than he, for worse than any acts are the impulses of your will. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David once joined sin to sin, adding murder to fornication; yet then he showed at once a twofold repentance. But you, my soul, have done worse things than he, yet you have not repented before God. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

David once composed a hymn, depicting the action he had done; and he condemned it, crying: “Have mercy on me, for against You only have I sinned, O God of all. Cleanse me.” [un]

Glory.

O simple and undivided Trinity, O holy and consubstantial Unity: You are praised as Light and Lights, one Holy and three Holies. Sing, O my soul, and glorify Life and Lives, the God of all. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

We praise you, we bless you, we venerate you, O Mother of God: for you gave birth to One of the undivided Trinity, your Son and God, and you opened the heavenly places to us on earth. [un]

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Him whom the hosts of the heavens glorify, * at whom quake the Cherubim and the Seraphim, * every breath and creation, * extol Him now and bless Him, * and exalt supremely, unto all the ages. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have sinned, O Savior, have mercy on me. Awaken my mind and turn me back; accept me in repentance and take pity on me as I cry: I have sinned against You, save me; I have done evil, have mercy on me. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Riding in the chariot of the virtues, Elijah was lifted up to Heaven, high above earthly things. Reflect, O my soul, on his ascent. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Elisha once took up the mantle of Elijah, and received a double portion of grace from the Lord: but in this grace, my soul, you have no share, because of your greed and uncontrolled desires. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

With the mantle of Elijah, Elisha made the stream of Jordan stand still on either side: but in this grace, my soul, you have no share, because of your greed and uncontrolled desires. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Shunammite woman gladly entertained the righteous Prophet: but in your house, my soul, you have not welcomed stranger or traveler; and so you shall be cast out weeping from the bridal chamber. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

O wretched soul, you have always imitated the unclean thoughts of Gehazi. Cast from you, at least in your old age, his love of money. Flee from the fire of hell, turning away from your wickedness. [un]

We bless Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Father without beginning, coeternal Son, and loving Comforter, the Spirit of righteousness; Begetter of the Word of God, Word of the eternal Father, Spirit living and creative: O Trinity in Unity, have mercy on me. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

As from purple silk, O undefiled Virgin, the spiritual robe of Emmanuel, His flesh, was woven in your womb. Therefore, we honor you as Theotokos in very truth. [un]

Ode ix. Heirmos.

The birth is ineffable, conceived without the seed of man; the unwed Mother’s * childbirth was free of all corruption. The birth of God * makes new again the natures. * And thus, in Orthodox manner all * generations magnify you as the Mother and the Bride of God. (2)

Troparia.

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

My mind is wounded, my body has grown feeble, my spirit is sick, my speech has lost its power, my life is dead; the end is at the door. What shall you do, then, miserable soul, when the Judge comes to examine your deeds? [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I have put before you, my soul, Moses’ account of the creation of the world, and after that all the recognized Scriptures that tell you the story of the righteous and the wicked. But you, my soul, have followed the second of these, not the first, and have sinned against God. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Law is powerless, the Gospel is of no effect, and the whole of Scripture is ignored by you; the prophets and all the words of the righteous are useless. Your wounds, my soul, have been multiplied, and there is no physician to heal you. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

I bring you, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead you to compunction. Follow the example of the righteous, turn away from the sinful, and through prayers and fasting, through chastity and reverence, win back Christ’s mercy. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ became a child and shared in my flesh; and willingly He performed all that belongs to my nature, only without sin. He set before you, my soul, an example and image of His condescension. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ became man, calling to repentance thieves and harlots. Repent, my soul: the door of the Kingdom is already open, and Pharisees and publicans and adulterers pass through it before you, changing their life. [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

Christ saved the Wise Men and called the Shepherds; He revealed as martyrs a multitude of young children; He glorified the Elder and the aged Widow. But you, my soul, have not followed their lives and actions. Woe to you when you are judged! [un]

Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me.

The Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness, and at the end of them He was hungry, thus showing that He is man. Do not be dismayed, my soul! If the enemy attacks you, through prayer and fasting drive him away. [un]

Glory.

Trinity in one Essence, Unity in three Persons, we sing Your praises; we glorify the Father, we magnify the Son, we worship the Holy Spirit, truly one God by nature, Life and Lives, Kingdom without end. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

Watch over Your city, all-pure Mother of God. For by you she reigns in faith, by you she is made strong; by you she is victorious, putting to flight every temptation, despoiling the enemy and ruling her subjects. [un]

Holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

Venerable Andrew, father thrice-blessed, pastor of Crete, cease not to offer prayer for us who sing your praises; that we may be delivered from all danger and distress, from corruption and sin, who honor your memory with faith. [un]

Heirmos.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever 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; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2. or: Mode pl. 4.

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You. Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

Praise God in His saints. [SAAS]

Praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

Lord of the Powers, be with us; for no other helper do we have in tribulations, but You… Lord of the Powers, have mercy on us. [SD]

CHANTER

Mode 2. (intoned)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord, if we did not have Your Saints as intercessors, and Your benevolence being compassionate towards us, how would we dare to extol You, O Savior, whom the Angels bless unceasingly? O Master who know our hearts, we pray You to spare our souls. [SD]

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, my offenses are indeed very many. * To you I run, O Maiden pure, and I pray for salvation. * Visit my infirm and ailing soul, * and pray for me to your Son and our God, * to grant to me forgiveness for the evils I have done, O only blessed Lady. [SD]

CHOIR

Mode 2.

O all-holy Theotokos, during my lifetime, I pray do not abandon me, nor entrust me to merely human protection; rather you help me yourself and have mercy on me. [SD]

O Mother of God, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter. [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (40)

O Christ our God, who at all times and at every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified, long suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love the just and show mercy to the sinners; who call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do You, the same Lord, receive also our supplications at this present time, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with Your holy Angels so that being guarded and guided by their presence, we may arrive at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your ineffable glory; for blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen. [HC]

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.

READER

Amen.

PRIEST

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever 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; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Prayer to the Virgin

by Paul the Monk of the Monastery of Evergetis

O spotless, unstained, incorruptible, undefiled, pure Virgin, Lady Bride of God, who through your wondrous birth-giving united God the Word with mankind, and linked the fallen nature of our human race with the heavenly; the only hope of the hopeless and the help of the persecuted; the ready support of those who seek refuge in you, and the shelter of all the Christians: do not despise me, the wretched sinner who have defiled myself with shameful thoughts and words and deeds, and through negligence of thought have become slave to the pleasures of life. But as the Mother of our compassionate God, and a friend of man, have compassion on me the sinner and prodigal, and accept this prayer from my impure lips; and using your motherly standing, entreat your Son and our Master and Lord to open unto me the depths of his loving goodness and, overlooking my innumerable faults, to return me to repentance and make me a worthy servant of his commandments. Stand by me forever; in this life as a merciful and compassionate and good and lovingly warm protector and helper, by repulsing the assaults of the adversary and leading me toward salvation; and at the time of my death, by embracing my miserable soul and driving far away from it the dark faces of the evil demons; and at the awesome day of judgment by redeeming me from eternal hell, and proclaiming me an heir of the ineffable glory of your Son and our God. May I enjoy such fate, my Lady, most-holy Theotokos, through your intercession and protection; through the grace and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. To whom belong all glory, honor and worship, together with his beginningless Father, and the all holy and good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. [HC]

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ

by Antiochus, Monk of Pandektos

And grant to us, Master, as we depart for sleep, rest of body and soul, and preserve us from the gloomy slumber of sin, and from every dark and nocturnal pleasure. Arrest the drives of passion; extinguish the burning arrows of the Evil One which insidiously fly in our direction; suppress the rebellions of our flesh, and calm our every earthly and material thought. And grant to us, O God, alert mind, prudent thinking, sober heart, light sleep free of any satanic fantasy. Awaken us at the time of prayer rooted in your commandments and having unbroken within us the remembrance of your ordinances. Grant that we may sing your glory through the night by praising and blessing and glorifying your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. [HC]

Most glorious, ever virgin, blessed Theotokos, bring our prayer before your Son and our God, and entreat him, through you, to save our souls. [HC]

The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my shelter, Holy Trinity, glory to you. [HC]

O Mother of God, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter. [SD]

In the first week of Lent (starting on Clean Monday), the priest now reads the appointed Gospel reading from the Beautiful Gate.

The Gospel

PRIEST

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST

21:8–36

And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

PRIEST

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.

CHOIR

Amen.

Let us pray for the peace of the world.

CHOIR (intoned after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For the pious and Orthodox Christians.

For our our Archbishop (name).

For our nation.

For the armed forces.

For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.

For those who help us and those who serve us.

For those who hate us and those who love us.

For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.

For the release of the captives.

For those sailing the seas.

For those laid up with illnesses.

Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.

And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.

Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

CHOIR

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

All those who for refuge flee with faith * unto you, O good one, you shelter beneath your mighty hand. * We your servants have no other intercessor like you * always praying to God for us * in dangers and sorrows, * sinners that we are, bent down because of many misdeeds. * Therefore, we fall prostrate before you. * Rescue us from every affliction, * since you are the Mother of the Most High God. [SD]

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

( Amen. )