THE MIDNIGHT SERVICES
Midnight Service 12am-3am
Midnight Service 12am-3am
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 12:10 AM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 12:10 AM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
PSALM 50
For the End: A Psalm of David. When Nathan the Prophet Came unto Him. When He Went in unto Bersabee, the Wife of Urias.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged.
5 For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
6 For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
8 Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice.
9 Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me.
13 I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
16 For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased.
17 A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
18 Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.
19 Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
20 Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Kathisma 17
PSALM 118:1-72
Alleluia.
Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that search out His testimonies; with their whole heart shall they seek after Him.
3 For they that work iniquity have not walked in His ways.
4 Thou hast enjoined Thy commandments, that we should keep them most diligently.
5 Would that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes.
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I look on all Thy commandments.
7 I will confess Thee with uprightness of heart, when I have learned the judgements of Thy righteousness.
8 I will keep thy statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? By keeping Thy words.
10 With my whole heart have I sought after Thee, cast me not away from Thy commandments.
11 In my heart have I hid Thy sayings that I might not sin against Thee.
12 Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgements of Thy mouth.
14 In the way of Thy testimonies have I found delight, as much as in all riches.
15 On Thy commandments will I ponder, and I will understand Thy ways.
16 On Thy statutes will I meditate; I will not forget Thy words.
17 Give reward unto Thy servant, quicken me and I will keep Thy words.
18 O unveil mine eyes, and I shall perceive wondrous things out of Thy law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth, hide not from me Thy commandments.
20 My soul hath longed to desire Thy judgements at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud; cursed are they that decline from Thy commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, for after Thy testimonies have I sought.
23 For princes sat and they spake against me, but Thy servant pondered on Thy statutes.
24 For Thy testimonies are my meditation, and Thy statutes are my counselors.
25 My soul hath cleaved unto the earth; quicken me according to Thy word.
26 My ways have I declared, and Thou hast heard me; teach me Thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of Thy statutes, and I will ponder on Thy wondrous works.
28 My soul hath slumbered from despondency, strengthen me with Thy words.
29 Remove from me the way of unrighteousness, and with Thy law have mercy on me.
30 I have chosen the way of truth, and Thy judgements have I not forgotten.
31 I have cleaved to Thy testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame.
32 The way of Thy commandments have I run, when Thou didst enlarge my heart.
33 Set before me for a law, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I will seek after it continually.
34 Give me understanding, and I will search out Thy law, and I will keep it with my whole heart.
35 Guide me in the path of Thy commandments, for I have desired it.
36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies and not unto covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes that I may not see vanity, quicken Thou me in Thy way.
38 Establish for Thy servant Thine oracle unto fear of Thee.
39 Remove my reproach which I have feared, for Thy judgements are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after Thy commandments; in Thy righteousness quicken me.
41 Let Thy mercy come also upon me, O Lord, even Thy salvation according to Thy word.
42 So shall I give an answer to them that reproach me, for I have hoped in Thy words.
43 And take not utterly out of my mouth the word of truth, for in Thy judgements have I hoped.
44 So shall I keep Thy law continually, for ever, and unto the ages of ages.
45 And I walked in spaciousness, for after Thy commandments have I sought.
46 And I spake of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed.
47 And I meditated on Thy commandments which I have greatly loved.
48 And I lifted up my hands to Thy commandments which I have loved, and I pondered on Thy statutes.
49 Remember Thy words to Thy servant, wherein Thou hast made me to hope.
50 This hath comforted me in my humiliation, for Thine oracle hath quickened me.
51 The proud have transgressed exceedingly, but from Thy law have I not declined.
52 I remembered Thy judgements of old, O Lord, and was comforted.
53 Despondency took hold upon me because of the sinners who forsake Thy law.
54 Thy statutes were my songs in the place of my sojourning.
55 I remembered Thy name in the night, O Lord, and I kept Thy law.
56 This hath happened unto me because I sought after Thy statutes.
57 Thou art my portion, O Lord; I said that I would keep Thy law.
58 I entreated Thy countenance with my whole heart: Have mercy on me according to Thy word.
59 I have thought on Thy ways, and I have turned my feet back to Thy testimonies.
60 I made ready, and I was not troubled, that I might keep Thy commandments.
61 The cords of sinners have entangled me, but Thy law have I not forgotten.
62 At midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee for the judgements of Thy righteousness.
63 I am a partaker with all them that fear Thee, and with them that keep Thy commandments.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
65 Thou hast dealt graciously with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word.
66 Goodness and discipline and knowledge teach Thou me, for in Thy commandments have I believed.
67 Before I was humbled, I transgressed; therefore Thy saying have I kept.
68 Thou art good, O Lord, and in Thy goodness teach me Thy statutes.
69 Multiplied against me hath been the unrighteousness of the proud; but as for me, with my whole heart will I search out Thy commandments.
70 Curdled like milk is their heart; but as for me, in Thy law have I meditated.
71 It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I might learn Thy statutes.
72 The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 118:73-131
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding and I will learn Thy commandments.
74 They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad, for on Thy words have I set my hope.
75 I have known, O Lord, that Thy judgements are righteousness, and with truth hast Thou humbled me.
76 Let now Thy mercy be my comfort, according to Thy saying unto Thy servant.
77 Let Thy compassions come upon me and I shall live, for Thy law is my meditation.
78 Let the proud be put to shame, for unjustly have they transgressed against me; but as for me, I will ponder on Thy commandments.
79 Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and those that know Thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame.
81 My soul fainteth for Thy salvation; on Thy words have I set my hope.
82 Mine eyes are grown dim with waiting for Thine oracle; they say: When wilt Thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the frost; yet Thy statutes have I not forgotten.
84 How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgement for me on them that persecute me?
85 Transgressors have told me fables, but they are not like Thy law, O Lord.
86 All Thy commandments are truth. Without a cause have men persecuted me; do Thou help me.
87 They well nigh made an end of me on the earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy commandments.
88 According to Thy mercy quicken me, and I will keep the testimonies of Thy mouth.
89 For ever, O Lord, Thy word abideth in heaven.
90 Unto generation and generation is Thy truth; Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.
91 By Thine ordinance doth the day abide, for all things are Thy servants.
92 If Thy law had not been my meditation, then should I have perished in my humiliation.
93 I will never forget Thy statutes, for in them hast Thou quickened me. (Middle)
94 I am Thine, save me; for after Thy statutes have I sought.
95 Sinners have waited for me to destroy me; but Thy testimonies have I understood.
96 Of all perfection have I seen the outcome; exceeding spacious is Thy commandment.
97 O how I have loved Thy law, O Lord! the whole day long it is my meditation.
98 Above mine enemies hast Thou made me wise in Thy commandment, for it is mine for ever.
99 Above all that teach me have I gained understanding, for Thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 Above mine elders have I received understanding, for after Thy commandments have I sought.
101 From every way that is evil have I restrained my feet that I might keep Thy words.
102 From Thy judgements have I not declined, for Thou hast set a law for me.
103 How sweet to my palate are Thy sayings! more sweet than honey to my mouth.
104 From Thy commandments have I gained understanding; therefore have I hated every way of unrighteousness.
105 Thy law is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths.
106 I have sworn and resolved that I will keep the judgements of Thy righteousness.
107 I was humbled exceedingly; O Lord, quicken me according to Thy word.
108 The free-will offerings of my mouth be Thou now pleased to receive, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgements.
109 My soul is in Thy hands continually, and Thy law have I not forgotten.
110 Sinners have set a snare for me, yet from Thy commandment have I not strayed.
111 I have inherited Thy testimonies for ever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes for ever for a recompense.
113 Transgressors have I hated, but Thy law have I loved.
114 My helper and my protector art Thou; on Thy words have I set my hope.
115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers, and I will search out the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to Thy saying and quicken me, and turn me not away in shame from mine expectation.
117 Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will meditate on Thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast set at nought all that depart from Thy statutes, for unrighteous is their inward thought.
119 I have reckoned as transgressors all the sinners of the earth, therefore have I loved Thy testimonies.
120 Nail down my flesh with the fear of Thee, for of Thy judgements am I afraid.
121 I have wrought judgement and righteousness; O give me not up to them that wrong me.
122 Receive Thy servant unto good, let not the proud falsely accuse me.
123 Mine eyes have failed with waiting for Thy salvation, and for the word of Thy righteousness.
124 Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
125 I am Thy servant; give me understanding, and I shall know Thy testimonies.
126 It is time for the Lord to act; for they have dispersed Thy law.
127 Therefore have I loved Thy commandments more than gold and topaz.
128 Therefore I directed myself according to all Thy commandments; every way that is unrighteous have I hated.
129 Wonderful are Thy testimonies; therefore hath my soul searched them out.
130 The unfolding of Thy words will give light and understanding unto babes.
131 I opened my mouth and drew in my breath, for I longed for Thy commandments.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 118:132-176
Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgement of them that love Thy name.
133 My steps do Thou direct according to Thy saying, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the false accusation of men, and I will keep Thy commandments.
135 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes.
136 Mine eyes have poured forth streams of waters, because I kept not Thy law.
137 Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgements.
138 Thou hast ordained as Thy testimonies exceeding righteousness and truth.
139 My zeal for Thee hath made me to pine away, because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words.
140 Thine oracle is tried with fire to the uttermost, and Thy servant hath loved it.
141 I am young and accounted as nothing, yet Thy statutes have I not forgotten.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.
143 Tribulations and necessities have found me, Thy commandments are my meditation.
144 Thy testimonies are righteousness for ever; give me understanding and I shall live.
145 I have cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord, and I will seek after Thy statutes.
146 I have cried unto Thee; save me, and I will keep Thy testimonies.
147 I arose in the dead of night and I cried; on Thy words have I set my hope.
148 Mine eyes woke before the morning that I might meditate on Thy sayings.
149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy; according to Thy judgement, quicken me.
150 They have drawn nigh that lawlessly persecute me, but from Thy law are they far removed.
151 Near art Thou, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth.
152 From the beginning I have known from Thy testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever.
153 Behold my humiliation and rescue me, for Thy law have I not forgotten.
154 Judge my cause and redeem me; for Thy word’s sake quicken me.
155 Far from sinners is salvation, for they have not sought after Thy statutes.
156 Thy compassions are many, O Lord; according to Thy judgement quicken me.
157 Many are they that persecute me and afflict me; from Thy testimonies have I not declined.
158 I beheld men acting foolishly and I pined away, because they kept not Thy sayings.
159 Behold, how I have loved Thy commandments; O Lord, in Thy mercy, quicken me.
160 The beginning of Thy words is truth, and all the judgements of Thy righteousness endure for ever.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, and because of Thy words my heart hath been afraid.
162 I will rejoice in Thy sayings as one that findeth great spoil.
163 Unrighteousness have I hated and abhorred, but Thy law have I loved.
164 Seven times a day have I praised Thee for the judgements of Thy righteousness.
165 Much peace have they that love Thy law, and for them there is no stumbling-block.
166 I awaited Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy commandments have I loved.
167 My soul hath kept Thy testimonies and hath loved them exceedingly.
168 I have kept Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord.
169 Let my supplication draw nigh before Thee, O Lord; according to Thine oracle give me understanding.
170 Let my petition come before Thee, O Lord; according to Thine oracle deliver me.
171 My lips shall pour forth a hymn when Thou hast taught me Thy statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Thy sayings, for all Thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Thy hand be for saving me, for I have chosen Thy commandments.
174 I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy law is my meditation.
175 My soul shall live and shall praise Thee, and Thy judgements will help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Behold. the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou be borne down with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. But rather rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O our God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou bringest to mind the most fearful day, rouse thyself, O my soul, and be vigilant; enkindle thy darkened lamp and with oil make it radiant; for thou knowest not when thou wilt suddenly hear that voice that shall cry out: Behold thou, thy Bridegroom is come to thee. Mark, then, O my soul, lest like those five foolish virgins, thou sleep and remain without vainly knocking upon the door; but endure in all watchfulness, so that thou mightest meet Christ our God with rich oil, and that He might grant unto thee the fair divine bridal-chamber of His glory evermore.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thee do we entreat, O Virgin, who art the impregnable wall and stronghold of our salvation: Confound the counsels of adversaries; change the sorrow of thy people into joy; recall thy world; uphold the dominion of the pious; intercede for the peace of the world; for thou, O Theotokos, art our hope.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless.
Amen.
O Sovereign Master, God the Father Almighty, O Lord the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Thou, O Holy-Spirit, one Godhead, one Power, have mercy on me, a sinner; and by the judgements which Thou knowest, save me, Thine unworthy servant; for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thee do we bless, Thou Most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever workest with us deeds great and unfathomable, glorious and extraordinary, whereof there is no number; Who hast given unto us sleep for rest from our infirmity, and for repose of our much-toiling flesh. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us in our iniquities, but hast shown Thy wonted love for man, and though we were prostrate in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify Thy dominion. Wherefore, we beseech Thine incomparable goodness: Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise our mind from the heavy sleep of slothfulness. Open our mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able undistracted to sing and chant and give thanks unto Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the beginningless Father, with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
PSALM 120
An Ode of Ascents.
I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth.
3 Give not thy foot unto moving, and may He not slumber that keepeth thee.
4 Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep, He that keepeth Israel.
5 The Lord shall keep thee; the Lord is thy shelter at thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall keep thee from all evil, the Lord shall guard thy soul.
8 The Lord shall keep thy coming in and thy going out, from henceforth and for evermore.
PSALM 133
An Ode of Ascents.
Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord.
2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 In the nights lift up your hands unto the holies, and bless the Lord.
4 The Lord bless thee out of Sion, He that made heaven and the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Keep Thy servants in remembrance, O Lord, since Thou art good, and do Thou forgive their every sin in this life; for no man is without sin, except for Thee Who art able to grant rest even unto those that have departed hence.
O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom dost provide all things out of love for man, and grantest unto all that which is profitable, O only Creator: grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants; for in Thee have they placed their hope, O our Creator and Fashioner and God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the Saints grant rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life unending.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All we the generations call thee blessed, O Virgin Theotokos, for in thee He, the Uncontainable One, Christ our God, was pleased to be contained. Blessed are we also who have thee as protection, for day and night dost thou intercede for us, and the scepters of the kingdom are strengthened by thine entreaties. Wherefore, with hymns we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren that have fallen asleep in hope of the resurrection of eternal life, and all that have ended their days in piety and faith; and forgive their every transgression in which they have willingly or unwillingly transgressed in word or deed or thought. And make them to dwell in places of light, in places of verdure, in places of refreshment, where every pain, sorrow, and sighing is fled away, where the visitation of Thy countenance maketh glad all Thy Saints from ages past. Grant unto them and us Thy Kingdom, and participation in Thine ineffable and eternal good things, and the enjoyment of Thine endless and blessed life. For Thou art the Life, the Resurrection, and the Repose of Thy servants that have fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, Ever virgin, blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He would save our souls.
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my shelter the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory be to Thee.
Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
MATINS
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 03:00 AM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 03:00 AM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 19
For the End: A Psalm of David.
The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
2 Let Him send forth unto thee help from His sanctuary, and out of Sion let Him help thee.
3 Let Him remember every sacrifice of thine, and thy whole-burnt offering let Him fatten.
4 The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and fulfil all thy purposes.
5 We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of the Lord our God shall we be magnified. The Lord fulfil all thy requests.
6 Now have I known that the Lord hath saved His anointed one; He will hearken unto him out of His holy heaven; in mighty deeds is the salvation of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have been fettered and have fallen, but we are risen and are set upright.
9 O Lord, save the king, and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee.
PSALM 20
For the End: A Psalm of David.
O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly.
2 The desire of his heart hast Thou granted unto him, and hast not denied him the requests of his lips.
3 Thou wentest before him with the blessings of goodness, Thou hast set upon his head a crown of precious stone.
4 He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days unto ages of ages.
5 Great is his glory in Thy salvation; glory and majesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
6 For Thou shalt give him blessing for ever and ever, Thou shalt gladden him in joy with Thy countenance.
7 For the king hopeth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High shall he not be shaken.
8 Let Thy hand be found on all Thine enemies; let Thy right hand find all that hate Thee.
9 For Thou wilt make them as an oven of fire in the time of Thy presence; the Lord in His wrath will trouble them sorely and fire shall devour them.
10 Their fruit wilt Thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from the sons of men.
11 For they have intended evil against Thee, they have devised counsels which they shall not be able to establish.
12 For Thou shalt make them turn their backs; among those that are Thy remnant, Thou shalt make ready their countenance.
13 Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength; we will sing and chant of Thy mighty acts.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou Who wast raised up on the Cross of Thine own will, O Christ our God, do Thou bestow Thy compassions upon this, Thy new commonwealth named after Thee. Gladden with Thy sovereign might our most Orthodox hierarchs, and vouchsafe them victory over every false teaching; and as Thy help in war may they possess the weapon of peace, the trophy invincible.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O dread protection that cannot be put to shame, disdain not, O good one, our entreaties, O all-hymned Theotokos. Make steadfast the commonwealth of the Orthodox; protect those whom thou hast enjoined to rule over us, and grant them victory from on high; for thou hast given birth to God, O only blessed one.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
The Six Psalms
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will towards men. (Three times)
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. (Three times)
PSALM 3
A Psalm of David. When He Fled from the Face of Abessalom His Son, in the Wilderness.
O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me.
2 Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.
3 But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken.
8 Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.
And again:
I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
PSALM 37
A Psalm of David. In Remembrance. Concerning the Sabbath.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath.
2 For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me.
3 There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of my sins.
4 For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me.
5 My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the face of my folly.
6 I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until the end; all the day long I went with downcast face.
7 For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh.
8 I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have roared from the groaning of my heart.
9 O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee.
10 My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me.
11 My friends and my neighbours drew nigh over against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar off.
12 And they that sought after my soul used violence; and they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and craftiness all the day long did they meditate.
13 But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth.
14 And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath in his mouth no reproofs.
15 For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God.
16 For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake boastful words against me.
17 For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed concerning my sin.
19 But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied.
20 They that render me evil for good slandered me, because I pursued goodness.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me.
22 Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
And again:
Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
PSALM 62
A Psalm of David. When He Was in the Wilderness of Judea.
O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered.
2 So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory,
3 For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee.
4 So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands.
5 As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee.
6 If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee.
7 For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.
9 But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be.
10 But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things.
And again:
At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
PSALM 87
A Psalmic Ode for the Sons of Kore. For the End: Concerning the Response of Maeleth. Concerning the Giving of a Wise Instruction to Aemon the Israelite.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee.
2 Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication,
3 For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh.
4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead,
5 Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand.
6 They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death.
7 Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me.
8 Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves.
9 I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty.
10 I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee.
11 Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee?
12 Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction?
13 Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten?
14 But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee.
15 Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me?
16 A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress.
17 Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me.
18 They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together.
19 Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbour, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.
And again:
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication.
PSALM 102
David’s.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee,
3 Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine infirmities,
4 Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion,
5 Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle’s.
6 The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgement for all them that are wronged.
7 He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed.
8 Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be wroth.
9 Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us.
10 For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him.
11 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us.
12 Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust.
13 As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth.
14 For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof.
15 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him.
16 And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them.
17 The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all.
18 Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words.
19 Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will.
20 Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
And again:
In every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
PSALM 142
David’s. When His Son Abessalom Pursued Him.
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgement with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth.
4 He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled.
5 I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands.
6 I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land.
7 Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
8 Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
9 Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope.
10 Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
11 Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
12 Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me.
13 In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies.
14 And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
And again:
Hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgement with Thy servant.
Hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgement with Thy servant.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His holy Name.
God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
All the nations compassed me round about, and by the Name of the Lord I warded them off.
God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Having thy protection, O immaculate one, and being delivered from afflictions by thy prayers, we who are in every way guarded by the Cross of thy Son do all magnify thee reverently as is due.
Psalter Readings
Kathisma 10
PSALM 70
David’s. A Psalm of the Sons of Jonadab and the First That Were Taken Away Captive. Without Superscription among the Hebrews.
In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame in the age to come; in Thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline Thine ear unto me and save me.
2 Be Thou unto me a God that is my defender and a place of strength that Thou mayest save me, for Thou art my foundation and refuge.
3 O my God, deliver me out of the hand of the sinner, out of the hand of the transgressor and the unrighteous man.
4 For Thou art my patience, O Lord; O Lord, Thou art my hope from my youth.
5 On Thee have I been made fast from the womb; from my mother’s womb Thou art my protector.
6 In Thee continually is my singing of praise; I am become as a wonder to many, and Thou art my strong helper.
7 Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long.
8 Cast me not away in the time of mine old age; when my strength faileth, forsake me not.
9 For mine enemies have spoken against me, and they that watch my soul took counsel together, saying: God hath forsaken him; pursue him and take him for there is none to deliver him.
10 My God, be not far off from me; my God, be attentive unto helping me.
11 Let them be put to shame and brought to nought that falsely accuse my soul; let them be covered with shame and confusion, they that seek evils for me.
12 But as for me, I will ever hope in Thee, and I will add to all Thy praise.
13 My mouth shall declare Thy righteousness, all the day long Thy salvation; for I know not the reckoning thereof.
14 I will commence in the might of the Lord; O Lord, I will make mention of the righteousness which is Thine alone.
15 O my God, Thou hast taught me from my youth, and till now will I declare Thy wondrous works.
16 Yea, even unto old age and the dignity of years, my God, forsake me not,
17 Until I declare Thy mighty arm to every generation that is to come,
18 Yea, Thy sovereignty and Thy righteousness, O God, and declare even to the heights the great things which Thou hast done for me. O God, who is like unto Thee?
19 How great are the many and evil afflictions which Thou hast showed unto me; yet, having returned, Thou madest me to live, and out of the depths of the earth Thou broughtest me up.
20 Thou hast multiplied Thy magnificence over me; and having returned, Thou hast comforted me, and out of the depths of the earth again Thou broughtest me up.
21 Therefore also will I confess Thee among the peoples, O Lord, with instruments of psalmody; with the harp I will chant of Thy truth unto Thee, O God, O Holy One of Israel.
22 My lips shall rejoice when I chant unto Thee, yea, even my soul which Thou hast redeemed.
23 Moreover my tongue will meditate on Thy righteousness all the day long, when they be put to shame and confounded which seek evils for me.
PSALM 71
For the End: A Psalm of David, for Solomon.
O God, give Thy judgement to the king, and Thy righteousness to the son of the king,
2 That he may judge Thy people with righteousness, and Thy poor with judgement.
3 Let the mountains receive peace for the people, and let the hills receive righteousness.
4 He shall judge the beggars among the people, and shall save the sons of the poor, and shall humble the false accuser.
5 And He shall continue as long as the sun, and before the moon from generation to generation.
6 He shall come down like rain upon a fleece, and like rain-drops that fall upon the earth.
7 In His days shall righteousness dawn forth an abundance of peace, until the moon be taken away.
8 And He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the rivers even unto the ends of the inhabited earth.
9 Before Him shall the Ethiopians fall down, and His enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall bring gifts, kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring presents.
11 And all the kings of the earth shall worship Him, all the nations shall serve Him,
12 For He hath delivered the beggar from the oppressor, and the poor man for whom there was no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor man and the pauper, and the souls of the poor shall He save.
14 From usury and from injustices shall He redeem their souls, and precious shall be His name before them.
15 And He shall live, and there shall be given unto Him of the gold of Arabia, and they shall make prayer concerning Him always; all the day long shall they bless Him.
16 He shall be a support in the earth on the summits of the mountains; exalted more than Lebanon shall be His fruit, and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.
17 His name shall be blessed unto the ages, before the sun doth His name continue.
18 And in Him shall be blessed all the tribes of the earth, all the nations shall call Him blessed.
19 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone doeth wonders.
20 And blessed is the name of His glory for ever, and unto the ages of ages.
21 And all the earth shall be filled with His glory. So be it. So be it.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 72
A Psalm for Asaph; an Ode to the Assyrian.
How good is God to Israel, to them that are upright of heart!
2 But as for me, my feet were all but shaken; my steps well nigh had slipped.
3 For I was jealous of the transgressors, when I beheld the peace of sinners.
4 For they make no sign of refusal in the time of their death, and they have steadfastness in the time of their scourging.
5 They are not in such toils as other men, nor with other men shall they be scourged.
6 Wherefore, their pride hath utterly mastered them, they have wrapped themselves in their injustice and ungodliness.
7 Their injustice shall go forth as out of fatness, they have passed through to their heart’s intent.
8 They have thought and spoken in wickedness, they have spoken unrighteousness in arrogance.
9 They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue roveth in the earth.
10 Therefore shall my people return hither, and full days shall be found in them.
11 And they said: How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Behold, these are the sinners; they prosper in this age and have obtained riches.
13 And I said: Surely in vain have I kept justice in my heart and washed my hands among the innocent.
14 And I became a man scourged all the day long, and reproof was mine in every morning.
15 And I said: I shall speak thus: Lo, I should have broken covenant with the generation of Thy sons.
16 And I sought to understand, but this was toilsome in my sight, until I come into the sanctuary of God and understand their end.
17 Surely, for their crafty dealings Thou hast appointed evils for them; Thou hast cast them down in their exaltation.
18 How are they come unto desolation in a moment! They have ceased to be; they have perished because of their iniquity.
19 As a dream of one who waketh, O Lord, in Thy city Thou shalt bring their image to nought.
20 For my heart was fired and my reins have been changed; and I was brought to nought and knew it not.
21 I became as a beast before Thee, and I am ever with Thee.
22 Thou hast held me by my right hand, and by Thy counsel Thou hast guided me, and with glory hast Thou taken me to Thyself.
23 For what have I in heaven? And besides Thee, what have I desired upon earth?
24 My heart and my flesh have failed, O God of my heart; and God is my portion for ever.
25 For behold, they that remove themselves from Thee shall perish; Thou hast destroyed all that go a whoring from Thee.
26 But it is good for me to cleave unto God, to put my hope in the Lord, that I may declare all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
PSALM 73
Asaph’s. Concerning Instruction
O God, why hast Thou cast us off unto the end? Why hath Thine anger raged against the sheep of Thy pasture?
2 Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchased from the beginning.
3 Thou hast redeemed the rod of Thine inheritance, this Mount Sion wherein Thou hast dwelt.
4 Lift up Thy hands against their pride at the end, against the things which the enemy hath wickedly done in Thy holy place.
5 And they that hate Thee have boasted in the midst of Thy feast.
6 They set up their ensigns, yea, signs (though they knew it not) as it were for the departing on high.
7 As in a forest of trees, with axes they cut down the doors thereof together, with two-edged axe and mason’s hammer have they broken it down.
8 With fire have they burned down Thy sanctuary, they have profaned even unto the ground the habitation of Thy name.
9 They said in their heart, even the whole kindred of them together: Come, let us abolish all the feasts of God from the earth.
10 Our signs have we not seen; there is no more any prophet, and he will know us no more.
11 How long, O God, shall the enemy utter reproaches? Shall the adversary provoke Thy name to the end?
12 Wherefore turnest away Thy hand, and Thy right hand out of the midst of Thy bosom for ever?
13 But God is our king before the ages, He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
14 Thou didst establish the sea by Thy might, Thou didst break the heads of the dragons in the water.
15 Thou didst crush the head of the dragon, Thou gavest him as food to the Ethiopian peoples.
16 Thou hast cloven fountains and torrents, Thou hast dried up the rivers of Etham.
17 Thine is the day and Thine is the night; Thou hast perfected the light and the sun.
18 Thou hast made all the borders of the earth; summer and spring hast Thou fashioned.
19 Be mindful of this Thy creation. The enemy hath reproached the Lord, and a mindless people hath provoked Thy name.
20 O deliver not unto beasts the soul which doth confess Thee; of the souls of Thy paupers be not forgetful unto the end.
21 Look Thou upon Thy covenant, for the dark places of the earth are filled with the houses of iniquity.
22 Let not the humbled and shamed man be turned away; the beggar and the poor man shall praise Thy name.
23 Arise, O God, judge Thine own cause; remember the reproach made against Thee by the mindless man all the day long.
24 Forget not the voice of Thy suppliants; the pride of them that hate Thee ascendeth continually.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 74
For the End: Destroy not. A Canticle Psalm for Asaph.
We will confess Thee, O God, we will confess Thee, and we will call upon Thy name.
2 I will tell of all Thy wonders. When I am given the appointed time, I will judge uprightly.
3 The earth is melted and all that dwell therein; it is I that made steadfast the pillars thereof.
4 I said to the transgressors: Do not transgress; and to the sinners: Lift not up the horn.
5 Lift not up your horn on high, and speak not unrighteousness against God.
6 For judgement cometh not from the byways, nor from the west, nor from the desert mountains; for God is judge.
7 This man He humbleth, and another He exalteth; for in the hand of the Lord there is a brimming cup of unmingled wine.
8 And He hath inclined it from side to side, but the dregs thereof were not fully emptied out; all the sinners of the earth shall drink of them.
9 But as for me, I will rejoice for ever; I will chant unto the God of Jacob.
10 And all the horns of the sinners will I break, but the horn of the righteous man shall be exalted.
PSALM 75
For the End: Among the Hymns. A Psalm for Asaph, an Ode to the Assyrian.
In Judea is God known, His name is great in Israel.
2 And His place hath been made in peace, and His dwelling in Sion.
3 There did He break the power of the bow, the weapon and the sword and the battle.
4 Thou shinest wondrously from the everlasting mountains; all the foolish of heart were troubled.
5 They have slept their sleep, and all the men of wealth have found nothing in their hands.
6 At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, they that had mounted upon horses fell aslumber.
7 Thou art to be feared, and who shall withstand Thee? From thenceforth is Thy wrath; Thou didst cause judgement to be heard from heaven.
8 The earth feared and was still, when God rose to judgement to save all the meek of the earth.
9 For the inward thought of man shall give praise unto Thee, and the remainder of his inward thought shall keep a feast to Thee.
10 Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God; all that are round about Him shall bring gifts,
11 To Him that is to be feared and taketh away the spirits of princes, to Him that is to be feared among the kings of the earth.
PSALM 76
For the End: A Psalm for Asaph Concerning Idithum.
With my voice unto the Lord have I cried, with my voice unto God, and He was attentive unto me.
2 In the day of mine affliction I sought out God, with my hands upraised by night before Him, and I was not deceived.
3 My soul refused to be comforted; I remembered God and I was gladdened; I spake in idleness and my spirit became faint-hearted.
4 Mine eyes were wakeful before the watches; I was troubled and spake not.
5 I thought upon the days of old, and the years of ages past I called to mind, and I meditated.
6 By night I pondered in my heart, and my spirit searched diligently.
7 Will the Lord then cast me off unto the ages, and will He be favourable no more?
8 Or will He cut off His mercy unto the end? Hath He brought to an end His word from generation to generation?
9 Or will the Lord forget to be merciful? Or in His wrath will He shut up His compassions for ever?
10 And I said: Now have I made a beginning; this change hath been wrought by the right hand of the Most High.
11 I remembered the works of the Lord; for I will remember Thy wonders from the beginning.
12 And I will meditate on all Thy works, and I shall ponder upon Thy ways.
13 O God, in the sanctuary is Thy way. What God is as great as our God? Thou art God Who workest wonders.
14 Thou hast made Thy power among the peoples; with Thine arm hast Thou redeemed Thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
15 The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid; the abysses were troubled.
16 Great was the resounding sound of the waters, the clouds gave forth a voice.
17 Yea, for thine arrows passed abroad; the voice of Thy thunder is in their rolling.
18 And Thy lightnings have lightened the world; the earth was shaken and it trembled.
19 In the sea are Thy byways, and Thy paths in many waters; and Thy footsteps shall not be known.
20 Thou leddest Thy people as sheep by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Kathisma 11
PSALM 77
Concerning Instruction. For Asaph.
Give heed, O my people, to my law; incline your ear unto the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter dark sayings which have been from the beginning,
3 Even those things that we have heard and have known and which our fathers have told us.
4 They were not hid from their children in another generation.
5 They declared the praises of the Lord and His mighty acts and His wonders which He wrought.
6 And He raised up a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,
7 Even those things He had commanded our fathers, to make the same known unto their children, that another generation might know,
8 Even the sons about to be born, that they in turn might arise and declare them unto their sons,
9 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but seek after His commandments,
10 That they might not be as their fathers, a generation perverse and provoking,
11 A generation that set not their heart aright, and which kept not their spirit steadfast with God.
12 The sons of Ephraim that bend and shoot with bows turned back in the day of battle.
13 They kept not the covenant of God, and in His law they were not fain to walk.
14 They forgot His benefits and His wonders that He had showed to them, even the wonders that He had showed to them, even the wonders He had done in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, and in the plains of Tanis.
15 He divided the sea, and brought them through; He made the waters to stand as in a wineskin.
16 He guided them with a cloud by day, and all the night with a light of fire.
17 He divided the rock in the wilderness, and gave them to drink as in a great deep.
18 He led forth water out of the rock, and brought down waters like rivers.
19 And they added yet more sin against Him, they embittered the Most High in the waterless place.
20 And they made trial of God in their hearts, by asking food for their souls.
21 And they spake against God, and they said: Cannot God prepare a table in the wilderness?
22 Because He smote a rock, and waters streamed forth, and the torrents overflowed,
23 Cannot He give bread also, or prepare a table for His people?
24 Wherefore, the Lord heard and was stirred up, and a fire was kindled in Jacob, and wrath rose up against Israel,
25 Because they believed not in God, nor hoped in His salvation.
26 And He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
27 And rained manna on them to eat, and bread of heaven did He give unto them.
28 Man ate the bread of angels; provision He sent them to the full.
29 He removed the south wind from heaven, and brought in by His might the southwest wind.
30 And He rained on them flesh as it were dust, and feathered birds like the sands of the sea,
31 Which fell in the midst of their camp, round about their tents.
32 And they ate and were filled exceedingly, and their desire did He give unto them; nor were they deprived of their desire.
33 But while their food was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God rose up against them.
34 And He slew their stout ones, and shackled the choice men of Israel.
35 In all these things they sinned the more, and believed not in His wonders.
36 And their days were consumed in vanity, and their years with haste.
37 When He slew them, then they sought after Him, and they turned back and enquired early after God.
38 And they remembered that God is their helper, and that God the Most High is their redeemer.
39 And they loved Him with their mouth, and with their tongue they lied to Him,
40 For their heart was not right with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant.
41 But He is compassionate and will be gracious unto their sins, and He will not destroy.
42 And many a time will He turn His anger away, and will not kindle all His wrath.
43 And He remembered that they are but flesh, breath which passeth away and cometh not back again.
44 How often did they embitter Him in the wilderness, and move Him to wrath in the waterless land!
45 They turned back and made trial of God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
46 They remembered not His hand, nor the day wherein He redeemed them from the hand of the oppressor,
47 How He had wrought in Egypt His signs, and His marvels in the plain of Tanis.
48 Yea, He had turned into blood their rivers and their rainfalls, that they might not drink.
49 He had sent against them the dog-fly, and it devoured them; and the frog, and it destroyed them.
50 And He had given to the cankerworm their fruits, and their labours to the locust.
51 And He destroyed with hail their vine, and their mulberry trees with frost.
52 And He had given over to the hail their cattle, and their substance to the fire.
53 And He sent forth against them the wrath of His anger, anger and wrath and affliction, a mission performed by evil angels.
54 He had made a path for His wrath, and He spared not from death their souls, and their cattle He shut up in death.
55 And He had smitten every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstlings of all their labour, in the tabernacles of Ham.
56 And He took away His people as sheep, and He led them forth as a flock in the wilderness.
57 And He guided them in hope and they feared not, and the sea covered up their enemies.
58 And He brought them unto the mountain of His sanctuary, this mountain which His right hand had gained as a possession.
59 He cast out the heathen from before their face, and apportioned them an inheritance by lot.
60 And He settled in their tents the tribes of Israel.
61 But they tempted and embittered God the Most High, and His testimonies they did not keep.
62 And they turned back and brake covenant, even as their fathers did; they became like unto a crooked bow.
63 And they provoked Him to wrath among their hills, and with their graven images they moved Him to jealousy.
64 God heard and regarded them no more, and set Israel utterly at nought.
65 And He rejected His dwelling at Silom, His dwelling where He had dwelt among men.
66 And He gave over to captivity their strength, and their beauty into the hands of enemies.
67 And with a sword He enclosed His people, and His inheritance did He regard no more.
68 Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins lamented not.
69 Their priests fell by the sword, and none shall weep for their widows.
70 And the Lord awoke as one that sleepeth, like a mighty man grown cloyed with wine.
71 And He smote His enemies upon their backs, reproach everlasting He gave to them.
72 And He rejected the dwelling of Joseph, and He chose not the tribe of Ephraim.
73 And He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Sion which He loved.
74 And He built His sanctuary like that of a unicorn, on the earth He established it for ever.
75 And He chose out David His servant, and took him up from the flocks of sheep, from following the ewes great with young He took him,
76 To shepherd Jacob His servant, and Israel His inheritance.
77 And he did shepherd them in the innocence of his heart, and by the skillfulness of his hands he guided them.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 78
A Psalm for Asaph.
O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance, they have defiled Thy holy temple; they have made Jerusalem as it were the hut of an orchard-keeper.
2 They have made the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Thy saints for the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach among our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, O Lord, wilt Thou be wroth unto the end? Shall Thy jealousy be kindled like fire?
6 Pour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon Thy name;
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and his place have they made desolate.
8 O remember not our iniquities of old; let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord, for we are become exceedingly poor.
9 Help us, O God our Saviour, for the sake of the glory of Thy name; O Lord, deliver us and be gracious unto our sins for Thy name’s sake,
10 Lest haply the nations say: Where is their God?
11 Yea, make known among the nations before our eyes the vengeance for Thy servant’s blood which hath been shed. Let there come before Thee the groaning of them that be in fetters.
12 According to the greatness of Thine arm, show Thy care for the sons of the slain.
13 And render to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached Thee, O Lord;
14 For we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture. We will confess Thee, O God, for ever; unto generation and generation we will declare Thy praise.
PSALM 79
For the End: Concerning Those Verses That Are to be Alternated. A Testimony for Asaph; a Psalm Concerning the Assyrian.
O Shepherd of Israel, attend, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
2 Thou that sittest on the cherubim, manifest Thyself before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasses.
3 Stir up Thy might and come to save us.
4 O God, make us to return and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
5 O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt Thou be wroth against the prayer of Thy servants?
6 Wilt Thou feed us with the bread of tears, and wilt Thou give us for drink tears in measure?
7 Thou hast made us a gainsaying among our neighbours, and our enemies have scoffed at us.
8 O Lord of hosts, make us to return and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
9 A vine hast Thou brought out of Egypt, Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it.
10 Thou hast prepared the way before it, and Thou hast planted the roots thereof, and it filled the earth.
11 The shadows thereof covered the mountains, and the boughs thereof the cedars of God.
12 It stretched forth its shoots unto the sea, and its branches unto the rivers.
13 Why hast Thou broken down the hedge thereof, and all that pass along the way do pluck the fruit?
14 The boar of the forest hath laid it to waste, and the wild beast hath devoured it.
15 O God of hosts, return again; and look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vine,
16 And perfect that which Thy right hand hath planted, and look upon the son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself.
17 It is burned with fire and is dug up; at the rebuke of Thy face they shall perish.
18 Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, and upon the son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself.
19 And we will not depart from Thee; Thou shalt quicken us, and we will call upon Thy name.
20 O Lord God of hosts, make us to return and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
PSALM 80
For the End: A Canticle Psalm for Asaph Concerning the Winepresses.
Rejoice in God our helper, shout with joy to the God of Jacob.
2 Take up a psalm, and bring the timbrel, the pleasant psaltery with the harp.
3 Sound the trumpet at the new moon, in the notable day of our feast.
4 For this is an ordinance for Israel and a judgement of the God of Jacob.
5 He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph when he went out from the land of Egypt; a tongue which he knew not did he hear.
6 He removed his back from burdens; his hands had slaved at the basket.
7 Thou didst call upon Me in affliction, and I delivered thee; I heard thee in the secret place of the tempest, I made trial of thee at the water of gainsaying.
8 Hear, O My people, and I will speak unto thee, O Israel, and I will testify unto thee; if thou hearest Me, there shall be in thee no new god, nor shalt thou worship an alien god,
9 For I am the Lord thy God Who led thee out of the land of Egypt. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
10 But My people heard not My voice, and Israel gave no heed unto Me.
11 And I let them go according to the ways of their hearts; they shall walk in their own ways.
12 If My people had heard Me, if Israel had walked in My ways,
13 Quickly would I have humbled their enemies, and upon their oppressors would I have laid My hand.
14 The enemies of the Lord have lied unto Him, but in that age their time shall come.
15 And He fed them with the fat of the wheat, and with honey out of the rock He satisfied them.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 81
A Psalm for Asaph.
God stood in the congregation of the gods, and in the midst He shall stand out among gods.
2 How long will ye judge unrighteously and accept the person of sinners?
3 Judge for the orphan and the poor man, do justice to the humble and the pauper.
4 Rescue the poor man and the needy, from the hand of the sinner deliver him.
5 They have not known, nor understood; they walk in darkness. Let all the foundations of the earth be shaken.
6 I said: Ye are gods, and all of you the sons of the Most High.
7 But like men ye die, and like one of the rulers do ye fall.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth, for Thou shalt have an inheritance among all the nations.
PSALM 82
A Psalmic Ode for Asaph.
O God, who shall be likened unto Thee? Be Thou not silent, neither be still, O God.
2 For behold, Thine enemies have made a noise, and they that hate Thee have lifted up their heads.
3 Against Thy people have they taken wicked counsel, and have conspired against Thy saints.
4 They said: Come, let us utterly destroy them that they may be no more a nation, and let the name of Israel be remembered no more.
5 For they have conspired with oneness of mind together, against Thee have they made a covenant; even the tents of the Idumeans and the Ismaelites,
6 Moab and the Hagarenes, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, and foreigners with them that dwell at Tyre.
7 Yea, for even Assur is come with them; they are become a help for the sons of Lot.
8 Do unto them as Thou didst unto Madiam and Sisara, as unto Jabin at the brook of Kisson.
9 They were utterly destroyed in Endor, they became as dung for the earth.
10 Make their princes like Oreb and Zeb and Zebee and Salmana.
11 Yea, all their princes who said: Let us take to ourselves for an inheritance the sanctuary of God.
12 O my God, make them like a wheel, as stubble before the face of the wind,
13 As fire which shall burn the forest, as a flame which shall consume the mountains.
14 So shalt Thou pursue them with Thy tempest, and in Thy wrath shalt Thou trouble them.
15 Fill their faces with dishonour, and they shall seek Thy name, O Lord.
16 Let them be shamed and troubled unto ages of ages, and let them be confounded and destroyed.
17 And let them know that Thy name is Lord; Thou alone art Most High over all the earth.
PSALM 83
For the End: Concerning the Winepresses; For the Sons of Kore.
How beloved are Thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
2 My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
3 For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may lay her young,
4 Even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
5 Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee.
6 Blessed is the man whose help is from Thee; he hath made ascents in his heart, in the vale of weeping, in the place which he hath appointed.
7 Yea, for the lawgiver will give blessings; they shall go from strength to strength, the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
8 O Lord of hosts, hearken unto my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.
9 O God, our defender, behold, and look upon the face of Thine anointed one.
10 For better is one day in Thy courts than thousands elsewhere.
11 I have chosen rather to be an outcast in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of sinners.
12 For the Lord loveth mercy and truth, God will give grace and glory; the Lord will not withhold good things from them that walk in innocence.
13 O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that hopeth in Thee.
PSALM 84
For the End: A Psalm for the Sons of Kore.
Thou hast been gracious, O Lord, unto Thy land; Thou hast turned back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquities of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sins.
3 Thou hast made all Thy wrath to cease, Thou hast turned back from the wrath of Thine anger.
4 Turn us back, O God of our salvation, and turn away Thine anger from us.
5 Wilt Thou be wroth with us unto the ages? Or wilt Thou draw out Thy wrath from generation to generation?
6 O God, Thou wilt turn and quicken us, and Thy people shall be glad in Thee.
7 Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy, and Thy salvation do Thou give unto us.
8 I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me; for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints and to them that turn their heart unto Him.
9 Surely nigh unto them that fear Him is His salvation, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth is sprung up out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12 Yea, for the Lord will give goodness, and our land shall yield her fruit.
13 Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set His footsteps in the way.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
PSALM 50
For the End: A Psalm of David. When Nathan the Prophet Came unto Him. When He Went in unto Bersabee, the Wife of Urias.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged.
5 For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
6 For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
8 Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice.
9 Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me.
13 I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
16 For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased.
17 A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
18 Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.
19 Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
20 Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Song of the Theotokos
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
For the Mighty One hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name; and His mercy is on them that fear Him unto generation and generation.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
He hath showed strength with His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted them of low degree; He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy, as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed for ever.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Lauds
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
It is truly meet to call thee blest the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Exapostilaria
The Cross is the guardian of the whole world; * the Cross is the support and staff of the faithful; * the Cross is the beauty of the Church of Christ; * the Cross is the mighty strength of kings; * the Cross is the glory of Angels; * it is the wounding of demons.
As she that seedlessly bare Thee * stood at Thy Cross in great mourning, * she cried: Alas! O belov’d Son, * my sweetest Child, how hast Thou now * set from the eyes of Thy Mother? * How art Thou reckoned with dead men?
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. To Thee is due praise, O God.
Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts. To Thee is due praise, O God.
PSALM 148
Alleluia. Of Aggeus and Zacharias.
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest.
2 Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts.
3 Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light.
4 Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He spake, and they came to be; He commanded, and they were created.
6 He established them for ever, yea, for ever and ever; He hath set an ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye abysses,
8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which perform His word,
9 The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars,
10 The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and winged birds,
11 Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all the judges of the earth,
12 Young men and virgins, elders with the younger; let them praise the name of the Lord, for exalted is the name of Him alone.
13 His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall exalt the horn of His people.
14 This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of Israel, and for the people that draw nigh unto Him.
PSALM 149
Alleluia.
Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints.
2 Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons of Sion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise His name in the dance; with the timbrel and the psaltery let them chant unto Him.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He shall exalt the meek with salvation.
5 The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds.
6 The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords shall be in their hands,
7 To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments among the peoples,
8 To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron,
For 6 verses
To do among them the judgement that is written. This glory shall be to all His saints.
PSALM 150
Alleluia.
Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.
For 4 verses
Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness.
3 Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and flute.
5 Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. Let every breath praise the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Doxasticon
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion
Unto Thee glory is due, O Lord our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lesser Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we worship Thee; we glorify Thee; we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory: O Lord, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy on us, Thou that takest away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name for ever, yea, for ever and ever. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Lord, unto Thee have I fled for refuge; teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For in Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, grant me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes. O Lord, Thy mercy endureth for ever; disdain not the works of Thy hands. Unto Thee is due praise, unto Thee is due song, unto Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Having thy protection, O immaculate one, and being delivered from afflictions by thy prayers, we who are in every way guarded by the Cross of thy Son do all magnify thee reverently as is due.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Amen
The Lord God make steadfast the holy and blameless Faith of the pious and Orthodox Christians, with His holy Church and this city (or monastery, or town, or countryside, or island), unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
THE FIRST HOUR
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 06:00 AM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 06:00 AM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 5
For the End: A Psalm of David for Her That Obtained the Inheritance.
Unto my words, give ear, O Lord; hear my cry. Attend unto the voice of my supplication, O my King and my God; for unto Thee will I pray, O Lord.
2 In the morning Thou shalt hear my voice. In the morning shall I stand before Thee, and Thou shalt look upon me; for not a God that willest iniquity art Thou.
3 He that worketh evil shall not dwell near Thee, nor shall transgressors abide before Thine eyes.
4 Thou hast hated all them that work iniquity; Thou shalt destroy all them that speak a lie.
5 A man that is bloody and deceitful shall the Lord abhor.
6 But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy shall I go into Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee.
7 O Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine enemies, make straight my way before Thee.
8 For in their mouth there is no truth; their heart is vain.
9 Their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God.
10 Let them fall down on account of their own devisings; according to the multitude of their ungodliness, cast them out, for they have embittered Thee, O Lord.
11 And let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall ever rejoice, and Thou shalt dwell among them.
12 And all shall glory in Thee that love Thy name, for Thou shalt bless the righteous.
13 O Lord, as with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast Thou crowned us.
PSALM 89
A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.
Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation.
2 Before the mountains came to be and the earth was formed and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art.
3 Turn not man away unto lowliness; yea, Thou hast said: Turn back, ye sons of men.
4 For a thousand years in Thine eyes, O Lord, are but as yesterday that is past, and as a watch in the night.
5 Things of no account shall their years be; in the morning like grass shall man pass away.
6 In the morning shall he bloom and pass away, in the evening shall he fall and grow withered and dry.
7 For we have fainted away in Thy wrath, and in Thine anger have we been troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee; our lifespan is in the light of Thy countenance.
9 For all our days are faded away, and in Thy wrath are we fainted away; our years have, like a spider, spun out their tale.
10 As for the days of our years, in their span they be threescore years and ten.
11 And if we be in strength, mayhap fourscore years; and what is more than these is toil and travail.
12 For mildness is come upon us, and we shall be chastened.
13 Who knoweth the might of Thy wrath? And out of fear of Thee, who can recount Thine anger?
14 So make Thy right hand known to me, and to them that in their heart are instructed in wisdom.
15 Return, O Lord; how long? And be Thou entreated concerning Thy servants.
16 We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad.
17 In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils.
18 And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons.
19 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the work of our hands do Thou guide aright.
PSALM 100
Psalm 100 – A Psalm of David.
Of mercy and judgement will I sing unto Thee, O Lord; I will chant and have understanding in a blameless path. When wilt Thou come unto me?
2 I have walked in the innocence of my heart in the midst of my house.
3 I have no unlawful thing before mine eyes; the workers of transgressions I have hated.
4 A crooked heart hath not cleaved unto me; as for the wicked man who turned from me, I knew him not.
5 Him that privily talked against his neighbour did I drive away from me.
6 With him whose eye was proud and his heart insatiate, I did not eat.
7 Mine eyes were upon the faithful of the land, that they might sit with me; the man that walked in the blameless path, he ministered unto me.
8 The proud doer dwelt not in the midst of my house; the speaker of unjust things prospered not before mine eyes.
9 In the morning I slew all the sinners of the land, utterly to destroy out of the city of the Lord all them that work iniquity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Optional: Old Testament Reading
EZRA 3:1-13
And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
EZRA 4:1-24
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Optional: New Testament Reading
1 JOHN 2:13-29
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
What shall we call thee, O full of grace? Heaven? for thou hast made the Sun of Righteousness to dawn forth. Paradise? for thou hast brought forth the flower of immortality. Virgin? for thou hast remained incorrupt. Pure Mother? for thou hast held in thy holy embrace a Son, Who is the God of all. Do thou entreat Him to save our souls.
My steps do Thou direct according to Thy saying, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the false accusation of men, and I will keep Thy commandments. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Kontakion Of St. Spyridon – The 2nd Tone
Thou didst lend wings to thy mind with the fire of the Spirit, * wounded by love for Christ. * Thy practical work was the practice of contemplation, * O inspired Spyridon. * Thou didst become a divine altar, imploring illumination for all.
Kontakion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Monk of Valaam and beloved of the Mother of God, * new zealot of the old desert-dwellers in thy labours; * armed with prayer as thy sword and shield, thou wast terrible to demons and pagan darkness. * O St. Herman, we cry to thee: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Be quick to anticipate our foes ere we be enslaved by them that blaspheme Thee and that menace us with their threats, O merciful Christ our God; by Thy Cross defeat them that oppress us, that they may know how mighty is the Faith of Orthodox Christians, through Thy pure Mother’s prayers for us all, O only Friend of man.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless. Amen.
O Christ the True Light, Who dost enlighten and sanctify every man that cometh into the world: Let the Light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may see the unapproachable light; and guide our steps in the performance of Thy commandments, by the intercessions of Thine all-immaculate Mother, and of all Thy Saints. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
THE THIRD HOUR
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 09:00 AM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 09:00 AM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 16
A Prayer of David.
Hearken, O Lord, unto my righteousness, attend unto my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which cometh not from deceitful lips.
2 From before Thy face let my judgement come forth, let mine eyes behold uprightness.
3 Thou hast proved my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night, Thou hast tried me by fire, and unrighteousness was not found in me.
4 That my mouth might not speak of the works of men, for the sake of the words of Thy lips have I kept the ways that are hard.
5 Set my footsteps in Thy paths, that my steps may not be shaken.
6 I have cried for Thou hast hearkened unto me, O God. Incline Thine ear unto me, and hearken unto my words.
7 Let Thy mercies be made wonderful, O Thou that savest them that hope in Thee.
8 From them that have resisted Thy right hand, keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye.
9 In the shelter of Thy wings wilt Thou shelter me, from the face of the ungodly which have oppressed me.
10 Mine enemies have surrounded my soul, they have enclosed themselves with their own fat, their mouth hath spoken pride.
11 They that cast me out have now encircled me, they have set their eyes to look askance on the earth.
12 They have taken me as might a lion ready for his prey, and as might a lion’s whelp that dwelleth in hiding.
13 Arise, O Lord, overtake them and trip their heels; deliver my soul from ungodly men, Thy sword from the enemies of Thy hand.
14 O Lord, from Thy few do Thou separate them from the earth in their life; yea, with Thy hidden treasures hath their belly been filled.
15 They have satisfied themselves with swine and have left the remnants to their babes.
16 But as for me, in righteousness shall I appear before Thy face; I shall be filled when Thy glory is made manifest to me.
PSALM 24
A Psalm of David.
Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.
2 O my God, in Thee have I trusted; let me never be put to shame, nor let mine enemies laugh me to scorn.
3 Yea, let none that wait on Thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed which are lawless without a cause.
4 Make Thy ways, O Lord, known unto me and teach me Thy paths.
5 Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art God my Saviour; for on Thee have I waited all the day long.
6 Remember Thy compassions; O Lord, and Thy mercies, for they are from everlasting.
7 The sins of my youth and mine ignorances remember not; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me, for the sake of Thy goodness, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He set a law for them that sin in the way.
9 He will guide the meek in judgement, He will teach the meek His ways.
10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto them that seek after His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For the sake of Thy name, O Lord, be gracious unto my sin; for it is great.
12 Who is the man that feareth the Lord? He will set him a law in the way which He hath chosen.
13 His soul shall dwell among good things, and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The Lord is the strength of them that fear Him, and His covenant shall be manifested unto them.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He it is that will draw my feet out of the snare.
16 Look upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am one only-begotten and poor.
17 The afflictions of my heart are multiplied; bring me out from my necessities.
18 Behold my lowliness and my toil, and forgive all my sins.
19 Look upon my enemies, for they are multiplied, and with an unjust hatred they have hated me.
20 Keep my soul and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I have hoped in Thee.
21 The innocent and the upright have cleaved unto me, for I waited on Thee, O Lord.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his afflictions.
PSALM 50
For the End: A Psalm of David. When Nathan the Prophet Came unto Him. When He Went in unto Bersabee, the Wife of Urias.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged.
5 For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
6 For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
8 Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice.
9 Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me.
13 I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
16 For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased.
17 A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
18 Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.
19 Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
20 Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos; thou art the true vine that hath blossomed forth the Fruit of life. Thee do we supplicate: Intercede, O Lady, together with the Apostles and all the Saints that our souls find mercy.
Blessed is the Lord God, blessed is the Lord day by day; the God of our salvation shall prosper us along the way; our God is the God of salvation.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Kontakion Of St. Spyridon – The 2nd Tone
Thou didst lend wings to thy mind with the fire of the Spirit, * wounded by love for Christ. * Thy practical work was the practice of contemplation, * O inspired Spyridon. * Thou didst become a divine altar, imploring illumination for all.
Kontakion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Monk of Valaam and beloved of the Mother of God, * new zealot of the old desert-dwellers in thy labours; * armed with prayer as thy sword and shield, thou wast terrible to demons and pagan darkness. * O St. Herman, we cry to thee: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Grant Thou speedy and lasting consolation unto Thy servants, O Jesus, when our spirits are despondent. Be Thou not parted from our souls when they be in affliction; be Thou not far from our minds when we are in perils, but do Thou ever anticipate our needs. Draw nigh unto us, draw nigh, O Thou Who art everywhere present, and even as Thou art ever with Thine Apostles, thus do Thou also unite unto Thyself us who long for Thee, O Compassionate One, that being united with Thee, we may praise and glorify Thine All-holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The hope and protection and refuge of Christians, the unassailable battlement, the storm-free haven of the weary art thou, O immaculate Theotokos. But as thou savest the world by thine unceasing intercession, remember us also, O all-hymned Virgin.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless. Amen.
O sovereign Master, God the Father Almighty, O Lord the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Thou, O Holy Spirit, one Godhead, one Power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and by the judgments which Thou knowest, save me, Thine unworthy servant; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
THE SIXTH HOUR
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 12:00 PM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 12:00 PM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 53
For the End: Among the Hymns of Instruction by David. When the Ziphites Came, and Said to Saul: Lo, is not David Hidden with Us?
O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me.
2 O God, hearken unto my prayer, give ear unto the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and mighty men have sought after my soul and have not set God before themselves.
4 For behold, God helpeth me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul.
5 He will bring evils upon mine enemies. Utterly destroy them by Thy truth.
6 Willingly shall I sacrifice unto Thee; I will confess Thy name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For out of every affliction hast Thou delivered me, and mine eye hath looked down upon mine enemies.
PSALM 54
For the End: Among the Hymns of Instruction by David.
Give ear, O God, unto my prayer, and disdain not my supplication; attend unto me, and hear me.
2 I was grieved in my meditation, and I was troubled at the voice of the enemy and at the oppression of the sinner;
3 Because they have turned iniquity upon me, and with wrath were they angry against me.
4 My heart is troubled within me, and the terror of death is fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling are come upon me, and darkness hath covered me.
6 And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove? And I will fly, and be at rest.
7 Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness.
8 I waited for God that saveth me from faintheartedness and from tempest.
9 Plunge them into the depths, O Lord, and divide their tongues, for I have seen iniquity and gainsaying in the city.
10 Day and night they go round about her upon her walls; iniquity and toil and unrighteousness are in the midst of her.
11 And usury and deceit have not departed from her streets.
12 For if mine enemy had reviled me, I might have endured it.
13 And if he that hateth me had spoken boastful words against me, I might have hid myself from him.
14 But thou it was, O man of like soul with me, my guide and my familiar friend,
15 Thou who together with me didst sweeten my repasts; in the house of God I walked with thee in oneness of mind.
16 Let death come upon such ones, and let them go down alive into hades.
17 For wickedness is in their dwellings, and in the midst of them.
18 As for me, unto God have I cried, and the Lord hearkened unto me.
19 Evening, morning, and noonday will I tell of it and will declare it, and He will hear my voice.
20 He will redeem my soul in peace from them that draw nigh unto me, for they among many were with me.
21 God will hear, and He will humble them, He that is before the ages.
22 For to them there is no requital, because they have not feared God; He hath stretched forth His hand in retribution.
23 They have defiled His covenant; they were scattered by the wrath of His countenance, and their hearts have convened.
24 Their words were smoother than oil, and yet they are darts.
25 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He will nourish thee; He will never permit the righteous to be shaken.
26 But Thou, O God, shalt bring those men down into the pit of destruction.
27 Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but as for me, O Lord, I will hope in Thee.
PSALM 90
A Canticle Praise of David. Without Superscription among the Hebrews.
He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven.
2 He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him.
3 For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word.
4 With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope.
5 With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day,
6 Nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come nigh.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners.
9 For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge;
10 No evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon.
14 For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My name.
15 He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him.
16 With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Seeing that we have no boldness on account of our many sins, do thou beseech Him that was born of thee, O Virgin Theotokos; for the supplication of a Mother availeth much to win the Master’s favor. Disdain not the prayers of sinners, O most august one; for merciful is He, and mighty to save, He that deigned to suffer for our sake.
Let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord, for we are become exceedingly poor. Help us, O God our Savior, for the sake of the glory of Thy name. O Lord, deliver us and be gracious unto our sins for Thy name’s sake.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Kontakion Of St. Spyridon – The 2nd Tone
Thou didst lend wings to thy mind with the fire of the Spirit, * wounded by love for Christ. * Thy practical work was the practice of contemplation, * O inspired Spyridon. * Thou didst become a divine altar, imploring illumination for all.
Kontakion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Monk of Valaam and beloved of the Mother of God, * new zealot of the old desert-dwellers in thy labours; * armed with prayer as thy sword and shield, thou wast terrible to demons and pagan darkness. * O St. Herman, we cry to thee: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ God; Thou didst stretch out Thine immaculate hands upon the Cross, thereby gathering all nations that cry to Thee: O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorified art thou, O Virgin Theotokos. We praise thee, for through the Cross of thy Son, Hades was cast down and death was slain. Having been put to death, we raised up and were deemed worthy of life. We received Paradise, the ancient bliss. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we glorify Christ our God, since He is mighty and alone abundant in mercy.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless. Amen.
O God and Lord of Hosts, and Maker of all Creation, Who in the tender compassion of Thy mercy which transcendeth comprehension, didst send down Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race, and by His precious Cross didst tear asunder the handwriting of our sins, and thereby didst triumph over the principalities and powers of darkness: Do Thou Thyself, O Master, Lover of mankind, accept also from us sinners these prayers of thanksgiving and entreaty, and deliver us from every destructive and dark transgression, and from all enemies, both visible and invisible, that seek to do us evil. Nail down our flesh with the fear of Thee, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls with longing for Thee, so that ever looking to Thee, and being guided by Thy Light as we behold Thee, the unapproachable and everlasting Light, we may send up unceasing praise and thanksgiving unto Thee, the Unoriginate Father, with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
THE NINTH HOUR
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 03:00 PM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 03:00 PM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Our Holy Father Spyridon The Wonderworker, Bishop Of Trymithus In Cyprus
St. Herman Of Alaska
St. Finnian Of Clonard
St. Columba Of Leinster
St. Colman Of Glendalough
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 83
For the End: Concerning the Winepresses; For the Sons of Kore.
How beloved are Thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
2 My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
3 For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may lay her young,
4 Even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
5 Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee.
6 Blessed is the man whose help is from Thee; he hath made ascents in his heart, in the vale of weeping, in the place which he hath appointed.
7 Yea, for the lawgiver will give blessings; they shall go from strength to strength, the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
8 O Lord of hosts, hearken unto my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.
9 O God, our defender, behold, and look upon the face of Thine anointed one.
10 For better is one day in Thy courts than thousands elsewhere.
11 I have chosen rather to be an outcast in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of sinners.
12 For the Lord loveth mercy and truth, God will give grace and glory; the Lord will not withhold good things from them that walk in innocence.
13 O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that hopeth in Thee.
PSALM 84
For the End: A Psalm for the Sons of Kore.
Thou hast been gracious, O Lord, unto Thy land; Thou hast turned back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquities of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sins.
3 Thou hast made all Thy wrath to cease, Thou hast turned back from the wrath of Thine anger.
4 Turn us back, O God of our salvation, and turn away Thine anger from us.
5 Wilt Thou be wroth with us unto the ages? Or wilt Thou draw out Thy wrath from generation to generation?
6 O God, Thou wilt turn and quicken us, and Thy people shall be glad in Thee.
7 Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy, and Thy salvation do Thou give unto us.
8 I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me; for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints and to them that turn their heart unto Him.
9 Surely nigh unto them that fear Him is His salvation, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth is sprung up out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12 Yea, for the Lord will give goodness, and our land shall yield her fruit.
13 Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set His footsteps in the way.
PSALM 85
A Prayer of David.
Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, and hearken unto me, for poor and needy am I.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am holy; save Thy servant, O my God, that hopeth in Thee.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for unto Thee will I cry all the day long; make glad the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
4 For Thou, O Lord, art good and gentle, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
5 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend unto the voice of my supplication.
6 In the day of mine affliction have I cried unto Thee, for Thou hast heard me.
7 There is none like unto Thee among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like unto Thy works.
8 All the nations whom Thou hast made shall come and shall worship before Thee, O Lord, and shall glorify Thy name.
9 For Thou art great and workest wonders; Thou alone art God.
10 Guide me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth; let my heart rejoice that I may fear Thy name.
11 I will confess Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name for ever.
12 For great is Thy mercy upon me, and Thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost hades.
13 O God, transgressors have risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty hath sought after my soul, and they have not set Thee before them.
14 But Thou, O Lord my God, art compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, and true.
15 Look upon me and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaiden.
16 Work in me a sign unto good, and let them that hate me behold and be put to shame; for Thou, O Lord, hast holpen me and comforted me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of St. Spyridon – The 1st Tone
Thou wast a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, * O Godbearing Father Spyridon. * Thou didst speak to one dead in the grave, and change a serpent to gold; * and while thou wast chanting the holy prayers the Angels were serving with thee. * Glory to Him Who has glorified thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; * glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.
Troparion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 4th Tone
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds * and intercessor for the whole world; * teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety, * adornment of Alaska and gladness of America, * holy Father Herman, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Troparion Of St. Finnian Of Clonard – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Truly thou art the “Tutor of the Saints of Ireland”, * O Founder of Clonard, great Father Finnian. * As thou didst tirelessly teach the faith in thy native land, * so teach us to follow thy example that many may come to know Christ * and be led into the Way of Salvation.
Troparion Of St. Columba Of Leinster – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
O pious Columba, as a disciple of our Father Finnian and a renowned struggler, * thou didst shine forth in the ascetic life. * O Ireland’s treasure, cease not to pray for those who labour, * weeping and repenting, for the salvation of their souls.
Troparion Of St. Colman Of Glendalough – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Giving thy life to Christ in monastic poverty, * thou didst teach us a God-pleasing set of values, O Father Colman. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God that He will instill in us constancy of faith, patience in trials and freedom from worldliness * that we may be found worthy of His great mercy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Thou Who for our sakes wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O Good One, and didst despoil death by death, and as God didst reveal the Resurrection: Disdain them not which Thou hast fashioned with Thy hand; show us Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos that gave Thee birth, who intercedeth for us; and do Thou, our Saviour, save a despairing people.
Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy holy Name’s sake, neither disanul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, for Abraham’s sake, Thy beloved, and for Isaac’s sake, Thy servant, and for Israel’s, Thy holy one.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Kontakion Of St. Spyridon – The 2nd Tone
Thou didst lend wings to thy mind with the fire of the Spirit, * wounded by love for Christ. * Thy practical work was the practice of contemplation, * O inspired Spyridon. * Thou didst become a divine altar, imploring illumination for all.
Kontakion Of St. Herman Of Alaska – The 8th Tone/Plagal of the Fourth
Monk of Valaam and beloved of the Mother of God, * new zealot of the old desert-dwellers in thy labours; * armed with prayer as thy sword and shield, thou wast terrible to demons and pagan darkness. * O St. Herman, we cry to thee: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Seeing the Author of life hanging on the Cross, the thief said: If He Who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hid his rays, nor would the earth have quaked and trembled. But do Thou Who endurest all things remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
In the midst of two thieves, Thy Cross was founded to be a balance of justice; for the one was borne down to Hades by the weight of his blasphemy, the other was raised up from his sins to the knowledge of theology. O Christ God, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When she who bare the Lamb and Shepherd and Saviour of the world beheld Him on the Cross, she said with tears: The world rejoiceth at receiving redemption, but my bowels burn as I see Thy crucifixion, which Thou endurest for all, O my Son and my God.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless. Amen.
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who art long-suffering in the face of our transgressions, and Who hast brought us even unto this present hour, wherin Thou didst hang upon the life-creating Tree, and dist make a way into Paradise for the sinners and Thine unworthy servants; for we have sinned and committed iniquity, and are not worthy to lift up our eyes and behold the height of Heaven, for we have abandoned the way of Thy righteousness, and have walked in the desires of our hearts. But we beseech Thine incomparable goodness: Spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy mercy, and save us for Thy holy Name’s sake, for our days have wasted away in vanity. Deliver us from the hand of the adversary, and forgive us our sins, and mortify our carnal mind; that putting aside the old man, we may be clad with the new, and live for Thee, our Master and Guardian; and that thus by following in Thy commandments, we may attain to rest everlasting, wherein is the dwelling-place of them that love Thee, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we send up glory, with Thy Father which is without beginning, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
VESPERS
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 06:00 PM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 06:00 PM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Eugene, Auxentius, Mardarius And Orestes In Armenia
Holy Virgin Lucy Of Sicily
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
PSALM 103
David’s. Concerning the Formation of the World.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly.
2 Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment,
3 Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters,
4 Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds,
5 Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire,
6 Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back for ever and ever.
7 The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand.
8 At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid.
9 The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them.
10 Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth.
11 He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run.
12 They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst.
13 Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice.
14 He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works.
15 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men,
16 To bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man.
17 To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man’s heart.
18 The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted.
19 There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them.
20 The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares.
21 He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down.
22 Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad.
23 Young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God.
24 The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens.
25 But man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening.
26 How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is filled with Thy creation.
27 So is this great and spacious sea, therein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great.
28 There go the ships; there this dragon, whom Thou hast made to play therein.
29 All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it.
30 When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled.
31 Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return.
32 Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
33 Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works.
34 Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke.
35 I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being.
36 May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord.
37 O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
And again:
The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Psalter Readings
Kathisma 12
PSALM 85
A Prayer of David.
Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, and hearken unto me, for poor and needy am I.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am holy; save Thy servant, O my God, that hopeth in Thee.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for unto Thee will I cry all the day long; make glad the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
4 For Thou, O Lord, art good and gentle, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
5 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend unto the voice of my supplication.
6 In the day of mine affliction have I cried unto Thee, for Thou hast heard me.
7 There is none like unto Thee among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like unto Thy works.
8 All the nations whom Thou hast made shall come and shall worship before Thee, O Lord, and shall glorify Thy name.
9 For Thou art great and workest wonders; Thou alone art God.
10 Guide me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth; let my heart rejoice that I may fear Thy name.
11 I will confess Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name for ever.
12 For great is Thy mercy upon me, and Thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost hades.
13 O God, transgressors have risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty hath sought after my soul, and they have not set Thee before them.
14 But Thou, O Lord my God, art compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, and true.
15 Look upon me and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaiden.
16 Work in me a sign unto good, and let them that hate me behold and be put to shame; for Thou, O Lord, hast holpen me and comforted me.
PSALM 86
A Canticle Psalm, for the Sons of Kore.
His foundations are in the holy mountains; the Lord loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.
3 I will make mention of Raab and Babylon to them that know me.
4 And lo, the foreigners and Tyre and the people of the Ethiopians, these were born there.
5 A man will say: Mother Sion; and: That man was born in her; and: The Most High Himself hath founded her.
6 The Lord shall tell it in the writ of the peoples and the princes, even these that were born in her.
7 How joyous are all they that have their habitation in Thee.
PSALM 87
A Psalmic Ode for the Sons of Kore. For the End: Concerning the Response of Maeleth. Concerning the Giving of a Wise Instruction to Aemon the Israelite.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee.
2 Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication,
3 For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh.
4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead,
5 Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand.
6 They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death.
7 Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me.
8 Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves.
9 I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty.
10 I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee.
11 Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee?
12 Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction?
13 Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten?
14 But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee.
15 Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me?
16 A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress.
17 Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me.
18 They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together.
19 Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbour, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 88
Concerning Instruction; for Etham the Israelite.
Of Thy mercies, O Lord, will I sing for ever.
2 Unto generation and generation will I declare Thy truth with my mouth.
3 For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever. In the heavens shall Thy truth be established.
4 I have made a covenant with My chosen ones, I have sworn unto David My servant: I will establish thy seed until eternity, and build up thy throne unto generation and generation.
5 The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the congregation of saints.
6 For who in the clouds shall be compared unto the Lord? And who shall be likened to the Lord among the sons of God?
7 God Who is glorified in the council of the saints is great and terrible towards all that are round about Him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto Thee? Mighty art Thou, O Lord, and Thy truth is round about Thee.
9 Thou art sovereign over the strength of the sea, and the tumult of her waves Thou makest calm.
10 Thou hast brought the proud man low as the corpse of one slain, and with the arm of Thy power hast Thou scattered Thine enemies.
11 Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth; the world and the fullness thereof hast Thou founded; the north and the sea hast Thou created.
12 Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. Thine is the arm that hath might.
13 Let Thy hand be strengthened, let Thy right hand be lifted up on high; righteousness and judgement are the establishment of Thy throne.
14 Mercy and truth shall go before Thy face. Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.
15 O Lord, in the light of Thy face shall they walk, and in Thy name shall they rejoice all the day long, and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
16 For the boast of their strength art Thou, and in Thy good pleasure shall our horn be lifted high.
17 For from the Lord is our defense, yea, from the Holy One of Israel, our King.
18 At that time Thou spakest in a vision to Thy sons, and Thou didst say: I have bestowed help on one that is mighty, I have raised up one chosen out of My people.
19 I have found David My servant, with My holy oil have I anointed him.
20 For My hand shall be unto him an ally, and Mine arm shall strengthen him.
21 No advantage shall his enemy have over him, nor shall the son of iniquity avail to hurt him any more.
22 And I will hew down his enemies before his face, and them that hate him shall I put to flight.
23 And My truth and My mercy shall be with him, and in My name shall his horn be lifted high.
24 And I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
25 He shall call upon Me and shall say: My Father art Thou, my God, and the helper of my salvation.
26 And as for Me, I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
27 For ever shall I keep for him My mercy, and My covenant shall be faithful unto him.
28 And I will establish his seed unto ages of ages, and his throne shall be as the days of heaven.
29 If his sons forsake My law, and if they walk not in My judgements,
30 If My statutes they profane, and keep not My commandments,
31 I will visit their iniquities with a rod, and their injustices with scourges.
32 But My mercy will I not disperse away from them, nor will I wrong them in My truth.
33 Nor will I profane My covenant, nor the things that proceed from My lips will I make void.
34 Once have I sworn by My holiness that to David I will not lie; his seed for ever shall abide.
35 And his throne shall be as the sun before Me, and as the moon that is established for ever, and is a faithful witness in the sky. (Diapsalm)
36 But Thou hast cast off and brought to nought, Thou hast been wroth with Thine anointed.
37 Thou hast destroyed the covenant of Thy servant, Thou hast profaned his sanctuary unto the earth.
38 Thou hast broken down all his hedges, Thou hast made his strongholds to be his terror.
39 All have despoiled him that pass along the way, he is become a reproach unto his neighbours.
40 Thou hast exalted the right hand of them that afflict him, Thou hast gladdened all his enemies.
41 Thou hast turned away the help of his sword, and hast not helped him in the battle.
42 Thou hast made an end of his purification, his throne unto the earth hast Thou cast down.
43 Thou hast shortened the days of his time, Thou hast poured down shame upon him.
44 How long, O Lord, dost Thou turn away unto the end? Shall Thy wrath burn like fire?
45 Remember what my substance is. Nay, hast Thou created all the sons of man in vain?
46 Who is the man that shall live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul out of the hand of hades?
47 Where are Thine ancient mercies, O Lord, which Thou swarest unto David in Thy truth?
48 Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Thy servants, which I have endured in my bosom from many nations,
49 Wherewith Thine enemies have reproached, O Lord, wherewith they have reproached the recompense of Thine anointed.
50 Blessed is the Lord for ever. So be it. So be it.
Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God. (Three times).
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 89
A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.
Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation.
2 Before the mountains came to be and the earth was formed and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art.
3 Turn not man away unto lowliness; yea, Thou hast said: Turn back, ye sons of men.
4 For a thousand years in Thine eyes, O Lord, are but as yesterday that is past, and as a watch in the night.
5 Things of no account shall their years be; in the morning like grass shall man pass away.
6 In the morning shall he bloom and pass away, in the evening shall he fall and grow withered and dry.
7 For we have fainted away in Thy wrath, and in Thine anger have we been troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee; our lifespan is in the light of Thy countenance.
9 For all our days are faded away, and in Thy wrath are we fainted away; our years have, like a spider, spun out their tale.
10 As for the days of our years, in their span they be threescore years and ten.
11 And if we be in strength, mayhap fourscore years; and what is more than these is toil and travail.
12 For mildness is come upon us, and we shall be chastened.
13 Who knoweth the might of Thy wrath? And out of fear of Thee, who can recount Thine anger?
14 So make Thy right hand known to me, and to them that in their heart are instructed in wisdom.
15 Return, O Lord; how long? And be Thou entreated concerning Thy servants.
16 We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad.
17 In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils.
18 And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons.
19 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the work of our hands do Thou guide aright.
PSALM 90
A Canticle Praise of David. Without Superscription among the Hebrews.
He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven.
2 He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him.
3 For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word.
4 With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope.
5 With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day,
6 Nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come nigh.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners.
9 For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge;
10 No evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon.
14 For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My name.
15 He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him.
16 With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.
Final Stasis
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Optional: Old Testament Reading
ZECHARIAH 9:1-17
The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
2 And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from river even to the ends of the earth.
11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
ZECHARIAH 10:1-12
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
5 And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
9 And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Labanon; and place shall not be found for them.
11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
PSALM 140
A Psalm of David.
Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
3 Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth, and a door of enclosure round about my lips.
4 Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make excuse with excuses in sins,
5 With men that work iniquity; and I will not join with their chosen.
6 The righteous man will chasten me with mercy and reprove me; as for the oil of the sinner, let it not anoint my head.
7 For yet more is my prayer in the presence of their pleasures; swallowed up near by the rock have their judges been.
8 They shall hear my words, for they be sweetened; as a clod of earth is broken upon the earth, so have their bones been scattered nigh unto hades.
9 For unto Thee, O Lord, O Lord, are mine eyes, in Thee have I hoped; take not my soul away.
10 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumbling-blocks of them that work iniquity.
11 The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone until I pass by.
PSALM 141
Instruction by David. When He Was in the Cave Praying.
With my voice unto the Lord have I cried, with my voice unto the Lord have I made supplication.
2 I will pour out before Him my supplication, mine affliction before Him will I declare.
3 When my spirit was fainting within me, then Thou knewest my paths.
4 In this way wherein I have walked they hid for me a snare.
5 I looked upon my right hand, and beheld, and there was none that did know me.
6 Flight hath failed me, and there is none that watcheth out for my soul.
7 I have cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my hope, my portion art Thou in the land of the living.
8 Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low.
9 Deliver me from them that persecute me, for they are stronger than I.
For 10 verses
Bring my soul out of prison that I may confess Thy name.
11 The righteous shall wait patiently for me until Thou shalt reward me.
PSALM 129
An Ode of Ascents.
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
2 Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
3 If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
Octoechos – Stichera of Holy Apostles in Tone 1
О glorious apostles, divinely chosen disciples of Christ, teachers of the whole world, who found the Lord God, Who is the Mediator between God and mankind: Unto Him did ye cleave in godliness, and throughout the world ye manifestly preached Him as God and as a supremely perfect man.
For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited patiently for Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Octoechos – Stichera of Holy Apostles in Tone 1
O most wise apostles, divinely chosen disciples of Christ, teachers of the whole world: By your prayers strengthen me, that I may obey the teachings of God; and ever help me to walk the narrow path, that I may achieve a most spacious rest in paradise.
From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
Octoechos – Stichera of Holy Apostles in Tone 1
I hymn as eyewitnesses and preachers of the Word Peter the first enthroned, Paul and James, Andrew and Philip, Simon, Bartholomew and Thomas, Matthew and John, and Mark and Luke who recorded the Gospels, who with the seventy others are the divinely chosen choir.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.
Octoechos – Stichera of the Great Hierarch & Wonderworker Nicholas in Tone 1
Soaring aloft above the flowers of the Church, О thrice-blessed Nicholas, as a fledgling from the angelic nest of the Most High thou ever callest unto God on behalf of all the people who find themselves in the midst of violent tribulations and temptations, delivering them by thy prayers.
PSALM 116
Alleluia.
O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
Octoechos – Stichera of the Great Hierarch & Wonderworker Nicholas in Tone 1
Ascending through the beauties of heaven, thou didst gaze upon the awesome glory of the Holy of holies. Wherefore, thou dost ever disclose unto us heavenly words of the vivifying sight thereof, О most sacred father.
For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth for ever.
Octoechos – Stichera of the Great Hierarch & Wonderworker Nicholas in Tone 1
The adornment of priestly vestments didst thou render more splendid by thine active virtues, О God-bearing father; wherefore, for us thou performest sacred acts of wondrous miracles for the sake of Christ, delivering us from evils.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion
О Virgin, entreat the Lamb Whom the all-great Forerunner proclaimed unto all, and Who taketh away the sins of the whole world, and pray that I, who am unworthy, may escape the lot of the goats on the day of judgment, and may be reckoned among the sheep on His right hand.
Optional: New Testament Reading
ACTS 25:13-27
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
O joyous Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: We that come to the setting of the sun, when we behold the evening light, praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be praised with gladsome voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee.
Prokeimenon
The 5th Tone/Plagal of the First
O God, in Thy Name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me.
Verse: O God, hearken unto my prayer, give ear unto the words of my mouth.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, grant me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes. O Lord, Thy mercy endureth for ever; disdain not the works of Thy hands. Unto Thee is due praise, unto Thee is due song, unto Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Octoechos – Stichera of the Apostles in Tone 1
The harmonious harp of the apostles, played by the Holy Spirit, abolished the abominable sacrifices of the demons; and, proclaiming the one Lord, it hath delivered the nations from the delusion of idolatry, and taught them to worship the consubstantial Trinity.
Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, * until He take pity on us.
Together let us praise Peter and Paul, Luke and Matthew, Mark and John, Andrew and Thomas, Bartholomew and Simon the Canaite, James and Philip; and let us laud the whole choir of the disciples, as is meet.
Have mercy on us, О Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, * and abasement on the proud.
О all-praised martyrs, the earth did not hide you, but heaven received you, and unto you were opened the gates of paradise. And since ye have entered therein, ye delight in the tree of life. Pray ye unto Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion
Rejoice, O Virgin, * thou joy of the forefathers, * gladness of the apostles and martyrs, ** and protection of us thy servants!
Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou has prepared before the face of all peoples: a light of revelation for the nations, and glory of Thy people Israel.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Dismissal hymns of the day
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion Of The Holy Martyrs Of Armenia – The 4th Tone
Wise Eustratius, divine Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes, * five members of the choir of Martyrs, * enlighten the whole world with the torch of their contests. * O faithful, in praising them let us cry out: * Rejoice, you five holy Martyrs of Christ.
Troparion Of St. Lucy Of Sicily – The 5th Tone/Plagal of the First
Adorned with the radiant robe of virginity, * thou wast betrothed to Christ the Lifegiver, * and didst disdain all mortal love. * Therefore thou didst bring to the Lord as a bridal gift * the streams of thy martyr’s blood. * Intercede with Him for us all, O Virgin Martyr Lucy.
The 1st Tone
Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Amen.
The Lord God make steadfast the holy and blameless Faith of the pious and Orthodox Christians, with His holy Church and this city (or monastery, or town, or countryside, or island), unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Lord Bless.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
SMALL COMPLINE
Wednesday, December 12th 7532, 09:00 PM
( Wednesday, December 25th 2024, 09:00 PM )
Twenty-seventh Week After Pentecost – The 1st Tone
Old Calendar Commemorations
Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Eugene, Auxentius, Mardarius And Orestes In Armenia
Holy Virgin Lucy Of Sicily
Psalter: Psalter LXX, Bible Translation: KJV, Style: Line Numbered, Lectionary: One Year, Psalms: Weekly
Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.
Psalter Readings
PSALM 50
For the End: A Psalm of David. When Nathan the Prophet Came unto Him. When He Went in unto Bersabee, the Wife of Urias.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged.
5 For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
6 For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
8 Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice.
9 Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me.
13 I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee.
14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
16 For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased.
17 A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
18 Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.
19 Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
20 Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
PSALM 69
For the End: David’s. In Remembrance. That the Lord May Save Me.
O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
2 Let them be shamed and confounded that seek after my soul.
3 Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils against me.
4 Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done!
5 Let them be glad and rejoice in Thee all that seek after Thee, O God, and let them that love Thy salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified.
6 But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God, come unto mine aid.
7 My helper and my deliverer art Thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying.
PSALM 142
David’s. When His Son Abessalom Pursued Him.
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgement with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth.
4 He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled.
5 I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands.
6 I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land.
7 Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
8 Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
9 Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope.
10 Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
11 Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
12 Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me.
13 In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies.
14 And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we worship Thee; we glorify Thee; we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory: O Lord, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy on us, Thou that takest away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name for ever, yea, for ever and ever. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Lord, unto Thee have I fled for refuge; teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For in Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, grant me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes. O Lord, Thy mercy endureth for ever; disdain not the works of Thy hands. Unto Thee is due praise, unto Thee is due song, unto Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
A Canon or Akathist may be chanted here
It is truly meet to call thee blest the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Which art in the Heavens, 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.
Amen.
O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to Thy gentleness: take not Thy mercy from us, but by their entreaties guide our life in peace.
Adorned in the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine linen, Thy Church, through them, doth cry unto Thee, O Christ God: Send down Thy compassions upon Thy people; grant peace to Thy commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the Saints grant rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life unending.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
By the intercession, O Lord, of all the Saints and the Theotokos, do Thou grant us Thy peace and have mercy on us, since Thou alone art compassionate.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in Heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners, Who callest all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy Angels, that, guided and guarded by their array, we may attain to the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
In the Name of the Lord, bless. Amen.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Save, help, and protect us, O Virgin Theotokos.
O spotless, undefiled, incorrupt, immaculate, pure Virgin, Lady Bride of God, who by thy wondrous conceiving hast united God the Word to man, and joined the outcast nature of our race to heavenly things, O only hope of the hopeless, and succour of the embattled, the ready help of them that have recourse to thee, and refuge of all Christians: abhor me not, the sinner, the accursed one, who have altogether made myself unprofitable by shameful thoughts, words, and deeds, and with the heartsease of life’s pleasures am become a thrall in mind. But as the Mother of the man-befriending God, do thou, in man-befriending wise, take pity upon me a sinner and prodigal, and receive my supplication, offered thee on unclean lips. And using thy boldness as a mother, entreat thy Son, our Master and Lord, that He may open even unto me the loving compassions of His goodness, and that, overlooking mine innumerable trespasses, He would turn me to repentance, and make me the approved doer of His commandments. And be thou ever with me, as thou art merciful, and compassionate, and the lover of good, being in this life a fervent protectress and help, to defend me from the assaults of adversaries, and guide me unto salvation; and in the hour of my departure, to care for my wretched soul, and drive far from it the dark countenances of evil demons; and in the terrible day of judgment, to deliver me from eternal torment, and show me forth as an heir of the unspeakable glory of thy Son and our God. This be my lot, O my Lady, most holy Theotokos, by thy mediation and help, through the grace and love for man of thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honour, and worship, with His Father which is without beginning, and His All-holy and good and life creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And grant us, O Master, when we go to sleep, repose of body and soul; and keep us from the murky slumbering of sin and every dark voluptuousness of night. Calm the violence of the passions, quench the fiery darts of the evil one, which are treacherously hurled against us. Subdue the rebellions of our flesh, and quell our every earthly and material thought. And grant unto us, O God, a watchful mind, a chaste thought, a sober heart, and sleep light and free from all satanic phantasies. And raise us up at the hour of prayer, established in Thy commandments and holding the remembrance of Thy judgments unshakable within us. Grant us to hymn Thy glory all the night long, that we may praise and bless and glorify Thine all-honoured and majestical Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, Ever virgin, blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He would save our souls.
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my shelter the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory be to Thee.
Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.
In thee, O Full of Grace, all creation-both the company of angels and the race of men-doth rejoice. O hallowed temple and spiritual paradise, boast of virgins: from thee God was incarnate, and became a child, He, our God Who existed before the ages; for He made thy womb a throne, and He made thee more spacious than the heavens. In thee, O Full of Grace, all creation doth rejoice. Glory be to thee.
O Holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and of mine afflicted life, forsake me not, a sinner, neither depart from me for mine incontinency. Give no place to the evil demon to subdue me with the oppression of this mortal body; but take me by my wretched and outstretched hand, and lead me in the way of salvation. Yea, O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my hapless soul and body, forgive me all things whatsoever wherewith I have troubled thee, all the days of my life, and if I have sinned in anything this day. Shelter me in this present night, and keep me from every affront of the enemy, lest I anger God by any sin; and intercede with the Lord in my behalf, that He might strengthen me in the fear of Him, and make me a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.
O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, O 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 Savior of our souls. (Three times).
Awed by the beauty of thy virginity and the exceeding radiance of thy purity, Gabriel called out unto thee, O Theotokos: What worthy hymn of praise can I offer unto thee? And what shall I name thee? I am in doubt and stand in awe. Wherefore, as commanded, I cry to thee: Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.