St. Michael the Archangel
Orthodox Christian Community
Pickens, South Carolina
Akathist to the Mother of God
“The Inexhaustible Cup”
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
Leader: A Wonderful and Marvelous Healing has been given to us by Your Holy Icon, O Sovereign Lady Theotokos. By its appearance we have been delivered from spiritual and physical ills and from sorrowful circumstances. We bring You our Thankful Praise, O All-Merciful Protectress. O Sovereign Lady, who we call "The Inexhaustible Cup": bend down Your Ear and Mercifully Hear our lamentations and tears that we bring to You, and Give Your Healing to those who suffer from addiction, so that we may cry out to You with faith:
All: Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Ikos 1
Leader: Angelic Powers and multitudes of Saints continually Glorify You, The Theotokos, Queen of all, the Intercessor for us sinful Christians wallowing in lawlessness and remaining in sins. It is for our consolation and Salvation that You in Your Mercy gave us Your Miraculous Icon, so that looking upon it, as at the one and only star among a multitude of stars on a starlit night, we may prostrate ourselves, shouting from the very depths of our hearts:
All: Rejoice, Dwelling Place of the Unapproachable God.
Rejoice, Constant Wonder of mankind.
Rejoice, Perfect Cleanser of our sins through sorrows.
Rejoice, Healer of our infirmities through afflictions.
Rejoice, through Your Miraculous Icon, You Bring us Your Heavenly Mercy.
Rejoice, O Joy of our grieving hearts.
Rejoice, our Wonderful Reconciliation with God.
Rejoice, Eternal Deliverance from Gehenna.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 2
Leader: On seeing the deep sorrow and grief of people possessed by the destructive vice of addiction, and also their true repentance, You have willed, O most Holy Lady, to show Your Mercy to the blessed city of Serpukov by the appearance of Your Miraculous Icon "The Inexhaustible Cup", so that all who fall down before it with faith and a contrite heart will receive Healing from this grievous illness, and cry to God from the depths of their hearts: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Leader: Having understood the meaning of the threefold apparition of St. Varlaam, and his order to go to the city of Serpukov, the man possessed by the illness of addiction did so, and there, in a monastery he found Your Holy Icon called "The Inexhaustible Cup". On seeing such Mercy bestowed on us sinners, we cry out to You with veneration:
All: Rejoice, through pious people, You show to us sinners the glory of Your Marvelous Work.
Rejoice, Discerning Guide, showing us the Way of Salvation.
Rejoice, O Teacher, by Your Goodness You attract us to Yourself.
Rejoice, by bestowing on us Your Great Blessings, You teach us gratefulness.
Rejoice, by making us know hope beyond doubt, You give us gladness of heart.
Rejoice, You destroy our destructive passions.
Rejoice, You help us in our good intentions.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 3
Leader: The Power of the Almighty and the Grace of the Sovereign Mother of God Strengthened a man suffering from addiction. In obedience to the Theotokos, as instructed by St. Varlaam, he set out for the city of Serpukov, in spite of his paralyzed legs. On his arrival, he found the Icon of the Most Pure Theotokos, and was Healed from the illness of his soul and body. Therefore, from the very depth of his heart, he Gratefully exclaimed to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Leader: You are an Inexhaustible Fountain, a Cup of Heavenly Gifts which always remains full. And the people of the city of Serpukov, as well as all Orthodox, from every city and village, who come to Your Most Wonderful Icon, "The Inexhaustible Cup", are Healed. And so, with Grateful lips they cry out to You:
All: Rejoice, Font in which our sins are submerged.
Rejoice, Chalice by which we receive the Joy of our Salvation.
Rejoice, You attend to our spiritual and physical ills.
Rejoice, Your Prayers tame our passions.
Rejoice, You Give to each according to his needs.
Rejoice, Giver of Immeasurable Compassion to all.
Rejoice, You have opened for us the Treasury of Mercies.
Rejoice, Revealer of Loving Kindness to those who have fallen.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 4
Leader: People laden with passions and addictions, doubting of ever finding deliverance, come with repentance to Your Inexpressible Mercy. And on having been Healed, from the very depths of their hearts they cry to our Savior Born of You: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Leader: On seeing the sorrow and tears of parents, wives and children whose family members are possessed by the passion of addiction, the Lord Gave us Your Icon, O Theotokos, and all who come to it receive Consolation and Spiritual Joy. And so, we cry out to You with tears of Gratitude:
All: Rejoice, Ewe Lamb, You Gave Birth to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
Rejoice, Cup drawing Joy from the Source of Immortality.
Rejoice, You are the alleviation of the grief of sorrowing mothers.
Rejoice, You are the Hope of the hopeless.
Rejoice, You Gracefully Protect those who come to You.
Rejoice, You are the Gladness and Joy of those in grief.
Rejoice, Calmer of the inner turmoil caused by addiction.
Rejoice, Divine Mercy-Seat extending Your Aid to those who seek it.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 5
Leader: O Most Gracious Lady, You have shown us Your Holy Icon to be a Divinely Radiant Star which leads to God, so that looking upon it and Praying to You, we may say: O Theotokos, Give Healing to those who are suffering from addictions and any other illness of soul and body, and teach us all to Praise God, Singing: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Leader: O Theotokos, on seeing the Marvels granted to those who humbly Venerate You, Wonders pouring from Your Icon that Miraculously appeared in Serpukov, and also from those that are replicas of it, we cry out to You:
All: Rejoice, You are a Speedy Protectress of all who come to You.
Rejoice, Gracious Hearer of our supplications.
Rejoice, Blessing Overarching the city of Serpukov.
Rejoice, You Reveal Glorious Miracles to distant realms.
Rejoice, Inexhaustible Treasury for all in need of Healing.
Rejoice, Invincible Patroness of those who strive for sobriety.
Rejoice, Champion Leader of those who fight against the world, the flesh, the devil and addiction.
Rejoice, Fervent Intercessor of those who lead a pure life.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 6
Leader: O Theotokos, we Proclaim Your Wonders that pour forth from Your Icon, "The Inexhaustible Cup", and with tears we Pray to You: Save us all from the passions of addictions and sins, and teach us, O Pure One, to abstain from all impurity, and to Sing to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Leader: Radiant with the Light of Divine Glory, You look at Your Son, the Eternal God and Lord Jesus Christ, Standing in the Chalice as shown in Your Icon mysteriously called "The Inexhaustible Cup"; and through it Grant Deliverance from the passion of addiction to us who run to You with faith and offer with tears this Unceasing Praise:
All: Rejoice, for the Ranks of Angels and men
Rejoice because of You.
Rejoice, for Your glory surpasses both human and Heavenly Praise.
Rejoice, You have revealed to us the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist by showing the Image of Your Son in The Chalice.
Rejoice, You show us the Lamb Born of You Who is always eaten but never consumed.
Rejoice, Chalice of Life and Immortality that leads us to the Gates of Eternal Life.
Rejoice, You fill our thirsty souls with the Water from the Fountain of Immortality.
Rejoice, Inexhaustible Grace, who does not withhold Your Blessing even from the most rejected and despised.
Rejoice, by Your Compassion, You pull us away from the pit of perdition.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 7
Leader: A man wanted to thank You, O Theotokos, for healing from addiction, so he adorned Your Miraculous Icon that is in Serpukov, Singing to God from the depths of his heart: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Leader: We see a new Wonder from Your Holy Icon, O Theotokos. A servant of God, Stephen, a victim of the disease of addiction, was imploring Your Maternal Intercession, and he has been Granted a Cure. So, in gratitude he adorned Your Icon with rich gifts and falling before it, he called to You with tears:
All: Rejoice, Life-Giving Spring of Healing.
Rejoice, Heavenly Chalice of Divine Gifts.
Rejoice, Ever-Flowing River of Healing.
Rejoice, Sea in which our passions are laid to rest.
Rejoice, Maternal Hands raising up those fallen under the weight of addiction.
Rejoice, Receiver of our gifts of gratitude.
Rejoice, Giver of Joy to those whose hearts are pure.
Rejoice, Fulfiller of all our good petitions.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 8
Leader: It must be strange and incredible to unbelievers to hear that Your Icon "The Inexhaustible Cup" Bestows Miracles of Divine Healing. But to us who Believe in Your Words about Your Original Icon: "The Grace of the One Born of Me, and of My Own Will Always be with this Icon,” know that this present Icon also Exudes Your Mercy. And so, Reverently we Venerate it, Crying to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Leader: People suffering from addictions place all their hope in You, O Sovereign Lady. Draw near to our infirmities and our passions. For who but You, O Theotokos, shall raise us out of the pit of perdition and physical and spiritual misery? And having bent our knees, we cry out to You:
All: Rejoice, You do not reject the prayers of those who are sinful.
Rejoice, You Give Your Heavenly Help to those who ask for it.
Rejoice, You show the depth of Your Compassion to sinners.
Rejoice, You Give Encouragement to those who have lost all hope.
Rejoice, You extend Your Helping Hand to those who suffer from addiction.
Rejoice, by Your Gift of Grace, You console those who suffer patiently.
Rejoice, You nurse our physical and spiritual illnesses.
Rejoice, You teach us to despise the empty pleasures of this life.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 9
Leader: All the Angels are amazed at Your Mercy, O Lord, for You have Given to sinful mankind a strong Protectress and Helper. She looks down at our weakness and Heals those suffering from the bitter disease of addiction, teaching the faithful to sing: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Leader: The most exalted human mind cannot praise enough the appearance of Your Glorious Icon, O Sovereign Lady. Nor can we sinners bring from our sinful lips a glorification worthy of our Protectress. On having seen innumerable Miracles coming from Your Icon, we
All: Rejoice in our heart and spirit and proclaim:
Rejoice, Holy Image pouring forth Miracles.
Rejoice, You speedily deliver us from misfortune and sorrow.
Rejoice, You put to shame those who deny You.
Rejoice, You Protect from every evil those who come to You.
Rejoice, by Your Gentle Radiance, You disperse the darkness of our passions and our sins.
Rejoice, You fill our hearts with Love for Your Son and for Yourself.
Rejoice, You show us Wisdom and the path of repentance.
Rejoice, You are our Mediatress before the Righteous Judge.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 10
Leader: Wishing to save all those who suffer from addictions, You have given us Your Wonderful Icon, O Theotokos, so that all who are bound by passions might come to Your Miraculous Image; and having been Healed, may tenderly cry out to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Leader: You are a wall and shield, O Lady Theotokos, for those who suffer from addiction, and for all who come to You fervently and who Piously Venerate Your Holy Icon; for the Lord God gave it to Help and Heal us from destructive addictions. And He inspires us to Sing to You:
All: Rejoice, You alleviate our sufferings and Give Hope to those who are in despair.
Rejoice, You are the Healer of the diseases of our souls and bodies.
Rejoice, with Your Purity, You wipe away our corruption.
Rejoice, by Your Holiness, You Illumine our unworthiness by Your Grace.
Rejoice, by Your Cloak of Compassion, You clothe our mortal body.
Rejoice, by Your Strength, You fortify our prayers.
Rejoice, You Strengthen us in our weakness.
Rejoice, You disperse the dark clouds of passions that surround us.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 11
Leader: O Pure One, do not despise the humble hymn we bring to You from fullness of love and zeal; and do not turn away Your Face from those who suffer from addiction and despair, but Help us, so that we also may be cleansed from every impurity and may rightly and justly Sing to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Leader: We see You, O Most Holy Virgin, as a Light-Bestowing Lamp, Shining Ineffably with Rays of Grace among the choirs of Saints. We implore You: with Your Enlightenment Shine through the darkness of our sins and place us on the Bright Path of the Virtues, as we with these praises honor You:
All: Rejoice, by the intercessions of St. Domnica, You save us from the vanity of this world.
Rejoice, by her pleading, You Help us to overcome passions of the flesh.
Rejoice, by the Prayers of the Holy Hieromartyr Haralambus, You fill our hearts with pious thoughts.
Rejoice, by his Pleading, You Illumine our conscience.
Rejoice, by the Prayers of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva, You deliver those who suffer from addiction.
Rejoice, by her intercession, You call us to repentance and watchfulness.
Rejoice, together with the Holy Hieromartyr Antipas, You soften embittered souls.
Rejoice, with him, You Save those who call on Your Name.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 12
Leader: The Grace that shines through Your Icon "The Inexhaustible Cup" calls to it all those who suffer, all the unfortunate, widows and orphans, and especially those who are ill with the disease of addiction. No one departs empty-handed from Your Inexhaustible Cup, O All-Good One, but are Filled with Divine Gifts; so that having Received Healing and Help, they may sing to You: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Leader: Praising Your Wonders and the Great Mercy that You show to those who suffer from addictions, we beg You, O Compassionate One: Save and Have Mercy on us, show us the right path and do not reject us who seek Your Protection and call out to You:
All: Rejoice, You sustain us on the path to sobriety.
Rejoice, by the dew of Your Mercy, You deliver us from the passion of addiction.
Rejoice, You are a constant Aid to those suffering from the oppressive sin of addiction.
Rejoice, You are a speedy Help to those who suffer from all kinds of dependence.
Rejoice, You are a Guide and an Encouragement to those fallen in spirit.
Rejoice, You are a Great Joy to the upright in heart.
Rejoice, You make meek the proud.
Rejoice, You exalt the humble and wish Salvation to all.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 13 (said three times)
Leader: O All-Merciful Mother of our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, Hear our Prayer: deliver us from every infirmity of soul and body and especially Free Your servant(s) [name(s)] suffering from all manners of addictions, so that [he, she, they] may not perish but be Saved and would Always Sing to God: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Kontakion 13 is read three times; then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated below.
Ikos 1 (repeated)
Leader: Angelic Powers and multitudes of Saints continually Glorify You, The Theotokos, Queen of all, the Intercessor for us sinful Christians wallowing in lawlessness and remaining in sins. It is for our consolation and Salvation that You in Your Mercy gave us Your Miraculous Icon, so that looking upon it, as at the one and only star among a multitude of stars on a starlit night, we may prostrate ourselves, shouting from the very depths of our hearts:
All: Rejoice, Dwelling Place of the Unapproachable God.
Rejoice, Constant Wonder of mankind.
Rejoice, Perfect Cleanser of our sins through sorrows.
Rejoice, Healer of our infirmities through afflictions.
Rejoice, through Your Miraculous Icon, You Bring us Your Heavenly Mercy.
Rejoice, O Joy of our grieving hearts.
Rejoice, our Wonderful Reconciliation with God.
Rejoice, Eternal Deliverance from Gehenna.
Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
Leader: A Wonderful and Marvelous Healing has been given to us by Your Holy Icon, O Sovereign Lady Theotokos. By its appearance we have been delivered from spiritual and physical ills and from sorrowful circumstances. We bring You our Thankful Praise, O All-Merciful Protectress. O Sovereign Lady, who we call "The Inexhaustible Cup": bend down Your Ear and Mercifully Hear our lamentations and tears that we bring to You, and Give Your Healing to those who suffer from addiction, so that we may cry out to You with faith:
All: Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst!
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."