GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Thursday, Mar 26, 2026
Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll
Midnight Office
PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
PRIEST
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.
READER
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
READER
Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.
KATHISMA 17.
Psalm 118 (119)
Blessed are the blameless in the way who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who search out His testimonies; they shall search for Him with their whole heart.
For those who work lawlessness do not walk in His ways.
You commanded us regarding Your commandments, that we should be very diligent to keep them.
Would that my ways were led, that I might keep Your ordinances.
Then I would not be ashamed when I regard all Your commandments.
I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with an upright heart, when I learn the judgments of Your righteousness.
I shall keep Your ordinances; do not utterly forsake me.
How shall a young man keep his way straight? when he keeps Your words.
I searched for You with my whole heart; do not drive me away from Your commandments.
I hid Your teachings in my heart so as not to sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your ordinances.
With my lips I declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I delight in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.
I shall meditate on Your commandments, and I shall understand Your ways.
I shall meditate on Your ordinances; I shall not forget Your words.
Reward Your servant; I shall live, and keep Your words.
Unveil my eyes, and I shall understand the wonders in Your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul longed to desire Your judgments in every season.
You rebuke the arrogant; those who turn aside from Your commandments are accursed.
Take away reproach and contempt from me, for I searched Your testimonies.
For rulers sat and spoke against me, but Your servant meditated on Your ordinances.
For Your testimonies are my meditation, and Your ordinances are my counsels.
My soul cleaves to the earth; give me life according to Your word.
I made known my ways and You heard me; teach me Your ordinances.
Cause me to understand the way of Your ordinances, and I shall meditate on Your wonders.
My soul fainted because of its listlessness; establish me in Your words.
Remove the way of unrighteousness from me, and with Your law have mercy on me.
I chose the way of truth; I have not forgotten Your judgments.
I cleave to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not disappoint me.
I ran on the path of Your commandments, when You enlarged my heart.
Give me as law, O Lord, the way of Your ordinances, and I shall always search them.
Cause me to understand, and I shall search out Your law; and I shall keep it with my whole heart.
Guide me in the path of Your commandments, for I desire it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to greediness.
Turn away my eyes that I may not see vanity; give me life in Your way.
Establish Your teaching in Your servant In regard to Your fear.
Take away my blame, which I have suspected, for Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your commandments; give me life in Your righteousness.
And may Your mercy come upon me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your teaching.
And I shall answer those who insult me with a word, for I hope in Your words.
Do not take away the word of truth completely from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments.
So I shall keep Your law always, forever and unto ages of ages.
And I walk in a broad space, for I searched Your commandments.
I spoke of Your testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed.
And I meditate on Your commandments, which I love exceedingly.
And I raise my hands to Your commandments, which I love. And I meditate on Your ordinances.
Remember Your word to Your servant, in which You give me hope.
This comforted me in my humiliation, for Your teaching gives me life.
The arrogant transgressed exceedingly, but I did not turn away from Your law.
I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, and I was comforted.
Despondency held me because of sinners who abandon Your law.
Your ordinances were sung to me In the place of my sojourning.
I remembered Your name in the night, O Lord, and I kept Your law.
This happened to me in the night, because I searched Your ordinances.
You are my portion, O Lord; I said I will keep Your law.
I sought Your presence with my whole heart; have mercy on me according to Your teaching.
I considered Your ways, and I turned my feet toward Your testimonies.
I prepared myself, and I was not troubled, that I might keep Your commandments.
The ropes of sinners ensnared me, but I did not forget Your law.
At midnight I arose to give thanks to You because of the judgments of Your righteousness.
I am a companion of all who fear You and keep Your commandments.
Lord, the earth is full of Your mercy; teach me Your ordinances.
Lord, You dealt with Your servant in goodness, according to Your word.
Teach me goodness, instruction, and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.
Before I was humbled, I transgressed; therefore, I kept Your teaching.
You are good, O Lord, and in Your goodness teach me Your ordinances.
The unrighteousness of the arrogant multiplied against me, but I will search out Your commandments with my whole heart.
Their heart was curdled like milk, but I meditated on Your law.
It is good for me that You humbled me, that I might learn Your ordinances.
The law of Your mouth is good for me, rather than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Your hands made and fashioned me; instruct me, and I will learn Your commandments.
Those who fear You will see me and be glad, because I hope in Your words.
I know, O Lord, Your judgments are righteousness, and You humbled me with truth.
Let Your mercy be for my comfort, according to Your teaching to Your servant.
Let Your compassions come to me, and I shall live; for Your law is my meditation.
Let the arrogant be shamed, for they transgressed unjustly against me; but I shall meditate on Your commandments.
Let those who fear You turn to me, and those who know Your testimonies.
Let my heart be blameless in Your ordinances, that I may not be disappointed.
My soul earnestly longs for Your salvation, and I hope in Your word.
My eyes strained to look at Your teaching, saying, “When will You comfort me?”
I am like a leather bag in a frost; I did not forget Your ordinances.
How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment for me upon those who persecute me?
Transgressors described their meditations to me, but these are not like Your law, O Lord.
All Your commandments are truth; they persecuted me unjustly; help me.
They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not forsake Your commandments.
Give me life according to Your mercy, and I shall keep the testimonies of Your mouth.
Forever, O Lord, Your word continues in heaven.
Your truth continues from generation to generation; You laid the foundation of the earth, and it continues.
By Your arrangement each day continues, for all things are Your servants.
If Your law were not my meditation, I would have perished in my humiliation.
I will never forget Your ordinances, for in them You give me life, O Lord.
I am Yours; save me, for I search Your ordinances.
Sinners waited for me to kill me; I understood Your testimonies.
I saw the limit of every accomplishment; Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
How I love Your law, O Lord; It is my meditation the whole day long.
You make me wiser than my enemies with Your commandment, for it is mine forever.
I understand more than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the elders, for I search Your commandments.
I withheld my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your words.
I did not turn away from Your judgments, for You taught me Your law.
How sweet to my taste are Your teachings, more than honey and the honeycomb in my mouth.
I gained understanding because of Your commandments; therefore, I hate every unrighteous way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths.
I swore and confirmed that I would keep the judgments of Your righteousness.
I was humbled exceedingly; O Lord, give me life according to Your word.
Be well-pleased with the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments.
My soul is always in Your hands, and I have not forgotten Your law.
Sinners set snares for me, but I did not wander from Your commandments.
I inherited Your testimonies forever, for these are the exceeding joy of my heart.
I inclined my heart to do Your ordinances forever for a reward.
Transgressors I hate, but I love Your law.
You are my helper and my protector; I hope in Your word.
Turn away from me, you evildoers, and I shall search out the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according to Your teaching, and give me life; and may You not disappoint my expectation.
Help me, and I shall be saved; and I shall meditate always in Your ordinances.
You set at naught all who departed from Your ordinances, for their thought is unrighteous.
I counted as transgressors all the sinners of the earth; for this reason I always love Your testimonies.
Nail my flesh with the fear of You, for I fear You because of Your judgments.
I work judgment and righteousness; do not deliver me to those who wrong me.
Take Your servant to that which is good; do not let the arrogant falsely accuse me.
My eyes strained to look at Your salvation and at the teaching of Your righteousness.
Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy and teach me Your ordinances.
I am Your servant; cause me to understand, and I shall know Your testimonies.
It is time for the Lord to act; they broke Your law.
For this reason I love Your commandments more than gold and topaz.
Therefore I directed myself to all Your commandments; I hated every unrighteous way.
Wondrous are Your testimonies; for this reason my soul searches them out.
The revelation of Your words gives light, and it causes children to understand.
I opened my mouth and drew in my breath, for I longed for Your commandments.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of those who love Your name.
Direct my steps according to Your teaching and let no lawlessness rule over me.
Ransom me from the slander of men, and I will keep Your commandments.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your ordinances.
My eyes poured down streams of tears because they did not keep Your law.
Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright is Your judgment.
You commanded Your testimonies exceedingly in righteousness and truth.
The zeal of Your house caused me to yearn for home, for my enemies forgot Your words.
Your teaching is exceedingly purified in fire, and Your servant loves it.
I am young, and beheld as nothing, but I have not forgotten Your ordinances.
Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your law is truth.
Affliction and trouble found me, but Your commandments are my meditation.
Your testimonies are righteousness forever; give me understanding, and I shall live.
I cry out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I shall search Your ordinances.
I cry out to You; save me, and I shall keep Your testimonies.
I arose at midnight and cried out; I hoped in Your words.
My eyes awoke before dawn that I might meditate on Your teachings.
Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Your mercy; give me life according to Your judgment.
Those who persecute me in lawlessness drew near; they are far removed from Your law.
You are near, O Lord; all Your commandments are truth.
From the beginning I knew Your testimonies, that You established them forever.
Behold my humiliation and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life because of Your word.
Salvation is far from sinners, for they have not searched Your ordinances.
Your compassions are many, O Lord; give me life according to Your judgment.
Many are those who pursue and afflict me, but I did not turn away from Your testimonies.
I saw those acting foolishly, and I yearned for You; for they did not keep Your teachings.
Behold, I love Your commandments; O Lord, in Your mercy, give me life.
The beginning of Your words is truth, and all the judgments of Your righteousness are forever.
Rulers persecuted me without cause, but my heart feared because of Your words.
I shall greatly rejoice in Your teachings, like one finding great spoil.
I hate and abhor unrighteousness, but I love Your law.
I praise You seven times a day for the judgments of Your righteousness.
Great peace have all who love Your law, and it is not an offense to them.
I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and I love Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You, O Lord.
Let my supplication draw near before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your teaching.
May my petition come before You; Deliver me according to Your teaching.
My lips shall overflow in song when You teach me Your ordinances.
My tongue shall speak of Your teaching, for all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand be for saving me, for I chose Your commandments.
I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my meditation.
My soul shall live and praise You, and Your judgments shall help me.
I went astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; and blessed is the servant He shall find awake and watching; unworthy is the other He shall find being lazy. So beware, O soul of mine, be not overcome by sleep, so that you not be handed over to death and be shut out from the Kingdom. Come to your senses and cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
O my soul, keep the thought of that fearful day * in the front of your mind, and be vigilant; * and trimming your oil lamp, keep it lit with the virtues. * For you know not the day nor the hour the cry will come * to you specifically, saying, “Behold, your Bridegroom is here!” * Therefore, O my soul, always watch lest you slumber * and be left outside knocking like those five foolish maidens. * But continue in vigilance, * so that you may meet Christ God with abundant oil, and He give to you * the heavenly bridal room of His glory divine.
We entreat you, O Virgin Theotokos, the inviolable wall and stronghold of salvation. Thwart the schemes of our enemies. Turn the sadness of your people into gladness. Fortify you city. Be our ally. Recall the world. Strengthen the Orthodox. Intercede for world peace. You are our hope, O Theotokos.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
O Christ our God, who at all times and at every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified, long suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love the just and show mercy to the sinners; who call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do You, the same Lord, receive also our supplications at this present time, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with Your holy Angels so that being guarded and guided by their presence, we may arrive at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your ineffable glory; for blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
READER: Amen.
We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.
While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.
Prayer of St. Ephrem
Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.
READER
Prayer of St. Mardarios
O Master God, Father Almighty, only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit: One Godhead, One Power, have mercy on me, a sinner, and in your knowing ways save me, your unworthy servant; for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Note: The following prayer is use from 22 September until Palm Sunday.
Prayer by St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the hosts and of all flesh, You live in the highest and care for the humble, Who search our hearts and affections, and clearly foreknow the secrets of men. Eternal and ever-living Light, in Whom is no change nor shadow of variation; O Immortal King, receive our prayers which we now offer to You from unclean lips, trusting in the multitude of Your mercies. Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, consciously or unconsciously, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass the night of the whole present life with a watchful heart and sober mind, awaiting the coming of the radiant day of the appearing of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory to render to each according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into the joy and bridal chamber of His glory, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing and indescribable is the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty of Your countenance. For You are the true Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation sings hymns to You unto ages of ages.
Prayer by St. Basil
We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without number. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and though we were sunk in despair, you have raised us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with your only-begotten Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.
Psalm 120 (121).
I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Let not your foot be moved; neither let Him who keeps you slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord shall keep you; the Lord is your shelter at your right hand.
The sun shall not burn you by day nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep you from all evil; the Lord shall keep your soul.
The Lord shall keep your coming in and your going out from this present time and unto the ages.
Psalm 133 (134).
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
In the nights, lift up your hands to the holy of holies and bless the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
Remember Your servants, O Lord, since You are good, and forgive them for all their sins in life; for no one is without sin except for You who are able to give rest to those who have passed away.
O only Creator who with benevolence arrange all things with depth of wisdom, and impart to all what is beneficial, O Lord, grant repose to the souls of Your servants. For they have placed their hope in You our Creator and Fashioner and God.
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
Now all generations call you blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For Christ our uncontainable God was pleased to be contained in you. Blessed also are we who have you for patronage. For day and night, you intercede on our behalf, and the scepters of the empire are strengthened by your prayers. Therefore, we extol you and cry aloud: Rejoice, O Lady full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Prayer
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life, and all those who ended this life in piety and faith. Pardon their every transgression, committed voluntarily or involuntarily, in word, or deed, or thought. Place them in a place of light, a place of refreshment, a place of peace from which every ailment, sorrow, and lamentation are banished, and from which the light of your countenance shines and gladdens all your saints from all ages. Bestow on them and on us your kingdom. Grant to them the participation of your ineffable and everlasting blessings, and the enjoyment of your endless and blissful life. For you are the life, the resurrection, and the peace of your departed servants, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who is from everlasting and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Most glorious, ever virgin, blessed Theotokos, bring our prayer before your Son and our God, and entreat him, through you, to save our souls.
Prayer of St. loannikios
The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my shelter, Holy Trinity, glory to you.
O Mother of God, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter.
CHANTER
Troparia of Compunction. Mode pl. 2.
Have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us. For with nothing to say in our own defense, we sinners offer this supplication to you our Master. Have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us, for in You we trust. Be not enraged with us greatly, nor remember our iniquities. But look upon us now, being compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us the work of Your hands, and now we have invoked Your name.
Open the gate of compassion for us, O blessed Theotokos. For hoping in you, let us not fail in our aim. Through you may we be delivered from adversities. For you are the salvation of the Christian race.
READER
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
READER
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Holy father, bless.
PRIEST
May He who for us men and for our salvation condescended to become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Let us pray for the peace of the world.
READER (intoned after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the pious and Orthodox Christians.
For our our Archbishop (name).
For our nation.
For the armed forces.
For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.
For those who help us and those who serve us.
For those who hate us and those who love us.
For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.
For the release of the captives.
For those sailing the seas.
For those laid up with illnesses.
Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.
And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.
Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
READER: Amen.
Matins · Synaxis in Honor of the Chief Commander Gabriel
CHOIR
Mode pl. 4.
Verse 1: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 2: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 3: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 4: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, bring more evils on them, on the glorious of the earth.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Triadic Hymns
Mode pl. 4.
With hearts in heaven, let us emulate the Angels, and in fear let us bow before the impartial Judge, as we shout the triumphal praise: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. By the intercessions of the Apostles save us.
Daring not to look at You, the Cherubim in flight jubilantly cry out the inspired melody of the Thrice-holy Hymn. We sinners join them and also sing: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. By the intercessions of the Hierarch save us.
Bent down by our many offenses, we dare not gaze at Your height. Rather we bow our soul along with our body, and we shout the hymn of the Angels to You: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
Mode pl. 4.
Blessed are You, O Christ our God. You sent down the Holy Spirit into the fishermen, and You gave them knowledge and wisdom in everything; and through them, as in a net You caught the whole world. O Lord who loves humanity, glory to You!
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
Let us sing hymns extolling our God’s divine * and all-honored disciples, who for the world * are luminaries guiding us, and our salvation’s first fruits. * They have shined out the light on to us who were in the dark, and they gave all the knowledge of Christ the glorious Sun. * Also they brought down the deception of the idols, * by preaching the Trinity which is one in divinity. * Let us therefore cry out to them, * “As Christ our God’s Apostles, entreat * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those who with longing observe your holy memory.”
Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will.
For the Martyrs.
O holy Martyrs, you finished the race and bravely resisted the tyrants. On earth you mortified your bodies, and in return you received heavenly life.
Rejoice, O Maiden! Through an Angel you received the joy of the world! Rejoice, for you gave birth to your Creator and Lord! Rejoice, for you were counted worthy to become the Mother of Christ our God!
Kathisma II.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Life of all, You rose.)
Divinely-shining lights, eyewitnesses of the Saviour, illuminate us in the darkness of this life, that we may now walk honestly as in the day; with the torch of abstinence may we drive out the passions of the night, and behold with joy the splendour of Christ’s Passion.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)
O company of the twelve apostles, chosen by God, offer now to Christ your supplications, that we may all complete the course of the Fast, saying our prayers with compunction and practising the virtues with an eager heart; and so may we attain the glorious Resurrection of Christ our God, bringing to Him praise and glory.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)
The son and Word of God whom nothing can contain, in ways past speech and understanding was born from thee, O Theotokos. With the apostles pray to Him, that He may bestow true peace upon the inhabited earth and grant to us before the end forgiveness of our sins, in His boundless love counting thy servants worthy of the heavenly Kingdom.
READER
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory. Both now.
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.
PRIEST
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
Kontakion.
Mode pl. 2.
My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why are you sleeping? The end draws near and soon you shall be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ your God may spare you, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.
Oikos.
Seeing Christ’s house of healing opened, and health flowing down from it upon Adam, the devil suffered and was wounded; and as one in mortal danger he lamented, crying to his friends: “What shall I do to the Son of Mary? I am slain by the Man from Bethlehem, who is everywhere present and fills all things.”
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On March 26 we hold services in honor of the Archangel Gabriel, which practice was instituted very early on, since he ministered the divine and supernal and ineffable mystery.
On this day we also commemorate the holy twenty-six martyrs who witnessed in the land of the Goths: two priests Bathouses and Wirkas with Wirkas’s two sons and three daughters, and the monk Arpylas; the laymen Abippas, Agnas, Ryax, Hegathrax, Eskoes, Silas, Sigetzas, Suerilas, Seimblas, Thermas, Filgas; and the women Anna, Alla, Baris, Moiko, Mamika, Wirko, and Animais.
On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Quadratus, Theodosius, Manuel, and another forty in Anatolia.
On this day we also commemorate our devout father Stephen the confessor, Abbot of Triglia.
On this day we read the edifying story about the monk Malchus who was taken captive.
From the Triodion.
On this day, Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, according to ancient tradition, we chant the service of the Great and compunctious Canon.
By the intercessions of Saint Andrew, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
CHOIR
Verse: We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Heirmos.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode pl. 2.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Heirmos.
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Photagogic Hymns
Mode pl. 4.
You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, by the intercessions of the Apostles, and save me.
You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, by the intercessions of the Hierarch, and save me.
You are the light, O Christ. In yourself illumine me, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save me.
READER
Lauds. (read)
Psalm 148.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Psalm 149.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones.
Psalm 150.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Stand for the reading of the Doxology.
HIERARCH or READER
Doxology (read)
To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
HIERARCH or READER
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON
Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.
PRIEST (aloud)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Aposticha. From the Triodion.
Idiomelon. Mode pl. 4.
Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands of enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life of the despairing, raise me up, O Saviour, and save me.
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons.
Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands of enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life of the despairing, raise me up, O Saviour, and save me.
For the Martyrs.
Mode pl. 4.
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands.
When you put on the breastplate of righteousness and faith, and you fully armed yourselves with the sign of the cross, you became the Lord’s mighty soldiers, you bravely confronted the tyrants, and you blunted the deceit of the devil. And you were awarded medals as victors. We pray you intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Mode pl. 4.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. For the Father’s Son, who with Him is also eternal, beginningless, and on the throne, took pity on humanity, in His benevolent mercy, and He descended and emptied himself, according to the Father’s good pleasure and will. And He made His dwelling in a virgin’s womb that was purified beforehand by the Spirit. What a miracle! God among men; the Uncontainable in a womb; the timeless One within time! And what is extraordinary is that the conception is without seed, and the emptying is inexpressible. So great is the mystery! God empties himself, takes flesh, and is fashioned, when the Angel announces the conception to the pure Virgin: “Rejoice, O Maiden full of grace; for with you is the Lord, who has the great mercy.”
PRIEST
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night.
READER
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
Standing in your glorious church, O Theotokos, we think we are standing in heaven. O heavenly Gate, open to us the door of your mercy.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.
We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.
While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.
Prayer of St. Ephrem
Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.
Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”
or:
PRIEST
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
May He who for us men and for our salvation condescended to become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Amen.