St. Michael the Archangel
Orthodox Christian Community
Pickens, South Carolina
Akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael
Patron of this Community
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: O chosen leader of the heavenly hosts and defender of the human race, we that are delivered by thee from afflictions offer unto thee this hymn of thanksgiving; and as thou dost stand before the throne of the King of Glory, do thou free us from all dangers, that with faith and love we may cry unto thee in praise:
All: Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Ikos 1
Leader: With the tongues of angels it is meet that thou be praised as first among the fiery choirs of angels, O Michael; but until we are taught by thee the tongue of the bodiless ones, hearken thou to such things as these from tongues which, though human, are yet thankful:
All: Rejoice, primordial star of the world!
Rejoice, candle of truth and righteousness brightly gleaming!
Rejoice, first receiver of the rays of the uncreated light among the choirs of angels!
Rejoice, captain of Angels and Archangels!
Rejoice, thou in whom the glory of the Maker's right hand shineth most of all!
Rejoice, thou by whom the assemblies of all the bodiless creation are adorned!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 2
Leader: Perceiving with the eyes of faith the greatness of thy spiritual beauty and the power of thy right hand which beareth lightning, O Archangel of God, we, as earthly ones and wrapped in flesh, are filled with wonder, joy, and thanksgiving to the Creator of all, crying out with all the hosts of heaven: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Leader: A mind pure and free of passions do thou entreat for us, O most wondrous Michael, leader of the heavenly ranks, that having ascended in thought from the earthly to the heavenly, we may sing to thee a hymn of praise thus:
All: Rejoice, nearest beholder of the ineffable beauty and goodness of God!
Rejoice, intimate initiate of the all-good counsels of the Most Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, faithful fulfiller of the pre-eternal judgments of the Trinity!
Rejoice, thou at whom the heavenly armies are lovingly amazed!
Rejoice, thou whom those born of earth glorify with faith!
Rejoice, thou before whom the hosts of hades tremble!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 3
Leader: Manifesting within thyself the invincible power of zeal for the glory of God, thou didst stand at the head of the choirs of angels against the malice-breathing most-proud morning star. With him and his dark comrades being cast down from on high to the nether regions, the heavenly armies most gloriously led by thee, with gladness, as with one mouth, before the throne of God cried aloud: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Leader: All the Christian race hath thee, O Archangel Michael, as a great protector and a wondrous helper in battle with adversaries; therefore, desiring to be vouchsafed thy most wondrous protection, we cry to thee on the day of thy festival thus:
All: Rejoice, thou by whom Satan was hurled down like lightning from Heaven!
Rejoice, thou by whom the protected human race goeth up to Heaven!
Rejoice, most wondrous adornment of the all-radiant world above!
Rejoice, most glorious defense of the fallen world below!
Rejoice, thou who wast in no wise vanquished by the powers of evil!
Rejoice, thou who with all the angels of God hast been established in truth and righteousness forever by the Grace of God!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 4
Leader: From the tempest of temptations and dangers do thou deliver us who with love and joy celebrate thy most radiant festival, O foremost of the angels; for thou art a great helper in misfortunes, and at the hour of death a guardian and intercessor against evil spirits for all that cry to thy and our Master and God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Leader: Seeing thy boldness against the legions of Satan, all the ranks of the angels strove with joy to follow thee into battle for the name and glory of their Master, crying aloud: Who is like unto God? And knowing that Satan was cast down beneath thy feet, we cry out to thee as victor:
All: Rejoice, thou through whom peace and tranquility were established in Heaven!
Rejoice, thou by whom the spirits of evil were put down even unto hades!
Rejoice, thou who dost direct the angelic armies and the hosts of the invisible world to the destruction of evil!
Rejoice, thou who, unseen, dost quell the strife and turmoil of the elements of the visible world!
Rejoice, wondrous defender of them that wage warfare against the spirits of evil under the heavens!
Rejoice, strong helper of them that weaken amid the temptations and dangers of this age!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 5
Leader: A divinely-flowing fountain of most great miracles didst thou reveal thyself to be in thy temple at Chonae, for not only was the great and terrible serpent which abode in that place destroyed by thy power, but also streams of water which heal every bodily ailment were revealed, that all might cry out with faith to the Master of the angels Who doth glorify thee: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Leader: Hearing and knowing thee to be a great beacon shining among the choirs of angels, O most wondrous Michael, to thee, after God and the most holy Mother of God, we flee; illumine with the rays of thy light all of us that cry unto thee:
All: Rejoice, conductor and guardian of the God-chosen people in the wilderness!
Rejoice, great intermediary of the law given on Sinai by the hand of Moses!
Rejoice, thou through whom the judges and leaders of Israel found strength and protection!
Rejoice, thou through whom the prophets and high priests of the Jews received the gift of knowledge from the omniscient God!
Rejoice, thou who providest the God-fearing lawgivers with mystical wisdom!
Rejoice, thou who places judgment and righteousness in the hearts of them that do good!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 6
Leader: When once Manoah saw thee, the proclaimer of the judgments of God, he was filled with doubt and fear, thinking that he would live no longer on earth; but learning from his wife of the goodness of thine appearance and the meekness of thy words, and that he was to beget, according to thy word, his son Sampson, in joy and thanksgiving he cried to God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Leader: Thou didst shine forth wondrously with glory, O Michael, when thou didst stand before Joshua, son of Nun, in the form of a man, saying: Loose thy sandal from off thy foot; I am the supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord. Marveling at such an appearance of thine, with love we cry unto thee:
All: Rejoice, vigilant guardian of divinely-crowned heads!
Rejoice, speedy subduer of them that oppose authority as opposers of the command of God!
Rejoice, pacifier of disturbance among the people!
Rejoice, invisible abolisher of the customs of the impious!
Rejoice, for thou dost enlighten them that doubt in the hour of cruel perplexity!
Rejoice, for thou dost free the tempted from pernicious slander!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 7
Leader: Desiring to show that the lot of the children of men is not haphazard, but is continually held in His right hand, the Master of all gave thee as a helper and guardian to the kingdoms of the earth, that thou mightest prepare the tribes and peoples for the eternal kingdom of God; therefore all, knowing of thy great service to the salvation of mankind, thankfully cry unto God: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Leader: New wonders did the Maker and Master of all show us on earth through thee, O supreme commander, when thou didst wondrously save the temple dedicated to thy name from inundation by the waters of the river, commanding the streams of the torrent to flow into a cavern of the earth: seeing this, the blessed Archippus with his spiritual children thankfully cried aloud to thee:
All: Rejoice, indestructible rampart of the holy temples of God!
Rejoice, invincible barrier to enemies of the Christian Faith!
Rejoice, thou through whose command the elements are brought under subjection!
Rejoice, thou by whom all evil designs are defeated!
Rejoice, thou who bearest joy to the faithful from the throne of the Almighty!
Rejoice, thou who leadest unbelievers to the path of truth and righteousness!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 8
Leader: A strange miracle of thy power, O supreme commander of God, did Abbachum himself experience when, according to the command of God to transport him, thou didst bear him speedily from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel, who was imprisoned in the lions' den; wherefore, marvelling at the great act of thy power, he cried out with faith: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Leader: Thou art in the highest, O Michael, standing before the throne of the King of Glory, yet not far from those below, battling continually with the enemies of man's salvation. Wherefore, all that desire to reach the longed-for heavenly homeland cry out to thee with one accord:
All: Rejoice, leader of the thrice-holy hymn of the angels!
Rejoice, ever ready mediator and guardian of those born of earth!
Rejoice, thou who didst strike down proud Pharaoh and the unbelieving Egyptians in a wondrous manner!
Rejoice, thou who didst most gloriously lead the faithful Jews in the wilderness!
Rejoice, thou through whom the flame was quenched in the furnace of Babylon!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 9
Leader: All the monks of holy Mount Athos in joyful trembling came, beholding how thou didst save the God-fearing youth who had been violently cast into the depths of the sea with stones by ungodly lovers of money; wherefore, the monastery adorned with thy name, having received him, thankfully cried out to the Lord: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Leader: The words of orators and the thoughts of philosophers do not suffice to tell of thy power, O Michael; how in one night thou didst strike down one hundred eighty-five thousand of the warriors of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, that he might learn to blaspheme the name of the Lord no more. And we, honoring thy holy zeal for the glory of the true God, with gladness cry to thee:
All: Rejoice, unconquerable leader of Orthodox armies!
Rejoice, fear and downfall of the forces of error!
Rejoice, implanter of right faith and reverence for God!
Rejoice, uprooter of dissension and soul-harming heresies!
Rejoice, thou who didst often strengthen the pious Maccabees on the field of battle!
Rejoice, thou who didst strike down Heliodorus, captain of Antiochus, in the temple itself!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 10
Leader: Unto us that desire to be saved be thou a firm helper, O supreme commander of God, delivering and preserving us from dangers and temptations, above all from our evil habits and sins, that progressing in faith, hope, and love, with joy because of thy most wondrous aid, we may cry unto the Master of angels and men: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Leader: A rampart art thou unto men that believe, O supreme commander of God, and a pillar of strength in battle with enemies visible and invisible; therefore, being delivered through thee from the nets of demons, with thankful hearts and lips we cry unto thee:
All: Rejoice, invincible opponent of the enemies of the faith and adversaries of the Church!
Rejoice, tireless helper of the humble proclaimers of the Gospel!
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest them that sit in the darkness of false faith with the light of the faith of Christ!
Rejoice, thou who guidest into the path of repentance and truth those made foolish by false wisdom!
Rejoice, terrible avenger of those that take the name of God in vain!
Rejoice, lightning-bearing chastiser of those that foolishly scoff at the mysteries of the holy Faith!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 11
Leader: Every song of praise is defeated O supreme commander of God, by the multitude of thy miracles, which are performed by thee not only in Heaven and on earth, but also in the dark shadows of the nether regions, where thou didst bind the serpent of the abyss with the chains of the power of the Lord, that those delivered from his malice might bless the Master of Heaven and earth, crying aloud: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Leader: A light-bearing servant of truth and the purity of divine worship wast thou shown to be, O supreme commander, when, foreseeing the snares of the spirit of darkness, thou didst forbid him in the name of God so that he dare not reveal the hidden body of Moses, departed leader of Israel, to the sensual sons of Israel for idolatrous veneration; therefore, honoring now the right-radiant feast of thy Synaxis, thankfully we cry unto thee:
All: Rejoice, thou who didst preserve the purity of the knowledge of God among the Jews in the days of the Old Testament!
Rejoice, thou who didst uproot the tares of error many times in the days of the New!
Rejoice, destroyer of heathen prophets and idols!
Rejoice, fortifier of Christian ascetics and passion-bearers!
Rejoice, thou who fillest the weak in spirit with the power of the Grace of God!
Rejoice, thou who girdest the weak in the flesh with the armor of faith!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 12
Leader: Grace from God in Heaven do thou ask for us who sing to the glory of thine all-honorable name, O Michael, that overshadowed by thy protection, we may live in all piety and purity until, loosed by death from the bonds of flesh, we may be vouchsafed to stand before the fiery throne of the King of Glory, and cry aloud with the angelic choirs: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Leader: Hymning thy manifold wonders, accomplished for our salvation O Michael, we pray to the Lord and Master of all that the spirit of zeal for the glory of God that is in thee in no wise be lacking in us who cry out to thee:
All: Rejoice, thou who dost most wondrously set upon the summit of power the faithful servants of God in a seasonable time!
Rejoice, thou who dost invisibly overthrow the arrogant and unworthy from the height of power and glory!
Rejoice, thou who shalt gather the chosen from the four corners of the earth on the last day!
Rejoice, thou by whom sinners, like tares, according to the voice of God, shall be committed to eternal fire!
Rejoice, thou by whom Satan with his angels shall be cast into the lake of fire forever!
Rejoice, thou through whom the righteous shall dwell most gloriously in the mansions of the heavenly Father!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 13 (said three times)
Leader: O most wonderful leader of Angels and Archangels, for thy most marvelous service in the salvation of mankind accept from us the voice of praise and thanksgiving which we now offer unto thee, and as thou art full of the power of God, shelter us with thine immaterial wings from all enemies visible and invisible, that to the Lord glorified by thee and Who hath glorified thee we may continually cry: Alleluia!
All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Kontakion 13 is said three times; then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated below.
Ikos 1 (repeated)
Leader: With the tongues of angels it is meet that thou be praised as first among the fiery choirs of angels, O Michael; but until we are taught by thee the tongue of the bodiless ones, hearken thou to such things as these from tongues which, though human, are yet thankful:
All: Rejoice, primordial star of the world!
Rejoice, candle of truth and righteousness brightly gleaming!
Rejoice, first receiver of the rays of the uncreated light among the choirs of angels!
Rejoice, captain of Angels and Archangels!
Rejoice, thou in whom the glory of the Maker's right hand shineth most of all!
Rejoice, thou by whom the assemblies of all the bodiless creation are adorned!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
Kontakion 1 (repeated)
Leader: O chosen leader of the heavenly hosts and defender of the human race, we that are delivered by thee from afflictions offer unto thee this hymn of thanksgiving; and as thou dost stand before the throne of the King of Glory, do thou free us from all dangers, that with faith and love we may cry unto thee in praise:
All: Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
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."