Prayed to our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ(*)
(The Priest and Deacon take
their places before the Icon of Christ placed in the
center of the Temple or other suitable place. The
Priest is vested in Riassa and Epitrachilion and the
Deacon in Sticharion and Orarion.)
Priest:
Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto
ages of ages.
People:
Amen.
Reader:
Holy
God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy
Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from
our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy
Name's sake.
Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who
art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom
come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil.
Priest:
For
Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory:
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Reader:
Amen.
Come, let us worship God, our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ,
our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before the very
Christ, our King and our God.
Psalm 143
Reader:
Hear
my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications. In
Thy faithfulness answer me in Thy righteousness.
Enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for no man
living is righteous before Thee. For the enemy has
pursued me; he has crushed my life to the ground; he
has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart
within me is appalled.
I remember the
days of old, I meditate on all that Thou hast done;
I muse on what Thy hands have wrought. I stretch out
my hands to Thee; my soul thirsts for Thee like a
parched land. Make haste to answer me, O Lord! My
spirit falls! Hide not Thy face from me, lest I be
like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear in
the morning of Thy steadfast love, for in Thee I put
my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to thee
I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O
Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to Thee for
refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my
God! Let Thy good spirit lead me on a level path!
For Thy Name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In
Thy righteousness bring me out of trouble! And in
Thy steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy
all my adversaries. For I am Thy servant.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God.
The Great Litany
Deacon:
In
peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
the peace from above, and for the salvation of our
souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of
the holy churches of God, and for the union of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
this holy temple, and for those who with faith,
reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us
pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
(The following two petitions
for the Orthodox Episcopate and the civil
authorities are general petitions. These might be
appropriate to use at a pan-Orthodox service where
various Ecclesiastical jurisdictions are
represented, and for services within the United
States. Otherwise, the petitions commonly utilized
by the officiating clergy to commemorate their
ruling hierarchs and their civil government would
more correctly be inserted here and substituted for
those which appear below)
Deacon:
For
the holy Orthodox Patriarchs, and for all Orthodox
Bishops; for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate
in Christ; for all the clergy and the people, let us
pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
the President of the United States and for all the
civil authorities, and for our armed forces in
defence of peace and freedom everywhere, let us pray
to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will aid them and grant them victory over every
enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
this city, for every city and country, and for the
faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of
the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to
the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
travelers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick
and the suffering; for captives and for their
salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
For
our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger,
and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will not remember the transgressions of His
people, but will turn away all His righteous wrath
which He has stirred up against us, let us pray to
the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will bless the good intentions of His servants
who strive to rescue His children from violent
death, and allow them to begin successfully and to
finish without obstacle, through the power and grace
of the most Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will guide the hands of His servants to complete
their work successfully, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will bless His servants with the grace of the
most Holy Spirit, and make their efforts well
pleasing in His sight, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
He will assign a guardian angel to banish from this
effort every enemy and obstacle, whether visible or
invisible, let us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
That
this work may be ordered in wisdom and may end in
perfection, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us
pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
Help
us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God,
by Thy grace.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Deacon:
Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure,
most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of
God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let
us commend ourselves and one another, and all our
life unto Christ, our God.
People:
To Thee, O Lord.
Priest:
For
unto Thee is due all glory, honor, and worship: to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People:
Amen.
God Is the Lord (in the Second Tone)
Deacon:
God
is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us! Blessed
is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
O give thanks
unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures
forever.
People (in Tone 2):
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
Deacon:
All
nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I
destroyed them.
People:
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
Deacon:
I
shall not die, but live; and recount the works of
the Lord.
People:
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
Deacon:
The
stone which the builders rejected has become the
chief cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and it
is marvellous in our eyes.
People:
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.
Troparion (in Tone 2)
People:
We bow before Thy most pure image, O Good One,
Begging Thee to forgive us our sins, O Christ our
God. Thou willingly didst ascend the cross in the
flesh, To free us from Satan's snare.
For this we thank Thee Lord, and we cry to Thee:
Thou hast filled all things with joy, O Saviour,
When Thou camest to save the world.
Psalm 50
Reader:
Have
mercy on me, O God, according to Thy loving
kindness; according to the multitude of Thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me
throughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my
sin, for I acknowledge my transgression and my sin
is ever before me: against Thee, Thee only have I
sinned and done that which is evil in Thy sight;
that Thou might be justified in Thy word, and
prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was
shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother
conceive me.
Behold, Thou
hast required truth in the inward parts; the unclear
and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou shalt reveal
unto me. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to
hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou
hast broken might rejoice. Turn away Thy face from
my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a
clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not
Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of
Thy salvation, and guide me with a princely spirit.
Then shall I teach transgressors Thy ways, and
sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me
from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my
salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy
righteousness.
O Lord, open my
lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. For
if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given
it, but Thou dost not delight in burnt offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a contrite spirit, a broken
and a contrite heart, O God, Thou shalt not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Thy good will unto Sion, and
build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou
be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with
burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then
shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
(The Canon may be sung here,
followed by the Refrains. Or the Refrains alone are
sung three times. The Deacon censes before the Icon
during the Refrains:)
Priest:
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Choir:
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Priest:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit.
Choir:
Now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(The Priest and Choir sing
the Refrains three times.
The Third Ode of the Canon follows, and then the
following hymn.
If there is no Canon, the hymn follows the singing
of the Refrains.
The Deacon censes at the Icon during the Refrains.)
Choir:
Deliver us from evil O Merciful One For we run to
Thee in our afflictions. O Lord Jesus Christ, save
our souls.
(Following the hymn, the
Priest and Choir repeat the Refrains three times as
above. The Deacon censes before the icon.)
Litany
Deacon:
Let
us say with our whole soul and with our whole mind,
let us say:
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
O
Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers we beseech
Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Have
mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we
beseech Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
(The following is a general
petition for the Orthodox Hierarchs, and should be
modified as needed to reflect local usage.)
Deacon:
Again we pray for the holy Orthodox Patriarchs and
for all Orthodox Bishops; for Priests, Deacons, and
all other clergy, and for all our brotherhood in
Christ.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health,
salvation, and visitation for the servants of God
who strive against the evil of abortion, and for the
pardon and remission of their sins.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we beg Thee, O Lord, to hear our prayer, and
have mercy on Thy servants who strive to save the
lives of Thy innocent children. In Thy grace and
bounty, fulfill their petitions and forgive all
their transgressions, whether voluntary or
involuntary. Accept their sacrifice of praise upon
Thy heavenly altar; protect them from every visible
and invisible enemy; deliver them from all misery,
sickness, and affliction; grant them health and
length of days, we pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and
have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
For Children in Danger of Death by Abortion
Deacon:
Again we pray for the children of God condemned to
death by the unjust judgement of men: that the Lord
our God would soften the hearts of those who seek
their violent destruction, and rescue those who are
being led forth to the slaughter, we diligently pray
Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy!
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
For Rescuers Who Have Been Imprisoned
Deacon:
Again we pray for all who have fallen into the hands
of the godless civil authority for the sake of God's
children, and who languish in courts and prisons:
that the Lord our God may look upon them with
compassion; that He may comfort, strengthen and
preserve them; and that He may deliver them speedily
from bondage and oppression, let us all say: O Lord,
hearken and have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
By
Thine infinite power, O Lord, our God, move to
compassion and mercy the hearts of those who hold
Thy servants in cruel captivity; restrain them from
doing harm or permitting evil to befall Thy
servants, but rather cause them to relent and to
release them; free the captives whole and unharmed,
O Lord, and bestow Thy mercy upon them, let us all
say: hearken quickly and graciously have mercy!
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Thy
vile enemies, O Lord, have annihilated Thy children
and defiled Thy churches, and have imprisoned Thy
faithful servants. Look down from heaven, therefore,
and behold, and forsake us not utterly, but quickly
cleanse the land of Thy people of the wickedness of
those who oppose Thee, with humble heart we entreat
Thee, our God Who art mighty in strength and
wondrous in wisdom: O Compassionate One, hearken and
have mercy!
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we pray for all those here present, who await
from Thee Thy great and abundant mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Priest:
For
Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, 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.
People:
Amen.
(If the Canon is being sung,
it continues now. After the Sixth Ode the Refrains
are repeated. If the Canon is not sung, the Refrains
alone are repeated by Priest and Choir as before,
again three times. The Deacon censes as before.)
Priest:
Glory to Thee, our God, Glory to Thee!
Choir:
Glory to Thee, our God, Glory to Thee!
Priest:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit.
Choir:
Now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(The Priest and Choir sing
the Refrains three times, and the Deacon censes. The
Akathist Hymn may be sung at this time, if desired.
At the completion of the Akathist, or following the
Refrains if there is no Akathist:)
The Prokeimenon
Deacon:
Let
us attend
Priest:
Peace be unto all.
Deacon:
Wisdom! Let us Attend!
The Prokeimenon in the fourth tone:
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance
and exult in Thy Name forever.
Choir:
Lord
we will walk in the light of Thy Countenance and
exult in Thy Name forever.
Deacon:
I
will sing of Thy mercy, O Lord, forever; with my
mouth I will proclaim Thy faithfulness to all
generations.
Choir:
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy Countenance
and exult in Thy Name forever.
Deacon:
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance.
Choir:
And
exult in Thy Name forever.
Deacon:
Let
us pray to the Lord,
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Priest:
For
holy art Thou, O our God, who rests in the saints,
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.
People:
Amen.
Deacon:
Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Choir:
Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Deacon:
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His
mighty firmament.
Choir:
Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Deacon:
Let
everything that has breath.
Choir:
Praise the Lord.
The Gospel Reading
Deacon:
And
that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy
Gospel, let us pray to the Lord, our God.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Wisdom! Let us attend! Let us hear the Holy Gospel!
Priest:
Peace be unto all.
People:
And to thy spirit.
Priest:
The
reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St.
Luke.
People:
Glory to Thee, O Lord, Glory to Thee.
Deacon:
Let
us attend!
Priest:
At
that time, Jesus told them a parable, to the effect
that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who
neither feared God nor regarded man; and there was a
widow in that city who kept coming to him and
saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary,' For a
while he refused; but afterward he said to himself,
`Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet
because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her,
or she will wear me out by her continual pleadings.'
And the Lord
said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says, And
will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day
and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you,
he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when
the Son of man returns, will he find faith on
earth?"
People:
Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
(If the Canon is being sung,
the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Odes are sung, along
with the refrains as the Deacon censes. If the Canon
is not being sung, the Refrains are repeated again
three times by the Priest and Choir.)
Priest:
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Choir:
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Priest:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit.
Choir:
Now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(As the Deacon censes, the
Priest and Choir sing the Refrains three times. And
then all sing the Hymn to the Theotokos in Tone 6:)
People:
It is turly meet to bless you, O Theotokos,
Ever blessed and most pure,
And the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim,
And more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim:
In virginity you gave birth to God the Word.
True Theotokos, we magnify you.
Reader:
Holy
God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy
Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from
our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy
Name's sake.
Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who
art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom
come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil.
Priest:
For
Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory:
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
People:
Amen.
The Augmented Litany
Deacon:
Have
mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great goodness,
we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we pray that the Lord our God will hear the
voice of us sinners and protect His servants from
all tribulation, wrath, danger, necessity, and from
every ill of soul and body, and grant them health
and length of days: we beseech Thee, O Lord, hearken
and have mercy.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we pray that the Lord our God will preserve
this city and this holy habitation and every city
and country from pestilence, famine, earthquake,
flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies,
civil war, and sudden death and that our good God,
who loves mankind, will be graciously favorable and
easy to be entreated and will turn away from us all
the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us from
all His righteous chastisement which impends against
us, and have mercy on us.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Deacon:
Again we pray that the Lord will hearken unto the
prayers of us sinners, and have mercy on us.
People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.
Priest:
Hear
us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of
the earth and of those far off upon the sea, and
show mercy, show mercy O Master, upon us sinners.
For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, 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.
People:
Amen.
Deacon:
Let
us pray to the most holy Theotokos.
People:
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Priest:
O
Mother of God, our queen and our hope, the refuge of
the abandoned and the intercessor for those who have
gone astray; the joy of all who sorrow and the
protectress of the needy; you see our poverty, our
affliction and misery. Help us who are weak; feed us
who are hungry; intercede for us with your Son and
our God, and may He deal with us as He pleases. For
we have no other hope, no other intercessor, no
other consolation except you, O Virgin Theotokos.
Protect us beneath your veil, now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages.
People:
Amen.
Deacon:
Let
us pray to the Lord.
People:
Lord, have mercy.
Priest:
O
most merciful, all gracious and compassionate Lord
Jesus Christ our Savior, Son of God: we entreat
Thee, most gracious Master: look with compassion
upon Thy children who have been condemned to death
by the unjust judgement of men. And as Thou hast
promised to bestow the heavenly kingdom on them born
of water and the Spirit, and who in blamelessness of
life have been translated unto Thee; and Who said,
"Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of
such is the kingdom of heaven" - we humbly pray,
according to Thy unfailing promise: grant the
inheritance of Thy kingdom to the multitude of
spotless infants who have been cruelly murdered in
the abortuaries of this land; for Thou art the
resurrection and the life and the repose of all Thy
servants and of these innocents, O Christ our God.
Turn the hearts
of those who seek to destroy Thy little ones. We
beseech Thee to pour forth Thy healing grace upon
them, that they may be convicted in their hearts and
turn from their evil ways. Remember all of them that
kill our children as on the altars of Moloch, and
render not unto them according to their deeds, but
according to Thy great mercy convert them: the
unbelieving to true faith and piety, and the
believing that they may turn from evil and do good.
O Holy Master,
Almighty Father and pre-eternal God, Who alone made
and directs all things; Who rises up quickly against
the evil of the impious ones; who, by providence,
teaches Thy people preservation of justice and the
obliteration of evil on earth; Who condescends to
raise up warriors for the protection of the people
of God: we entreat Thee with compunction, that as
Thou didst give David power to defeat Goliath, and
as Thou didst condescend through Judas Maccabeus, to
seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not
call on Thy Name; so too, grant protection to us,
Thy servants against the enemies rising against us
as we go forth to do spiritual battle against the
evil one and those who do his will rather than Thine.
For Thou art a
merciful God, and lovest mankind, 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.
People:
Amen.
The Dismissal
Deacon:
Wisdom!
Priest:
Most
holy Theotokos, save us.
Choir:
More
honorable than the Cherubim,
And more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim.
In virginity you gave birth to God the Word.
True Theotokos, we magnify you.
Priest:
Glory to Thee, O Christ, our God and our hope, glory
to Thee.
Choir:
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit:
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have
mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Master
(Father), bless!
Priest:
May
(He Who rose again from the dead,) Christ our
true God, through the prayers of His holy,
immaculate, and all blameless Mother, (.......),
and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.
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