VESPERS

Litany of Peace

Prokeimenon. Tone … Psalm … ****

Then we begin

Theotokion from the Menaion.

The priest gives the blessing:

1st Prayer at the Lighting of the Lamps

Prokeimenon. Tone …. Psalm … ****

Glory. Both now.

During the Theotokion, the Entrance with the censer. The priest says the Prayer of the Entrance in a low voice.

Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to ages of ages.

After the Litany, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is read by one Reader.

After the Prokeimenon the Reader says in a loud voice:

Wisdom. Stand upright.

The appointed monk or the Superior reads the Opening Psalm as follows:

2nd Prayer at the Lighting of the Lamps

Then we sing

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

3rd Prayer at the Lighting of the Lamps

Let us attend. Peace to all. ****

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

Short Litany

Wisdom! ****

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

4th Prayer at the Lighting of the Lamps

Wisdom! ****

Psalm 103

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.

The reading is from Genesis. ****

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 in a cloak, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, roofing his upper chambers with waters, placing clouds as his mount, walking on the wings of the wind, making spirits his Angels and a flame of fire his Ministers, establishing the earth on its sure base; it will not be moved to age on age. The deep, like a cloak, is its mantle; waters will stand upon the mountains. At your rebuke they will flee; they will quail at the voice of your thunder. The mountains rise and the plains descend to the place which you established for them. You fixed a limit that they will not pass, nor will they return to cover the earth. You send out springs into 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: and sing among the rocks. 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 herb for the service of mankind; to bring food 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; 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. Also this great, wide sea; there 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 looks upon the earth and makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will praise my God while I exist. May my words be pleasing to him. While as for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners might perish from the earth, and the wicked, so that they are no more. Bless the Lord, my soul! ****

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

Let us attend. ****

The sun knew the hour of its setting: you made darkness, and it was night. How your works have been magnified, O Lord. With wisdom you have made them all!

Prayer of the Entrance

After the reading:

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

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

Wisdom! ****

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

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

Wisdom! Stand upright!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

The reading is from Proverbs. ****

**x3**) ****

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

Let us attend. ****

When the Opening Psalm is completed the Priest says the:

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

After the reading:

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. ****

Let my prayer be directed like incense before you … ****

Wisdom! ****

Lord, have mercy. **And so after each petition.**

Litany of Fervent Supplication

Then the Prayer of St Ephrem, once.

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

Prayer of Supplication

Wisdom. ****

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.

Prayer for the Catechumens

Wisdom. ****

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

Litany for those Preparing for Enlightenment

Then the Prayer of St Ephrem, once.

For our Archbishop

Catechumens, depart **the Litany for those Preparing for Enlightenment added***.* ****

Let us attend. The presanctified Holy Things for the holy.

**N.**, for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Prayer for those preparing for Enlightenment

Communion Chant:

For our father and superior, Priest-monk

First Prayer of the Faithful, after the unfolding of the Antimension

Glory. Both now. ****

**N.**, and all our brotherhood in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

Second Prayer of the Faithful

Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Father, bless. ****

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

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord. ****

Glory. Both now. Lord, have mercy (**x3**). Give the blessing. ****

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

The priest bows and says the following prayer after setting the Holy Gifts on the holy table.

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.

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

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

Prayer after Communion

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

Prayer behind the Ambo

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.

After the prayer behind the Ambo:

To you, O Lord. ****

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem once.

The Priest in a low voice says the

The Priest goes to the Prothesis and says the following prayer in a low voice:

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.

Priest, aloud:

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

KATHISMA EIGHTEEN

Psalm 119

A Song of Ascents.

When I was afflicted I called to the Lord, and he heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips and from a deceitful tongue. What should be given you, what added to you against a treacherous tongue? The sharpened arrows of the powerful, with the coals of desolation. Woe is me! For my sojourning has been prolonged, I have camped among the encampments of Kedar; my soul has long been a sojourner. With those who hate peace I was peaceable; when I spoke with them, they made war on me for nothing.

Psalm 120

A Song of Ascents.

I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come? My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Do not let your foot waver; may he who guards you not slumber. See, he who guards Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord will guard you, the Lord is protection for you on your right hand. By day the sun will not scorch you, nor the moon by night. The Lord will guard you from every evil, the Lord will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your coming in, and your going out, from now and for ever more.

Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.

I rejoiced at those who said to me: we shall go to the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem built as a city, shared by all together. For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there thrones were set for judgement, thrones over the house of David. Ask then for the things which are for Jerusalem’s peace, and prosperity for those who love you. May there be peace then in your power and prosperity in your citadels. For the sake of my brethren and neighbours, I have spoken peace concerning you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for you.

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents.

I have lifted my eyes to you who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to their lords’ hands; as the eyes of a maid to her mistress’s hands, so do our eyes to the Lord our God, until he take pity on us. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have had our fill of contempt, our soul has been filled to overflowing. Let reproach be for the prosperous, and contempt for the proud.

Psalm 123

A Song of Ascents.

If the Lord had not been among us, let Israel now say: if the Lord had not been among us when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us down alive. When their fury raged against us; the water would have drowned us, our soul would have passed through the torrent; our soul would have passed through irresistible water. Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul was delivered like a sparrow from the snare of the hunters; the snare was shattered, and we were delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

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

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (

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.

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

To you, O Lord. ****

The Priest in a low voice says the

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.

Priest, aloud:

For yours is the Might, and yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and to ages of ages. ****

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Sion; one who dwells in Jerusalem will never be shaken. Mountains encircle her, and the Lord encircles his people from now and for ever. For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the heritage of the just, lest the just stretch out their hands in iniquities. Do good, Lord, to the good and to the honest in heart. But the Lord will drive away with those who work iniquity those who turn aside to extortions; peace upon Israel.

Psalm 125

A Song of Ascents.

When the Lord turned back the captivity of Sion, we became as those who are comforted. Then was our mouth filled with joy and our tongue with rejoicing. Then they will say among the nations: the Lord has done great things with them. The Lord has done great things with us, we have become joyful. Turn back our captivity, O Lord, like streams in the south. Those who sow with tears, will reap with joy. They went and as they went they wept, while they sowed their seed. But when they come they will come with joy, as they gather up their sheaves.

Psalm 126

A Song of Ascents.

Unless the Lord build the house, the builders have toiled for nothing. Unless the Lord guard the city, the watchman has kept vigil for nothing. Your getting up at dawn is for nothing, your rising after sitting, you who eat the bread of sorrow, when he gives sleep to his beloved; see, sons are the Lord’s inheritance , the reward of the fruit of the womb. As arrows in the hand of a powerful man, so are the sons of the rejected. Blessed the man who satisfies his desire with them; they will not be shamed when they speak with their enemies in the gates.

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the toils of your fruits; you are blest, and it will be well with you. Your wife like a luxuriant vine against the sides of your house. Your sons like new olive shoots around your table. See, that is how one who fears the Lord will be blessed. The Lord bless you from Sion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see your children’s children. Peace upon Israel.

Psalm 128

A Song of Ascents

Many times they have made war on me since my youth, let Israel now say. Many times they have made war on me since my youth, and yet they have not prevailed over me. The sinners have wrought upon my back, they have prolonged their iniquity. The Lord is just, he has broken the sinners’ necks. Let all those who hate Sion be shamed and turned back. Let them become like grass on the housetops, which withers before it is uprooted: The reaper has not filled his hand with it, nor the one who gathers the sheaves his bosom. Nor have the passers-by said: The Lord’s blessing be on you. We have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

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

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (

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.

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

Lord, have mercy. . ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

To you, O Lord. ****

The Priest in a low voice says the

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.

Priest, aloud:

For yours is the Might, and yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and to ages of ages. ****

Psalm 129

A Song of Ascents

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If you note our iniquities, Lord Lord, who will survive? Because forgiveness is with you. For your name’s sake I have waited for you, O Lord; my soul has waited for your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy and with him abundant redemption; and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents

Lord, my heart has not been exalted, nor have my eyes become lofty, I have neither walked among great affairs, nor among marvels beyond me. If I had not been humble-minded but exalted my soul, like a weaned child towards its mother, so You will requite my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from now and for ever.

A Song of Ascents

Lord remember David and all his meekness, how he swore to the Lord, made a vow to the God of Jacob, I shall not enter the shelter of my house, climb into my bed, give sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids and rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. See, we heard of it in Ephrata, we found it in the woodland fields. We shall enter his tabernacles, we shall worship towards the place where his feet have stood. Arise, Lord, into your rest, you and the ark of your sanctification. Your priests clothe themselves with justice, and your holy ones will rejoice. For David, your servant’s sake, do not turn away the face of your Christ. The Lord has sworn truth to David and he will not annul it, ‘From the fruit of your womb I shall place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and these testimonies of mine which I shall teach them, their sons too will sit on your throne for ever. For the Lord has elected Sion, has chosen her as a dwelling for himself. ‘This is my resting-place for age on age; here I shall dwell, for I have chosen her. Her door I shall bless abundantly, her poor I shall fill with bread. Her priests I shall clothe with salvation, and her holy ones will rejoice with great joy. There I shall make the horn of David flourish; I have prepared a lamp for my Christ. I shall clothe his enemies in shame, my sanctification will flower upon him’.

Psalm 132

A Song of Ascents

See how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together. Like sweet ointment on the head which runs down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, which runs down to the hem of his garment; like the dew from Hermon, which runs down upon the mountains of Sion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life for ever more.

Psalm 133

A Song of Ascents

Come, 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. Lift up your hands by night to the Holy Place, and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Sion, he who made heaven and earth.

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

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

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (

**x3**) ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

To you, O Lord. ****

The Priest in a low voice says the

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.

For you are our God, a God of mercy and salvation, 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. ****

Lord, I have cried **in the appropriate tone, while the Priest censes the Sanctuary and the whole Church.**

Psalm 140

Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to you, hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to you. Hear me, O Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When my spirit was faint, you knew my path.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For 10 Verses.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess your name. ****

Idiomel from the Triodion

**9.** The just will await me, until you reward me.

Idiomel from the Triodion repeated.

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord. Lord hear my voice. ****

Martyrikon from the Triodion.

O let your ears be attentive, to the voice of my supplication. ****

1st Prosomion from the Triodion.

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

2nd Prosomion from the Triodion.

**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. ****

3rd Prosomion from the Triodion.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord. ****

1st Prosomion from the Menaion.

**3.** For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. ****

1st Prosomion from the Menaion, repeated.

**2.** Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him all you peoples. ****

2nd Prosomion from the Menaion.

**1.** For his mercy has been mighty towards us, and the truth of the Lord endures to the ages. ****

3rd Prosomion from the Menaion.

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

He 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:

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps

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

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

Priest (facing the People):

And to your spirit. ****

Command! ****

The Light of Christ shines for all!

Peace to you. ****

And to your spirit. ****

Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to you. ****

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

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

The lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. (**Three times. And so after the remaining petitions**) ****

Also we pray for our Archbishop **N.**

Also we pray for our father and superior, Priest-monk

**N.**, the Priests, Priest-monks, Deacon-monks and all our brotherhood in Christ.

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, the benefactors, helpers, worshippers and pilgrims in this holy monastery;

Also we pray for the blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy monastery, 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;

Also we pray for those serve, or who have served in this holy monastery, and for all our brothers and sisters of the monastic order, who await your great and rich mercy.

The Priest, in a low voice, says the following

Lord, our God, accept this fervent supplication from your servants, and have mercy on us according to the multitude of your mercy; and send down your pity on us and on all your people, who await your rich mercy.

Priest, aloud:

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

Catechumens, pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. **And so to each petition as the Priest is praying.**

Believers, let us pray for the catechumens.

That the Lord will have mercy on them.

Instruct them in the word of truth.

Reveal to them the Gospel of justice.

Unite them to his Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Save them, have mercy on them, help them and keep them, O God, by your grace.

Catechumens, bow your heads to the Lord. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

Priest, in a low voice, says the

God, our God, creator and maker of all things, who wish all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon your servants the catechumens, and deliver them from the ancient error and trickery of the foe Call them to eternal life, enlightening their souls and bodies and numbering them with your rational flock, on which your holy named has been invoked.

Priest, aloud:

That they also, with us, may glorify your all-honoured and majestic name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and to ages of ages. ****

As many as are Catechumens, depart. Catechumens, depart. ****

From the Wednesday of the 4th week of the Fast after

As many as are preparing for Enlightenment, draw near. Those who are preparing for Enlightenment pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. (**And so after the following petitions**) ****

Believers, for our brothers who are preparing for holy Enlightenment, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may give them strength and power.

Enlighten them with the light of knowledge and true religion.

Count them worthy in due time of the bath of rebirth, the forgiveness of sins and the garment of incorruption.

Give them rebirth through water and Spirit.

Grant them the perfection of the Faith.

Number them with his holy and chosen flock.

Save them, have mercy on them, help them and keep them, O God, by your grace.

Those for Enlightenment, bow your heads to the Lord.

To you, O Lord. ****

Manifest your countenance, Master, to those preparing for holy Enlightenment and who long to shake off the defilement of sin. Illumine their understanding; confirm them in the Faith; establish them in Hope, perfect them in Love; show them to be honourable members of your Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for our souls.

**Aloud**) For you are our enlightenment, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

As many as are for Enlightenment, depart. Those who are for Enlightenment, depart.

As many as are Catechumens, depart. None of the Catechumens. As many as are Believers. Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

O God, who are great and to be praised, who have brought us from corruption to incorruption by the life-giving death of your Christ, free all our senses from the death of the passions, setting over them as a good leader the thought that comes from within. Let the eye abstain from every evil sight, the hearing give no entrance to idle words, the tongue be cleansed of unfitting speech. Purify our lips, Lord, that praise you. Make our hands keep from base actions, to perform only such things as are well-pleasing to you, making all our limbs and our mind secure by your grace.

**Aloud**) For to you are due all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always, and to ages of ages. ****

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

Lord have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

Holy Master, supremely good, we implore you, the One rich in mercy, to take pity on us sinners and make us worthy of the reception of your only begotten Son and our God, the king of glory. For see, his most pure Body and life-giving Blood, that are entering at this present hour, are about to be set forth on this mystical table, invisibly escorted by a multitude of the heavenly host. Grant us communion in them that is without condemnation, so that, with the eye of our mind illumined through them, we may become children of the light.

**Aloud**): According to the gift of your Christ, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. ****

Instead of the Cherubic Hymn the following is sung.

Now the hosts of heaven invisibly worship with us; for see, the King of Glory enters. See, the perfected mystical sacrifice is being borne in.

After the Entrance, during which all prostrate to the ground:

With faith and love, let us draw near that we may become partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Lord, have mercy.

For the precious gifts here set forth and presanctified, let us pray to the Lord.

That our God, who loves mankind, having accepted them on his holy, heavenly and spiritual altar, as a sweet-smelling savour of spiritual fragrance would send down upon us his divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.

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

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

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

Grant this, O Lord. ****

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

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

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

That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

A Christian end to our life, without pain, without shame and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.

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

To you, O Lord. ****

O God of ineffable and unseen mysteries, with whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who have revealed to us the service of this ministry and through your great love for humankind appointed us sinners to offer you gifts and sacrifices for our own sins and those committed in ignorance by the people, do you, invisible king, who do great and unfathomable things, things glorious an extraordinary that are without number, look upon us, your unworthy servants, who stand before this your holy altar, as before the throne of the Cherubim, on which, though the dread mysteries here set forth, rests your Son and our God. And, having freed us and your faithful people from all uncleanness, sanctify the souls and bodies of us all with a sanctification that cannot be taken away, so that receiving communion of these divine and holy things with a pure conscience, a face unashamed, an enlightened heart and being given life them, we may be united to your Christ, our true God, who said, ‘One who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in them’. So that, with your Word, Lord, dwelling in us and living among us, we may become a temple of your holy and adorable Spirit, having been rescued from every wile of the devil effected by word or deed or in the mind; and that we may obtain the good things promised to us, with all your Saints, who have been well-pleasing to you since time began.

And count us worthy, O Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare to call upon you, the God of heaven, as Father, and to say ****

The Superior, or the designated monk, or the people:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, 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.

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

Peace to all. ****

And with your spirit. ****

Let us bow our heads to the Lord. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

O God, alone good and compassionate, who dwell on high and watch over lowly things, with a compassionate eye look upon all your people, guard them and make us all worthy to partake uncondemned of these your life-giving mysteries. For to you we have bowed our heads, awaiting from you rich mercy.

**Aloud**): Through the grace and 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 always and to ages of ages. ****

Give heed, Lord Jesus Christ our God, from your holy dwelling-place and from the glorious throne of your kingdom; and come to sanctify us, you who are enthroned on high with the Father and invisibly present here with us. And with your mighty hand grant communion in your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.

One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. ****

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

With fear of God, with faith and love, draw near. ****

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and has appeared to us. ****

After the people have received Communion:

O God, save your people and bless your inheritance. ****

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall always be in my mouth. Taste the heavenly Bread and the Cup of life, and see that the Lord is good. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. ****

now and for ever and to ages of ages. ****

Amen. Let our mouth be filled with your praise, O Lord, that we may sing your glory, for you have allowed us to share in your holy, divine, immortal and life-giving mysteries. Keep us in your holiness, that we may meditate on your justice all the day long. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. ****

Stand upright. Having received the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread Mysteries of Christ, let us give worthy thanks to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

Having asked that the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. ****

To you, O Lord. ****

We thank you, God the Saviour of all things, for all the good things you have granted us and for the communion of the holy Body and Blood of your Christ. And we pray you, Master who love mankind, guard us under the shadow of your wings and grant us, until our last breath, to partake worthily of your holy gifts, for enlightenment of soul and body and for inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

**Aloud**): For you are our sanctification, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and to ages of ages. ****

Let us go forth in peace. ****

In the name of the Lord. ****

Let us pray to the Lord. ****

Lord, have mercy. ****

Master almighty, who fashioned creation with wisdom and through your ineffable forethought and great goodness have brought us to these most holy days for the cleansing of souls and bodies, for mastery of the passions, for hope of resurrection; who through forty days entrusted to your servant Moses the Tables of the Law in letters divinely traced, grant us also, good Master, to fight the good fight, to finish the course of the fast, to keep the faith intact, to smash the heads of invisible serpents and without condemnation to reach and to worship your holy Resurrection.

**Aloud**)**:** For blessed and glorified is your all-honoured and majestic name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

Amen. Blessed be the name of Lord, from this time forth and for evermore. (**Three times**) ****

Lord our God, who have brought us to these most holy days, and have made us communicants of your dread mysteries, join us to your rational flock and declare us to be heirs of your kingdom, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Then, while the Priest distributes the Antidoron, the Reader says:

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord continually, his praise will always be in my mouth. My soul will be praised in the Lord; let the meek hear it and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my afflictions. Come to him and be enlightened, and your faces will not be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his afflictions. The angel of the Lord will encamp round those who fear him, and deliver them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed the one who puts their hope in him! Fear the Lord, all you his saints, for those who fear him never want. The rich have become poor and gone hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good. Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is there who wants life, loves to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the just, and his ears towards their supplication. The Lord’s face is set against those who do evil, to destroy their memory from the earth. The just cried and the Lord heard them, and delivered them from all their afflictions. The Lord is close to those who are broken-hearted, and will save the humble in spirit. The afflictions of the just are many, but the Lord will deliver them from them all. The Lord guards all their bones, not one of them will be broken. The death of sinners is evil, and those who hate the just will go astray. The Lord will rescue the souls of his servants, and no one of those who hope in him will go astray. ****

The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through his divine grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever, and to ages of ages. ****

Glory to you, O God, our hope, glory to you. ****

And the Dismissal

Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.

And the Priest continues:

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of Saint

**N.** , of Saint **N.**, whose memory we celebrate; of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anne and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

Turning to the East, he says,

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Many books follow Psalm 33 with Psalm 144. The latter is not, strictly, part of the Liturgy of the Presanctified, but the opening of Grace before Meals, since in monasteries the single meal on a fast day is eaten immediately after Vespers and the Liturgy of the Presanctified. For completeness sake, we add it here as an appendix.

PSALM 144

Praise for David.

I will exalt you, my God, my King; and I will bless your name for ever and to age on age. Every day I will bless you; and praise your name for ever and to age on age. The Lord is great and highly to be praised**;** and there is no limit to his greatness. Generation after generation will praise your works; and will declare your power. They will tell of the majesty of the glory of your holiness; and will recount your wonders. They will speak of the power of your dread deeds; and will recount your greatness. They will proclaim the memory of the multitude of your goodness; and rejoice in your justice. The Lord is compassionate and merciful; long-suffering and full of mercy. The Lord is good to all; and his acts of compassion are for all his works. May all your works confess you, Lord; and all your holy ones bless you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; and tell of your power. To make known your power and of the glory the majesty of your kingdom to the children of mankind. Your kingdom is a kingdom for all the ages, and your dominion for every generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and holy in all his works. The Lord supports all who are falling, and sets upright all who are broken down. The eyes of all hope in you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, and fill every living thing with your good pleasure. The Lord is just in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is close to those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He will do the will of those who fear him, and hear their supplication and save them. The Lord guards all who love him, and all sinners he will destroy. My mouth will tell the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and to age on age.