SERVICE OF THE AKATHYST HYMN («ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΩΝ») TO OUR MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

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

Amen.

Glory to You, O God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

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

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

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

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

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

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

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

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 50 (51)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.

Psalm 69 (70).

O God, [give heed] to help me. [O Lord, make haste to help me.] May those who seek my soul be dishonored and shamed; may those who plot evils against me be turned back and disgraced; may those be turned back immediately who shame me, saying, “Well done! Well done!” May all who seek You greatly rejoice and be glad in You, and let those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified.” But I am poor and needy; O God, help me. You are my helper and deliverer, O Lord; do not delay.

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.

Doxology

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; onlybegotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every evening I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this night we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Canon for the Theotokos.·

By Joseph the Hymnographer.

Ode i. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O Maiden and Virgin pure, the great Archangel saluted you, * “Rejoice, living book of Christ, of which Isaiah foretold * that it would be sealed * to all men by the Spirit. * O vessel of joy, through you the curse on Eve shall be loosed.”

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, Virgin Bride of God! Through you was Adam restored to life * and Hades was put to death. O blameless one, rejoice! * Since you bore the King, * we say you are His palace, * the fiery throne of the Ruler of all. Rejoice!

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

Rejoice! You have budded forth a holy Son, the unfading rose, * the One whom the Song has likened to a sweet apple tree. * Evervirgin Bride, * rejoice! You are the fragrance * beloved by the King of all. Through you the world is saved.

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

We cry out, Rejoice, to you who are the treasure of chastity. * Through you we have risen from our fall. O Lady, rejoice! * We believers sense * the fragrances you send forth, * sweet lily and frankincense, costly anointing oil.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, blessed Virgin! You have borne Christ, * the Wheat that came forth from land unploughed. * The Table symbolizes you, * who held the Lord, the Bread of life. * Rejoice, O never empty well * of living water, O Bride of God!

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

For us the believers you have mothered * the unblemished Bull, the Lamb of God, * who takes away the sins of the world; * we therefore call you Heifer and Ewe. * Rejoice! You are the Mercy Seat, * from which forgiveness has come to us. [

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

Christ the Sun of Righteousness has risen * from you, Bride of God and shining Dawn. * Rejoice, for as the dwelling place * of Him who is the Light of the world, * you drove away the night of sin, * and darkest demons now fade away.

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

The East Gate, through which the Prince alone went, * prefigured your body; for the Lord * alone came forth from you. Rejoice! * Your Son has shattered Hades’ gates. * Rejoice, all-lauded and divine * gateway of those who are being saved!

Ode iv. Heirmos.

He who sits in holy glory * on the throne of divinity, * Jesus our most high God, * on a swift and light cloud has come to us, * and by the might of His undefiled hand has saved * those who cry to Him: Glory to Your strength, O Christ.

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

David saw you as the Mountain, * in the Spirit fertile and rich, * where God dwelt, O Lady; * therefore we salute you and sing: Rejoice! * The golden jar with the honeyflavored manna of old * points to you who held the sweetest heavenly Bread of life. [

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

We extol you, blameless Virgin, * Mercy seat for the world: Rejoice! * Jacob’s dreamtof ladder * points to you, for God came to earth by you * and elevates all to heaven by an act of grace. * You are likewise a bridge that has conveyed us from death to life.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

You are higher than the heavens, * O immaculate Maid. Rejoice! * Painlessly you carried * in your womb the Lord who founded the earth. * We call you Seashell: its dye was used in royal cloth, * and your own blood dyed the divine flesh of the King of Hosts.

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

God the Word is the Lawgiver * who blots out the iniquities * of all people freely. * O the depth and height of the love of Christ! * Surpassing knowledge! And now we sing, “Rejoice!” to you, * who gave birth to Him. Lady, through you we were deified!

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

Crown of hope woven of glory * is your Son, who is Lord of hosts. * So Isaiah said it. * We say, you have woven it for the world. * To you, O Virgin, the fortress and defense of all * and protective wall and sacred refuge, we sing, “Rejoice!”

Ode v. Heirmos.

Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you.

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, Virgin, Bride of God! You carried in your womb the Way * and the Life. O Mother of the Savior, * the world is saved from the flood of sin through you. * Aweinspiring tidings and good news! * Rejoice! For the Master of all creation abode in you. [

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, mighty fortress of humanity, O spotless Maid! * Holy place of glory, as the Psalm says; * bright bridal chamber, from which your Son came forth * as the Sun of Righteousness! Rejoice! * Joy of Angels! Aid for all * who with faith pray to you! Rejoice!

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, fiery chariot of God the Logos, whom you bore! * Paradise prefigured you, O Lady. * For in its midst was the tree of life; now the Lord, * the fruit of your womb, is giving life * to us who were subject once * to corruption and eat in faith. [

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

Enabled by strength you give, we faithfully cry out: Rejoice! * Unhewn mountain, from which came the Stone, Christ. * Concerning you, City of the great King of all, * were glorious things indeed declared, * in the Psalms and Prophecies. * O immeasurable depth, rejoice!

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

O Mother of God, rejoice! You are the oyster that produced * Christ, the divine Pearl of great value. * You are the spacious, allwondrous dwelling place * of the Word. O Virgin pure, rejoice! * We extol you every day, * and you pray to the Lord for us.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

O bridal chamber of God the Word, * we credit the theosis of all to you. O Virgin pure, rejoice! * The Prophets’ echoing prophecies, * fulfilled in you, adorned what Apostles then proclaimed.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

The fleece upon which alone the dew * for Gideon dripped down once prefigured you, to whom we sing: Rejoice! * From you, O Virgin, did Christ come forth * as healing Dew, extinguishing pagan passions all. [

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

Behold, we greet you and sing: Rejoice! * As we are tossed about on the stormy sea of life’s adversities * and all the snares of our enemy, * become for us the port and Fair Haven we desire.

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

O cause of joy, you inspire us * to call you unconsumed burning bush and shining pillar of a cloud, * because the Lord was in you as well. * You always guard the faithful, who sing to you: Rejoice! [

Ode vii. Heirmos.

Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.”

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

We salute you: Rejoice! * You bore the Sun of Righteousness, and thus the mythical type * of chariot applies to you. * Old Testament images of vines and ripened grapes * point to you, who brought forth * the Lord whose blood now gladdens hearts * of the faithful who extol you.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

In your womb you held * the One who heals humanity. Rejoice, O Bride of God! * Isaiah called you the rod * of Jesse, for you brought forth the flower that is Christ, * the unfading Word. * Rejoice! Through you we too rejoice * and inherit life, O Lady.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Insufficient are * all languages for poetry and hymns extolling you, * for you, O Lady, were raised * higher than the Seraphim for bearing Christ the King. * Now entreat Him for us, * who honor you, to rescue us * from disasters that befall us.

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

From the ends of the earth * the faithful are extolling you, singing, “O Virgin, Rejoice!” * Isaiah called you a book, * on which by the Father’s finger was the Word inscribed. * Pray Him earnestly * to write your servants in the Lamb’s * book of life, O Theotokos.

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

We your servants pray, * entreating you, and like Manasseh bend the knee of our hearts: * O Pure One, lend us an ear, * and save us, for we are drowning in adversities. * And preserve the Church * from schism and from heresy, * O all-holy Theotokos.

Ode viii. Heirmos.

Guiltless were those Servants in the furnace. * The Son of the Theotokos went and rescued them. * He who was prefigured then, * having been incarnate now, * is gathering the whole wide world into His Church to sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.”

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

You welcomed into your womb the Logos. * You held in your arms the One who holds all things. * You, O Virgin, nursed the One * who by His divine command * gives food to all, O Maiden pure. And now we sing to Him: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.”

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

The glorious mystery of your childbirth * did Moses perceive within the burning bush. * Servants of the Most High God * vividly prefigured this; * for standing in the fiery furnace, they remained unburnt, * O undefiled and all-holy Virgin. * Therefore we sing praises of you to all the ages.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

We who were left naked through deception * now wear an imperishable robe through you, * who bore the immortal God, * holy Virgin, house of the light; * and we who sat in darkness of our sins have seen the light, * as once foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. * Therefore we sing praises of you to all the ages. [

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

Through you who gave birth to Life in Person * were we who were dead in sin brought back to life. * Through you those who once were mute * have become most eloquent. * Through you are those afflicted by disease and cancer cured; * defeated are the hosts of the demons. * Humanity is saved through your childbirth, O Virgin.

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

You gave birth to Christ, the world’s salvation. * Through you has humanity been lifted up * from the earth to heaven. Rejoice! * O all-blessed Virgin, rejoice, * O mighty fortress and protection of the faithful who sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.”

Ode ix. Heirmos.

All you born on earth, * with festival lamps in hand, in spirit leap for joy; * and all you the heavenly angelic orders, join in and celebrate; * and honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, * sing the joyful salutation, “O rejoice, * Theotokos, all-blest, ever-virgin pure!”

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Rescue us, we pray, * from foreign invasion and from every other scourge * that we might experience * as a result of the multitude of sins * committed by humanity, so that we faithful, who share * the divine and everlasting joy through you, * might salute you, O Virgin, and sing: Rejoice! [

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

We who are confirmed * in faith and illumined through you, Lady, sing to you. * Rejoice! O unsetting star: * you brought the great Sun into the world. Rejoice! * O Pure One, you reopened Eden that was closed of old. * Fiery pillar, ushering humanity * out of bondage to heavenly life, rejoice!

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

In the house of God * let us stand with reverence as we sing with sacred joy: * Queen of all the world, rejoice! * Rejoice, O Mary, the Lady of us all! * The only blameless and the fairest among women, rejoice! * Living vessel, that received the unemptied Word, * who like ointment was poured into you, rejoice! [

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

Only perfect dove, * who brought forth the Lord of mercy as an olive branch, * evervirgin Mary, rejoice! * You are the boast of devout monastic Saints. * Rejoice! You are the glory of the holy Martyrs. Rejoice! * And the Righteous pride themselves in knowing you. * We the faithful have you as our rescuer.

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

Pity us, O God, * and spare Your inheritance by overlooking now * all of our iniquities, * for this accepting the fervent prayers of her * who without seed gave birth to You on earth, O Christ our God, * who in Your great mercy willed to take on flesh, * thus assuming the form that was not Your own.

Kontakion. Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you

Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude,

Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos.

Inasmuch as you have power unassailable,

From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you

I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Ὁ Ἱερεὺς ἱστάμενος εἰς τὸν σωλέα πρὸ τῆς εἰκόνος τῆς Θεοτόκου, ἀπαγγέλλει ἐμμελῶς τὴν Β´ Στάσιν τῶν «Χαιρετισμῶν».

Second Stanza

Gloriously extolling the incarnate appearance of Christ did the shepherds hear the Angels. And running as though to a shepherd, they perceived Him to be as it were a blameless lamb that had been pastured in the womb of Mary whom they lauded saying:

Rejoice, O Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd. Rejoice, O sheepfold of sheep with reason.

Rejoice, who ward off invisible enemies. Rejoice, who open the portals of Paradise.

Rejoice, for the things of heaven are now exulting with the earth. Rejoice, for the things of earth along with heaven dance for joy.

Rejoice, indefatigable voice of the Apostles. Rejoice, undefeatable valiance of the Martyrs.

Rejoice, the mighty foundation of faith. Rejoice, the bright indication of grace.

Rejoice, through whom is Hades divested. Rejoice, through whom we are vested in glory.

Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

Having visibly sighted the star proceeding Godward, the Magi followed after its brightness; and thereto clinging as to a light did they search thereby for a mighty King; and reaching the Unreachable they rejoiced and shouted to Him: Alleluia.

Alleluia.

In the hands of the Virgin saw the Chaldeans’ children Him who fashioned mankind with His own hand; and perceiving that He was the Lord, even though He had taken the form of a slave, they hastened to pay tribute with gifts and salute the blessed Maiden:

Rejoice, O Mother of the unsetting Star. Rejoice, O dawn of the mystical Day.

Rejoice, who extinguished the furnace of fallacy. Rejoice, who enlighten initiates of the Trinity.

Rejoice, for you have deposed the inhuman tyrant from his reign. Rejoice, for you have disclosed Christ the Lord who is humane.

Rejoice, O redeemer from Magian religion. Rejoice, who deliver from the clay of the burdens.

Rejoice, for the cult of fire you terminate. Rejoice, from the flame of passions you liberate.

Rejoice, the guide of believers to temperance. Rejoice, the gladness of all generations.

Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

Keeping to the oracles that bore on You, the Magi, having now become God-bearing heralds, proclaimed to all that You are the Christ as they journeyed back to their own country Babylon, abandoning Herod as a babbling king who knew not how to sing, Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Lightening in Egypt the true illumination, You dispelled the darkness of delusion; O Savior, for the idols thereof, unable to endure Your might, tumbled down, while they who were delivered from them shouted to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, man’s rehabilitation. Rejoice, the demons’ ruination.

Rejoice, who crushed the delusion of fallacy. Rejoice, who uncovered the ruse of idolatry.

Rejoice, sea that caused the spiritual Pharaoh to drown. Rejoice, rock that gave those thirsting for life to drink.

Rejoice, pillar of fire that guides those in darkness. Rejoice, shelter of the world that is wider than the cloud was.

Rejoice, supplanting manna as edibles. Rejoice, supplying holy delectables.

Rejoice, for you are the land of promise. Rejoice, from you flow the milk and the honey.

Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

Master, You were presented as a babe unto Symeon on the threshold of being transported out of this present beguiling age, but also perceived by him to be perfect God; for which cause did he marvel at Your ineffable wisdom, crying: Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Kontakion. Mode pl. 4. Automelon.

O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you

Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude,

Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos.

Inasmuch as you have power unassailable,

From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you

I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

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

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

The 1st week, of st Theodoros.

The world offers You, the author of all creation, as the first-fruits of nature, the God-bearing martyrs. O most merciful, by their intercessions, through the Theotokos, maintain Your Church in perfect peace.

Ὡς ἀπαρχὰς τῆς φύσεως, τῷ φυτουργῷ τῆς κτίσεως, ἡ οἰκουμένη προσφέρει σοι, Κύριε, τοὺς θεοφόρους Μάρτυρας. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, ἐν εἰρήνῃ βαθείᾳ τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν σου, διὰ τῆς Θεοτόκου συντήρησον, Πολυέλεε.

Once you had taken the Faith of Christ into your heart like a suit of armor, you trampled the hostile forces underfoot, having contended much, and you were crowned with heavenly laurels forever, as one invincible.

Amen.

O Christ our God, who at all times and at every hour, both in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified, long suffering and plenteous in mercy and compassion; who love the just and show mercy to the sinners; who call all men to salvation through the promise of the blessings to come: Do You, the same Lord, receive also our supplications at this present time, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set our minds right; clear up our thoughts, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil and distress. Surround us with Your holy Angels so that being guarded and guided by their presence, we may arrive at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your ineffable glory; for blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

Priest: May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.

and save us, all-holy Theotokos

Prayer to the All-holy Theotokos

(by Paul the Monk of the Monastery of Evergetis)

O spotless, unstained, incorruptible, undefiled, pure Virgin, Lady Bride of God, who through your wondrous birth-giving united God the Word with mankind, and linked the fallen nature of our human race with the heavenly; the only hope of the hopeless and the help of the persecuted; the ready support of those who seek refuge in you, and the shelter of all the Christians: do not despise me, the wretched sinner who have defiled myself with shameful thoughts and words and deeds, and through negligence of thought have become slave to the pleasures of life. But as the Mother of our compassionate God, and a friend of man, have compassion on me the sinner and prodigal, and accept this prayer from my impure lips; and using your motherly standing, entreat your Son and our Master and Lord to open unto me the depths of his loving goodness and, overlooking my innumerable faults, to return me to repentance and make me a worthy servant of his commandments. Stand by me forever; in this life as a merciful and compassionate and good and lovingly warm protector and helper, by repulsing the assaults of the adversary and leading me toward salvation; and at the time of my death, by embracing my miserable soul and driving far away from it the dark faces of the evil demons; and at the awesome day of judgment by redeeming me from eternal hell, and proclaiming me an heir of the ineffable glory of your Son and our God. May I enjoy such fate, my Lady, most-holy Theotokos, through your intercession and protection; through the grace and love for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. To whom belong all glory, honor and worship, together with his beginningless Father, and the all holy and good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ

(by Antiochus, Monk of Pandektos)

And grant to us, Master, as we depart for sleep, rest of body and soul, and preserve us from the gloomy slumber of sin, and from every dark and nocturnal pleasure. Arrest the drives of passion; extinguish the burning arrows of the Evil One which insidiously fly in our direction; suppress the rebellions of our flesh, and calm our every earthly and material thought. And grant to us, O God, alert mind, prudent thinking, sober heart, light sleep free of any satanic fantasy. Awaken us at the time of prayer rooted in your commandments and having unbroken within us the remembrance of your ordinances. Grant that we may sing your glory through the night by praising and blessing and glorifying your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Most glorious, ever virgin, blessed Theotokos, bring our prayer before your Son and our God, and entreat him, through you, to save our souls.

(St Ioannikios prayer).

The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my shelter, Holy Trinity, glory to you.

O Mother of God, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter. [

Ἡ Ἀπόλυσις.

Priest: Glory to You, Christ our God, our hope, glory to You.

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

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

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

Priest: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and allimmaculate holy Mother, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Priest: Let us pray for the peace of the world.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For the pious and Orthodox Christians.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our our Archbishop (name).

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our nation.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the armed forces.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters

Lord, have mercy.

Priest:For those who help us and those who serve us.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For those who hate us and those who love us.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For the release of the captives.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For those sailing the seas.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: For those laid up with illnesses.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.

Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

Mode 3.

You were so beautiful in your virginity. * Archangel Gabriel admired your purity, * which was resplendent; and amazed, he said to you, Theotokos, * “As there are no accolades that can worthily honor you, * I am at a loss for words to address you, so awed am I. * But I will say what I was commanded: * Rejoice, O favored Maiden full of grace!”

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