Each month we hope to publish the Troparia for the Saints of the month as they are found in the Greek editions of the Mega Horologion, or Large Book of Hours. The texts for each day are traditionally accompanied by brief notes on the Saints or events commemorated, and they provide a sort of miniature Synaxarion, though their historical reliability is often uncertain, to say the least.

There is much variation among the different editions of the Book of Hours in the texts of the Apolytikia. This is due in part to the increasing tendency to provide each Saint with an individual Apolytikion, where the older books give the general Apolytikion for the particular class of Saint. This tendency culminated in the work of the late Fr Gerasimos of the Skete of Little Saint Anne on Mount Athos, who provided special texts for every Saint included in the book. These are given as alternatives in the current edition published by the Apostoliki Diakonia in Athens. The present translation is conservative and limits the special Apolytikia to a minimum.

Unlike the Apolytikia, there are no common Kontakia and the texts given in the various editions of the Menaia and the Book of Hours often vary widely.

The Saints who have hymns in the Book of Hours represent but a tiny fraction of those commemorated by name only in the daily Synaxarion that is read at Matins after the Kontakion. I hope to begin work on these soon, but it will take some time to complete.

The present translations are based on three editions: 1] that published by the Apostoliki Diakonia in 1974, 2] that published by Astir in 1974, which is a reprint of the Venetian edition of 1856, with an Appendix containing the additions by Fr Gerasimos: 3] that published by Phos in 1975, which claims to be ’according to the edition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’. It is most ’archaic’ of the three.

Where possible the translations are taken from the edition of the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (OUP 1995) and from An Orthodox Prayer Book, published by OUP in May 1999 [ISBN 0-19-122447-2].

This translation of the Office of Vespers for Sundays and Feasts is intended as a practical edition for use in church, or by groups and individuals who wish to pray using the traditional prayers of the Church. The rubrics are therefore reasonably full, though it is not practical to cover every possible situation that may arise.

The underlying Typikon is that of the Holy Mountain of Athos and in most parishes some curtailment may be called for, such as the omission of the reading of the First Kathisma of the Psalter. On the other hand, the common practice of omitting most of the verses of the Lamp-lighting Psalms is most regrettable and should be avoided if possible.

There are a number of differences in Russian use, but these are mostly minor. For example, before the Prokeimenon the Priest greets the People, as at the Liturgy, and the Prokeimenon itself is a dialogue between the Deacon and Choir, and not between the Canonarch or Reader and the Singers, as in Athonite use. O Joyful Light and Now, Master are usually sung by the Choir rather than being recited by the Superior. Other differences have more to do with the fact that most Russian churches celebrate a highly abbreviated ‘All-night Vigil’ on Saturday evenings, rather than Vespers only.

Technical jargon has been kept to a minimum, but a few words are explained in a short Glossary at the end. In the text these are underlined. There is as yet no generally agreed practice as to which technical terms should be anglicised and which left in their Greek or Slav dress. As in Church Slavonic, no doubt some words will be retained in their Greek form, e.g. Kathisma, while others will in the end be anglicised, e.g. prostration for a full metania.

The Psalms have been translated from the Septuagint because this has been the Church’s Psalter for nearly two thousand years and the prayers and hymns of the Church are frequently little more than a mosaic of words and phrases from it. The use of any other Psalter obscures or destroys many of these intentional echoes and cross references. Since this is a practical edition scriptural and other references have not been given in footnotes. In the future it may be possible to provide an edition with these, together with a brief commentary.

For completeness, we have included the text of the Ninth Hour, which should immediately precede Vespers.

In an Appendix we note the differences for the celebration of Daily Vespers, since these are not numerous. Another Appendix gives the ending of Vespers on Sundays in Lent. We hope in due course to produce a booklet with the details of Daily Vespers in Lent. As it is easy with modern equipment to produce this separately, we believe it is preferable to do so, rather than have a book where every other paragraph begins ‘But if it is…’.

The text of the Litanies and other hymns and prayers which occur in the Divine Liturgy are taken from the bilingual edition of the Liturgy published with the blessing of the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.

After the Dismissal of the Ninth Hour the Priest and Deacon, having made a metania to the Bishop’s stall, venerated the icons and bowed to the two Choirs, enter the Sanctuary by the side doors. They make three bows to the Holy Table and the Priest kisses the Holy Table and the Gospel.

Then, vested in the Epitrachelion, he opens the curtain of the Holy Doors and, standing uncovered in front of the Holy Table, gives the blessing as follows:

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

Amen.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King and our God.

Bless the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, you have been greatly magnified. You have clothed yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, wrapping yourself in light as in a cloak, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, roofing his upper chambers with waters, placing clouds as his mount, walking on the wings of the wind, making spirits his Angels and a flame of fire his Ministers, establishing the earth on its sure base; it will not be moved to age on age. The deep, like a cloak, is its mantle; waters will stand upon the mountains. At your rebuke they will flee; they will quail at the voice of your thunder. The mountains will rise and the plains descend to the place which you established for them. You fixed a limit that they will not pass, nor will they return to cover the earth. You send out springs into the valleys; waters will run between the mountains. They will give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will await them to quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air will make their dwelling: and sing among the rocks. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth will be filled from the fruit of your works. He makes grass spring up for the cattle, and green herb for the service of mankind; to bring food out of the earth, and wine makes glad the human heart; to make the face cheerful with oil, and bread strengthens the human heart. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that you planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; the heron’s dwelling is at their head. The high mountains are for the deer; rocks a refuge for hares. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knew the hour of its setting. You appointed darkness, and it was night, in which all the beasts of the forest will prowl; young lions roaring to plunder and to seek their food from God. The sun rose and they were gathered together and they will lie down in their dens. Man will go out to his labour; and to his labouring until evening. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all, and the earth was filled with your creation. See, this great, wide sea; there there are creeping things without number, living creatures small and great. There ships go to and fro; this dragon which you fashioned to sport in it. All things look to you to give them their food in due season. When you give it them, they will gather it.

If the Anixantaria are to be sung, the Reader only reads as far as this.

When you open your hand all things will be filled with goodness. But when you turn away your face they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will perish and return to their dust. You will send forth your spirit, and they will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure to the ages. The Lord will rejoice at his works. He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will praise my God while I exist. May my words be pleasing to him. While as for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners might perish from the earth, and the wicked, so that they are no more. Bless the Lord, my soul!

And again

The sun knew the hour of its setting: you made darkness, and it was night. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all!

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

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

While the Opening Psalm is being read the Priest, bareheaded and standing in front of the Holy Table, says quietly the following Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps, having first blessed the Deacon’s Sticharion and Orarion as usual.

1st Prayer

O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy, listen to our prayer and attend to the voice of our supplication. Make for us a sign for good. Guide us in your way, to walk in your truth. Make glad our hearts to fear your holy Name, because you are great and do wondrous things. You alone are God, and there is none like you, O Lord, among gods: powerful in mercy and loving in strength to help and to console and to save all who hope in your holy Name.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

2nd Prayer

Lord, do not rebuke us in your anger, nor chastise us in your wrath, but deal with us in accordance with your kindness, physician and healer of our souls. Guide us to the harbour of your will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of your truth and grant that the rest of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and without sin, at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints.

For yours is the might and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

3rd Prayer

Lord our God, remember us, sinners and your unprofitable servants, as we call upon your holy Name, and do not put us to shame from the expectation of your mercy, but graciously grant us, Lord, all the requests that are for salvation, and count us worthy to love and to fear you from our whole heart, and in all things to do your will.

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

4th Prayer

O Lord, who are praised by the holy Powers with never silent hymns and unceasing songs of glory, fill our mouth with your praise to give majesty to your holy Name, and give us a part and an inheritance with all who fear you in truth and who keep your commandments, at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all your Saints.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

5th Prayer

Lord, Lord, who uphold the universe by your immaculate hand, who are long-suffering towards us all and who repent of evils, remember your acts of compassion and your mercy. Visit us in your loving kindness and grant that for the rest of the present day we may escape the manifold wiles of the evil one, and, by the grace of your All-holy Spirit, keep our life free from assault.

By the mercy and love for mankind of your Only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

6th Prayer

O God, great and wonderful, who order the universe with inexpressible loving-kindness and rich providence; who have granted us also the blessings of this world and brought us near to the promised Kingdom through the blessings that have been bestowed on us already; who have made us turn aside from every evil during that part of the present day which is now over, grant us also to complete what remains without blame in the presence of your holy glory, as we sing your praise, who alone are our God, good and the Lover of mankind.

For you are our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

7th Prayer

Great and most high God, who alone possess immortality, who dwell in unapproachable light, who fashioned all creation with wisdom, who made the separation between the light and the darkness and who placed the sun to have authority over the day and the moon and the stars to have authority over the night, who have counted us sinners worthy even at this present hour to come into your presence with confession and thanksgiving and to offer you our evening hymn of glory; do you, O Lord who love mankind, direct our prayer like incense before you and accept it as a savour of sweet fragrance. Grant us that the present evening and the coming night may be peaceful, clothe us with weapons of light, deliver us from every night-time fear and from every deed that walks in darkness. And give us sleep, which you have bestowed on us for our rest in our weakness, freed from every fantasy of the devil. Yes, Master of all things, giver of blessings, may we also be filled with compunction on our beds and call to mind your Name in the night, and enlightened by meditation on your commandments may we rise with gladness of soul to give glory to your loving-kindness, as we bring to your compassion supplications and entreaties on behalf of our own sins and those of all your people. At the prayers of the holy Mother of God visit them with mercy.

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

When the Opening Psalm is completed the Priest, in front of the Holy Table, or the Deacon in his usual place outside the Holy Doors, says the:

Litany of Peace

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For all devout and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city, for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

After the Litany, except on the Feasts of the Lord, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is read by one Reader.

Psalm 1 Of David. Untitled in the Hebrew.

Blessed is the man who has not walked in the council of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat on the seat of the pestilent. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he will meditate day and night. He will be like a tree that has been planted beside streams of water, which will give its fruit in its season, and its leaves will not fall; and whatever he does will prosper. Not so the ungodly, not so: but like the chaff that the wind blows away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly will not rise in judgement, nor sinners in the council of the just. Because the Lord knows the way of the just, but the way of the ungodly will perish.

Psalm 2

A Psalm of David.

Why were the nations insolent and why did the peoples meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ. ‘Let us break through their bonds and cast away their yoke from us.’ He that dwells in heaven will laugh them to scorn and the Lord will mock them. Then he will speak to them in his anger and panic them in his fury. But I was established as king by him, on Sion his holy mountain announcing the Lord’s decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. Ask me, and I shall give you nations as your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as your possession. You will shepherd them with an iron rod; like a potter’s vessels you will smash them.’ And now, kings, understand; be corrected, all who judge the earth. Serve the Lord in fear and rejoice in him with trembling. Accept correction, lest the Lord be angry, and you perish from the right way whenever his fury is suddenly kindled. Blessed are all who have put their trust in him.

Psalm 3

A Psalm of David,

when he fled from his son Absalom in the wilderness.

Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise up against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God.’ But you, Lord, are my protector, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I have been roused, because the Lord will protect me. I shall not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who attack me from every side. Arise, Lord; save me, my God, because you have struck all who are vainly my foes, you have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people.

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

The following should be read by another reader:

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

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

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

The first reader here resumes the reading of the Psalms.

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

Psalm 4

To the end. In hymns. A Psalm of David.

When I called you heard me, God of my justice, when I was in trouble you set me at large; have pity on me and hear my prayer. Children of men, how long will you be heavy-hearted? Why do you love vanity and seek falsehood? Know too that the Lord has made his Holy One wonderful. The Lord will hear me when I cry to him. Be angry, and do not sin; for what you say in your hearts, feel compunction on your beds. Sacrifice a sacrifice of righteousness and hope in the Lord. Many say: Who will show us good things? The light of your countenance has been signed upon us, O Lord. You have given joy to my heart; from the fruit of their wheat, wine and oil they have been filled. I shall lie down in peace and sleep at once; because you alone, Lord, have made me dwell in hope.

Psalm 5

To the end: for her that inherits: a Psalm of David.

Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice, in the morning I shall stand before you and you will watch over me, because you are not a God who wills iniquity. One who does evil will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless remain before your eyes. You have hated all who work iniquity; you will destroy all who speak falsehood. The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit. But I in the multitude of your mercy will enter your house, I will bow down towards your holy temple in fear of you. Lord, guide me in your justice because of my foes, make my way straight before you. Because truth is not in their mouth; their heart is vain. Their throat is a opened tomb, they have deceived with their tongues: judge them, O God. Let them fall through their counsels, cast them out in accordance with the multitude of their impious deeds, because they have provoked you, O Lord. And let all who hope on you be glad in you; they will rejoice forever, and you will dwell in them, and all those who love your name will boast in you, because you will bless the just. O Lord, as with a shield of good pleasure you have crowned us.

Psalm 6

To the end. In hymns, for the eighth. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; heal me for my bones have been troubled and my soul exceedingly troubled; but you, Lord, how long? Turn back, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for your mercy’s sake. For in death no one remembers you, and in Hell who will confess you? I have toiled in my groaning, every night I shall wash my bed and drench my couch with my tears. My eye has been troubled through anger, I have grown old among all my foes. Depart from me all you evil doers, for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord has accepted my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled, let them be turned back and speedily be utterly ashamed.

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

The following should be read by another reader:

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

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

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

The first reader here resumes the reading of the Psalms.

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

Psalm 7

A Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord about the words of Chusi the son of Jemeni.

O Lord my God I have hoped in you; save me from all those who persecute me and deliver me. Lest he ever seize me soul like a lion, when there is none to deliver me or save me. O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice in my hands; if I have repaid with evils those who repaid me, let me fall empty before my foes. Let the foe pursue my soul and seize it, trample down my life and make my glory dwell down there in the dust. Arise, Lord, in your anger, be exalted in the furthest boundaries of your foes. Rise up, O Lord my God, by the decree which you commanded, and an assembly of peoples will surround you, and for this return on high. The Lord will judge peoples. Judge me, Lord, according to my justice and according to the innocence that is in me. Let the evil of sinners be brought to an end and you will keep the just straight, O God the searcher of hearts and reins. Just my help from God, who saves the upright of heart. God is a judge, just and strong and patient, not producing anger every day. If you do not return he will burnish his sword, he has drawn and prepared his bow. And on it he has prepared the instruments of death, he has made ready his arrows for those who are burning. Behold he has been in labour with injustice, he has conceived toil and given birth to iniquity. He has dug a pit and scooped it out, and he will fall into the hole which he has made. His toil will return upon his own head and his injustice will come down upon his crown. I will give thanks to the Lord in accordance with his justice and I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8

To the end; for the wine vats; a Psalm of David.

O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth! For your majesty is raised up above the heavens. From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, to destroy the enemy and the avenger. For I will look at the heavens the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you fixed. What is man that you remember him? Or a son of man that you visit him? You have made him a little less than the Angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of your hands. You have subjected all things under his feet, sheep and all cattle and even all the beasts of the field the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that pass through the paths of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth!

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

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

In some places the Reader adds: Lord, our hope, glory to you.

Short Litany

People: Amen.

Then we begin Lord, I have cried in the appropriate tone, while the Deacon censes the Sanctuary and the whole Church. If the Priest has to cense he does so vested in the Phelonion and Epitrachelion. He blesses the incense with the words,

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

He censes the holy Table from the four sides and the whole sanctuary. Then coming out by the north door he censes the holy icons (x3), the people and the whole church in the customary manner and returns to the sanctuary by the south door.

Psalm 140

Psalm 141

For 10 Verses, or Stichera [On Saturday evening].

For 8 Verses [Always at a full Vigil].

Psalm 129

For 6 Verses.

For 4 Verses.

Psalm 116

Glory… Both now…

During the Doxastikon or Theotokion, which on Saturday evening is always the first of the Tone, the Priest, vested in the Phelonion, and the Deacon make the Entrance with the censer. The Priest blesses the incense as above. They come out through the north door, the Deacon leading, and stop opposite the Holy Doors. The Deacon says,

Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priest bows his head and says, in a low voice, the

Prayer of the Entrance

At evening, at morning and at midday we praise, bless and give thanks, and we pray to you, Master of all things, Lord who love mankind: Direct our prayer before you like incense, and do not incline our hearts to words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all that hunt down our souls. For our eyes look to you, O Lord, our Lord, and we have hoped in you.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Deacon says,

Master, bless the holy entrance.

And the Priest blesses the Entrance with the words:

Blessed is the entrance of your holy ones, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

The Deacon censes the holy icons and the People and waits for the end of the troparion. When it is finished, he raises the censer, making the sign of the Cross, and exclaims:

Wisdom. Stand upright.

And they enter the sanctuary through the Holy Doors, the one with the censer censing the holy Table.

And we sing

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps

An ancient poem, or, as some say, by the martyr Athenogenes.

O joyful Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and see the evening light, we sing the praise of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is right at all times to hymn you with holy voices, Son of God, giver of life. Therefore the world glorifies you.

In Athonite use this hymn is always read as one of the Gerontika, except when a number of Priests take part in the Entrance.

On Saturday evening. Tone 6.

The Lord is King: he has clothed himself with glory.

The Lord is King: he has clothed himself with glory.

The Lord is King: * he has clothed himself with glory.

On Sunday Evening. Tone 8.

Come, bless the Lord: * all you servants of the Lord.

On Monday evening. Tone 4.

When I call to the Lord: * he will hear me.

On Tuesday evening. Tone 1.

Your mercy, Lord, will follow me: * all the days of my life.

On Wednesday evening. Tone 5.

Save me, O God, by the power of your name: * and vindicate me by your might.

On Thursday evening Tone 6.

My help comes from the Lord: * who made both heaven and earth.

On Friday evening. Tone 7.

O God you are my helper: * your mercy will go before me.

[On certain great feasts there follow Readings from the Old or New Testament.]

Litany of Fervent Supplication

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.

People: Lord, have mercy. (Three times. And so after the remaining petitions)

Also we pray for those who bring offerings, those who care for the beauty of this holy and venerable house, for those who labour in its service, for those who sing, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.

People: Amen.

After the Litany say this prayer, one of the Gerontika.

Grant, Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen.

Let your mercy, Lord be upon us, as we have hoped in you.

Blessed are you, Lord: teach me your statutes.

Blessed are you, Master: make me understand your statutes.

Blessed are you, Holy One: enlighten me with your statutes.

Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Litany of Fervent Supplication

People: Lord, have mercy. (And so after each of the following petitions)

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord. (And so after each of the following petitions)

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

Priest (blessing the People): Peace to all.

The Priest, in a low voice, says the:

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of the human race, look upon your servants and upon your inheritance, for to you, the fearful Judge who love mankind, your servants have bowed their heads and inclined their necks, not waiting for any human help, but awaiting your mercy and looking for your salvation. Guard them at every moment, during both the present evening and the approaching night, from every foe, from every hostile operation of the devil and from vain thoughts and evil desires.

People: Amen.

After the Litany the Aposticha, between which we say the verses of the Feast, if there are any.

On Saturday evening.

On the completion of the Aposticha, we say the

Song of Symeon who Received God (Luke 2,29), one of the Gerontika

Now, Master, you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a Light to bring revelation to the nations, and the Glory of your people Israel.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

The Apolytikion of the day, Glory. Both now, and the Theotokion in the same Tone.

[If there is an Artoklasia it takes place here.]

Priest: Wisdom.

The Priest, standing in the holy Doors and facing the People, gives the Great Dismissal as follows:

Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.

And the Priest, lowering the Phelonion ,continues:

Turning to the East he says,

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

People: Amen.

On Sunday evening in Lent we sing the following Troparia instead of the usual Apolytikion, making a full prostration at each of them, except the last.

Tone 5.

Glory.

Both now.

We take refuge beneath your compassion, Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in trouble: but rescue us from dangers, only pure, only blessed one.

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

Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. Truly the Mother of God we magnify you.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy father, give the blessing.

Reader: Amen.

And we say for the Rulers:

Heavenly King, establish our rulers: strengthen the faith: calm the nations: make the world peaceful: guard well this holy church: assign our brothers and sisters who have gone before us to the tents of the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession, as you are good and love mankind.

Then three full Prostrations with the Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian once only and then the Dismissal, as above.

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem The Syrian

Vested in the Epitrachelion, the Priest, standing on the Solea, the Holy Doors and the curtain being closed, begins:

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

Reader [in Athonite use the Superior]: Amen.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 83

How beloved are your dwellings, O Lord of powers; my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow has found itself a house, and the dove a nest for herself, where she may place her nestlings: your altars, O Lord of powers, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they will praise you to ages of ages. Blessed the one whose help is from you; who has placed ascents in his heart, to the valley of weeping, to the place he has set. For the lawgiver will give blessings; they will go from strength to strength, the God of gods will appear in Sion. Lord God of powers hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. O God our shield see; and look on the face of your Christ. For one day in your courts is far better than thousands. I chose to be cast aside in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. Lord God of powers, blessed is the one who hopes in you.

Psalm 84

You were well pleased with your land, O Lord, you turned away the captivity of Jacob. You forgave your people their iniquities, you covered all their sins. You made all your anger cease, you turned away from the anger of your rage. Turn us back again, O God of our salvation, and turn away your rage from us. Would you be angry with us for ever? Or will you prolong your wrath from generation to generation? O God, when you have turned us back you will make us live, and your people will rejoice in you. Lord, show us your mercy, and grant us your salvation. I will hear what the Lord will say in me; for he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones, to those who turn their hearts back to him. But his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth has dawned from the earth, and righteousness has leaned down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness, and our earth will give its fruit. Righteousness will walk before him, and set his steps in the way.

Psalm 85

Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for I am holy; O my God, save your servant who hopes in you. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I shall cry to you all the day; give joy to the soul of your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to you. For you, O Lord, are good and gentle, and full of mercy to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I called to you, for you have heard me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord; none whose works are as yours. All the nations whom you made will come and bow down before you, O Lord, and glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Guide me, Lord, in your way, and I shall walk in your truth; make my heart glad to fear your name. I shall give you thanks, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart; and I shall glorify your name for ever. For your mercy is great towards me, and you have delivered my soul from the lowest Hell. O God, the lawless rose up against me, and an assembly of mighty ones sought my soul, and did not set you before them. And you, Lord, are pitying and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy and true. Look on me and have mercy on me; give your might to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Make with me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And again:

Make with me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

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

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

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

Then the Apolytikion of the day. If there are two feasts, the first Apolytikion is said before Glory and the second after it.

O Good One, born of a Virgin for our sakes and who endured crucifixion, who despoiled death by death and as God revealed resurrection, do not despise those whom you fashioned with your own hand; show your love for mankind, O Merciful; accept the Mother of God who bore you, as she intercedes for us, and save, O Saviour, a people in despair.

For your holy name’s sake do not finally reject us, do not annul your covenant, do not take your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, and for the sake of Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

Then the Kontakion of the day. On Sunday the Ypakoп.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the good things to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Superior says this

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who have long endured our transgressions, and brought us to this hour in which, hanging on the life-giving tree, you showed the good Thief the way into Paradise and destroyed death by death, have mercy also on us sinners and your unworthy servants. For we have sinned and transgressed, and are not worthy to raise our eyes and look on the height of heaven, because we have abandoned the way of your justice and walked in the will of our hearts. But we implore your unbounded goodness: spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of your mercy, and save us for your holy name’s sake, for our days have been wasted in vanity. Rescue us from the hand of our opponent, forgive us our sins, slay our carnal will, so that we, having put off the old man, may put on the new, and live for you, our Master and Benefactor; and that thus following your precepts we may reach eternal rest, where those who rejoice have their dwelling. For you are the true joy and gladness of those who love you, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest:

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

Reader: Amen.

On ordinary weekdays Vespers is celebrated as follows:

The Priest reads the seven prayers outside the Sanctuary and remains there for the Litany of Peace. He should remain outside the Sanctuary for the whole service, except for the censing of the church.

He enters the Sanctuary at ‘Lord, I have cried’ for the censing of the Church. This is done as usual, but the Priest vests only in the Epitrachelion.

Only six stichera are sung at ‘Lord, I have cried’. Normally 3 from the Paraklitiki and 3 from the Menaion. In this case it is the custom in many places to sing 2 from the first set in the Paraklitiki and 1 from the second. If the Saint of the day has a Doxastikon, then 6 Stichera are sung from the Menaion, the 3 appointed being doubled. In this case the Theotokion is the one from the Menaion.

There is no Entrance, but immediately after the hymn ‘O Joyful Light’ the Priest announces ‘Prokeimenon of the evening’.

The Prokeimenon is followed at once by the prayer ‘Grant, Lord’ and the Litany is displaced until later.

The verses for the Aposticha are the following:

From Sunday to Thursday

On Friday.

The Litany of Fervent Supplication, omitting the first two petitions, follows the Apolytikion and its Theotokion.

The Dismissal is as follows:

On Sunday evening

On Monday

On Tuesday and Thursday

On Wednesday

On Friday

Note On The Dismissal

For the singing of the Stichera, it is usual for the chief singer in each choir to take the first Sticheron for their side. Normally the senior person on each side is then asked to sing the second and the third may be offered to a visiting priest or distinguished visitor or singer. Any remaining Stichera are then shared among the other people in each choir.

In some monasteries the ‘leading’ choir changes at Vespers each Saturday, the cycle beginning at the Matins of Pascha.

The Apolytikia are should be sung in the same way by the two Choirs.

In the monasteries of the Holy Mountain it is customary for the following dialogue to be added at the end of the Dismissal, before the final ‘Through the prayers…’:

The Ninth Hour ends one liturgical day and Vespers begins the next. They are therefore normally celebrated together. On days when Little Vespers is to be celebrated, the Ninth Hour is read immediately before it. The Ninth Hour should be read in the Narthex, or Liti, if the church has one. If not, it is read in the church, with the Holy Doors and the curtain closed. If there is no Apolytikion or Kontakion given in the Menaion, then those for the ordinary days of the week are used.

This translation of the office of Matins for Sundays and Feasts contains the complete text of the common of the office, with the exception of the Kathismata of the Psalter and the verses of the Biblical Canticles, since these are rarely used except in monasteries. In an Appendix we give the text of the first two psalms of the Polyeleos, but not the selection of verses for the various major feasts, together with Psalms 44 and 136, which may also form part of the Polyeleos on certain days. The farcings of Psalm 44 are taken from the invaluable Sylleitourgikon, or ‘Reader’s Handbook’, published by the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra in 1996. The full text of the short litanies that follow the readings from the Psalter and the 3rd and 6th Odes of the Canon are omitted, since these are seldom used in parishes. We do however, for completeness, give the text of the final Ekphonesis of each. The eleven Resurrection Exapostilaria and the corresponding Eothina have also been included. For the convenience of singers and readers they are given in separate sections.

The underlying Typikon is that of the Holy Mountain, to which the Russian Typikon corresponds for the most part very closely. In Greek parishes on Sundays the reading of the Gospel is normally displaced to the end of the Katavasia of the 8th Ode, immediately before the Magnificat. In this case the order for the Gospel begins with the deacon’s ‘Let us pray to the Lord’, on page 23. The Cypriot Typikon, however, preserves the traditional order. Interestingly in the old ‘Cathedral Office’, as described by St Symeon of Thessaloniki, the Gospel was sung as the climax of Sunday Matins, after the Eothinon. St Symeon regrets the increasing popularity of the monastic practice, but it eventually prevailed. In Greek parish use Matins normally precedes the Liturgy, which begins immediately after the Troparion ‘Today salvation has come to the world’, used for all eight Tones, the concluding litanies and dismissal being said quietly in the sanctuary by the priest and deacon.

The rubric that the priest should come out to read the Matins prayers during the Six Psalms at the beginning of the 5th Psalm rather than the 4th is, in fact, what the Typikon of St Savvas directs, and it is still the practice of some monasteries. In the old order, presupposed by the Typikon of St Savvas, the Six Psalms were chanted solemnly and there was therefore time to read all Twelve Prayers during the last two Psalms. The Six Psalms should be read by one reader, not divided between several. They are one of the gerontika, that is the parts normally read by the Superior, and should be allocated to a senior person, such a visiting priest. All should remain standing during the Six Psalms. They are not an opportunity, for Singers in particular, to practice that well-known Orthodox rubric, ‘Here beginneth the animated discussion’.

When Matins forms part of a Vigil it follows the Artoklasia at the end of Vespers. The Midnight Office is omitted, though some monasteries read the Canon to the Trinity at a Vigil on a Sunday. In normal monastic use the blessing by the priest that concludes the Artoklasia is followed by a patristic reading. After the reader has announced the title, the priest gives the usual blessing, ‘Blessed is our God…’, and the reader begins. At the end of the reading the Six Psalms begin at once, with ‘Glory to God in the highest…’. The Royal Office is omitted entirely. If there is no reading, the Six Psalms follow the blessing by the priest, ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you…,’ which ends the Artoklasia. The First Hour is read at the end of Matins, unless the Liturgy follows at once, and we have therefore included it here.

In most parishes the Royal Office is abbreviated, and, the censing and the two Psalms being omitted, the Reader begins at once with the Trisagion.

When Matins is celebrated in full it is not normal for the deacon to vest until the Anavathmi, the priest saying all the preceding litanies himself. In Greek parish use, the clergy vest and perform the Proskomidi during the first part of Matins, after the Litany of Peace. In monasteries the celebrating clergy take the kairos during the reading of the Psalter and then return to their stalls until it is time for them to vest for the Liturgy. In parishes the kairos is taken after the Six Psalms and Litany of Peace, or even before the beginning of the service.

The prayer after Psalm 50 is the text, apart from the addition of Mothers among the ascetics, as it appears in the earliest sources. It is now customary to expand it with a great many additional names in accordance with local custom.

Most of the technical terms, including those printed in italic in this preface, are explained in a short Glossary at the end.

Since Matins is a longer and more complex service than Vespers and the ways of celebrating it vary more widely, it is not feasible to provide for every possible use.

After the Dismissal of the Midnight Office the Priest, having made the customary metania to the Superior, or to his stall, enters the sanctuary and makes three bows before the holy Table. He puts on the Epitrachelion and, standing in front of the Holy Table, intones:

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

Reader: Amen.

The Priest blesses the incense and begins to cense the sanctuary and the whole church as usual. The Reader begins the following Psalms:

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Psalm 19

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you.

Psalm 20

The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

The priest must take care that he is standing beneath the Polyeleos to say this conclusion. He then enters the sanctuary, puts away the censer and takes his stand in front of the Holy Table.

The Reader says the following Troparia:

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.

Glory.

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, to the new commonwealth that bears your name grant your mercies, Christ God; make your faithful people glad by your power, granting them victories over their enemies; may they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Dread Champion who cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.

Reader: Amen.

And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction. The Superior, or the designated reader, with devotion and fear of God says:

Psalm 3

Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God’. But you, Lord, are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, because the Lord will assist me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me. Rise, Lord, save me, my God; because you have struck all who are vainly my foes. You have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord's, and your blessing is upon your people.

And again:

I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.

Psalm 37

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

And again.

Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me.

Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped.

And again.

Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.

My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery.

And again.

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.

Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.

The priest comes from the Altar and reads the morning prayers quietly.

Psalm 102

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle's. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children's children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

And again.

In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer; in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul; humbled my life to the ground; made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit in me grew weary, and my heart was troubled within me. I remembered days of old; I meditated on all your works. I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you; my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord; my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord; I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name's sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice you will bring my soul out of trouble; in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

And again.

Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.

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

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

During the Six Psalms the Priest reads the

1st Prayer

We thank you, Lord our God, who have roused us from our beds and placed in our mouth a word of praise, to worship and call upon your Holy Name, and we beseech you by your acts of pity, with which you have always treated our life. And now send forth your help on those who stand before the presence of your holy glory and who await the rich mercy which comes from you, and grant that they may always serve, praise, hymn and worship your inexpressible loving-kindness.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, the Son and the holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

2nd Prayer

At night our spirit rises early to you, our God, for your commandments are light upon the earth. Teach us justice and sanctification in fear of you; for we glorify you who are our God, the One who truly exists. Incline your ear and hear us; and remember, Lord, by name all those who are present and who pray with us, and save them by your power. Bless your people and sanctify your inheritance. Give peace to your world, to the churches, to the priests, to our rulers and to all your people.

For blessed and glorified is your all-honoured and majestic name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

3rd Prayer

At night our spirit rises early to you, O God, for your commandments are light. Teach us your justice, O God, your commands and your statutes. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, lest we ever sleep unto death in sins. Drive away all gloomy darkness from our hearts. Give us the grace of the sun of justice and by the seal of your Holy Spirit keep our life free from harm. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Grant that we may see the dawn and the day in joy, that we may offer your our morning prayers.

For yours is the might and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

4th Prayer

Master and God, holy and beyond understanding, who said: Let light shine out of darkness, who have given us rest by the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore your loving kindness; entreated by your own compassion, accept us who now worship you and give you thanks in the measure of our power, and grant us all our requests that are for salvation. Declare us to be children of light and of the day, and heirs of your eternal blessings. Remember also, Lord, in the greatness of your compassion all your people, those present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren by land and sea and in every place of your dominion who ask for your love for humankind and your help; and give to all your great mercy.

So that, always kept safe in soul and body, we may glorify with boldness your wondrous and blessed name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

5th Prayer

Treasury of blessings, ever-flowing Source, Holy Father, worker of wonders, all-powerful and almighty, we all worship you and beseech you, as we invoke your acts of mercy and compassion to help and assist our lowliness. Remember your suppliants, Lord; accept the morning prayers of us all like incense before you, and make none of us reprobate, but keep us all through your acts of compassion. Remember, Lord, those who keep vigil and who chant to your glory and that of your Son and our God and of your Holy Spirit. Be their help and their aid; accept their supplications on your heavenly and spiritual altar.

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

6th Prayer

We give thanks to you, Lord God of our salvation, for you do all things for the well-being of our life, that we may at all times look to you, the Saviour and Benefactor of our souls. We give thanks to you, for you have given us rest in the part of the night which has passed and roused us from our beds and placed us here for the worship of your honoured name. Therefore we beg you, Lord: Give us grace and power, so that we may be counted worthy to chant to you with understanding and to pray without ceasing in fear and trembling, as we work out our salvation through the assistance of your Son. Remember too, Lord, those who cry out to you by night. Hear them and have mercy, and crush beneath their feet their invisible and hostile foes.

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

7th Prayer

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have raised us from our beds and gathered us together for this hour of prayer, give us grace by the opening of our mouths and accept our thanksgivings, in the measure of our ability. Teach us your statutes, because we do not know how to pray as we ought, unless you, Lord guide us by your Holy Spirit. Therefore we beg you, if we have sinned in any way until the present hour in word or deed or by thought, voluntarily or involuntarily, remit, forgive, pardon. For if you should regard iniquities, Lord; Lord, who will stand? For there is redemption from you. You alone are holy, a helper, a mighty defender of our life, and in you is our praise at all times.

Blessed and glorified be the might of your Kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

8th Prayer

Lord our God, who have driven from us the sloth of sleep and called us together with a holy summons to lift up our hands and to give you thanks for the judgements of your justice, accept our supplications, our requests, our thanksgivings, our nocturnal worship; and give us, O God, the grace of faith unashamed, sure hope, love without pretence. Bless our comings in and our goings out, our deeds, works, words, desires, and grant that we may meet the beginnings of the day praising, singing, blessing the loving-kindness of your ineffable goodness.

For blessed is your all-holy name and glorified is your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

9th Prayer

Light in our hearts, Master, lover of humankind, the unsullied light of your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of the proclamation of your Gospel. Instil in us also the fear of your blessed commandments, so that having trampled down all the desires of the flesh we may pass over to a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all things that are well-pleasing to you.

For you are our sanctification and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

10th Prayer

Lord our God, who have granted humankind forgiveness through repentance and shown us an image of acknowledgement and confession of sins: the repentance leading to pardon of the prophet David, in accordance with your great mercy have mercy on us, who have fallen by many and great offences, and, in accordance with the multitude of your pity, wipe away our offences. For we have sinned against you, Lord, who know too the hidden and secret things of the human heart and who alone have authority to forgive sins. Create a clean heart in us and by your sovereign Spirit establish us and make known to us the joy of your salvation. Do not cast us away from your presence, but be well pleased, as you are good and love humankind, for us to offer you until our last breath a sacrifice of justice and an offering on your holy altars.

By the mercy and compassion and love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

11th Prayer

O God, our God, who by your will have brought into being the spiritual and rational Powers, we beseech and implore you, accept with that of all your creatures our hymn of glory in the measure of our power, and grant us in return the rich gifts of your loving-kindness. For to you bends every knee of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and everything that has breath and all creation sings the praise of your incomprehensible glory. For you alone are God, true and of great mercy.

For all the Powers of heaven praise you and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

12th Prayer

We praise, hymn, bless and give you thanks, O God of our fathers, for you have turned aside the shades of night and shown us again the light of day. But we implore your loving-kindness: Be merciful to our sins and accept our supplication in your great compassion, for we take refuge in you, the merciful and all-powerful God. Make the true sun of justice shine in our hearts; enlighten our mind and guard all our senses, so that, walking uprightly by day in the way of your commandments, we may reach eternal life; for with you is the source of life, and may we be counted worthy to come to the enjoyment of the unapproachable light.

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Priest, having kissed the icon of the Lord, enters the sanctuary by the south door.

When the Six Psalms are completed the Priest, standing in front of the Holy Table, intones the:

Litany of Peace

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For all devout and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city, for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

After the Litany by the Priest, the Canonarch or Singer chants, in the tone of the Troparion of the day:

Then we sing the Troparion of the current feast, or of the Saint of the day, or, on Sundays, the Resurrection Apolytikion of the current tone twice, together with the appropriate Theotokion. This is a simplified rubric; but it should be noted that on most Sundays the Resurrection Apolytikion is sung twice.

After this the recitation of the Psalter and the [poetic] Kathismata as appointed.

On Sundays the first two Kathismata of the Psalter are numbers 2 and 3 [Psalms 9-16 and 17-23]

After each Kathisma the Short Litany by the Priest with the following endings.

After the 1st Kathisma

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

After the 2nd Kathisma

For you, O God, are good and love humankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

On normal Sundays the third Kathisma is Psalm 118 [Kathisma 17]. On major Feasts the Polyeleos.

After the last verse of Psalm 118, or the Polyeleos, if the Feast falls on a Sunday, we sing at once, that is before Glory to the Father:

The Resurrection Evlogitaria. Tone 5

The company of the Angels was amazed, seeing you numbered among the dead, yet destroying the power of death, O Saviour, raising Adam with yourself and freeing all from Hell.

‘Why do you mingle sweet spices with your tears, O women disciples?’ the dazzling Angel in the tomb said to the women bearing myrrh, ‘Behold the tomb, and understand: for the Saviour has risen from the grave’.

Early in the morning the women bearing myrrh hastened, lamenting, to your grave; but the Angel stood before them and said, ‘The time for lamentation has passed. Do not weep; but tell the Apostles of the Resurrection’.

The women bearing spices coming to your grave, O Saviour, heard an Angel saying to them, ‘Why do you number the living among the dead? For as God he has risen from the grave’.

Glory. To the Trinity.

We worship the Father, and his Son, and the Holy Spirit: the holy consubstantial Trinity, as we cry with the Seraphim, ‘Holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord!’

O Virgin, by giving birth you redeemed Adam from sin, and you brought Eve joy instead of sorrow. He who was incarnate from you, who is both God and man, has guided back to life those who had fallen from life.

Then the Short Litany by the Priest with the ending:

For blessed is your name and glorified is your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The Reader reads the Ypakoп. On Feasts the [poetic] Kathisma. On Sunday there follow the Anavathmi in the Tone of the Week.

On feasts, the First Antiphon of those in Tone 4.

Glory.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, by cleansing it is exalted, it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

Both now.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, by cleansing it is exalted, it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

[In some places the following is sung instead:

During the Anavathmi the Priest, with the Deacon, enters the sanctuary and, vested in epitrachelion and phelonion, stands in front of the Holy Table.

When the Anavathmi and the Prokeimenon are finished the Deacon intones:

Let us pray to the Lord.

People: Amen.

Priest (or Bishop): Peace to all.

And the Priest reads the Matins Gospel, if it is Sunday, the Eothinon, standing on the south side of the Holy Table, with the Deacon opposite him. On other days he reads it from between the Holy Doors, facing the People.

On Sundays, after the Gospel:

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. We worship your Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection. For you are our God; we know no other but you; we name you by name. Come, all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we sing his Resurrection. For having endured the Cross for us, by death he has destroyed death.

Then on Sundays the Singers begin Psalm 50.

The Priest, wearing his kalymafchion [and cowl] and having let down the phelonion, stands in the Holy Doors holding the Holy Gospel. When the singers reach the verse For see, you have loved truth, he comes out through the Holy Doors and takes his stand in the middle of the church. In Athonite use, he stands directly beneath the polyeleos for the Superior to venerate the Gospel. He then moves further to the west for the rest of those present to do so. The server with the candle is the last to venerate. In most Greek parishes the Gospel is then taken to back of the church, preceded by the candle, and placed on a stand near the west end of the church, so that latecomers may venerate it. There follows the veneration of the Gospel, after which the Priest returns to the Sanctuary and places the Gospel on the Holy Table, or, where it is the custom, at the back of the Church.

On all other days the Psalm is read and there is no veneration of the Gospel.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me O God, in your great mercy; according to the fullness of your compassion blot out my offence.

Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you only I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words, and win when you are judged.

For see, in wickedness I was conceived, and in sin my mother bore me.

For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.

You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.

Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a sovereign Spirit.

I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again.

O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, and my tongue will rejoice at your justice.

Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise.

For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt.

Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of justice, oblation and whole burnt offerings.

Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

On Sundays:

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

Through the prayers of the Apostles, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my transgressions.

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

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my transgression

Have mercy on me, O God, in your great mercy; according to the fulness of your compassion blot out my offence.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and his great mercy.

On all Feasts with a Gospel special texts are appointed to be sung after Glory and Both now and the verse Have mercy on me on, O God. These will be found in the Menaion for the day.

On all days with a Gospel, the Deacon (or Priest):

Singers: Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times, in threes)

Priest: By the mercy and compassion and love towards humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Singers: Amen.

And we begin the Canons. In Athonite use, on Sundays and Feasts the Church is censed as usual at the start of the Canons.

At the end of the 3rd and 6th Odes, the Short Litany.

After the 3rd Ode

For you are our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

After the 6th Ode

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The Kontakion, Ikos and Synaxarion for the day are read. When the Katavasia of the 8th Ode is finished the Deacon, looking towards the People from the Holy Doors, says in a loud voice:

The Mother of God and Mother of the Light in hymns let us honour and magnify.

He then censes the whole sanctuary and church as usual.

The Magnificat and 9th Ode are traditionally sung by the senior persons present in the two Choirs.

The Song of the Mother of God.

A maiden mother hymns her Son and God. In hymns God’s Mother now we magnify.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, for behold from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For he that is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name, and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

After the Katavasia of the 9th Ode, the Short Litany.

People: Amen.

Then on Sundays only:

Then, on all days, the Exapostilaria.

After the Exapostilaria

Lauds

If it is Sunday, or a feast of the Lord, or the memorial of a Saint having the Great Doxology, the two Choirs sing Let everything that has breath in the appropriate tone, as follows:

Psalm 148

The following verses, to the point where the Stichera are inserted, are, unfortunately, often omitted.

Psalm 149

For 8 Verses (Sundays) or 6 Verses.

Psalm 150

For 4 Verses.

If it is Sunday, add the following verses:

If a feast with Stichera at Lauds falls on a Sunday, the appropriate Psalm verses are used instead.

On Sunday the Eothinon corresponding to the Gospel.

On Sunday the following Theotokion:

You are most blessed, Virgin Mother of God, for through him who took flesh from you Hell has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, Eve set free, death put to death, and we given life. Therefore in praise we cry: Blessed are you, Christ our God, who have been thus well-pleased. Glory to you.

On Sundays and Feasts having a Great Doxology:

If it is Sunday, at the end of the Doxology and Trisagion, we say the Resurrection Troparia.

For the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th tones in Tone 4:

To-day salvation has come to the world. Let us sing to him who rose from the tomb, the Author of our life. For destroying death by death, he has given us the victory and his great mercy.

For the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th tones in Tone 8.

By rising from the tomb and bursting through the bonds of Hell, you abolished the sentence of death, O Lord, delivering all from the snares of the foe. Having shown yourself to your Apostles, you sent them out to preach, and through them you gave peace to the whole world, you who alone are full of mercy.

On other Feasts the Apolytikion, once. The two Litanies and Dismissal.

People: Lord, have mercy. Three times after each petition.

Again we pray for those who bring offerings, those who care for the beauty of this holy and venerable house, for those who labour in its service, for those who sing, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.

People: Amen.

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each of the following petitions.

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord. And so after each of the following petitions.

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

People: Amen.

Reader: Bless.

The Priest, standing in the holy Doors and facing the People, gives the Great Dismissal as follows:

Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.

And the Priest, lowering the Phelonion, continues:

Reader: Amen. And at once he begins the First Hour.

The Holy Doors and the Curtain are shut. The Reader begins straight away with:

O Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Three Metanias and the Psalms:

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I shall stand before you, and you will watch over me; because you are not a God who wants iniquity. The evil-doer will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless remain before your eyes. You have hated all those who work iniquity; you will destroy all those who speak lies. The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit. But I, in the abundance of your mercy, will enter your house, I will worship towards your holy temple in fear of you. Guide me, Lord, in your justice because of my enemies, direct my way before you. Because there is no truth in their mouths; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open tomb, they deceive with their tongues. Judge them, O God. Let them fall through their counsels; according to the multitude of their impieties cast them out, for they have embittered you, O Lord. And may all those who hope in you be glad; they will rejoice for ever, and you will dwell among them, and all those who love your name will boast in you. Because you will bless the righteous; you have crowned him, O Lord, with your good pleasure.

Psalm 89

Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains came into being or the earth and the world were formed, from age to age you are. Do not turn humankind back to humiliation, and you said: Turn back, children of men. Because a thousand years in your eyes, Lord, are like a day, or like yesterday which has passed, and like a watch in the night. Their years will be mere trifles, in the morning like grass may he pass away. In the morning let him flower and pass away; in the evening let him fall, dry up and wither. Because we have perished in your anger, and in your wrath we have been dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you; our age in the light of your countenance. Because all our days have perished, and in your anger we have perished; our years were reckoned like a spider. The days of our years there are seventy years in them, but if we are strong, eighty, and the majority of them are labour and toil; because weakness has come over us and we shall be chastened. Who knows the might of your anger? And can gauge your wrath from fear of you? So make your right hand known to me, and those chastened in heart by wisdom. Turn back, O Lord, how long? And be entreated for your servants. We have been filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we have rejoiced and been glad. In all our days let us be glad; in return for the days when you humbled us, the years when we saw evils. And look upon your servants and upon the work of your hands and guide your children. And let the brightness of the Lord be upon us, and direct the works of our hands for us, and direct the work of our hand.

Psalm 100

I will sing to you of mercy and judgement, O Lord, I will chant and think on a blameless way. When will you come to me? I have walked in the midst of my house in the innocence of my heart. I have set no lawless deed before my eyes; I have hated those who commit transgressions. No twisted heart has been attached to me; the evil man who avoids me I have not acknowledged. The man who secretly slanders his neighbour, him I have driven out. With a man of proud looks and insatiate heart I have not eaten. My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, for them to dwell with me; the man who walks on a blameless way, he has ministered to me. The man who acts proudly has not dwelt in my house; the man who speaks calumnies has not prospered before me. Morning by morning I slew all the sinners in the land, to purge from the Lord's city all workers of iniquity.

Then at once: Glory, the Apolytikion of the day,

Both now, and the following Theotokion:

What shall we call you, O Full of grace? Heaven? For you made the Sun of justice to dawn. Paradise? For you made the flower of incorruption blossom. Virgin? For you remained incorrupt. Pure Mother? For you held in your holy embrace a Son who is the God of all. Implore him that our souls may be saved.

And immediately:

Direct my steps according to your word, and let no iniquity lord it over me.

Deliver me from the slander of men, and I shall keep your commandments.

Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes.

Let my mouth be filled with your praise, O Lord, that I may hymn your glory, all day long your splendour.

Then:

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

Reader: Amen.

The Kontakion of the Saint, if there is one, or of the current Feast.

But on Sunday we say the Hypakoп of the Tone.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly the Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, give the blessing, Father.

Then the Superior says following prayer:

Christ, the true light, who enlighten and hallow everyone who comes into the world, may the light of your countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may see your unapproachable light; and direct our steps to the doing of your commandments; at the intercessions of your most pure Mother and of all your Saints. Amen.

Reader:

To you my Champion and Commander I your City saved from disasters dedicate, O Mother of God, hymns of victory and thanksgiving; but as you have unassailable might from every kind of danger now deliver me, that I may cry to you: Hail, Bride without bridegroom!

And Dismissal.

Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us

Reader: Amen.

A Composition by the Emperor Constantine, son of Leo the Wise.

Exapostilarion 1

With the Disciples let us go to a mountain in Galilee to contemplate Christ by faith as he says that he has received authority over things on high and things below. Let us learn how he teaches that they are to baptise all nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and that he is with his Initiates, as he promised, until the final consummation.

Theotokion

You rejoiced with the Disciples, Virgin Mother of God, for you saw Christ risen from the tomb on the third day, as he said. He also appeared to them teaching and revealing mightier things and ordering them to baptise in the Father, Son and Spirit, that we might believe his Rising and might glorify you, O Maiden.

EXAPOSTILARION 2

When they saw the stone rolled away the Myrrhbearers rejoiced, for they saw a Young Man seated in the tomb, and he said to them, ‘See, Christ has risen. Tell the Disciples with Peter, ‘Go to the mountain in Galilee. There he will appear to you, as he foretold to his friends’.

Theotokion

An Angel brought his ‘Hail’ to the Virgin before your conception, O Chris. An Angel rolled the stone from your tomb. The one proclaimed and magnified the tokens of ineffable joy instead of sorrow; the other you, as giver of life in place of death, and announced the Resurrection to the Women and the Initiates.

EXAPOSTILARION 3

Let no one doubt that Christ has risen. For he appeared to Mary; then he was seen by those going out to the country; again he appeared to the eleven Initiates as they sat at table, and, when he had sent them out to baptise, he was taken up to heaven, from which he had come down, confirming the proclamation by many signs.

Theotokion

O Sun, who today dawned from the tomb, like a Bridegroom from his chamber, despoiled Hell and destroyed death, at the prayers of her who bore you, send out your light to us, make light shine in our hearts, make light guide us all to walk in the paths of your commandments and in the ways of peace.

EXAPOSTILARION 4

Shining with virtues, let us contemplate the men in shining garments, who appeared in the life-bearing grave, to the Myrrhbearers as they bowed their faces to the earth. Let us be taught of the Rising of heaven’s Master, and let us run with Peter towards life in a grave, and marvelling at what is done, let us remain to see Christ.

Theotokion

With your cry of ‘Rejoice!’, Lord, you transformed the grief of the Forefathers, bringing instead the joy of your Rising to the world. Therefore, through her who bore you, O Giver of life, Light that enlightens hearts, send forth the light of your mercies that we may cry to you, ‘Lover of humankind, God and man, glory to your Rising!’

EXAPOSTILARION 5

Christ, the life and the way, from among the dead, journeyed with Cleopas and Luke, to whom he was made known at Emmaus when he broke the bread. Their souls and hearts were aflame as he talked with them on the road and explained with the Scriptures what he had undergone. With them let us cry aloud, ‘He has been raised and has appeared to Peter!’

Theotokion

I sing the praise of your mercy without measure, O my Maker, for you emptied yourself to take on and to save the nature of mortals that had grown evil. And though God, you accepted to be born in my likeness from the pure Child of God and to descend as far as Hell, as you wished me to be saved at the prayers of her who bore you, O Master full of pity.

EXAPOSTILARION 6

Showing that you are man by essence, O Saviour, having risen from the tomb, you stood in the midst, partook of food and taught the preaching of repentance. Then at once you were raised up to the heavenly Father and you promised the Disciples to send the Paraclete. O God and man, above all godhead, glory to your Rising!

Theotokion

The Maker of creation and God of all things took mortal flesh from your immaculate blood, All-Holy Virgin. He also renewed nature, that was all corrupted, leaving you after childbirth as you were before. Therefore with faith we all proclaim you, as we cry, ‘Hail, Sovereign Lady of the world!’

EXAPOSTILARION 7

When Mary said, ‘They have taken away the Lord’, Simon Peter and another Initiate of Christ, whom he loved, hurried to the grave. The two ran and found the grave clothes lying inside alone, while the napkin for the head was by itself. And so they waited quietly again, until they saw Christ.

Theotokion

Great and wonderful are the things you have done for my sake, most merciful Christ; for you were born beyond explanation from a Virgin Maid and accepted the Cross, and having endured death you arose in glory and freed our nature from death. Glory, O Christ, to your glory! Glory to your power!

EXAPOSTILARION 8

Seeing two Angels in the grave, Mary was amazed and, not recognising him, she asked Christ as the Gardener, ‘Sir, where have you laid the body of my Jesus?’ Recognising by his call that he was the Saviour, she heard, ‘Do not touch me. Tell my brothers that I am departing to the Father’.

Theotokion

O Maiden, ineffably you bore one of the Trinity, who is two by nature and two by operation, yet one in person. Ever implore him then for those who worship you in faith to deliver us from every device of the foe; for now we all have recourse to you, Sovereign Lady, Mother of God.

EXAPOSTILARION 9

The doors being shut as you entered, Master, you filled the Apostles with the All-Holy Spirit, breathing on them with peace. You told them to bind sins and to loose them, and after eight days you showed your side and hands to Thomas. With him we cry, ‘You are Lord and God’.

Theotokion

When you saw your Son risen from the tomb on the third day, Bride of God, you put away all the tribulation you had endured as a Mother, when you saw him suffering. And filled with joy you sing his praise as you rejoice with his Disciples. And so save those who now proclaim you Mother of God.

EXAPOSTILARION 10

Of old, the sea of Tiberias found Thomas fishing with the sons of Zebedee, Nathaniel, Peter and two others. When, at Christ’s order, they let down their net on the right hand side, they caught a multitude of fish. Peter, recognising him, swam towards him. Appearing to them for the third time, he showed them bread, and a fish on coals.

Theotokion

Entreat the Lord, who rose from the tomb on the third day, O Virgin, on behalf of all who sing your praise and with love call you blessed. For we all have you as a saving refuge and mediatrix with him, for we are your inheritance and your servants, Mother of God, and we all look to your assistance.

EXAPOSTILARION 11

The Lord, after his divine Rising, having three times enquired of Peter, ‘Are you my friend?’ proposed him as Chief Shepherd of his own sheep. He, when he saw the one whom Jesus loved following, asked the Master, ‘What of him?’ ‘If I want him to remain until I come again’, he answered, ‘what is that to you, friend Peter?’

Theotokion

O dread mystery! O extraordinary wonder! Through death, death is utterly destroyed. Who then will not praise, who will not worship your Resurrection, O Word, and the Mother of God who purely bore you in the flesh. At her intercessions deliver us all from Hell.

A composition by Leo the Wise

Eothinon 1. Tone 1.

The Lord stood before his Disciples, who had ascended the mountain for his being lifted from the ground. They worshipped him, and when they had been taught that authority had been given him everywhere, they were sent out to proclaim his Resurrection from the dead and his restoration to Heaven. And Christ, God and the Saviour of our souls, promised unfailingly that he would be with them for ever.

EOTHINON 2. Tone 2.

To the Women who came with sweet spices with Mary, and who were at a loss how they might achieve their aim, the stone appeared lifted and a godlike Youth stilled the tumult of their soul, for he said: Jesus the Lord has risen; therefore proclaim to his heralds, the Disciples, to hasten to Galilee; there you will see him risen from the dead, as Giver of life and Lord.

EOTHINON 3. Tone 3.

When Mary Magdalen gave the good tidings of the Saviour’s Resurrection from the dead and his appearing, the Disciples doubted and were upbraided for their hardness of heart; but armed with signs and wonders they were sent to preach. And while you, Lord, were taken up to the Father, source of light, they, entrusted with the wonders, began to preach the word everywhere. Therefore, enlightened through them, we glorify your Resurrection from the dead, O Lord who loves humankind.

EOTHINON 4. Tone 4.

It was deep dawn and the Women came to your grave, O Christ; but the body they longed for was not to be found; and so those who in shining garments stood by them in their perplexity said: Why do you seek the living with the dead? He has risen as he foretold. Why have you forgotten his words? Persuaded by them they proclaimed what they had seen, but the good tidings seemed but raving; so dull were the Disciples still; but Peter ran and having seen glorified to himself your wonders.

EOTHINON 5. Tone 5.

How wise, O Christ, are your judgements! You made Peter understand your Resurrection by the grave-clothes alone, but journeying with Luke and Cleopas you talked, and as you talked you did not at once reveal yourself. And you were reproached with being only a stranger in Jerusalem and not sharing in her final counsels. But as the one who disposes all things for the profit of his fashioning, you unfolded the prophecies about yourself and in the blessing of bread you made yourself known to them, whose hearts even before this had burned for knowledge of you. They also were already proclaiming to your assembled Disciples your Resurrection. Through which have mercy on us.

EOTHINON 6. Tone 6.

O Christ you are truly peace for men of God; giving your peace to the Disciples after the Resurrection, you showed them to be full of fear, for they thought they saw a spirit; but you dispelled the tumult of their souls by showing your hands and feet; but, as they still doubted, by taking nourishment and reminding them of your teachings you opened their minds to understand the Scriptures; you assured them of the Father’s promise, and blessing them you went away to heaven. And so with them we worship you. Lord, glory to you!

EOTHINON 7. Tone 7.

Lo, darkness and early dawn. And why, Mary, are you standing by the grave, your mind full of darkness? Why do you seek where Jesus has been laid? But see the disciples running together, see how they have realised the Resurrection from the grave clothes and the napkin, and have remembered the Scripture concerning this. With whom and through whom we too have believed and sing your praise O Christ, the Giver of Life.

EOTHINON 8. Tone 8.

Mary’s hot tears did not flow in vain, for she was granted Angels to teach her and the sight of you, O Jesu. But, as a weak woman, she still had earthly thoughts, and therefore she was sent away so as not to touch you, O Christ; but nevertheless she was sent as a herald to your Disciples, to whom she spoke the good tidings, announcing your ascent to the Father’s inheritance. With her make us also worthy of your manifestation, O Master and Lord.

EOTHINON 9. Tone 5.

As at the last times you came when it was late on the Sabbath to your friends, O Christ, and you confirm the wonder by a wonder, by your entrance when the doors were shut your Resurrection from the dead. You filled your Disciples with joy and made them partakers of the Holy Spirit; you bestowed on them the authority of the forgiveness of sins and did not abandon Thomas to be drowned in the sea of unbelief. And so grant us also true knowledge and forgiveness of offences, compassionate Lord.

EOTHINON 10. Tone 6.

After your descent into Hell and your Resurrection from the dead, your Disciples, O Christ, losing heart most probably at your separation from them, turned back to their work: and once again there were boats and nets and a catch nowhere. But you appeared as Master of all things, O Saviour, and ordered them to cast their nets on the right hand side: and at once the word was deed, and there was a great multitude of fish, and a strange supper ready on land. Your Disciples partook of it then; make us also worthy to enjoy it now in spirit, O Lover of humankind.

EOTHINON 11. Tone 8.

Showing yourself to your Disciples after the Resurrection, O Saviour, you entrusted to Simon the pasturing of the sheep, as repayment for love, demanding the care of shepherding. And therefore he said: If you are my friend Peter, shepherd my lambs, shepherd my sheep. But he at once showing his affection, inquired about the other Disciple. At their intercessions, O Christ, guard your flock from wolves that ravage it.

Servants of the Lord, Alleluia.

Psalm 134

Praise the name of the Lord, praise the Lord his servants. Alleluia.

Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Alleluia.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Alleluia.

Sing to his name, for it is fair. Alleluia.

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself; Alleluia.

Israel for his own possession. Alleluia.

For I know that the Lord is great. Alleluia.

And our Lord is above all gods. Alleluia.

Whatever he wished, the Lord has done, Alleluia.

In heaven and on earth, Alleluia.

In the seas and in all the deeps. Alleluia.

He brings up the clouds from the end of the earth. Alleluia.

He has made lightnings into rain. Alleluia.

He brings winds out of his treasuries, Alleluia.

He who smote the first born of Egypt, Alleluia.

From humans to beasts of burden. Alleluia.

He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, Alleluia.

Among Pharao and all his servants; Alleluia.

He who smote many nations, Alleluia.

And killed mighty kings, Alleluia.

Sion, King of the Amorites, Alleluia.

And Og, King of Basan, Alleluia.

And all the kingdoms of Canaan. Alleluia.

And he gave their land as a heritage, Alleluia.

A heritage to Israel his people. Alleluia.

O Lord, your name is for ever, Alleluia.

And your memorial to generation and generation. Alleluia.

For the Lord will judge his people, Alleluia.

And he will comfort his servants. Alleluia.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, works of human hands. Alleluia.

They have a mouth, but they will not speak. Alleluia.

They have eyes, but they will not see. Alleluia.

They have ears, but they will not hear. Alleluia.

There is no breath in their mouth. Alleluia.

Let all those who make them become like them, Alleluia.

And all those who trust in them. Alleluia.

House of Israel, bless the Lord. Alleluia.

House of Aaron, bless the Lord. Alleluia.

House of Levi, bless the Lord. Alleluia.

You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord from Sion, he who dwells in Jerusalem. Alleluia.

Psalm 135

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

Give thanks to the God of gods, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who alone has done great wonders, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who made the heavens with understanding, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who set the earth on the waters, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who alone made the great lights, alleluia: for his mercy endures for ever, alleluia.

The sun to rule the day, alleluia: for his mercy endures for ever, alleluia.

The moon and the stars to rule the night, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who smote Egypt with their first born, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And led Israel out of their midst, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

With a mighty hand and upraised arm, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who divided the Red Sea in two, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And led Israel through its midst, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And shook off Pharao and his power into the Red Sea, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who led his people through the desert, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

To him who smote great kings, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And slew mighty kings, alleluia: for his mercy endures for ever, alleluia.

Sion, King of the Amorites, alleluia: for his mercy endures for ever, alleluia.

And Og, King of Basan, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And who gave their land as a heritage, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

A heritage for Israel his servant, alleluia: for his mercy is for ever, alleluia.

For the Lord remembered us in our humiliation, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

And redeemed us from our foes, alleluia: for his mercy endures for ever, alleluia.

Who gives food to all flesh, alleluia: for his mercy is for ever, alleluia.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, alleluia: for his mercy endures forever, alleluia.

Then the Selection according to the Feast.

After which the following in Tone 1 may be sung.

Glory.

Let us worship the Father, and let us glorify the Son, and let us all praise together the all holy Spirit, crying out and saying: All holy Trinity, save us all.

Both now.

Your people, O Christ, brings your Mother to intercede; at her entreaties grant us your pity, that we may glorify you, Loving Lord, who dawned for us from the grave.

The following Psalm of the Polyeleos is sung on the two Sundays before Lent, Meat Sunday and Cheese Sunday. When this Psalm is sung Psalm 118 is not sung, but in its place Psalm 134. Psalm 136 takes the place of the Selection. We also light the Polyeleos. Note that in the Russian use Psalm 136 is also used on the two preceding Sundays, those of the Prodigal Son and of the Last Judgement.

Psalm 136

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and we when we remembered Sion. Alleluia.

On the willows in the midst of it we hung up our instruments. Alleluia.

For there our captors asked us for songs, and those who had led us away for a hymn, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Sion!’ Alleluia.

How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? Alleluia.

If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten! Alleluia.

Let my tongue stick to my throat, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. Alleluia.

Remember, Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem’s fall, how they said, ‘Tear it down! Tear it down! Down to its foundations!’ Alleluia.

O daughter of Babylon, the wretched! Blessed is the one who requites you as you have requited us! Alleluia.

Blessed is the one who seizes your little children and dashes them against the rock! Alleluia.

Glory. Both now. Alleluia.

In present day Greek use the following Psalm is used instead of Psalm 134 on the feasts of the Mother of God. It is followed by Psalm 135, but the Selection for the various feasts is usually omitted. It is also common to farce the verses with refrains, in the same way as the Anixantaria are farced at Vespers.

Psalm 44

A Good Word. Alleluia.

My heart has uttered a good Word.

Hail, all-praised Queen of all, Mother of our God. Alleluia.

I tell my works to the King.

Hail, Queen of Angels, Sovereign of the world. Alleluia.

My tongue is the pen of ready writer.

Hail, proclamation of the Prophets, glory of Patriarchs. Alleluia.

You are lovely with a beauty beyond the sons of men.

Hail, pure Virgin, Sovereign Lady, Bride of God. Alleluia.

Grace has poured from your lips.

Hail, spotless, undefiled, incorrupt, All-holy. Alleluia.

Therefore God has blessed you for ever.

Hail, hope of those without hope, and help of those embattled. Alleluia.

Gird your sword on your thigh, mighty warrior.

Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you, and through you with us. Alleluia.

In your splendour and beauty.

Hail, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Alleluia.

Draw your bow and prosper, and reign.

Hail, Virgin Mother of God, blessed among women. Alleluia.

In the cause of truth and meekness and justice.

Hail, Mary, Lady of us all, the Lord of powers is with you. Alleluia.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the sceptre of your Kingdom is a rod of justice.

Therefore God your God has anointed you.

Hail, throne formed of fire, more glorious than the four living creatures. Alleluia.

With the oil of gladness beyond your fellows.

Hail, Mary, Lady of us all. Hail, Mother of life. Alleluia.

The Queen stood at your right hand.

Hail, highly blessed, highly glorified. Alleluia.

Arrayed in gold, wrought with many colours.

Hail, immaculate Mother of God, for you gave birth to the Saviour of our souls. Alleluia.

Listen my daughter and see, and incline your ear.

Hail, Paradise most holy. Hail, Bride without bridegroom. Alleluia.

And forget your people and your father’s house.

Hail, greater holy of holies. Hail, Bride without bridegroom. Alleluia.

The richest of the people will entreat your favour.

All-holy Virgin, listen to the voice of your unprofitable servant. Guide me to offer you without ceasing the groanings of my heart, Sovereign Lady. Alleluia.

The virgins in her train will be brought to the King, those near her will be brought to you.

They will be brought with joy and gladness, they will be led into the King’s temple.

I will remember your name throughout all generations.

All-holy Virgin, Bride of God, accept my pitiable service and bring it to God the compassionate, that rejoicing I may give you glory, O All-blameless. Hail, Bride without bridegroom. Alleluia.

Glory. Both now.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to your our God, glory to you.

Ikos. See Kontakion.

This page contains the full text of the ordinary of the office of Matins for weekdays, with some notes on the way of chanting the Canons as this is done in those monasteries of Holy Mountain which still sing the full canons every morning. The text is in PDF format, for which Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. This may be downloaded free by clicking on the following hyperlink: Weekday Matins

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (x3)

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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, both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

Then the following Hymns to the Trinity. Tone 1.

On rising from sleep, we fall down before you, O Good One, and we cry to you with the Angels’ hymn, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God: through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Tone 2.

You have roused me, Lord, from my bed and from sleep, enlighten my mind and open my heart and my lips, to sing your praise, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God: through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Tone 3.

The Judge will come suddenly, and the deeds of each will be laid bare; but with fear let us cry to you in the middle of the night: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God: through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy (x12), and these prayers.

Prayer of Thanksgiving with Intercession

Having risen from sleep I thank you, O Holy Trinity; because through your great goodness and patience you have not been angry with me, an idler and a sinner, nor have you destroyed me in my iniquities, but you have shown your customary love for mankind and roused me, as I lay in despair, to rise before dawn and to glorify your might. And now, enlighten the eyes of my mind and open my mouth to meditate on your words, to understand your commandments and to do your will, and to sing to you with confession of heart and to hymn your all-holy name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Another Prayer

Glory to you, O King, almighty God, because in your divine providence and love for mankind, you have permitted me, sinner and unworthy, to rise from sleep and to gain entrance to your holy house. Accept, too, Lord, the voice of my supplication, as you do that of your holy and spiritual Powers; and be well pleased for praise to be offered you with a pure heart and a spirit of humility from my sordid lips, that I too may become a companion of the wise virgins with the shining lamp of my soul and may glorify you, God the Word, glorified with the Father and the Spirit. Amen.

[Note: In present monastic use these opening hymns and prayers are said after Heavenly King at the beginning of the Midnight Office. In Greek monastic practice the opening Glory to you, our God and Heavenly King are said by the Superior; in his absence by the senior monk present or, in some monasteries, by the officiating Priest, the Reader beginning at the Trisagion.]

Reader: Amen.

If there is no Priest say:

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

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Three Metanias, and at once

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you alone I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

Then we say Psalm 118 [Kathisma 17].

Glory. Both now.

I believe in one God, 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, begotten from the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made; for our sake and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man; he was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; he rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he is coming 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 together with Father and Son is worshipped and together glorified; who spoke through the Prophets. In one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Trisagion, All-holy Trinity and Our Father as above.

Then these Troparia in Tone 8.

Behold the bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant whom he finds watching; but unworthy is the one whom he finds idle. Take care then, my soul, not to be overcome with sleep, lest you be given up to death and shut outside the kingdom; but stay wakeful and cry, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God. Through the Mother of God have mercy on us’.

Glory.

Consider that dread day my soul and keep watch, lighting your lamp, and bright with oil; for you do not know when the voice will come to you which says, ‘Behold the Bridegroom’. Take care then, my soul, lest you doze and stay outside knocking like the five virgins; but persevere unsleeping, that you may meet Christ God with rich oil and that he may give you the divine bridal chamber of his glory.

Both now. Theotokion.

We beg you, Virgin Mother of God, unassailable wall and fortress of salvation; scatter the counsels of the foe; turn your people’s grief to joy; restore your world; strengthen the devout; intercede for the peace of the world; for you, Mother of God, are our hope.

On the forefeasts, afterfeasts and Leave-taking of the feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, instead of the above Troparia, their Apolytikion is read.

Then Lord, have mercy (x40), and this Prayer:

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the good things to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy (x3), Glory. Both now. Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly the Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

Priest: May God take pity on us and bless us and shed us the light of his countenance upon us, and have mercy on us.

If it is Alleluia, that is, in the holy and great Lent we make the three great metanias, saying to ourselves at each a line of the Prayer of St Ephrem:

Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power and useless chatter. (Prostration)

Rather accord to me, your servant, a spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love. (Prostration)

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. (Prostration).

Then the 12 small metanias and again a great metania and the last line of the Prayer. Then the Trisagion etc. and after it Lord, have mercy (x12)

Then this

Prayer of Saint Mardarios:

God and Master, Father almighty, Lord, only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, one godhead, one power, have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgements which you know, save me your unworthy servant; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Note that the following prayer is said from September 22nd until Palm Sunday.

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

Lord almighty, God of Powers and of all flesh, who dwell on high and look on lowly things, who test hearts and minds and know the all the secrets of mortals, light without beginning and without end, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration; receive, immortal King, the supplications which we, confident of the multitude of your mercies, offer to you from filthy lips at the present hour of the night, and forgive us the offences by which we have offended in deed and word and thought, in knowledge or in ignorance, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making us temples of your Holy Spirit. And grant that we may pass through the whole night of this present life with an unsleeping heart and a watchful mind, as we wait for the coming of the bright and manifest day of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when he will come to earth with glory to render to each according to their deeds. So that we may not be found lifeless and slumbering, but watchful and awake in the doing of your commandments, and that, prepared, we may enter together the joy and the divine bridal chamber of his glory, where the sound of those who feast is unceasing and the delight of those who see the ineffable beauty of your face is inexpressible. For you are the true light, which enlightens and sanctifies all things, and all creation hymns you to the ages of ages.

Then the priest raises his hands, saying the following

Prayer of Saint Basil

We bless you, God most high and Lord of mercy, who ever do with us great and unfathomable things, things glorious and extraordinary without number, who grant us sleep for the refreshment of our weakness and the relaxation of the toils of our much wearied flesh. We thank you because you have not destroyed us in our lawlessness, but have shown us your customary love for mankind and roused us as we lay in despair, to glorify your might. And so we implore your incomparable loving-kindness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise our minds from the heavy sleep of idleness. Open our mouths and fill them with your praise, that we may be able to sing and chant give thanks to you continually, God glorified in all and by all, the Father without beginning, with your only begotten Son and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then:

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias and the Psalms:

Psalm 120

I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help will come. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Do not let your foot waver; nor will he who guards you slumber. See, the One who guards Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. May the Lord guard you, may the Lord cover you with his right hand. The sun will not scorch you by day, nor the moon by night. May the Lord guard you from every evil; may the Lord guard your soul. May the Lord guard your coming in and your going out, from now and for ever more.

Psalm 133

Come now bless the Lord all you the Lord’s servants, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Lift up your hands every night to the Holy Place, and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Sion, He who made heaven and earth.

Glory. Both now.

Trisagion, All-holy Trinity and Our Father as above.

And the following Troparia. Tone 8.

As you are good, Lord, remember your servants and pardon them whatever sins they committed in life; for no one is sinless but you, who are able to give rest also to those who have passed over.

You who with wisdom dispose all things with love for mankind and impart to all, only Creator, that which is profitable, give rest, Lord, to the souls of your servants, for they placed their hope in you, our maker and fashioner and God.

Glory.

With the Saints, O Christ, give rest to the souls of your servants, where there is neither toil, nor grief, nor sighing, but life without end.

Both now.

All generations call you blessed, Virgin Mother of God, for in you the uncontainable, Christ our God, was well pleased to be contained. Blessed are we also with you as protection, for day and night you intercede for us and the sceptres of the kingdom are strengthened by your entreaties; therefore with hymns we cry to you: Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you.

Here during feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God their Kontakion is read.

Lord, have mercy (x12), and the following prayer.

A Prayer

Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in hope of resurrection to eternal life and all those who have died in piety and faith; and pardon them every offence, willing and unwilling, in word, or deed, or thought, by which they have offended. Settle them in places of light, places of green pasture, places of rest, from which all sorrow, grief and sighing have fled; where the presence of your face gives joy to all your saints from every age. Grant them and us your Kingdom and participation in your ineffable and eternal good things, and the enjoyment of your infinite and blessed life. For you are the life, the resurrection and the repose of your servants who have fallen asleep, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Most glorious, ever-virgin, blessed Mother of God, offer our prayer to your Son and our God, and ask that through you he may save our souls.

Prayer of Saint Ioannikios

The Father is my hope, the Son my refuge, the Holy Spirit my protection. Holy Trinity, glory to you.

All my hope I place in you, Mother of God, guard me under your protection.

And the following Troparia. Tone 6

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; for we sinners, lacking all defence, offer you, as our Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.

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

Lord, have mercy on us, for in you we have put our trust. Do not be very angry with us, nor remember our iniquities. But look on us now, as you are compassionate, and rescue us from our enemies. For you are our God, and we are your people; we are all the work of your hands, and we have called on your name.

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

Open the gate of compassion to us, blessed Mother of God; hoping in you, may we not fail. Through you may we be delivered from adversities, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.

Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy (x3). Give the blessing.

Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, in accordance with your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.

Reader: Lord, have mercy (x3).

Priest: Also we pray for our Archbishop N. and for all our brotherhood in Christ.

[Also we pray for our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and all the Royal Family.]

Also we pray for the protection of this holy monastery and every monastery, city and village from plague, famine, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, invasion by enemies, civil war and sudden death; and that our good God, who loves mankind, will be merciful, kindly and easily entreated, turn away and dispel all wrath and disease stirred up against us, and deliver us from his just threat that hangs over us, and have mercy on us.

Reader: Lord, have mercy (x40). [In groups of 10 while the Priest is praying]

Priest: Also we pray that the Lord, our God, will hear to the voice of supplication of us sinners and have mercy on us.

Reader: Lord, have mercy (x3).

Priest: Hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off on the sea; and have pity, have pity, Master, on our sins, and have mercy on us. For you, O God, are merciful and love mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Priest: Glory to you, Christ, God, our hope, glory to you.

Reader: Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy (x3). Holy Father, bless.

Priest: May (he who...,) Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all pure and holy Mother, the intercessions of the holy glorious, all-praised Apostles, (of the Saint of the Monastery and of the day) and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

Let us pray for the peace of the world.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. After each petition.

For our Archbishop N., our Superior N., and all our brotherhood in Christ.

For our Sovereign N.

For our absent fathers and brethren.

For those who hate us and for those who love us.

For those who are merciful to us and serve us.

For those who have asked us in our unworthiness to pray for them.

For the release of prisoners.

For those that sail upon the sea.

For those that lie in sickness.

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

And for every soul of Orthodox Christians.

Let us bless devout Sovereigns.

Orthodox High Priests.

The Founders of this holy Monastery.

Our parents and teachers, and all our departed fathers and brethren, Orthodox believers, who here or in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.

Reader [during the last petition]: May God pardon and have mercy on them, where all the just repose; and have mercy and save us as he is good and loves mankind.

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

Reader: Amen.

The following Note is found in the Horologion before the Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian

The word ‘Alleluia’ is Hebrew and in translation means ‘Praise the Lord’. People use it as a sign of joy and an expression of gladness as they praise God and thank him for his wonders, as is clear from the tile of many Psalms, to the which the word is attached and also from what Tobit says about Jerusalem being rebuilt again after its fall, that all its streets will say ‘Alleluia’ (13,18). It is also clear from the Apocalypse of John, who, after the fall and disappearance of the spiritual Babylon, heard a loud voice from heaven saying continuously, ‘Alleluia’ (13,2.20s; 19,1). Nevertheless Christ’s Church among us uses the word not only for radiant and joyful days, as, for example, in the Antiphons of the feasts of the Lord, ‘Save us who sing to you: Alleluia!’, but also in many places in the daily day and night office. The word is especially frequent in the rites for funerals and the mournful days of the fasts, when ‘Alleluia’ is sung at Vespers in place of the normal Prokeimenon and at Matins instead of ‘The Lord is God’. Of this ‘Alleluia’ here and subsequently, the instruction of the Typikon says, ‘But if it is Alleluia’, that is if there is a fast, if we do not sing, ‘The Lord is God’, we make the full prostrations. Otherwise etc.

Note that the Latin Church has the opposite custom to us and expressly forbids the use of Alleluia on fast days and at mournful rites, and limits it to joyful days only, especially the day of Pascha, when they sing it very often, as do the ‘Christ has risen’. But also, many Westerners when visiting one another during the days of Pascha, or meeting in the road, give the greeting, ‘Happy Alleluia’, just as we use ‘Christ has risen’.

The Office begins as on ordinary weekdays, but instead of Psalm 118 (Kathisma 17) we say Psalms 64-69 (Kathisma 9).

After the I believe and the Trisagion etc., we say the following Troparia.

Tone 2.

Uncreated nature, maker of all things, open our lips that we may declare your praise as we cry: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God. Through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Glory.

We who are on earth, imitating the Powers above, offer you, O Good one, a hymn of victory: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God. Through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Both now.

You have roused me, Lord, from my bed and from sleep, enlighten my mind and open my heart and my lips, to sing your praise, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God. Through the Mother of God have mercy on us.

Then as on ordinary weekdays, except that instead of the two Prayers of Saint Basil we say this

Prayer of Saint Efstratios

I magnify you greatly, O Lord, because you have looked upon my lowliness, and have not hemmed me into the hands of enemies, but have saved my soul from constraints. And now, Master, let your hand protect me, and your mercy come upon me, for my soul has been troubled and is greatly afflicted at its departure from this wretched and soiled body of mine. May the evil plan of the adversary never confront and obstruct it, because of the many sins committed by me in this life in knowledge and in ignorance. Be merciful to me, Master, and never let my soul see the dark and gloomy sight of the evil demons; but may your bright and shining Angels receive it. Give glory to your holy name, and bring me by your power to your divine judgement seat. When I am judged, let not the hand of the ruler of this world seize me to cast me, sinner that I am, into the depths of Hell; but stand by me and be for me a saviour and a helper. Have mercy, Lord, on my soul, stained with the passions of life, and receive it pure through repentance and confession; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then the rest of the Office as on ordinary weekdays.

After the usual Opening Prayers and Psalm 50, as on Weekdays, we say at once the Canon to the Trinity in the current Tone. Before the Troparia we say:

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy and save us.

After the Canon we sing the following Hymns to the Trinity.

It is truly right to praise the divine Trinity, the Father without beginning and Maker of all, the co-eternal Word, born without change from the Father before the ages, and the Holy Spirit, proceeding timelessly from the Father.

It is truly right to glorify you, God the Word, at whom the Cherubim quail and tremble and whom the Powers of heaven glorify. Christ, the giver of life, who rose from the grave on the third day, with fear let us glorify.

All those born from earth praise, and the Powers of heaven glorify the Unity in being in three Persons, that is worshipped by all the faithful.

Christ, the giver of life, before whom the Cherubim quail and tremble and whom the hosts of Angels glorify, who was incarnate from the Virgin, with fear let us glorify.

As befits God, let us all praise with songs inspired the Father and the Son and the divine Spirit, three-personned might, one kingship and dominion.

Immaculate Virgin, all creation seeing your Son risen from the dead, as befits God, has been filled with unspeakable joy, as it glorifies him and honours you.

Priest: May God take pity on us and bless us, shed the light of his countenance on us and have mercy on us.

Reader: Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy (x3). Give the blessing.

The Dismissal, and then the final Litany etc. as on Weekdays.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Three Metanias and the Psalms:

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I shall stand before you, and you will watch over me; because you are not a God who wants iniquity. The evildoer will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless remain before your eyes. You have hated all those who work iniquity; you will destroy all those who speak lies. The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit. But I, in the abundance of your mercy, will enter your house, I will worship towards your holy temple in fear of you. Guide me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies, direct my way before you. Because there is no truth in their mouths; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open tomb, they deceive with their tongues. Judge them, O God. Let them fall through their counsels; according to the multitude of their impieties cast them out, for they have embittered you, O Lord. And may all those who hope in you be glad; they will rejoice for ever, and you will dwell among them, and all those who love your name will boast in you. Because you will bless the righteous; you have crowned him, O Lord, with your good pleasure.

Psalm 89

Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains came into being or the earth and the world were formed, from age to age you are. Do not turn mankind back to humiliation, and you said: Turn back, children of men. Because a thousand years in your eyes, Lord, are like a day, or like yesterday which has passed, and like a watch in the night. Their years will be mere trifles, in the morning like grass may he pass away. In the morning let him flower and pass away; in the evening let him fall, dry up and wither. Because we have perished in your anger, and in your wrath we have been dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you; our age in the light of your countenance. Because all our days have perished, and in your anger we have perished; our years were reckoned like a spider. The days of our years there are seventy years in them, but if we are strong, eighty, and the majority of them are labour and toil; because weakness has come over us and we shall be chastened. Who knows the might of your anger? And can gauge your wrath from fear of you? So make your right hand known to me, and those chastened in heart by wisdom. Turn back, O Lord, how long? And be entreated for your servants. We have filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we have rejoiced and been glad. In all our days let be glad; in return for the days when you humbled us, the years when we saw evils. And look upon your servants and upon the work of your hands and guide your children. And let the brightness of the Lord be upon us, and direct the works of our hands for us, and direct the work of our hand.

Psalm 100

I will sing to you of mercy and judgement, O Lord, I will chant and think on a blameless way: when will you come to me? I have walked in the midst of my house in the innocence of my heart. I have set no lawless deed before my eyes; I have hated those who commit transgressions. No twisted heart has been attached to me; the evil man who avoids me I have not acknowledged. The man who secretly slanders his neighbour, him I have driven out. With a man of proud looks and insatiate heart, I have not eaten. My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, for them to dwell with me; the man who walks on a blameless way, he has ministered to me. The man who acts proudly has not dwelt in my house; the man who speaks calumnies has not prospered before me. Morning by morning I slew all the sinners in the land, to purge from the Lord’s city all workers of iniquity.

Glory. Both now. Alleluia (x3). Lord, have mercy (x3).

And if The Lord is God was sung, we say: Glory, the Apolytikion of the day, then Both now, and the Theotokion:

What shall we call you, O Full of grace? Heaven? For you made the Sun of righteousness to dawn. Paradise? For you made the flower of incorruption blossom. Virgin? For you remained incorrupt. Pure Mother? For you held in your holy embrace a Son who is the God of all. Implore him that our souls may be saved.

And immediately:

Direct my steps according to your word, and let no iniquity lord it over me.

Deliver me from the slander of men, and I shall keep your commandments.

Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes.

Let my mouth be filled with your praise, O Lord, that I may hymn your glory, all day long your splendour.

Then:

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (x3)

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and 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 is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Then: Lord, have mercy (x40).

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy (x3). Glory. Both now. Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly the Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

Priest: May God take pity on us and bless us, show the light of his countenance on us and have mercy on us.

Then the Superior says following prayer:

Christ, the true light, who enlighten and hallow everyone who comes into the world, may the light of your countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may see your unapproachable light; and direct our steps to the doing of your commandments; at the intercessions of your most pure Mother and of all your Saints. Amen.

Reader:

To you my Champion and Commander I your city saved from disasters dedicate, O Mother of God, hymns of victory and thanksgiving; but as you have unassailable might from every kind of danger now deliver me, that I may cry to you: Hail, Bride without bridegroom!

And Dismissal.

Glory to you, our God. Glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King and our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 16

Hearken to my righteousness, O Lord; attend to my supplication. Give ear to my prayer from lips which do not deceive. Let my judgement come from your presence, let my eyes see fair dealings. You have tested my heart, you have visited me by night; you have tried me by fire and no injustice has been found in me. That my mouth might not speak of human deeds, for the sake of the words of your lips I have kept hard ways. Direct my steps in your paths, that my steps may not slip. I have called, for you heard me, O God; incline your ear to me, and hearken to my words. Show the wonder of your mercies, you who save those that hope in you. Guard me, O Lord, like the pupil of the eye, from those who resist your right hand. You will shelter me in the shelter of your wings, from the presence of the impious who afflicted me. My foes have surrounded my soul; they have shut their hearts, their mouth has spoken proudly. They cast me out and now they have encircled me, they have fixed their eyes to bow to the ground. They came on me like a lion ready for prey, and like a lion cub lurking in hidden places. Arise, Lord, forestall them and cast them down; deliver my soul from the impious, your sword from the foes of your hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the land in their life, and their belly was filled from your hidden things. They have been sated with swine’s flesh and left the remainder to their infants. But I in righteousness will appear in your presence; I shall be satisfied when your glory has appeared to me.

Psalm 24

To you, O Lord, I have lifted my soul. My God, I have trusted in you, do not let me be shamed for ever. Do not let my foes laugh at me; for all who wait patiently for you shall not be shamed; let those who transgress without cause be shamed. O Lord, make your ways known to me, and teach me your paths. Guide me into your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and I have waited patiently on you all the day. Remember your acts of pity, Lord, and your mercies, for they are eternal. Do not remember the sins of my youth and ignorance; in accordance with your mercy remember me, on account of your goodness, O Lord. The Lord is good and upright, therefore he will give laws to those who sin on their way. He will guide the meek with judgement, he will teach the meek 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 one who fears the Lord? He will give him laws in the way which he has chosen. His soul will dwell among good things and his seed will inherit the earth. The Lord is the strength of those who fear him, and his covenant will show them this. My eyes are ever towards the Lord, for he will draw my feet out of the snare. Look on me and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. The afflictions of my heart have been multiplied; bring me out of my troubles. See my humiliation and my toil, and forgive all my sins. See my foes, for they have been multiplied, and have hated me with an unjust hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be shamed, for I have hoped in you. The innocent and upright have joined themselves to me, because I have waited patiently for you, O Lord. O God, deliver Israel from all his afflictions.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me O God, according to your great mercy: according to the fullness of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness: and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight: that you may be justified in your words, and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived: and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed: you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness: the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins: and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence: and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation: and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways: and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed: and my tongue will rejoice at your righteousness. O Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it: you will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Zion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

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

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

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

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

Then the Apolytikion of the day. If there are two feasts the first Apolytikion is said before Glory and the second after it.

Both now. Theotokion.

Mother of God, you are the true vine, who gave bud to the fruit of life; we implore you, Sovereign Lady, intercede together with the Apostles and all the Saints that he have mercy on our souls.

Then at once:

Blessed is the Lord God, blessed is the Lord day by day; may the God of our salvation give us prosperity.

Then:

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

Then the Kontakion of the day. On Sunday the Ypakoï.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

God and Master, Father almighty, Lord, only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit, one godhead, one power, have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgements which you know, save me your unworthy servant; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

And at once we start the Sixth Hour.

O come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

With 3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 53

O God, save my by your name, and you will judge me by your power. O God, hearken to my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me, and mighty ones have sought my soul, and have not put God before them. For see, God will help me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will turn evils upon my foes, in your truth wipe them out. Willingly I shall sacrifice to you, I shall give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have delivered me from every affliction, and my eye has looked down on my foes.

Psalm 54

Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not despise my supplication; attend to me, and hearken to me. I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled by the voice of the foe and the affliction of the sinner. Because they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they were indignant with me. My heart was troubled within me, and dread of death fell on me. Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me. And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove’s, and I shall fly away and find rest. See, I have gone far away in my flight, and have encamped in the wilderness. I waited for God who saves me from faint-heartedness and from storm. O Lord, drown and divide their tongues; because I have seen iniquity and wrangling in the city. Day and night it will go round upon its walls, and lawlessness and toil are in its midst, and injustice. Usury and fraud have not left its streets. For if an enemy had reviled me, I would have endured it. And if one who hated me had boasted against me, I would have hidden from him. But it was you, one who was my equal, my leader and my friend. Who made sweet the food we ate together; we walked in harmony in God’s house. Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades. For evil is in their dwellings and in their midst. But I cried to God and the Lord heard me. At evening and morning and at midday I shall speak and declare, and he will listen to my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from those who draw near me, for in crowds they were about me. God will hear and he who is before the ages will humble them. For there is no change with them, because they did not fear God; he stretched out his hand to repay. They defiled his covenant; they were scattered at the wrath of his presence, and their hearts drew near. His words were smoother than oil, yet they are javelins. Cast your care on the Lord, and he will support you; he will not let the righteous be storm-tossed for ever. But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days; but I, Lord, will hope in you.

Psalm 90

One who dwells in the help of the Most High will live under the protection of the of the God of heaven. He will say to the Lord: you are my protector and my refuge, my God, and I shall hope in him. For he will deliver you from the snare of hunters, and from the word which troubles. He will overshadow you with his wings, and beneath his feathers you will hope; his truth will encircle you with a shield. You will not be afraid of terror by night, of the arrow that flies by day. Of the thing that prowls in the darkness, of mishap and the noonday devil. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right, but it will not come near you. But with your eyes you will observe, and see the reward of sinners. For you, Lord, are my hope: you have made the Most High your refuge. Evils will not approach you, nor a scourge draw near your dwelling. Because he has given orders to his Angels about you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will walk on asp and basilisk, and trample down lion and dragon. Because he hoped in me, I shall deliver him; I shall shelter him, because he knew my name. He will cry to me, and I shall hear him, I am with him in trouble; I shall rescue him and glorify him. I shall fill him with length of days, and show him my salvation.

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

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

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

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

Then the Apolytikion of the day. If there are two feasts the first Apolytikion is said before Glory and the second after it.

Both now. Theotokion.

Because we have no boldness on account of our many sins, entreat the One born of you, O Virgin Mother of God; for a Mother’s plea has great force for the kindness of the Master. Do not despise the supplications of sinners, O all-holy, for he is merciful, and able to save, he who even accepted to suffer for us.

Then at once:

Let your mercies, O Lord, come quickly to our aid, for we are utterly poor; help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name. O Lord, deliver us, and have mercy on our sins, for your name’s sake.

Then:

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

Then the Kontakion of the day. On Sunday the Ypakoï.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Superior says the following:

Prayer of Saint Basil The Great

O God and Lord of powers, and Maker of all creation, who through the compassion of your incomprehensible mercy sent down your only-begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race, and through his precious Cross tore up the record of our sins, and by it triumphed over the principalities and powers of darkness; do you yourself, O Master who love mankind, accept also our supplications of thanksgiving and entreaty; and deliver us from destroying and dark transgression, and from all our foes, visible and invisible, who seek to harm us. Nail down our flesh through fear of you, and do not let our hearts incline to words or thoughts of evil, but wound our souls with longing for you; that ever gazing on you and guided by the light that comes from you, seeing you the unapproachable and everlasting light, we may give thanks to you, the Father without beginning, with your only-begotten Son and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

According to the Typica of the Holy Mountain the Reader at once adds:

It is truly meet to call you blessed, who gave birth to God, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

And Dismissal.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 83

How beloved are your dwellings, O Lord of powers; my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow has found itself a house, and the dove a nest for herself, where she may place her nestlings: your altars, O Lord of powers, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they will praise you to ages of ages. Blessed the one whose help is from you; who has placed ascents in his heart, to the valley of weeping, to the place he has set. For the lawgiver will give blessings; they will go from strength to strength, the God of gods will appear in Sion. Lord God of powers hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. O God our shield see; and look on the face of your Christ. For one day in your courts is far better than thousands. I chose to be cast aside in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. Lord God of powers, blessed is the one who hopes in you.

Psalm 84

You were well pleased with your land, O Lord, you turned away the captivity of Jacob. You forgave your people their iniquities, you covered all their sins. You made all your anger cease, you turned away from the anger of your rage. Turn us back again, O God of our salvation, and turn away your rage from us. Would you be angry with us for ever? Or will you prolong your wrath from generation to generation? O God, when you have turned us back you will make us live, and your people will rejoice in you. Lord, show us your mercy, and grant us your salvation. I will hear what the Lord will say in me; for he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones, to those who turn their hearts back to him. But his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth has dawned from the earth, and righteousness has leaned down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness, and our earth will give its fruit. Righteousness will walk before him, and set his steps in the way.

Psalm 85

Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for I am holy; O my God, save your servant who hopes in you. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I shall cry to you all the day; give joy to the soul of your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to you. For you, O Lord, are good and gentle, and full of mercy to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I called to you, for you have heard me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord; none whose works are as yours. All the nations whom you made will come and bow down before you, O Lord, and glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Guide me, Lord, in your way, and I shall walk in your truth; make my heart glad to fear your name. I shall give you thanks, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart; and I shall glorify your name for ever. For your mercy is great towards me, and you have delivered my soul from the lowest Hell. O God, the lawless rose up against me, and an assembly of mighty ones sought my soul, and did not set you before them. And you, Lord, are pitying and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy and true. Look on me and have mercy on me; give your might to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Make with me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And again:

Make with me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

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

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

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

Then the Apolytikion of the day. If there are two feasts, the first Apolytikion is said before Glory and the second after it.

Both now. Theotokion.

O Good one, born of a Virgin for our sakes and who endured crucifixion, who despoiled death by death and as God revealed resurrection, do not despise those whom you fashioned with your own hand; show your love for mankind, O Merciful; accept the Mother of God who bore you, as she intercedes for us, and save, O Saviour, a people in despair.

For your holy name’s sake do not finally reject us, do not annul your covenant, do not take your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, and for the sake of Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

Then the Kontakion of the day. On Sunday the Ypakoï.

Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who have long endured our transgressions, and brought us to this hour in which, hanging on the life-giving tree, you showed the good Thief the way into Paradise and destroyed death by death, have mercy also on us sinners and your unworthy servants. For we have sinned and transgressed, and are not worthy to raise our eyes and look on the height of heaven, because we have abandoned the way of your justice and walked in the will of our hearts. But we implore your unbounded goodness: spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of your mercy, and save us for your holy name’s sake, for our days have been wasted in vanity. Rescue us from the hand of our opponent, forgive us our sins, slay our carnal will, so that we, having put off the old man, may put on the new, and live for you, our Master and Benefactor; and that thus following your precepts we may reach eternal rest, where those who rejoice have their dwelling. For you are the true joy and gladness of those who love you, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

And Dismissal.

Reader: Amen.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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, both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias. Then the Psalms:

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you alone I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

Psalm 69

O God, come to my help; Lord, hasten to help me. Let those who seek my soul be shamed and confounded. Let those who wish me evil be turned back and put to shame. Let those who say to me, ‘Good, good!’ be turned back immediately, ashamed. Let all who seek you, O God, be glad and rejoice in you. Let all who love your salvation ever say: ‘The Lord be magnified.’ But I am poor and needy; help me, O God. You are my helper and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer: in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your righteousness hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant: for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul, humbled my life to the ground. Made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit grew despondent within me and my heart within me was troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all your works: I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you: my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord, my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord: I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name's sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice, you will bring my soul out of trouble, in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those that afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

Doxology

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory. Lord, King, God of heaven, Father almighty: Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every evening I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and to the ages of ages. 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 run to you for refuge; teach me to do your will for you are my God. For with you is the source of life, and in your light we shall see light. Continue your mercy towards those who know you.

Grant, Lord, this night to keep us without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name for evermore. Amen. May your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have trusted in you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach me your statutes. Blessed are you, Master, make me understand your statutes. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your statutes. Lord, your mercy is for ever: Do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Creed

I believe in one God, 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, begotten from the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made; for our sake and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man; he was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; he rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he is coming 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 together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and together glorified; who spoke through the Prophets. In one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Then:

It is truly right to call you blessed, who gave birth to God, ever-blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

The following Troparia:

God of our fathers, who always deal with us in your forbearance, do not withdraw your pity from us, but at their intercessions guide our life in peace.

Your Church, clothed throughout the world as in purple and fine linen with the blood of your Martyrs, cries out to you through them: Christ, our God, send down your mercy on your people; give peace to your city and to our souls your great mercy.

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

With the Saints, O Christ, give rest to the souls of your servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life without end.

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

Through the intercession of all the Saints and of the Mother of God, give us your peace, Lord, and have mercy on us, for you alone are merciful.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that, protected and guided by their host, we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

Prayer to The Most Holy Mother of God

by Paul, monk of the Monastery of Evergetis.

Spotless, undefiled, incorrupt, immaculate, pure Virgin, Bride of God and Lady, who by your marvellous conceiving united God the Word with mankind and joined our rejected human nature to the heavenly realm; the only hope of the hopeless, help of the attacked, ready assistance of those who flee to you, and refuge of all Christians; do not turn in loathing from me, an accursed sinner, who have made myself utterly worthless through shameful thoughts and words and deeds, and through the sloth of the pleasures of life have become a slave to my own will. But as Mother of the God who loves mankind have compassion on me, a sinner and a prodigal, in your love for mankind, and accept the prayer I offer you from polluted lips. And using your Mother's boldness, implore your Son, our Master and Lord, that He open to me also the compassionate heart of his goodness, and disregarding my countless offences turn me back to repentance, and make me a tried worker of his commandments. And, as you are full of mercy, compassion and loving-kindness, be ever near me: in this present life a fervent helper and protector, shielding me from the enemy's assaults and guiding me to salvation, and at the moment of my departure watching over my wretched soul and driving far from her the dark forms of evil demons; but on the dread day of judgement, delivering me from eternal punishment and making me heir to the ineffable glory of your Son and our God. All this may I obtain, my Lady, most holy Mother of God, through your mediation and assistance; through the grace and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To whom are due all glory, honour and worship, with his Father who is without beginning and his all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ

by the monk Antiochos.

And grant us, Master, as we go to our sleep, rest of body and soul; and guard us from the gloomy sleep of sin and from every dark pleasure of the night. Calm the assaults of the passions, quench the fiery arrows of the evil one that are cunningly aimed at us; put down the rebellions of our flesh and still our every earthly and material thought. And grant us, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thought, a wakeful heart, sleep that is light and free from every satanic fantasy. Rouse us at the time for prayer strengthened in your commandments, and holding firmly within us the memory of your judgements. Grant that we may sing your glory all night long, and so hymn, bless and glorify your all honoured and majestic name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Most glorious, ever-virgin, blessed Mother of God, offer our prayer to your Son and our God, and ask that through you he may save our souls.

Prayer of Saint Ioannikios

The Father is my hope, the Son my refuge, the Holy Spirit my protection. Holy Trinity, glory to you.

All my hope I place in you, Mother of God, guard me under your protection.

Because of you, O Full of grace, all creation rejoices, the ranks of Angels and the human race; hallowed Temple and spiritual Paradise, pride of Virgins; from you God was incarnate and he, who is our God before the ages, became a little child. For He made your womb a throne and caused it to become wider than the heavens. Because of you, O Full of grace, all creation rejoices; glory to you.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Holy Angel, overseer of my wretched soul and miserable life, do not abandon me a sinner, do not desert me because of my inconstancy; leave no place for the evil demon to obtain dominion over me by gaining control of this mortal body; strengthen my wretched and feeble hand, and guide me into the way of salvation. Yes, Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, pardon me all the things by which I have distressed you all the days of my life, and whatever sins I have committed to-day; shelter me in the coming night and protect me from every abuse of the adversary, that I may not anger my God by any sin; and intercede for me to the Lord, to strengthen me in his fear, and show me to be a worthy servant of his goodness. Amen.

To you my Champion and Commander I your city, saved from disasters, dedicate, O Mother of God, hymns of victory and thanksgiving; but as you have unassailable might, from every kind of danger now deliver me, that I may cry to you: Hail, Bride without bridegroom!

Then:

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Let us pray for the peace of the world.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. After each petition.

[For our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elisabeth.]

For our absent fathers and brethren.

For those who hate us and for those who love us.

For those who are merciful to us and serve us.

For those who have asked us, unworthy though we are, to pray for them.

For the release of prisoners.

For those who sail upon the sea.

For those who lie in sickness.

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

And for every soul of Orthodox Christians.

Let us bless devout Sovereigns.

Orthodox High Priests.

Our parents and teachers, and all our departed fathers and brethren, Orthodox believers, who here or in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.

Tone 3.

Awed by the beauty of your virginity and by the splendour of your purity, Gabriel cried aloud to you, Mother of God: How can I praise you as I should? By what name shall I invoke you? I am troubled and amazed. Therefore, as I was commanded, I cry to you: Hail, full of grace!

Reader: Amen.

Note: Most books prescribe the prayer O God save your people before psalm 50. This is anomalous, since liturgically it is linked to the order for the Gospel. It is omitted in the Ieratikon issued by the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra on the Holy Mountain. I have given a reference to it in brackets at the appropriate point.

It is customary on the Holy Mountain to do a full censing during the first Ode of the Canon, whichever that may be, as on Sundays and Feasts.

The place at which the Troparia of the Canons are inserted vary from typikon to typikon. The standard Russian use is described in the translation of the Lenten Triodion by Mother Mary and Bishop Kallistos. Current Athonite practice is to insert the Troparia from the Menaion after the first four verses of the Biblical Canticle, and then recite the remaining verses, until the point at which the Canons from the Triodion are inserted, that is from 8 onwards.

The Triodion does not give precise references for the daily readings from St Ephrem the Syrian and the Lausiac History of Palladios, nor more than it does for the reading from the ladder at the Hours. Some suitable material from St Ephrem will be found elsewhere on my pages.

After the Dismissal of the Midnight Office the Priest, having made the customary metania to the Superior, or to his stall, enters the sanctuary and makes three bows before the holy Table. He puts on the Epitrachelion and, standing in front of the Holy Table, intones:

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

Reader: Amen.

We say first the Trisagion prayers.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Psalm 19

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you.

Psalm 20

The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of mankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

The Reader says the following Troparia:

Amen. Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.

Glory.

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, to the new commonwealth that bears your name grant your mercies, Christ God; make your faithful people glad by your power, granting them victories over their enemies; may they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Both now. Theotokion.

Dread Champion who cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.

Reader: Amen.

And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction. The Superior, or the designated reader, with devotion and fear of God says:

Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God’. But you, Lord, are my helper, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. With my voice, I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, because the Lord will assist me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who surround me. Rise, Lord, save me, my God; because you have struck all who are vainly my foes. You have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people.

And again:

I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.

Psalm 37

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

And again.

Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me.

Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped.

And again.

Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.

My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 87

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery.

And again.

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.

Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.

Psalm 102

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children’s children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

And again.

In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer; in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul; humbled my life to the ground; made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit in me grew weary, and my heart was troubled within me. I remembered days of old; I meditated on all your works. I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you; my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord; my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord; I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice you will bring my soul out of trouble; in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

And again.

Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.

Glory. Both now.

The Priest, having kissed the icon of the Lord, stands in front of the Holy Doors and intones the:

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

[For our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, her Government, and all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.]

For this holy monastery, for monastery, city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

After the Litany the Canonarch, or the appointed Monk, chants in the middle the Alleluia 3 times according to the Tone of the Week, saying first one of the following verses.

And after the Alleluia, we sing the Hymns to the Trinity in the same tone, either singing the three once each, or the one three times, as the Superior decides. They are sung with melody, loudly and slowly.

Then we recite one Kathisma of the Psalter. At each Section, at the Alleluia, we all make three prostrations.

After the first reading from the Psalter, Kathismata from the Octoichos with the Theotokion in the Tone of the week, as above.

Then a Reading from St Ephrem the Syrian, by the Ephemerios.

After the second reading from the Psalter, Kathisma from the Triodion with its Theotokion.

And again a Reading from St Ephrem.

After the third reading from the Psalter another Kathisma from the Triodion with its Theotokion.

Then a Reading from the Lausiac History of Palladios.

After this we say Psalm 50 [and the usual prayer O God, save your people].

Then Psalm 50, as follows.

Have mercy on me O God, in accordance with your great mercy; according to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words, and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived, and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

And we begin the Canons.

On Monday— Ode 1

The Song of Moses in Exodus 15

Having utterly drowned Pharaoh in the deep Moses says:

Let us sing to the Lord, for he is greatly glorified.

Let us sing to the Lord, for he is greatly glorified: horse and rider he has cast into the sea.

Helper and protector he has become for my salvation: he is my God and I will glorify him; my father’s God and I will exalt him.

The Lord shatters wars, the Lord is his name.

Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has cast into the sea; his chosen mounted captains he has drowned in the Red Sea.

With the deep he covered them: they sank to the bottom like a stone.

Your right hand, Lord, has been glorified with strength; your right hand, Lord, has crushed enemies; and by the multitude of your glory you have smashed the opponents.

You sent forth your anger, it consumed them like a reed.

And through the spirit of your wrath the water parted; the waters became fixed like a wall, and the waves became fixed in the midst of the sea.

The enemy said: I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, I will fill my soul, I will destroy with my sword, my right hand shall lord it.

You sent forth your spirit, the sea covered them, they sank like lead in a mass of water.

Who is like you among the gods, Lord? Who is like you? Glorified in holiness, wondrous in glories, performing marvels.

You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them down.

You guided this people of yours, which you have redeemed; by your strength you have called them into your holy resting-place.

Nations heard and were enraged; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Phylistiim.

For 8 verses.

Then the leaders of Edom and the rulers of the Moabites hastened: trembling took hold of them: all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.

Let fear and trembling fall upon them: by the greatness of your arm let them be turned to stone.

For 6 verses.

Till your people pass over, O Lord: till your people, whom you have purchased, pass over.

The sanctuary which you have made, Lord: which your hands have prepared.

For 4 verses.

The Lord reigns over the ages and for ever and ever: for Pharaoh’s horse went with the chariots and horsemen into the sea.

But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.

Glory. Both now.

On Tuesday— Ode 2

Note that the 2nd ode is never recited, except only in great Lent. After the 1st we recite it through to the end. For the Troparia we say before each one: Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

The Song of Moses in Deuteronomy. Chap. 32:1.

After the law was written, once more a song of Moses.

Attend, O heaven, and I shall speak; and let earth hear the words from my mouth.

Let my utterance be looked for like rain, and let my words come down like dew, like a shower upon herbage, and like snow on grass.

Because I have called on the name of the Lord; ascribe majesty to our God.

God, his works are true, and all his ways judgements.

God is faithful, and there is no injustice in him; just and holy the Lord.

Blameworthy children, have they not sinned against him; perverse and crooked generation, do you thus repay the Lord?

Foolish this people, and not wise; is he not your Father who created you, and made you, and fashioned you?

Remember days of old, understand years, generations of generations.

Question your father, and he will tell you; your elders and they will speak to you.

When the Most High divided the nations, when he scattered the children of Adam, he set boundaries for the nations according to the number of the Angels of God.

And his people Jacob became the Lord’s portion; Israel the line of his inheritance.

He sustained them in the desert, in thirst from heat in a waterless land; he encircled him and instructed him and guarded him as the apple of his eye.

As an eagle longed to protect its brood, and its nestlings, spreading its wings, he received them and bore them up on his pinions.

The Lord alone led them, and their was no foreign god with them.

He made them mount on the strength of the land; he fed them with the produce of the fields.

They sucked honey from a rock, and oil from a solid rock.

Butter from oxen and milk from sheep, with the fat of lambs and rams, of the offspring of bulls and goats, with the fat of kidneys, of wheat, and they drank wine, the blood of the grape.

And Jacob ate and was filled, and the beloved kicked; he grew sleek, he grew fat, he was broadened and abandoned the God who made him, and rebelled from God his saviour.

They provoked me with foreign [gods], and embittered me with their abominations.

They sacrificed to demons and not to God; to gods they had not known; new ones, recently arrived, whom their fathers had not known.

You abandoned the God who begot you, and forgot the God who nurtures you.

And the Lord saw and grew jealous, and was provoked through anger of his sons and daughters.

And he said: I shall turn away my face from them, and I shall show them what will happen to them at the last; because it is a perverse generation; children who have no faith in them.

They have moved me to jealousy over what is not god, they have angered me by their idols; I too will move them to jealousy over what is not a nation, over a nation without understanding I shall anger them.

Because fire has been kindled from my wrath, it will kindled as far as the lowest hell; it devours the earth and its produce; it will consume the foundations of the mountains.

I shall gather evils against them, and exhaust my arrows against them.

On Wednesday — Ode 3

The Prayer of Anne, the mother of the Prophet Samuel. 1 Reigns 2.

A barren women strangely bearing child praises God.

Holy are you, O Lord, and my spirit sings your praise.

My heart is established in the Lord, my spirit is exalted in my God: my mouth derides my enemies, I rejoice in your salvation.

There is none holy like the Lord, and none just like our God.

Do not boast or talk so very proudly: let no arrogance come from your mouth.

For the Lord is a God of knowledge: and God prepares his ways.

He has weakened the bow of the mighty, and the weak have girded themselves with power.

Those who were full of bread have been brought low, and the hungry have deserted the land; because a barren woman has given birth to seven, and she who has many children has grown weak.

The Lord kill and gives life, leads down to hell and leads up.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich, humbles and exalts.

Makes the pauper rise from the earth, and raises the poor from the dunghill, to seat him with the powerful of the people, giving him a throne of glory as his inheritance.

For 8 verses.

He grants the prayers of him who prays: and blesses the years of the just.

Because a powerful man has no strength in his strength. The Lord will weaken his adversary: the Lord is holy.

For 6 verses.

Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, nor the powerful boast of his power, nor the wealthy boast of his wealth.

But let him who boasts boast of this: of understanding and knowing the Lord: and of executing judgement and justice in the midst of the earth.

For 4 verses.

The Lord has gone up to the heavens and thundered: being just he will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give strength to our kings: and exalt the horn of his anointed ones.

Glory. Both now.

On Thursday — Ode 4

The Prayer of the Prophet Avvakoum. Chap. 3:1

Avvakoum express the self-emptying of the Word.

Glory to your power, O Lord.

Lord, I heard your report and was afraid: Lord I considered your works and was amazed.

In the midst of two living creatures you will be known, when the years draw near you will be recognised, when the moment comes you will be revealed. When my soul is troubled, in anger you will remember mercy.

God will come from Theman: and the Holy One from a shady, wooded mountain.

His glory covered the heavens: and the earth was full of his praise.

And his radiance will like light; horns in his hands and he set up a mighty love of his strength.

A word will go before his face, and will go out for chastisement at his feet.

He stood, and the earth was shaken; he looked, and nations melted away.

The mountains were broken in pieces by force, everlasting hills melted away; instead of toils I saw his everlasting paths.

The tents of the Ethiopians quivered with fear, and the tabernacles of the land of Madian.

Were you enraged at rivers, Lord? Was your wrath at rivers? Or your indignation at the sea? Because you mounted on your horses, and your cavalry is salvation.

You draw, you draw your bow against sceptres, says the Lord; the land of rivers will be rent.

Peoples will see you and be in pain, as you scatter moving waters; the deep uttered its voice, the height of its appearance.

The sun was raised high and the moon stood in her course; your thunderbolts will go forth at the light, at the radiance of the lightning of your weapons.

With a threat you will bring low the earth, and with rage bring down nations.

You went forth for the salvation of your people, you have come to your save your anointed ones, you hurled death on the heads of the lawless, you raised bonds as far as the neck to the end.

You cut open in amazement the heads of the powerful; they will be shaken by them, they will break open their bridles, like a poor man eating in secret.

And you made your horses mount upon the sea, as they troubled many waters.

I kept watch, and my heart quivered with fear, from the sound of the prayer of my lips; and trembling entered my bones, and my strength was troubled within me.

I shall rest in the day of my trouble, from going up to the people of my sojourning.

For 8 verses.

For the fig-tree will not bear fruit, nor will there be produce on the vines.

The labour of the olive will deceive, and the fields yield no food.

For 6 verses.

The sheep have failed from lack of fodder, and there will be no oxen at the mangers.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord: I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

For 4 verses.

The Lord is my strength: he will perfectly station my feet.

And he puts me on high places: for me to conquer with his song.

Glory. Both now.

On Friday— Ode 5

Prayer of the Prophet Isaias. Chap. 26:9.

Isaias’ prophecy, a perfect prayer.

Lord our God give us peace.

From nightfall my spirit is awake for you, O God: for your commands are light upon the earth.

Learn justice, inhabitants of the earth.

The impious has come to an end; everyone who has in no way learnt justice upon earth will not do truth at all. Let the impious be taken away, that he may not see the glory of the Lord.

Lord your hand was lifted up and they knew it not; but once they know they will be ashamed.

Jealousy will seize an untaught people: and now fire devours their adversaries.

Lord our God, give us peace; for all things you have given back to us.

Lord our God, possess us; Lord, we no other but you, we name your name.

The dead may in no way see life, nor will physicians raise them up; because of this you have brought out and destroyed and taken away every one of their males.

For 8 verses.

Bring evils upon them, O Lord, bring evils upon them: the glorious ones of the earth.

O Lord in affliction we remembered you, with a little affliction you chastised us.

For 6 verses.

As the woman in labour draws near the time of her delivery and cries out in her labour: so have we been to your beloved.

Through fear of you, Lord, we have conceived in the womb, and have been in labour, and have given birth to a spirit of salvation, which we have made upon the earth. We shall not fall, but they will fall, the inhabitants of the earth.

For 4 verses.

The dead shall arise and those in the graves shall be raised: and those in the earth shall rejoice.

For the dew which comes from you is healing for them: but the land of the impious shall perish. Go, my people, enter your chamber, shut your door, be hidden for a little while, until the anger of the Lord has passed by.

Glory. Both now.

On Saturday— Ode 6

Prayer of the Prophet Jonas. Chap. 2:2.

Jonas cried from the beast and said:

As you did the prophet Jonas, save us , O Lord.

I cried to the Lord my God in my trouble: and he heard me; from the bowels of hell my cry; you heard my voice.

You cast me into the depths of the heart of the sea: and rivers surrounded me.

All your billows and your waves passed over me.

And I said: I have been thrust from your eyes; shall I look again towards your holy temple?

For 8 verses.

Water encompassed me, even to my soul: the lowest deep closed around me.

My head went down to the clefts of the mountains: I descended into the earth, whose bars are eternal barriers.

For 6 verses.

Let my life come up from corruption to you, O Lord my God.

As my soul was departing from me I remembered the Lord. And let my prayer come to you, to your holy temple.

For 4 verses.

Those who preserve vain and foolish things have forsaken their own Mercy.

But I shall sacrifice to you with a voice of praise and confession. I will pay you. O Lord, whatever I have vowed, for my salvation.

Glory. Both now.

On Saturday — Ode 7

Prayer of the Three Holy Youths. Dan. 3.

Praise of the three holy Youths quenches a flame.

Our God and the God of our fathers, blessed are you.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and praised and glorified is your name for evermore.

For you are just in all that you have done for us.

And all your works are true, and your ways are right, and all your judgements are true: and judgements of truth you have executed in all that you have brought upon us.

And upon Jerusalem the city of our fathers. Because in truth you have brought all these things upon us, because of our sins.

Because we have sinned and committed iniquity in departing from you, and we have sinned in all things, and we have not obeyed your commandments, nor kept them, nor have we done as you commanded us, that it might be well with us.

And all that you have done to us, and all that you have brought upon us, you have done with true judgement; and you handed us over into the hands of our lawless foes, hateful rebels, and to an unjust and king, the most evil in all the earth.

And now we cannot open our mouth; we have become a shame and disgrace to your servants, and to those who honour you.

Do not hand us over for ever, for your holy name’s sake, and do not annul your testament, and do not withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham your beloved, and Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one.

To whom you said that you would multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the shore of the sea.

Because, Master, we have become smaller than all the nations, and we are humbled in all the earth to-day because of our sins.

And at this moment there is neither prince, nor prophet nor leader; neither holocaust, nor sacrifice, not offering, nor incense; no place to make an offering before you and to find mercy.

Yet with a contrite heart and with a spirit of humility may we be accepted.

As though with holocausts of rams and bulls and tens of thousands of fat lambs, so may our sacrifice be acceptable before you to-day, and may it be perfected behind you; because there is no shame for those who trust in you.

And now we are following you with our whole heart, and we fear you, and seek your face; do not put us to shame.

But do with us according to your fairness, and according to the multitude of your mercy.

deliver us according to your wondrous works, and give glory to your name, O Lord.

And let all who harm your servants be disgraced, and put to shame from all their power, and let their strength be smashed.

And let them know that you alone are Lord God, and glorious in the whole inhabited world.

And the king’s servants, who cast them in, did not cease stoking the furnace with naphtha, pitch, tow and brushwood.

And the flame poured out above the furnace forty nine cubits; and it spread out and burnt up those of the Chaldeans it found around the furnace.

But the Angel of the Lord came down into the furnace with Azarias and his companions, and shook the flame of the fire out of the furnace.

And he made the midst of the furnace as though a moist wind were whistling through it; and the fire did not touch them at all, nor hurt them, nor trouble them.

Then the Three as with one voice, hymned, blessed and glorified God in the furnace, saying:

The hymn of the Three, which the Young Men sang.

For 8 verses.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

And blessed is your glorious, holy name: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

For 6 verses.

Blessed are you in the temple of your glory: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are you who behold the deeps and sit upon the Cherubim: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

For 4 verses.

Blessed are you on the glorious throne of your kingdom: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven: to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Glory. Both now.

On All Days — Ode 8

Hymn of the three holy Youths.

Created nature, sing the Master’s praise.

Praise the Lord his works and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord Angels of the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord all you waters above the heavens, all you powers of the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord sun and moon, stars of heaven, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, all the winds; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord fire and warmth, cold and heat; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord dews and snows, ice and cold; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord frosts and snows, lightnings and clouds; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord light and dark, nights and days; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord earth, mountains and hills, and all that grow in it; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

Bless the Lord springs, seas and rivers, whales and all that move in the waters; praise, and highly exalt him to all the ages.

For 8 verses.

Bless the Lord all you birds of the air, beasts and cattle, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord you sons of men. Let Israel bless the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

For 6 verses.

Bless the Lord priests of the Lord and servants of the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord spirits and souls of the just, holy and humble of heart, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

For 4 verses.

Bless the Lord Ananias, Azarias and Misael, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Bless the Lord Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs, praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

We bless Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise the Lord, and exalt him above all for ever.

Both now.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, praising and exalting him above all for ever.

Song of the Mother of God.

A maiden mother hymns her Son and God:

In hymns God’s Mother now we magnify.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, for behold from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For he that is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name, and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble: he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

On All Days — Ode 9

Zachary blesses the birth of his child.

Blessed be the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.

And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began. Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant.

For 8 verses.

The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that without fear we, being delivered from the fear of our enemies.

Might serve him in holiness and justice before him all the days of our life.

For 6 verses.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

To give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercy of our God.

For 4 verses.

By which the Dayspring from on high has visited us, to appear to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory. Both now.

After the Irmos we make a great metania and say:

It is truly meet to call you blessed, who gave birth to God, ever-blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

We say the Hymns of Light three times, in the current Tone. We complete each as follows:

On Monday

Through the protection of the Bodiless Powers, and save me.

On Tuesday

Through the prayers of the Forerunner, and save me.

On Wednesday and Friday

Through the power of your Cross, and save me.

On Thursday

Through the prayers of the Apostles, and save me.

On Monday to Friday, the second time we end

Through the prayers of the Apostle, and save me.

On Monday to Friday, the third time we end

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Lord, and save me.

On Saturday we say the Hymn of Light twice.

The first time

Through the prayers of your saints, and save me.

The second time

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, Lord, and save me.

Then the Exapostilarion of the Dead.

As God you have authority over the dead and the living. Give rest to your servants in the tents of the living, for even though they sinned, O saviour, they did not turn away from you.

Tone 1

O Lord, who make the light to dawn, cleanse my soul of every sin...

Tone 2

Send forth your everlasting light, O Lord, and enlighten the hidden eyes of my heart...

Tone 3

Send forth your light, Christ God, and enlighten my heart...

Tone 4

You make light dawn on your world, cleanse my soul, which is in darkness, from every sin...

Tone 5

O Lord, giver of light, send forth your light, and enlighten my heart...

Tone 6

... Lord, send down your everlasting light upon our souls.

Tone 7

Rouse me, holy Lord, to sing your praise, and teach me to do your will…

Tone 8

Christ, who are light, enlighten me in you...

After the Hymns of Light of the Tone Lauds are read, not sung. We do not insert stichera.

Lauds

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you praise is due, O God.

Praise him, all his angels: Praise him, all his Powers. To you praise is due, O God.

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars and light.

Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord.

For he spoke and they came into being; he commanded and they were created.

He established them for ever and ever; he made an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth; praise him, you sea-monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and ice and storm-wind; things that do his word.

Mountains and all hills, fruiting trees and all cedars;

Beasts of the wild, and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds;

Kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth;

Young men and maidens: old men and youths together, let them praise the name of the Lord; for his name alone has been exalted.

His praise is above earth and heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people.

A hymn for all his holy ones; for the children of Israel, a people that draws near him.

Psalm 149

Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the Church of the holy ones.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing his praise with timbrel and with harp.

For the Lord is well-pleased with his people; he will exalt the meek with salvation.

His holy ones will exult in glory, and rejoice upon their beds.

The high praises of God in their mouths, and two-edged swords in their hands,

To exact vengeance among the nations, punishments among the peoples.

To bind their kings in fetters; and their nobles in shackles of iron.

To execute upon them the judgement that is decreed; such glory will be for all his holy ones.

Psalm 150

Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to the greatness of his majesty.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe.

Praise him with tuneful cymbals; praise him with loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Glory.

Both now.

After the Glory, Both now of Lauds, the appointed monk says:

To you glory is due, Lord our God, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

We go back to our mats and, standing on the level, we begin the Doxology in a meek and level voice, all making three prostrations as well.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory. Lord, King, God of heaven, Father almighty: Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and to the ages of ages. 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 run to you for refuge: teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the source of life: and in your light we shall see light. Continue your mercy towards those who know you.

Grant, Lord, this day to keep us without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified your name to the ages. Amen. May your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our hope in you. Blessed are you, Lord, teach me your statutes. Blessed are you, Master, make me understand your statutes. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your statutes. Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each of the following petitions.

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord. And so after each of the following petitions.

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

People: Amen.

Then the Aposticha, with the following verses, from Monday to Friday.

Then the Superior, or the appointed monk says:

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. To declare your love in the morning and your truth every night.

Then the Reader says the Trisagion Prayers.

After the conclusion of the Our Father, we say the following Apolytikion:

Standing in the temple of your glory, we think we stand in heaven, O Mother of God. O gate of heaven, open to us the door of your mercy.

Then, with 4 full and 12 small metanias,

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem The Syrian

Then 12 small metanias the last section of the prayer again, with a full prostration.

And at once Come let us worship, and the First Hour.

Note that on the Mondays of holy Lent we do not add a Kathisma of the Psalter at the First Hour. On the other days we do, and we make 3 prostrations at each Antiphon. The First Hour being joined to the Morning Office, as has been said above, begins straight away with:

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Three Metanias and the Psalms:

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I shall stand before you, and you will watch over me; because you are not a God who wants iniquity. The evildoer will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless remain before your eyes. You have hated all those who work iniquity; you will destroy all those who speak lies. The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit. But I in the abundance of your mercy shall enter your house, I shall worship towards your holy temple in fear of you. Guide me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies, direct my way before you. Because there is no truth in their mouths; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open tomb, they deceive with their tongues. Judge them, O God. Let them fall through their counsels; according to the multitude of their impieties cast them out, for they have embittered you, O Lord. And may all those who hope in you be glad; they will rejoice for ever, and you will dwell among them, and all those who love your name will boast in you. Because you will bless the righteous; you have crowned him, O Lord, with your good pleasure.

Psalm 89

Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains came into being or the earth and the world was formed, from age to age you are. Do not turn mankind back to humiliation, and you said: Turn back, children of men. Because a thousand years in your eyes, O Lord, are like a day, or like yesterday which has passed, and like a watch in the night. Their years will be mere trifles, in the morning like grass may he pass away. In the morning let him flower and pass away; in the evening let him fall, dry up and wither. Because we have perished in your anger, and in your wrath we have been dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you; our age in the light of your countenance. Because all our days have perished, and in your anger we have perished; our years they considered like a spider. The days of our years there are seventy years in them, but if we are strong, eighty, and the majority of them are labour and toil; because weakness has come over us and we shall be chastened. Who knows the might of your anger? And can gauge your wrath from fear of you? So make your right hand known to me, and those chastened in heart by wisdom. Turn back, O Lord, how long? And be entreated for your servants. We have been filled in the morning with your mercy, O Lord, and we have rejoiced and been glad. In all our days let be glad; in return for the days when you humbled us, the years when we saw evils. And look upon your servants and upon the work of your hands and guide your children. And let the brightness of the Lord be upon us, and direct the works of our hands for us and direct the work of our hand.

Psalm 100.

I will sing to you of mercy and judgement, O Lord, I will chant and think on a blameless way: when will you come to me? I have walked in the midst of my house in the innocence of my heart. I have set no lawless deed before my eyes; I have hated those who commit transgressions. No twisted heart has been attached to me; the evil man who avoids me I have not acknowledged. The man who secretly slanders his neighbour, him I have driven out. With a man of proud looks and insatiate heart, I have not eaten. My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, for them to dwell with me; the man who walks on a blameless way, he has ministered to me. The man who acts proudly has not dwelt in my house; the man who speaks calumnies has not prospered before me. Morning by morning I slew all the sinners in the land, to purge from the Lord’s city all workers of iniquity.

Then the Canonarch or the designated Monk chants following in the middle in the 6th Tone.

Hearken to my voice in the morning, my King and my God.

And as we repeat it, he makes a genuflexion to the ground; and the same at the following Verses. Then he makes a bow in front of the Beautiful Gate and returns to his place.

Hearken to my voice in the morning, my King and my God.

Hearken to my voice in the morning, my King and my God.

What shall we call you, O Full of grace? Heaven? For you made the Sun of righteousness to dawn. Paradise? For you made the flower of incorruption blossom. Virgin? For you remained incorrupt. Pure Mother? For you held in your holy embrace a Son who is the God of all. Implore him that our souls may be saved.

Then we chant the following Verses, doubling the first three and tripling the last, chanting it loudly and slowly:

On the Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the 4th week of Lent, that is after the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, instead of the verses of Direct my steps, we say:

We worship your Cross, O Master, and we glorify your holy Resurrection.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday say the following:

With heart and mouth never silent let us hymn the most glorious Mother of God, holier than the Angels, confessing her to be Mother of God, for she truly gave birth to God incarnate, and intercedes unceasingly for our souls.

But on Wednesday and Friday we say this:

Before we are enslaved, speedily prevent the foes who blaspheme you and threaten us, O Christ our God; destroy by your Cross those who war against us; may they know how strong is the faith of the Orthodox; through the intercessions of the Mother of God, O lover of mankind.

But on Saturday, say this:

As nature’s first-fruits, O Lord, the whole world offers you, who planted creation, the god-bearing Martyrs; at their intercessions keep your Church in profound peace, through the Mother of God, O most merciful.

In the 4th week of Lent we say the Kontakion of the Cross.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, longsuffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

We say the Prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias.

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem The Syrian

Then Trisagion, All-holy Trinity, Our Father. For yours. Lord, have mercy (x12) and the Superior says the following prayer:

Christ, the true light, you enlighten and hallow everyone who comes into the world, may the light of your countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may see your unapproachable light; and direct our steps to the doing of your commandments; at the intercessions of your all-most pure Mother and of all your Saints. Amen.

And Dismissal. And we process into the Narthex, where the customary prayers are said, and the Catecheses of our venerable Father Theodore the Studite, by the Superior or the Ecclesiarch, as mentioned previously; that is to say on Wednesday and Friday. Then the conclusion and the Dismissal.

This is the arrangement for Matins and the First Hour for the whole of holy Lent.

About the 3rd hour the lamplighter sounds the iron simandron and we gather in the Church, each of us making three prostrations in front of the Holy Doors before the start, and we kiss the icons. Then one further prostration; likewise one to each of the two Choirs.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 16

Hearken to my justice, O Lord; attend to my supplication. Give ear to my prayer from lips which do not deceive. Let my judgement come from your presence, let my eyes see fair dealings. You have tested my heart, you have visited me by night; you have tried me by fire and no injustice has been found in me. That my mouth might not speak of human deeds, for the sake of the words of your lips, I have kept hard ways. Direct my steps in your paths, that my steps may not slip. I have called, for you heard me, O God; incline your ear to me, and hearken to my words. Show the wonder of your mercies, you who save those that hope in you. Guard me, Lord, like the pupil of the eye, from those who resist your right hand. You will shelter me in the shelter of your wings, from the presence of the impious who afflicted me. My foes have surrounded my soul; they have shut their hearts, their mouth has spoken proudly. They cast me out and now they have encircled me, they have fixed their eyes to bow to the ground. They came on me like a lion ready for prey, and like a lion cub lurking in hidden places. Arise, Lord, forestall them and cast them down; deliver my soul from the impious, your sword from the foes of your hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the land in their life, and their belly was filled from your hidden things. They have been sated with swine’s flesh and left the remainder to their infants. But I in justice will appear in your presence; I shall be satisfied when your glory has appeared to me.

Psalm 24

To you, O Lord, I have lifted my soul. My God, I have trusted in you, do not let me be shamed for ever. Do not let my foes laugh at me; for all who wait patiently for you shall not be shamed; let those who transgress without cause be shamed. O Lord, make your ways known to me, and teach me your paths. Guide me into your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and I have waited patiently on you all the day. Remember your acts of pity, Lord, and your mercies, for they are eternal. Do not remember the sins of my youth and ignorance; in accordance with your mercy remember me, on account of your goodness, O Lord. The Lord is good and upright, therefore he will give laws to those who sin on their way. He will guide the meek with judgement, he will teach the meek 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 one who fears the Lord? He will give him laws in the way which he has chosen. His soul will dwell among good things and his seed will inherit the earth. The Lord is the strength of those who fear him, and his covenant will show them this. My eyes are ever towards the Lord, for he will draw my feet out of the snare. Look on me and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. The afflictions of my heart have been multiplied; bring me out of my troubles. See my humiliation and my toil, and forgive all my sins. See my foes, for they have been multiplied, and have hated me with an unjust hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be shamed, for I have hoped in you. The innocent and upright have joined themselves to me, because I have waited patiently for you, O Lord. O God, deliver Israel from all his afflictions.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, in accordance with your great mercy. According to the multitude of your compassion blot out my offence. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you alone I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words and win when you are judged. For see, in wickedness I was conceived and in sin my mother bore me. For see, you have loved truth; you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. You will wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with your sovereign Spirit. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again. O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed and my tongue will rejoice at your justice. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it. You will not take pleasure in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit. A broken and a humbled heart God will not despise. Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure, and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of justice, oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

And we read one Kathisma of the Psalter. At each Antiphon we make 3 prostrations and after the completion of the Kathisma we chant the following Troparion.

Tone 6

Lord, who at the third hour sent down your all-holy Spirit on your Apostles, do not take him from us, O Good One, but renew him in us who pray to you.

And as we repeat it we make a prostration to the ground, and likewise at the following two Verses.

Lord, who at the third hour….

Lord, who at the third hour….

Mother of God, you are the true vine, who gave bud to the fruit of life; we implore you, Sovereign Lady, intercede together with the Apostles and all the Saints that he have mercy on our souls.

And immediately we read from The Ladder.

From today the appointed Monk begins to wake the brothers throughout the whole of the holy Lent. He goes quietly and looks out the sleepers and rouses them to listen in the traditional manner. After the reading the following

Blessed is the Lord God, blessed is the Lord day by day; may the God of our salvation give us prosperity.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

And the following Troparia

Tone 8

Blessed are you, Christ our God, who showed fishermen to be most wise, by sending the Holy Spirit down upon them, and through them caught the whole world in a net. O lover of mankind, glory to you.

Glory.

Give swift and stable comfort to your servants, O Jesu, in the weariness of our spirits; in afflictions do not part from our souls, in troubles do not go far from our minds, but be always before us. Come near us, come near us, you who are everywhere. As you were always with your Apostles, so, Merciful One, unite yourself to those who long for you, that united to you we may hymn and glorify your all-holy Spirit.

Both now. Theotokion.

Immaculate Mother of God, you are the hope, protection and refuge of Christians, their unassailable wall, the untroubled harbour of the exhausted; but as you save the world by your unceasing intercession, remember us too, Virgin all-praised.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the good things to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

We say the Prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias. Then Trisagion, All-holy Trinity, Our Father. For yours. Lord, have mercy (x12) and the Superior says the following

Prayer of St Mardarios

God and Master, Father almighty, Lord, only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit, one godhead, one power, have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgements which you know, save me your unworthy servant; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Lamplighter, making the customary bow to the Superior leaves and strikes the simandron 6 times. And at once we start the Sixth Hour.

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

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

Come, let us fall down and worship before Christ himself, the King, our God.

With 3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 53

O God, save my by your name, and you will judge me by your power. O God, hear my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me, and mighty ones have sought my soul, and have not put God before them. For see, God will help me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will turn evils upon my foes, in your truth wipe them out. Willingly I shall sacrifice to you, I shall give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have delivered me from every tribulation, and my eye has looked down on my foes.

Psalm 54

Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not despise my supplication; attend to me, and hear me. I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled by the voice of the foe and the tribulation of the sinner. Because they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they were indignant with me. My heart was troubled within me, and fear of death fell on me. Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me. And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove’s, and I shall fly away and find rest. See, I have gone far away in my flight, and have encamped in the wilderness. I waited for God who saves me from faint-heartedness and from storm. O Lord, drown and divide their tongues; because I have seen iniquity and wrangling in the city. Day and night it will go round upon its walls, and lawlessness and toil are in its midst, and injustice. Usury and fraud have not left its streets. For if an enemy had reviled me, I would have endured it. And if one who hated me had boasted against me, I would have hidden from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my guide and my friend. Who made sweet the food we ate together; we walked in harmony in the God’s house. Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For evil is in their dwellings and in their midst. But I cried to God and the Lord heard me. At evening and morning and at midday I shall speak and declare, and he will listen to my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from those who draw near me, for in crowds they were about me. God will hear and he who is before the ages will humble them. For there is no change with them, because they have not feared God; he has stretched out his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant; they have been divided by the wrath from his presence, and their have drawn near. Their words were smoother than oil, yet they are javelins. Cast your care on the Lord, and he will support you; he will not let the just waver for ever. But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days; but I, Lord, shall hope in you.

Psalm 90

One who dwells in the help of the Most High will live under the protection of the of the God of heaven, will say to the Lord, ‘You are my protector and my refuge, my God, and I shall hope in him’. For he will deliver you from the snare of hunters, and from the word which troubles. He will overshadow you with his wings, and beneath his feathers you will hope; his truth will encircle you with a shield. You will not be afraid of terror by night, of the arrow that flies by day. Of the thing that prowls in the darkness, of mishap and the noonday devil. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right, but it will not come near you. But with your eyes you will observe, and see the reward of sinners. For you, Lord, are my hope: you have made the Most High your refuge. Evils will not approach you, nor a scourge draw near your dwelling. Because he has given orders to his Angels about you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will walk on asp and basilisk, and trample down lion and dragon. ‘Because he hoped in me, I shall deliver him; I shall shelter him, because he knew my name. He will cry to me, and I shall hear him, I am with him in trouble; I shall rescue him and glorify him. I shall fill him with length of days, and show him my salvation’.

And we read one Kathisma of the Psalter. At each Antiphon we make 3 prostrations and after the completion of the Kathisma we chant the following Troparion.

Tone 2.

On the sixth day and at the sixth hour you nailed to the Cross the sin that Adam dared in Paradise: tear up the record of our offences, Christ God, and save us.

On the sixth day…

On the sixth day…

And we make the prostrations as described for the 1st Hour.

Because we have no boldness because of our many sins, entreat the One born of you, Virgin Mother of God; for a Mother’s plea has great force for the kindness of the Master. Do not despise the supplications of sinners, O all-holy, for he is merciful, and able to save, he who even accepted to suffer for us.

And 3 prostrations.

Then we sing the Troparion of the Prophecy, after which we read the Prophecy. This we do throughout the holy Lent at the Trithekti.

Then the reading from The Ladder and at once

Let your mercies, O Lord, come quickly to our aid, for we are utterly poor; help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name. O Lord, deliver us, and have mercy on our sins, for your name’s sake.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

And the following Troparia

Tone 2.

You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, Christ God; you stretched out your immaculate hands on the Cross, so gathering together all the nations, who cry: Lord, glory to you!

Glory.

We venerate your most pure icon, loving Lord, as we ask pardon of our offences, O Christ God; for by your own choice you were well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from the slavery of the enemy those whom you had fashioned; therefore with thanksgiving we cry to you: you have filled all things with joy, our Saviour, by coming to save the world.

Both now. Theotokion.

As you are source of compassion, grant us pity, Mother of God. Look on a people who have sinned and show your power as always; for hoping in you we cry, ‘Hail’, as once Gabriel did, the Chief Captain of the Bodiless Powers.

This Theotokion is said on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, but on Wednesday and Friday the following is said:

Cross-Theotokion.

You are highly glorified, Virgin Mother of God, and we praise you, for through your Son’s Cross Hell has been overthrown and death has died; we who were dead have risen, and been granted life; we have obtained Paradise, the ancient happiness; and so with thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God as mighty and alone full of mercy.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the good things to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

We say the Prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias. Then Trisagion, All-holy Trinity, Our Father. For yours. Lord, have mercy (x12) and the Superior says the following

Prayer of St Basil the Great

O God and Lord of powers, and Maker of all creation, who through the compassion of your incomprehensible mercy sent down your only-begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race, and through his precious Cross tore up the record of our sins, and by it triumphed over the principalities and powers of darkness; do you yourself, O Master who loves mankind, accept also our supplications of thanksgiving and entreaty; and deliver us from destroying and dark transgression, and from all our foes, visible and invisible, who seek to harm us. Nail down our flesh through fear of you, and do not let our hearts incline to words or thoughts of evil, but wound our souls with longing for you; that ever gazing upon you and guided by the light that comes from you, seeing you the unapproachable and everlasting light, we may give thanks to you, the Father without beginning, with your only-begotten Son and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

According to the Typika of the Holy Mountain the Reader at once adds:

It is truly right to call you blessed, who gave birth to God, ever-blessed and most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly the Mother of God, we magnify you.

And Dismissal.

It is to be noted that after the Dismissal we leave the Church and go off to our cells with stillness; it is not allowed to have conversations with one another, for they have been forbidden by the holy Fathers, and we ought to observe this after every assembly.

About the ninth hour the Lamplighter strikes the ninth hour and we assemble in the Church.

After the Blessing by the Priest the Reader [in Athonite use the Superior] begins:

Amen. Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 83

How beloved are your dwellings, O Lord of hosts; my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow has found itself a house, and the dove a nest for herself, where she may place her nestlings. Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they will praise you for ever and ever. Blessed the man whose help is from you; he has placed ascents in his heart, to the valley of weeping, to the place he has set. For the lawgiver will give blessings; they will go from strength to strength, the God of gods will appear in Sion. O Lord God of hosts hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. O God our shield see; and look on the face of your Christ. For one day in your courts is far better than thousands. I have chosen to be cast aside in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. O Lord God of hosts, blessed the man who hopes in you.

Psalm 84

You have been well pleased with your land, O Lord, you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. You have forgiven your people their iniquities, you have covered all their sins. You have made all your anger cease, you have turned away from the anger of your rage. Turn us back again, O God of our salvation, and turn away your rage from us. Will you be angry with us for ever? Or will you prolong your wrath from generation to generation? O God, when you have turned us back you will make us live, and your people will rejoice in you. O Lord, show us your mercy, and grant us your salvation. I shall hear what the Lord will say in me; for he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones, to those who turn their hearts back to him. But his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth has dawned from the earth, and justice has leaned down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness, and our earth will give its fruit. Justice will walk before him, and set his steps in the way.

Psalm 85

Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for I am holy; O my God, save your servant who hopes in you. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I shall cry to you all the day; give joy to the soul of your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to you. For you, Lord, are good and gentle, and full of mercy to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I called to you, for you have heard me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord; none whose works are as yours. All the nations whom you made will come and worship before you, O Lord, and call upon your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Guide me, Lord, in your way, and I shall walk in your truth; make my heart glad to fear your name. I shall give you thanks, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart; and I shall glorify your name for ever. For your mercy is great towards me, and you have delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the lawless rose up against me, and an assembly of mighty ones sought my soul, and did not set you before them. And you, Lord, are pitying and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy and true. Look on me and have mercy on me; give your might to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Make for me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And again:

Make for me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And we read one Kathisma of the Psalter. At each Antiphon we make 3 prostrations and after the completion of the Kathisma we chant the following Troparion.

Tone 8.

Christ our God, who at the ninth hour tasted death in the flesh for our sakes, slay our carnal will and save us.

And as we repeat it we make a prostration to the ground, and likewise at the following two Verses.

O Good One, you were born of a Virgin for our sakes and endured crucifixion; you despoiled death by death and as God revealed resurrection, do not despise those whom you fashioned with your own hand; show your love for mankind, O Merciful; accept the Mother of God who bore you, as she intercedes for us, and save, O Saviour, a people in despair.

And immediately we read from The Ladder.

And after the reading

For your holy name’s sake do not finally reject us, do not annul your covenant, do not take your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, and for the sake of Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.

Then the Trisagion etc.

And the following Troparia

The Thief seeing the prince of life hanging on the Cross, said: If he who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hidden its rays, nor would the shaken earth be quaking. But you who bear all things, Remember me, Lord, in your kingdom.

Glory.

Between two thieves your Cross became the scales of justice: the one was dragged down to hell by the weight of his blasphemy, but the other lightened of his faults was raised to the knowledge of the things of God. Christ God, glory to you.

Both now.

Seeing the Lamb and Shepherd and Saviour of the world on the Cross, she who bore Him said weeping: The world rejoices, for it receives redemption; but my inward parts burn as I see your crucifixion, which you endure for all mankind, O my Son and my God.

Glory. Both now, Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

And having made only 3 full metanias with the Prayer of St Ephrem we stand up again in order in the Choirs and begin the Beatitudes, with melody in a loud voice and slowly, singing after each one in the 8th Tone:

Remember us, O Lord, when you come in your Kingdom.

Likewise after the Glory and the Both now. We make a small prostration after each Remember.

In your kingdom remember us, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

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

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

The Choirs unite, and the following are sung more solemnly and we make a full metania at each one.

Remember us, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.

The heavenly choir hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The heavenly choir hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Glory.

The choir of holy Angels and Archangels with all the heavenly Powers hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Both now.

I believe in one God, 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, begotten from the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made; for our sake and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man; he was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; he rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he is coming 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 together with Father and Son is worshipped and together glorified; who spoke through the Prophets. In one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Then

Remit, forgive, pardon, O God, our offences, willing and unwilling, in deed and in word, in knowledge and in ignorance, of the day and of the night, in mind and in thought; pardon them all, as you are good and love mankind.

After this we say the Kontakion of the Transfiguration. Tone 7.

You were transfigured on the mountain, Christ God, and your disciples saw your glory, as far as they were able; so that when they saw you crucified, they might understand that your Passion was voluntary, and proclaim to the world that you are truly the brightness of the Father.

Then on Monday. Of the Angels. 2nd Tone.

Chief captains of God, ministers of divine glory, guides of mankind, and princes of the Bodiless hosts, intercede for what is for our good and for great mercy, as chief captains of the Bodiless hosts.

On Tuesday. Of the Forerunner. 2nd Tone.

Prophet of God and Forerunner of grace, having found your Head, as a most sacred rose, we ever receive gifts of healing; for once again, as of old, you are proclaiming repentance.

On Wednesday and Friday. Of the Cross. 4th Tone.

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, grant your mercies, O Christ God, to the new commonwealth called by your name. Make your faithful people glad by your power, giving them victory over their enemies. May they have your help in battle, a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

On Thursday. Of the Apostles. 2nd Tone.

You have taken, Lord, the sure, the God-inspired heralds, the high peak of your Disciples, for the enjoyment of your good things and for repose; for you accepted above every offering their toils and their death, you who alone know what is in the heart.

And of Saint Nicholas. 3rd Tone.

In Myra, holy one, you were proved a true priest, for you fulfilled, venerable Father, the gospel of Christ, you laid down your life for you people, you saved the innocent from death; therefore you have been hallowed as a great initiate of God’s grace.

Every day the Martyrikon of the Tone, then

Glory. Of the Departed. Tone 8.

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to your servants, where there is no toil, nor grief, nor sighing, but life everlasting.

Both now. Theotokion. Tone 2.

Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, unfailing mediation with the Maker, do not despise the voices of us sinners as we pray; but, in your love, be quick to help us who cry to you with faith: Hasten to intercede, make speed to entreat, O Mother of God, for you ever protect those who honour you.

At every time and at every hour, in heaven and on earth worshipped and glorified, Christ God, long-suffering, great in mercy, great in compassion, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation by the promise of the blessings to come; do you, Lord, yourself accept our entreaties at this hour, and direct our lives to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas and deliver us from every distress, evil, and pain. Wall us about with your holy Angels, that protected and guided by their host we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

We say the Prayer of St Ephrem with 4 full and 12 small metanias. Then Trisagion, All-holy Trinity, Our Father. For yours. Lord, have mercy (x12) and the Superior says the following prayer:

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who have long endured our transgressions, and brought us to this hour in which hanging on the life-giving tree you showed the good Thief the way into Paradise and destroyed death by death, have mercy also on us sinners and your unworthy servants. For we have sinned and trespassed and are not worthy to raise our eyes and look on the height of heaven; because we have abandoned the way of your justice and walked in the will of our hearts. But we implore your unbounded goodness: spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of your mercy, and save us for your holy name’s sake, for our days have been wasted in vanity. Rescue us from the hand of our opponent, forgive us our sins, slay our carnal will, that we, having put off the old man, may put on the new, and live for you, our Master and benefactor; and that thus following your precepts we may reach eternal rest, where those who rejoice have their dwelling. For you are the true joy and gladness of those who love you, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and to ages of ages. Amen.

Then the Lamplighter goes out and strikes the large simandron. We pray quietly and the Superior begins the Come, let us worship (x3) and 3 prostrations and we chant Psalm 103 of Vespers.

After the Prayer of St Ephrem at the end of the Typika, the Lamplighter goes out and sounds the big simandron. We pray quietly and the Superior reads the Opening Psalm as follows:

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King and our God.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, you have been greatly magnified. You have clothed yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, wrapping yourself in light as in a cloak, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, roofing his upper chambers with waters, placing clouds as his mount, walking on the wings of the wind, making spirits his Angels and a flame of fire his Ministers, establishing the earth on its sure base; it will not be moved to age on age. The deep, like a cloak, is its mantle; waters will stand upon the mountains. At your rebuke they will flee; they will quail at the voice of your thunder. The mountains rise and the plains descend to the place which you established for them. You fixed a limit that they will not pass, nor will they return to cover the earth. You send out springs into the valleys; waters will run between the mountains. They will give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will await them to quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air will make their dwelling: and sing among the rocks. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth will be filled from the fruit of your works. He makes grass spring up for the cattle, and green herb for the service of mankind; to bring food out of the earth, and wine makes glad the human heart; to make the face cheerful with oil, and bread strengthens the human heart. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that you planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; the heron’s dwelling is at their head. The high mountains are for the deer; rocks a refuge for hares. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knew the hour of its setting. You appointed darkness, and it was night, in which all the beasts of the forest will prowl; young lions roaring to plunder and to seek their food from God. The sun rose and they were gathered together and they will lie down in their dens. Man will go out to his labour; and to his labouring until evening. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all, and the earth has been filled with your creation. Also this great, wide sea; there there are creeping things without number, living creatures small and great. There ships go to and fro; this dragon which you fashioned to sport in it. All things look to you to give them their food in due season. When you give it them, they will gather it. When you open your hand all things will be filled with goodness. But when you turn away your face they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will perish and return to their dust. You will send forth your spirit, and they will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure to the ages. The Lord will rejoice at his works. He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will praise my God while I exist. May my words be pleasing to him. While as for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners might perish from the earth, and the wicked, so that they are no more. Bless the Lord, my soul!

And again

The sun knew the hour of its setting: you made darkness, and it was night. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all!

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

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

When the Opening Psalm is completed the Priest, outside the Holy Doors, says the:

Litany of Peace

People: Lord, have mercy. And so after each petition.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

[For our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, her Government, and all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.]

For this holy monastery, for every monastery, city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

After the Litany, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is read by one Reader.

Psalm 119

A Song of Ascents.

When I was afflicted I called to the Lord, and he heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue. What should be given you, what added to you against a treacherous tongue? The sharpened arrows of the powerful, with the coals of desolation. Woe is me! For my sojourning has been prolonged, I have camped among the encampments of Kedar; my soul has long been a sojourner. With those who hate peace I was peaceable; when I spoke with them, they made war on me for nothing.

Psalm 120

A Song of Ascents.

I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come? My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Do not let your foot waver; may he who guards you not slumber. See, he who guards Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord will guard you, the Lord is protection for you on your right hand. By day the sun will not scorch you, nor the moon by night. The Lord will guard you from every evil, the Lord will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your coming in, and your going out, from now and for ever more.

Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.

I rejoiced at those who said to me: we shall go to the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem built as a city, shared by all together. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there thrones were set for judgement, thrones over the house of David. Ask then for the things which are for Jerusalem’s peace, and prosperity for those who love you. May there be peace then in your power and prosperity in your citadels. For the sake of my brethren and neighbours, I have spoken peace concerning you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for you.

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents.

I have lifted my eyes to you who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to their lords’ hands; as the eyes of a maid to her mistress’s hands, so do our eyes to the Lord our God, until he take pity on us. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have had our fill of contempt, our soul has been filled to overflowing. Let reproach be for the prosperous, and contempt for the proud.

Psalm 123

A Song of Ascents.

If the Lord had not been among us, let Israel now say: if the Lord had not been among us when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us down alive. When their fury raged against us; the water would have drowned us, our soul would have passed through the torrent; our soul would have passed through irresistible water. Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul was delivered like a sparrow from the snare of the hunters; the snare was shattered, and we were delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord, are as Mount Sion; he who dwells in Jerusalem will never be shaken. Mountains encircle her, and the Lord encircles his people from now and for ever. For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the heritage of the just, lest the just stretch out their hands in iniquities. Do good, Lord, to the good and to the honest in heart. But the Lord will drive away with those who work iniquity those who turn aside to extortions; peace upon Israel.

Psalm 125

A Song of Ascents.

When the Lord turned back the captivity of Sion, we became as those who are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy and our tongue with rejoicing. Then they will say among the nations: the Lord has done great things with them. The Lord has done great things with us, we have become joyful. Turn back our captivity, O Lord, like streams in the south. Those who sow with tears, will reap with joy. They went and as they went they wept, while they sowed their seed. But when they come they will come with joy, as they gather up their sheaves.

Psalm 126

A Song of Ascents.

Unless the Lord build the house, the builders have toiled for nothing. Unless the Lord guard the city, the watchman has kept vigil for nothing. Your getting up at dawn is for nothing, your rising after sitting, you who eat the bread of sorrow, when he gives sleep to his beloved; see, sons are the Lord’s inheritance , the reward of the fruit of the womb. As arrows in the hand of a powerful man, so are the sons of the rejected. Blessed the man who satisfies his desire with them; they will not be shamed when they speak with their enemies in the gates.

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the toils of your fruits; you are blest, and it will be well with you. Your wife like a luxuriant vine against the sides of your house. Your sons like new olive shoots around your table. See, that is how one who fears the Lord will be blessed. The Lord bless you from Sion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see your children’s children. Peace upon Israel.

Psalm 128

A Song of Ascents.

Many times they have made war on me since my youth, let Israel now say. Many times they have made war on me since my youth, and yet they have not prevailed over me. The sinners have wrought upon my back, they have prolonged their iniquity. The Lord is just, he has broken the sinners’ necks. Let all those who hate Sion be shamed and turned back. Let them become like grass on the housetops, which withers before it is uprooted: The reaper has not filled his hand with it, nor the one who gathers the sheaves his bosom. Nor have the passers-by said: The Lord’s blessing be on you. We have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 129

A Song of Ascents.

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If you note our iniquities, Lord Lord, who will survive? Because forgiveness is with you. For your name’s sake I have waited for you, O Lord; my soul has waited for your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy and with him abundant redemption; and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents.

Lord, my heart has not been exalted, nor have my eyes become lofty, I have neither walked among great affairs, nor among marvels beyond me. If I had not been humble-minded but exalted my soul, like a weaned child towards its mother, so You will requite my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from now and for ever.

Psalm 131

A Song of Ascents.

Lord remember David and all his meekness, how he swore to the Lord, made a vow to the God of Jacob, I shall not enter the shelter of my house, climb into my bed, give sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids and rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. See, we heard of it in Ephrata, we found it in the woodland fields. We shall enter his tabernacles, we shall worship towards the place where his feet have stood. Arise, Lord, into your rest, you and the ark of your sanctification. Your priests clothe themselves with justice, and your holy ones will rejoice. For David, your servant’s sake, do not turn away the face of your Christ. The Lord has sworn truth to David and he will not annul it, ‘From the fruit of your womb I shall place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and these testimonies of mine which I shall teach them, their sons too will sit on your throne for ever. For the Lord has elected Sion, has chosen her as a dwelling for himself. ‘This is my resting-place for age on age; here I shall dwell, for I have chosen her. Her door I shall bless abundantly, her poor I shall fill with bread. Her priests I shall clothe with salvation, and her holy ones will rejoice with great joy. There I shall make the horn of David flourish; I have prepared a lamp for my Christ. I shall clothe his enemies in shame, my sanctification will flower upon him’.

Psalm 132

A Song of Ascents.

See how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together. Like sweet ointment on the head which runs down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, which runs down to the hem of his garment; like the dew from Hermon, which runs down upon the mountains of Sion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life for ever more.

Psalm 133

A Song of Ascents.

Come, now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Lift up your hands by night to the Holy Place, and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Sion, he who made heaven and earth.

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

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

Short Litany

People: Amen.

Then we begin Lord, I have cried in the appropriate tone, while the Priest censes the Sanctuary and the whole Church.

Psalm 140

[Psalm 141]

[Psalm 129]

For 6 Verses.

Sticheron from the Triodion.

Sticheron from the Triodion.

Sticheron from the Triodion.

Sticheron from the Menaion.

[Psalm 116]

Sticheron from the Menaion.

Sticheron from the Menaion.

Glory. Both now.

Theotokion from the Menaion.

After the Theotokion

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps

An ancient poem, or, as some say, by the Martyr Athenogenes.

O joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and see the evening light, we sing the praise of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is right at all times to hymn you with holy voices, Son of God, giver of life. Therefore the world glorifies you.

Priest (facing the People): Prokeimenon of the evening. [from the Triodion, followed by the Readings]

After the reading from Proverbs say this prayer.

Grant, Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen.

Let your mercy, Lord be upon us, as we have hoped in you.

Blessed are you, Lord: teach me your statutes.

Blessed are you, Master: make me understand your statutes.

Blessed are you, Holy One: enlighten me with your statutes.

Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Litany of Fervent Supplication

People: Lord, have mercy. (And so after each of the following petitions)

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

People: Grant this, O Lord. (And so after each of the following petitions)

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: Amen.

Priest (blessing the People): Peace to all.

The Priest, in a low voice, says the:

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of the human race, look upon your servants and upon your inheritance, for to you, the fearful Judge who love mankind, your servants have bowed their heads and inclined their necks, not waiting for any human help, but awaiting your mercy and looking for your salvation. Guard them at every moment, during both the present evening and the approaching night, from every foe, from every hostile operation of the devil and from vain thoughts and evil desires.

People: Amen.

After the Litany, the Aposticha from the Triodion, between which we say the following verses.

From Sunday to Thursday

On Friday.

On the completion of the Aposticha, we say the

Now, Master, you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Reader: Amen.

Then the following Apolytikia. [On Fridays see below]

Tone 5.

Glory.

Both now.

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

Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. Truly the Mother of God we magnify you.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy father, give the blessing.

Reader: Amen.

And we say for the Rulers:

Heavenly King, establish our rulers: strengthen the faith: calm the nations: make the world peaceful: guard well this holy church: assign our brothers and sisters who have gone before us to the tents of the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession, as you are good and love mankind.

Then the Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, with four prostrations and twelve bows.

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem The Syrian

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

On Fridays: After the Lord’s Prayer, the Apolytikion and Theotokion of the day followed by the usual Litany and the Prayer of St Ephrem, once, with three prostrations

Then the following prayer.

All-holy Trinity, consubstantial Might, indivisible Kingship, Cause of all blessings, be favourable even to me a sinner; strengthen and give understanding to my heart and rid me of every defilement; enlighten my mind, that I may ever glorify, praise, worship and say: One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord continually, his praise will always be in my mouth. My soul will be praised in the Lord; let the meek hear it and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my afflictions. Come to him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his afflictions. The angel of the Lord will encamp round those who fear him, and deliver them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed the one who puts their hope in him! Fear the Lord, all you his saints, for those who fear him never want. The rich have become poor and gone hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good. Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is there who wants life, loves to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears towards their supplication. The Lord’s face is set against those who do evil, to destroy their memory from the earth. The just cried and the Lord heard them, and delivered them from all their afflictions. The Lord is close to those who are broken-hearted, and will save the humble in spirit. The afflictions of the just are many, but the Lord will deliver them from them all. The Lord guards all their bones, not one of them will be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and those who hate the just will go astray. The Lord will rescue the souls of his servants, and no one of those who hope in him will go astray.

Reader: Bless.

The Priest facing the People, gives the Dismissal as follows:

Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.

And the Priest continues:

In the monasteries of the Holy Mountain it is customary for the following dialogue to be added at the end of the Dismissal.

Turning to the East, he says,

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

People: Amen.

There are numerous small differences between the various Typica for the service of the Presanctified, particularly at the end of the Ninth Hour and end of the Typika. The arrangement given here represents, in the main, the use of the Holy Mountain, as given in the editions of the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, prepared with the assistance of Professor Phountoulis.

Those who use non-Orthodox versions of Holy Scripture, that is most current versions, should note that the Church‘s text of the prayer of the Thief in St Luke‘s Gospel is ‘Remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom‘, not ‘into your kingdom‘. The reference is to the Lord‘s Second Coming ‘in glory with the holy Angels‘. In the view of many non-Orthodox scholars this is the correct text.

In the troparia following the Beatitudes I have put ‘Lord Sabaoth‘, not ‘Lord of Sabaoth‘, or ‘Lord of hosts‘, because the Fathers, among them St Basil the Great, although they know the meaning of the Hebrew, point out that this is one of the Hebrew words that the translators of the Septuagint did not translate, and regard it as a sacred title of God.

In the Litany for those to be Enlightened I follow Professor Phountoulis in reading the invitation to them as ‘Draw near‘, in Greek proselthete, and not ‘Depart‘, in Greek proelthete; a difference of a single letter.

The Triodion, in its long rubric after Monday of the First Week, describes the ritual for the Presanctified and it specifies ‘Three metanias‘ at ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord‘ after the prayer behind the Ambo. I have therefore included it here.

It is also interesting to note that the same long rubric says, on the subject of the Litany for those preparing for Enlightenment, quite clearly, ‘It is to be known that the Diakonika for those to be enlightened and the prayer are started from the Wednesday of the Mid-Fast and said until Great Wednesday, not only at the Presanctified, but also on Saturdays and Sundays at the Liturgies of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil‘. The Slavonic Triodion, on the other hand, in a rubric for the Wednesday of the Fourth Week, expressly excludes Saturdays and Sundays. The rubric in the Greek Triodion is likely to be the more ancient.

About the ninth hour the Lamplighter strikes the ninth hour and we assemble in the Church.

After the Blessing by the Priest the Reader [in Athonite use the Superior] begins:

Amen. Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King, Paraclete, Spirit of truth, present everywhere, filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and, O Good One, save our souls.

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. 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; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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

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

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

3 Metanias, then the Psalms.

Psalm 83

How beloved are your dwellings, O Lord of hosts; my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow has found itself a house, and the dove a nest for herself, where she may place her nestlings. Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they will praise you for ever and ever. Blessed the man whose help is from you; he has placed ascents in his heart, to the valley of weeping, to the place he has set. For the lawgiver will give blessings; they will go from strength to strength, the God of gods will appear in Sion. O Lord God of hosts hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. O God our shield see; and look on the face of your Christ. For one day in your courts is far better than thousands. I have chosen to be cast aside in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners. O Lord God of hosts, blessed the man who hopes in you.

Psalm 84

You have been well pleased with your land, O Lord, you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. You have forgiven your people their iniquities, you have covered all their sins. You have made all your anger cease, you have turned away from the anger of your rage. Turn us back again, O God of our salvation, and turn away your rage from us. Will you be angry with us for ever? Or will you prolong your wrath from generation to generation? O God, when you have turned us back you will make us live, and your people will rejoice in you. O Lord, show us your mercy, and grant us your salvation. I shall hear what the Lord will say in me; for he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones, to those who turn their hearts back to him. But his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met, justice and peace have kissed. Truth has dawned from the earth, and righteousness has leaned down from heaven. For the Lord will give goodness, and our earth will give its fruit. Justice will walk before him, and set his steps in the way.

Psalm 85

Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my soul, for I am holy; O my God, save your servant who hopes in you. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I shall cry to you all the day; give joy to the soul of your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to you. For you, Lord, are good and gentle, and full of mercy to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I called to you, for you have heard me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord; none whose works are as yours. All the nations whom you made will come and worship before you, O Lord, and call upon your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Guide me, Lord, in your way, and I shall walk in your truth; make my heart glad to fear your name. I shall give you thanks, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart; and I shall glorify your name for ever. For your mercy is great towards me, and you have delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the lawless rose up against me, and an assembly of mighty ones sought my soul, and did not set you before them. And you, Lord, are pitying and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy and true. Look on me and have mercy on me; give your might to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Make for me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And again:

Make for me a sign for good, and let those who hate me see it and be shamed; for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

And we read one Kathisma of the Psalter. At each Antiphon we make 3 prostrations and after the completion of the Kathisma we chant the following Troparion.

Tone 8.

Christ our God, who at the ninth hour tasted death in the flesh for our sakes, slay our carnal will and save us.

And as we repeat it we make a prostration to the ground, and likewise at the following two Verses.

O Good One, you were born of a Virgin for our sakes and endured crucifixion; you despoiled death by death and as God revealed resurrection, do not despise those whom you fashioned with your own hand; show your love for mankind, O Merciful; accept the Mother of God who bore you, as she intercedes for us, and save, O Saviour, a people in despair.

And immediately we read from The Ladder.

And after the reading:

For your holy name’s sake do not finally reject us, do not annul your covenant, do not take your mercy from us for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, and for the sake of Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.

Then the Trisagion etc.

And the following Troparia

The Thief seeing the prince of life hanging on the Cross, said: If he who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hidden its rays, nor would the shaken earth be quaking. But you who bear all things, Remember me, Lord, in your kingdom.

Glory.

Between two thieves your Cross became the scales of justice: the one was dragged down to hell by the weight of his blasphemy, but the other lightened of his faults was raised to the knowledge of the things of God. Christ God, glory to you.

Both now.

Seeing the Lamb and Shepherd and Saviour of the world on the Cross, she who bore Him said weeping: The world rejoices, for it receives redemption; but my inward parts burn as I see your crucifixion, which you endure for all mankind, O my Son and my God.

Glory. Both now, Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word, truly Mother of God we magnify you. In the name of the Lord, bless, Father.

And having made only 3 full metanias with the Prayer of St Ephrem we stand up again in order in the Choirs and begin the Beatitudes, with melody in a loud voice and slowly, singing after each one in the 8th Tone:

Remember us, O Lord, when you come in your Kingdom.

Likewise after the Glory and the Both now. We make a small prostration after each Remember.

The Beatitudes. [Matthew 5:3-12]

In your kingdom remember us, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

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

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

The Choirs unite, and the following are sung more solemnly and we make a full metania at each one.

Remember us, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.

The heavenly choir hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The heavenly choir hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Glory.

The choir of holy Angels and Archangels with all the heavenly Powers hymns you and says: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Both now.

I believe in one God, 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, begotten from the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made; for our sake and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man; he was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; he rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he is coming 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 together with Father and Son is worshipped and together glorified; who spoke through the Prophets. In one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

After this we say the Kontakion of the Transfiguration. Tone 7.

You were transfigured on the mountain, Christ God, and your disciples saw your glory, as far as they were able; so that when they saw you crucified, they might understand that your Passion was voluntary, and proclaim to the world that you are truly the brightness of the Father.

Then on Monday. Of the Angels. 2nd Tone.

Chief captains of God, ministers of divine glory, guides of mankind, and princes of the Bodiless hosts, intercede for what is for our good and for great mercy, as chief captains of the Bodiless hosts.

On Tuesday. Of the Forerunner. 2nd Tone.

Prophet of God and Forerunner of grace, having found your Head, as a most sacred rose, we ever receive gifts of healing; for once again, as of old, you are proclaiming repentance.

On Wednesday and Friday. Of the Cross. 4th Tone.