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On feasts, the First Antiphon of those in Tone 4.

For Sundays and Feasts

When the Katavasia of the 8th Ode is finished the Deacon, looking towards the People from the Holy Doors, says in a loud voice:

The Kontakion, Ikos and Synaxarion for the day are read.

The prayer after Psalm 50 is the text, apart from the addition of *Mothers* among the ascetics, as it appears in the earliest sources. It is now customary to expand it with a great many additional names in accordance with local custom.

When the Anavathmi and the Prokeimenon are finished the Deacon intones:

The Reader begins the following Psalms:

The following verses, to the point where the Stichera are inserted, are, unfortunately, often omitted.

**Theotokion.**

Lord, save your people, and bless your inheritance, granting to faithful Christians victory over their enemies, and guarding your commonwealth by your Cross.

INTRODUCTION

After the Katavasia of the 9th Ode, the Short Litany.

Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn your ear to my supplication.

The Reader says the following Troparia:

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars and light. ****

**Theotokion.**

Lifted up on the Cross of your own will, to the new commonwealth that bears your name grant your mercies, Christ God; make your faithful people glad by your power, granting them victories over their enemies; may they have your help in battle: a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

This translation of the office of Matins for Sundays and Feasts contains the complete text of the common of the office, with the exception of the *Kathismata* of the Psalter and the verses of the Biblical Canticles, since these are rarely used except in monasteries. In an Appendix we give the text of the first two psalms of the *Polyeleos*, but not the selection of verses for the various major feasts, together with Psalms 44 and 136, which may also form part of the *Polyeleos* on certain days. The farcings of Psalm 44 are taken from the invaluable *Sylleitourgikon*, or ‘Reader’s Handbook’, published by the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra in 1996. The full text of the short litanies that follow the readings from the Psalter and the 3rd and 6th Odes of the *Canon* are omitted, since these are seldom used in parishes. We do however, for completeness, give the text of the final *Ekphonesis* of each*.* The eleven Resurrection *Exapostilaria* and the corresponding *Eothina* have also been included. For the convenience of singers and readers they are given in separate sections.

Lord, hear my prayer; in your truth give ear to my supplication, and in your justice hear me. Do not enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no one living can be justified. For the enemy pursued my soul; humbled my life to the ground; made me dwell in darkness, like those for ever dead. My spirit in me grew weary, and my heart was troubled within me. I remembered days of old; I meditated on all your works. I made the works of your hands my meditation. I stretched out my hands towards you; my soul thirsted for you like a waterless land. Hear me swiftly, O Lord; my spirit has failed. Do not turn your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Make me hear of your mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in you. Make known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, Lord; I have run to you for shelter. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land. For your name’s sake, O Lord, you will give me life. In your justice you will bring my soul out of trouble; in your mercy slay my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant. ****

Then we sing the Troparion of the current feast, or of the Saint of the day, or, on Sundays, the Resurrection Apolytikion of the current tone twice, together with the appropriate Theotokion. This is a simplified rubric; but it should be noted that on most Sundays the Resurrection Apolytikion is sung **twice**.

Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord. ****

**On Sunday the following Theotokion:**

Dread Champion who cannot be put to shame, do not despise our petitions, O Good One. All-praised Mother of God establish the commonwealth of the Orthodox, save your people and give them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God, O only blessed one.

The underlying *Typikon* is that of the Holy Mountain, to which the Russian *Typikon* corresponds for the most part very closely. In Greek parishes on Sundays the reading of the Gospel is normally displaced to the end of the *Katavasia* of the 8th Ode, immediately before the Magnificat*.* In this case the order for the Gospel begins with the deacon’s ‘Let us pray to the Lord’, on page 23. The Cypriot *Typikon*, however, preserves the traditional order. Interestingly in the old ‘Cathedral Office’, as described by St Symeon of Thessaloniki, the Gospel was sung as the climax of Sunday Matins, after the *Eothinon.* St Symeon regrets the increasing popularity of the monastic practice, but it eventually prevailed. In Greek parish use Matins normally precedes the Liturgy, which begins immediately after the *Troparion* ‘Today salvation has come to the world’, used for all eight Tones, the concluding litanies and dismissal being said quietly in the sanctuary by the priest and deacon.

**1st Prayer**

Glory. **To the Trinity.**

For he spoke and they came into being; he commanded and they were created. ****

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

The rubric that the priest should come out to read the Matins prayers during the Six Psalms at the beginning of the 5th Psalm rather than the 4th is, in fact, what the *Typikon* of St Savvas directs, and it is still the practice of some monasteries. In the old order, presupposed by the *Typikon* of St Savvas, the Six Psalms were chanted solemnly and there was therefore time to read all Twelve Prayers during the last two Psalms. The Six Psalms should be read by **one** reader, not divided between several. They are one of the *gerontika*, that is the parts normally read by the Superior, and should be allocated to a senior person, such a visiting priest. All should remain standing during the Six Psalms. They are not an opportunity, for Singers in particular, to practice that well-known Orthodox rubric, ‘Here beginneth the animated discussion’.

Litany of Peace

Then the Short Litany by the Priest with the ending:

He established them for ever and ever; he made an ordinance, and it shall not pass away. ****

Lord have mercy. **(x3)**

When Matins forms part of a Vigil it follows the *Artoklasia* at the end of Vespers. The Midnight Office is omitted, though some monasteries read the Canon to the Trinity at a Vigil on a Sunday. In normal monastic use the blessing by the priest that concludes the *Artoklasia* is followed by a patristic reading. After the reader has announced the title, the priest gives the usual blessing, ‘Blessed is our God…’, and the reader begins. At the end of the reading the Six Psalms begin at once, with ‘Glory to God in the highest…’. The *Royal Office* is omitted entirely. If there is no reading, the Six Psalms follow the blessing by the priest, ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you…,’ which ends the *Artoklasia*. The First Hour is read at the end of Matins, unless the Liturgy follows at once, and we have therefore included it here.

After the Litany by the Priest, the Canonarch or Singer chants, in the tone of the Troparion of the day:

Wisdom, stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel. ****

Praise the Lord from the earth; praise him, you sea-monsters and all deeps; ****

For you, O God, are merciful, and love humankind, 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. ****

In most parishes the Royal Office is abbreviated, and, the censing and the two Psalms being omitted, the Reader begins at once with the *Trisagion.*

After each Kathisma the Short Litany by the Priest with the following endings.

Let us attend. ****

Fire and hail, snow and ice and storm-wind; things that do his word. ****

Amen. In the name of the Lord, bless Father. ****

When Matins is celebrated in full it is not normal for the deacon to vest until the *Anavathmi*, the priest saying all the preceding litanies himself. In Greek parish use, the clergy vest and perform the Proskomidi during the first part of Matins, after the Litany of Peace. In monasteries the celebrating clergy take the *kairos* during the reading of the Psalter and then return to their stalls until it is time for them to vest for the Liturgy. In parishes the *kairos* is taken after the Six Psalms and Litany of Peace, or even before the beginning of the service.

At the end of the 3rd and 6th Odes, the Short Litany.

Then on Sundays the Singers begin Psalm 50.

Mountains and all hills, fruiting trees and all cedars; ****

Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

Most of the technical terms, including those printed in italic in this preface, are explained in a short Glossary at the end.

Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. ****

Then you will be well pleased with a sacrifice of justice, oblation and whole burnt offerings.

Beasts of the wild, and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds; ****

**The Six Psalms**

Since Matins is a longer and more complex service than Vespers and the ways of celebrating it vary more widely, it is not feasible to provide for every possible use.

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

Then they will offer calves upon your altar.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth; ****

**And we begin the Six Psalms, listening with complete silence and compunction. The Superior, or the designated reader, with devotion and fear of God says:**

FOR SUNDAYS AND FEASTS

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

Priest: By the mercy and compassion and love towards humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Young men and maidens: old men and youths together, let them praise the name of the Lord; for his name alone has been exalted. ****

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill among men.

The Royal Office

Then on Sundays only:

His praise is above earth and heaven, and he will exalt the horn of his people. ****

Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

After the Dismissal of the Midnight Office the Priest, having made the customary metania to the Superior, or to his stall, enters the sanctuary and makes three bows before the holy Table. He puts on the Epitrachelion and, standing in front of the Holy Table, intones:

Wisdom. ****

A hymn for all his holy ones; for the children of Israel, a people that draws near him. ****

Psalm 3

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

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

Psalm 149

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

The Priest blesses the incense and begins to cense the sanctuary and the whole church as usual.

Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the Church of the holy ones. ****

I lay down and slept; I awoke because the Lord will assist me.

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

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Sion be joyful in their king. ****

Psalm 37

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

Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing his praise with timbrel and with harp. ****

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath. For your arrows have been stuck fast in me, and you have laid a heavy hand upon me. There is no healing in my flesh on account of your wrath, nor peace in my bones on account of my sins. My iniquities flooded over my head; like a heavy burden they weighed heavily upon me. My wounds stank and festered on account of my foolishness. I was wretched and utterly bowed down; I went about mourning all day long. For my loins were filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I was maltreated and humiliated exceedingly; I howled from the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning was not hidden from you. My heart was troubled, my strength failed me; and even the light of my eyes had gone from me. My friends and my neighbours drew near and stood against me, and those nearest me stood far away. Those who sought my life used force, and those who sought evils for me spoke vanities, and meditated trickeries all day long. But I, like a deaf man, heard nothing; like one who is dumb, who does not open his mouth. So I became like one who cannot hear, and in whose mouth there are no rebukes. For in you, Lord, I have hoped; you will answer me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let my foes never exult over me. When my foot slipped they crowed over me. For I am ready for blows and my pain is with me continually. For I will declare my iniquity and be troubled at my sin. But my enemies live and have prevailed over me, and those who hate me unjustly have been multiplied. Those who repay me with evils in place of good have slandered me, since I pursued goodness. Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me. Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation. ****

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

For the Lord is well-pleased with his people; he will exalt the meek with salvation. ****

Do not forsake me, Lord; my God, do not go far from me.

Psalm 19

His holy ones will exult in glory, and rejoice upon their beds. ****

Hasten to help me, Lord of my salvation.

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob shield you. May he send you his help from the holy place, and support you from Sion. May he remember your every sacrifice, and accept with favour your whole burnt offering. May the Lord give you your heart’s desire, and fulfil your every purpose. We shall rejoice in your salvation, and be magnified in the name of our the Lord our God. May the Lord fulfil all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ. He will hear him from his holy heaven; in mighty acts is the salvation of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call on the name of the Lord our God. They were fettered and fell, but we have risen and been set upright. Lord, save the king, and hear us on the day we call upon you. ****

The high praises of God in their mouths, and two-edged swords in their hands, ****

Psalm 62

Psalm 20

To exact vengeance among the nations, punishments among the peoples. ****

O God, my God, I watch for you at dawn; my soul has thirsted for you, my flesh how often in a desert, untrodden and waterless land. Thus I appeared before you in the holy place, to see your power and your glory. For your mercy is better than life; my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. May my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. When I remembered you upon my bed, every dawn I meditated upon you. For you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice. My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me. But those who vainly sought my life will go down to the deepest parts of the earth, they will be delivered to the power of the sword, they will be portions for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God, and all who swear by him will be praised; for the mouths of those who speak iniquities have been stopped. ****

The king will rejoice in your power, O Lord, he will exult exceedingly in your salvation. You gave him his heart’s desire; you did not deny him the request of his lips. For you came to meet him with blessings of goodness; you placed a crown of precious stones upon his head. He asked you for life, and you gave him length of days for age on age. Great is his glory because of your salvation; you will place on him glory and majesty. For you will give him blessing for age on age, and make him glad with the joy of your countenance. For the king puts his hope in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. May your hand light upon all your enemies, and your right hand find out all who hate you. You will make them like a blazing oven at the time of your presence. The Lord will confound them in his wrath and fire will devour them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their seed from among the children of humankind. Because they intended evils against you, and devised plans by which they can in no way succeed. For you will put them to flight; among your remnants you will prepare their presence. Be exalted, Lord, in your power; we will sing and praise your mighty acts.

To bind their kings in fetters; and their nobles in shackles of iron. ****

Every dawn I meditated upon you, for you became my helper, and in the shelter of your wings I shall rejoice.

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.

For 8 Verses (Sundays) or 6 Verses.

My soul clung to you; and your right hand upheld me.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

To execute upon them the judgement that is decreed; such glory will be for all his holy ones. ****

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.

**(three times)**

Psalm 150

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.

Praise God in his saints; praise him in the firmament of his power. ****

**(x3, without Metanias)**

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

For 4 Verses.

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

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

Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to the greatness of his majesty. ****

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

Our Father, in heaven, may your name be 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.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with lute and harp. ****

Psalm 87

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. ****

Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe. ****

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day, and by night also before you. Let my prayer come into your presence, and turn you ear to my supplication. For my soul was filled with evils, and my life drew near to Hell. I was reckoned among those that go down to the Pit; I became as one that has no help, free among the dead. Like the slain that sleep in the tomb, whom you remembered no more; and they were cut off from your power. They placed me in the lowest Pit; in darkness and in the shadow of death. Your wrath lay heavy upon me, and you brought all your waves against me. You put my friends far from me, and made me an abomination to them. I was handed over and I came out; my eyes grew weak because of my beggary. I cried to you, Lord, all the day; I stretched out my hands towards you. Will you work wonders for the dead; or will physicians raise them up again to praise you? Will any declare your mercy in the tomb, or your truth in the place of destruction? Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your justice in a land that has been forgotten? But to you, Lord, I have cried, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why have you rejected my soul, Lord; why do you turn away your face from me? I am poor and in toils since my youth; exalted, I was humbled and brought to despair. Your fierce anger overwhelmed me, and your terrors appalled me. They surrounded me like water all day long; they closed in upon me from every side. Friend and neighbour you have put far from me, and my companions because of my misery. ****

The priest must take care that he is standing beneath the Polyeleos to say this conclusion. He then enters the sanctuary, puts away the censer and takes his stand in front of the Holy Table.

Praise him with tuneful cymbals; praise him with loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ****

Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried by day; and by night also before you.

If it is Sunday, add the following verses:

The priest comes from the Altar and reads the morning prayers quietly.

**Verse 1:**Arise, O Lord, my God, lift up your hand: do not forget your poor for ever. ****

Psalm 102

**Verse 2:** I will give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will tell of all your wonders. ****

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits. He forgives all your iniquities; he heals all your diseases; he redeems your life from corruption and crowns you with mercy and compassion; he satisfies your desire with good things; your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s. The Lord performs deeds of mercy and judgement for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his wishes to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and full of mercy. He will not always be wrathful, nor will he be enraged for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, nor rewarded us according to our sins. For, like the height of heaven above the earth, the Lord has made his mercy prevail over those that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he taken our sins from us. As a father takes pity on his children the Lord has taken pity on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; has remembered that we are but dust. As for man, his days are but as grass, he will blossom like a flower of the field; for when a wind has passed over it, it will be no more and will know its place no longer. But the mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever upon those who fear him; and his justice upon their children’s children, upon those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments to do them. The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you his Angels, powerful in strength, who perform his word, and listen to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all you his Powers, his Ministers who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you his works. In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul! ****

If a feast with Stichera at Lauds falls on a Sunday, the appropriate Psalm verses are used instead.

In every place of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

**On Sunday the Eothinon corresponding to the Gospel.** ****

Psalm 142

You are most blessed, Virgin Mother of God, for through him who took flesh from you Hell has been taken captive, Adam recalled, the curse slain, Eve set free, death put to death, and we given life. Therefore in praise we cry: Blessed are you, Christ our God, who have been thus well-pleased. Glory to you.

In your justice hear me, O Lord; and do not enter into judgement with your servant.

On Sundays and Feasts having a Great Doxology:

Your good Spirit will guide me in an upright land.

Glory to you who have shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. ****

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

We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory. ****

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

Lord, King, God of heaven, Father almighty: Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. ****

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

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world. ****

**(x3). Metanias (x3).**

For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. ****

During the Six Psalms the Priest reads the

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and to the ages of ages. ****

Twelve Morning Prayers

Grant, Lord, this day to keep us without sin. ****

We thank you, Lord our God, who have roused us from our beds and placed in our mouth a word of praise, to worship and call upon your Holy Name, and we beseech you by your acts of pity, with which you have always treated our life. And now send forth your help on those who stand before the presence of your holy glory and who await the rich mercy which comes from you, and grant that they may always serve, praise, hymn and worship your inexpressible loving-kindness.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified your name to the ages. Amen. ****

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.

May your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our hope in you. ****

At night our spirit rises early to you, our God, for your commandments are light upon the earth. Teach us justice and sanctification in fear of you; for we glorify you who are our God, the One who truly exists. Incline your ear and hear us; and remember, Lord, by name all those who are present and who pray with us, and save them by your power. Bless your people and sanctify your inheritance. Give peace to your world, to the churches, to the priests, to our rulers and to all your people.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. ****

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

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. ****

At night our spirit rises early to you, O God, for your commandments are light. Teach us your justice, O God, your commands and your statutes. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, lest we ever sleep unto death in sins. Drive away all gloomy darkness from our hearts. Give us the grace of the sun of justice and by the seal of your Holy Spirit keep our life free from harm. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Grant that we may see the dawn and the day in joy, that we may offer your our morning prayers.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. ****

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

Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said, Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. ****

Master and God, holy and beyond understanding, who said: Let light shine out of darkness, who have given us rest by the sleep of the night and raised us up to glorify and implore your loving kindness; entreated by your own compassion, accept us who now worship you and give you thanks in the measure of our power, and grant us all our requests that are for salvation. Declare us to be children of light and of the day, and heirs of your eternal blessings. Remember also, Lord, in the greatness of your compassion all your people, those present with us and who pray with us, and all our brethren by land and sea and in every place of your dominion who ask for your love for humankind and your help; and give to all your great mercy.

Lord, I have run to you for refuge: teach me to do your will, for you are my God. ****

So that, always kept safe in soul and body, we may glorify with boldness your wondrous and blessed name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

For with you is the source of life: and in your light we shall see light. ****

Treasury of blessings, ever-flowing Source, Holy Father, worker of wonders, all-powerful and almighty, we all worship you and beseech you, as we invoke your acts of mercy and compassion to help and assist our lowliness. Remember your suppliants, Lord; accept the morning prayers of us all like incense before you, and make none of us reprobate, but keep us all through your acts of compassion. Remember, Lord, those who keep vigil and who chant to your glory and that of your Son and our God and of your Holy Spirit. Be their help and their aid; accept their supplications on your heavenly and spiritual altar.

Continue your mercy towards those who know you. Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. ****

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

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. ****

We give thanks to you, Lord God of our salvation, for you do all things for the well-being of our life, that we may at all times look to you, the Saviour and Benefactor of our souls. We give thanks to you, for you have given us rest in the part of the night which has passed and roused us from our beds and placed us here for the worship of your honoured name. Therefore we beg you, Lord: Give us grace and power, so that we may be counted worthy to chant to you with understanding and to pray without ceasing in fear and trembling, as we work out our salvation through the assistance of your Son. Remember too, Lord, those who cry out to you by night. Hear them and have mercy, and crush beneath their feet their invisible and hostile foes.

Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. ****

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, 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. Amen.

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

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who have raised us from our beds and gathered us together for this hour of prayer, give us grace by the opening of our mouths and accept our thanksgivings, in the measure of our ability. Teach us your statutes, because we do not know how to pray as we ought, unless you, Lord guide us by your Holy Spirit. Therefore we beg you, if we have sinned in any way until the present hour in word or deed or by thought, voluntarily or involuntarily, remit, forgive, pardon. For if you should regard iniquities, Lord; Lord, who will stand? For there is redemption from you. You alone are holy, a helper, a mighty defender of our life, and in you is our praise at all times.

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

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. ****

Lord our God, who have driven from us the sloth of sleep and called us together with a holy summons to lift up our hands and to give you thanks for the judgements of your justice, accept our supplications, our requests, our thanksgivings, our nocturnal worship; and give us, O God, the grace of faith unashamed, sure hope, love without pretence. Bless our comings in and our goings out, our deeds, works, words, desires, and grant that we may meet the beginnings of the day praising, singing, blessing the loving-kindness of your ineffable goodness.

Holy God. ** ** Holy Strong. ** ** Holy Immortal. ** ** Have mercy on us. ****

For blessed is your all-holy name and glorified is your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Light in our hearts, Master, lover of humankind, the unsullied light of your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of the proclamation of your Gospel. Instil in us also the fear of your blessed commandments, so that having trampled down all the desires of the flesh we may pass over to a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all things that are well-pleasing to you.

For you are our sanctification 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. Amen.

Lord our God, who have granted humankind forgiveness through repentance and shown us an image of acknowledgement and confession of sins: the repentance leading to pardon of the prophet David, in accordance with your great mercy have mercy on us, who have fallen by many and great offences, and, in accordance with the multitude of your pity, wipe away our offences. For we have sinned against you, Lord, who know too the hidden and secret things of the human heart and who alone have authority to forgive sins. Create a clean heart in us and by your sovereign Spirit establish us and make known to us the joy of your salvation. Do not cast us away from your presence, but be well pleased, as you are good and love humankind, for us to offer you until our last breath a sacrifice of justice and an offering on your holy altars.

By the mercy and compassion and love for humankind of your only-begotten Son, with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O God, our God, who by your will have brought into being the spiritual and rational Powers, we beseech and implore you, accept with that of all your creatures our hymn of glory in the measure of our power, and grant us in return the rich gifts of your loving-kindness. For to you bends every knee of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and everything that has breath and all creation sings the praise of your incomprehensible glory. For you alone are God, true and of great mercy.

For all the Powers of heaven praise you 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. Amen.

We praise, hymn, bless and give you thanks, O God of our fathers, for you have turned aside the shades of night and shown us again the light of day. But we implore your loving-kindness: Be merciful to our sins and accept our supplication in your great compassion, for we take refuge in you, the merciful and all-powerful God. Make the true sun of justice shine in our hearts; enlighten our mind and guard all our senses, so that, walking uprightly by day in the way of your commandments, we may reach eternal life; for with you is the source of life, and may we be counted worthy to come to the enjoyment of the unapproachable light.

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

The Priest, having kissed the icon of the Lord, enters the sanctuary by the south door.

When the Six Psalms are completed the Priest, standing in front of the Holy Table, intones the:

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

For our Archbishop

**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. ****

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

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

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

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

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

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

To you, O Lord. ****

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**.** ****

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

**(This is sung after each of the following verses by the two choirs alternately)**

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his mercy endures for ever. ****

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I drove them back. ****

This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. ****

After this the recitation of the Psalter and the Kathismata as appointed.

On Sundays the first two Kathismata of the Psalter are numbers 2 and 3

After the 1st Kathisma

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 for ever, and to the ages of ages.

After the 2nd Kathisma

For you, O God, are good and love humankind, 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.

On normal Sundays the third Kathisma is Psalm 118 . On major Feasts the Polyeleos.

After the last verse of Psalm 118, or the Polyeleos, if the Feast falls on a Sunday, we sing at once, that is **before**

Glory to the Father:

**The Resurrection Evlogitaria

Tone 5**

Before each Troparion we say: Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your statutes.

The company of the Angels was amazed, seeing you numbered among the dead, yet destroying the power of death, O Saviour, raising Adam with yourself and freeing all from Hell.

‘Why do you mingle sweet spices with your tears, O women disciples?’ the dazzling Angel in the tomb said to the women bearing myrrh, ‘Behold the tomb, and understand: for the Saviour has risen from the grave’.

Early in the morning the women bearing myrrh hastened, lamenting, to your grave; but the Angel stood before them and said, ‘The time for lamentation has passed. Do not weep; but tell the Apostles of the Resurrection’.

The women bearing spices coming to your grave, O Saviour, heard an Angel saying to them, ‘Why do you number the living among the dead? For as God he has risen from the grave’.

We worship the Father, and his Son, and the Holy Spirit: the holy consubstantial Trinity, as we cry with the Seraphim, ‘Holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord!’

O Virgin, by giving birth you redeemed Adam from sin, and you brought Eve joy instead of sorrow. He who was incarnate from you, who is both God and man, has guided back to life those who had fallen from life.

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

For blessed is your name and glorified is your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

The Reader reads the Ypakoï. On Feasts the Kathisma. On Sunday there follow the Anavathmi in the Tone of the Week.

From my youth up many passions make war on me: but you, O Saviour, help me and save me.

You who hate Zion, may you be put to shame by the Lord: for you will be dried up as grass by fire.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, by cleansing it is exalted, it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is given life, by cleansing it is exalted, it is made bright by the threefold Unity in a sacred mystery.

During the Anavathmi the Priest, with the Deacon, enters the sanctuary and, vested in epitrachelion and phelonion, stands in front of the Holy Table.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy. ****

For holy are you, our God, and you dwell in the holy place, 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. ****

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. **(x3*)***

And that he would count us worthy to listen to the holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God. ****

Lord, have mercy. **(x3)**

Priest (or Bishop):

Peace to all. ****

And to your Spirit. ****

The Reading is from the holy Gospel according to **N.**

Glory to you, Lord, glory to you! ****

And the Priest reads the Matins Gospel, if it is Sunday, the Eothinon, standing on the south side of the Holy Table, with the Deacon opposite him. On other days he reads it from between the Holy Doors, facing the People.

After the Gospel, People:

Glory to you, Lord, glory to you! ****

On Sundays, after the Gospel:

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. We worship your Cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection. For you are our God; we know no other but you; we name you by name. Come, all the faithful, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold through the Cross, joy has come in all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we sing his Resurrection. For having endured the Cross for us, by death he has destroyed death.

The Priest, wearing his kalymafchion and having let down the phelonion, stands in the Holy Doors holding the Holy Gospel. When the singers reach the verse

For see, you have loved truth, **he comes out through the Holy Doors and takes his stand in the middle of the church. In Athonite use, he stands directly beneath the polyeleos for the Superior to venerate the Gospel. He then moves further to the west for the rest of those present to do so. The server with the candle is the last to venerate. In most Greek parishes the Gospel is then taken to back of the church, preceded by the candle, and placed on a stand near the west end of the church, so that latecomers may venerate it. There follows the veneration of the Gospel, after which the Priest returns to the Sanctuary and places the Gospel on the Holy Table, or, where it is the custom, at the back of the Church.**

On all other days the Psalm is read and there is no veneration of the Gospel.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me O God, in your great mercy; according to the fullness of your compassion blot out my offence.

Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you only I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified in your words, and win when you are judged.

For see, in wickedness I was conceived, and in sin my mother bore me.

For see, you have loved truth: you have shown me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.

You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; you will wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

You will make me hear of joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled will rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.

Do not cast me out from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and establish me with a sovereign Spirit.

I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn to you again.

O God, the God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, and my tongue will rejoice at your justice.

Lord, you will open my lips: and my mouth will declare your praise.

For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a humbled heart God will not despise.

Do good to Sion, Lord, in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt.

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

Through the prayers of the Apostles, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my transgressions.

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

Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of my transgression

Have mercy on me, O God, in your great mercy; according to the fulness of your compassion blot out my offence.

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, has given us eternal life and his great mercy.

On all Feasts with a Gospel special texts are appointed to be sung after

Glory **and** Both now **and the verse** Have mercy on me on, O God. **These will be found in the Menaion for the day.**

On all days with a Gospel, the Deacon (or Priest):

O God, save your people and bless your inheritance, visit your world with mercy and pity, exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us your rich mercies; at the prayers of our all-pure Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; at the protection of the honoured Bodiless Powers of heaven; through the intercessions of the honoured, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers and Mothers; of the holy and righteous Forebears of God, Joachim and Anna, of Saint

**N.**, whose memory we celebrate, and of all your Saints, we beseech you, only merciful Lord, hearken to us sinners as we pray to you and have mercy on us. ****

Lord, have mercy. **(Twelve times, in threes)**

And we begin the Canons. In Athonite use, on Sundays and Feasts the Church is censed as usual at the start of the Canons.

After the 3rd Ode

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

After the 6th Ode

For you are the King of peace and the Saviour of our souls, 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.

The Mother of God and Mother of the Light in hymns let us honour and magnify.

He then censes the whole sanctuary and church as usual.

The Magnificat and 9th Ode are traditionally sung by the senior persons present in the two Choirs.

The Song of the Mother of God.

**A maiden mother hymns her Son and God.

In hymns God’s Mother now we magnify.**

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

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

For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, for behold from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For he that is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name, and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

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. ****

For all the Powers of heaven praise you, 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. ****

Holy is the Lord our God. ****

Holy is the Lord our God. ****

Exalt the Lord our God; and bow down before his footstool. ****

For he is holy. ****

Then, on all days, the Exapostilaria.

After the Exapostilaria

**If it is Sunday, or a feast of the Lord, or the memorial of a Saint having the Great Doxology, the two Choirs sing** Let everything that has breath **in the appropriate tone, as follows:**

Psalm 148

**Let everything that has breath** praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the highest. To you praise is due, O God.

**Praise him, all his angels:** Praise him, all his Powers. To you praise is due, O God. ****

If it is Sunday, at the end of the Doxology and Trisagion, we say the Resurrection Troparia.

For the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th tones in Tone 4:

To-day salvation has come to the world. Let us sing to him who rose from the tomb, the Author of our life. For destroying death by death, he has given us the victory and his great mercy.

For the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th tones in Tone 8.

By rising from the tomb and bursting through the bonds of Hell, you abolished the sentence of death, O Lord, delivering all from the snares of the foe. Having shown yourself to your Apostles, you sent them out to preach, and through them you gave peace to the whole world, you who alone are full of mercy.

On other Feasts the Apolytikion, once.

The two Litanies and Dismissal.

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

Lord, have mercy. **Three times after each petition.**

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

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, all devout and Orthodox Christians, those who dwell in or visit this city and parish, the wardens and members of this church and their families;

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy church, and for all our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest before us, and who lie asleep here in the true faith; and for the Orthodox everywhere

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

For you, O God, are merciful, and love humankind, 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, have mercy. **And so after each of the following petitions.**

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

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

Grant this, O Lord. **And so after each of the following petitions.**

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

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

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

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

A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed 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. ****

For you are a God of mercy, compassion and love towards humankind, 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. ****

Peace to all. ****

And to your spirit. ****

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

To you, O Lord. ****

Priest (in a low voice):

Holy Lord, dwelling on high and beholding things below and, with your eye that observes all, keeping watch over the whole creation, to you we have bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we beseech you, O Holy of Holies: Stretch forth your invisible hand from your holy dwelling and bless us all. And, as you are good and love humankind, pardon us if we have sinned in anything, voluntarily or involuntarily, granting us your blessings both of this world and of the world above. ****

For yours it is to have mercy and to save us, O our God, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

Priest (from inside the Sanctuary):

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

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

Most holy Mother of God, save us. ****

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

The Priest, standing in the holy Doors and facing the People, gives the Great Dismissal as follows:

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

And the Priest, lowering the Phelonion, continues:

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his all-pure and holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honoured, Bodiless Powers of heaven; the intercessions of the honoured, glorious, prophet, forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant Martyrs; of our venerable and god-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous forebears of God, Joachim and Anne; of Saint **N**. ; of Saint **N**., whose memory we celebrate, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves humankind. ****

Amen. **And at once he begins the First Hour.**