THIRD HOUR

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

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. [GOA]

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. [GOA]

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 16 (17).

Listen, O Lord of my righteousness; attend to my supplication; give ear to my prayer that is not with deceitful lips. From Your face let my judgment come; let my eyes behold uprightness. You tested my heart, when You visited me in the night; You tried me in the fire, and found nothing unjust in me. That my mouth might not speak of the works of men, I held to hard ways because of the words of Your lips. Restore my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip. I cried out, because You listened to me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my words. Magnify Your mercies, O You who save those who hope in You from those who rise up against Your right hand. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; in the shelter of Your wings, You will shelter me from the face of the ungodly who trouble me. My enemies surrounded my soul; their fat enclosed them; their mouth spoke arrogantly. Casting me out, they now surround me; they set their eyes to bend down to the earth. They seized me like a lion ready to tear its prey, like a young lion lurking in secret places. Arise, O Lord, outrun them and trip up their heels; rescue my soul from the ungodly, and Your sword from the enemies of Your hand. O Lord, destroy them from the earth; scatter them in their life. Their belly is filled with Your hidden things; they are satisfied with their sons, and they leave their possessions to their children. As for me, in righteousness I shall behold Your face; I shall be satisfied when Your glory is revealed. [SAAS]

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 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]

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. (3)

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

And then:

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 3.

Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy. [GOASD]

For the Cross.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [GOA]

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

Theotokion.

Theotokos, you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life. Lady, we fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Apostles and all the saints, that our souls be treated mercifully. [SD]

Blessed is the Lord from day to day; the God of our salvation will bring prosperity upon us; our God is the God Who saves us. [SAAS]

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. [GOA]

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Hypakoe. Mode 3.

Astounding in appearance, refreshing by the words he spoke, the dazzling Angel said to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “Why do you look in a tomb for the One who is alive? He has risen and emptied the tombs. Know that He is the unchanging Changer of death. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! For You have saved the human race.’” [GOASD]

Kontakion.

From Triodion - - -

Grave Mode. Automelon.

The fiery sword is not guarding the entrance to Eden anymore. For it was extinguished in paradoxical manner by the tree of the Cross. The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been stricken. And You, my Savior, came and cried out to those in Hades: Enter again into Paradise. [SD]

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.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

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

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. ( Amen. )

SIXTH HOUR

READER

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 53 (54).

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers rise up against me, and the powerful seek after my soul; they have not set God before them. For behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will return evils to my enemies; utterly destroy them in Your truth. I will sacrifice to You voluntarily; I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good. You delivered me from all my afflictions, and my eye looked upon my enemies. [SAAS]

Psalm 54 (55).

Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not despise my supplication; attend to me, and hear me. I am vexed in my prayer, and troubled by the enemy’s voice and by the sinner’s affliction; for they turned their lawlessness upon me, and in wrath they were indignant with me. My heart was troubled within me, and the terror of death fell on me. Fear and trembling came upon me, and the darkness covered me. I said, “Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly away, and be at rest? Behold, I fled far away, and lodged in the wilderness.” I wait for the One who saves me from faintheartedness and storm. Drown them in the sea, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I see lawlessness and strife in the city. Day and night, it shall surround her upon her walls; lawlessness and trouble and wrongdoing are in her midst; and usury and treachery have not ceased from her squares. For if an enemy reviled me, I would have endured it; and if one hating me boasted against me, I would have hidden from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my guide and my friend, who together with me sweetened our meals; in God’s house we walked in unity. Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades; because evils are in their dwellings, in the very midst of them. But I cried out to God, and the Lord heard me. Evening and morning and midday, I shall tell; I shall proclaim, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from those who draw near to me, for they were with me in abundance. God shall hear, and humble them, He who exists before the ages. For there is no change in them, and they have not feared God. He stretched forth His hand in punishment; they defiled His covenant. They were scattered by the wrath of His face, and His heart drew near; His words were softened above oil, and they are arrows. Cast your care upon the Lord, and He shall support you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, will bring them down into the pit of decay; men of blood and deceit shall not live even half their days. But I will hope in You, O 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. (3)

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

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 3.

Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy. [GOASD]

For the Cross.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [GOA]

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

Theotokion.

Since we may not presume to speak because of our many sins, will you beseech your Son, O Virgin Theotokos. For the request of a mother can do much to pacify the Master. Do not despise the prayers of us sinners, all-noble Lady. He is merciful and able to save us; after all, He accepted to suffer for our sake. [SD]

Let Your mercies quickly overtake us, for we have become very poor. Help us, O God our savior; because of the glory of Your name, O Lord, save us, and be merciful to our sins because of Your name. [SAAS]

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. [GOA]

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Hypakoe. Mode 3.

Astounding in appearance, refreshing by the words he spoke, the dazzling Angel said to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “Why do you look in a tomb for the One who is alive? He has risen and emptied the tombs. Know that He is the unchanging Changer of death. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! For You have saved the human race.’” [GOASD]

Kontakion.

From Triodion - - -

Grave Mode. Automelon.

The fiery sword is not guarding the entrance to Eden anymore. For it was extinguished in paradoxical manner by the tree of the Cross. The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been stricken. And You, my Savior, came and cried out to those in Hades: Enter again into Paradise. [SD]

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.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

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

God and Lord of hosts and Maker of all creation, in Your unfathomable compassion and mercy You sent down Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race; and by His precious Cross You tore up the record of our sins, and triumphed over the principalities and powers of darkness. O benevolent Lord, accept the thanksgiving and fervent prayers even of us sinners. Deliver us from every dark and destructive transgression and from all the visible and invisible enemies that seek to harm us. Nail our flesh with the fear of You, and do not incline our hearts to evil words or thoughts; but rather prick our souls with love for You, so that always looking to You, and guided by Your light, and gazing on You, the eternal and ineffable Light, we may send up unceasing praise and thanksgiving to You, the Father without beginning, and Your Only-Begotten Son, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages. ( Amen. )

If the Ninth Hour is to be appended, the dismissal of the Sixth Hour is omitted, and the Ninth Hour begins immediately at “Holy God…” without “Blessed is our God… Heavenly King…”

READER

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

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

Father, bless!

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

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

CHOIR

Amen.