Vespers

For Sundays and Feasts

After the Dismissal of the Ninth Hour the Priest and Deacon, having made a metania to the Bishop's stall, venerated the icons and bowed to the two Choirs, enter the Sanctuary by the side doors.

They make three bows to the Holy Table and the Priest kisses the Holy Table and the Gospel.

Then, vested in the Epitrachelion, he opens the curtain of the Holy Doors and, standing uncovered in front of the Holy Table, gives the blessing as follows:

PRIEST

Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Then the Superior, or the appointed person, reads the Opening Psalm, one of the ''Gerontika'', as follows:

Superior or Reader

Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, the King, our God.

Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, you have been greatly magnified. You have clothed yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, wrapping yourself in light as a cloak, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, roofing his upper chambers with waters, placing clouds as his steps, walking on the wings of the wind, making winds his messengers and flames of fire his ministers, establishing the earth on its sure base; it will not totter to age on age. The deep, like a cloak, is its covering; waters will stand upon the mountains. At your rebuke they will flee; they will quail at the voice of your thunder. Mountains ascend and plains descend to the place that you established for them. You fixed a limit that they will not pass, nor will they return to cover the earth, sending out springs in the valleys; waters will run between the mountains. They will give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will await them to quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the air will make their dwelling: from among the rocks they will utter their song. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth will be filled from the fruit of your works. He makes grass spring up for the cattle, and green shoots for the service of mankind; to bring bread out of the earth, and wine makes glad the human heart; to make the face cheerful with oil, and bread strengthens the human heart. The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that you planted. There the sparrows will build their nests; the heron’s dwelling is at their head. The high mountains are for the deer; a rocks a refuge for hares. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knew the hour of its setting. You appointed darkness, and it was night, in which all the beasts of the forest will prowl; young lions roaring to plunder and to seek their food from God. The sun rose and they were gathered together and they will lie down in their dens. Man will go out to his labour; and to his labouring until evening. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all, and the earth has been filled with your creation. There is the sea, great and wide; in it there are creeping things without number, living creatures small and great. There ships go to and fro; this dragon which you fashioned to sport in it. All things look to you to give them their food in due season. When you give it them, they will gather it. When you open your hand all things will be filled with goodness. But when you turn away your face they will be troubled. You will take away their spirit, and they will perish and return to their dust. You will send forth your spirit, and they will be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure to the ages. The Lord will rejoice at his works, He that looks upon the earth and makes it tremble. He that touches the mountains, and they smoke. I shall sing to the Lord while I live; I shall chant to my God while I exist. May my meditation be pleasing to him; as for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord. May sinners perish from the earth, and the wicked, so that they are no more. Bless the Lord, my soul!

The sun knew the hour of its setting. You appointed darkness, and it was night.

How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all. [EL]

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (three times).

Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps

While the Opening Psalm is being read the Priest, bareheaded and standing in front of the Holy Table, says quietly the Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps,

PRIEST (inaudibly)

1st Prayer

O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy, listen to our prayer and attend to the voice of our supplication. Make for us a sign for good. Guide us in your way, to walk in your truth. Make glad our hearts to fear your holy Name, because you are great and do wondrous things. You alone are God, and there is none like you, O Lord, among gods: powerful in mercy and loving in strength to help and to console and to save all who hope in your holy Name. [EL]

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

2nd Prayer

Lord, do not rebuke us in your anger, nor chastise us in your wrath, but deal with us in accordance with your kindness, physician and healer of our souls. Guide us to the harbour of your will. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of your truth and grant that the rest of the present day and the whole time of our life may be peaceful and without sin, at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints. [EL]

For yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

3rd Prayer

Lord our God, remember us, sinners and your unprofitable servants, as we call upon your holy Name, and do not put us to shame from the expectation of your mercy, but graciously grant us, Lord, all the requests that are for salvation, and count us worthy to love and to fear you from our whole heart, and in all things to do your will. [EL]

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

4th Prayer

O Lord, who are praised by the holy Powers with never silent hymns and unceasing songs of glory, fill our mouth with your praise to give majesty to your holy Name, and give us a part and an inheritance with all who fear you in truth and who keep your commandments, at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all your Saints. [EL]

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

5th Prayer

Lord, Lord, who uphold the universe by your immaculate hand, who are long-suffering towards us all and who repent of evils, remember your acts of compassion and your mercy. Visit us in your loving kindness and grant that for the rest of the present day we may escape the manifold wiles of the evil one, and, by the grace of your All-holy Spirit, keep our life free from assault. [EL]

By the mercy and love for mankind of your Only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

6th Prayer

O God, great and wonderful, who order the universe with inexpressible loving-kindness and rich providence; who have granted us also the blessings of this world and brought us near to the promised Kingdom through the blessings that have been bestowed on us already; who have made us turn aside from every evil during that part of the present day which is now over, grant us also to complete what remains without blame in the presence of your holy glory, as we sing your praise, who alone are our God, good and the Lover of mankind. [EL]

For you are our God and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

7th Prayer

Great and most high God, who alone possess immortality, who dwell in unapproachable light, who fashioned all creation with wisdom, who made the separation between the light and the darkness and who placed the sun to have authority over the day and the moon and the stars to have authority over the night, who have counted us sinners worthy even at this present hour to come into your presence with confession and thanksgiving and to offer you our evening hymn of glory; do you, O Lord who love mankind, direct our prayer like incense before you and accept it as a savour of sweet fragrance. Grant us that the present evening and the coming night may be peaceful, clothe us with weapons of light, deliver us from every night-time fear and from every deed that walks in darkness. And give us sleep, which you have bestowed on us for our rest in our weakness, freed from every fantasy of the devil. Yes, Master of all things, giver of blessings, may we also be filled with compunction on our beds and call to mind your Name in the night, and enlightened by meditation on your commandments may we rise with gladness of soul to give glory to your loving-kindness, as we bring to your compassion supplications and entreaties on behalf of our own sins and those of all your people. At the prayers of the holy Mother of God visit them with mercy. [EL]

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. [EL] Amen.

When the Opening Psalm is completed the Priest, in front of the Holy Table, or the Deacon in his usual place outside the Holy Doors, says the Litany of Peace.

Litany of Peace.

DEACON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

PEOPLE And so after each petition.

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For all devout and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Bishop (or Archbishop) (name) for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our nation (name), the President (name), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city, for every city, town and village, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favourable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, air or water, for the sick, the suffering, for those in captivity, and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

To you, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

PEOPLE

Amen.

After the Litany, except on the Feasts of the Lord, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is read by one Reader.

First Kathisma

Psalm 1.

Of David. Untitled in the Hebrew.

Blessed in the man who has not walked in the council of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat on the seat of the pestilent. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he will meditate day and night. He will be like a tree that has been planted beside streams of water, which will give its fruit in its season, and its leaf will not fall; and whatever he does will prosper. Not so the ungodly, not so; but they are like the chaff that the wind blows away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly will not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the council of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish.

Psalm 2.

A Psalm of David.

Why were the nations insolent and why did the peoples meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ. ‘Let us break through their bonds and cast away their yoke from us.’ He that dwells in heaven will laugh them to scorn and the Lord will mock them. Then he will speak to them in his anger and panic them in his fury. But I was established as king by him, on Sion his holy mountain announcing the Lord’s decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. Ask me, and I shall give you nations as your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as your possession. You will shepherd them with an iron rod; like a potter’s vessels you will smash them.’ And now, kings, understand; be corrected, all who judge the earth. Serve the Lord in fear and rejoice in him with trembling. Accept correction, lest the Lord be angry, and you perish from the right way whenever his fury is suddenly kindled. Blessed are all who have put their trust in him.

Psalm 3.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom in the wilderness.

Lord, why have those who afflict me been multiplied? Many rise up against me. Many say to my soul, ‘There is no salvation for him in his God.’ But you, Lord, are my protector, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice and he heard me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I have been roused, because the Lord will protect me. I shall not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who attack me from every side. Arise, Lord; save me, my God, because you have struck all who are vainly my foes, you have smashed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord’s, and your blessing is upon your people.

READER

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

READER

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (three times).

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

READER

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 4.

To the end. In hymns. A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my justice. when I was in trouble you set me at large; have pity on me and hear my prayer. Children of men, how long will you be heavy-hearted? Why do you love vanity and seek falsehood? Know too that the Lord has made his Holy One wonderful. When I call to the Lord: He will hear me. Be angry, and do not sin; for what you say in your hearts, feel compunction on your beds. Sacrifice a sacrifice of righteousness and hope in the Lord. Many say: Who will show us good things? The light of your countenance has been signed upon us, O Lord. You have given joy to my heart; from the fruit of their wheat, wine and oil they have been filled. I shall lie down in peace and sleep at once; because you alone, Lord, have made me dwell in hope.

Psalm 5.

To the end: for her that inherits: a Psalm of David.

Give ear to my words, O Lord, understand my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God; for to you I shall pray, O Lord. In the morning you will hear my voice, in the morning I shall stand before you and you will watch over me, because you are not a God who wills iniquity. One who does evil will not dwell with you, nor will the lawless remain before your eyes. You have hated all who work iniquity; you will destroy all who speak falsehood. The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit. But I in the multitude of your mercy will enter your house, I will bow down towards your holy temple in fear of you. Lord, guide me in your justice because of my foes, make my way straight before you. Because truth is not in their mouth; their heart is vain. Their throat is a opened tomb, they have deceived with their tongues: judge them, O God. Let them fall through their counsels, cast them out in accordance with the multitude of their impious deeds, because they have provoked you, O Lord. And let all who hope on you be glad in you; they will rejoice forever, and you will dwell in them, and all those who love your name will boast in you, because you will bless the just. O Lord, as with a shield of good pleasure you have crowned us.

Psalm 6.

To the end. In hymns, for the eighth. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; heal me for my bones have been troubled and my soul exceedingly troubled; but you, Lord, how long? Turn back, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for your mercy’s sake. For in death no one remembers you, and in Hell who will confess you? I have toiled in my groaning, every night I shall wash my bed and drench my couch with my tears. My eye has been troubled through anger, I have grown old among all my foes. Depart from me all you evil doers, for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord has accepted my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled, let them be turned back and speedily be utterly ashamed.

READER

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

READER

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (three times).

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

READER

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 7.

A Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord about the words of Chusi the son of Jemeni.

O Lord my God I have hoped in you; save me from all those who persecute me and deliver me. Lest he ever seize me soul like a lion, when there is none to deliver me or save me. O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice in my hands; if I have repaid with evils those who repaid me, let me fall empty before my foes. Let the foe pursue my soul and seize it, trample down my life and make my glory dwell down there in the dust. Arise, Lord, in your anger, be exalted in the furthest boundaries of your foes. Rise up, O Lord my God, by the decree which you commanded, and an assembly of peoples will surround you, and for this return on high. The Lord will judge peoples. Judge me, Lord, according to my justice and according to the innocence that is in me. Let the evil of sinners be brought to an end and you will keep the just straight, O God the searcher of hearts and reins. Just my help from God, who saves the upright of heart. God is a judge, just and strong and patient, not producing anger every day. If you do not return he will burnish his sword, he has drawn and prepared his bow. And on it he has prepared the instruments of death, he has made ready his arrows for those who are burning. Behold he has been in labour with injustice, he has conceived toil and given birth to iniquity. He has dug a pit and scooped it out, and he will fall into the hole which he has made. His toil will return upon his own head and his injustice will come down upon his crown. I will give thanks to the Lord in accordance with his justice and I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8.

To the end; for the wine vats; a Psalm of David.

O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth! For your majesty is raised up above the heavens. From the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, to destroy the enemy and the avenger. For I will look at the heavens the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you fixed. What is man that you remember him? Or a son of man that you visit him? You have made him a little less than the Angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of your hands. You have subjected all things under his feet, sheep and all cattle and even all the beasts of the field the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that pass through the paths of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth!

READER

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (three times).

Short Litany

DEACON

Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

( To you, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Then we begin Lord, I have cried in the appropriate tone, while the Deacon censes the Sanctuary and the whole Church. If the Priest has to cense he does so vested in the Phelonion and Epitrachelion. He blesses the incense with the words, Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. He censes the holy Table from the four sides and the whole sanctuary. Then coming out by the north door he censes the holy icons (x3), the people and the whole church in the customary manner and returns to the sanctuary by the south door.

Psalm 140.

Set a guard, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about my lips.

Do not incline my heart to evil words; to make excuses for my sins.

With those who work iniquity, let me not unite with their elect.

The just will chastise me with mercy and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners anoint my head.

For yet my prayer shall be in their pleasures; their judges have been swallowed up near the rock.

They will hear my words for they are sweet. As a clod of earth is crushed upon the ground, their bones have been scattered at the mouth of Hell.

For my eyes look to you, O Lord, my Lord. I have hoped in you, do not take away my soul.

Keep me from the snare that they have hidden for me, and from the traps of evil-doers.

The sinners will fall into their own net. I am alone until I pass by.

Psalm 141.

With my voice I cried to the Lord. With my voice I entreated the Lord.

I will pour out my entreaty before him, and tell him all my trouble.

When my spirit was faint, you knew my path.

In the way where I walked they had hidden a snare for me.

I looked to my right hand and saw, but there was none who knew me.

Escape is gone from me, and there is none who seeks for my soul.

I cried to you, Lord, I said, ‘You are my hope; my portion in the land of the living.’

Give heed to my supplication, for I am brought very low.

Deliver me from those who persecute me, for they are too strong for me.

For 10 Verses, or Stichera [On Saturday evening].

For 8 Verses [Always at a full Vigil].

Psalm 129.

For 6 Verses.

6. If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who will stand? But there is forgiveness with you. [EL]

5. For your name’s sake I have waited for you, O Lord. My soul has waited on your word. My soul has hoped in the Lord. [EL]

For 4 Verses.

Psalm 116.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

During the Doxastikon or Theotokion, which on Saturday evening is always the first of the Tone, the Priest, vested in the Phelonion, and the Deacon make the Entrance with the censer. The Priest blesses the incense as above. They come out through the north door, the Deacon leading, and stop opposite the Holy Doors. The Deacon says,

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priest bows his head and says, in a low voice, the

Prayer of the Entrance

PRIEST

At evening, at morning and at midday we praise, bless and give thanks, and we pray to you, Master of all things, Lord who love mankind: Direct our prayer before you like incense, and do not incline our hearts to words or thoughts of evil, but deliver us from all that hunt down our souls. For our eyes look to you, O Lord, our Lord, and we have hoped in you.

For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Then the Deacon says:

DEACON

Master, bless the holy entrance.

And the Priest blesses the Entrance with the words:

PRIEST

Blessed is the entrance of your holy ones, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

DEACON

Amen.

The Deacon censes the holy icons and the People and waits for the end of the troparion. When it is finished, he raises the censer, making the sign of the Cross, and exclaims:

Wisdom. Stand upright.

And they enter the sanctuary through the Holy Doors, the one with the censer censing the holy Table.

And we sing

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps.

An ancient poem, or, as some say, by the martyr Athenogenes.

O joyful Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and see the evening light, we sing the praise of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is right at all times to hymn you with holy voices, Son of God, giver of life. Therefore the world glorifies you. [EL]

In Athonite use this hymn is always read as one of the Gerontika, except when a number of Priests take part in the Entrance.

DEACON (facing the People)

Prokeimenon of the evening.

On Saturday evening

Prokeimenon Tone 6.

The Lord is King: He has clothed himself with glory. [EL]

Verse: The Lord has clothed and girded himself with power.

The Lord is King: He has clothed himself with glory. [EL]

Verse: He has established the world, which will not be shaken.

The Lord is King:

He has clothed himself with glory. [EL]

On Sunday evening.

Prokeimenon Tone 8.

Come, bless the Lord: All you servants of the Lord. (twice).

Verse: You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Come, bless the Lord:

All you servants of the Lord.

On Monday

Prokeimenon Tone 4.

When I call to the Lord: He will hear me. [EL]

Verse: Answer me when I call, O God of my justice.

On Tuesday evening.

Prokeimenon Tone 1.

Your mercy, Lord, will follow me: all the days of my life. [EL]

Verse: The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing.

On Wednesday evening.

Prokeimenon Tone 5.

Save me, O God, by the power of your name: And vindicate me by your might. [EL]

Verse: Hear my prayer, O God, and listen to the words of my mouth.

On Thursday evening.

Prokeimenon Tone 6.

My help comes from the Lord: who made both heaven and earth. [EL]

Verse: I have lifted up my eyes to the hills, from which my help will come.

On Friday evening.

Prokeimenon Tone 7.

O God you are my helper: your mercy will go before me. [EL]

Verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God, ransom me from those that rise up against me.

Litany of Fervent Supplication

DEACON

Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say.

PEOPLE

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray you, hear and have mercy.

PEOPLE

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.

PEOPLE

Lord, have mercy. (three times). And so after each petition.

DEACON

Also we pray for our Bishop (or Archbishop) N.

Also we pray for our President, his (her) government, and all in authority.

Also we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, all devout and Orthodox Christians, those who dwell in or visit this city and parish, the wardens and members of this church and their families; [and for the servants of God N. & N. (Here the Deacon may name those for whom he has been asked to pray), and all who have asked for our prayers, unworthy though we are.]

Also we pray for the blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy church, and for all our departed brothers and sisters, Orthodox believers, who have gone to their rest before us and who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord; [and for the servants of God N. & N. (Here the Deacon may name those for whom he has been asked to pray), and that they may be pardoned all their offences, both voluntary and involuntary.]

Also we pray for those who bring offerings, those who care for the beauty of this holy and venerable house, for those who labour in its service, for those who sing, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

PEOPLE

Amen.

READER

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Those things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

To you, O Lord.

PRIEST

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

Peace to all.

And to your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

To you, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, who bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of the human race, look upon your servants and upon your inheritance, for to you, the fearful Judge who love mankind, your servants have bowed their heads and inclined their necks, not waiting for any human help, but awaiting your mercy and looking for your salvation. Guard them at every moment, during both the present evening and the approaching night, from every foe, from every hostile operation of the devil and from vain thoughts and evil desires.

PRIEST Aloud:

Blessed and glorified be the might of your Kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen.

On Saturday evening

Verse:

Song of Symeon.

Now, Master, you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a Light to bring revelation to the nations, and the Glory of your people Israel.

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times).

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name''s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be sanctified, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [EL]

PRIEST

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Glory. Both now, Theotokion in the same tone.

DEACON

Wisdom.

( Bless. )

PRIEST

Blessed is He Who Is, Christ our true God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

PEOPLE

Amen.

Superior or Reader

May the Lord God strengthen the holy and pure faith of devout and orthodox Christians, with his holy Church, unto ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Greater in honour than the Cherubim * and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, * without corruption * you gave birth to God the Word; * truly the Mother of God, * we magnify you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (three times). Bless.

May ( On Saturday evening he who rose from the dead, ) Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through the protection of the honoured, Bodiless Powers of heaven, through the intercessions of the honoured, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy, glorious and triumphant Martyrs, of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers and Mothers, N. [the patron of the church] of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

PRIEST

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us.

PEOPLE

Amen.

Apolytikia.

Virgin Mother of God, hail 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 given birth to the Saviour of our souls. [EL]

Baptist of Christ, remember us all, that we may be delivered from our transgressions: for you have been given grace to intercede for us. [EL]

Glory.

Pray for us, holy Apostles and all you Saints, that we may be delivered from dangers and afflictions: for in you we have gained fervent advocates with the Saviour. [EL]

Both now.

READER

Lord, have mercy. (x40)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Greater in honour than the Cherubim * and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, * without corruption * you gave birth to God the Word; * truly the Mother of God, * we magnify you.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy father, give the blessing.

PRIEST

Blessed is He Who Is, Christ our true God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Heavenly King, establish our rulers: strengthen the faith: calm the nations: make the world peaceful: guard well this holy church: assign our brothers and sisters who have gone before us to the tents of the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession, as you are good and love mankind.

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life, do not give me a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power and useless chatter. ( )

Rather accord to me, your servant, a spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love. ( )

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen. ( )

VESPERS ON ORDINARY DAYS

Verse 1: To you I lift up my eyes, to you who are enthroned in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master: or as the eyes of a maid toward the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God: until he show us his mercy.

Verse 2: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we have our fill of derision; our soul has its fill. Mockery for those at ease: and derision for the proud.

On Friday.

Verse 1: God is wonderful in his Saints.

Verse 2: For the Saints in his land the Lord has done wonders.

Verse 3: Blessed are those whom you have chosen and taken; they will dwell in your courts.

On Sunday evening.

May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother, through the protection of the honoured, Bodiless Powers of heaven, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, N. [the patron of the church] of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

On Monday

May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother, through the intercessions of the honoured, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, N. [the patron of the church] of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

On Tuesday and Thursday

May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, N. [the patron of the church] of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

On Friday

May Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy, glorious and triumphant Martyrs, of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers and Mothers, N. [the patron of the church] of Saint N. whose memory we keep today, of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.

[ ] Accept, Lord, the supplication of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

[ ] May your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have put our in hope.

[ ] Eternal your memory, blessed and ever remembered Founders.

[ ] Eternal your memory.

NINTH HOUR

Anixantaria. On major feasts, and especially at All-night Vigils, the closing verses of the Opening Psalm are often sung to a solemn and protracted melody. The verses are ‘farced’ with short hymns of praise, such as ‘Glory to you, Holy One. Glory to you, Lord. Glory to you, heavenly King. Glory to you, O God. Alleluia’. The singers take up the Psalm from the verse that begins ‘When you open’, in Greek Anixantos sou, hence the name Anixantaria.

Apolytikion. The hymn that precedes the Dismissal (Greek Apolysis). It is the characteristic hymn of the day or the feast, and is often referred to simply as ‘the Troparion of the Day’. It is used at all the offices and at the Liturgy.

Aposticha. The series of hymns and alternating Psalm verses which are sung towards the end of Vespers and daily Matins. In Greek stichos means ‘verse’.

Artoklasia. The ceremony of the Blessing of Loaves, or Breaking (Greek klasis) of Bread (Greek artos), that takes place before the Apolytikion at Vespers when there is a Vigil. In many parishes it is nowadays celebrated on important feasts even when there is no Vigil, at Vespers or Matins or even after the Liturgy. The ceremony for such occasions will be found in the bilingual edition of the Divine Liturgy published by the Archdiocese of Thyateira.

The monk whose task it is to see that the singers sing the correct texts in the correct Tone. He also reads the verses of the Prokeimenon and similar texts

Doxastikon. A hymn sung after the short doxology ‘Glory (Greek ‘doxa’) to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit’. It is normally sung to a slower and more elaborate melody than the preceding hymns.

Worn round the neck, which is meaning of the Greek name, it is the Eastern equivalent of the Western stole, the chief difference being that it is always joined down the middle, normally with a series of ornamental studs. It is usually broader then the Western stole. It is the characteristic priestly vestment, worn only by bishops and priests. A priest should not celebrate any service unless he is wearing it.

A convenient word used to indicate those parts of the office which are traditionally read by the Superior, or Elder (Greek Geron, or Geronta). If the Superior is not present they are read by the senior monk present. A visiting priest or important visitor is often asked to read them.

Kathisma. One of the twenty sections into which the Psalter is divided for liturgical purposes. The word is also used for the short hymns that are sung after the reading of each Kathisma at Matins. The word is a Greek word meaning a seat. Each Kathisma is divided into three sections (Greek Staseis).

Menaion From the Greek word for ‘monthly’. The book containing the services for days of the Month. There are thus twelve volumes of the Menaia. For places without a full set of Menaia there exists in both Greek and Slavonic a volume containing general offices for each category of Saint called the General Menaion. The contents of the Greek and Slavonic General Menaia are not quite the same, the Slavonic containing more offices, and texts for a full Vigil for each category of Saint including the Lord and the Mother of God.

A low bow in which the right hand touches the ground. Slavonic poklon. Also used for a prostration.

The Deacon’s stole. It is worn on the left shoulder and sometimes taken across diagonally under the right arm and again over the left shoulder. It is also worn crossed on the back by readers and sub-deacons.

The Eastern equivalent of the Western chasuble. The rubrics direct that the priest is to lower the phelonion, that is to let it fall over his hands, at the moment of the Dismissal. This indicates that the work of the service is over, rather like rolling down one’s sleeves. Russian phelonia often have a row of buttons across the chest so that the front of the vestment can be raised or lowered.

Prokeimenon A refrain from a Psalm, sung together with one or more verses from the Psalm, that normally precedes the Readings at Vespers, Matins and the Liturgy. Originally the whole Psalm was sung, hence the Verse is normally the first verse of the Psalm. It survives every day at Vespers, even when there are no readings. It is the equivalent of the Western Gradual.

A tunic-like vestment, resembling the Western dalmatic, when worn by servers, readers, sub-deacons and deacons. That of bishops and priests more closely resembles the alb, though it is not necessarily white.

Sticheron. A hymn that precedes or follows a verse, in Greek stichos, from the Psalms. At ‘Lord, I have cried’ at Vespers and ‘Let everything that has breath’ at Lauds the stichera follow the Psalm verses; at the Aposticha they precede them.

Theotokion. Most series of hymns end with one to the Mother of God, the Theotokos, and so a Theotokion commonly follows the second part of the short doxology, ‘Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen’, and is normally sung in the same Tone as the preceding Doxastikon. On Saturday evening, however, the Theotokion at the Entrance is always that of the Tone of the week, regardless of the Tone of the Doxastikon. It is also sung again at Vespers sung on the following Friday. In Russian usage this Theotokion is called the Dogmatic, whereas in Greek the latter name is used for the corresponding Theotokion at Small Vespers.

Typikon. The rules governing the celebration and for combining the different elements of the service. The book containing these rules.

Troparion. Any hymn may be called a Troparion, but the word more commonly indicates the Apolytikion of the day or one of the stanzas of a Canon. Plural Troparia.