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The Agpeya

Psalms are from the New Revised Standard Version


Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, one God. Amen.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us.
Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of all ages.
Amen.
+ Make us worthy to pray in thanksgiving, saying:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your
kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive
us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us
from the evil one. In Christ Jesus our Lord. For the
kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever.
Amen.
Introduction to Every Hour
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+ Let us give thanks to the benecent and merciful
God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus
Christ. For he has covered us, helped us, guarded us,
accepted us to himself, spared us, supported us, and
brought us to this hour. Let us also ask the
Pantocrator, the Lord our God, to guard us in all
peace this holy day and all the days of our life. O
Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our
Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, we thank you
for everything, concerning everything, and in
everything. For you have covered us, helped us,
guarded us, accepted us to yourself, spared us,
supported us, and brought us to this hour. Therefore
we ask and entreat you, good Lover of humankind,
to grant us to complete this holy day and all the days
of our life in all peace with your fear. All envy, all
temptation, all the works of Satan, the advice of the
wicked, and the rising up of enemies, hidden and
manifest, take them away from us, from all your
people, and from this holy place that is yours. Rather,
provide for us those things that are good and
protable, for it is you who gave us the authority to
tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the
power of the enemy. And do not bring us into
temptation, but rescue us from the evil one, in the
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grace and love of humankind, of your only begotten
Son, our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is
he through whom the glory, the honour, the
dominion, and the veneration are due to you, with
him and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who is
consubstantial with you, now and always, and to the
ages of all ages. Amen.
+ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly
from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I
know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before
me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done
what is evil in your sight, so that you are justied in
your sentence and blameless when you pass
judgement. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when
my mother conceived me. You desire truth in the
inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my
secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be
clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let
me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have
crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and
blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart,
O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do
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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 sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and
sinners will return to you. Deliver me from
bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my
tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. O Lord,
open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrice; if I were to give a
burnt-offering, you would not be pleased. The
sacrice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken
and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do
good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls
of Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrices,
in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings; then
bulls will be offered on your altar. Alleluia.
Introduction to Every Hour
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The Gloria:
Let us praise with the angels saying: Glory to God in
the highest, peace on earth, and goodwill to all
people. We praise you, we bless you, we serve you,
we worship you, we confess to you, we glorify you.
We give thanks to you for your great glory. Lord,
King of heaven, God the Father, the Pantocrator; the
one Lord and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the
Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the
Father, who takes away the sin of the world, have
mercy on us. You who takes away the sin of the
world, receive our prayer. You who sits at the right
hand of the Father, have mercy on us. You only are
holy, you only are the most high, Lord Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen. Everyday I will bless you, I will bless your
holy name forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. My
spirit awakes before each watch of the night, my
God, for your precepts are a light over all the earth. I
meditated on your promise, for you became my help.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. Early I
will stand before you, and you will see me.
Common Prayers
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Vouchsafe, O Lord:
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.
Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and
praised and gloried be your name forever. Let your
steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope
in you. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them
their food in due season. Hear us, O God our Saviour,
the hope of all the ends of the earth. You, O Lord, will
protect us; you will guard us from this generation
and forever. Amen. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me
your statutes. Blessed are you, O Lord, make me
understand your statutes. Blessed are you, O Lord,
enlighten me with your statutes. Your steadfast love,
O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of
your hands. Lord, you have been my refuge in all
generations. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me, heal
my soul, for I have sinned against you. Save me, O
Lord, I have ed to you for refuge. Teach me to do
your will, for you are my God. For with you is the
fountain of life; in your light we see light. O continue
your steadfast love to those who know you, and your
salvation to the upright of heart. To you belongs
blessing, to you belongs praise, to you belongs glory,
O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, existing from the
beginning, now, and to the ages of ages. Amen. It is
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good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to
your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast
love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.
+++
The Great Trisagion:
Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, who was
born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, who was
crucied for us, have mercy on us.
Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, who rose
from the dead and ascended into the heavens, have
mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of all ages.
Amen.
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. All-holy Trinity, have
mercy on us. Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord,
forgive our sins. Lord, forgive our trespasses. Lord,
visit the sick of your people, heal them for the sake of
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your holy name. Our fathers and brothers who have
slept, Lord repose their souls. Sinless Lord, have
mercy on us. Sinless Lord, help us and accept our
prayers to you. For the glory, the dominion, and the
triple holiness are yours. Lord have mercy, Lord have
mercy, Lord bless us. Amen.
+ Make us worthy to pray in thanksgiving, saying:
Our Father in heaven...
The Doxology:
We hail and ask you, O saint full of glory, the ever-
virgin, the Mother of God, the Mother of Christ; to lift
up our prayers to your beloved Son, so that he may
forgive us our sins. Hail to the saintly virgin who
gave birth to the true Light, Christ our God; ask the
Lord for us to have mercy on our souls, so that he
may forgive us our sins. O Virgin Mary, the holy
Mother of God, the fervent protectress of the human
race; intercede for us before Christ whom you bore,
so he may grace us with the forgiveness of our sins.
Hail to you, O Virgin, the true queen, hail to the pride
of our race, who bore for us Emmanuel. We ask you
to remember us, O our fervent protectress, before our
Lord Jesus Christ, so that he may forgive us our sins.
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The Beginning of the Holy Creed:
We exalt you, the Mother of the true light. We glorify
you, O saint, the Mother of God, for you brought
forth to us the Saviour of the whole world; he came
and saved our souls. Glory to you, our Master, our
King, Christ, the pride of the apostles, the crown of
the martyrs, the joy of the righteous, the rmness of
the churches, the forgiveness of sins. We proclaim the
Holy Trinity in one Godhead. We worship him, we
glorify him.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless us.
Amen.
The Holy Creed:
In truth we believe in one God, God the Father the
Pantocrator, maker of heaven and earth, and of all
things visible and invisible. We believe 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 made, consubstantial with
the Father, by whom all things came into being. This
is he, who for us humans and our salvation, came
down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy
Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became human.
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And he was crucied for us under Pontius Pilate,
suffered and was buried. And he rose from the dead
on the third day according to the Scriptures. He
ascended into the heavens and sits at the right hand
of the Father. And he is also coming in his glory to
judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall
have no end. Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son, we co-worship him and
we co-glorify him, who spoke by the prophets. And
in one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We
confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of
the age to come. Amen.
Lord, hear us, have mercy on us, and forgive us our
sins, when we say:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times).
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The Lesser Trisagion:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth
are full of your glory and honour. Have mercy on us,
O God the Father, the Pantocrator. O Holy Trinity,
have mercy on us. Lord God of hosts, be with us, for
we have no other helper in our hardships and
distress but you. Absolve us, forgive us, and pardon,
O God, our trespasses; those we have committed
voluntarily, and those we have committed
involuntarily; those we have committed knowingly,
and those we have committed unknowingly; the
hidden and the manifest. O Lord, forgive us, for the
sake of your holy name, which is called upon us.
According to your mercy, O Lord, and not according
to our sins.
+ Make us worthy to pray in thanksgiving, saying:
Our Father in heaven...
Common Prayers
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The Conclusion of Every Hour:
Be merciful to us, O God, who is worshiped and
gloried at every time and at every hour, in heaven
and on earth. Christ, our good God, who is slow to
anger, abounding in steadfast love and compassion,
loving the just, and merciful to sinners of whom I am
foremost; who has no pleasure in the death of the
wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and
live; calling all to salvation by the promise of the
good things to come. Do you, Lord, yourself accept
our prayers at this hour, and direct our lives to fulll
your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our
bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our ideas, and
deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Let your
holy angels encamp around us, so that, protected and
guided by their host, we may reach the unity of faith,
and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory;
for you are blessed forever. Amen.
Hear me as I pray, saying:
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
My hope is God the Holy Trinity; have mercy on your
creation, and save my soul. Amen.
Common Prayers
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Come let us worship, come let us ask Christ our God.
Come let us worship, come let us ask Christ our
King.
Come let us worship, come let us ask Christ our
Saviour.
+++
Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, our God,
through the intercessions of Saint Mary and all your
saints, preserve us and bring us to a good start. Have
mercy on us according to your will forever. The night
has passed, we thank you, Lord, and we ask you to
keep us this day away from sin and deliver us.
+++
First Hour
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Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to
be an Apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. The
reading is from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to
the Ephesians - may his blessing be with us. Amen.
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a
life worthy of the calling to which you have been
called, with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, making
every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just
as you were called to the one hope of your calling,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
+++
The Faith of the Church:
One is God the Father of all. One is his Son, Jesus
Christ the Logos, who was incarnate, died, and rose
from the dead on the third day, and raised us with
him. One is the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, one in his
hypostasis, who proceeds from the Father, sancties
all creation, and teaches us to worship the Holy
Trinity in one Godhead and one nature. We praise
and bless him forever. Amen.
First Hour
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!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the rst hour of this blessed day, I
offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him to
forgive me my sins.
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the
wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in
the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of
the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and
night. They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves
do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The
wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind
drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in
the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the
righteous; for the Lord watches over the way of the
righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Alleluia.
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Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in
vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the
rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his
anointed, saying, Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us. He who sits in the
heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then
he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them
in his fury, saying, I have set my king on Zion, my
holy hill. I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said
to me, You are my son; today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall
break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in
pieces like a potters vessel. Now therefore, O kings,
be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the
Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, or he will
be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his
wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take
refuge in him. Alleluia.
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising
against me; many are saying to me, There is no help
for you in God. But you, O Lord, are a shield around
me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry
aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his
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holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the
Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of tens of
thousands of people who have set themselves against
me all around. Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my
God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you
break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to
the Lord; may your blessing be on your people!
Alleluia.
Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You
gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to
me, and hear my prayer. How long, you people, shall
my honour suffer shame? How long will you love
vain words, and seek after lies? But know that the
Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord
hears when I call to him. When you are disturbed, do
not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer
right sacrices, and put your trust in the Lord. There
are many who say, O that we might see some good!
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord! You
have put gladness in my heart more than when their
grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and
sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie
down in safety. Alleluia.
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Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my
sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and
my God, for to you I pray. O Lord, in the morning
you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to
you, and watch. For you are not a God who delights
in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you. The
boastful will not stand before your eyes; you hate all
evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord
abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. But I, through
the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your
house, I will bow down towards your holy temple in
awe of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies; make your way straight
before me. For there is no truth in their mouths; their
hearts are destruction; their throats are open graves;
they atter with their tongues. Make them bear their
guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels;
because of their many transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you. But let all who
take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them, so that those who
love your name may exult in you. For you bless the
righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favour as
with a shield. Alleluia.
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O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, or
discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me,
O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for
my bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is
struck with terror, while you, O Lordhow long?
Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of
your steadfast love. For in death there is no
remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you
praise? I am weary with my moaning; every night I
ood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my
weeping. My eyes waste away because of grief; they
grow weak because of all my foes. Depart from me,
all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the
sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my
supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my
enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to
shame. Alleluia.
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in
all the earth! You have set your glory above the
heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you
have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to
silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at
your heavens, the work of your ngers, the moon
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and the stars that you have established; what are
human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals
that you care for them? Yet you have made them a
little lower than God, and crowned them with glory
and honour. You have given them dominion over the
works of your hands; you have put all things under
their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of
the eld, the birds of the air, and the sh of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord,
our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the
earth! Alleluia.
Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is
godly; the faithful have disappeared from
humankind. They utter lies to each other; with
attering lips and a double heart they speak. May the
Lord cut off all attering lips, the tongue that makes
great boasts, those who say, With our tongues we
will prevail; our lips are our ownwho is our
master? Because the poor are despoiled, because the
needy groan, I will now rise up, says the Lord; I will
place them in the safety for which they long. The
promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
silver rened in a furnace on the ground, puried
seven times. You, O Lord, will protect us; you will
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guard us from this generation for ever. On every side
the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among
humankind. Alleluia.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me? How
long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in
my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be
exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord
my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the
sleep of death, and my enemy will say, I have
prevailed; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall
rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me. Alleluia.
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may
dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly,
and do what is right, and speak the truth from their
heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do
no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against
their neighbours; in whose eyes the wicked are
despised, but who honour those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do
not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe
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against the innocent. Those who do these things shall
never be moved. Alleluia.
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to
the Lord, You are my Lord; I have no good apart
from you. As for the holy ones in the land, they are
the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who
choose another god multiply their sorrows; their
drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out or take
their names upon my lips. The Lord is my chosen
portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary
lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a
goodly heritage. I bless the Lord who gives me
counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I
keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my
right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart
is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests
secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let
your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of
life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your
right hand are pleasures for evermore. Alleluia.
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the
rmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day
pours forth speech, and night to night declares
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knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard; yet their voice

goes out
through all the earth, and their words to the end of
the world. In the heavens

he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding
canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with
joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its
circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden
from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving
the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making
wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is
clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is
pure, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord
are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired
are they than gold, even much ne gold; sweeter also
than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; in
keeping them there is great reward. But who can
detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

do not
let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be
blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let
the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
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heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my
redeemer. Alleluia.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you
I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my
enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for
you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are
wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways,
O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth,
and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy,
O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have
been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my
youth or my transgressions; according to your
steadfast love remember me, for your goodness sake,
O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he
instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in
what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the
paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. For
your names sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is
great. Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach
them the way that they should choose. They will
abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess
the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who
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fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever towards the Lord, for he will pluck
my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to
me, for I am lonely and aficted. Relieve the troubles
of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.
Consider my afiction and my trouble, and forgive
all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and
with what violent hatred they hate me. O guard my
life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you. May integrity and
uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem
Israel, O God, out of all its troubles. Alleluia.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour
my eshmy adversaries and foesthey shall
stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against
me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up
against me, yet I will be condent. One thing I asked
of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house
of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For
he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he
will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set
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me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above
my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent
sacrices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make
melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me! Come, my heart
says, seek his face! Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not
hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant
away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not
cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my
salvation! If my father and mother forsake me, the
Lord will take me up. Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for
false witnesses have risen against me, and they are
breathing out violence. I believe that I shall see the
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait
for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take
courage; wait for the Lord! Alleluia.
O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts
for you; my esh faints for you, as in a dry and weary
land where there is no water. So I have looked upon
you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and
glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as
First Hour
27
I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satised as with a rich feast, and my
mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of
you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches
of the night; for you have been my help, and in the
shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to
you; your right hand upholds me. But those who
seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths
of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of
the sword, they shall be prey for jackals. But the king
shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped. Alleluia.
May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make
his face to shine upon us, that your way may be
known upon earth, your saving power among all
nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the
peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing
for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and
guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise
you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth
has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed
us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of
the earth revere him. Alleluia.
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Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make
haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and
confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back
and brought to dishonour who desire to hurt me. Let
those who say, Aha, Aha! turn back because of their
shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in
you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore,
God is great! But I am poor and needy; hasten to
me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay! Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of
the Lord from this time on and for evermore. From
the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the
Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all
nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like
the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks
far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the
poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash
heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes
of his people. He gives the barren woman a
home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord! Alleluia.
First Hour
29
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my
supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in your
righteousness. Do not enter into judgement with
your servant, for no one living is righteous before
you. For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life
to the ground, making me sit in darkness like those
long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my
heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of
old, I think about all your deeds, I meditate on the
works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer
me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your
face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to
the Pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the
morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way
I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Save me,
O Lord, from my enemies; I have ed to you for
refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. For your
names sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your
righteousness bring me out of trouble. In your
steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my
adversaries, for I am your servant. Alleluia.
First Hour
30
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. John.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God. All things came into being
through him, and without him not one thing came
into being. What has come into being in him was life,

and the life was the light of all people. The light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not
overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose
name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the
light, so that all might believe through him. He
himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the
light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was
coming into the world. He was in the world, and the
world came into being through him; yet the world
did not know him. He came to what was his own,
and his own people did not accept him. But to all
who received him, who believed in his name, he gave
power to become children of God, who were born,
not of blood or of the will of the esh or of the will of
man, but of God. And the Word became esh and
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lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory
as of a fathers only son, full of grace and truth. John
testied to him and cried out, This was he of whom I
said, He who comes after me ranks ahead of me
because he was before me. From his fullness we
have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed
was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, came into
the world. You came to the world through your love
of humankind, and the whole creation rejoiced by
your coming. You saved Adam from the treachery,
and you freed Eve from the cords of death. You gave
to us the spirit of adoption, and we praised and
blessed you with your angels saying:
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
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As the daylight shines upon us, O Christ our God,
the true light, let the thoughts of light shine within
us, and do not let the darkness of passions hover over
us, so that with our minds we may praise you with
David saying, My eyes are awake before each watch
of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. In
your steadfast love hear our voices; O Lord our God,
in your justice preserve my life.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
You are the honoured Mother of the light; from the
risings of the sun to its settings glorications are
offered to you, O Mother of God, the second heaven,
for you are the pure and unchanging ower, and the
ever-virgin mother. The Father chose you, the Holy
Spirit overshadowed you, and the Son of God took
esh from you. Therefore, ask him to give salvation
to the world which he made, and to save it from all
evils. Let us praise him with a new praise and bless
him.
First Hour
33
To be prayed:
The Gloria 6
The Great Trisagion 8
The Doxology 9
The Beginning of the Holy Creed 10
The Holy Creed 10
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
First Absolution:
O Lord, God of hosts, who was before all ages and
exists forever, who created the sun for daylight, and
the night to provide rest for all esh; we thank you, O
King of the ages, for you let us pass through the night
in peace, and brought us to the beginning of the day.
Therefore, we ask you, O our Master, the King of all
ages, make your face shine upon us, and enlighten us
with the light of your divine knowledge. Grant us to
be children of light and children of day, to pass this
day in righteousness, chastity and good conduct, that
we may complete all the rest of the days of our life
without falling. Through the grace, the compassion,
and the love of humankind of your only begotten Son
Jesus Christ, and the grace of your Holy Spirit, now
and always, and to all the ages. Amen.
First Hour
34
Second Absolution:
You who brings forth light, who makes his sun shine
upon the good and the evil, who created the light
which illuminates the whole world; enlighten our
minds, our hearts and our comprehension. Grant us
to please you this present day. Guard us from every
evil, from every sin, and from all the power of the
enemy, in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is he with
whom you are blessed, and with the Holy Spirit, the
giver of life, who is consubstantial with you, now
and to the ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
First Hour
35
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the third hour of this blessed day, I
offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him to
forgive me my sins.
The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The
name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send
you help from the sanctuary, and give you support
from Zion. May he remember all your offerings, and
regard with favour your burnt sacrices. May he
grant you your hearts desire, and full all your
plans. May we shout for joy over your victory, and in
the name of our God set up our banners. May the
Lord fulll all your petitions. Now I know that the
Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from
his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right
hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in
horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our
God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and
Third Hour
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stand upright. Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call. Alleluia.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes
me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside
still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right
paths for his names sake. Even though I walk
through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are
with me; your rod and your staffthey comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup
overows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the
house of the Lord my whole life long. Alleluia.
The earth is the Lords and all that is in it, the world,
and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the
seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall
ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in
his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure
hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive
blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God
of their salvation. Such is the company of those who
seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift
Third Hour
37
up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient
doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the
King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord,
mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be
lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may
come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory. Alleluia.
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my
integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without
wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my
heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my
eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. I do not sit
with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I
hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with
the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go
around your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of
thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the
place where your glory abides. Do not sweep me
away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose
right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in
my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My
Third Hour
38
foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation
I will bless the Lord. Alleluia.
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to
the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the
glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy
splendour. The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty
waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of
the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord
breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of
Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and
Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord
ashes forth ames of re. The voice of the Lord
shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the
wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord causes
the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his
temple all say, Glory! The Lord sits enthroned over
the ood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the
Lord bless his people with peace! Alleluia.
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my
God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Third Hour
39
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored
me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and
give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for
a moment; his favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may
linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be
moved. By your favour, O Lord, you had established
me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was
dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I
made supplication: What prot is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will
it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be
gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper! You have
turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken
off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my
soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my
God, I will give thanks to you for ever. Alleluia.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast
in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered
me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him,
Third Hour
40
and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and
was saved from every trouble. The angel of the Lord
encamps around those who fear him, and delivers
them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy
are those who take refuge in him. O fear the Lord,
you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no
want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but
those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come,
O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of
the Lord. Which of you desires life, and covets many
days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and
your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and
do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the
Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to
their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to
cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and
rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near
to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afictions of the righteous, but the Lord
rescues them from them all. He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken. Evil brings death to
the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be
condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his
Third Hour
41
servants; none of those who take refuge in him will
be condemned. Alleluia.
Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord
delivers them in the day of trouble. The Lord protects
them and keeps them alive; they are called happy in
the land. You do not give them up to the will of their
enemies. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; in
their illness you heal all their inrmities. As for me, I
said, O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have
sinned against you. My enemies wonder in malice
when I will die, and my name perish. And when they
come to see me, they utter empty words, while their
hearts gather mischief; when they go out, they tell it
abroad. All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me. They think that a
deadly thing has fastened on me, that I will not rise
again from where I lie. Even my bosom friend in
whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted the
heel against me. But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them. By this I
know that you are pleased with me; because my
enemy has not triumphed over me. But you have
upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in
your presence for ever. Blessed be the Lord, the God
Third Hour
42
of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and
Amen. Alleluia.
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against
an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and
unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom I
take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I
walk about mournfully because of the oppression of
the enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let
them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and
to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to
God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the
harp, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my
soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope
in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my
God. Alleluia.
My heart overows with a goodly theme; I address
my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a
ready scribe. You are the most handsome of men;
grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has
blessed you for ever. Gird your sword on your thigh,
O mighty one, in your glory and majesty. In your
majesty ride on victoriously for the cause of truth and
to defend the right; let your right hand teach you
Third Hour
43
dread deeds. Your arrows are sharp in the heart of
the kings enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your
throne, O God, endures for ever and ever. Your royal
sceptre is a sceptre of equity; you love righteousness
and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has
anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your
companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh
and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed
instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are
among your ladies of honour; at your right hand
stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Hear, O daughter,
consider and incline your ear; forget your people and
your fathers house, and the king will desire your
beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him; the people
of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts, the richest of
the people with all kinds of wealth. The princess is
decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes; in
many-coloured robes she is led to the king; behind
her the virgins, her companions, follow. With joy and
gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of
the king. In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall
have sons; you will make them princes in all the
earth. I will cause your name to be celebrated in all
generations; therefore the peoples will praise you for
ever and ever. Alleluia.
Third Hour
44
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help
in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the
earth should change, though the mountains shake in
the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There
is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the
midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help
it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an
uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the
earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the
Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the
earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he
breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the
shields with re. Be still, and know that I am God! I
am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the
earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob
is our refuge. Alleluia.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with
loud songs of joy. For the Lord, the Most High, is
awesome, a great king over all the earth. He subdued
peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He
chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he
Third Hour
45
loves. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with
the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing
praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For
God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a
psalm. God is king over the nations; God sits on his
holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the
people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the
earth belong to God; he is highly exalted. Alleluia.
AoLo oot, o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. John.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, will teach you everything, and
remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me
say to you, I am going away, and I am coming to
you. If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am
going to the Father, because the Father is greater than
I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so
that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no
Third Hour
46
longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world
is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the
Father has commanded me, so that the world may
know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our
way. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-
grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no
fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make
it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by
the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I
abide in you.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Your Holy Spirit, O Lord, whom you sent on your
holy disciples and honoured apostles in the third
hour, do not take him away from us, but sustain him
in us. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a
new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away
from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit
from me.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Third Hour
47
O good Lord, who sent your Holy Spirit on your holy
disciples and honoured apostles in the third hour, do
not take him away from us, but we ask you to sustain
him within us. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
the Logos, renew a spirit of prophecy and chastity, a
spirit of holiness, justice and authority, for you have
the power over all things. You are the light of our
souls - the true light, which enlightens everyone, who
came into the world. Have mercy on us.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O Mother of God, you are the true vine who bore the
cluster of life. We ask you, O full of grace, as well as
the apostles, for the preservation of our souls. Blessed
is the Lord our God. Blessed is the Lord everyday. He
prepares our way, for he is the God of our salvation.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O good King of heaven and the Paraclete, the Spirit
of truth, who is present in all places and lls all
things, the treasure of good things, and the giver of
Third Hour
48
life; vouchsafe to come and dwell in us, cleanse us
from all impurities, and protect our souls.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Just as you were with your disciples, O Saviour, and
gave them peace, be with us also, guard us, and
protect our souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Whenever we stand in your holy sanctuary, we are
like those standing in heaven. O Theotokos, you are
the gate of heaven, open for us the door of mercy.
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution:
O God of all compassion, and Lord of all comfort,
who comforts us everytime with the comfort of your
Holy Spirit; we thank you, for you raised us for
prayer in this holy hour, in which you abundantly
Third Hour
49
poured the grace of your Holy Spirit as tongues of
re, on your holy disciples and honourable and
blessed apostles. We ask and entreat you, Lover of
humankind, to accept our prayers and send forth on
us the grace of your Holy Spirit, and cleanse us from
all impurities of body and spirit. Transform us to
have a spiritual standing in life, that we may live by
the Spirit and not gratify the passions of the esh.
Make us worthy to serve you with purity and
righteousness all the days of our life. For to you is
due glory, honour, and dominion, together with your
good Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always,
and to the ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Third Hour
50
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the sixth hour of this blessed day, I
offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him to
forgive me my sins.
Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by
your might. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the
words of my mouth. For the insolent have risen
against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set
God before them. But surely, God is my helper; the
Lord is the upholder of my life. He will repay my
enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an
end to them. With a freewill-offering I will sacrice to
you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is
good. For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Alleluia.
Sixth Hour
51
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in
you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your
wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms
pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fullls
his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and
save me, he will put to shame those who trample on
me. God will send forth his steadfast love and his
faithfulness. I lie down among lions that greedily
devour human prey; their teeth are spears and
arrows, their tongues sharp swords. Be exalted,
O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all
the earth. They set a net for my steps; my soul was
bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they
have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast,
O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make
melody. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I
will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you,
O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you
among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high
as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the
clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let
your glory be over all the earth. Alleluia.
Sixth Hour
52
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the
end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are
my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me
abide in your tent for ever, nd refuge under the
shelter of your wings. For you, O God, have heard
my vows; you have given me the heritage of those
who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may
his years endure to all generations! May he be
enthroned for ever before God; appoint steadfast love
and faithfulness to watch over him! So I will always
sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day
after day. Alleluia.
O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts
for you; my esh faints for you, as in a dry and weary
land where there is no water. So I have looked upon
you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and
glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as
I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satised as with a rich feast, and my
mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of
you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches
of the night; for you have been my help, and in the
Sixth Hour
53
shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to
you; your right hand upholds me. But those who
seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths
of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of
the sword, they shall be prey for jackals. But the king
shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped. Alleluia.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make
his face to shine upon us, that your way may be
known upon earth, your saving power among all
nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the
peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing
for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and
guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise
you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth
has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed
us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of
the earth revere him. Alleluia.
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make
haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and
confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back
and brought to dishonour who desire to hurt me. Let
those who say, Aha, Aha! turn back because of their
Sixth Hour
54
shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in
you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore,
God is great! But I am poor and needy; hasten to
me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay! Alleluia.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the
Lord; my heart and my esh sing for joy to the living
God. Even the sparrow nds a home, and the
swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her
young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and
my God. Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise. Happy are those whose
strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to
Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca they
make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it
with pools. They go from strength to strength; the
God of gods will be seen in Zion. O Lord God of
hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your
anointed. For a day in your courts is better than a
thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God than live in the tents of
wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he
Sixth Hour
55
bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the
Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts
in you. Alleluia.
Lord, you were favourable to your land; you
restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the
iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your
hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation towards us. Will you
be angry with us for ever? Will you prolong your
anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your
steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will
speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those
who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is
at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may
dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness
will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each
other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky. The
Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield
Sixth Hour
56
its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and
will make a path for his steps. Alleluia.
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am
poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am devoted to
you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my
God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all
day long. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to
you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are
good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all
who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my
trouble I call on you, for you will answer me. There is
none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there
any works like yours. All the nations you have made
shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and
shall glorify your name. For you are great and do
wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your
way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me
an undivided heart to revere your name. I give
thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name for ever. For great is
your steadfast love towards me; you have delivered
my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the insolent
rise up against me; a band of rufans seeks my life,
Sixth Hour
57
and they do not set you before them. But you,
O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to
anger and abounding in steadfast love and
faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give
your strength to your servant; save the child of your
serving-maid. Show me a sign of your favour, so that
those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted
me. Alleluia.
On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the
Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of
you, O city of God. Among those who know me I
mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre,
with EthiopiaThis one was born there, they say.
And of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one
were born in it; for the Most High himself will
establish it. The Lord records, as he registers the
peoples, This one was born there. Singers and
dancers alike say, All my springs are in you.
Alleluia.
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who
abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the
Sixth Hour
58
Lord, My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom
I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the
fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover
you with his pinions, and under his wings you will
nd refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow
that ies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in
darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at
your right hand, but it will not come near you. You
will only look with your eyes and see the punishment
of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your
refuge, the Most High your dwelling-place, no evil
shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For
he will command his angels concerning you to guard
you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear
you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a
stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the
young lion and the serpent you will trample under
foot. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect
those who know my name. When they call to me, I
will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I
will rescue them and honour them. With long life I
will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
Alleluia.
Sixth Hour
59
The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is
robed, he is girded with strength. He has established
the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is
established from of old; you are from everlasting. The
oods have lifted up, O Lord, the oods have lifted
up their voice; the oods lift up their roaring. More
majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more
majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is
the Lord! Your decrees are very sure; holiness bets
your house, O Lord, for evermore. Alleluia.
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Matthew.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the
mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came
to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them,
saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for
they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
lled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive
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60
mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God. Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people
revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of
evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be
glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has
lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no
longer good for anything, but is thrown out and
trampled under foot. You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after
lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but
on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father in heaven.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Sixth Hour
61
O you who, on the sixth day and in the sixth hour,
nailed to the cross the sin that our father Adam
boldly committed in Paradise, erase the record of our
sins, O Christ our God, and rescue us. I cry aloud to
the Lord and he answered me. Give ear to my prayer,
O God; do not hide yourself from my supplication.
Attend to me, and answer me in the evening and
morning and noon. I utter my complaint and moan,
and he will hear my voice and save my soul in peace.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
O Jesus Christ, our God, who was nailed to the cross
in the sixth hour, and mortied sin by the tree. We
humans were made with your own hands, but were
dead through sin, yet by your death you made
humanity alive. Put to death our passions through
your saving and life/giving Passion, and by the nails
with which you were nailed. Strip off the old self and
whatever is earthly in us, and bring us to the
remembrance of your heavenly judgements,
according to your compassion.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Sixth Hour
62
Since we have no boldness in us because of our many
sins, O Theotokos, present our prayers to him who
was born of you. Through you we implore him who
was born of you, for abundant and acceptable is your
intercession with our Saviour, O pure mother. Do not
forsake us sinners from your intercession with him
who was born of you. He will forgive our sins
through your intercessions, for he is merciful and
strong to deliver us, because he suffered for us to
rescue us. Let your compassion come speedily to
meet us, for we are exceedingly poor. Help us, O God
our Saviour, for the glory of your name; O Lord,
rescue us and forgive our sins, for the sake of your
holy name.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
You wrought salvation in the midst of all the earth, O
Christ our God, as you stretched your holy hands on
the cross. Therefore, all nations cry out saying, Glory
to You O Lord.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
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63
We worship your person that is without blemish,
asking for the forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our
good God. For of your own will, you were pleased to
be lifted up on the cross, to deliver those whom you
made from the bondage of the enemy. We cry out in
thanksgiving to you, for you have lled everyone
with joy, O Saviour, when you came to help the
world. Lord, glory to you.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
You are she who is full of grace, O Theotokos the
Virgin. We praise you, for through the cross of your
Son, Hades was destroyed and Death was abolished.
We were dead but are raised, becoming worthy of
eternal life, and we gained the delight of the rst
Paradise. Therefore, in thanksgiving we glorify the
immortal Christ our God.
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Sixth Hour
64
Absolution:
We thank you, our King, the Pantocrator, the Father
of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we
glorify you, for you have made the time of the
Passion of your only begotten Son, one of prayer and
comfort. Accept our supplication and erase the record
of our sins that is written against us, just as you
erased it in this holy hour by the cross of your only
begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is he who
destroyed all the power of the enemy. Grant us, O
God, a glorious time, a blameless conduct, and a
serene life, so that we may please your holy and
worshipped name. May we stand before the fearful
and just throne of your only begotten Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord, without falling into condemnation;
and together with all your saints, glorify you, our
Father without beginning, and the Son, who is
consubstantial with you, and the Holy Spirit, the
giver of life, now and always, and to the ages of all
ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Sixth Hour
65
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the ninth hour of this blessed day, I
offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him to
forgive me my sins.
O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all
the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his
salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among
the nations, his marvelous works among all the
peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be
praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the
gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the
heavens. Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to
the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the
Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the
glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into
his courts. Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the
nations, The Lord is king! The world is rmly
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66
established; it shall never be moved. He will judge
the peoples with equity. Let the heavens be glad, and
let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that lls it;
let the eld exult, and everything in it. Then shall all
the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for
he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He
will judge the world with righteousness, and the
peoples with his truth. Alleluia.
The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many
coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all
around him; righteousness and justice are the
foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and
consumes his adversaries on every side. His
lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and
trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the
Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens
proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples
behold his glory. All worshippers of images are put
to shame, those who make their boast in worthless
idols; all gods bow down before him. Zion hears and
is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of
your judgements, O God. For you, O Lord, are most
high over all the earth; you are exalted far above
all gods. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he
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67
guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from
the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the
righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in
the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his
holy name! Alleluia.
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done
marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm
have gained him victory. The Lord has made known
his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the
sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast
love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the
ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break
forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises
to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound
of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the
sea roar, and all that lls it; the world and those who
live in it. Let the oods clap their hands; let the hills
sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for
he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the
world with righteousness, and the peoples with
equity. Alleluia.
Ninth Hour
68
The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits
enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the
peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome
name. Holy is he! Mighty King, lover of justice, you
have established equity; you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob. Extol the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool. Holy is he! Moses and Aaron
were among his priests, Samuel also was among
those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord,
and he answered them. He spoke to them in the pillar
of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that
he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of
their wrongdoings. Extol the Lord our God, and
worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God
is holy. Alleluia.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his
presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It
is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with
thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks
to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his
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steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to
all generations. Alleluia.
I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I
will sing. I will study the way that is blameless.
When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of
heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes
anything that is base. I hate the work of those who
fall away; it shall not cling to me. Perverseness of
heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of
evil. One who secretly slanders a neighbour I will
destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will
not tolerate. I will look with favour on the faithful in
the land, so that they may live with me; whoever
walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to
me. No one who practices deceit shall remain in my
house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my
presence. Morning by morning I will destroy all the
wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the
city of the Lord. Alleluia.
The Lord says to my lord, Sit at my right hand until
I make your enemies your footstool. The Lord sends
out from Zion your mighty sceptre. Rule in the midst
of your foes. Your people will offer themselves
Ninth Hour
70
willingly on the day you lead your forces on the holy
mountains. From the womb of the morning, like dew,
your youth will come to you. The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind, You are a priest for
ever according to the order of Melchizedek. The
Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on
the day of his wrath. He will execute judgement
among the nations, lling them with corpses; he will
shatter heads over the wide earth. He will drink from
the stream by the path; therefore he will lift up his
head. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with
my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in
the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them. Full of honour
and majesty is his work, and his righteousness
endures for ever. He has gained renown by his
wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever
mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the
power of his works, in giving them the heritage of
the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and
just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are
established for ever and ever, to be performed with
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71
faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to
his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever.
Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it
have a good understanding. His praise endures for
ever. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments. Their
descendants will be mighty in the land; the
generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and
riches are in their houses, and their righteousness
endures for ever. They rise in the darkness as a light
for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and
righteous. It is well with those who deal generously
and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. For
the righteous will never be moved; they will be
remembered for ever. They are not afraid of evil
tidings; their hearts are rm, secure in the Lord. Their
hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end
they will look in triumph on their foes. They have
distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their
righteousness endures for ever; their horn is exalted
in honour. The wicked see it and are angry; they
Ninth Hour
72
gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the
wicked comes to nothing. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of
the Lord from this time on and for evermore. From
the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the
Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all
nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like
the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks
far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the
poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash
heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes
of his people. He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children. Alleluia.
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and
my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The
snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol
laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then
I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord, I pray, save
my life! Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God
is merciful. The Lord protects the simple; when I was
brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your
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rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For
you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes
from tears, my feet from stumbling. I walk before the
Lord in the land of the living. Alleluia.
I kept my faith, even when I said, I am greatly
aficted; I said in my consternation, Everyone is a
liar. What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty
to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on
the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight
of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I
am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your
serving-maid. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer
to you a thanksgiving sacrice and call on the name
of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the
presence of all his people, in the courts of the house
of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Alleluia.
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Ninth Hour
74
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had
done. He took them with him and withdrew
privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds
found out about it, they followed him; and he
welcomed them, and spoke to them about the
kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be
cured. The day was drawing to a close, and the
twelve came to him and said, Send the crowd away,
so that they may go into the surrounding villages and
countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are
here in a deserted place. But he said to them, You
give them something to eat. They said, We have no
more than ve loaves and two shunless we are to
go and buy food for all these people. For there were
about ve thousand men. And he said to his
disciples, Make them sit down in groups of about
fty each. They did so and made them all sit down.
And taking the ve loaves and the two sh, he
looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the
crowd. And all ate and were lled. What was left
Ninth Hour
75
over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken
pieces.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
O you who tasted death in the esh in the ninth hour
for us, put to death our carnal thoughts, O Christ our
God, and rescue us. Let my cry come before you,
O Lord; give me understanding according to your
word. Let my supplication come before you; deliver
me according to your promise.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
O you who commended the spirit into the hands of
the Father when you were crucied on the cross in
the ninth hour; you led the criminal into Paradise. Do
not cast me off, O you who are good, and do not
forsake me, I who am lost; but cleanse my soul and
enlighten my understanding, and grant that I may
partake of the grace of your mysteries. So that when I
taste your goodness, I offer you praise without
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76
ceasing, yearning for your splendour above all
things, O Christ our Lord, and rescue us.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O you who was born of the Virgin for us and
endured the cross; O you who are good, who
abolished death by your death, and manifested the
resurrection; O good God, do not turn away from
those whom you have made with your own hands,
but manifest your love for humankind. O Saviour,
accept from your mother her pleading for us, a
humble people, and rescue us. Do not give us up
forever, and do no annul your covenant. Do not
withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake Abraham
your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your
holy one.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
When the criminal saw the Author of life on the
cross, he said: Had not the one crucied with us
been God incarnate, the sun would not hide its rays,
Ninth Hour
77
nor would the earth have quaked trembling. But, O
mighty and powerful in all things and over all things,
remember me, Lord, when you come into your
kingdom.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
O you who accepted the confession of the criminal on
the cross, accept us to you, O you who are good; even
though we deserve the sentence of death because of
our sins. With him, we all confess your divinity; with
him, we cry out saying: Remember us, Lord, when
you come into Your Kingdom.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
When the mother of the Lamb and Shepherd, saw the
Saviour of the world on the cross, she said with tears:
The world rejoices in receiving salvation, but my
bowels are troubled as I see your endurance for the
sake of all, my son and my God.
To be prayed:
Ninth Hour
78
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution:
God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus
Christ, who in his manifestation saved us and
delivered us from the bondage of the enemy; we ask
you, in his blessed and great name, turn our minds
away from mundane cares and worldly passions, to
the remembrance of your heavenly statutes. Fulll
your love for humankind, O you who are good. May
our prayers always, and especially this supplication
of the ninth hour, be favourably accepted by you.
Grant us to lead a life worthy of the calling to which
we have been called, so that when we depart from
this body, we may be counted with the worshippers
elected by your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord. Thus, we gain mercy, and forgiveness of our
sins, and salvation with the choir of saints who truly
pleased you since the beginning and forever. Amen.
Lord, abolish for us the power of the adversary and
all his evil hosts, even as your only begotten Son has
trampled on them by the power of his life/giving
cross. Accept us to you, O our Lord Jesus Christ, as
you accepted the criminal at your right while you
Ninth Hour
79
were on the cross. Make your light shine on us as you
shone your light on those who were in the darkness
of Hades, and restore us all to the Paradise of joy. For
you, our Lord, are blessed God, and to you is due all
the glory, honour, dominion, power, and worship,
with your good Father and the Holy Spirit, now and
always, and to the ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Ninth Hour
80
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the eleventh hour of this blessed day,
I offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him
to forgive me my sins.
Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you
peoples! For great is his steadfast love towards us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Alleluia.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his
steadfast love endures for ever! Let Israel say, His
steadfast love endures for ever. Let the house of
Aaron say, His steadfast love endures for ever. Let
those who fear the Lord say, His steadfast love
endures for ever. Out of my distress I called on the
Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad
place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What
can mortals do to me? The Lord is on my side to help
me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It
Eleventh Hour
81
is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put
condence in mortals. It is better to take refuge in the
Lord than to put condence in princes. All nations
surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them
off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every
side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They
surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a re of
thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! I was
pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord
helped me. The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation. There are glad songs of
victory in the tents of the righteous: The right hand
of the Lord does valiantly; the right hand of the Lord
is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I
shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of
the Lord. The Lord has punished me severely, but he
did not give me over to death. Open to me the gates
of righteousness, that I may enter through them and
give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that
you have answered me and have become my
salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has
become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lords
doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that
the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Eleventh Hour
82
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech
you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in
the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of
the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the
horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give
thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his
steadfast love endures for ever. Alleluia.
In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer
me: Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a
deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you? And
what more shall be done to you, you deceitful
tongue? A warriors sharp arrows, with glowing
coals of the broom tree! Woe is me, that I am an alien
in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of
Kedar. Too long have I had my dwelling among those
who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war. Alleluia.
I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my
help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made
heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps
Eleventh Hour
83
Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is
your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right
hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the
moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going
out and your coming in from this time on and for
evermore. Alleluia.
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the
house of the Lord! Our feet are standing within your
gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalembuilt as a city that is
bound rmly together. To it the tribes go up, the
tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give
thanks to the name of the Lord. For there the thrones
for judgement were set up, the thrones of the house
of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they
prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers. For the sake of my
relatives and friends I will say, Peace be within you.
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will
seek your good. Alleluia.
Eleventh Hour
84
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned
in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the
hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the
hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord
our God, until he has mercy upon us. Have mercy
upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have
had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had
more than its ll of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud. Alleluia.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our sidelet
Israel now sayif it had not been the Lord who was
on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they
would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger
was kindled against us; then the ood would have
swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to
their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the
snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have
escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who
made heaven and earth. Alleluia.
Eleventh Hour
85
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides for ever. As the
mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord
surrounds his people, from this time on and for
evermore. For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the
righteous may not stretch out their hands to do
wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and
to those who are upright in their hearts. But those
who turn aside to their own crooked ways the Lord
will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel!
Alleluia.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we
were like those who dream. Then our mouth was
lled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts
of joy; then it was said among the nations, The Lord
has done great things for them. The Lord has done
great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our
fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for
sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying
their sheaves. Alleluia.
Eleventh Hour
86
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it
labour in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the
guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise
up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of
anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Sons
are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the
womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of ones youth. Happy is the man who
has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to
shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Alleluia.
Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks
in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labour of
your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well
with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within
your house; your children will be like olive shoots
around your table. Thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion.
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days
of your life. May you see your childrens children.
Peace be upon Israel! Alleluia.
Eleventh Hour
87
Often have they attacked me from my youthlet
Israel now sayoften have they attacked me from
my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
Those who plough ploughed on my back; they made
their furrows long. The Lord is righteous; he has cut
the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be
put to shame and turned back. Let them be like the
grass on the housetops that withers before it grows
up, with which reapers do not ll their hands or
binders of sheaves their arms, while those who pass
by do not say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the Lord! Alleluia.
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
After leaving the synagogue he entered Simons
house. Now Simons mother-in-law was suffering
from a high fever, and they asked him about her.
Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it
left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve
them. As the sun was setting, all those who had any
who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought
Eleventh Hour
88
them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them
and cured them. Demons also came out of many,
shouting, You are the Son of God! But he rebuked
them and would not allow them to speak, because
they knew that he was the Messiah.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what would
become of me, the sinner? The burden of the day and
the scorching heat I could not bear, because of the
weakness of my humanity. Yet you are a God of
steadfast love, so count me with those of the eleventh
hour. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my
mother conceived me. Therefore, I could not even
look up to heaven; but through the abundance of
your steadfast love and your love for humankind, I
cry out and say: O God, forgive me, I am a sinner,
and be merciful to me.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Eleventh Hour
89
Run to save and put around me your fatherly arms,
for I wasted my life in pleasures and passions, and
the day is past and gone. Therefore, I rely on your
abundant and innite compassion; do not forsake a
submissive heart that is in need of your steadfast
love. To you I cry, O Lord, in humility saying: Father,
I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no
longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one
of your hired hands.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
I have sinned with prudence and energy, and every
sin I committed with yearning and diligence, so I am
worthy of all afiction and judgement. Therefore,
prepare for me the ways of repentance, O Lady the
Virgin; I ask and entreat you for your intercessions.
Do not let me be put to shame, for I call on you to
help me. When my soul departs, guide me and turn
away the assaults of the enemies. Do not let Hades
close its mouth over me, or let the deep swallow me
up. You are the unblemished bride of the true
bridegroom.
Eleventh Hour
90
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution:
We thank you, our compassionate King, for you
granted us to pass this day in peace, brought us to
the evening thankfully, and made us worthy to
behold the light of day until the evening. We offer to
you glorication. Quench the ery darts of the evil
one that are craftily directed against us. In this
coming night, grant us peace without pain, without
anxiety, without unrest, and without phantasies; so
that we may pass it in peace and chastity, and rise up
for praises and prayers, always and everywhere. We
glorify your holy name for everything, together with
the Father, who is incomprehensible and without
beginning, and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who
is consubstantial with you, now and always, and to
the ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Eleventh Hour
91
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the twelfth hour of this blessed day, I
offer to Christ my King and my God, asking him to
forgive me my sins.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear
my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of
my supplications! If you, O Lord, should mark
iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is
forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I
wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I
hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those
who watch for the morning, more than those who
watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with
him is great power to redeem. It is he who will
redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Alleluia.
Twelfth Hour
92
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not
raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvellous for me. But I have
calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child
with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that
is with me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time
on and for evermore. Alleluia.
O Lord, remember in Davids favour all the
hardships he endured; how he swore to the Lord and
vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, I will not enter
my house or get into my bed; I will not give sleep to
my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I nd a place
for the Lord, a dwelling-place for the Mighty One of
Jacob. We heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the
elds of Jaar. Let us go to his dwelling-place; let us
worship at his footstool. Rise up, O Lord, and go to
your resting-place, you and the ark of your might.
Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and
let your faithful shout for joy. For your servant
Davids sake do not turn away the face of your
anointed one. The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back: One of the sons of
your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep
my covenant and my decrees that I shall teach them,
Twelfth Hour
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their sons also, for evermore, shall sit on your
throne. For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired
it for his habitation: This is my resting-place for ever;
here I will reside, for I have desired it. I will
abundantly bless its provisions; I will satisfy its poor
with bread. Its priests I will clothe with salvation,
and its faithful will shout for joy. There I will cause a
horn to sprout up for David; I have prepared a lamp
for my anointed one. His enemies I will clothe with
disgrace, but on him, his crown will gleam. Alleluia.
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live
together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the
head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of
Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is
like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the
mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his
blessing, life for evermore. Alleluia.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up
your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord. May
the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from
Zion. Alleluia.
Twelfth Hour
94
By the rivers of Babylonthere we sat down and
there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the
willows there we hung up our harps. For there our
captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked
for mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion!
How could we sing the Lords song in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do
not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my
highest joy. Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites
the day of Jerusalems fall, how they said, Tear it
down! Tear it down! Down to its foundations!
O daughter Babylon, you devastator!

Happy shall
they be who pay you back what you have done to us!
Happy shall they be who take your little ones and
dash them against the rock! Alleluia.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down
towards your holy temple and give thanks to your
name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything. On the day I called, you answered
me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings
of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have
Twelfth Hour
95
heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of
the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the
Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the
lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve
me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out
your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The
Lord will fulll his purpose for me; your steadfast
love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the
work of your hands. Alleluia.
I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me; give ear
to my voice when I call to you. Let my prayer be
counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of
my hands as an evening sacrice. Set a guard over
my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of
my lips. Do not turn my heart to any evil, to busy
myself with wicked deeds in company with those
who work iniquity; do not let me eat of their
delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; let the faithful
correct me. Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my
head, for my prayer is continually

against their
wicked deeds. When they are given over to those
who shall condemn them, then they shall learn that
my words were pleasant. Like a rock that one breaks
Twelfth Hour
96
apart and shatters on the land, so shall their bones be
strewn at the mouth of Sheol. But my eyes are turned
towards you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge;
do not leave me defenseless. Keep me from the trap
that they have laid for me, and from the snares of
evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I alone escape. Alleluia.
With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I
make supplication to the Lord. I pour out my
complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
When my spirit is faint, you know my way. In the
path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
Look on my right hand and seethere is no one who
takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one
cares for me. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, You are my
refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Give
heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me
from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
Bring me out of prison, so that I may give thanks to
your name. The righteous will surround me, for you
will deal bountifully with me. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will
praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to
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my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in
princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When
their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that
very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose
help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord
their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and
all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; who
executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to
the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord
opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those
who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the
orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he
brings to ruin. The Lord will reign for ever, your God,
O Zion, for all generations. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to
our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is
tting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the
outcasts of Israel. He heals the broken-hearted, and
binds up their wounds. He determines the number of
the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is
our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding
is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the
downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Twelfth Hour
98
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to
our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with
clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow
on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to
the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in
the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the
speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in
those who fear him, in those who hope in his
steadfast love. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God,
O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he
blesses your children within you. He grants peace
within your borders; he lls you with the nest of
wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his
word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he
scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like
crumbswho can stand before his cold? He sends
out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind
blow, and the waters ow. He declares his word to
Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. He has
not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not
know his ordinances. Alleluia.
Twelfth Hour
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AoLo oot o Oto qov. Bless, O Lord, the reading
from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was
Simeon;

this man was righteous and devout, looking
forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy
Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he
had seen the Lords Messiah.

Guided by the Spirit,
Simeon

came into the temple; and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was
customary under the law, Simeon took him in his
arms and praised God, saying, Master, now you are
dismissing your servant in peace, according to your
word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which
you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a
light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to
your people Israel.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
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Behold, I am about to stand before the righteous
Judge, terried and trembling because of my many
sins, for a life spent in vanities deserves
condemnation. But repent, O my soul, so long as you
dwell on this earth, for inside the grave, dust does
not praise. In death there is no remembrance of God,
and in Hades there is no thanksgiving. Therefore
arise from the slumber of laziness, and entreat the
Saviour, repenting and saying: God, have mercy on
me and save me.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
If this life were eternal, and this world innite, you
would have an excuse, O my soul. But if your wicked
deeds and repulsive evils were exposed before the
righteous Judge, what answer would you give while
you are lying on the bed of sins, negligent in
disciplining the body? O Christ our God, before your
dispassionate seat of judgement I grieve; before your
council of judgement I submit; and from the light of
your radiance I tremble. I, the wretched and deled,
lay on my bed inattentive of my ways. But I take the
example of the tax-collector, beating my breast and
saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Twelfth Hour
101
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O pure Virgin, help me, your servant, and shield me
from the tides of evil. Raise up my weak soul for
prayer and vigil, for it is deeply slumbering. For you
are a capable, compassionate and helpful mother, the
mother of the fountain of life, my King and my God,
Jesus Christ, my hope.
To be prayed:
Vouchsafe, O Lord 7
The Great Trisagion 8
The Doxology 9
The Beginning of the Holy Creed 10
The Holy Creed 10
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution:
Lord, all our sins that we committed against you
today, whether in thought, word, deed, or through all
the senses, pardon and forgive us for the sake of your
holy name, as you are the good Lover of humankind.
God, grant us a peaceful night and a sleep free from
Twelfth Hour
102
all anxiety. Send us an angel of peace to protect us
from every evil, and every afiction, and every
temptation of the enemy. Through the grace and love
of humankind of your only begotten Son, our Lord,
God and Saviour Jesus Christ; this is he to whom is
due all glory, honour, and dominion, together with
you and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life who is
consubstantial with you, now and always, and to the
ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Twelfth Hour
103
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The prayer of the veil, I offer to Christ my King and
my God, asking him to forgive me my sins.
Psalms to pray: Page
Answer me when I call, O God, 18
O Lord, do not rebuke me 20
How long, O Lord? 22
Protect me, O God 23
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, 25
The Lord is my light and my salvation 26
May God be gracious to us and bless us 28
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me 29
The Lord is my shepherd 37
I will extol you, O Lord 39
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause 43
Be merciful to me, O God 52
Incline your ear, O Lord 57
You who live in the shelter of the Most High 58
The Lord is king! 67
Prayer of the Veil
104
The Lord says to my lord 70
I love the Lord 73
I kept my faith 74
I lift up my eyes to the hills 83
Often have they attacked me from my youth 88
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord 92
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up 93
O Lord, remember in Davids favour 93
How very good and pleasant 94
Come, bless the Lord 94
By the rivers of Babylon 95
I call upon you, O Lord 96
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 97
Look on my misery and rescue me 123
Princes persecute me without cause 123
Let my cry come before you, O Lord 124
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. John.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
When Jesus realized that they were about to come
and take him by force to make him king, he
withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When
Prayer of the Veil
105
evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
got into a boat, and started across the lake to
Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet
come to them. The lake became rough because a
strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed
about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on
the lake and coming near the boat, and they were
terried. But he said to them, It is I; do not be afraid.
Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and
immediately the boat reached the land towards
which they were going. The next day the crowd that
had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that
there had been only one boat there. They also saw
that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples,
but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then
some boats from Tiberias came near the place where
they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given
thanks.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Prayer of the Veil
106
Lord, you know the end design of my enemies, and
you have taken notice of my lowly nature, O my
Creator. Therefore, into your hands I commit my
spirit. Shelter me under the wings of your goodness,
or I will sleep the sleep of death. Enlighten my eyes
by the greatness of your words, and raise me up
always to glorify you, for only you are the good
Lover of humankind.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
How fearful is your judgement, O Lord, when people
shall be gathered, and the angels will stand; the
books shall be opened, everyones deeds shall be
revealed, and their thoughts shall be examined. What
will be my judgment, I who am found in sins? Who
will quench the ames of re? Who would enlighten
my darkness, and have mercy, but you, Lord? For
you are compassionate to humanity.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O Mother of God, because we have put our trust in
you, we shall not be put to shame, but shall be saved.
Prayer of the Veil
107
As we have gained your help and intercession, O
holy and pure one, we shall not fear; instead, we shall
pursue our enemies and disperse them, taking you as
our shield because of your powerful help. We ask
and entreat you, and cry out to you saying: O
Theotokos, rescue us by your prayers, and raise us
up from the dark sleep, so that with strength we may
glorify God who took esh from you.
To be prayed:
The Great Trisagion 8
The Doxology 9
The Beginning of the Holy Creed 10
The Holy Creed 10
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution (by Antiochus of Palestine):
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ our God, grant us
rest as we sleep, repose of our bodies, purity of our
souls, and protect us from the darkness of sin. Calm
the impulses of carnal desires, quench the heat of the
esh, and subdue the rebellions of the body. Grant us
a watchful mind, chaste thoughts, a life full of virtue,
and a pure and undeled sleep. Raise us up for the
Prayer of the Veil
108
night and morning praises, steadfast in your
commandments, keeping in ourselves the thought of
your judgments without ceasing. Grant us to glorify
you the whole night; blessing your holy name that is
full of glory and splendour, with your good Father,
and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, now and always
and to the ages of all ages. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Prayer of the Veil
109
Arise, O children of the light, let us praise the Lord of
hosts, that he may grant us the salvation of our souls.
When we stand in the esh before you, take away
from our minds slothfulness. Grant us sobriety so
that we know how to stand up before you at the time
of prayer, and send up to you the appropriate
doxology, and win the forgiveness of our many sins.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up
your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord. May
the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from
Zion.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me
understanding according to your word. Let my
supplication come before you; deliver me according
to your promise. My lips will pour forth praise,
because you teach me your statutes. My tongue will
sing of your promise, for all your commandments are
right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have
Vigil Prayer
110
chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation,
O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I
may praise you, and let your ordinances help me. I
have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your
servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv
!ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov. Aqv.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, now and to the ages of all ages. Amen. Glory
to you, the good Lover of humankind, hail to your
mother the Virgin and all your holy ones.
AoLo oot o! ovotvq o!to Tgto tXtqoov
q!o".
Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those
who hate his holy name ee before him. Let your
people multiply in blessings, a thousand times and
ten thousand times, doing your will. O Lord, open
my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Amen. Alleluia.
Vigil Prayer
111
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the rst nocturn of the vigil of this
blessed night, I offer to Christ my King and my
God, asking him to forgive me my sins.
Psalms to pray: Page
O Lord, how many are my foes! 17
O Lord, do not rebuke me 20
How long, O Lord? 22
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me 29
Incline your ear, O Lord 57
You who live in the shelter of the Most High 58
Praise the Lord, all you nations! 81
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good 81
1. Happy are those whose way is blameless, who
walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who
keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole
heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.
Vigil Prayer
112
You have commanded your precepts to be kept
diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in
keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to
shame, having my eyes xed on all your
commandments. I will praise you with an upright
heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will
observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
2. How can young people keep their way pure? By
guarding it according to your word. With my whole
heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your
commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so
that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you,
O Lord; teach me your statutes. With my lips I
declare all the ordinances of your mouth. I delight in
the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I
will meditate on your precepts, and x my eyes on
your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not
forget your word. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
3. Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may
live and observe your word. Open my eyes, so that I
may behold wondrous things out of your law. I live
as an alien in the land; do not hide your
Vigil Prayer
113
commandments from me. My soul is consumed with
longing for your ordinances at all times. You rebuke
the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your
commandments; take away from me their scorn and
contempt, for I have kept your decrees. Even though
princes sit plotting against me, your servant will
meditate on your statutes. Your decrees are my
delight, they are my counsellors. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
4. My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to
your word. When I told of my ways, you answered
me; teach me your statutes. Make me understand the
way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your
wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. Put false
ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your
ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame. I run the way of your
commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
5. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I
will observe it to the end. Give me understanding,
Vigil Prayer
114
that I may keep your law and observe it with my
whole heart. Lead me in the path of your
commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to
your decrees, and not to selsh gain. Turn my eyes
from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
Conrm to your servant your promise, which is for
those who fear you. Turn away the disgrace that I
dread, for your ordinances are good. See, I have
longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give
me life. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
6. Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your
salvation according to your promise. Then I shall
have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in
your word. Do not take the word of truth utterly out
of my mouth, for my hope is in your ordinances. I
will keep your law continually, for ever and ever. I
shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decrees before kings, and
shall not be put to shame; I nd my delight in your
commandments, because I love them. I revere your
commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on
your statutes. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
Vigil Prayer
115
7. Remember your word to your servant, in which
you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my
distress, that your promise gives me life. The
arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away
from your law. When I think of your ordinances from
of old, I take comfort, O Lord. Hot indignation seizes
me because of the wicked, those who forsake your
law. Your statutes have been my songs wherever I
make my home. I remember your name in the night,
O Lord, and keep your law. This blessing has fallen to
me, for I have kept your precepts. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
8. The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your
words. I implore your favour with all my heart; be
gracious to me according to your promise. When I
think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees; I
hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not
forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous ordinances. I am a
companion of all who fear you, of those who keep
your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of your
steadfast love; teach me your statutes. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
Vigil Prayer
116
9. You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord,
according to your word. Teach me good judgement
and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep
your word. You are good and do good; teach me your
statutes. The arrogant smear me with lies, but with
my whole heart I keep your precepts. Their hearts are
fat and gross, but I delight in your law. It is good for
me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your
statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than
thousands of gold and silver pieces. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
10. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give
me understanding that I may learn your
commandments. Those who fear you shall see me
and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I
know, O Lord, that your judgements are right, and
that in faithfulness you have humbled me. Let your
steadfast love become my comfort according to your
promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me,
that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the
arrogant be put to shame, because they have
subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on
Vigil Prayer
117
your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, so
that they may know your decrees. May my heart be
blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to
shame. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
11. My soul languishes for your salvation; I hope in
your word. My eyes fail with watching for your
promise; I ask, When will you comfort me? For I
have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have
not forgotten your statutes. How long must your
servant endure? When will you judge those who
persecute me? The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;
they out your law. All your commandments are
enduring; I am persecuted without cause; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I
have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast
love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of
your mouth. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
12. The Lord exists for ever; your word is rmly
xed in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all
generations; you have established the earth, and it
stands fast. By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants. If your law had not
been my delight, I would have perished in my
Vigil Prayer
118
misery. I will never forget your precepts, for by them
you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I
have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to
destroy me, but I consider your decrees. I have seen a
limit to all perfection, but your commandment is
exceedingly broad. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
13. Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all
day long. Your commandment makes me wiser than
my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more
understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees
are my meditation. I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from
every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not
turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught
me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter
than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I
get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
14. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path. I have sworn an oath and conrmed it, to
observe your righteous ordinances. I am severely
aficted; give me life, O Lord, according to your
word. Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and
Vigil Prayer
119
teach me your ordinances. I hold my life in my hand
continually, but I do not forget your law. The wicked
have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your
precepts. Your decrees are my heritage for ever; they
are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform
your statutes for ever, to the end. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
15. I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
You are my hiding-place and my shield; I hope in
your word. Go away from me, you evildoers, that I
may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold
me according to your promise, that I may live, and let
me not be put to shame in my hope. Hold me up, that
I may be safe and have regard for your statutes
continually. You spurn all who go astray from your
statutes; for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of
the earth you count as dross; therefore I love your
decrees. My esh trembles for fear of you, and I am
afraid of your judgements. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
16. I have done what is just and right; do not leave
me to my oppressors. Guarantee your servants well-
being; do not let the godless oppress me. My eyes fail
from watching for your salvation, and for the
Vigil Prayer
120
fulllment of your righteous promise. Deal with your
servant according to your steadfast love, and teach
me your statutes. I am your servant; give me
understanding, so that I may know your decrees. It is
time for the Lord to act, for your law has been
broken. Truly I love your commandments more than
gold, more than ne gold. Truly I direct my steps by
all your precepts; I hate every false way. AoLo oot
qtXov0gont.
17. Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul
keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple. With open
mouth I pant, because I long for your
commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your custom towards those who love your
name. Keep my steps steady according to your
promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over
me. Redeem me from human oppression, that I may
keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your
servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed
streams of tears because your law is not kept. AoLo
oot qtXov0gont.
Vigil Prayer
121
18. You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgements
are right. You have appointed your decrees in
righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal
consumes me because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. I
am small and despised, yet I do not forget your
precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, and your law is the truth. Trouble and
anguish have come upon me, but your
commandments are my delight. Your decrees are
righteous for ever; give me understanding that I may
live. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
19. With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. I
will keep your statutes. I cry to you; save me, that I
may observe your decrees. I rise before dawn and cry
for help; I put my hope in your words. My eyes are
awake before each watch of the night, that I may
meditate on your promise. In your steadfast love hear
my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.
Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw
near; they are far from your law. Yet you are near,
O Lord, and all your commandments are true. Long
ago I learned from your decrees that you have
established them for ever. AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
Vigil Prayer
122
20. Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not
forget your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give
me life according to your promise. Salvation is far
from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to
your justice. Many are my persecutors and my
adversaries, yet I do not swerve from your decrees. I
look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not
keep your commands. Consider how I love your
precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast
love. The sum of your word is truth; and every one of
your righteous ordinances endures for ever. AoLo
oot qtXov0gont.
21. Princes persecute me without cause, but my
heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your
word like one who nds great spoil. I hate and abhor
falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I
praise you for your righteous ordinances. Great peace
have those who love your law; nothing can make
them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and
I fulll your commandments. My soul keeps your
decrees; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts
Vigil Prayer
123
and decrees, for all my ways are before you. AoLo
oot qtXov0gont.
22. Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me
understanding according to your word. Let my
supplication come before you; deliver me according
to your promise. My lips will pour forth praise,
because you teach me your statutes. My tongue will
sing of your promise, for all your commandments are
right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have
chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation,
O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I
may praise you, and let your ordinances help me. I
have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your
servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
AoLo oot qtXov0gont.
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Matthew.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten
bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and ve were
wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no
Vigil Prayer
124
oil with them; but the wise took asks of oil with
their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of
them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there
was a shout, Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come
out to meet him. Then all those bridesmaids got up
and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the
wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are
going out. But the wise replied, No! there will not
be enough for you and for us; you had better go to
the dealers and buy some for yourselves. And while
they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those
who were ready went with him into the wedding
banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other
bridesmaids came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to
us. But he replied, Truly I tell you, I do not know
you. Keep awake therefore, for you know neither
the day nor the hour.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Behold, the Bridegroom is coming at midnight, so
blessed is that servant whom he nds watching, but
Vigil Prayer
125
unworthy is the one found sleeping. Beware,
therefore, O my soul, that you are not borne down
with deep sleep, and then shut out from the
Kingdom. Rather, keep awake and cry out saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God; for the sake of the
Mother of God, have mercy on us.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
O my soul, be mindful of that most fearful day, and
be vigilant. Light your lamp with the oil of gladness,
for you do not know when you will hear the voice
calling to you, saying: Look! Here is the
bridegroom! So watch out, O my soul, and do not
fall asleep, or you will remain outside knocking like
the ve foolish bridesmaids. Rather, keep awake,
entreating that you may meet Christ the Lord with
rich oil, and that he may grant you the true, divine
bridal chamber of his glory.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O Mother of God the Virgin, you are the unassailable
wall and fortress of salvation. Scatter the counsels of
Vigil Prayer
126
the adversaries, and turn your servant's sorrow into
joy. Defend our city, give victory to our rulers, and
intercede for the peace of the world; for you are our
hope, O Mother of God.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O good King of heaven and the Paraclete, the Spirit
of truth, who is present in all places and lls all
things, the treasure of good things, and the giver of
life; vouchsafe to come and dwell in us, cleanse us
from all impurities, and protect our souls.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Just as you were with your disciples, O Saviour, and
gave them peace, be with us also, guard us, and
protect our souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Vigil Prayer
127
Whenever we stand in your holy sanctuary, we are
like those standing in heaven. O Theotokos, you are
the gate of heaven, open for us the door of mercy.
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
The praise of the second nocturn of the vigil of this
blessed night, I offer to Christ my King and my
God, asking him to forgive me my sins.
(Pray the psalms of the eleventh hour praise, except the
rst two psalms).
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
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128
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and
he went into the Pharisees house and took his place
at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a
sinner, having learned that he was eating in the
Pharisees house, brought an alabaster jar of
ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping,
and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry
them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his
feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now
when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he
said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would
have known who and what kind of woman this is
who is touching himthat she is a sinner. Jesus
spoke up and said to him, Simon, I have something
to say to you. Teacher, he replied, speak. A certain
creditor had two debtors; one owed ve hundred
denarii, and the other fty. When they could not pay,
he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which
of them will love him more? Simon answered, I
suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater
debt. And Jesus

said to him, You have judged
rightly. Then turning towards the woman, he said to
Simon, Do you see this woman? I entered your
house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has
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129
bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with
her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I
came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did
not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my
feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins,
which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has
shown great love. But the one to whom little is
forgiven, loves little. Then he said to her, Your sins
are forgiven. But those who were at the table with
him began to say among themselves, Who is this
who even forgives sins? And he said to the woman,
Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Give me, O Lord, many fountains of tears, as you
previously gave the women who was a sinner. Make
me worthy to wash your feet, which liberated me
from wandering astray, and to offer you precious
ointment. Through repentance, may I gain a pure life,
so that I may hear that voice full of joy, saying: Your
faith has saved you.
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130
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
When I realize my many wicked deeds, and the
thought of that fearful judgment comes to my heart, I
tremble and take refuge in you, O God, the Lover of
humankind. So I entreat you to not turn your face
away from me. You alone are without sin. Grant piety
to my poor soul before the end comes, and save me.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
The heavens praise you, O full of grace, the bride
unwedded. We also glorify your indescribable
conception. O Mother of God, intercede for the
salvation of our souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O good King of heaven and the Paraclete, the Spirit
of truth, who is present in all places and lls all
things, the treasure of good things, and the giver of
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131
life; vouchsafe to come and dwell in us, cleanse us
from all impurities, and protect our souls.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Just as you were with your disciples, O Saviour, and
gave them peace, be with us also, guard us, and
protect our souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Whenever we stand in your holy sanctuary, we are
like those standing in heaven. O Theotokos, you are
the gate of heaven, open for us the door of mercy.
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
!'o's nai nan " !'o's nai nan " 8amhn 8allhloui8a " #en
8vran 8m$iwt nem 8!%hri nem !i'p'n'a 'e'c'u " ouonou+
8nouwt 8amhn. AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At;
Hvtuoxt, !ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo
xov otovov. Aqv.
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132
The praise of the third nocturn of the vigil of this
blessed night, I offer to Christ my King and my
God, asking him to forgive me my sins.
(Pray all the psalms of the twelfth hour praise).
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
Do not be afraid, little ock, for it is your Fathers
good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your
possessions, and give alms. Make purses for
yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure
in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth
destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also. Be dressed for action and have your
lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their
master to return from the wedding banquet, so that
they may open the door for him as soon as he comes
and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the
master nds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he
will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat,
and he will come and serve them. If he comes during
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133
the middle of the night, or near dawn, and nds them
so, blessed are those slaves. But know this: if the
owner of the house had known at what hour the thief
was coming, he would not have let his house be
broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of
Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Peter said,
Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for
everyone? And the Lord said, Who then is the
faithful and prudent manager whom his master will
put in charge of his slaves, to give them their
allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that
slave whom his master will nd at work when he
arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge
of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself,
My master is delayed in coming, and if he begins
to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat
and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will
come on a day when he does not expect him and at
an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in
pieces, and put him with the unfaithful.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
Vigil Prayer
134
With a merciful eye, O Lord, consider my weakness;
for shortly my life will end, and I am not justied by
my deeds. Therefore, I ask you, O Lord, to consider
my weakness with a merciful eye; look at my
humility, my poverty, my exile, and save me.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
As the Judge is present, be mindful of that most
fearful hour, O my soul, and be vigilant. In the day of
judgment, there will be no mercy on those who were
not merciful. Therefore, have compassion on me, O
Saviour, for you alone are the Lover of humankind.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
O the noetic gate of life, the honoured Mother of God,
rescue those who faithfully take refuge in you from
hardships, so that in everything we may glorify your
holy conception, which was for the salvation of our
souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Vigil Prayer
135
O good King of heaven and the Paraclete, the Spirit
of truth, who is present in all places and lls all
things, the treasure of good things, and the giver of
life; vouchsafe to come and dwell in us, cleanse us
from all impurities, and protect our souls.
AoLo Hoxgt !ot Y; !ot At; Hvtuoxt,
Just as you were with your disciples, O Saviour, and
gave them peace, be with us also, guard us, and
protect our souls.
!ot vuv !ot ott !ot tt xou otovo xov otovov.
Aqv.
Whenever we stand in your holy sanctuary, we are
like those standing in heaven. O Theotokos, you are
the gate of heaven, open for us the door of mercy.
To be prayed:
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
The Lesser Trisagion 12
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136
AoLo oot o Oto qov.
Bless, O Lord, the reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke.
AoLo oot Kugtt.
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in
peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen
your salvation, which you have prepared in the
presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the
Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
!iwou va pennou+ pe 8amhn.
May your saying be completed in peace.
&enouw%t 8mmok 8w !'''s nem !ekiwt 8nagacos nem
!i'p'n'a 'e'c'u je ak8i aksw+ 8mmon nai nan.
To be prayed:
The Great Trisagion 8
The Doxology 9
The Beginning of the Holy Creed 10
The Holy Creed 10
"#$%& '()*+,- (41 times) 11
Vigil Prayer
137
The Lesser Trisagion 12
Absolution:
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the living and eternal
Son of God, enlighten our minds to understand your
life-giving words. Raise us up from the darkness of
sin that deadens the soul. Make us worthy to become
upright in good deeds. At the time of your coming to
judge the world, make us worthy of hearing that
voice full of joy saying: Come, you that are blessed
by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world. Yes, Lord, grant us
to be without fear, anxiety or condemnation in that
hour; and do not judge us according to our iniquities.
For you alone are compassionate, slow to anger and
plenteous in steadfast love. Through the intercessions
of our Lady the holy Theotokos, Saint Mary, and all
the choir of your holy ones. Amen.
To be prayed:
The Conclusion of Every Hour 13
Vigil Prayer
138
Vigil Prayer
139
Instructive Verses
(how one should approach the holy Mysteries):
As you are about to eat the body of the Master,
approach with fear lest you be burned, for it is re.
And before you drink in communion the blood, be
rst reconciled with all those you have offended;
then you may take courage to eat the mystic Food.
Before you take part in the awesome sacrice of the
life/giving body of the Master, take care and pray
with fear of God.
First Prayer, by St. Basil the Great:
Lord, may I not partake unworthily of your pure
body and precious blood, and may I not be guilty, my
Christ and my God, to eat and drink condemnation
to myself for not discerning your body and blood.
Emboldened by your loving kindness, I come to you,
who said, Those who eat my esh and drink my
blood abide in me, and I in them. Take pity,
therefore, O Lord, and do not rebuke me, a sinner,
but deal with me mercifully. Let these holy gifts give
me healing and cleansing, enlightenment and
protection, salvation and sanctication of soul and
body. May they avert every phantasy, evil practice,
and works of the devil enacted in my members by his
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140
design. May they give me condence in and love for
you; amendment of life and perseverance, increase of
virtue and perfection, fulllment of your
commandments, fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
provisions for the journey of eternal life, and an
acceptable answer at the fearful judgment seat.
Amen.
Second Prayer, by St. John Chrysostom:
Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy, nor
sufcient, that you should come under the roof of the
house of my soul, for it is entirely desolate and in
ruins, and you do not have a worthy place in me to
lay your head. But as you humbled yourself from on
high for our sake, do likewise also for my
unworthiness. And as you willed in the cave to lie in
a manger of dumb animals, take it upon yourself
now to enter the manger of my dumb soul and into
my soiled body. And as you did not refuse to enter
and eat with sinners in the house of Simon the leper,
so also deign to enter into the house of my soul, leper
and sinner that I am. And as you did not cast out the
harlot, a sinner like me, who came and touched you,
so have compassion on me the sinner who now
comes to touch you. And as you did not abhor the
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141
kiss of her sinful and unclean mouth, do not abhor
my mouth, more stained and unclean than hers, nor
my sordid and unclean and shameless lips, nor my
more unclean tongue. But let the ery coal of your
most pure body and of your most precious blood
bring sanctication, illumination, and strengthening
of my lowly soul and body, relief of the burden of my
many transgressions, protection against every
operation of the devil, an averting and hindering of
my mean and evil habits, mortication of my
passions, fulllment of your commandments, an
increase of your divine grace, and inheritance of your
kingdom. For it is not with a light heart, Christ my
God, that I venture to approach you. But I trust in
your ineffable goodness. May I not become prey to
Satan by abstaining for long from your communion.
Therefore, Lord, I pray to you who alone are holy
that you sanctify my soul and body, my heart, and
my mind, and renewing me wholly, implant in my
members the fear of you. Do not let your
sanctication be taken from me, but be my help and
protector, governing my life in peace. Make me
worthy to obtain a place at your right hand with your
saints, through the prayers and supplications of your
most pure Mother, of your bodiless ministers and
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142
pure angelic powers, and of all your saints who from
the ages have found favour in you. Amen.
Third Prayer, by St. John Chrysostom:
I believe and confess, Lord, that you are truly the
Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the
world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. I also
believe that this is truly your pure body, and that this
is truly your precious blood. Therefore, I pray to you,
have mercy upon me, and forgive my trespasses, in
word and deed, those I committed voluntarily, and
those I committed involuntarily; those I committed
knowingly and those I committed unknowingly. And
make me worthy without condemnation to partake of
your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and
life eternal. Behold, my Maker, I approach holy
Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for you are
re which burns the unworthy. But cleanse me from
every stain. Receive me today, Son of God, as a
partaker of your mystical Supper. I will not reveal
your Mystery to your adversaries. Nor will I give you
a kiss as did Judas. But as the criminal I confess to
you: Lord, remember me in your kingdom. Amen.
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First Prayer (Anonymous):
My heart has been lled with joy and my tongue
with rejoicing. Let my spirit glorify the Lord, and my
soul rejoice in God my Saviour. I have drawn near to
you, O Lord, to clothe me with a radiant garment and
make me worthy to enter into your wedding. Let my
union with you today be for all ages, for through it I
increase and grow rm in virtue, progress in faith,
and strengthen my hope. Let it become a sign of
salvation, a raiment of grace, a garment of the new
birth, a purity and righteousness of body and soul, a
cleansing of love, an eternal happiness and joy, a
good answer before your fearful judgement seat. I
rely on your compassion to make me one with you
and under your will. I call forth my mind and my
senses to be in presence without ceasing. Bless my
will to obey your will. Enliven my heart and awaken
my conscience. Disperse the phantasies of the
enemies. Still the storms. Walk with me and calm my
fears. Quench my thirst, kindle the ame of your love
in my heart. Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
For you are my goal and my happiness. You alone are
Lord now and always, and to the ages of all ages.
Amen.
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Second Prayer (Anonymous):
I thank you, Lord, my God, that you have not
rejected me, a sinner, but have made me worthy to
partake of your holy Mysteries. I thank you that you
have permitted me, although I am unworthy, to
receive your pure and heavenly gifts. O loving
Master, who died and rose for our sake, and granted
to us these awesome and life/giving Mysteries for the
well/being and sanctication of our souls and bodies,
let these gifts be for healing of my own soul and
body, the averting of every evil, the illumination of
the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual
powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the
fullling of wisdom, the observing of your
commandments, the receiving of your divine grace,
and the inheritance of your kingdom. Preserved by
them in your holiness, may I always be mindful of
your grace and no longer live for myself, but for you,
our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life
in the hope of eternal life, and attain to the
everlasting rest, where the voices of your saints who
feast are unceasing, and their joy, beholding the
ineffable beauty of your countenance, is unending.
For you, Christ our God, are the true joy and the
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inexpressible gladness of those who love you, and all
creation praises you forever. Amen.
Third Prayer, by St. Basil the Great:
I thank you, Christ and Master, our God, King of the
ages, and Creator of all things, for all the good gifts
you have given me, and especially for the
participation in your pure and life-giving mysteries.
I, therefore, pray to you, good and loving Lord: keep
me under your protection and under the shadow of
your wings. Grant that to my last breath I may with a
pure conscience partake worthily of your gifts for the
forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. For you are the
bread of life, the source of holiness, the giver of all
good things, and to you we give glory, with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to
the ages of all ages. Amen.
+++
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