St. Michael the Archangel
Orthodox Christian Community
Pickens, South Carolina
Akathist “Glory to God for All Things”
of Metropolitan Tryphon (Turkestanov)
read within
SMALL COMPLINE
Arranged as a Reader’s Service
(Plain chanted or read, simply and reverently)
Leader: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to You, our God, glory to You!
People: O Heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.
Trisagion
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal. Have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory… now and ever ... Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory… now and ever ... 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 the evil one.
Leader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.
Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Come, let us worship God our King!
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and our God!
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God!
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, God, in Your great loving-kindness and in Your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions; and my sin is continually before me.
Against You alone have I sinned and done evil before You: so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless in Your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth into iniquity and in sins did my mother conceive me. Behold, You love truth in the inner being; therefore, teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
You will make me hear joy and gladness and my afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, God and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners will return to You.
Deliver me from blood guiltiness, God, the God of my salvation and my tongue shall joyfully declare Your deliverance.
Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
For You have no delight in sacrifice, if I would give burned offerings, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; and broken and contrite heart, God, You will not despise.
Lord, do good to Zion in Your good pleasure and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shall You be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offering. Then they will offer calves upon Your altar.
Psalm 69
Be pleased, Lord, to deliver me; Lord make haste to help me.
Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those who desire evil for me be turned back and brought to dishonor. Let those who say Aha, Aha! be turned back because of their shame.
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love Your salvation say evermore: God is great! But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory to You, O God! (3 times)
Psalm 142
Hear my prayer, Lord; give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!
Enter not into judgment with Your servant; for no man living is righteous before You. 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 You have done; I muse on what Your hands have wrought. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
Make haste to answer me, Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to You for refuge! Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
Let Your good Spirit lead me on a level path. For Your name's sake, Lord, You will give me life; in Your righteousness you will bring my soul out of trouble. And in Your steadfast love You will cut off my enemies and destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.
The Lesser Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards mankind. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
You, Who takes away the sin of the world: receive our prayer.
You, Who sits at the right hand of God the Father: have mercy on us.
For You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord. You alone, Jesus Christ, are Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every night will I give thanks to You and praise Your name for ever and ever. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, be merciful to me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I flee to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For with You is the fountain of Life and in Your light shall we see light. Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Count us worthy, Lord, of passing this night without sin Blessed are You, Lord God of our Fathers; may Your Name be praised and glorified unto the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be upon us, Lord, for we have placed our hope in You.
Blessed are You, Lord, teach me your commandments.
Blessed are You, Master, grant me understanding of Your statutes.
Blessed are You, Holy One, enlighten me by Your precepts.
Lord, Your mercy endures to the ages; despise not the work of Your Hands.
To You belongs worship, to You belongs praise, to You belongs glory; to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Creed
I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages.
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, being 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;
Who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried;
And on the third day He rose from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father;
And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His Kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
In One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
THE AKATHIST
Kontakion 1
All: Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: for eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praise, both now and in the time to come. Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Ikos 1
Leader: I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of Your providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name.
All: Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life's journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 2
Leader: O Lord, how lovely it is to be Your guest. Breeze full of scents; mountains reaching to the skies; waters like boundless mirrors, reflecting the sun's golden rays and the scudding clouds. All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing the depth of tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Your love. Blessed are you, mother earth, in your fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever, in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, rings out the cry: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Leader: You have brought me into life as if into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. We can live very well on Your earth. It is a pleasure to be Your guest.
All: Glory to You for the feast-day of life.
Glory to You for the perfume of lilies and roses.
Glory to You for each different taste of berry and fruit.
Glory to You for the sparkling silver of early morning dew.
Glory to You for the joy of dawn's awakening.
Glory to You for the new life each day brings.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 3
Leader: It is the Holy Spirit Who makes us find joy in each flower — the exquisite scent, the delicate color, the beauty of the Most High in the tiniest of things. Glory and honor to the Spirit, the Giver of Life, Who covers the fields with their carpet of flowers, crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it with our eyes. O be joyful and sing to Him: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Leader: How glorious You are in the springtime, when every creature awakens to new life and joyfully sings Your praises with a thousand tongues! You are the source of life, the destroyer of death. By the light of the moon, nightingales sing, and the valleys and hills lie like wedding-garments, white as snow. All the earth is Your promised bride awaiting her spotless Husband. If the grass of the field is like this, how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the Second Coming, after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, how spotless our souls!
All: Glory to You, bringing from the depth of the earth an endless variety of colors, tastes and scents.
Glory to You for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature.
Glory to You for the numberless creatures around us.
Glory to You for the depths of Your wisdom — the whole world a living sign of it.
Glory to You: on my knees, I kiss the traces of Your unseen hand.
Glory to You, enlightening us with the clarity of eternal life.
Glory to You for the hope of the unutterable, imperishable beauty of immortality.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 4
Leader: How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on You: how life-giving Your holy Word. To speak with You is more soothing than anointing with oil, sweeter than the honeycomb. To pray to You lifts the spirit, refreshes the soul. Where You are not, there is only emptiness; hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, becomes sorrowful. Where You are, the soul is filled with abundance, and its song resounds like a torrent of life: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Leader: When the sun is setting, when quietness falls, like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the spent day reigns, then in the splendor of its declining rays, filtering through the clouds, I see Your dwelling-place. Fiery and purple, gold and blue, they speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of Your presence, and call to us in their majesty. We turn to the Father:
All: Glory to You at the hushed hour of nightfall.
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace.
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets.
Glory to You for sleep's repose that restores us.
Glory to You for Your goodness, even in time of darkness, when all the world is hidden from our eyes.
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul.
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening on the glorious last day, that day which has no evening.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 5
Leader: The dark storm-clouds of life bring no terror to those in whose hearts Your fire is burning brightly. Outside is the darkness of the whirlwind, the terror and howling of the storm, but in the heart, in the presence of Christ, there is light and peace, silence. The heart sings: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Leader: I see Your heavens resplendent with stars. How glorious You are, radiant with light! Eternity watches me by the rays of the distant stars. I am small, insignificant, but the Lord is at my side: Your right arm guides me wherever I go.
All: Glory to You, ceaselessly watching over me.
Glory to You for the encounters You arrange for me.
Glory to You for the love of parents, for the faithfulness of friends.
Glory to You for the humbleness of the animals which serve me.
Glory to You for the unforgettable moments of life.
Glory to You for the heart's innocent joy.
Glory to You for the joy of living, moving, and being able to return Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 6
Leader: How great and how close You are in the powerful track of the storm! How mighty Your right arm in the blinding flash of the lightning! How awesome Your majesty! The voice of the Lord fills the fields, it speaks in the rustling of the trees. The voice of the Lord is in the thunder and the downpour. The voice of the Lord is heard above the waters. Praise be to You in the roar of mountains ablaze. You shake the earth like a garment; You pile up to the sky the waves of the sea. Praise be to You, bringing low the pride of man. You bring from his heart a cry of penitence: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Leader: When the lightning flash has lit up the camp dining hall, how feeble seems the light from the lamp. Thus do You, like the lightning, unexpectedly light up my heart with flashes of intense joy. After Your blinding light, how drab, how colorless, how illusory all else seems.
All: Glory to You, the highest peak of men's dreaming.
Glory to You for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God.
Glory to You, making us dissatisfied with earthly things.
Glory to You, turning on us Your healing rays.
Glory to You, subduing the power of the spirits of darkness, and dooming to death every evil.
Glory to You for the signs of Your presence, for the joy of hearing Your voice and living in Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 7
Leader: In the wondrous blending of sounds, it is Your call we hear. In the harmony of many voices, in the sublime beauty of music, in the glory of the works of great composers, You lead us to the threshold of paradise to come, and to the choirs of angels. All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards You and make it sing in ecstasy: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Leader: The breath of Your Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets, scientists. The power of Your supreme knowledge makes them prophets and interpreters of Your laws, who reveal the depths of Your creative wisdom. Their works speak unwittingly of You. How great are You in Your creation! How great are You in man!
All: Glory to You, showing Your unsurpassable power in the laws of the universe.
Glory to You, for all nature is filled with Your laws.
Glory to You for what You have revealed to us in Your mercy.
Glory to You for what You have hidden from us in Your wisdom.
Glory to You for the inventiveness of the human mind.
Glory to You for the dignity of man's labor.
Glory to You for the tongues of fire that bring inspiration.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 8
Leader: How near You are in the day of sickness. You Yourself visit the sick. You Yourself bend over the sufferer's bed; his heart speaks to You. In the throes of sorrow and suffering, You bring peace; You bring unexpected consolation. You are the Comforter. You are the Love which watches over and heals us. To You we sing the song: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Leader: When in my childhood I called upon You consciously for the first time, You heard my prayer; You filled my heart with the blessing of peace. At that moment I knew Your goodness, knew how blessed are those who turn to You. I started to call upon You, night and day, and even now, I call upon Your Name:
All: Glory to You, satisfying my desires with good things.
Glory to You, watching over me day and night.
Glory to You, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing flow of time.
Glory to You; no loss is irreparable in You, giver of eternal life to all.
Glory to You, making immortal all that is lofty and good.
Glory to You, promising us the longed-for meeting with our loved ones who have died.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 9
Leader: Why is it that on a feast-day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles? Why is it that then a heavenly gladness fills our hearts, a gladness far beyond that of earth, and the very air in church and in the altar becomes luminous? It is the breath of Your gracious love; it is the reflection of the glory of Mount Tabor. Then do heaven and earth sing Your praise: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Leader: When You called me to serve my brothers and filled my soul with humility, one of Your deep-piercing rays shone into my heart; it became luminous, full of light, like iron glowing in the furnace. I have seen Your face, face of mystery and of unapproachable glory.
All: Glory to You, transfiguring our lives with deeds of love.
Glory to You, making wonderfully sweet the keeping of Your commandments.
Glory to You, making Yourself known where man shows mercy on his neighbor.
Glory to You, sending us failure and misfortune, that we may understand the sorrows of others.
Glory to You, rewarding us so well for the good we do.
Glory to You, welcoming the impulse of our heart's love.
Glory to You, raising to the heights of heaven every act of love in earth and sky.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 10
Leader: No one can put together what has crumbled into dust, but You can restore a conscience turned to ashes; You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With You, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. You are Love; You are Creator and Redeemer. We praise You, singing: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Leader: Remember, my God, the fall of Lucifer, full of pride; keep me safe with the power of Your grace. Save me from falling away from You; save me from doubt. Incline my heart to call upon You, present in everything.
All: Glory to You for every happening, every condition Your Providence has put me in.
Glory to You for what You speak to me in my heart.
Glory to You for what You reveal to me, asleep or awake.
Glory to You for scattering our vain imaginations.
Glory to You for raising us from the slough of our passions through suffering.
Glory to You for curing our pride of heart by humiliation.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 11
Leader: Across the cold chains of the centuries, I feel the warmth of Your breath; I feel Your blood pulsing in my veins. Part of time has already gone, but now You are the present. I stand by Your cross; I was the cause of it. I cast myself down in the dust before it. Here is the triumph of love, the victory of salvation. Here the centuries themselves cannot remain silent, singing Your praises: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Leader: Blessed are they that will share in the King's banquet; but already on earth You give me a foretaste of this blessedness. How many times with Your own hand have You held out to me Your Body and Your Blood, and I, though a miserable sinner, have received this Sacrament, and have tasted Your love, so ineffable, so heavenly!
All: Glory to You for the unquenchable fire of Your grace.
Glory to You, building Your Church, a haven of peace in a tortured world.
Glory to You for the life-giving water of baptism in which we find new birth.
Glory to You, restoring to the penitent purity white as the lily.
Glory to You for the Cup of Salvation and the Bread of eternal joy.
Glory to You for exalting us to the highest heaven.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 12
Leader: How often have I seen the reflection of Your glory in the faces of the dead. How resplendent they were, with beauty and heavenly joy; how ethereal, how translucent their faces; how triumphant over suffering and death, their felicity and peace. Even in the silence they were calling upon You. In the hour of my death, enlighten my soul, too, that it may cry out to You: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Leader: What sort of praise can I give You? I have never heard the song of the cherubim, a joy reserved for the spirits above. But I know the praises that nature sings to You. In winter, I have beheld how silently in the moonlight the whole earth offers You prayer, clad in its white mantle of snow, sparkling like diamonds. I have seen how the rising sun rejoices in You, how the song of the birds is a chorus of praise to You. I have heard the mysterious murmurings of the forests about You, and the winds singing Your praise as they stir the waters. I have understood how the choirs of stars proclaim Your glory as they move forever in the depths of infinite space. What is my poor worship? All nature obeys You; I do not. Yet while I live, I see Your love, I long to thank You, pray to You, and call upon Your Name:
All: Glory to You, giving us light.
Glory to You, loving us with love so deep, divine, and infinite.
Glory to You, blessing us with light, and with the host of angels and saints.
Glory to You, Father All-Holy, promising us a share in Your Kingdom.
Glory to You, Holy Spirit, Life-giving Sun of the world to come.
Glory to You for all things, holy and most merciful Trinity.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 13 (said three times)
Leader: Life-giving and merciful Trinity, receive my thanksgiving for all Your goodness. Make us worthy of Your blessings, so that, when we have brought to fruit the talents You have entrusted to us, we may enter into the joy of our Lord, forever exulting in the shout of victory: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Kontakion 13 is said three times. Then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated (below).
Ikos 1 (repeated)
Leader: I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of Your providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name.
All: Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life's journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
All: Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: for eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praise, both now and in the time to come. Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Hymn to the Birth-Giver of God
It is right, in truth, to glorify you, the Birth-Giver of God, the Ever-Blessed, wholly immaculate, and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim.
You, Who without defilement did bare God the Word, true Birth- Giver of God, we magnify You.
Trisagion
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal. Have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory… now and ever ... Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory… now and ever ... 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 the evil one.
Leader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.
Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Come, let us worship God our King!
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and our God!
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God!
Hymns
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, that I may not sleep in death; lest my enemy say: I have prevailed against him.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Be the Defender of my soul, O God, for I walk in the midst of many snares. Deliver me and save me, O Good One, for You are the Lover of mankind!
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
As there is no boldness in us because of the multitude of our sins, Virgin Birth-Giver of God, intercede with the Son Whom you have borne, for the entreaty of a mother has great power to win the favor of the Master. Do not despise the prayers of sinners, all-venerable Lady, for He Who took upon Himself to suffer for our sake is merciful and strong to save.
Prayers
O God of our fathers, Who always deals with us according to Your meekness; take not Your mercy from us, but by their prayers direct our lives in peace.
Adorned in the blood of Your martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine lines, Your Church scries out to You through them, O Christ God: send down Your compassions to Your people, grant peace to Your habitation, and grant mercy to our souls.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
O Christ, rest the souls of Your servant with the saints, where there is no pain, sorry, or sighing, but life everlasting.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the prayers of the Birth-Giver of God and of all the saints, O Lord, grant us Your peace and have mercy on us, for You alone are compassionate.
Lord have mercy. (forty times)
Prayer of the Hours
Christ our God, at every season and every hour, in heaven and on earth, You are worshipped and glorified.
You are long-suffering, merciful and compassionate, loving the just and showing mercy to the sinner; calling all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come.
Lord, in this hour receive our supplications and direct our lives according to Your commandments.
Sanctify our souls, hallow our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds. Deliver us from all tribulations, evil and distress.
Surround us with Your holy angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may come to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim; without corruption you gave birth to God the Word: true Birth-Giver of God, we magnify you!
Leader: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.
The Supplicatory Prayer to the Most Holy Birth-Giver of God
O undefiled, untainted, uncorrupted, most pure, chaste Virgin, Bride of God and Sovereign Lady, united the Word of God to mankind through your most glorious birth giving, and linked the apostate nature of our race with the heavenly; who is the only hope of the hopeless, the helper of the struggling, the ever-ready protection of all who flee to you, and the refuge of all Christians:
Do not shrink with loathing from me a sinner, defiled, who with polluted thoughts, words, and deeds have made myself utterly unprofitable, and through slothfulness of mind have become a slave to the pleasures of life. But as the Birth-Giver of God who loves mankind, show your love for mankind and mercifully have compassion upon me a sinner and prodigal, and accept my supplication, which is offered to you out of my defiled mouth; and making use of your motherly boldness, entreat your Son and our Lord that He may be pleased to open for me the depths of His loving kindness and graciousness to mankind, and, disregarding my numberless offenses, will turn me back to repentance, and show me to be a well-skilled worker of His commandments.
And, in your mercy and compassion, always stand before me in this present life as a fervent intercessor and helper, repelling the assaults of adversaries and guiding me to salvation; and at the time of my departure taking care of my miserable soul, and driving far away from it the dark countenances of the evil demons; lastly, at the dreadful day of judgment delivering me from torment eternal and showing me to be an heir of the ineffable glory of your Son and our God. This be my lot, O my Sovereign Lady, most holy Birth-Giver of God, in virtue of your intercession and protection; through the grace and love toward mankind of you only begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, together with His unoriginate Father, and His Most Holy and good and life-giveing Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ, by Antiochus the monk
And grant unto us, O Master, in the coming sleep, rest for body and soul, and preserve us from the gloomy slumber of sin, and from every dark and nocturnal sensuality. Subdue the impulses of passions, extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one that are cunningly hurled against us, assuage the rebellions of our flesh, and every earthly and fleshly subtlety of ours lull to sleep. And grant unto us, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thought, a sober heart, a sleep gentle and free from every satanic illusion. Raise us up at the time of prayer firmly grounded in Thy judgments. All the night long grant us a doxology, that we may hymn and bless and glorify Your most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 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 the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
O Lord, bless.
Leader: (facing the East, rather than facing the people): *O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Your are good and the Lover of mankind.
People: Amen.
O God, remit, pardon, forgive, our offenses, both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance, by day and by night, in mind and thought; forgive us all things, for You are good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
Leader: O Lord, Lover of mankind, forgive those that hate and wrong us. Do good to those that do good.
Grant our brothers and sisters and kindred their saving petitions and life eternal; visit the infirm and grant them healing.
Guide those at sea. Journey with them that travel.
Help Orthodox Christians to struggle.
To those that serve and are kind to us grant remissions of sins.
To those who have asked us, unworthy though we be, to pray for them, have mercy according to your great mercy.
Remember, O Lord, our fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters who have departed this life before us, and grant them rest where the light of Your countenance shines.
Remember, O Lord, those in captivity, and deliver them from every misfortune.
Remember, O Lord, those that bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches, and grant them their saving petitions and life eternal.
Remember also, O Lord, us Your lowly, sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Your knowledge, and guide us in the way of Your commandments; through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Birth-Giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all your saints, for blessed art You to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
People: Amen.
Community Forgiveness
It is customary for all to ask forgiveness of each other individually at the end of the service. The usual form is to give the kiss of peace and say "Forgive me, brother/sister", with the response being "God forgives."