VESPERS FOR SUNDAYS AND FEASTS

INTRODUCTION

Litany of Peace

Prokeimenon of the evening. ****

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

For 10 Verses, or Stichera

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

On Sunday evening in Lent we sing the following Troparia instead of the usual Apolytikion, making a full prostration at each of them, except the last.

This translation of the Office of Vespers for Sundays and Feasts is intended as a practical edition for use in church, or by groups and individuals who wish to pray using the traditional prayers of the Church. The rubrics are therefore reasonably full, though it is not practical to cover every possible situation that may arise.

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

The Prokeimenon is followed at once by the prayer ‘Grant, Lord’ and the Litany is displaced until later.

In some places the Reader adds:

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess your name. **9.** The just will await me, until you reward me. ****

Tone 5.

The underlying Typikon is that of the Holy Mountain of Athos and in most parishes some curtailment may be called for, such as the omission of the reading of the First Kathisma of the Psalter. On the other hand, the common practice of omitting most of the verses of the Lamp-lighting Psalms is most regrettable and should be avoided if possible.

Short Litany

Then we begin

For 8 Verses

Virgin Mother of God, hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have given birth to the Saviour of our souls.

There are a number of differences in Russian use, but these are mostly minor. For example, before the Prokeimenon the Priest greets the People, as at the Liturgy, and the Prokeimenon itself is a dialogue between the Deacon and Choir, and not between the Canonarch or Reader and the Singers, as in Athonite use. *O Joyful Light* and *Now, Master* are usually sung by the Choir rather than being recited by the Superior. Other differences have more to do with the fact that most Russian churches celebrate a highly abbreviated ‘All-night Vigil’ on Saturday evenings, rather than Vespers only.

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

Then the Deacon says,

Psalm 129

**(Prostration)**

Technical jargon has been kept to a minimum, but a few words are explained in a short Glossary at the end. In the text these are underlined. There is as yet no generally agreed practice as to which technical terms should be anglicised and which left in their Greek or Slav dress. As in Church Slavonic, no doubt some words will be retained in their Greek form, e.g. *Kathisma*, while others will in the end be anglicised, e.g. *prostration* for a full *metania.*

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

Wisdom. Stand upright.

**Out of the depths** I have cried to you, O Lord. Lord hear my voice. **7.** Let your ears be attentive, to the voice of my supplication. ****

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

The Psalms have been translated from the Septuagint because this has been the Church’s Psalter for nearly two thousand years and the prayers and hymns of the Church are frequently little more than a mosaic of words and phrases from it. The use of any other Psalter obscures or destroys many of these intentional echoes and cross references. Since this is a practical edition scriptural and other references have not been given in footnotes. In the future it may be possible to provide an edition with these, together with a brief commentary.

Prayer of the Entrance

Glory. Both now**, and the Theotokion in the same Tone.**

For 6 Verses.

**(Prostration)**

For completeness, we have included the text of the Ninth Hour, which should immediately precede Vespers.

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

Wisdom. ****

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

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

In an Appendix we note the differences for the celebration of Daily Vespers, since these are not numerous. Another Appendix gives the ending of Vespers on Sundays in Lent. The details of Daily Vespers in Lent can be found  by clicking the following hyperlink . As it is easy with modern equipment to produce this separately, we believe it is preferable to do so, rather than have a book where every other paragraph begins ‘But if it is…’.

Litany of Fervent Supplication

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

For 4 Verses.

**(Prostration)**

The text of the Litanies and other hymns and prayers which occur in the Divine Liturgy are taken from the bilingual edition of the Liturgy published with the blessing of the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.

After the Litany say this prayer, one of the Gerontika.

Then three full Prostrations with the Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian once only and then the Dismissal, as above.

**4.** From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch, let Israel hope in the Lord. **3.** For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. ****

We take refuge beneath your compassion, Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in trouble: but rescue us from dangers, only pure, only blessed one.

FOR SUNDAYS AND FEASTS

Litany of Fervent Supplication

Psalm 116

Lord, have mercy. **(x40)**

After the Dismissal of the Ninth Hour the Priest and Deacon, having made a metania to the Bishop’s stall, venerated the icons and bowed to the two Choirs, enter the Sanctuary by the side doors. They make three bows to the Holy Table and the Priest kisses the Holy Table and the Gospel.

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

**2.** **Praise the Lord**, all you nations. Praise him all you peoples. **1.** For his mercy has been mighty towards us, and the truth of the Lord endures to the ages.

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

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

Prayer at the Bowing of Heads

Glory… Both now…

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.

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

After the Litany the Aposticha, between which we say the verses of the Feast, if there are any.

Let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem The Syrian

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

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

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

The Litany of Fervent Supplication, omitting the first two petitions, follows the Apolytikion and its Theotokion.

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.

And we say for the Rulers:

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

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.

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

Psalm 103

Master, bless the holy entrance.

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

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 will 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 was filled with your creation. See, 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. ****

And the Priest blesses the Entrance with the words:

**(Prostration)**

If the Anixantaria are to be sung, the Reader only reads as far as this.

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

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

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!

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

**(Prostration)**

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!

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

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

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

Thanksgiving at the Lighting of the Lamps

**(Prostration)**

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

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

On ordinary weekdays Vespers is celebrated as follows:

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

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.

The Priest reads the seven prayers **outside** the Sanctuary and remains there for the Litany of Peace. He should remain outside the Sanctuary for the whole service, except for the censing of the church.

While the Opening Psalm is being read the Priest, bareheaded and standing in front of the Holy Table, says quietly the following Prayers at the Lighting of the Lamps, having first blessed the Deacon’s Sticharion and Orarion as usual.

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

He enters the Sanctuary at ‘Lord, I have cried’ for the censing of the Church. This is done as usual, but the Priest vests only in the Epitrachelion.

**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.

Deacon (facing the People):

There is no Entrance, but immediately after the hymn ‘O Joyful Light’ the Priest announces ‘Prokeimenon of the evening’.

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.

On Saturday evening.

The verses for the Aposticha are the following:

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.

Tone 6.

From Sunday to Thursday

For yours is the might and yours is the kingdom and 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.

The Lord is King: he has clothed himself with glory.

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

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.

The Lord has clothed and girded himself with power

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

For you, O God, are good and love mankind, 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 Lord is King: he has clothed himself with glory.

God is wonderful in his Saints. ****

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.

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

For the Saints in his land the Lord has done wonders. ****

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.

The Lord is King: \* he has clothed himself with glory.

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

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

On Sunday evening.

The Dismissal is as follows:

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

Tone 8.

On Sunday evening

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

Come, bless the Lord: all you servants of the Lord.

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother; the protection of the honoured Bodiless Powers of heaven; the intercessions of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of Saint

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.

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

**N.** ; and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

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

Come, bless the Lord: \* all you servants of the Lord.

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother; the intercessions of the honoured, glorious, prophet, forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of Saint

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

On Monday evening.

**N**. ; and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

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

Tone 4.

On Tuesday and Thursday

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

When I call to the Lord: \* he will hear me.

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of Saint

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

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

**N.** ; and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

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

On Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday

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.

Tone 1.

May Christ our true God, at the prayers of his most pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; of our Father among the Saints Nicolas of Myra in Lykia, the Wonderworker; of Saint

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

Your mercy, Lord, will follow me: \* all the days of my life.

**N***.* ; and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

For our Archbishop

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

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

**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. ****

On Wednesday evening.

**N.** ; and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind. ****

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

Tone 5.

NOTE ON THE DISMISSAL

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

Save me, O God, by the power of your name: \* and vindicate me by your might.

According to the strict Typikon only Saints who are ‘feasted’, that is those who have at least one doxastikon at Vespers, should be mentioned in the Dismissal. It is

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.

On Thursday evening

**not** the moment to read out all the small print from the Synaxarion. There is much variety in the details of the Dismissal in the various books and traditions. ****

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

Tone 6.

GENERAL NOTE ON THE CELEBRATION OF VESPERS

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

My help comes from the Lord: \* who made both heaven and earth.

The liturgical books assume that the offices are sung by two choirs, that face each other across the church. Choir A, the right-hand choir, stands on the north side of the church and Choir B, the left -hand choir, on the south. Choir A is that of chief singer, or *Protopsaltes*, and Choir B that of the second singer, or *Lampadarios*. Choir A normally takes the lead. The letters

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.

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

** ** and ** ** at ‘Lord, I have cried’ indicate this. This means that Choir A sings ‘Glory’ and the first Doxastikon and Choir B ‘Both now’ and the first Theotokion. If there is no special Doxastikon, as will frequently be the case on Saturday evening, Choir A sings ‘Glory’, Choir B ‘Both now’ and Choir A the actual Doxastikon/Theotokion.

To you, O Lord. ****

On Friday evening.

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. ****

Tone 7.

First Kathisma

O God you are my helper: \* your mercy will go before me.

Psalm 1

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

Of David. Untitled in the Hebrew.

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

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

Lord, have mercy. ****

Psalm 2

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

A Psalm of David.

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

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

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

Psalm 3

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

A Psalm of David,

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

when he fled from his son Absalom in the wilderness.

Also we pray for the blessed and ever-remembered founders of this holy church, and for all our departed brothers and sisters, Orthodox believers, who have gone to their rest before us and who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord;

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

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

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

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. ****

The following should be read by another reader:

Grant, Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen.

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

Let your mercy, Lord be upon us, as we have hoped in you.

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

Blessed are you, Lord: teach me your statutes.

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

Blessed are you, Master: make me understand your statutes.

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

Blessed are you, Holy One: enlighten me with your statutes.

The first reader here resumes the reading of the Psalms.

Lord, your mercy is for ever; do not scorn the work of your hands. To you praise is due, to you song is due, to you glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

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

Psalm 4

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 5

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 6

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

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

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

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

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.

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

To you, O Lord. ****

The following should be read by another reader:

**F**or you, O God, are good 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. ****

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

Priest (blessing the People):

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

Peace to all. ****

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

And to your spirit. ****

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

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

The first reader here resumes the reading of the Psalms.

To you, O Lord. ****

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

The Priest, in a low voice, says the:

Psalm 7

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

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

Ble**s**sed and glorified be the might of your kingdom, of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. ****

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

On Saturday evening.

Psalm 8

The Lord is King, he has clothed himself with glory; the Lord has clothed and girded himself with power. ****

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

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

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

Holiness befits your house, O Lord, to length of days. ****

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

On the completion of the Aposticha, we say the

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

Song of Symeon who Received God (Luke 2,29),

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

one of the Gerontika

Lord, our hope, glory to you. ****

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

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

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

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.

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

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. 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. ****

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

To you, O Lord. ****

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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the might, and yours 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. ****

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. ****

Lord, I have cried **in the appropriate tone, while the Deacon censes the Sanctuary and the whole Church. If the Priest has to cense he does so vested in the Phelonion and Epitrachelion. He blesses the incense with the words,**

The Apolytikion of the day,

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

Priest (from inside the Sanctuary):

He censes the holy Table from the four sides and the whole sanctuary. Then coming out by the north door he censes the holy icons (x3), the people and the whole church in the customary manner and returns to the sanctuary by the south door.

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

Psalm 140

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

** ** **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. ****

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

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

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. ****

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

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

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

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

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

And the Priest, lowering the Phelonion ,continues:

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. ****

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. ****

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

Turning to the East he says,

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

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

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

Only six stichera are sung at ‘Lord, I have cried’. Normally 3 from the Paraklitiki and 3 from the Menaion. In this case it is the custom in many places to sing 2 from the first set in the Paraklitiki and 1 from the second. If the Saint of the day has a Doxastikon, then 6 Stichera are sung from the Menaion, the 3 appointed being doubled. In this case the Theotokion is the one from the Menaion.

Psalm 141

For the singing of the Stichera, it is usual for the chief singer in each choir to take the first Sticheron for their side. Normally the senior person on each side is then asked to sing the second and the third may be offered to a visiting priest or distinguished visitor or singer. Any remaining Stichera are then shared among the other people in each choir.

** ** **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. ****