In the world of the early Church, the lighting of household lamps heralded the evening. Early Christians, continuing a practice already long established among the pagans, would bless the evening light with a short prayer of praise. Soon they began to augment this very simple rite with hymnody and other prayers. But even when a regular order of prayer was established in buildings for communal Christian worship, the “blessing of the evening light” remained the pivot around which the other rites revolved.
GREAT VESPERS
If Matins is combined with Vespers for a Vigil, the Deacon exclaims: “Arise. Lord bless”, and the Priest begins “Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving and Undivided Trinity, now and ever and unto the ages of ages”. Faithful: “Amen.” Priest: “O Come let us worship…”, Faithful: Psalm 103 is sung.
Deacon: Bless, Master.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Reader: Аmen.
If Vespers follows the reading of the 9th Hour, we begin from “O Come let us worship…” sung by the clergy in the altar.
+ Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Call To Worship Our Lord Jesus Christ
+ O come, let us worship God our King.
+ O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and our God.
+ O come, let us worship and bow down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Prayers Of Light
During the reading of the 103rd Psalm, the Priest, standing before the Holy Doors quietly reads the Prayers of Light. See below.
Psalm 103
Reader: 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You have been greatly magnified: You are clothed in confession and majesty. 2. You put on light as a garment; You stretch out the heavens like a curtain, 3. and cover its lofts with water; You lay the clouds to stand on; You walk upon the wings of the wind. 4. You make Your Angels spirits — and Your ministers a flame of fire. 5. You established the earth on its assurance; it shall never be moved. 6. The deep covers it like a garment. The waters will stand on the mountains. 7. At Your rebuke they will flee; at the sound of Your thunder they will be afraid. 8. Mountains rise and valleys sink to the place which You appointed for them. 9. You set a boundary that neither shall cross. They will not return to cover the earth. 10. You make springs gush forth in the valleys; the waters will run between the mountains.
11. They will give drink to all the beasts in the field; the wild asses will quench their thirst. 12. The birds of the air will have their habitation beside them. Gushing forth from the rocks they will give voice. 13. You water the mountains from Your lofts; the earth will be satisfied by the fruit of Your works, 14. You cause grass to grow for the cattle and plants for the service of man, to produce bread from the earth: 15. And wine gladdens the heart of man; to make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengthens the heart of man. 16. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted. 17. There will the sparrows make their nests: the heron’s dwelling is chief among them. 18. The high mountains are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the hares. 19. You made the moon for seasons. The sun knows its setting. 20. You ordered darkness, and it became night. Therein will all the beasts of the forest creep forth. 21. Young lions roaring after their prey and seeking their food from God. 22. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. 23. And man goes out to do his work and to labour until the evening. 24. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all. The earth is replete with Your creations. 25. This sea, how great and spacious it is! Therein are innumerable creeping things, animals both small and great. 26. There do ships traverse; there is that dragon You made to play therein. 27. All look to You, to give them their food in due season. 28. When You give to them they will gather; when You open Your hand, all things will be filled with goodness. 29. When You turn Your face away, they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will cease and return to their dust. 30. You will send forth Your Spirit, and they will be created; and You will renew the face of the earth. 31. May the glory of the Lord be forever. The Lord will rejoice in His works: 32. He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble, He touches the mountains and they smoke. 33. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will chant to my God for as long as I have being. 34. May my discourse be pleasant to Him, and I shall rejoice in the Lord. 35. O that sinners would cease from the earth, that they should be no more.
And again:
1. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
19. The sun knows its setting.
20. You ordered darkness, and it became night.
24. How magnified are Your works, O Lord! You made them all in wisdom.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You, O God. (thrice)
The Great Litany
Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our Bishop, His Eminence Metropolitan [name]; for our Bishop, (title and name of eparchial bishop), for the honourable presbyterate, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our God-loving and God-protected country of Canada, its government, armed forces, and for all our pious people, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city (village, or holy monastery), and for every city, village and country and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For those who travel by sea, land and air; for the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
Faithful: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For to You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
And we read the appointed Kathisma from the Psalter.
On Saturday evening and the evening of certain Great Feasts, we sing the 1st Kathisma, “Blessed is the man.”
Blessed Is The Man (Kathisma 1)
Faithful: Blessed is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. (Ps 1:1)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly will perish. (Ps 1:6)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling. (Ps 2:11)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are all that put their trust in Him. (Ps 2:13)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God. (Ps 3:8)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Salvation is from the Lord; and Your blessing is upon Your people. (Ps 3:9)
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
+ Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
+ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to You O God. (thrice)
Small Litany
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.
Faithful: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For Yours is the Majesty and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
We sing “Lord, I have cried unto You…” in the appointed tone.
Lord, I Have Cried Unto You (Ps 140)
Faithful: Lord, I have cried unto You; hear me.
Hear me, O Lord.
Lord, I have cried unto You; hear me.
Attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto You;
Hear me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice;
Hear me, O Lord.
The Reader reads the verses of Psalms 140, 141, 129 and 116:
Reader: (Ps 140) 3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and a door of enclosure about my lips. 4. Incline not my heart to evil words to make excuses in sins, with those who work iniquity; and I will not associate with the choicest of them. 5. Let the righteous man chasten me with mercy and reprove me; as for the oil of the sinner, let it not anoint my head. 6. For even my prayer is against their good pleasure. Their judges have been swallowed up by the rock. 7. They shall hear my words, for they are sweet. As a clod of earth is broken on the ground, so their bones are scattered by the side of hades. 8. For to You, O Lord, are my eyes; I have hoped in You; take not away my soul. 9. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work iniquity. 10. The sinners fall into their own net. I am apart from them until I pass by.
(Ps 141) 1. With my voice, to the Lord have I cried; with my voice, to the Lord have I made my supplication. 2. I shall pour out before Him my supplication; my affliction before Him shall I declare. 3. As my spirit was departing from within me; You knew my paths. On this way on which I was walking they hid a snare for me. 4. I looked to my right and beheld, and there was no one that knew me. There is no escape for me, and no one cares for my soul. 5. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said: You are my hope, You are my portion in the land of the living. 6. Attend to my supplication; for I have been greatly humbled. Deliver me from those who persecute me, for they have become stronger than I.
Stichera For “Lord, I Have Cried”
We sing the stichera for “Lord, I have cried…” from the Octoechos, Menaion or Triodion, inserting them after the appropriate Verse:
10 Stichera (on Sunday):
10. Bring my soul out of prison § that I may praise Your name. (Ps 141:8)
• STICHERON
9. The righteous shall wait for me, § until You recompense me. (Ps 141:8)
• STICHERON
8 Stichera (at Great Feasts):
8. Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; § O Lord, hear my voice. (Ps 129:1)
• STICHERON
7. Let Your ears be attentive § to the voice of my supplication. (Ps 129:2)
• STICHERON
6 Stichera (at Minor Feasts):
6. If You should mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? § For with You there is forgiveness. (Ps 129:3-4)
• STICHERON
5. Because of Your name I have waited for You, O Lord; my soul has waited for Your word, § my soul has hoped in the Lord. (Ps 129:5-6)
• STICHERON
4 Stichera:
4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, § let Israel hope in the Lord. (Ps 129:6)
• STICHERON
3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption § and He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Ps 129:7-8)
• STICHERON
2. Praise the Lord, all nations; § praise Him, all peoples. (Ps 116:1)
• STICHERON
1. For His mercy has prevailed over us, § and the truth of the Lord abides forever. (Ps 116:2)
• STICHERON
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Doxasticon (from the Mineon or Triodion)
We sing the appointed doxasticon. If there is none, we proceed to:
+ Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Dohmatyk
We sing the appointed Dohmatyk. The clergy make the Entrance.
Prayer Of The Entrance
Priest: In the evening, in the morning, and at noon-day, we praise, bless, give thanks, and pray unto You, O Master of all, Lord, Lover of mankind. Let our prayer arise as incense before you, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all who seek after our souls. For our eyes are unto You, O Lord, Lord, and in You have we hoped. Put us not to shame, O our God. For unto You are due all glory, honour and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon: Bless, Master, the Entrance.
Priest: Blessed is the entrance of Your Saints, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Deacon: Wisdom. Stand aright!
О Gladsome Light
Faithful: O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: having arrived at the setting of the sun, having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy to praise You at all times with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver-of-life; wherefore the world glorifies You.
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Deacon: Wisdom. The Prokeimen in tone ___.
Prokeimena For Vespers
• On Saturday Evening, in Tone 6 (Ps 92:1, 5):
The Lord is King; § He has clothed Himself with majesty.
Verse: The Lord has put on power and girded Himself.
Verse: For He has established the universe, which shall not be shaken.
Verse: Holiness befits Your house, Lord, for length of days.
• On Sunday Evening, in Tone 8 (Ps 133:1):
Behold, now bless the Lord, § all you servants of the Lord.
Verse: You that stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
• On Monday Evening, in Tone 4 (Ps 4:4, 2):
The Lord will hear me, § when I cry out to Him.
Verse: When I call, the God of my righteousness hears me.
• On Tuesday Evening, in Tone 1 (Ps 22:6, 1, 2):
Your mercy will pursue me, O Lord, § all the days of my life.
Verse: The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want; He made me to dwell in a place of green pasture.
• On Wednesday Evening, in Tone 5 (Ps 53:3, 4):
O God, in Your name save me, § and judge me in Your power.
Verse: O God, hear my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth.
• On Thursday Evening, in Tone 6 (Ps 120:2, 1):
My help is from the Lord, § Who made heaven and earth.
Verse: I lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, whence comes my help.
• On Friday Evening, in Tone 7 (Ps 58:11, 2):
O God, You are my helper, § and Your mercy shall go before me.
Verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God, deliver me from those who rise up against me.
Paremia
On Feasts, following the Priest’s exclamation, we read the Paremia.
Litany Of Fervent Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers: We pray You, hear us and have mercy.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great loving-kindness: we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for His Eminence, our Metropolitan [name]; for our Bishop, (title and name of eparchial bishop), and for all our brethren in Christ.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for our God-Loving and God-Protected country of Canada, its government, armed forces, and all of our pious people; that the Lord God help and aid them in all things and protect them from every enemy and adversary.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable Orthodox Patriarchs, for the founders of this holy temple (or holy monastery) and for all Orthodox Christians departed this life before us, who here and everywhere lie asleep in the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, God’s visitation and the forgiveness and remission of sins for the servants of God, the parishioners of this holy temple.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple; for those who labour and those who sing; and for all the people here present who await Your great and abundant mercy.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest: For You are a Merciful God and the Lover of mankind and to You we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord
Reader: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on You.
+ Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
+ Blessed are you, O Master; give me understanding of Your statutes.
+ Blessed are You, O Holy One; enlighten me by Your statutes.
O Lord, Your mercy endures forever. Despise not the works of Your hands.
To You is due praise; to You is due song; to You glory is due; to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Litany Of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guard-ian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: All that is good and beneficial for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: A Christian end to our life: painless, blame-less and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Faithful: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life, unto Christ our God.
Faithful: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You are a Good God and the Lover of mankind and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Faithful: And to your spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Faithful: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, You bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of the human race: Look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for to You, the Awesome Judge Who loves mankind, have Your servants bowed their heads and bent their necks, awaiting not help from men, but entreating Your mercy and looking confidently for Your salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every enemy, from all adverse powers of the devil, from vain thoughts and from evil imaginings.
Priest: May the majesty of Your Kingdom be blessed and glorified, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Aposticha and Theotokion
We sing the appointed Aposticha from the Octoechos, Triodion or Menaion. Following the Theotokion we sing:
Song Of St. Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
Faithful: Now let Your servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Your word. For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.
Trisagion and The Lord’s Prayer
Reader: + Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Troparia And Theotokion
Here we sing the Troparia as appointed in the typicon.
On Saturday at the Vigil we sing: “Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos…”
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with You. Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your Womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.
If Мatins is combined with Vespers for a Vigil, the Priest intones “May the blessing of the Lord be upon you…”. The Reader: “Amen”, and begins the Hexapsalmos, (Good Shepherd prayerbook, 2013 — p. 135).
Deacon: Wisdom.
Faithful: Give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-is, Christ our God, always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Make firm, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto the ages of ages.
Priest: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Faithful: More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption You gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify You.
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory to You.
Faithful:+ 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. (thrice)
Give the blessing.
(“Master, bless.” — in a Сathedral church or when a Bishop is present.)
Priest: May Christ our true God (Who rose from the dead) have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of (name of the Saint of the temple) and (the Saint of the day), of the holy Ancestors-of-God Joachim and Anna and of all the Saints, forasmuch as He is Good and the Lover of mankind.
Faithful: Amen.
Polychronion
Our Metropolitan, His Eminence [name], Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Eparchy, Metropolitan of Canada; our Bishop (title and name of eparchial bishop), the parishioners of this holy temple and all Orthodox Christians, protect O Lord, for many years.
PRAYERS OF LIGHT
First Prayer
Priest: O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear unto our prayer and attend to the voice of our supplication; Work in us a sign unto good. Guide us in Your way, that we may walk in Your truth; make glad our hearts, that we may fear Your holy name; For You are great and work wonders; You alone are God, and there is none like unto You among the gods, O Lord, strong in mercy and good in might, to help and comfort, and to save all that hope in Your holy name. For to You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Second Prayer
Priest: O Lord, rebuke us not in Your anger, nor chasten us in Your wrath, but deal with us according to Your mercy, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us unto the haven of Your will; enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of Your truth; and grant unto us that the remainder of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and sinless, through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and of all the Saints. For Yours is the majesty and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Prayer
Priest: O Lord our God, remember us, Your sinful and unprofitable servants, when we call upon Your holy, venerable name, and turn us not away in shame from the expectation of Your mercy; but grant us, O Lord, all our requests which are unto salvation and vouchsafe us to love and to fear You with our whole heart, and to do Your will in all things. For You are a Good God and the Lover of mankind and to You we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer
Priest: О You Who are hymned by the holy Powers with never-silent hymns and unceasing doxologies.
Fill our mouths with the praise of You, that we may magnify Your holy name. And grant unto us a portion and inheritance with all them that fear You in truth and keep Your commandments, through the prayers of the holy Theotokos, and of all Your Saints. For unto You are due all glory, honour and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer
Priest: О Lord, Lord, Who upholds all things in the most-pure palm of Your hand. Who shows
long-suffering upon us all, and turns aside from our evil deeds: Do remember Your compassions and Your mercy. Visit us with Your goodness — and grant unto us, by Your grace, that during the remainder of the present day we may avoid the diverse snares of the evil one. And preserve our lives unassailed, through the grace of Your all-holy Spirit. Through the mercy and love for man-kind of Your Only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your most-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Prayer
Priest: O God, great and wonderful, Who with ineffable goodness and rich providence orders all things, and grants unto us earthly good things, and Who has given us a pledge of the promised Kingdom through good things already given, and has caused us during the part of the day that has passed to turn aside from evil things: Do grant us to complete the rest of the day without reproach before Your holy glory, and to hymn You, our God Who alone are Good and loves mankind. For You are our God, and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Prayer
Priest: О God, great and most-high. Who alone has immortality. Who abides in unapproachable light. Who, with wisdom, has fashioned all creation. Who has divided the light from the darkness, and has appointed the sun to rule the day, the moon and the stars also to rule the night. Who has counted us sinners at the present hour worthy to come before Your face with confession, and to offer unto You the evening doxology: Do You, О Lover of mankind, set forth our prayer as incense before You, and accept it as a sweet-smelling fragrance; and grant that we may pass the present evening and the coming night in peace. Clothe us in the armour of light, deliver us from the terror of the night and from every thing that walks about in darkness; and grant that the sleep that You have given for the repose of our weakness, be free from every illusion of the devil. Yes, O Master. Giver of good things, may we, being moved to compunction on our beds, call to remembrance Your name in the night, and, enlightened by meditation on Your commandments, arise in gladness of soul unto the glorification of Your goodness, offering up prayers and supplications to Your deep compassion for our own sins and for those of all Your people who You do visit in Your mercy, through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos. For You are a good God and the Lover of mankind, and unto You do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
LITIA
Stykhyry Of The Litia, “Glory” And The Theotokion
At the Litia, we begin by chanting the Stykhyry of the Litia, “Glory…” of the Feast or Saint; “Both now…” and the Theotokion.
The Clergy exit the Sanctuary through the north door and proceed to the narthex preceded by the Faithful, holding candles. The nave is censed.
Litany of the Litia
Deacon: Save Your People, O God, and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Strengthen the power of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us Your abundant mercies: Through the prayers of our all-pure Lady, the Theo-tokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the intercessions of the honourable Bodiless powers of heaven; of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of our holy Fathers among the Saints, the great ecu-menical teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; of our Holy Father among the Saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycea; of the Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles, Methodius and Cyril, teachers of the Slavs; of the Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles, Great-Prince Volodymyr and Great-Princess, Ol’ha; of our Holy Fathers, the Metropolitans of Kyiv: Michael, Ilarion, Peter, Alexiy, Macarius and Peter; Theodosius of Chernihiv, Demetrius of Rostov, Innocent of Irkutsk, Ioasaph of Bilhorod; Ioan and Paul of Tobolsk; of the holy glorious and victorious Martyrs: the holy, glorious Great-martyr George the Trophy-bearer, the holy Great-martyr Barbara, the holy Great-martyr John the New of Suchava; the Holy True-Believing Prince-martyrs and Passion-bearers, Boris, Hlib and Ihor; the holy venerable Martyr Athanasius, Ihumen of Brest; Mykola, Prince of Lutsk; Macarius of Kaniv and Theodore Prince of Ostrih, the Holy Princess Juliana of Olshansk; the Holy Martyrs of Vilnius: Anthony, John and Eustathius; of our Venerable Fathers Anthony and Theodosius and all the wonderworkers of the Kyivan Caves; Venerable Job, Ihumen and Wonderworker of Pochaiv; Venerable Paisius Velychkovsky and all the Saints glorified in the Ukrainian land; of (Saint after whom the church is named and of the day); of the holy and righteous Ancestors-of-God, Joachim and Anna and of all the Saints: We beseech You, O Greatly-merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray unto You, and have mercy on us.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Deacon: Again we pray for our Metropolitan, His Eminence [name]; for our Bishop, (title and name of eparchial bishop), for the honourable presbyterate, the deaconate in Christ and all our brethren in Christ; for the souls of every afflicted and weary Christian in need of God’s mercy and help; for the protection of this city and all who dwell herein; for the peace and welfare of the whole world; for the stability of the holy churches of God; for the salvation and assistance of our fathers and brethren who with diligence and in fear of God labour and serve; for the forsaken, for the healing of those who lie in infirmity, for the repose, comfort, blessed memory and forgiveness of sins of all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox faithful here and everywhere laid to rest, for the deliverance of captives, for our brethren who are serving, and for those who serve and have served in this holy temple, let us say:
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Deacon: Again we pray for our God-loving and God-protected country of Canada, its government, armed forces, and for all our pious people; that the Lord God help and aid them in all things and protect them from every enemy and adversary, let us say:
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Deacon: Again we pray for the protection of this city (this holy monastery) and every city and country from famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, foreign invasion, and civil war. May our Good God Who loves mankind be gracious, and merciful to us, and turn away and dispel all wrath stirred up against us and may He deliver us from His righteous chastisement and have mercy on us.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Again, we pray that the Lord God will hear the voice of the prayer of us sinners and have mercy on us.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest: Hear us, O God our Saviour, hope of all the ends of the earth and those far off at sea. Be gracious to us sinners, O Master; be gracious to us and have mercy on us. For You are a merciful God and the Lover of mankind and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Priest: Peace be unto all.
Faithful: And to your spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Faithful: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Great and Merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of our all-pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; Through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the intercessions of the honourable Bodiless powers of heaven; of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of the holy, glorious and victorious Martyrs: of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers, of (Saint of the temple and of the day); of the holy and righteous Ancestors-of-God, Joachim and Anna and of all the Saints: make our prayer acceptable; grant us forgiveness of our sins; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; give peace to our lives, O Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world and save our souls, for You are Good and the Lover of mankind.
Faithful: Amen.
Aposticha and Theotokion
And we sing the appointed Aposticha and Theotokion from the Octoechos, Menaion, Lenten Triodion or Pentecostarion.
The clergy stand before the tetrapod, on which five loaves, wheat, wine and oil have been placed for blessing.
Song Of St. Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
Now let Your servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Your word. For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.
The Trisagion
Reader: + Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for
Your name’s sake.
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Troparia And Theotokion
Here we sing the Troparia as appointed in the Typicon.
On Saturday at the Vigil we sing: “Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos…”.
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with You. Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your Womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.
Вlessing Of The Loaves, Wheat, Wine And Oil
The deacon or priest censes around the tetrapod three times.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Faithful: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, You blessed the five loaves in the wilderness and with them fed the five thousand: As the same Lord, bless these loaves, this wheat, wine and oil and multiply them in this city (holy monastery) and in all your world and sanctify the faithful who partake of them. For it is You Who blesses and sanctifies all things, O Christ our God, and we send up glory unto You, together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
+ Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (thrice)
Psalm 33
Reader: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised; let the meek hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my tribulations. Come unto Him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his tribulations. The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, and will deliver them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that hopes in Him. O fear the Lord, all you His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.
As the psalm is being chanted, the priest stands before the Royal Doors. After the psalm he blesses the people:
Priest: May the blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
If Matins is combined with Vespers in a Vigil, the Reader immediately begins the “hexapsalmos”, “Glory to God in the Highest…”.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Faithful: Give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-is, Christ our God, always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Faithful: Amen.
Make firm, O God, the Holy Orthodox Faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto the ages of ages.
Priest: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Faithful: More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption You gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify You.
Priest: Glory to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory to You.
Faithful: + 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. (thrice)
Give the blessing. (“Master, bless.” — in a Сathedral church or when a Bishop is present.)
Priest: May Christ our true God (Who rose from the dead) have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of (name of the Saint of the temple) and (the Saint of the day), of the holy Ancestors-of-God Joachim and Anna and of all
the Saints, forasmuch as He is good and the Lover of mankind.
Faithful: Amen.
Polychronion
Our Metropolitan, His Eminence [name], Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Eparchy, Metropolitan of Canada; our Bishop (title and name of eparchial bishop), the parishioners of this holy temple and all Orthodox Christians, protect O Lord, for many years.
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O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
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