Beginning
Priest: Blessed be our God, always, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Glory be to You, our God! Glory be to You!
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,*
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,*
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (6)
Lord, have mercy. (6)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,*
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Come, let us bow in worship before the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God.
Psalm 103 [104]
Praise of God’s Creation
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
You are very great, O Lord my God!
Clothed in pomp and brilliance,
arrayed with light as with a cloak.
Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth,
covering Your lofty hall with water.
You make the clouds Your conveyance,
You surge on the wings of the wind.
You make spirits your messengers
and flaming fires Your attendants.
You settle the earth on its firm foundation:
it shall stand unmoved from age to age.
The abyss covers it like a garment;
waters stand over the mountains.
At Your rebuke, they will take to flight,
at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.
They hurl the hills and run down the dales
to the place You have chosen for them.
You have set up a boundary not to be passed:
they shall never return to cover the earth.
Down in the gullies, You make springs to ride:
waters shall go down between the mountains.
They shall give drink to the beasts of the field;
wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.
The birds of the sky will abide by them:
from among the rocks they will raise their song.
From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains;
the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.
You make green pastures for the cattle
and food-plants for the service of man,
So that bread may be brought forth from the earth
and wine that gladdens the heart of man.
So that oil may put a gleam upon his face
and that bread may strengthen the heart of man.
The trees of the plain will be satisfied,
the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.
The sparrows will build their nests in them
and the herons will call them their home.
To the deer belong high mountains,
to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.
You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows the time of its setting.
You establish darkness and it is night
wherein the forest creatures prowl around.
Young lions roar for their prey
and call out to God for their meat.
As the sun rises, they will come together
and lay themselves down in their dens.
Man will go out to his labour
and work until eventide.
How great are Your works, O Lord!
In wisdom You have wrought them all.
The earth is filled with Your creatures.
Even the wide and open sea itself:
within it there are countless creeping things,
living beings small and large.
Upon it there are ships a-sailing
and that great beast You made to have fun.
All of them look up to You
to give them their food in due time.
You provide and they gather it up;
You open Your hand and they are full.
You hide Your face and they cringe,
You suspend their breath and they die and return to their dust.
You send forth Your breath and they live:
You renew the face of the earth!
May the Lord’s glory endure for ever,
may the Lord rejoice in His works.
He looks upon the earth and makes it quake,
He touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live,
I will praise my God as long as I last.
Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him
and I will rejoice in the Lord.
May the sinners vanish from the earth
and may the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord,
O my soul!
The sun knows the time of its setting:
You establish darkness and it is night.
How great are Your works, O Lord!
In wisdom You have wrought them all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Vespers Prayers
- O Lord, compassionate and loving, long-suffering and most merciful, hear our prayer and listen to the voice of our supplication. Make a favourable covenant with us, guide us along Your ways that we may live in Your truth, gladden our hearts that we may fear Your holy name; for You are great and You perform wondrous deeds. You are the only God and none other is like You, O Lord. You are great in mercy and able, in Your power, to assist, support, and save all those who place their hope in Your holy name; and to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honour, and adoration, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O Lord, in Your indignation do not rebuke us; in Your wrath do not chastise us; but deal with us according to Your loving-kindness. O Physician and Healer of our souls, guide us to the harbour of Your will; enlighten the eyes of our mind that we may know Your truth. Grant that the remainder of this day and all the days of our life may be peaceful and without sin, through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and through the prayers of all the Saints; for Yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O Lord our God, be mindful of us sinners, Your unworthy servants, as we call upon Your holy name, and put us not to shame for having placed our hope in Your mercy. Graciously grant us, O Lord, all the means of salvation; make us worthy to love and fear You with all our heart and to accomplish Your will in all things. For You are a gracious Lord and You love mankind; and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O Lord, You are praised by the holy Powers in hymns which are never silent, and in doxologies which never cease. Fill our mouths with Your praise that we may exalt Your holy name. Through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and the intercession of all Your Saints, give us a part and an inheritance with those who fear You in truth and who keep Your commandments. For to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honour, and adoration, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- Blessed are You, O Lord, Almighty God. You know the mind of each person; You know what each needs even before they ask or are aware of it. Now, O King Who loves mankind and Who is gracious in everything, in Your great mercy allow us to call upon Your holy name with an unashamed conscience. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One; for to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honour, and adoration, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O Lord, O Lord, You hold all things together in Your spotless hands; You are long-suffering toward us all; You grieve at our wickedness. Remember Your compassion and mercy, and look down upon us in Your goodness. Grant that for the rest of this day we may escape from the manifold deceits of the Evil One; and keep our life free from every assault of the enemy, through the grace of Your all-holy Spirit. Grant this through the mercies and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O great and wonderful God, You govern all things with Your indescribable goodness and rich providence. You have provided us with the goodness of this world and have assured us through Your kindness, of attaining the promised kingdom. O Lord, through all the blessings already received this day, You have kept us away from evil; grant that we spend its remaining hours without blame before Your holy glory, and that we may sing Your praise, O You, the only Gracious One Who loves mankind. For You are our God, and we send up glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
- O great and most high God, You alone are immortal and You dwell in a light which is unapproachable. You created all things in Your wisdom, dividing light from darkness, establishing the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to rule the night. You have deemed us, poor sinners, worthy to reach this hour, to come into Your presence with our thanks, and to offer You our evening praise. O Lord Who loves mankind, let our prayers ascend to You as incense, and accept them as a sweet fragrance. Grant that this evening and the coming night may be spent in peace; clothe us with the armour of light; save us from the fears of the night and from things that lurk in darkness. Grant that the sleep You have given to refresh us from our fatigue may be free from every evil. Yes, O Lord and Giver of all good things, may we remember Your name throughout the night; and enlightened by the practice of Your commandments, may we rise in gladness of soul to praise Your goodness, offering prayers and supplications for our sins and those of Your people. Look down upon us with mercy, through the intercession of the Mother of God; for You are a gracious Lord Who loves mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Great Litany
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., the revered priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city (or For this village, or For this holy monastery), for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the seafarers and travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help, and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your Grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For all glory, honour, and worship befit You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Reading from the Psalter (Kathisma)
On Saturday evenings, as well as on the eves of most feasts and Polyeleos-rank commemorations, the following selected verses from the first antiphon of the First Kathisma (Psalms 1-3) are sung:
Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked.
Alleluia! (3)
For the Lord knows the way of the just, but the way of the wicked shall be lost.
Alleluia! (3)
Serve the Lord with fear, exalt Him with trembling.
Alleluia! (3)
Blessed are those who trust in Him!
Alleluia! (3)
Arise, O Lord, save me, my God!
Alleluia! (3)
Salvation is of the Lord! Upon Your people Your blessing!
Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! (3)
Now and forever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia! (3)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, o God! (3)
Small Litany
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You are a good and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
O Lord, I Have Cried to You
As the deacon (or priest if no deacon) performs the Great Incensation,
the Lamp-lighting Psalms are taken, with the introductory verses sung in the prescribed tone.
Psalm 140 [141]
Prayer of the Evening
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me.
Hear me, O Lord!
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me.
Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You.
Hear me, O Lord!
Let my prayer rise like incense before You;
the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Hear me, O Lord!
Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth
and a portal around my lips.
Incline my heart away from evil dealings,
from finding excuses for sinful deeds.
In company with those who work iniquity,
let me not partake of what they choose.
May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me;
may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.
Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare.
Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.
My words will be heard, for they were sweet.
As a lump of clay broken on the ground,
so their bones were strewn near the grave.
To You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are lifted up.
In You have I hoped; let not my soul be lost.
Keep me from the snare that was set for me,
and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.
The wicked shall fall into their own nets,
while I remain alone until I can escape.
Psalm 141 [142]
Prayer of the Persecuted
With my voice I cried to the Lord;
with all my voice I implored the Lord.
Before Him I pour out my supplications;
before Him I declare my distress.
When my breath was escaping me,
then You knew my paths;
On the road upon which I was walking,
they set up snares for me.
I looked to my right and observed
there was no one friendly to me;
Even flight was denied me;
there was no one to take care of my life.
I cried out to You, O Lord, and said:
You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.
Listen to my supplication,
for I am laid very low.
Deliver me from my oppressors,
for they have overwhelmed me.
10. Lead my soul forth from prison
that I may give thanks to Your name.
9. The just shall gather around me
when You have been good to me.
Psalm 129 [130]
Prayer of the Penitent
8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice!
7. Let Yours ears be attentive
to the voice of my prayer.
6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,
for it has trusted in the Lord.
4. From the morning watch until night
let Israel trust in the Lord.
3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;
and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Psalm 116 [117]
Invitation to Praise
2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;
proclaim His glory, all you people.
1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;
eternally will His truth endure.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Entrance
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O gracious King, You love mankind and bless all things. With contrite heart and humble spirit we pray to You, Christ our true God, to bless our going and coming. For Your coming and dwelling among us and Your going are blessed always, now and for ever and ever.
Deacon: Amen. Master, bless the holy entrance!
Priest: Blessed is the entrance into Your holy places, always, now and for ever and ever.
Deacon: Amen. Wisdom! Stand aright!
Tranquil Light
Tranquil Light,
of the holy glory
of the immortal,
heavenly, holy,
blessed Father,
O Jesus Christ:
as we come upon the sunset,
as we see the evening light,
we sing to God,
the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
At all times You are worthy
of being hymned by joyful voices;
O Son of God, You are the Giver of Life.
For this the whole world
glorifies You!
Prokeimenon
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest: Peace be with all.
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
Saturday evening, Psalm 92, Tone 6
The Lord reigns! He is clothed in majesty.
verse: Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.
verse: For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.
verse: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Sunday evening, Psalm 133, Tone 8
Behold, now bless the Lord,* all you servants of the Lord.
verse: Who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courtyards of the house of our God.
Monday evening, Psalm 4, Tone 4
The Lord hears me* when I cry out to Him.
verse: Whenever I called, the God of my justice heard me.
Tuesday evening, Psalm 22, Tone 1
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.
verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.
Wednesday evening, Psalm 53, Tone 5
O Lord, save me by Your name,* and in Your power be a judge for me.
verse: O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.
Thursday evening, Psalm 120, Tone 6
My help is from the Lord,* who made heaven and earth.
verse: I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come.
Friday evening, Psalm 58, Tone 7
O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.
verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.
Scripture Readings
If readings are prescribed, then:
Deacon: Wisdom!
Lector: A reading from…
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Lector: (chants the reading).
Ektenia of Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say, with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Almighty Lord, God of our Fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government and for all the military.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
O Lord, Keep Us This Evening Without Sin
O Lord, keep us this evening
without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers,
and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us
because we have set our hope in You.
Blessed are You, O Lord,
teach me You commandments.
Blessed are You, O Master,
make me understand Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Holy One,
enlighten me with Your laws.
O Lord, Your mercy endures forever;
do not despise the work of Your hands.
It is proper to praise You,
and hymns belong to You.
Glory belongs to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Ektenia of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defence at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Peace to all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the ·Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help, but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil’s assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams. May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Aposticha
The Aposticha verses are now sung.
Song of Simeon
Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise,
let Your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes I have seen the salvation
which You have prepared
in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal You to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people, Israel!
Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,*
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,*
now and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Troparia
The assigned troparia are now sung.
Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: Give the blessing!
Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-Is, blessed is Christ our God, always, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen. O God, strengthen the Orthodox faith forever and ever.
Priest: O most holy Mother of God, save us
All: More honourable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing!
Priest: Christ our true God (risen from the dead), through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles; of our venerable and godly fathers; of Saint N. (patron of this church) and Saint N. (whose memory we celebrate), and all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.