ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΥ

Vespers

For Sundays and Feasts

Μετὰ τὴν Θ´ Ὥραν ὁ ἱερεὺς μετὰ τοῦ διακόνου ποιοῦσι μετάνοιαν πρὸ τοῦ δεσποτικοῦ θρόνου καὶ εἰσέρχονται διὰ τῶν πλαγίων θυρῶν εἰς τὸ Ἱερὸν λέγοντες ἔκαστος καθ᾽ἑαυτόν·

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.

Ἐλθόντες οὕτω προσκυνοῦσιν τρὶς…

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

Περιθεὶς δὲ τὸ Ἐπιτραχήλιον…

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:

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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

Ὁ ἱερατικῶς Προϊστάμενος ἢ εἷ τῶν τεταγμένων Κληρικῶν…

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

ΠΡΟΕΣΤΩΣ ἢ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

Superior or Reader

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν τῷ Βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

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

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ τῷ Βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

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

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτῷ, Χριστῷ τῷ Βασιλεῖ καὶ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.

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

Ψαλμὸς ΡΓʹ (103).

Psalm 103.

Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα. Ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ μεγαλοπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω, ἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον. Ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέῤῥιν, ὁ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερῷα αὐτοῦ. Ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων. Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς Ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα. Ὁ θεμελιῶν τὴν γὴν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἄβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα. Ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν. Ἀναβαίνουσιν ὄρη, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά. Ὅριον ἔθου, ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γήν. Ὁ ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀναμέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα· ποτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν. Ἐπʼ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν. Ποτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ. Ὁ ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι, καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου. Τοῦ ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει. Χορτασθήσονται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου, ἃς ἐφύτευσας. Ἐκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ κατοικία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν. Ὄρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς λαγῳοῖς. Ἐποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιρούς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ, ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ. Σκύμνοι ὠρυόμενοι τοῦ ἁρπᾶσαι, καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς. Ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ συνήχθησαν, καὶ εἰς τὰς μάνδρας αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται. Ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας. Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας, ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου. Αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἐκεῖ ἑρπετὰ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ζῷα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων. Ἐκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος, ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῇ. Πάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν εἰς εὔκαιρον, δόντος σου αὐτοῖς συλλέξουσιν. Ἀνοίξαντός σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος, ἀποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ταραχθήσονται. Ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι, καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν. Ἐξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα σου, καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς. Ἤτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γήν, καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων, καὶ καπνίζονται. ᾌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω. Ἡδυνθείη αὐτῷ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ. Ἐκλείποιεν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς. Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον.

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!

Ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ.

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

Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε· πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός. (3)

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

Ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Εὐχαὶ τοῦ Λυχνικοῦ

Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps

Ἀπαγγελλομένου ἐπίσης τοῦ Προοιμιακοῦ, ὁ Ιερεὺς ἵσταται ἀσκεπὴς ἐνώπιον τῆς ἁγίας Τραπέζης ἢ καὶ ἐνώπιον τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Σωτῆρος Χριστοῦ, ἱστάμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ Σολέα (ὡς ἐν τῷ Ὄρθρῳ), καὶ ἀναγινώσκει μυστικῶς τὰς Εὐχὰς τοῦ Λυχνικοῦ·

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,

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (μυστικῶς)

PRIEST (inaudibly)

ΕΥΧΗ ΠΡΩΤΗ

1st Prayer

Κύριε, οἰκτίρμον καὶ ἐλεῆμον, μακρόθυμε καὶ πολυέλεε, ἐνώτισαι τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν, καὶ πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεως ἡμῶν· ποίησον μεθʼ ἡμῶν σημεῖον εἰς ἀγαθόν· ὁδήγησον ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ σου τοῦ πορεύεσθαι ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου· εὔφρανον τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν, εἰς τὸ φοβεῖσθαι τὸ Ὄνομά σου τὸ ἅγιον· διότι μέγας εἶ σὺ, καὶ ποιῶν θαυμάσια· σὺ εἶ Θεὸς μόνος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅμοιός σοι ἐν θεοῖς, Κύριε, δυνατὸς ἐν ἐλέει, καὶ ἀγαθὸς ἐν ἰσχύϊ, εἰς τὸ βοηθεῖν καὶ παρακαλεῖν, καὶ σῴζειν πάντας τοὺς ἐλπίζοντας εἰς τὸ Ὄνομά σου τὸ ἅγιον.

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]

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ

2nd Prayer

Κύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς ἡμᾶς, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς ἡμᾶς, ἀλλὰ ποίησον μεθʼ ἡμῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐπιείκειάν σου, ἰατρὲ καὶ θεραπευτὰ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν· ὁδήγησον ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ λιμένα θελήματός σου· φώτισον τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῶν καρδιῶν ἡμῶν, εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς σῆς ἀληθείας· καὶ δώρησαι ἡμῖν τὸ λοιπὸν τῆς παρούσης ἡμέρας εἰρηνικὸν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον, καὶ πάντα τὸν χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν· πρεσβείαις τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου, καὶ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων.

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]

Ὅτι σὸν τὸ κράτος καὶ σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΤΡΙΤΗ

3rd Prayer

Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, μνήσθητι ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ ἀχρείων δούλων σου, ἐν τῷ ἐπικαλεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς τὸ ἅγιον ὄνομά σου, καὶ μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ ἐλέους σου, ἀλλὰ χάρισαι ἡμῖν, Κύριε, πάντα τὰ πρὸς σωτηρίαν αἰτήματα· καὶ ἀξίωσον ἡμᾶς ἀγαπᾶν, καὶ φοβεῖσθαί σε ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ἡμῶν, καὶ ποιεῖν ἐν πᾶσι τὸ θέλημά σου.

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]

Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ

4th Prayer

Ὁ τοῖς ἀσιγήτοις ὕμνοις καὶ ἀπαύστοις δοξολογίαις ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων δυνάμεων ἀνυμνούμενος, πλήρωσον τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν τῆς αἰνέσεώς σου, τοῦ δοῦναι μεγαλωσύνην τῷ ὀνόματί σου τῷ ἁγίῳ· καὶ δὸς ἡμῖν μερίδα καὶ κλῆρον μετὰ πάντων τῶν φοβουμένων σε ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ φυλασσόντων τὰς ἐντολάς σου· πρεσβείαις τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων σου.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ

5th Prayer

Κύριε, Κύριε, ὁ τῇ ἀχράντῳ σου παλάμῃ συνέχων τὰ σύμπατα, ὁ μακροθυμῶν ἐπὶ πάντας ἡμᾶς καὶ μετανοῶν ἐπὶ ταῖς κακίαις ἡμῶν, μνήσθητι τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου καὶ τοῦ ἐλέους σου· ἐπίσκεψαι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ σῇ ἀγαθότητι· καὶ δὸς ἡμῖν διαφυγεῖν καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν τῆς παρούσης ἡμέρας, ἐκ τῶν τοῦ πονηροῦ ποικίλων μηχανημάτων, καὶ ἀνεπιβούλευτον τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν διαφύλαξον, τῇ χάριτι τοῦ Παναγίου σου Πνεύματος.

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]

Ἐλέει καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ μονογενοῦς σου Υἱοῦ, μεθʼ οὗ εὐλογητὸς εἶ, σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σου Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΕΚΤΗ

6th Prayer

Ὁ Θεός, ὁ μέγας καὶ θαυμαστός, ὁ ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ πλουσίᾳ προνοίᾳ διοικῶν τὰ σύμπαντα· ὁ καὶ τὰ ἐγκόσμια ἀγαθὰ ἡμῖν δωρησάμενος, καὶ κατεγγυήσας ἡμῖν τὴν ἐπηγγελμένην βασιλείαν, διὰ τῶν ἤδη κεχαρισμένων ἡμῖν ἀγαθῶν· ὁ ποιήσας ἡμᾶς καὶ τῆς νῦν ἡμέρας τὸ παρελθὸν μέρος ἀπὸ παντὸς ἐκκλῖναι κακοῦ, δώρησαι ἡμῖν καὶ τὸ ὑπόλοιπον ἀμέμπτως ἐκτελέσαι, ἐνώπιον τῆς ἁγίας δόξης σου, ὑμνοῦντάς σε τὸν μόνον ἀγαθόν, καὶ φιλάνθρωπον Θεὸν ἡμῶν.

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]

Ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

ΕΥΧΗ ΕΒΔΟΜΗ

7th Prayer

Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ μέγας καὶ ὕψιστος, ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν, φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον, ὁ πᾶσαν τὴν κτίσιν ἐν σοφίᾳ δημιουργήσας. Ὁ διαχωρήσας ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτός, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους, καὶ τὸν μὲν ἥλιον θέμενος εἰς ἐξουσίαν τῆς ἡμέρας, σελήνην δὲ καὶ ἀστέρας εἰς ἐξουσίαν τῆς νυκτός· ὁ καταξιώσας ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς παρούσης ὥρας προφθάσαι τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐν ἐξομολογήσει, καὶ τὴν ἑσπερινήν σοι δοξολογίαν προσαγαγεῖν· αὐτός, φιλάνθρωπε Κύριε, κατεύθυνον τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ πρόσδεξαι αὐτὴν εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας. Παράσχου δὲ ἡμῖν τὴν παροῦσαν ἑσπέραν καὶ τὴν ἐπιοῦσαν νύκτα εἰρηνικήν· ἔνδυσον ἡμᾶς ὅπλα φωτός· ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ φόβου νυκτερινοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ παντὸς πράγματος ἐν σκότει διαπορευομένου· καὶ δὸς ἡμῖν τὸν ὕπνον, ὃν εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν ἐδωρήσω, πάσης διαβολικῆς φαντασίας ἀπηλλαγμένον. Ναί, Δέσποτα τῶν ἁπάντων, τῶν ἀγαθῶν χορηγέ· ἵνα, καὶ ἐπὶ ταῖς κοίταις ἡμῶν κατανυγόμενοι, μνημονεύωμεν ἐν νυκτὶ τοῦ ὀνόματός σου, καὶ τῇ μελέτῃ τῶν σῶν ἐντολῶν καταυγαζόμενοι, ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει ψυχῆς διανιστῶμεν πρὸς δοξολογίαν τῆς σῆς ἀγαθότητος, δεήσεις καὶ ἱκεσίας τῇ σῇ εὐσπλαγχνίᾳ προσάγοντες ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτημάτων καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ σου, ὃν ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου ἐν ἐλέει ἐπίσκεψαι.

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.

Πληρωθέντος τοῦ Προοιμιακοῦ Ψαλμοῦ, ὁ μὲν Ἱερεὺς παραμένει ἐν εὐλαβείᾳ ἐνώπιον τῆς ἁγίας Τραπέζης, ὁ δὲ Διάκονος ποιεῖ σχῆμα πρὸς τὸ Ἱερέα, καὶ ἐξελθὼν τοῦ ἱεροῦ Βήματος, διὰ τῆς βορείας πύλης, καὶ στὰς πρὸ τῆς Ὡραίας πύλης, καὶ βλέπων κατʼ ἐνώπιον τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, λέγει τὴν Μεγάλην Συναπτήν, ἤτοι τὰ «Εἰρηνικά».

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.

ΤΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΑ

Litany of Peace.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

PEOPLE And so after each petition.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου, καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν ἔθνους, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ κατὰ ξηρὰν θάλασσαν καὶ ἀέρα φιλοχρίστου ἡμῶν στρατοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῆς πόλεως ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

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

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

To you, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

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

ΚΑΘΙΣΜΑ ΠΡΩΤΟΝ

First Kathisma

Ψαλμὸς Αʹ (1).

Psalm 1.

Τῷ Δαυΐδ, ἀνεπίγραφος παρ᾽ Ἑβραίοις.

Of David. Untitled in the Hebrew.

Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ἐν βουλῇ ἀσεβῶν καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἔστη καὶ ἐπὶ καθέδρᾳ λοιμῶν οὐκ ἐκάθισεν. Ἀλλʼ ἤ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Κυρίου τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ αὐτοῦ μελετήσει ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός. Καὶ ἔσται ὡς τὸ ξύλον τὸ πεφυτευμένον παρὰ τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὑδάτων, ὃ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ δώσει ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ φύλλον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀποῤῥυήσεται· καὶ πάντα, ὅσα ἂν ποιῇ, κατευοδωθήσεται. Οὐχ οὕτως οἱ ἀσεβεῖς, οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλʼ ἢ ὡσεὶ χνοῦς, ὃν ἐκρίπτει ὁ ἄνεμος ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς γῆς. Διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀναστήσονται ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κρίσει, οὐδὲ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐν βουλῇ δικαίων· Ὅτι γινώσκει Κύριος ὁδὸν δικαίων, καὶ ὁδὸς ἀσεβῶν ἀπολεῖται.

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.

Ψαλμὸς Βʹ (2).

Psalm 2.

Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ.

A Psalm of David.

Ἰνατί ἐφρύαξαν ἔθνη, καὶ λαοὶ ἐμελέτησαν κενά; Παρέστησαν οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες συνήχθησαν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ κατὰ τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ κατὰ τοῦ χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ. Διαῤῥήξωμεν τοὺς δεσμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ ἀποῤῥίψωμεν ἀφʼ ἡμῶν τὸν ζυγὸν αὐτῶν. Ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν οὐρανοῖς ἐκγελάσεται αὐτούς, καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἐκμυκτηριεῖ αὐτούς. Τότε λαλήσει πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐν ὀργῇ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ θυμῷ αὐτοῦ ταράξει αὐτούς. Ἐγὼ δὲ κατεστάθην βασιλεὺς ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ Σιὼν ὄρος τὸ ἅγιον αὐτοῦ, διαγγέλλων τὸ πρόσταγμα Κυρίου. Κύριος εἶπε πρός με· Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Αἴτησαι παρʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ δώσω σοι ἔθνη τὴν κληρονομίαν σου καὶ τὴν κατάσχεσίν σου τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς. Ποιμανεῖς αὐτοὺς ἐν ῥάβδῳ σιδηρᾷ, ὡς σκεύη κεραμέως συντρίψεις αὐτούς. Καὶ νῦν, βασιλεῖς, σύνετε, παιδεύθητε, πάντες οἱ κρίνοντες τὴν γῆν. Δουλεύσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε αὐτῷ ἐν τρόμῳ. Δράξασθε παιδείας, μήποτε ὀργισθῇ Κύριος καὶ ἀπολεῖσθε ἐξ ὁδοῦ δικαίας, ὅταν ἐκκαυθῇ ἐν τάχει ὁ θυμὸς αὐτοῦ, μακάριοι πάντες οἱ πεποιθότες ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.

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.

Ψαλμὸς Γʹ (3).

Psalm 3.

Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ, ὁπότε ἀπεδίδρασκεν ἀπὸ προσώπου ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ.

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

Κύριε, τί ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ θλίβοντές με; πολλοὶ ἐπανίστανται ἐπʼ ἐμέ. Πολλοὶ λέγουσι τῇ ψυχῇ μου· Οὐκ ἔστι σωτηρία αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ αὐτοῦ. Σὺ δέ, Κύριε, ἀντιλήπτωρ μου εἶ, δόξα μου καὶ ὑψῶν τὴν κεφαλήν μου. Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, καὶ ἐπήκουσέ μου ἐξ ὄρους ἁγίου αὐτοῦ. Ἐγὼ ἐκοιμήθην καὶ ὕπνωσα· ἐξηγέρθην, ὅτι Κύριος ἀντιλήψεταί μου. Οὐ φοβηθήσομαι ἀπὸ μυριάδων λαοῦ τῶν κύκλῳ συνεπιτιθεμένων μοι. Ἀνάστα, Κύριε, σῶσόν με, ὁ Θεός μου, ὅτι σὺ ἐπάταξας πάντας τοὺς ἐχθραίνοντάς μοι ματαίως, ὀδόντας ἁμαρτωλῶν συνέτριψας. Τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ σωτηρία, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου ἡ εὐλογία σου.

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.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

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

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι, ὁ Θεός. (3)

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

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

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

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ψαλμὸς Δʹ (4).

Psalm 4.

Εἰς τὸ τέλος· ἐν ὕμνοις· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ.

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

Υἱοὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἕως πότε βαρυκάρδιοι; ἱνατί ἀγαπᾶτε ματαιότητα καὶ ζητεῖτε ψεῦδος; Κύριος εἰσακούσεταί μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς αὐτόν. Ὀργίζεσθε, καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε· ἃ λέγετε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, ἐπὶ ταῖς κοίταις ὑμῶν κατανύγητε. Θύσατε θυσίαν δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐλπίσατε ἐπὶ Κύριον. Πολλοὶ λέγουσι· Τίς δείξει ἡμῖν τὰ ἀγαθά; Ἐσημειώθη ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς τὸ φῶς τοῦ προσώπου σου, Κύριε. Ἔδωκας εὐφροσύνην εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μου· ἀπὸ καρποῦ σίτου, οἴνου καὶ ἐλαίου αὐτῶν ἐπληθύνθησαν. Ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ κοιμηθήσομαι καὶ ὑπνώσω, ὅτι σύ, Κύριε, κατὰ μόνας ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι κατῴκισάς με.

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.

Ψαλμὸς Εʹ (5).

Psalm 5.

Εἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῆς κληρονομούσης· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ.

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

Τὰ ῥήματά μου ἐνώτισαι, Κύριε, σύνες τῆς κραυγῆς μου. Πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ὁ Βασιλεύς μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου· ὅτι πρὸς σὲ προσεύξομαι, Κύριε. Τὸ πρωΐ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς μου, τὸ πρωΐ παραστήσομαί σοι καὶ ἐπόψει με, Ὅτι οὐχὶ Θεὸς θέλων ἀνομίαν σὺ εἶ· οὐ παροικήσει σοι πονηρευόμενος, Οὐδὲ διαμενοῦσι παράνομοι κατέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν σου. ἐμίσησας πάντας τοὺς ἐργαζομένους τὴν ἀνομίαν· Ἀπολεῖς πάντας τοὺς λαλοῦντας τὸ ψεῦδος. ἄνδρα αἱμάτων καὶ δόλιον βδελύσσεται Κύριος. Ἐγὼ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλήθει τοῦ ἐλέους σου εἰσελεύσομαι εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου, προσκυνήσω πρὸς ναὸν ἅγιόν σου ἐν φόβῳ σου. Κύριε, ὁδήγησόν με ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου, κατεύθυνον ἐνώπιόν σου τὴν ὁδόν μου. Ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν ἀλήθεια, ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν ματαία· τάφος ἀνεῳγμένος ὁ λάρυγξ αὐτῶν, ταῖς γλώσσαις αὐτῶν ἐδολιοῦσαν. Κρῖνον αὐτούς, ὁ Θεός. ἀποπεσάτωσαν ἀπὸ τῶν διαβουλιῶν αὐτῶν· κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ἀσεβειῶν αὐτῶν ἔξωσον αὐτούς, ὅτι παρεπίκρανάν σε, Κύριε. Καὶ εὐφρανθείησαν πάντες οἱ ἐλπίζοντες ἐπὶ σέ· εἰς αἰῶνα ἀγαλλιάσονται, καὶ κατασκηνώσεις ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ καυχήσονται ἐν σοὶ πάντες οἱ ἀγαπῶντες τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ὅτι σὺ εὐλογήσεις δίκαιον· Κύριε, ὡς ὅπλῳ εὐδοκίας ἐστεφάνωσας ἡμᾶς.

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.

Ψαλμὸς Ϛʹ (6).

Psalm 6.

Εἰς τὸ τέλος, ἐν ὕμνοις, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὀγδόης· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ.

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

Κύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς με, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς με. Ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἀσθενής εἰμι· ἴασαί με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐταράχθη τὰ ὀστᾶ μου. Καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐταράχθη σφόδρα· καὶ σύ, Κύριε, ἕως πότε; Ἐπίστρεψον, Κύριε, ρῦσαι τὴν ψυχήν μου, σῶσόν με ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἐλέους σου. Ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ ὁ μνημονεύων σου· ἐν δὲ τῷ ῞ᾼδῃ τίς ἐξομολογήσεταί σοι; Ἐκοπίασα ἐν τῷ στεναγμῷ μου, λούσω καθʼ ἑκάστην νύκτα τὴν κλίνην μου, ἐν δάκρυσί μου τὴν στρωμνήν μου βρέξω. Ἐταράχθη ἀπὸ θυμοῦ ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου, ἐπαλαιώθην ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐχθροῖς μου. Ἀπόστητε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ πάντες οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν, ὅτι εἰσήκουσε Κύριος τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ κλαυθμοῦ μου· Ἤκουσε Κύριος τῆς δεήσεώς μου, Κύριος τὴν προσευχήν μου προσεδέξατο. Αἰσχυνθείησαν καὶ ταραχθείησαν σφόδρα πάντες οἱ ἐχθροί μου, ἀποστραφείησαν καὶ καταισχυνθείησαν σφόδρα διὰ τάχους.

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.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

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

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι, ὁ Θεός. (3)

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

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

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

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ψαλμὸς Ζʹ (7).

Psalm 7.

Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ, ὃν ᾖσε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὑπὲρ τῶν λόγων Χουσὶ υἱοῦ ᾿Ιεμενεί.

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

Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα· σῶσόν με ἐκ πάντων τῶν διωκόντων με καὶ ῥῦσαί με. Μήποτε ἁρπάσῃ ὡς λέων τὴν ψυχήν μου, μὴ ὄντος λυτρουμένου μηδὲ σῴζοντος. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, εἰ ἐποίησα τοῦτο, εἰ ἔστιν ἀδικία ἐν χερσί μου, Εἰ ἀνταπέδωκα τοῖς ἀνταποδιδοῦσί μοι κακά, ἀποπέσοιμι ἄρα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου κενός· Καταδιώξαι ἄρα ὁ ἐχθρὸς τὴν ψυχήν μου καὶ καταλάβοι καὶ καταπατήσαι εἰς γῆν τὴν ζωήν μου καὶ τὴν δόξαν μου εἰς χοῦν κατασκηνώσαι. Ἀνάστηθι, Κύριε, ἐν ὀργῇ σου, ὑψώθητι ἐν τοῖς πέρασι τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου. Καὶ ἐξεγέρθητι, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, ἐν προστάγματι, ᾧ ἐνετείλω, καὶ συναγωγὴ λαῶν κυκλώσει σε, καὶ ὑπὲρ ταύτης εἰς ὕψος ἐπίστρεψον. Κύριος κρινεῖ λαούς. κρῖνόν με, Κύριε, κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἀκακίαν μου ἐπʼ ἐμοί. Συντελεσθήτω δὴ πονηρία ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ κατευθυνεῖς δίκαιον, ἐτάζων καρδίας καὶ νεφροὺς ὁ Θεός. Δικαία ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ σῴζοντος τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ. Ὁ Θεὸς κριτὴς δίκαιος καὶ ἰσχυρὸς καὶ μακρόθυμος καὶ μὴ ὀργὴν ἐπάγων καθʼ ἑκάστην ἡμέραν. Ἐὰν μὴ ἐπιστραφῆτε, τὴν ρομφαίαν αὐτοῦ στιλβώσει, τὸ τόξον αὐτοῦ ἐνέτεινε καὶ ἡτοίμασεν αὐτό· Καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ ἡτοίμασε σκεύη θανάτου, τὰ βέλη αὐτοῦ τοῖς καιομένοις ἐξειργάσατο. Ἰδοὺ ὠδίνησεν ἀδικίαν, συνέλαβε πόνον καὶ ἔτεκεν ἀνομίαν. Λάκκον ὤρυξε καὶ ἀνέσκαψεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς βόθρον, ὃν εἰργάσατο· Ἐπιστρέψει ὁ πόνος αὐτοῦ εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ κορυφὴν αὐτοῦ ἡ ἀδικία αὐτοῦ καταβήσεται. Ἐξομολογήσομαι τῷ Κυρίῳ κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ καὶ ψαλῶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ Ὑψίστου.

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.

Ψαλμὸς Ηʹ (8).

Psalm 8.

Εἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ.

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

Κύριε ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, ὡς θαυμαστὸν τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ· ὅτι ἐπήρθη ἡ μεγαλοπρέπειά σου ὑπεράνω τῶν οὐρανῶν. Ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων κατηρτίσω αἶνον ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου τοῦ καταλῦσαι ἐχθρὸν καὶ ἐκδικητήν. Ὅτι ὄψομαι τοὺς οὐρανούς, ἔργα τῶν δακτύλων σου, σελήνην καὶ ἀστέρας, ἃ σὺ ἐθεμελίωσας· Τί ἐστιν ἄνθρωπος, ὅτι μιμνῄσκῃ αὐτοῦ; ἢ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου, ὅτι ἐπισκέπτῃ αὐτόν; Ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρʼ ἀγγέλους, δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν, Καὶ κατέστησας αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου· πάντα ὑπέταξας ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ, Πρόβατα, καὶ βόας ἁπάσας, ἔτι δὲ καὶ τὰ κτήνη τοῦ πεδίου, Τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἰχθύας τῆς θαλάσσης, τὰ διαπορευόμενα τρίβους θαλασσῶν. Κύριε ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, ὡς θαυμαστὸν τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ!

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!

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.

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

Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι, ὁ Θεός. (3)

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

ΜΙΚΡΑ ΣΥΝΑΠΤΗ

Short Litany

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

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

( Κύριε, ἐλέησον. )

( Lord, have mercy. )

( Σοί, Κύριε. )

( To you, O Lord. )

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι σὸν τὸ κράτος καὶ σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

Ψαλμὸς ΡΜʹ (140).

Psalm 140.

Κύριε ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κύριε, ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου· πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σέ. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

Κατευθυνθήτω ἡ προσευχή μου, ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου, ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινή. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου.

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

μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς λόγους πονηρίας τοῦ προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις ἐν ἁμαρτίαις.

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

σὺν ἀνθρώποις ἐργαζομένοις τὴν ἀνομίαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ συνδυάσω μετὰ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτῶν.

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

παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει καὶ ἐλέγξει με, ἔλαιον δὲ ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ λιπανάτω τὴν κεφαλήν μου·

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

ὅτι ἔτι καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου ἐν ταῖς εὐδοκίαις αὐτῶν· κατεπόθησαν ἐχόμενα πέτρας οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῶν·

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

ἀκούσονται τὰ ρήματά μου ὅτι ἡδύνθησαν. ὡσεὶ πάχος γῆς ἐῤῥάγη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, διεσκορπίσθη τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὸν ᾅδην.

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.

Ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ μου· ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, μὴ ἀντανέλῃς τὴν ψυχήν μου.

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

Φύλαξόν με ἀπὸ παγίδος ἧς συνεστήσαντό μοι, καὶ ἀπὸ σκανδάλων τῶν ἐργαζομένων τὴν ἀνομίαν.

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

Πεσοῦνται ἐν ἀμφιβλήστρῳ αὐτῶν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί· κατὰ μόνας εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ἕως ἂν παρέλθω.

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

Ψαλμὸς ΡΜΑʹ (141).

Psalm 141.

Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην.

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

Ἐκχεῶ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλῖψίν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ.

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

ἐν τῷ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου·

When my spirit was faint, you knew my path.

ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ, ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι.

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

κατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με·

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

ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.

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

Ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, Κύριε· εἶπα· Σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου εἶ ἐν γῇ ζώντων.

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

πρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα·

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

ρῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.

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

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

Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου.

Ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὗ ἀνταποδῷς μοι.

For 8 Verses [Always at a full Vigil].

Ψαλμὸς ΡΚΘʹ (129).

Psalm 129.

Ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σοι, Κύριε· Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου.

Γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου.

For 6 Verses.

Στιχηρὸν Ϛʹ. Ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε Κύριε, τίς ὑποστήσεται; Ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν.

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

Στιχηρὸν Εʹ. Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὑπέμεινά σε, Κύριε, ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου. Ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

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.

Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας μέχρι νυκτός· ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρʼ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις, καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ.

Ψαλμὸς ΡΙϚʹ (116).

Psalm 116.

Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτόν, πάντες οἱ λαοί.

Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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,

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

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

ΕΥΧΗ ΤΗΕ ΕΙΣΟΔΟΥ

Prayer of the Entrance

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ἑσπέρας καὶ πρωῒ καὶ μεσημβρίας αἰνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν, εὐχαριστοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθά σου, Δέσποτα τῶν ἁπάντων, φιλάνθρωπε, Κύριε. Κατεύθυνον τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν εἰς λόγους ἢ εἰς λογισμοὺς πονηρίας, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἐκ πάντων τῶν θηρευόντων τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν· ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ σοὶ ἠλπίσαμεν· μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν.

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:

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Εὐλόγησον Δέσποτα, τὴν ἁγίαν εἴσοδον.

Master, bless the holy entrance.

And the Priest blesses the Entrance with the words:

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

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

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἀμήν.

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:

Σοφία. Ὀρθοί.

Wisdom. Stand upright.

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

And we sing

ΕΠΙΛΥΧΝΙΟΝ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΑΝ

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps.

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

Φῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς· * διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.

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.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON (facing the People)

Ἑσπέρας Προκείμενον.

Prokeimenon of the evening.

Τῷ Σαββάτῳ, ἑσπέρας.

On Saturday evening

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 6.

Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, Εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο,

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

Στίχ. ἐνεδύσατο Κύριος δύναμιν καὶ περιεζώσατο·

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

Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, Εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο,

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

Στίχ. Καὶ γὰρ ἐστερέωσε τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἥτις οὐ σαλευθήσεται.

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

Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν,

The Lord is King:

Εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο,

He has clothed himself with glory. [EL]

Τῇ Κυριακῇ, ἑσπέρας.

On Sunday evening.

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 8.

Ἰδοὺ δὴ εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, Πάντες οἱ δοῦλοι Κυρίου (δίς)

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

Στίχ. οἱ ἑστῶτες ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, ἐν αὐλαῖς οἴκου Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.

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

Ἰδοὺ δὴ εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Κύριον,

Come, bless the Lord:

Πάντες οἱ δοῦλοι Κυρίου

All you servants of the Lord.

Τῇ Δευτέρᾳ, ἑσπέρας.

On Monday

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος δʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 4.

Κύριος εἰσακούσεταί μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς αὐτόν.

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

Στίχ.

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

Τῇ Τρίτῃ, ἑσπέρας.

On Tuesday evening.

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος αʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 1.

Καὶ τὸ ἔλεός σου καταδιώξει με πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς μου,

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

Στίχ. Κύριος ποιμαίνει με καὶ οὐδέν με ὑστερήσει.

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

Τῇ Τετάρτῃ, ἑσπέρας.

On Wednesday evening.

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. αʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 5.

Ὁ Θεός ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου σῶσόν με· καὶ ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου κρῖνόν με.

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

Στίχ. Ὁ Θεός, εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, ἐνώτισαι τὰ ρήματα τοῦ στόματός μου.

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

Τῇ Πέμπτῃ, ἑσπέρας.

On Thursday evening.

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Prokeimenon Tone 6.

Ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ Κυρίου τοῦ ποιήσαντος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν.

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

Στίχ. Ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου εἰς τὰ ὄρη, ὅθεν ἥξει ἡ βοήθειά μου.

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

Τῇ Παρασκευῇ, ἑσπέρας.

On Friday evening.

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος βαρύς.

Prokeimenon Tone 7.

Ὁ Θεός, ἀντιλήπτωρ μου εἶ· τὸ ἔλεός σου προφθάσει με.

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

Στίχ. Ἐξελοῦ με ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου, ὁ Θεός, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἐπανισταμένων ἐπʼ ἐμὲ λύτρωσαί με.

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

Η ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΕΚΤΕΝΗΣ ΙΚΕΣΙΑ ἢ ΔΕΗΣΙΣ

Litany of Fervent Supplication

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Εἴπωμεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ἡμῶν εἴπωμεν.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Κύριε παντοκράτορ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. (3) (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

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

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος).

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

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἔθνους ἡμῶν, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν αὐτῷ.

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

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ ἐλέους, ζωῆς, εἰρήνης, ὑγείας, σωτηρίας, ἐπισκέψεως, συγχωρήσεως καὶ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῶν δούλων τοῦ Θεοῦ, πάντων τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν, τῶν κατοικούντων καὶ παρεπιδημούντων ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ, τῶν ἐνοριτῶν, ἐπιτρόπων, συνδρομητῶν καὶ ἀφιερωτῶν τοῦ ἁγίου ναοῦ τούτου.

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.]

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπέρ τῶν μακαρίων καὶ ἀοιδίμων κτιτόρων τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας ταύτης, καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων τῶν προαναπαυσαμένων πατέρων καὶ ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν, τῶν ἐνθάδε εὐσεβῶς κειμένων καὶ ἁπανταχοῦ ὀρθοδόξων.

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.]

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν καρποφορούντων καὶ καλλιεργούντων ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ πανσέπτῳ ναῷ τούτῳ, κοπιώντων, ψαλλόντων καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ περιεστῶτος λαοῦ, τοῦ ἀπεκδεχομένου τὸ παρὰ σοῦ μέγα καὶ πλούσιον ἔλεος.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καταξίωσον, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἑσπέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀναμαρτήτους φυλαχθῆναι ἡμᾶς. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν, καὶ αἰνετὸν καὶ δεδοξασμένον τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν. Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καθάπερ ἠλπίσαμεν ἐπὶ σέ. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Δέσποτα, συνέτισόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, ἅγιε, φώτισόν με τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου. Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου μὴ παρίδῃς. Σοὶ πρέπει αἶνος, σοὶ πρέπει ὕμνος, σοὶ δόξα πρέπει, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

ΤΑ ΠΛΗΡΩΤΙΚΑ

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πληρώσωμεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον, παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν, παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Συγγνώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τῶν πλημμελημάτων ἡμῶν, παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν καὶ εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ, παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὸν ὑπόλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ μετανοίᾳ ἐκτελέσαι, παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώδυνα, ἀνεπαίσχυντα, εἰρηνικά, καὶ καλὴν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοβεροῦ βήματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ αἰτησώμεθα.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

To you, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ· Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

Peace to all.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου.

And to your spirit.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

To you, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κλῖνας οὐρανοὺς καὶ καταβὰς ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τοῦ γένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἔπιδε ἐπί τοὺς δούλους σου καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν σου· σοὶ γὰρ τῷ φοβερῷ καὶ φιλανθρώπῳ κριτῇ οἱ σοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπέκλιναν τὰς κεφαλάς, τοὺς δὲ αὐτῶν ὑπέταξαν αὐχένας, οὐ τὴν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀναμένοντες βοήθειαν, ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν περιμένοντες ἔλεος καὶ τὴν σὴν ἀπεκδεχόμενοι σωτηρίαν· οὓς διαφύλαξον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ κατὰ τὴν παροῦσαν ἑσπέραν καὶ τὴν προσιοῦσαν νύκτα, ἀπὸ παντὸς ἐχθροῦ, ἀπὸ πάσης ἀντικειμένης ἐνεργείας διαβολικῆς, καὶ διαλογισμῶν ματαίων καὶ ἐνθυμήσεων πονηρῶν.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (ἐκφώνως)

PRIEST Aloud:

Εἴη τὸ κράτος τῆς βασιλείας σου εὐλογημένον καὶ δεδοξασμένον, τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεἰ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Τῷ Σαββάτῳ, ἑσπέρας.

On Saturday evening

Στίχ. Ὁ Κύριος ἐβασίλευσεν, εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο, ἐνεδύσατο Κύριος δύναμιν καὶ περιεζώσατο.

Verse:

Στίχ. Καὶ γὰρ ἐστερέωσε τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἥτις οὐ σαλευθήσεται.

Verse:

Στίχ. Τῷ οἴκῳ σου πρέπει ἁγίασμα, Κύριε, εἰς μακρότητα ἡμερῶν.

Verse:

ᾨδὴν τοῦ Θεοδόχου Συμεών

Song of Symeon.

Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, Δέσποτα, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, ἐν εἰρήνῃ· ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου, ὃ ἡτοίμασας κατὰ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν λαῶν· φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν, καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου Ἰσραήλ.

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.

Τρισάγιον.

Trisagion

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. (3)

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν. Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν. Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.

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.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

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]

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

Δόξα, Καί νῦν: Τὸ ὁμόηχον Θεοτοκίον αὐτοῦ.

Glory. Both now, Theotokion in the same tone.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία.

Wisdom.

( Εὐλόγησον. )

( Bless. )

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητός, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, πάντοτε, νῦν, καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΠΡΟΕΣΤΩΣ ἢ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

Superior or Reader

Στερεώσαι Κύριος ὁ Θεός τὴν ἁγίαν καὶ ἀμώμητον πίστιν τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν σὺν τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων.

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

( Ἀμήν. )

( Amen. )

Τὴν τιμιωτέραν τῶν Χερουβείμ, καὶ ἐνδοξοτέραν, ἀσυγκρίτως τῶν Σεραφείμ, τὴν ἀδιαφθόρως, Θεὸν Λόγον τεκοῦσαν, τὴν ὄντως Θεοτόκον, σὲ μεγαλύνομεν.

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.

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. (3) Εὐλόγησον.

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

( Τῷ Σαββάτῳ, ἑσπέρας. Ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ) Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ Ἁγίου τοῦ Ναοῦ)· ὧν καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Διʼ εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ

PEOPLE

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Τοῦ Ὡρολογίου - - -

Ἀπολυτίκια. Ἦχος πλ. αʹ.

Apolytikia.

Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Μαρία, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξί, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου, ὅτι Σωτῆρα ἔτεκες τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.

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]

Βαπτιστὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πάντων ἡμῶν μνήσθητι, ἵνα ῥυσθῶμεν τῶν ἀνομιῶν ἡμῶν· σοὶ γὰρ ἐδόθη χάρις πρεσβεύειν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν.

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]

Δόξα.

Glory.

Ἱκετεύσατε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἅγιοι Ἀπόστολοι, καὶ Ἅγιοι πάντες, ἵνα ῥυσθῶμεν κινδύνων καὶ θλίψεων, ὑμᾶς γὰρ θερμοὺς προστάτας, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κεκτήμεθα.

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]

Καὶ νῦν.

Both now.

Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν, καταφεύγομεν Θεοτόκε, τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίας μὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει, ἀλλʼ ἐκ κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς, μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. (μʹ)

Lord, have mercy. (x40)

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Πάτερ ἅγιε, εὐλόγησον.

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

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητός, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, πάντοτε, νῦν, καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Ἐπουράνιε Βασιλεῦ, τοὺς πιστοὺς ἄρχοντας ἡμῶν στερέωσον· τὴν πίστιν στήριξον· τὰ ἔθνη πράυνον· τὸν κόσμον εἰρήνευσον· τὴν ἁγίαν Ἐκκλησίαν (ἢ Μονὴν) ταύτην καλῶς διαφύλαξον· τοὺς προαπελθόντας πατέρας καὶ ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν ἐν σκηναῖς δικαίων τάξον· καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐν μετανοίᾳ καὶ ἐξομολογήσει παράλαβε, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος.

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.

Εὐχὴ τοῦ Ὁσίου Ἐφραίμ

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian

Κύριε καὶ Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργίας, φιλαρχίας καὶ ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς. ( )

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

Πνεῦμα δὲ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονῆς καὶ ἀγάπης χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. ( )

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

Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαί μοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐμὰ πταίσματα, καὶ μὴ κατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν μου. ( )

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. ( )

ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ Καθʼ ἡμέραν

VESPERS ON ORDINARY DAYS

Στίχ. αʹ. Πρὸς σὲ ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου τὸν κατοικοῦντα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. Ἰδοὺ ὡς ὀφθαλμοὶ δούλων εἰς χεῖρας τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν, ὡς ὀφθαλμοὶ παιδίσκης εἰς χεῖρας τῆς κυρίας αὐτῆς, οὕτως οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν ἡμῶν, ἕως οὗ οἰκτειρῆσαι ἡμᾶς.

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.

Στίχ. βʹ. Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, Κύριε, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὅτι ἐπὶ πολὺ ἐπλήσθημεν ἐξουδενώσεως, Ἐπὶ πλεῖον ἐπλήσθη ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν. Τὸ ὄνειδος τοῖς εὐθηνοῦσι, καὶ ἡ ἐξουδένωσις τοῖς ὑπερηφάνοις.

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.

Τῌ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥῌ

On Friday.

Στίχ. αʹ.

Verse 1: God is wonderful in his Saints.

Στίχ. βʹ. Τοῖς ἁγίοις τοῖς ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ ἐθαυμάστωσεν ὁ Κύριος, πάντα τὰ θελήματα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτοῖς.

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

Στίχ. γʹ.

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

Τῇ Κυριακῇ, ἑσπέρας.

On Sunday evening.

Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, (τοῦ Ἁγίου τοῦ Ναοῦ)· ὧν καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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.

Τῇ Δευτέρᾳ, ἑσπέρας.

On Monday

Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, (τοῦ Ἁγίου τοῦ Ναοῦ)· ὧν καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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.

Τῇ δὲ Τρίτῃ ἑσπέρας καὶ τῇ Πέμπτῃ ψάλλεται, τό·

On Tuesday and Thursday

Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, (τοῦ Ἁγίου τοῦ Ναοῦ)· ὧν καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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.

Τῇ Παρασκευῇ

On Friday

Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ Ἁγίου τοῦ Ναοῦ)· ὧν καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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.

[ Α ] Πρόσδεξαι, Κύριε, τὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

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

[ Β ] Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καθάπερ ἠλπίσαμεν ἐπὶ σέ.

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

[ Α ] Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη τῶν μακαρίων καὶ ἀειδήμων κτιτόρων τῆς ἁγίας ἐκκλησίας ταύτης.

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

[ Β ] Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη αὐτῶν.

[ ] Eternal your memory.

ΩΡΑ Θʹ.

NINTH HOUR

Ἀνοιξαντάρια

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.

Ἀπολυτίκιον.

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.

Ἀπόστιχα.

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’.

Ἡ Ἀρτοκλασία.

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.

Κανονάρχης.

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

Δοξαστικόν.

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.

Ἐπιτραχήλιον.

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.

Γεροντικά.

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.

Κάθισμα.

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).

Μηναῖον

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.

Μετάνοια.

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

Ὀράριον

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.

Φελόνιον.

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.

Προκείμενον.

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.

Στιχάριον.

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.

Στιχηρόν.

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.

Θεοτοκίον.

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.

Τυπικόν

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

Τροπάριον.

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.