To our Lord Jesus Christ. Tone 2
Song 1.
Eirmos: In the deep of old the infinite Power overwhelmed Pharoah's whole army. But the Incarnate Word annihilated pernicious sin. Exceedingly glorious is the Lord, for gloriously has He been glorified.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
Sweetest Jesus Christ, longsuffering Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, Jesus, and make sweet my heart, O Most Merciful One, I ask Thee, Jesus my Saviour, that being saved by Thee, I may glorify Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, open to me the door of repentance, O Jesus, Lover of men, and accept me as I throw myself at Thy feet, Jesus, my Saviour, and fervently implore the forgiveness of my sins.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, Jesus, snatch me from the hand of deceitful satan, O Jesus, and make me stand on the Right of Thy glory, O Jesus my Saviour; from the Left deliver me.
Most Holy Mother of God save. us.
Theotokion: O Lady who bore Jesus our God, pray for us worthless slaves, that by thy prayers, O immaculate one, we who are defiled may be delivered from torment, O spotless one, and enjoy everlasting glory.
Song 3.
Eirmos : By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God and none righteous but Thee, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Lover of men, hear Thy slave calling with compunction; and deliver me, Jesus, from condemnation and punishment, O only Patient One, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Receive Thy slave, O my Jesus, who prostrates himself with tears, my Jesus, and deliver me, O Lord, from hell, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, the time Thou gavest me I have squandered in passions, O my Jesus. Reject me not, O my Jesus, but call me, I pray, O Lord, O Sweetest Jesus, and save me!
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Virgin who gavest birth to my Jesus, implore Him to save me from hell. Thou art the only patroness of the afflicted, O thou who art full of divine grace. And make me worthy of the life that is free from old age, O all-innocent one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion (Sitting hymn): O Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst save the prodigal. Jesus my Saviour, Thou didst accept the harlot. And now have mercy on me, most merciful Jesus; have compassion and save me, O Jesus my Benefactor, as Thou hadst compassion on Manasseh, my Jesus, only Lover of men.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Having thy intercession, O most pure one, and delivered by thy prayers, and protected by the Cross of thy Son, we duly devoutly magnify thee.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a virgin didst Thou come, not as an ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy Power, O Lord.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, my Jesus, I pray, and snatch me from the hand of soul-corrupting satan, my gracious Jesus, and save me.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my sweetest Jesus, I have sinned. My compassionate Jesus, save me who run to Thy protection, and make me worthy of Thy Kingdom, O most patient Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
No one has sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched as I am; but now I bow down and pray: Save me, O my Jesus, and bequeath me, my Jesus, life.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O all-hymned Virgin who bore the Lord Jesus, implore Him to deliver from torment all who sing to thee and call thee supremely Mother of God.
Song 5.
Eirmos: O Thou Who art the Light of those lying in darkness, and the salvation of the hopeless, O Christ my Saviour, I rise early to pray to Thee, O King of Peace. Enlighten me with Thy radiance, for I know no other God than Thee.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O my Jesus, Thou art the light of my mind and the salvation of my despairing soul, my Jesus, my Saviour! Deliver me who cry to Thee, from torment and hell. Save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Completely cast down to shameful passions, my Jesus, I now cry: Stretch down to me, my Jesus, a helping hand, and pluck me out as I cry: save me, O Christ, my Jesus, wretched as I am.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Carrying about a mind defiled, I call to Thee, O Jesus: cleanse me from the dirt of sin, and redeem me who slipped down to the depths of vice through ignorance, and save me, O Saviour, my Jesus, I pray.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Maiden Mother of God who bore Jesus, implore Him to save all Orthodox monks and people, and to deliver from hell those who cry: We know no stronger intercession than thine.
Song 6.
Eirmos : Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O most merciful Christ, my Jesus, accept me who confess my sins, O Lord, and save me, O Jesus, and snatch me, O Jesus, from corruption.
O most merciful Christ, my Jesus, accept me who confess my sins, O Lord, and save me, O Jesus, and snatch me, O Jesus, from corruption.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, no one else has been so dissolute as I, wretched as I am, O Jesus Lover of men, but save me, O Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O my Jesus, I have surpassed with my passions the harlot and the prodigal, Manasseh and the publican, O my Jesus, and the robber and the Ninevites, O Jesus.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who conceivedst my Jesus Christ, O only undefiled and immaculate Virgin, cleanse me defiled as I am, even now by hyssop of thy prayers.
Lord have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Sweetest Jesus, Light of of the world, enlighten the eyes of my soul, O Son of God, with the divine vision of Thy splendour, that I may praise Thee, the unwaning Light.
Song 7.
Eirmos: When the golden idol was worshipped in the plain of Dura, Thy three children despised the godless order. Thrown into the fire, they were bedewed and sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
O Christ Jesus, no one on earth has ever sinned as I have sinned, O my Jesus, wretched and dissolute as I am. But I cry to Thee, my Jesus, have compassion on me as I sing: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, nail me down with the fear of Thee, I pray, O my Jesus, and guide me to Thy calm haven, O my compassionate Jesus, that saved by Thee I may sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Christ Jesus, ten thousand times I promised Thee repentance, my Jesus, but wretch that I am, I deceived Thee. Therefore I cry to Thee, my Jesus: Enlighten my still unfeeling soul, O Christ, who art the God of our fathers.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O thou who gavest birth to Jesus Christ wondrously and above nature, O all - innocent one, implore Him, O Maiden, to forgive me all the sins that I have committed against my nature, that saved I may cry: Blessed art thou who didst conceive God in the flesh.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I implore Thee, O my Jesus: as Thou didst redeem the harlot from many sins, likewise redeem me, O Christ my Jesus, and cleanse my foul soul, O my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, having yielded to dumb and irrational pleasures, I have become dumb and irrational, O my Jesus, and wretch that I am, I have truly become pitifully like the animals, O Saviour. Therefore, O Jesus, deliver me from dumbness and animality.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
O Jesus, I fell into the hands of soul-corrupting thieves who have now stripped me of my divinely woven garment, O my Jesus, and I am lying all bruised and wounded. O my Christ, pour on me oil and wine.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mary, Mother of God, who ineffably bore the Christ, my Jesus and God, implore Him always to save from dangers thy servants and thy singers, O chaste Virgin!
Song 9.
Eirmos: God the Word, God of God, Who by ineffable wisdom came to create Adam anew after his grievous fall to corruption through eating and Who took flesh beyond all telling from the Holy Virgin for our sake - Him we faithful with one accord magnify in song.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Troparia:
I have surpassed, O my Jesus, Manasseh and the publican, the harlot and the prodigal, O compassionate Jesus, and the robber, O my Jesus, through all my shameful and perverse deeds, O Jesus, but outwit me, my Jesus, and save me!
I have surpassed, O my Jesus, Manasseh and the publican, the harlot and the prodigal, O compassionate Jesus, and the robber, O my Jesus, through all my shameful and perverse deeds, O Jesus, but outwit me, my Jesus, and save me!
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
My Jesus, I have outdone by my pitiful passions, wretched as I am, all Who have sinned from Adam, O Jesus, before the Law and in the Law, my Jesus, and after the Law and Grace; but save me by Thy judgments, my Jesus.
Sweetest Jesus, save us.
Let me not be divorced from Thy ineffable glory, my Jesus, and let me not be assigned to the Left Hand, sweetest Jesus; but set me on the Right Hand with Thy sheep and give me rest, O Christ my Jesus, in Thy divine compassion.
Most Holy Mother of God save us.
Theotokion: O Mother of God who bore Jesus, only Immaculate Virgin Mary, invoke Him, O pure one, as thy Son and Creator, to deliver all who resort to thee from temptations, dangers and future fire.
Exapostelarion: O Jesus, Giver of Wisdom and Understanding, Feeder of beggars, Protector of Orphans, Healer of the sick, heal and illumine my heart, O Jesus, covered with the wounds of sin and corruption of passions, and save me. O Jesus!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Enlighten my mind and transfigure my heart, O Virgin, with the radiance of the Light which shone through thee, dispelling the darkness of sin and dissolving the gloom of my indolence.
Prayer to Jesus Christ.
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, my God, through Thy ineffable love for men Thou wast wrapped in flesh, at the end of the ages, from the EverVirgin Mary. We glorify Thy saving providence and care for us, Thy servants, O Lord. We praise Thee through Whom we have learned to know the Father. We bless Thee through Whom the Holy Spirit came into the world. We bow to Thy most Holy Mother who served for the dread mystery of Thy Incarnation. We praise the Angelic Choir as the servants and singers of Thy Majesty. We beatify Saint John
CANON
To the Most Holy Mother of God
Troparia, tone 4: Let us, sinful and humbled, now earnestly run to the Mother of God, and let us fall down in repentance, crying from the depth of our soul: O Lady, help, have compassion on us! Make haste, we are perishing from the multitude of our sins. Turn not Thy servants empty away, for we have thee as our only hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Never, O Mother of God, will we cease to speak of thy powers, unworthy as we are. For if thou didst not intercede in prayer, who would have delivered us from so many dangers? Who would have kept us free until now? Let us never forsake thee, our Lady, for thou ever savest thy servants from all perils.
Canon, tone 8:
Song 1.
Eirmos: When Israel
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Distressed by many temptations, I fly for refuge to thee, seeking salvation. O Mother of the Word, and Virgin, bring me safely through dangers and difficulties.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Outbursts of passion trouble me and fill my soul with great despondency. Calm it, O Maiden, by the peace of thy Son and God, O all-innocent one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I implore thee who gavest birth to our Saviour and God, O Virgin, to deliver me from perils. For to thee I now run, lifting up my mind and soul.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sick in body and soul, make me worthy of the divine visitation, and of thy care, O only Mother of God, for thou art good and the bearer of the Good One.
Song 3.
Eirmos: O Lord, Creator of the vault of Heaven and Builder of the Church, strengthen me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, O Support of the faithful, O only Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
I have chosen thee to be the protection and intercession of my life, O Virgin, Mother of God. Guide me to thy haven, O cause of all blessings, O support of the faithful, O only praise of all.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I pray thee, O Virgin, to dispel the tumult of my soul and the storm of my grief; for thou, O Bride of God, didst bear Christ, the Prince of Peace, O only immaculate one.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O thou who didst bear the Benefactor and Author of good things, pour on all the riches of well-doing and good conduct; all is possible to thee, for thou gavest birth to Christ, mighty in power, O divinely blessed one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep thy servants from conflicts, O Mother of God, for we all fly for refuge to thee after God, as an impregnable wall and protection.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I am tortured by grievous sicknesses and morbid passions: O Virgin, help me! For I know thee to be the inexhaustible, unfailing treasury of healings, O all-blameless one.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion, Tone 2: O fervent prayer and invincible wall, O fountain of mercy and refuge for mankind, we earnestly cry to thee: O Mother of God, O Sovereign Lady, forestall and deliver us from dangers, O only speedy intercessor.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works and glorify Thy divine nature.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O thou who didst bear the Lord Pilot, still the storm of my sins, and the turmoil of my passions, O Bride of God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I call upon the abyss of thy compassion - grant it me, for thou didst bear the kind-hearted One and Saviour of all who sing to thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Enjoying thy gifts, O all-pure one, we sing a song of thanksgiving to thee, knowing thee to be the Mother of God.
Glory to the Father, ami to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As I lie on the bed of my pain and sickness, help me, for thou art a lover of goodness and the only Ever-Virgin Mother of God.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee, O all-hymned one, as our hope and support and unshakable wall of salvation, we are delivered from every difficulty.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Enlighten us by Thy commandments, O Lord, and by Thy uplifted arm grant us Thy peace, O Lover of men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Fill my heart with gladness, O pure one, by giving me thy pure joy, O thou who didst bear the Cause of gladness.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Deliver us from conflicts, O pure Mother of God, who didst bear our Eternal Redemption and the Peace that passes all understanding.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Dispel the darkness of my sins, O Bride of God, by the radiance of thy splendour, for thou hast borne the Divine and Eternal Light.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages.Amen.
Heal, O pure one, the disease of my passions, when thou hast made me worthy of thy visitation, and grant me health by thy intercession.
Song 6.
Eirmos: I will pour out my prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will confess my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life has drawn near to hell, and like Jonah I will pray: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
O Virgin, implore thy Son and Lord Who from death and corruption has saved my nature, captured by corruption and death, by giving Himself to death, to deliver me from my enemies' evil actions.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
I know thee as the intercessor and safest guardian of my life, O Virgin, who puttest a stop to the swarm of temptations and drivest off the insolent onsets of devils; and I pray continually: Deliver me from the corruption of my passions.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
We have thee as a wall of refuge and the perfect salvation of our souls and release from our afflictions, O Maiden, and we ever rejoice in thy light. O Sovereign Lady keep us safe now from passions and conflicts.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Now I lie on a bed of infirmities, and there is no healing for my flesh; but I pray to thee, O gracious Lady, who didst bear God and the Saviour of the world and the Healer of sicknesses: Raise me up from the corruption of disease.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, tone 6: O unfailing intercessor of Christians, O constant mediaress before the Creator, despise not the cry of prayer of us sinners; but, of thy goodness, come speedily to the help of us who in faith call upon thee. Hasten to offer swift intercession and prayer (for us), O Mother of God, who ever intercedest for those who honour thee.
Another Kontakion, tone 6: We have no other help, we have no other hope, but thee, O pure Mother of God - help us! In thee we hope, and of thee we boast, for we are thy slaves. Let us not be put to shame.
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from, Judea , the Children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace, singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Wishing to accomplish our salvation, Thou didst dwell in the womb of the Virgin, O Saviour, and didst reveal her to the world as the mediatress: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O pure mother who didst bear the Lover of Mercy, implore Him to deliver from sins and from defilements of the soul those who with faith cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou hast shown her who gave birth to Thee to be a treasury of salvation, fountain of incorruption, tower of safety, and door of repentence to those who cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, grant healing for the weakness of our bodies and for the sickness of our souls to those who with love appeal to Thy divine protection, O Virgin, who for us didst bear Christ the Saviour.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven Whom hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Disregard not, O Virgin, those who need thy help and who sing and exalt thee, O Maiden, throughout the ages.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thou healest the pains of my body and the infirmities of my soul, O Virgin, that I may praise thee, O pure one, for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou pourest a wealth of healing, O Virgin, on those who with faith sing to thee and extol thy ineffable childbearing.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou drivest away the assaults of temptations and the attacks of passions, O Virgin; therefore we sing to thee in all ages.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with the bodiless Choirs we magnify thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Troparia:
Turn not away from the torrent of my tears, O Virgin, who didst bear Christ Who dried all tears from every face.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who didst receive the Fulness of Joy and banish the grief of sin.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Be the haven and mediation and the unshakable wall, the refuge and the protection and the gladness, O Virgin, of all who fly to thee for refuge.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
With the rays of thy light, O Virgin, enlighten those who with true faith confess thee to be the Mother of God, and banish the darkness of ignorance.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In the place of suffering, O Virgin, heal me, humbled by infirmity, and transform me from sickness to health.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God.
Accept from us thy unworthy servants, O all-powerful for good, immaculate, Sovereign Lady, Mother of God, these honorable gifts, which can be offered only to thee, who art the one chosen out of all generations, and who hast become higher than all creation, heavenly and earthly. For through thee the Lord of Powers was with us, and through thee we came to know the Son of God, and were granted His holy Body and most pure Blood. Therefore thou art blessed by all generations, the Favourite of God, more radiant than the Cherubim, and more honorable than the Seraphim. And now, O all-hymned, most holy Mother of God, cease not to pray for us, thy unworthy servants, to be delivered from every snare of the subtle one, and from all besetting sins, and preserve us unharmed from every poisonous temptation of the devil. But preserve us to the end uncondemned by thy prayers; for saved by thy help and protection, we send up glory, praise, thanksgiving and adoration for all, to the One God, in Trinity and Creator of all, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CANON
To the Guardian Angel
Troparion: O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by Thee, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O holy Lady, Mother of our God, thou didst amazingly bear the Creator of all: with my Guardian Angel always pray His kindness to save my soul inhibited and bound by passions, and grant me remission of sins.
Canon, tone 8.
Song 1.
Eirmos: Let us sing to the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea , for He alone has triumphed gloriously.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Grant me, Thy servant, O Saviour, worthily to sing a song and to praise the fleshless Angel, my Guide and Guardian.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I lay alone in folly and idleness, O my Guide and Guardian; forsake not me who am perishing.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Guide my mind by thy prayer to fulfil the commandments of God, and to receive from God remission of sins, and teach me to hate all wickedness, I pray thee.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: With my Guardian Angel, O Virgin, pray for me thy servant to the Bountiful One, and teach me to fulfill the commandments of thy Son and my Creator.
Song 3.
Eirmos: Thou art the strengthening of all who come to Thee, O Lord, Thou art the Light of those in darkness, and my spirit sings of Thee.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
All my thoughts and my soul I have committed to thee, O my Guardian; deliver me from all attacks of the enemy.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
The enemy troubles and tramples on me, and teaches me to follow my own desires; but, O my Guide, forsake not the dying.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Grant me to sing with thanksgiving and fervour to my Creator and God, and to thee my good Angel Guardian: O my deliverer, rescue me from foes that trouble me.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Heal, O immaculate one, the most painful wounds of my soul, and drive away the enemies ever fighting against me.
Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion: From the love of my soul I cry to thee, O Guardian of my soul, my most holy Angel! Protect and guard me always from the hunting of the evil one, and guide me to the heavenly life; teach me and enlighten me and strengthen me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, who gavest birth without seed to the Lord of all, pray Him with my Guardian Angel to deliver me from all doubt, and to give to my soul feeling and light, and to cleanse me from sin, for thou alone art a quick defender.
Song 4.
Eirmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy plan. I contemplate Thy works, and glorify Thy divine nature.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Pray to God the Lover of men, and leave me not, O my Guardian, but ever keep my life in peace, and grant me the invincible salvation.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
As the defender and guardian of my life I received thee from God, O Angel. I pray thee, O holy one, free me from all harm.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Cleanse my foulness by thy holiness, O my Guardian, and may I be drawn from the left side by thy prayers, and become a partaker of glory.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Perplexity confronts me through the evil surrounding me, O immaculate one, but deliver me from it speedily, for I run only to thee.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord; save us, for Thou art our God, and other than Thee we know none.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
As thou hast boldness towards God, my holy Guardian, pray Him to deliver me from the evils which offend me.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
O radiant light, make radiant my soul, my Guide and Guardian Angel, given me by God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Keep me awake who sleep from the burden of my sins, O Angel of God, and by thy prayers raise me up to glorify Him.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady Mary, Virgin Mother of God, O hope of the faithful, subdue the attacks of the enemy, and to those who sing to thee give joy.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Grant me a garment of Light, O Thou Who wrappest Thyself in Light for a garment, most merciful Christ our God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Deliver me from every misfortune and accident and save me from sorrow, I pray, O holy Angel, given to me as my good Guardian by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Enlighten my mind, O good one, and illumine me, I pray thee, O holy Angel, and teach me to think always positively and profitably.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Calm my heart from present disturbance, and strengthen me to be awake to the good, O my Guardian, and guide me miraculously in quietness of life.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: The Word of God dwelt in thee, O Mother of God, and showed thee to men as the heavenly ladder. For by thee the Most High descended to us.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Have compassion on me, O holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, and leave me not, impure as I am, but irradiate me with the Divine Light, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom
Oekos: Grant my soul, humiliated by many temptations, the ineffable Heavenly Glory, O holy intercessor and singer with the Choirs of fleshless Powers of God. Have mercy and keep me, and illumine my soul with good thoughts, that I may be enriched by thy glory, O my Angel; subdue my foes who wish me evil, and make me worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom
Song 7.
Eirmos: Having arrived in Babylon from Judea , the children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Have mercy and pray for me, O Angel of the Lord, for I have thee as my defender for the whole of my life, the Guide and Guardian, given me by God forever.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Let not my sinful pilgrim soul, given thee chaste by God, be murdered by robbers, O Holy Angel, but lead it to the way of repentance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
My whole soul is disgraced by evil thoughts and acts, but make haste, O my Guide, and grant me healing with good thoughts, that I may always follow the right way.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
To Jesus: Fill with wisdom and divine strength all who cry with faith, through the Mother of God, to Thee, O Personal Wisdom of the Highest: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Song 8.
Eirmos: The King of Heaven, Whom Hosts of Angels praise, let us praise and exalt throughout all ages.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Troparia:
Strengthen the life of thy servant and never leave me, O gracious Angel, sent by God.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
I ever hymn thee, O Good Angel, Guide and Guardian of my soul, most blessed spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Be my Veil and Visor in the Judgment Day of all men, when all deeds, good and evil, will be tried by fire.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Be the help and peace of thy servant, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, and leave me not bereft of thy protection.
Song 9.
Eirmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be supremely the Mother of God, and with Fleshless Choir we magnify thee.
O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Troparia:
Have mercy on me, O my only Saviour, for Thou art merciful and kind-hearted, and make me a member of the Choirs of the Righteous.
Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me.
Grant me ever to think and do only what is useful, O Angel of the Lord, that I may be undefiled and strong in infirmity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Having boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray Him, with the other Angels, to have mercy on me, wretched as I am.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Virgin, who hast great boldness towards Him Who took flesh of thee, deliver me from attachments and grant me forgiveness and salvation by thy prayers.
Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of Christ, I fall down and pray to thee, my holy Guardian, given me from holy Baptism for the protection of my sinful body and soul. By my laziness and bad habits, I have angered thy most pure light, and have driven thee away from me by all my shameful deeds, lies, slanders, envy, condemnation, scorn, disobedience, brotherly-hatred, grudges, love of money, adultery, anger, meanness, greed, excess, talkativeness, negative and evil thoughts, proud ways, dissolute madness, having self-will in all the desires of the flesh. O my evil will, which even the dumb animals do not follow! How canst thou look at me or approach me who am like a stinking dog? With what eyes, O Angel of Christ, wilt thou look at me so badly snared in evil deeds? How can I ask forgiveness for my bitter, evil and wicked deeds, into which I fall every day and night, and every hour? But I fall down and pray, O my holy Guardian: pity me, thy sinful and unworthy servant (Name). Be my helper and protector against my wicked enemy, by thy holy prayers, and make me a partaker of the Kingdom of God
AKATHIST
to our
Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ
Kontakion 1
Warrior-Chieftain and Lord, Vanquisher of hell, I Thy creature and servant offer Thee songs of praise, for Thou hast delivered me from eternal death. But as Thou hast unutterable loving-kindness, free me from every danger, as I cry: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Oikos 1
Creator of Angels and Lord of Hosts! As of old Thou didst open ear and tongue to the deaf and dumb, likewise open now my perplexed mind and tongue to the praise of Thy Most Holy Name, that I may cry to Thee: Jesus All-Wonderful, Angels' Astonishment! Jesus All-Powerful, Forefathers' Deliverance! Jesus All-Sweetest, Patriarchs' Exaltation! Jesus All-Glorious, Kings' Stronghold! Jesus All-Beloved, Prophets' Fulfillment! Jesus All-Marvellous, Martyrs' Strength! Jesus All-Peaceful, Monks' Joy! Jesus All-Gracious, Presbyters' Sweetness! Jesus All-Merciful, Fasters' Abstinence! Jesus All-Tenderest, Saints' Rejoicing! Jesus All-Honorable, Virgins' Chastity! Jesus everlasting, Sinners' Salvation! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 2
As when seeing the widow weeping bitterly, O Lord, Thou wast moved with pity, and didst raise her son from the dead as he was being carried to burial, likewise have pity on me, O Lover of men, and raise my soul, deadened by sins, as I cry, Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, Philip asked: "Lord, show us the Father"; and Thou didst answer him: "Have I been so long with you and yet hast thou not known that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?" Likewise, O Inconceivable One, with fear I cry to Thee: Jesus, Eternal God! Jesus, All-Powerful King! Jesus, Long-suffering Master! Jesus, All-Merciful Saviour! Jesus, my gracious Guardian! Jesus, cleanse my sins! Jesus, take away my iniquities! Jesus, pardon my unrighteousness! Jesus, my Hope, forsake me not! Jesus, my Helper, reject me not! Jesus, my Creator, forget me not! Jesus, my Shepherd, lose me not! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 3
Thou Who didst endue with power from on high Thy Apostles who tarried in Jerusalem, O Jesus, clothe also me, stripped bare of all good work, with the warmth of Thy Holy Spirit, and grant that with love I may sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
In the abundance of Thy mercy, O Jesus, Thou hast called publicans and sinners and infidels. Now despise me not who am like them, but as precious myrrh accept this song: Jesus, Invincible Power! Jesus, Infinite Mercy! Jesus, Radiant Beauty! Jesus, Unspeakable Love! Jesus, Son of the Living God! Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner! Jesus, hear me who was conceived in iniquity! Jesus, cleanse me who was born in sin! Jesus, teach me who am worthless! Jesus, enlighten my darkness! Jesus, purify me who am unclean! Jesus, restore me, a prodigal! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 4
Having an interior storm of doubting thoughts, Peter was sinking. But beholding Thee, O Jesus, in the flesh walking on the waters, he confessed Thee to be the true God; and receiving the hand of salvation, he cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
When the blind man heard Thee, O Lord, passing by on the way, he cried: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! And Thou didst call him and open his eyes. Likewise enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with Thy love as I cry to Thee and say: Jesus, Creator of those on high! Jesus, Redeemer of those below! Jesus, Vanquisher of the powers of hell! Jesus, Adorner of every creature! Jesus, Comforter of my soul! Jesus, Enlightener of my mind! Jesus, Gladness of my heart! Jesus, Health of my body! Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, my Light, enlighten me! Jesus, deliver me from all torments! Jesus, save me despite my unworthiness! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 5
As of old Thou didst redeem us from the curse of the law by Thy Divinely-shed Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue me from the snares in which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions and evil despondency, as we cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
Seeing the Creator in human form and knowing Him to be their Lord, the Hebrew children sought to please Him with branches, crying: Hosanna! But we offer Thee a song, saying: Jesus, True God! Jesus, Son of David! Jesus, Glorious King! Jesus, Innocent Lamb! Jesus, Wonderful Shepherd! Jesus, Guardian of my infancy! Jesus, Nourisher of my youth! Jesus, Praise of my old age! Jesus, my Hope at death! Jesus, my Life after death! Jesus, my Comfort at Thy Judgment! Jesus, my Desire, let me not then be ashamed. Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 6
In fulfillment of the words and message of the inspired Prophets, O Jesus, Thou didst appear on earth, and Thou Who art uncontainable didst dwell with men. Thenceforth, being healed through Thy wounds, we learned to sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
When the light of Thy truth dawned on the world, devilish delusion was driven away; for the idols, O our Saviour, have fallen, unable to endure Thy strength. But we who have received salvation, cry to Thee: Jesus, the Truth, dispelling falsehood! Jesus, the Light above all lights! Jesus, the King, surpassing all in strength! Jesus, God, constant in mercy! Jesus, Bread of Life, fill me who am hungry! Jesus, Source of Knowledge, refresh me who am thirsty! Jesus, Garment of Gladness, clothe my nakedness! Jesus, Veil of Joy, cover my unworthiness! Jesus, Giver to those who ask, give me sorrow for my sins! Jesus, Finder of those who seek, find my soul! Jesus, Opener to those who knock, open my wretched heart! Jesus, Redeemer of sinners, wash away my sins! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to unveil the mystery hidden from all ages, Thou wast led as a sheep to the slaughter, O Jesus, and as a lamb before its shearer. But as God Thou didst rise from the dead and didst ascend with glory to Heaven, and along with Thyself Thou didst raise us who cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator has shown us a marvelous Creature, Who took flesh without seed from a Virgin, rose from the tomb without breaking the seal, and entered bodily the Apostles' room when the doors were shut. Therefore, marvelling at this we sing: Jesus, Uncontainable Word! Jesus, Inscrutable Intelligence! Jesus, Incomprehensible Power! Jesus, Inconceivable Wisdom! Jesus, Undepictable Deity! Jesus, Boundless Dominion! Jesus, Invincible Kingdom! Jesus, Unending Sovereignty! Jesus, Supreme Strength! Jesus, Eternal Power! Jesus, my Creator, have compassion on me! Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Konlakion 8
Seeing God wondrously incarnate, let us shun the vain world and set our mind on things divine; for God descended to earth to raise to Heaven us who cry to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Being both below and above, Thou didst never falter, O Thou immeasurable One, when Thou didst voluntarily suffer for us, and by Thy death our death didst put to death, and by Thy Resurrection didst grant life to those who sing: Jesus, Sweetness of the heart! Jesus, Strength of the body! Jesus, Purity of the soul! Jesus, Brightness of the mind! Jesus, Gladness of the conscience! Jesus, Sure Hope! Jesus, Memory Eternal! Jesus, High Praise! Jesus, my most exalted Glory! Jesus, my Desire, reject me not! Jesus, my Shepherd, recover me! Jesus, my Saviour, save me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Koniakion 9
The Angelic Hosts in Heaven glorify unceasingly Thy most holy Name, O Jesus, crying: Holy, Holy, Holy! But we sinners on earth, with our frail voices cry: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators voiceless as fish when they must speak of Thee, O Jesus our Saviour. For it is beyond their power to tell how Thou art both perfect man and immutable God at the same time. But we, marvelling at this Mystery, cry faithfully: Jesus, Eternal God! Jesus, King of Kings! Jesus, Lord of Lords! Jesus, Judge of the living and the dead! Jesus, Hope of the hopeless! Jesus, Comforter of the mournful! Jesus, Glory of the poor! Jesus, condemn me not according to my deeds! Jesus, cleanse me according to Thy mercy! Jesus, take from me despondency! Jesus, enlighten the thoughts of my heart! Jesus, make me ever mindful of death! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, O Sunrise of the East, Thou didst come to the dark Occident of our nature, and didst humble Thyself even to the point of death. Therefore Thy Name is exalted above every name, and from all the tribes of earth and heaven, Thou dost hear: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
King Eternal, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us from every stain as Thou didst cleanse the Ten Lepers, and heal us as Thou didst heal the greedy soul of Zacchaeus the publican, that we may cry to Thee with compunction and say: Jesus, Treasurer Incorruptible! Jesus, Unfailing Wealth! Jesus, Strong Food! Jesus, Inexhaustible Drink! Jesus, Garment of the poor! Jesus, Defender of widows! Jesus, Protector of orphans! Jesus, Helper of toilers! Jesus, Guide of pilgrims! Jesus, Pilot of voyagers! Jesus, Calmer of tempests! Jesus, raise me who am fallen! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 11
Tenderest songs I, though unworthy, offer to Thee, and like the woman of Canaan , I cry to Thee: O Jesus, have mercy on me! For it is not my daughter, but my flesh violently possessed with passions and burning with fury. So grant healing to me, who cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
Having previously persecuted Thee Who art the Light that enlightens those who are in the darkness of ignorance, Paul experienced the power of the voice of divine enlightenment, and understood the swiftness of the soul's conversion to God. Likewise, enlighten the dark eye of my soul, as I cry: Jesus, my All-powerful King! Jesus, my Almighty God! Jesus, my Immortal Lord! Jesus, my most glorious Creator! Jesus, my most kind Teacher and Guide! Jesus, my most compassionate Shepherd! Jesus, my most gracious Master! Jesus, my most merciful Saviour! Jesus, enlighten my senses darkened by passions! Jesus, heal my body scabbed with sins! Jesus, cleanse my mind from vain thoughts! Jesus, keep my heart from evil desires! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!
Kontakion 12
Grant me Thy grace, O Jesus, Absolver of all debts, and receive me who repent, as Thou didst receive Peter who denied Thee, and call me who am downcast, as of old Thou didst call Paul who persecuted Thee, and hear me crying to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
Praising Thy Incarnation, we all glorify Thee and, with Thomas, we believe that Thou art our Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant that then I may stand on Thy right hand, who now cry: Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me! Jesus, sweet-scented Flower, make me fragrant! Jesus, beloved Warmth, make me warm! Jesus, Eternal Temple Pearl
Kontakion 13
O most sweet and most generous Jesus! Receive this our humble prayer, as Thou didst receive the widow's mite and keep Thy faithful people from all enemies, visible and invisible, from foreign invasion, from disease and hunger, from all tribulations and mortal wounds, and deliver from future torments all who cry to Thee: Alleluia! (Thrice)
And again Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
Prayers to Our Lord
JESUS CHRIST
O All-wise and All-gracious Lord, Our Saviour, Who didst enlighten all the ends of the world by the radiance of Thy Coming, and Who didst call us into Thy Holy Church through the promise of the inheritance of incorruptible and eternal good! Graciously look down on us, Thy worthless servants, and remember not our iniquities, but according to Thy infinite mercies forgive all our sins. For though we transgress Thy holy will, we do not deny Thee, Our God and Saviour. Against Thee alone do we sin, yet Thee alone do we serve, in Thee alone do we believe, to Thee alone do we come, and Thy servants only do we wish to be. Remember the infirmity of our nature and the temptations of the adversary and the worldly enticements and seducements which surround us on all sides, and against which, according to Thy word, we can do nothing without Thy help. Cleanse us and save us! Enlighten our minds that we may firmly believe in Thee, our only Saviour and Redeemer! Inspire our hearts that we may wholly love Thee, our only God and Creator! Direct our steps that we may unstumblingly walk in the light of Thy commandments! Yea, our Lord and Creator, show us Thy great and abundant kindness, and make us live all the days of our life in holiness and truth, that at the time of Thy glorious Second Coming, we may be worthy to hear Thy gracious call into Thy Heavenly Kingdom. Grant us, Thy sinful and unprofitable servants, to receive Thy Kingdom, and that in the enjoyment of its ineffable beauty, we may ever glorify Thee, together with Thy Eternal Father and Thy Ever-living Divine Spirit to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sweetest Lord Jesus, strong Son of God, Who didst shed Thy precious Blood and die for love of my love, I am ready to die for love of Thy love. Sweetest Jesus, my Life and my All, I love and adore Thee. Thee only do I wish for my Spouse, as Thou dost wish me for Thy bride. I give myself to Thee. I surrender myself to Thee. O Jesus, Thou Whose heart is ever turned to me, heal my heart, that I may feel the sweetness of Thy love, that I may taste no sweetness but Thee, seek no love but Thee, love no beauty but Thee. I have no desire but to please Thee and to do Thy will. Teach me to repent, and to take up the Cross daily and follow Thee with joy. Teach me to pray with faith and love. Thyself pray in me, that with Thee I may love my enemies and pray for them. Jesus, Thou art life in my death, strength in my weakness, light in my darkness, joy in my sorrow, courage in my faint heartedness, peace in my agitation, obedience in my prayer, glory in my dishonour, and deliverance from my dishonour. Glory and thanks to Thee Jesus my Saviour and Healer. Amen.
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AKATHIST
to our Most Holy Lady
Mother of God
Kontakion 1
Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls, we thy servants offer to thee songs of victory and thanksgiving, for thou, O Mother of God, hast delivered us from dangers. But as thou hast invincible power, free us from conflicts of all kinds that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Oikos 1
An Archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Mother of God: Rejoice! And seeing Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to her such things as these: Rejoice, thou through whom joy will flash forth! Rejoice, thou through whom the curse will cease! Rejoice, revival of fallen Adam! Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve! Rejoice, height hard to climb for human thoughts! Rejoice, depth hard to contemplate even for the eyes of Angels! Rejoice, thou who art the King's throne! Rejoice, thou who bearest Him Who bears all! Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear! Rejoice, womb of the divine incarnation! Rejoice, thou through whom creation becomes new! Rejoice, thou through whom the Creator becomes a babe! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 2
Aware that she was living in chastity, the holy Virgin said boldly to Gabriel: "Thy strange message is hard for my soul to accept. How is it thou speakest of the birth from a seedless conception?" And she cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
Seeking to know what passes knowledge, the Virgin cried to the ministering spirit: "Tell me, how can a son be born from a chaste womb?" Then he spoke to her in fear, only crying aloud thus: Rejoice, initiate of God's ineffable will! Rejoice, assurance of those who pray in silence! Rejoice, prelude of Christ's miracles! Rejoice, crown of His dogmas! Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down! Rejoice, bridge that conveys us from earth to heaven! Rejoice, wonder of angels blazed abroad! Rejoice, wound of demons bewailed afar! Rejoice, thou who ineffably gavest birth to the Light! Rejoice, thou who didst reveal thy secret to none! Rejoice, thou who surpasses! the knowledge of the wise! Rejoice, thou who givest light to the minds of the faithful! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High then overshadowed the Virgin for conception, and showed her fruitful womb as a sweet meadow to all who wish to reap salvation, as they sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Pregnant with the Divine indwelling the Virgin ran to Elizabeth whose unborn babe at once recognized her embrace, rejoiced, and with leaps of joy as songs, cried to the Mother of God: Rejoice, scion of an undying Shoot! Rejoice, field of untainted fruit! Rejoice, thou who laborest for Him Whose labor is love! Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Father of our life! Rejoice, cornland yielding a rich crop of mercies! Rejoice, table bearing a wealth of forgiveness! Rejoice, thou who revivest the garden of delight! Rejoice, thou who preparest a haven for souls! Rejoice, acceptable incense of intercession! Rejoice, purification of all the world! Rejoice, favour of God to mortals! Rejoice, access of mortals to God! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 4
Sustaining from within a storm of doubtful thoughts, the chaste Joseph was troubled. For knowing thee to have no husband, he suspected a secret union, O Immaculate One. But when he learned that thy conception was of the Holy Spirit, he exclaimed: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
The shepherds heard Angels carolling Christ's incarnate Presence, and running like sheep to their shepherd, they beheld him as an innocent Lamb fed at Mary's breast, and they sang to her and said: Rejoice, mother of the Lamb and the Shepherd! Rejoice, fold of spiritual sheep! Rejoice, defence against invisible enemies! Rejoice, key to the gates of Paradise ! Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth! Rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens! Rejoice, never-silent voice of the Apostles! Rejoice, invincible courage of the martyrs! Rejoice, firm support of faith! Rejoice, radiant blaze of grace! Rejoice, thou through whom hell was stripped bare! Rejoice, thou through whom we are clothed with glory! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 5
Having sighted the divinely moving star, the Wise Men followed its light and held it as a lamp by which they sought a powerful King. And as they approached the Unapproachable, they rejoiced and shouted to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand 'made man. And knowing Him to be the Lord although He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to worship Him with their gifts and cried to her who is blessed: Rejoice, mother of the never-setting Star! Rejoice, dawn of the mystic Day! Rejoice, thou who didst extinguish the furnace of error! Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity! Rejoice, thou who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant! Rejoice, thou who hast shown us Christ as the Lord and Lover of men! Rejoice, thou who redeemest from pagan worship! Rejoice, thou who dost drag from the mire of works! Rejoice, thou who hast stopped the worship of fire! Rejoice, thou who hast quenched the flame of the passions! Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity! Rejoice, joy of all generations! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 6
Turned God-bearing heralds, the Wise Men returned to Babylon
Oikos 6
By shining in Egypt
Kontakion 7
When Simeon was about to depart this life of delusion, Thou wast brought as a Babe to him. But he recognized Thee as also perfect God, and marvelling at Thy ineffable wisdom, he cried: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
The Creator showed us a new creation when He appeared to us who came from Him. For He sprang from an unsown womb and kept it chaste as it was, that seeing the miracle we might sing to her and say: Rejoice, flower of incorruption! Rejoice, crown of continence! Rejoice, flashing symbol of the resurrection! Rejoice, mirror of the life of the Angels! Rejoice, tree of glorious fruit by which the faithful are nourished! Rejoice, bush of shady leaves by which many are sheltered! Rejoice, thou who. bearest the Guide of those astray! Rejoice, thou who givest birth to the Redeemer of captives! Rejoice, pleader before the Just Judge! Rejoice, forgiveness of many sinners. Rejoice, robe of freedom for the naked! Rejoice, love that vanquishes all desire! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Konlakion 8
Seeing the Child Exile, let us be exiles from the world and transport our minds to Heaven. For the Most High God appeared on earth as lowly man, because He wished to draw to the heights those who cry to Him: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
Wholly present was the infinite Word among those here below, yet in no way absent from those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a change of place. And His birth was from a God-possessed Virgin who heard words like these: Rejoice, container of the uncontainable God! Rejoice, door of solemn mystery! Rejoice, doubtful report of unbelievers! Rejoice, undoubted boast of the faithful! Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who rides on the Cherubim! Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who Paradise is opened! Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ
Kontakion 9
All angel kind was amazed at the great act of Thy incarnation; for they saw the inaccessible God as a man accessible to all, dwelling with us and hearing from all: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
We see most eloquent orators dumb as fish before thee, O Mother of God. For they dare not ask: How canst thou bear a Child and yet remain a Virgin? But we marvel at the mystery, and cry with faith: Rejoice, receptacle of the Wisdom of God! Rejoice, treasury of His Providence! Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers to be fools! Rejoice, thou who constrainest the learned to silence! Rejoice, for the clever critics have made fools of themselves! Rejoice, for the writers of myths have died out! Rejoice, thou who didst break the webs of the Athenians! Rejoice, thou who didst fill the nets of the fishermen! Rejoice, thou who drawest us from the depths of ignorance! Rejoice, thou who enlightenest many with knowledge! Rejoice, ship of those who wish to be saved! Rejoice, haven for sailors on the sea of life! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to save the world, the Ruler of all came to it spontaneously. And though as God He is our Shepherd, for us He appeared to us as a Man; and having called mankind to salvation by His own Perfect Manhood, as God He hears: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
Thou art a wall to virgins and to all who run to thee, O Virgin Mother of God. For the Maker of heaven and earth prepared thee, O Immaculate One, and dwelt in thy womb, and taught all to call to thee: Rejoice, pillar of virginity! Rejoice, gate of salvation! Rejoice, founder of spiritual reformation! Rejoice, leader of divine goodness! Rejoice, for thou didst regenerate those conceived in shame! Rejoice, for thou gavest understanding to those robbed of their senses! Rejoice, thou who didst foil the corrupter of minds! Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Sower of chastity! Rejoice, bridechamber of a virgin marriage! Rejoice, thou who dost wed the faithful to the Lord! Rejoice, fair mother and nurse of virgins! Rejoice, betrother of holy souls! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 11
Every hymn falls short that aspires to embrace the multitude of Thy many mercies. For if we should offer to Thee, O Holy King, songs numberless as the sand, we should still have done nothing worthy of what Thou hast given to us who shout to Thee: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
We see the Holy Virgin as a flaming torch appearing to those in darkness. For having kindled the Immaterial Light, she leads all to divine knowledge; she illumines our minds with radiance and is honoured by our shouting these praises: Rejoice, ray of the spiritual Sun! Rejoice, flash of unfading splendour! Rejoice, lightning that lights up our souls! Rejoice, thunder that stuns our enemies! Rejoice, for thou didst cause the refulgent Light to dawn! Rejoice, for thou didst cause the river of many-streams to gush forth! Rejoice, living image of the font! Rejoice, remover of the stain of sin! Rejoice, laver that washes the conscience clean! Rejoice, bowl for mixing the wine of joy! Rejoice, aroma of the fragrance of Christ! Rejoice, life of mystical festivity! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 12
When He Who forgives all men their past debts wished to restore us to favour, of His own will He came to dwell among those who had fallen from His grace; and having torn up the record of their sins, He hears from all: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
While singing to thy Child, we all praise thee as a living temple, O Mother of God. For the Lord Who holds all things in His hand dwelt in thy womb, and He sanctified and glorified thee, and taught all to cry to thee: Rejoice, tabernacle of God the Word! Rejoice, saint greater than the saints! Rejoice, ark made golden by the Spirit! Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of Life! Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings! Rejoice, adorable boast of devoted priests! Rejoice, unshaken tower of the Church! Rejoice, impregnable wall of the Kingdom! Rejoice, thou through whom we obtain our victories! Rejoice, thou before whom our foes fall prostrate! Rejoice, healing of my body! Rejoice, salvation of my soul! Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion 13
O all-praised Mother who didst bear the Word holiest of all the Saints, accept this our offering, and deliver us from all offense, and redeem from future torment those who cry in unison to thee: Alleluia. (Thrice)
And again Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
Prayer to our Most Holy Lady
MOTHER of GOD
My most gracious Queen, my hope, Mother of God, shelter of orphans, and intercessor of travellers, strangers and pilgrims, joy of those in sorrow, protectress of the wronged, see my distress, see my affliction! Help me, for I am helpless. Feed me, for I am a stranger and pilgrim. Thou knowest my offence; forgive and resolve it as thou wilt. For I know no other help but thee, no other intercessor, no gracious consoler but thee, O Mother of God, to guard and protect me throughout the ages. Amen.
CANON OF REPENTANCE
To our Lord Jesus Christ
Song 1. Tone 6.
Eirmos: When Israel
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Now I, a burdened sinner, approach Thee, my Lord and God. But I dare not raise my eyes to Heaven. I only pray, saying: Give me, O Lord, the sense to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O woe is me, a sinner! Wretched am I above all men. There is no penitence in me. Give me, O Lord, tears to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Foolish, wretched man, you are wasting your time in idleness! Think of your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly over your deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, look upon me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me to the way of repentance, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Song 3.
Eirmos: There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Good One, and strengthened us on the rock of Thy confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
When the thrones are set at the dread judgment, then the deeds of all men will be exposed. Then alas for the sinners sent to torment! And knowing that, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The righteous will rejoice, but the sinners will weep. Then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before the end dawns, repent of your evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Woe is me, a great sinner, who have defiled myself by my deeds and thoughts. Not a tear-drop do I have, because of my hard-heartedness. Now raise yourself from the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Lo, thy Son calls, O Lady, and teaches us what is good. But, sinful as I am, I always flee from the good. But do thou, O merciful one, have mercy on me, that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Sedalion, tone 6:I think of the awful day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer the Immortal King? How shall I, a prodigal, dare to look at the Judge? O gracious Father, Only-Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Bound now with many chains of sins, and inhibited by cruel passions, I have recourse to thee, my salvation, and cry: Help me, O Virgin, Mother of God.
Song 4.
Eirmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the holy Church divinely sings, crying with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Broad is the way here and conducive to indulging in pleasures, but how bitter it will be on the last day when the soul is separated from the body! Beware of pleasures, man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Why do you wrong the poor? Why do you withhold the wage of the hired servant? Why do you not love your brother? Why do you run after pride and lust? And so, stop these things, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O thoughtless man! How long will you busy yourself like a bee, accumulating your fortune? For it will perish like dust and ashes soon. But seek rather the Kingdom of God
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Lady, Mother of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Strengthen me in the virtues and keep me safe, lest sudden death take me by surprise. And bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God
Song 5.
Eirmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Remember, wretched man, how you are enslaved to lies, calumnies, theft, infirmities, wild beasts and fears, on account of your sins. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
My members tremble, for with all of them I have sinned: with my eyes in looking, with my ears in hearing, with my tongue in speaking evil, and by surrendering the whole of myself to hell. O my sinful soul, is that what you have desired?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou didst receive the prodigal and the robber who repented, O Saviour, and I alone have succumbed to sinful sloth and have become enslaved to evil deeds. O my sinful soul, is this what you have desired?
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Wonderful and speedy helper of all men, help me. Mother of God, unworthy as I am, for my sinful soul desires that.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, I run to calm haven, and cry to Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, O Most Merciful One.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I have lived my life wantonly on earth and have delivered my soul to darkness. But now I implore Thee, O merciful Lord, free me from this work of the enemy and give me the knowledge to do Thy will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Who does such things as I do? For just like a swine lying in the mud, so I serve sin. But do Thou, O Lord, pull me out of this vileness and give me the heart to do Thy commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Rise, wretched man, to God and, remembering your sins, fall down before your Creator, weeping and groaning, for He is merciful and will grant you to know His will.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin Mother of God, protect me from evil visible and invisible, O immaculate one, and accept my prayers and convey them to thy Son, that He may grant me the sense to do His will.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: O my soul, why do you become rich in sins? Why do you do the will of the devil? On what do you set your hope? Stop these things and turn to God with tears, and cry: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Oekos: Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the awful judgment of your God and Creator. For terrible Angels will seize you, my soul, and will lead you into the eternal fire. And so, before your death, repent and cry: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Song 7.
Eirmos: An Angel made the furnace throw dew on the holy Children. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
Do not hope, my soul, for corruptible wealth, and for what is unjustly collected. For you do not know to whom you will leave it all. But cry: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in your physical health, and in your quickly-passing beauty. For you see that the strong and the young die. But say: O Christ our God, have mercy on me, who am unworthy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Fall down, my soul, before the Mother of God, and pray to her; for she is quick to help those who repent. She prays to Christ, her Son and our God, and has mercy on me who am unworthy.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Thou didst make flame sprinkle the Saints with dew, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest. Thee we exalt throughout all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
How can I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my brother lying in his coffin, inglorious and hideous. What, then, do I expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end. (2)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins. Where shall I find myself? Therefore I cry: grant me, O Lord, repentance before my end.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Most pure Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer and preserve me from sudden death; and grant me repentance before my end.
Song 9.
Eirmos: It is impossible for men to see God, upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze. But through thee, O all-pure one, did the Word incarnate appear to men, and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him, and thee we call blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Troparia:
I now have recourse to you, holy Angels, Archangels, and all the Heavenly Hosts who stand at the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He may save my soul from eternal torment.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Now I turn to you with tears, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and holy prelates, and all Christ's elect: help me at the judgment, that He may save my soul from the power of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Now I lift my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous and all the saints, who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, help me who have strong hope in thee; implore thy Son that He may place me on His right hand, unworthy as I am, when He sits to judge the living and the dead. Amen.
Prayer after the Canon
Lord Christ our God, Who hast healed my passions through Thy Passion, and hast cured my wounds through Thy wounds, grant me who have sinned greatly against Thee tears of compunction. Transform my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Thy Holy Blood from the bitterness with which the foe has fed me. Lift up my downward looking mind to Thee, and take it out of the pit of perdition, for I have no repentance, I have no compunction, I have no consoling tears, which uplift children to their heritage. My mind has been darkened through earthly passions, I cannot look up to Thee in pain. I cannot warm myself with tears of love for Thee. But, O Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good gifts, give me thorough repentance and a diligent heart to seek Thee; grant me Thy grace, and renew in me the lineaments of Thy image. I have forsaken Thee - do not forsake me! Come out to seek me; lead me up to Thy pasturage and number me among the lambs of Thy chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Thy Holy Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.
CANON OF PREPARATION
for Holy Communion.
Heavenly King... Trisagion: All-holy Trinity... Our Father... Lord have mercy (12 times). O come let us worship... (Thrice). Psalm 50:
Song 1. Tone 2.
Eirmos: Come, O you people, let us sing a song to Christ our God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the nation which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; for He is glorious.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May Thy holy Body be for me the bread of eternal life, O gracious Lord, and may Thy precious Blood be a remedy for my many forms of sickness.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Defiled by misguided deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood, but make me worthy of them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the unploughed Corn which saves the world, grant that I may be saved by eating it.
Song 3.
Eirmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast given me power over my enemies, and my spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none good but Thee, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the dross from my heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may come with fear and faith, O Lord, to the communion Thy divine gifts.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May Thy immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of my transgressions, for communion with the Holy Spirit and for Eternal Life, O Lover of men, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Lady, Altar of the Bread of Life, which for mercy's sake came down from on high and gave new life to the world, make even me, who am unworthy, worthy now with fear to eat it and live.
Song 4.
Eirmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come, not as an Ambassador, nor as an Angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Therefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O most merciful One. Who wast incarnate for us, Thou didst will to be slain as a Sheep for the sins of men; therefore I implore Thee to blot out my offenses.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, and make me worthy, O Lord, to partake of Thy divine mystical Supper, wretched as I am.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Intercede for me also, O Lady, with Him Who came from thy womb, and keep me, thy slave, pure and blameless that I may be sanctified by obtaining the spiritual pearl.
Song 5.
Eirmos: Giver of light and Sovereign Creator of the worlds, guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know no other God than Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, let it be to Thy wicked servant. Abide in me as Thou didst promise; for lo, I am eating Thy divine Body and drinking Thy Blood.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of Thy Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may Thy Blood be the cleansing of my sinful soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, holy tabernacle of the scent of Heaven, make me by Thy prayers, a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the Sacrament of thy Son.
Song 6.
Eirmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart and body, and grant me uncondemned, O Lord, to approach the fearful Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Grant estrangement from passions, and the assistance of Thy grace, and assurance of life by the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Word of God and God, sanctify the whole of me as I now approach Thy divine Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy Holy Mother.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion: Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the Bread which is Thy Body and Thy divine Blood, and to partake, O Lord, of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries, wretched as I am, and may it not be to me for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.
Song 7.
Eirmos: The wise children did not adore the golden idol, but went themselves into the flame and defied the pagan gods. They prayed in the midst of the flame, and an Angel bedewed them: The prayer of your lips has been heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
May the communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the source of all goodness, O Christ, be to me light and life and dispassion and the means of progress and proficiency in divine virtue, O only Good One, that I may glorify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies, wants, and every sorrow, I now draw near with trembling, love and reverence, O Lover of men, to Thy immortal and divine Mysteries, singing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of Divine Grace and gavest birth incomprehensibly to the Saviour Christ, I thy servant, unclean as I am, now beseech thee, O pure one: Cleanse me who now wish to approach the immaculate Mysteries, from all defilement of body and spirit.
Song 8.
Eirmos: Sing of the acts of God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children, and changed the flame into dew, and exalt Him as Lord throughout all ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
Grant me, who am desperate, to be a participant now of Thy heavenly, dread and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of Thy divine Mystical Supper, O my Saviour and God.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
I fly for refuge to Thy compassion, O Good One, and I cry to Thee with fear: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I in Thee as Thou saidst; for lo, confiding in Thy mercy, I eat Thy Body and drink Thy Blood.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I tremble, taking fire, lest I should burn as wax and hay. O dread Mystery! O Divine Compassion! How can I who am clay partake of the divine Body and Blood and become incorruptible!
Song 9.
Eirmos: The Son of the Eternal Father, God and Lord, has appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; therefore the all-hymned Mother of God we magnify.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Troparia:
The Lord is good. O taste and see! For of old He became like us for us, and once offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father and is perpetually slain, sanctifying communicants.
Cast me not away from Thy Face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Lord; may I be enlightened and saved; may I become by the communion of the Holy Mysteries Thy dwelling, having Thee with the Father and the Spirit living within me, O most merciful Benefactor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
May Thy most precious Body and Blood, my Saviour, be to me as fire and light, consuming the fuel of sin and burning the thorns of my passions, enlightening the whole of me to adore Thy Divinity.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of thy pure blood. Therefore, all generations sing to thee, O Lady, and throngs of heavenly minds glorify thee. For through thee we have clearly seen Him Who is Lord of all united essentially with mankind.
And in the morning the special psalms and prayers to be read before Holy Communion.
PREPARATORY PRAYERS
FOR HOLY COMMUNION
In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times).
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Then the following Psalms: 23, 24, 116: 10-19 (King James text); 22, 23, 115 (Septuagint).
Psalm 22.
The Lord is my Shepherd, and will deny me nothing. He has settled me in a green pasture, and nourished me beside refreshing water. He has converted my soul, and led me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. For even though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff have comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me in the face of those who trouble me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil. And Thy chalice which inebriates me, how glorious it is! And Thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord throughout the length of my days.
Psalm 23.
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell in it He has set it on the seas, and prepared it on the rivers. Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord, or who will stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on vanity or sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. He will receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. These are the kind who seek the Lord, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, you eternal doors, and the King of Glory will enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, you eternal doors, and the King of Glory will enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
Psalm 115.
I believed and so I spoke; but I was deeply humiliated. I said in my madness: every man is a liar. What shall I give in return to the Lord for all that He has given me? I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.
O Lord, I am Thy slave; I am Thy slave and son of Thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds asunder. I will offer Thee the sacrifice of praise, and will pray in the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice) Lord, have mercy (Thrice). And then the following prayers:
Overlook my faults, O Lord Who wast born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it a temple for Thy spotless Body and Blood. Let me not be rejected from Thy presence, O Thou Who hast infinitely great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How can I who am unworthy dare to come to the communion of Thy Holy Things? For even if I should dare to approach Thee with those who are worthy, my garment betrays me, for it is not a festal robe, and I shall cause the condemnation of my sinful soul. Cleanse, O Lord, the pollution from my soul, and save me as the Lover of men.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Great is the multitude of my sins, O Mother of God. To thee, O pure one, I flee and implore salvation. Visit my sick and feeble soul and intercede with thy Son and our God, that He may grant me forgiveness for the terrible things I have done, O thou who alone art blessed.
On Holy and Great Thursday the following is read:
When Thy glorious Disciples were enlightened at the Supper by the feet-washing, then impious Judas was darkened with the disease of avarice, and he delivered Thee, the Just Judge, to lawless judges. See, O lover of money, this man through money came to hang himself. Flee the insatiable desire which dared to do such things to the Master. O Lord, Who art good towards all, glory to Thee.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Prostrations as desired. Then these prayers:
First Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, source of life and immortality, Who art the Author of all creation, visible and invisible, the equally everlasting and co-eternal Son of the eternal Father, Who through the excess of Thy goodness didst in the last days assume our flesh and wast crucified for us, ungrateful and ignorant as we were, and didst cause through Thy own Blood the restoration of our nature which had been marred by sin: O immortal King, accept the repentance even of me a sinner, and incline Thine ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and I am not worthy to gaze on the height of Thy glory; for I have provoked Thy goodness by transgressing Thy commandments and not obeying Thy orders. But Thou, O Lord, in Thy forbearance, patience, and great mercy, hast not given me up to be destroyed with my sins, but Thou awaitest my complete conversion. For Thou, O Lover of men, hast said through Thy Prophet that Thou desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live. For Thou dost not will, O Lord, that the work of Thy hands should be destroyed, neither dost Thou delight in the destruction of men, but Thou desirest that all should be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. Therefore, though I am unworthy both of heaven and earth, and even of this transient life, since I have completely succumbed to sin and am a slave to pleasure and have defaced Thy image, yet being Thy work and creation, wretch that I am, even I do not despair of my salvation and dare to draw near to Thy boundless compassion. So receive even me, O Christ Lover of men, as the harlot, as the thief, as the publican, and as the prodigal; and take from me the heavy burden of my sins, Thou Who takest away the sin of the world, Who healest men's sicknesses, Who callest the weary and heavy laden to Thyself and givest them rest; for Thou camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And purify me from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Teach me to achieve perfect holiness in the fear of Thee, that with the clear witness of my conscience I may receive the portion of Thy holy Things and be united with Thy holy Body and Blood, and have Thee dwelling and remaining in me with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit. And, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not the communion of Thy immaculate and life-giving Mysteries be to me for condemnation nor let it make me sick in body or soul through my partaking of them unworthily; but grant me till my last breath to receive without condemnation the portion of Thy holy Things, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for eternal life, and as an acceptable defense at Thy dread tribunal, so that I too with all Thy elect may become a partaker of Thy pure joys which Thou hast prepared for those who love Thee, O Lord, in whom Thou art glorified throughout the ages. Amen.
First Prayer
of St. John Chrysostom
O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy or sufficient that Thou shouldest come under the roof of the house of my soul, for all is desolate and fallen, and Thou hast not with me a place fit to lay Thy head. But as from the highest heaven Thou didst humble Thyself for our sake, so now conform Thyself to my humility. And as Thou didst consent to lie in a cave and in a manger of dumb beasts, so also consent to lie in the manger of my unspiritual soul and to enter my defiled body. And as Thou didst not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the Leper, so consent also to enter the house of my humble soul which is leprous and sinful. And as Thou didst not reject the woman, who was a harlot and a sinner like me, when she approached and touched Thee, so also be compassionate with me, a sinner, as I approach and touch Thee, and let the live coal of Thy most holy Body and precious Blood be for the sanctification and enlightenment and strengthening of my humble soul and body, for a relief from the burden of my many sins, for a protection from all diabolical practices, for a restraint and a check on my evil and wicked way of life, for the mortification of passions, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy divine grace, and for the advancement of Thy Kingdom. For it is not insolently that I draw near to Thee, O Christ my God, but as taking courage from Thy unspeakable goodness, and that I may not by long abstaining from Thy communion become a prey to the spiritual wolf. Therefore, I pray Thee, O Lord, Who alone art holy, sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my emotions and affections, and wholly renew me. Root the fear of Thee in my members, and make Thy sanctification indelible in me. Be also my helper and defender, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand on Thy right hand with Thy Saints: through the prayers and intercessions of Thy immaculate Mother, of Thy ministering Angels, of the immaculate Powers and of all the Saints who have ever been pleasing to Thee. Amen.
Prayer
of St. Symeon the Translator
O only pure and sinless Lord, Who through the ineffable compassion of Thy love for men didst assume our whole nature through the pure and virgin blood of her who supernaturally conceived Thee by the coming of the Divine Spirit and by the will of the Eternal Father; O Christ Jesus, Wisdom and Peace and Power of God, Who in Thy assumption of our nature didst suffer Thy life-giving and saving Passion - the Cross, the Nails, the Spear, and Death - mortify all the deadly passions of my body. Thou Who in Thy burial didst spoil the dominions of hell, bury with good thoughts my evil schemes and scatter the spirits of wickedness. Thou Who by Thy life-giving Resurrection on the third day didst raise up our fallen first Parent, raise me up who am sunk in sin and suggest to me ways of repentance. Thou Who by Thy glorious Ascension didst deify our nature which Thou hadst assumed and didst honor it by Thy session at the right hand of the Father, make me worthy by partaking of Thy holy Mysteries of a place at Thy right hand among those who are saved. Thou Who by the descent of the Spirit, the Paraclete, didst make Thy holy Disciples worthy vessels, make me also a recipient of His coming. Thou Who art to come again to judge the World with justice, grant me also to meet Thee on the clouds, my Maker and Creator, with all Thy Saints, that I may unendingly glorify and praise Thee with Thy Eternal Father and Thy all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
First Prayer
of St. John Damascene
O Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who alone hast authority to forgive men their sins, overlook in Thy goodness and love for men all my offences whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation Thy divine, glorious, spotless, and life-giving Mysteries, not for punishment, nor for an increase of sins, but for purification and sanctification and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come, as a protection and help, and for the destruction of enemies, and for the blotting out of my many transgressions. For Thou art a God of mercy and compassion and love for men, and to Thee we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer
of St. Basil the Great
I know, O Lord, that I partake of Thy immaculate Body and precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink judgment to myself by not discerning the Body and Blood of Thee my Christ and God. But taking courage from Thy compassion I approach Thee, for Thou hast said: "He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in him." Therefore have compassion, O Lord, and do not make an example of me, a sinner, but deal with me according to Thy mercy; and let these Holy Things be for my healing and purification and enlightenment and protection and salvation and sanctification of body and soul, for the turning away of every phantasy and all evil practice and diabolical activity working subconsciously in my members, for confidence and love towards Thee, for reformation of life and security, for an increase of virtue and perfection, for fulfillment of the commandments, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for eternal life, and as an acceptable defense at Thy dread Tribunal, not for judgment or for condemnation.
Prayer
of St. Symeon the New Theologian
From sullied lips,
From an abominable heart,
From an unclean tongue,
Out of a polluted soul,
Receive my prayer, O my Christ.
Reject me not,
Nor my words, nor my ways,
Nor even my shamelessness,
But give me courage to say
What I desire, my Christ.
And even more, teach me
What to do and say.
I have sinned more than the harlot
Who, on learning where Thou wast lodging,
Bought myrrh,
And dared to come and anoint
Thy feet, my Christ,
My Lord and my God.
As Thou didst not repulse her
When she drew near from her heart,
Neither, O Word, abominate me,
But grant me Thy feet
To clasp and kiss,
And with a flood of tears
As with most precious myrrh
Dare to anoint them.
Wash me with my tears
And purify me with them, O Word.
Forgive my sins
And grant me pardon.
Thou knowest the multitude of my evil-doings,
Thou knowest also my wounds,
And Thou seest my bruises.
But also Thou knowest my faith,
And Thou beholdest my willingness,
And Thou hearest my sighs.
Nothing escapes Thee, my God,
My Maker, my Redeemer,
Not even a tear-drop,
Nor part of a drop.
Thine eyes know
What I have not achieved,
And in Thy book
Things not yet done
Are written by Thee.
See my depression,
See how great is my trouble,
And all my sins
Take from me, O God of all,
That with a clean heart,
Trembling mind
And contrite spirit
I may partake of Thy pure
And all-holy Mysteries
By which all who eat and drink Thee
With sincerity of heart
Are quickened and deified.
For Thou, my Lord, hast said:
"Whoever eats My Flesh
And drinks My Blood
Abides in Me
And I in Him."
Wholly true is the word
Of my Lord and God.
For whoever partakes of Thy divine
And deifying Gifts
Certainly is not alone,
But is with Thee, my Christ,
Light of the Triune Sun
Which illumines the world.
And that I may not remain alone
Without Thee, the Giver of Life,
My Breath, my Life,
My Joy,
The Salvation of the world,
Therefore I have drawn near to Thee
As Thou seest, with tears
And with a contrite spirit.
Ransom of my offences,
I beseech Thee to receive me,
And that I may partake without condemnation
Of Thy life-giving and perfect Mysteries,
That Thou mayest remain as Thou hast said
With me, thrice-wretched as I am,
Lest the tempter may find me
Without Thy grace
And craftily seize me,
And having deceived me, may seduce me,
From Thy deifying words.
Therefore I fall at Thy feet
And fervently cry to Thee:
As Thou receivedst the Prodigal
And the Harlot who drew near to Thee,
So have compassion and receive me,
The profligate and the prodigal,
As with contrite spirit
I now draw near to Thee.
I know, O Saviour, that no other
Has sinned against Thee as I,
Nor has done the deeds
That I have committed.
But this again I know
That not the greatness of my offences
Nor the multitude of my sins
Surpasses the great patience
Of my God,
And His extreme love for men.
But with the oil of compassion
Those who fervently repent
Thou dost purify and enlighten
And makest them children of the light,
Sharers of Thy Divine Nature.
And Thou dost act most generously,
For what is strange to Angels
And to the minds of men
Often Thou tellest to them
As to Thy true friends.
These things make me bold, my Christ,
These things give me wings,
And I take courage from the wealth
Of Thy goodness to us.
And rejoicing and trembling at once,
I who am straw partake of fire,
And, strange wonder!
I am ineffably bedewed,
Like the bush of old
Which burnt without being consumed.
Therefore with thankful mind,
And with thankful heart,
And with thankfulness in all the members
Of my soul and body,
I worship and magnify
And glorify Thee, my God,
For Thou art blessed,
Now and throughout the ages.
From an abominable heart,
From an unclean tongue,
Out of a polluted soul,
Receive my prayer, O my Christ.
Reject me not,
Nor my words, nor my ways,
Nor even my shamelessness,
But give me courage to say
What I desire, my Christ.
And even more, teach me
What to do and say.
I have sinned more than the harlot
Who, on learning where Thou wast lodging,
Bought myrrh,
And dared to come and anoint
Thy feet, my Christ,
My Lord and my God.
As Thou didst not repulse her
When she drew near from her heart,
Neither, O Word, abominate me,
But grant me Thy feet
To clasp and kiss,
And with a flood of tears
As with most precious myrrh
Dare to anoint them.
Wash me with my tears
And purify me with them, O Word.
Forgive my sins
And grant me pardon.
Thou knowest the multitude of my evil-doings,
Thou knowest also my wounds,
And Thou seest my bruises.
But also Thou knowest my faith,
And Thou beholdest my willingness,
And Thou hearest my sighs.
Nothing escapes Thee, my God,
My Maker, my Redeemer,
Not even a tear-drop,
Nor part of a drop.
Thine eyes know
What I have not achieved,
And in Thy book
Things not yet done
Are written by Thee.
See my depression,
See how great is my trouble,
And all my sins
Take from me, O God of all,
That with a clean heart,
Trembling mind
And contrite spirit
I may partake of Thy pure
And all-holy Mysteries
By which all who eat and drink Thee
With sincerity of heart
Are quickened and deified.
For Thou, my Lord, hast said:
"Whoever eats My Flesh
And drinks My Blood
Abides in Me
And I in Him."
Wholly true is the word
Of my Lord and God.
For whoever partakes of Thy divine
And deifying Gifts
Certainly is not alone,
But is with Thee, my Christ,
Light of the Triune Sun
Which illumines the world.
And that I may not remain alone
Without Thee, the Giver of Life,
My Breath, my Life,
My Joy,
The Salvation of the world,
Therefore I have drawn near to Thee
As Thou seest, with tears
And with a contrite spirit.
Ransom of my offences,
I beseech Thee to receive me,
And that I may partake without condemnation
Of Thy life-giving and perfect Mysteries,
That Thou mayest remain as Thou hast said
With me, thrice-wretched as I am,
Lest the tempter may find me
Without Thy grace
And craftily seize me,
And having deceived me, may seduce me,
From Thy deifying words.
Therefore I fall at Thy feet
And fervently cry to Thee:
As Thou receivedst the Prodigal
And the Harlot who drew near to Thee,
So have compassion and receive me,
The profligate and the prodigal,
As with contrite spirit
I now draw near to Thee.
I know, O Saviour, that no other
Has sinned against Thee as I,
Nor has done the deeds
That I have committed.
But this again I know
That not the greatness of my offences
Nor the multitude of my sins
Surpasses the great patience
Of my God,
And His extreme love for men.
But with the oil of compassion
Those who fervently repent
Thou dost purify and enlighten
And makest them children of the light,
Sharers of Thy Divine Nature.
And Thou dost act most generously,
For what is strange to Angels
And to the minds of men
Often Thou tellest to them
As to Thy true friends.
These things make me bold, my Christ,
These things give me wings,
And I take courage from the wealth
Of Thy goodness to us.
And rejoicing and trembling at once,
I who am straw partake of fire,
And, strange wonder!
I am ineffably bedewed,
Like the bush of old
Which burnt without being consumed.
Therefore with thankful mind,
And with thankful heart,
And with thankfulness in all the members
Of my soul and body,
I worship and magnify
And glorify Thee, my God,
For Thou art blessed,
Now and throughout the ages.
Second Prayer
of St. John Chrysostom
I am not worthy, O Lord and Master, that Thou shouldest enter under the roof of my soul; but since Thou in Thy love for men dost will to dwell in me, I take courage and approach. Thou commandest: I will open wide the doors which Thou alone didst create, that Thou mayest enter with love as is Thy nature, enter and enlighten my darkened thought. I believe that Thou wilt do this, for Thou didst not banish the Harlot who approached Thee with tears, nor didst Thou reject the Publican who repented, nor didst Thou drive away the Thief who acknowledged Thy Kingdom, nor didst Thou leave the repentant persecutor (Paul) to himself; but all who had been brought to Thee by repentance Thou didst set in the company of Thy friends, O Thou Who alone art blessed always, now and to endless ages. Amen.
Third Prayer
of St. John Chrysostom
Lord Jesus Christ my God, remit, forgive, absolve and pardon the sins, offences and transgressions which I, Thy sinful, useless and unworthy servant have committed from my youth, up to the present day and hour, whether with knowledge or in ignorance, whether by words or deeds or intentions or thoughts, and whether by habit or through any of my senses. And through the intercession of her who conceived Thee without seed, the immaculate and ever-virgin Mary Thy Mother, my only sure hope and protection and salvation, make me worthy without condemnation to receive Thy pure, immortal, life-giving and dread Mysteries, for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life, for sanctification and enlightenment and strength and healing and health of soul and body, and for the blotting out and complete destruction of my evil reasonings and intentions and prejudices and nocturnal fantasies of dark evil spirits. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory and the honour and the worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer
of St. John Damascene
I stand before the doors of Thy sanctuary, yet I do not put away my terrible thoughts. But O Christ our God, Who didst justify the Publican, and have mercy on the Canaanite woman, and didst open the gates of Paradise to the Thief, open to me the depths of Thy love for men, and as I approach and touch Thee, receive me like the Harlot and the woman with an issue of blood. For the one received healing easily by touching the hem of Thy garment, and the other by clasping Thy sacred feet obtained release from her sins. And I, in my pitiableness, dare to receive Thy whole Body. Let me not be burnt, but receive me even as these; enlighten the senses of my soul, and burn the stains of my sins: through the intercessions of her who bore Thee without seed, and of the Heavenly Powers, for Thou art blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer
of St. John Chrysostom
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. And I believe that this is Thy pure Body and Thy own precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And grant that I may partake of Thy Holy Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
Lines of St. Symeon the Translator
Behold I approach for Divine Communion.
O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating,
For Thou art Fire which burns the unworthy.
But purify me from every stain.
O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating,
For Thou art Fire which burns the unworthy.
But purify me from every stain.
Then this Prayer:
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thy enemies; I will not give Thee a kiss like Judas; but like the Thief do I confess Thee. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
And again these lines:
Tremble, O man, when you see the deifying Blood,
For it is a coal that burns the unworthy.
The Body of God both deifies and nourishes;
It deifies the spirit and wondrously nourishes the mind.
For it is a coal that burns the unworthy.
The Body of God both deifies and nourishes;
It deifies the spirit and wondrously nourishes the mind.
And these Troparia:
Thou hast ravished me with longing, O Christ, and with Thy divine love Thou hast changed me. But burn up with spiritual fire my sins and make me worthy to be filled with delight in Thee, that I may leap for joy, O gracious Lord, and magnify Thy two comings.
Into the splendor of Thy Saints how shall I who am unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter the bridechamber, my vesture betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and as a prisoner I shall be cast out by the Angels. Cleanse my soul from pollution and save me, O Lord, in Thy love for men.
And this Prayer:
Sovereign Lover of men, Lord Jesus my God, let not these Holy Things be to me for judgment through my being unworthy, but for the purification and sanctification of my soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cling to God and to place in the Lord my hope of salvation.
THANKSGIVING
AFTER HOLY COMMUNION
Glory to Thee, O God;
Glory to Thee, O God;
Glory to Thee, O God.
Glory to Thee, O God;
Glory to Thee, O God.
Anonymous
I thank Thee, O Lord my God, that Thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but hast granted me to be a communicant of Thy holy Things. I thank Thee that Thou hast granted me, unworthy as I am, to partake of Thy pure and heavenly Gifts. But, O Lord, Lover of men, Who didst die for us and rise again and bestow upon us these Thy dread and life-giving Mysteries for the wellbeing and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant that these may be even to me for the healing of my soul and body, for the averting of everything hostile, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for unashamed faith, for sincere love, for the fullness of wisdom, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy divine grace, and for familiarity with Thy Kingdom; that being kept by Them in Thy holiness I may ever remember Thy grace, and never live for myself but for Thee our Lord and Benefactor. And so when I have passed from existence here in the hope of eternal life, may I attain to everlasting rest, where the song is unceasing of those who keep festival and the joy is boundless of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy face. For Thou art the true desire and the unutterable gladness of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and all creation sings of Thee throughout the ages.
Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Lord Christ our God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the blessings Thou hast granted me and for the communion of Thy pure and life-giving Mysteries. I pray Thee, therefore, good Lord and Lover of men, guard me under Thy protection and within the shadow of Thy wings; and grant me with a clear conscience till my last breath worthily to partake of Thy holy Things for forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of all that is good, and to Thee we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Symeon the Translator
O Thou Who givest me willingly Thy Flesh for food,
Thou Who art fire, and burnest the unworthy,
Scorch me not, O my Maker,
But rather pass through me for the integration of my members,
Into all my joints, my affections, and my heart.
Burn up the thorns of all my sins.
Purify my soul, sanctify my mind;
Strengthen my knees and bones;
Enlighten the simplicity of my five senses.
Nail down the whole of me with Thy fear.
Ever protect, guard, and keep me
From every soul-destroying word and act.
Sanctify, purify, attune, and rule me.
Adorn me, give me understanding, and enlighten me.
Make me the habitation of Thy Spirit alone,
And no longer a habitation of sin,
That as Thy house from the entry of communion
Every evil spirit and passion may flee from me like fire.
I offer Thee as intercessors all the sanctified,
The Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts,
Thy Forerunner, the wise Apostles,
And Thy pure and immaculate Mother.
Receive their prayers, my compassionate Christ.
And make Thy slave a child of light.
For Thou alone art our sanctification, O Good One,
And the radiance of our souls,
And to Thee as our Lord and God as is right
We all give glory day and night.
Thou Who art fire, and burnest the unworthy,
Scorch me not, O my Maker,
But rather pass through me for the integration of my members,
Into all my joints, my affections, and my heart.
Burn up the thorns of all my sins.
Purify my soul, sanctify my mind;
Strengthen my knees and bones;
Enlighten the simplicity of my five senses.
Nail down the whole of me with Thy fear.
Ever protect, guard, and keep me
From every soul-destroying word and act.
Sanctify, purify, attune, and rule me.
Adorn me, give me understanding, and enlighten me.
Make me the habitation of Thy Spirit alone,
And no longer a habitation of sin,
That as Thy house from the entry of communion
Every evil spirit and passion may flee from me like fire.
I offer Thee as intercessors all the sanctified,
The Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts,
Thy Forerunner, the wise Apostles,
And Thy pure and immaculate Mother.
Receive their prayers, my compassionate Christ.
And make Thy slave a child of light.
For Thou alone art our sanctification, O Good One,
And the radiance of our souls,
And to Thee as our Lord and God as is right
We all give glory day and night.
Anonymous
May Thy Holy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, be to me for eternal life, and Thy Precious Blood for forgiveness of sins. And may this Eucharist be to me for joy, health, and gladness. And in Thy awful second coming, make me, a sinner, worthy to stand on the right hand of Thy glory, through the intercessions of Thy holy and most pure Mother and of all Thy Saints. Amen.
To the Most Holy Mother of God
All-holy Lady, Mother of God, the light of my darkened soul, my hope and protection, my refuge and consolation, and my joy, I thank thee that thou hast made me, who am unworthy, worthy to be a communicant of the immaculate Body and precious Blood of thy Son. But do thou who didst bear the true Light enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart. O thou who didst conceive the Source of Immortality, give life to me who am dead in sin. O thou who art the compassionately loving Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me and give me compunction and contrition of heart, humility in my thoughts, and the recall of my reasoning powers from their captivity. And grant me till my last breath to receive without condemnation the sanctification of the Holy Mysteries for the healing of soul and body. And give me tears of repentance and confession, and of thanksgiving, that I may praise and glorify thee all the days of my life. For thou art blessed and glorified for ever. Amen.
Then the Song of Symeon is said:
Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word. For my eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all peoples, the light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, wash away our sins, O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Grace like a flame shining forth from thy mouth has illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of poverty, and shown us the height of humility. And as by thy own words thou teachest us, Father John Chrysostom, so intercede with the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast received divine grace from heaven, and with thy lips dost thou teach all men to adore the one God in three Persons. O John Chrysostom, most blessed Saint, we rightly praise thee; for thou art our teacher, revealing divine things.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Unfailing Intercessor of Christians, O Constant Mediatress before the Creator, despise not the cry of prayer of us sinners but, of thy goodness, come speedily to the help of us who in faith call upon thee. Hasten to offer swift intercession and prayer (for us), O Mother of God, who ever intercedest for those who honour thee.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who in virginity didst bear God the Word, thee, true Mother of God, we magnify.
(and the Dismissal.)
THE TALE OF THE FIVE PRAYERS
From the times of the Apostles, Christians of all ages, when entering upon a task, began it with prayer, and the end of it they also hallowed with prayerful thanksgiving to the Lord, in Whom we live and move and have our being. And let us do the same, beloved reader.
But not having the gift of effectual prayer, let us recall and commit to memory what once was offered to the Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of the inspired heart of the great Russian man of prayer, our father among the Saints, Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslav.
I am sure that for you, as for me, in offering to your attention "The Tale of The Five Prayers" the work of the great Bishop, it will be both welcome and useful, especially in the view of the wonderful promises which it contains. So hear this tale, my beloved reader.
You will not blame me for offering you in this Tale something new - it is not mine, and not new, but only fundamentally and completely forgotten, forgive me that I have disturbed the dust of ages: but this dust is holy ...
But not having the gift of effectual prayer, let us recall and commit to memory what once was offered to the Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of the inspired heart of the great Russian man of prayer, our father among the Saints, Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslav.
I am sure that for you, as for me, in offering to your attention "The Tale of The Five Prayers" the work of the great Bishop, it will be both welcome and useful, especially in the view of the wonderful promises which it contains. So hear this tale, my beloved reader.
You will not blame me for offering you in this Tale something new - it is not mine, and not new, but only fundamentally and completely forgotten, forgive me that I have disturbed the dust of ages: but this dust is holy ...
***
One of the holy fathers, standing in prayer and being in ecstasy, heard the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the Immaculate and Holy Mother of God, His Mother, saying to her: "Tell me, My Mother, which were the greatest of your sufferings, when you lived in the world, which you suffered for My sake?" The Immaculate One replied: "My Son and God, five times I have endured my greatest suffering for you: First, when I heard from the Prophet Simeon that you were to be killed; Second, when I looked for you in Jerusalem, and did not see you for three days; Third, when I heard that you were seized and bound by the Jews; Fourth, when I saw you on the Cross crucified between the robbers; Fifth, when I saw you placed in the Tomb." And the Lord said to her: "I tell you. My Mother, whoever reads every day each of your sufferings with My prayer, i.e. 'Our Father,' for the first suffering I will give the knowledge of his sins and sorrow for them; for the second, I will give the forgiveness of all his sins; for the third, I will restore to him the virtues lost through sin; for the fourth, I will refresh him at death with my Divine Body and Blood; for the fifth, I will appear to him Myself at his death, and receive his soul into eternal life. Amen."
***
After this vision of the Holy Father, the following prayers were added by St. Dimitri:
At the beginning of the five prayers:
"Glory to Thee, Christ my God, that Thou hast not destroyed me a sinner, with my sins, but even till now hast borne -with my sin."
Bow
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep me this day without sin. Grant, O Lord, that I may not anger Thee, my Creator, in thought, word or deed, but that all my actions, counsels and thoughts may be to the glory of Thy Holy Name."
Bow
"God be merciful to me, a sinner, throughout my whole life. In my passing and after death, forsake me not."
Bow
Falling low on the earth, say:
"Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, accept me, dead in mind and soul, accept me, a sinful prodigal, impure in soul and body. Take from me all shameless enmity and resistance, and turn not Thy Face from me, O Lord, nor say: I know not who thou art. But hear the voice of my prayer: save me, for Thou hast a wealth of compassion and desirest not the death of a sinner. I will never leave Thee nor depart from Thee, my Creator, till Thou hearest me and givest me forgiveness of all my sins, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, the intercession of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven, of my holy and glorious Guardian Angel, of Thy Forerunner and Prophet, the Baptist John, of the God-speaking Apostles, of the holy and victorious martyrs, of our Reverend and God-fearing fathers, and all Thy Saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner."
Heavenly King, Comforter,...
Holy God, Holy Mighty,...
Our Father...
Holy God, Holy Mighty,...
Our Father...
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
First Prayer
"O merciful Mother, Virgin Mary, I thy sinful and unprofitable servant, remembering thy suffering on hearing from the Prophet Simeon of the merciless murder of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, offer thee this prayer and the Angelic Salutation. Accept it in honour and memory of thy suffering, and pray thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant me the knowledge of my sins and sorrow for them."
Bow
Second Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
Virgin Mother ...
"O Divinely-blessed and Immaculate Maiden, Mother and Virgin, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst lose thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple, and for three days didst not see Him. Pray and beg of Him the forgiveness and remission of all my sins, O only Blessed One."
Bow
Third Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother ...
Virgin Mother ...
"O Mother of Light, most blessed Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering on hearing that thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, had been seized and bound. Pray Him to restore to me the virtues lost through sin, that I may magnify thee, O Most Pure One, for ever."
Bow
Fourth Prayer
Our Father ...
Virgin Mother ...
Virgin Mother ...
"O Fountain of Mercy, Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross between the robbers. Pray Him, O Lady, to grant me the gift of His mercy in the hour of my death, and to refresh me with His Divine Body and Blood, that I may glorify thee, my Defender, for ever."
Bow
Fifth Prayer
Our Father .. .
Virgin Mother . ..
Virgin Mother . ..
"O my Hope, Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, placed in the Tomb. Pray Him, O Lady, to appear to me in the hour of my death, and to receive my soul into eternal life. Amen."
Bow
THE ORDER FOR READING
CANONS AND AKATHISTS WHEN ALONE
Before commencing any rule of prayer, and at its completion, the following reverences are made (prostrations or bows), called "The Seven Bow Beginning."
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (bow)
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (bow)
Having created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. (bow)
I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. (bow)
My sovereign, most holy Mother of God, save me, a sinner, (bow)
O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. (bow)
Holy Apostle (or martyr, or holy father Name) pray to God for me. (bow)
Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King... to Our Father... (See Morning Prayers)
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory... Now ...
O come, let us worship ...
Psalm 50.
The Symbol of Faith.
Then the Canons and Akathists are read as follows:
A) If one Canon or Akathist is to be read it is read straight through.
B) If more than one Canon is to be read, the first Song of the first Canon is read. If the Refrain before the final or last two Troparia is Glory... Now ... , it is replaced by the Refrain of the Canon and "Most Holy Mother of God, save us" (the latter comes before a Troparion to the Virgin). The first Song of the second Canon is read, beginning with the Refrain (the Eirmios of the first Canon only is read), etc. Glory... and Now... are used only as Refrains before the last two Troparia (or last Troparion) of the final Canon to be read. Then the third Song of the first Canon, beginning with the Eirmos, etc. After the third Song: Lord have mercy (3), Glory... Now... Sedalions. When there are more than one Canon, the Kontakion(s) of the second and any additional ones are read after the Sedalions. Glory... Now... is read before the final verses. Then Songs 4, 5 and 6 are read. After Song 6: Lord, have mercy. (3), Glory... Now ... Kontakion of the first Canon. Then Songs 7, 8 and 9 are read.
C) If an Akathist is read with the Canon (s), it is included after Song 6. All Kontakions of the Canon (s) are read after Song 3 in this case.
After Song 9:
It is meet and right... (See p. 36)
Trisagion to Our Father ...
Trisagion to Our Father ...
Have mercy on us... and the rest of the Prayers Before Sleep.
If no other prayers are to be read, the closing is as follows:
It is meet and right...
Prayer(s) following the Canon (s).
Trisagion to Our Father...
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory... Now...
More Honourable than the Cherubim...
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Those who are preparing for Holy Communion are obliged to read three Canons and one Akathist the evening before. Usually read are the Canons to the Saviour, the Mother of God, and the Guardian Angel (in that order), and either an Akathist to the Saviour or to the Mother of God. Those who desire to carry out this evening rule of prayer daily receive great spiritual benefit from) doing so.
CONCERNING THE JESUS PRAYER
In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians the Apostle Paul says: "Pray without ceasing." How then, is one to pray unceasingly? By often repeating the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." By becoming accustomed to this appeal, great consolation and the need to continually make this petition will be felt within, and it will be carried on, as if of itself, within one.
Although in the beginning the enemy of the human race will offer hindrances to this, by causing great weariness, indolence, boredom and overcoming sleep, having withstood all these with the help of God, one will receive peace of soul, spiritual joy, a benevolent disposition towards people, purification of thought, and gratitude towards God. In the very Name of Jesus a great and graceful power is present Many holy and righteous people advise repeating the Jesus Prayer as frequently as possible; without interruption. It is necessary for everyone, whether eating, drinking, sitting, serving, travelling, or in doing anything, to ceaselessly lament: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me" in order that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in descending into the depths of our hearts, may humble the serpent of destruction, and save and enlighten the soul.
St. Seraphim of Sarov: " 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' Let your attention and instruction be centered on this. Walking, eating, standing in church before the beginning of the service, continue with the prayer; on entering and departing keep this prayer on your lips and within your heart. In such a manner, with the invocation of the Name of God you will find peace, you will attain to purity of spirit and body; and the Holy Spirit, the Origin of all good, will make for Himself a dwelling within you and will guide you in all piety and purity."
Bishop Theophanes the Recluse: "To more conveniently become accustomed to remembering God, the fervent Christian has a special means, namely, to repeat ceaselessly a brief prayer of two or three words. Mostly this is 'Lord, have mercy.' or 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' If you have not yet heard of this, then hear it now, and if you have not done it, then begin from this hour to do it."
Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God must train themselves in the rememberance of God and in unceasing prayer to Jesus Christ, saying mentally: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Through such activity, and by guarding oneself from distraction, and with the preservation of peace in one's conscience, it is possible to draw near to God and to be united with Him. For, according to the words of St. Isaac the Syrian, "Except for unceasing prayer we cannot draw near to God" (St. Seraphim of Sarov).
Although in the beginning the enemy of the human race will offer hindrances to this, by causing great weariness, indolence, boredom and overcoming sleep, having withstood all these with the help of God, one will receive peace of soul, spiritual joy, a benevolent disposition towards people, purification of thought, and gratitude towards God. In the very Name of Jesus a great and graceful power is present Many holy and righteous people advise repeating the Jesus Prayer as frequently as possible; without interruption. It is necessary for everyone, whether eating, drinking, sitting, serving, travelling, or in doing anything, to ceaselessly lament: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me" in order that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in descending into the depths of our hearts, may humble the serpent of destruction, and save and enlighten the soul.
St. Seraphim of Sarov: " 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' Let your attention and instruction be centered on this. Walking, eating, standing in church before the beginning of the service, continue with the prayer; on entering and departing keep this prayer on your lips and within your heart. In such a manner, with the invocation of the Name of God you will find peace, you will attain to purity of spirit and body; and the Holy Spirit, the Origin of all good, will make for Himself a dwelling within you and will guide you in all piety and purity."
Bishop Theophanes the Recluse: "To more conveniently become accustomed to remembering God, the fervent Christian has a special means, namely, to repeat ceaselessly a brief prayer of two or three words. Mostly this is 'Lord, have mercy.' or 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' If you have not yet heard of this, then hear it now, and if you have not done it, then begin from this hour to do it."
Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God must train themselves in the rememberance of God and in unceasing prayer to Jesus Christ, saying mentally: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Through such activity, and by guarding oneself from distraction, and with the preservation of peace in one's conscience, it is possible to draw near to God and to be united with Him. For, according to the words of St. Isaac the Syrian, "Except for unceasing prayer we cannot draw near to God" (St. Seraphim of Sarov).
Fr. John of Kronstadt also counselled frequently the use of the Prayer of Jesus.
