THE ORDER OF THE HESPERINOS

The Priest aloud:

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

The Choir: Amen.

Then beginneth the appointed Monk (or the Prelate) to read the Proœmiac Psalm, saying thus:

Come, let us adore, and fall down to our King, God.

Come, let us adore, and fall down to Christ, our King, God.

Come, let us adore, and fall down to Christ himself, our King and God.

Ps. 103. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art become exceedingly magnifical.

Confession and majesty hast thou put on, arraying thyself with light as with a garment.

(Who) spreadeth out the heavens like an awning; who roofeth with waters its upper chambers.

Who appointeth the clouds his ascent; who walketh upon the wings of the winds.

Who maketh his Angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Who foundeth the earth upon its basis; it shall not totter for ever and ever.

An abyss, like a garment, is his vesture, upon the mountains shall waters stand.

At thy rebuke they flee; at the voice of thy thunder they shall be afraid.

They go up (like) mountains, and down (like) plains, unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

A bound hast thou set, which they shall not pass over, nor turn again to cover the earth.

Who sendeth forth springs in the ravines; between the mountains shall waters pass.

They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field; the wild asses shall partake for their thirst.

Beside them shall the fowls of the heaven lodge; out of the midst of the rocks shall they give forth their voice.

(Who) watereth the mountains out of his upper chambers; with the fruit of thy works shall the earth be satisfied.

Who causeth the grass to spring up for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men.

That he may bring forth bread out of the earth;—and wine maketh glad the heart of man.

That he may make the face cheerful with oil;—and bread sustaineth man’s heart.

The trees of the field shall be satisfied, the cedars of Libanus, which thou hast planted.

There the sparrows shall build their nests; the heron’s dwelling hath the lead among them.

The high mountains are for the hinds; a rock is a refuge for the hares.

He hath made the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Thou hast appointed darkness, and it is become night; therein shall all the wild beasts of the forest roam.

Young lions roaring that they may prey, and seek from God food for themselves.

There ariseth the sun, and they are gathered together, and shall lay them down in their dens.

Man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labour until evening.

How mangnifical are thy works, O Lord! all things hast thou made in wisdom: the earth is filled with thy creation.

This, the sea, great and wide;—therein are creeping things of which there is no number, animals small and great.

There ships go:—this dragon, which thou hast fashioned to sport therewith.

All look unto thee, to give them their food in due season; when thou givest it them, they shall gather it.

When thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with thy bounty; but when thou turnest away thy face, they shall be troubled.

Thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust.

Thou shalt send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord be for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

Who looketh upon the earth, and maketh it tremble; who toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord in my life, I will offer psalmody to my God as long as I exist.

May my discourse be pleasant to him; and I,—I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners cease from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they be not. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

And again: The sun knoweth his going down: thou hast appointed darkness, and it is become night.

How magnifical are thy works, O Lord: all things hast thou made in wisdom.

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

Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to thee, the God. Thrice (and in the third repetition there is added: our hope art thou, O Lord; glory to thee).

And the Priest saith secretly the Prayers of the Lychanpsia, standing uncovered before the holy Doors.

Prayer i. O Lord, compassionate and merciful, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear unto our prayer, and attend to the voice of our entreaty: work with us a sign for good; guide us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth; make glad our hearts, that we may fear thy holy Name; for thou art great, and doest wonders. Thou art God alone, and there is none among the gods like unto thee, O Lord; mighty in mercy, and excellent in strength, to aid, and comfort, and save all that hope in thy holy Name. For to thee becometh all glory, honour, and adoration, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer ii. O Lord, rebuke us not in thine indignation, nor chastise us in thy wrath; but deal with us according to thy clemency, thou physician and healer of our souls: guide us unto the heaven of thy will; enlighten the eyes of our hearts, unto the knowledge of thy truth; and grant us that the remainder of the present day may be peaceful and sinless, also all the time of our life; at the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all the Saints. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer iii. O Lord our God, be mindful of us, sinners, and thine unprofitable servants, when we call upon thy holy Name, and put none of us to shame in our expectation of thy mercy; but grant us, O Lord, all petitions unto salvation; and deign that we may love, and fear thee with our whole heart, and do in all things thy will. For a good God, and lover of man art thou, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer iv. Thou that with never-silent hymns, and unceasing doxologies art hymned by the holy Powers; fill our mouth with thy praise, that we may ascribe majesty to thy holy Name; and grant us a portion and lot with all that fear thee in truth, and keep thy commandments; at the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, and of all thy Saints. For to thee becometh all glory, honour, and adoration, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer v. O Lord, Lord, who in thine undefiled palm holdest all things, who art longsuffering toward us all, and repenteth at our calamities, be mindful of thy compassions, and of thy mercy; visit us in thy goodness; and grant us during the remainder also of the present day to escape from the manifold machinations of the evil one, and keep our life unassailed, by the grace of thine All-holy Spirit. By the mercy, and love toward man of thine Only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine All-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer vi. O God, who art great and wonderful, who in thine ineffable goodness, and bountiful providence orderest all things; who hast both given us the good things of this world, and hast assured us of the promised kingdom, through the good things already bestowed upon us; who hast made us during the past portion of this day also to decline from all evil, grant us to accomplish the remainder also blamelessly, before thy holy glory, hymning thee our only good God and lover of man. For thou art our God, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Prayer vii. O God, who art great and most high, who only hast immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; who hast made the whole creation in wisdom; who hast divided between the light, and between the darkness; and hast appointed the sun for the ruling of the day, but the moon and the stars for the ruling of the night; who hast deigned that we, sinners, should, at the present hour also, come before thy presence with confession, and offer thee the evening doxology: do thyself, O Lord, lover of man, direct our prayer, as incense before thee, and accept it for an odour of a sweet smell. And grant us that the present evening, and the approaching night may be peaceful: put on us the armour of light; deliver us from the terror of the night, and from every thing that walketh about in the dark; and grant us that the sleep, which thou hast ordained for the refreshing of our infirmity, may be safe from every phantasy of the devil. Yea, O Master of all, supplier of good things; that, upon our beds also feeling compunction, we may be mindful of thy Name in the night; and being enlightened by meditation on thy commandments, may arise in exultation of soul, to glorify thy goodness, bringing to thy tenderness of heart entreaties and supplications, for our own sins, and for those of all thy people; whom, at the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, do thou visit in mercy. For a good God, and lover of man art thou, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

And when the Proœmiac Psalm is ended, the Priest himself saith, or the Deacon, if there be one:

In peace let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy Churches of God, and the union of them all, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy House, and those that with faith, reverence, and fear of God enter therein, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For our Archbishop N., the honourable Presbytery, the Diaconate in Christ, all the Clergy, and the People, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For our most pious and God-kept Kings, all their Palace, and their Army, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That he would fight on their side, and subdue beneath their feet every enemy and foe, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For this holy Abode (or, this City), every city, and country, and those that in faith dwell therein, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For good temperature of the air, abundance of the fruits of the earth, and peaceful seasons, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For voyagers, travellers, the sick, the weary, the captive, and their salvation, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That we may be delivered from all affliction, wrath, peril, and necessity, let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Of our All-holy, undefiled, exceedingly blessed, glorious Lady, Theotokos, and ever-virgin, Mary, with all the Saints, making mention, ourselves and one another, and all our life, let us commend to Christ the God.

The Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The Priest aloud:

For to thee becometh all glory, honour, and adoration, to the Father, and to the Son and to the holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

Then the usual Stichologia of the Psalter, which on Sabbaths is the first Kathisma, that of

Blessed is the man (Pss. 1–8).

And after this, the Priest, or the Deacon, saith the Little Synapte:

Again, and again, in peace let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Of our All-holy, undefiled, exceedingly blessed, glorious Lady, Theotokos, and ever-virgin, Mary, with all the Saints, making mention, ourselves and one another, and all our life, let us commend to Christ the God.

The Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The Priest aloud:

For thine is the might, and thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

Then is sung, O Lord, I have cried, with its Stichoi, to the Tone it happeneth to be: during the singing of which, the Deacon taketh the Censer, and, having asked of the Priest a blessing, censeth both the Sanctuary, and the Nave.

Ps. 140. O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hearken to me: hearken to me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried unto thee, hearken to me; attend to the voice of mine entreaty, when I cry unto thee: hearken to me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be directed, as incense before thee; the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice: hearken to me, O Lord.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips.

O incline not my heart unto words of wickedness, to contrive excuses for sins.

With men that work iniquity; yea in nowise will I communicate with their chosen.

The righteous shall chasten me in mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For still is my prayer also in the midst of their pleasures: their judges are swallowed up like a stone.

They shall hear my sayings, for they are pleasant: as a clod of earth is broken up upon the ground, are their bones scattered beside Hades.

For unto thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes: in thee have I hoped, O take not away my soul.

Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those that work iniquity.

Sinners shall fall into their own net, I am alone, until I pass over.

Ps. 141. with my voice have I cried unto the Lord; with my voice unto the Lord have I made entreaty.

I will pour out before him mine entreaty; mine affliction will I declare before him.

When my spirit fainteth within me, then thou knowest my paths.

In this way wherein I was walking, have they hidden a snare for me.

I looked on the right hand, and beheld, and there was none that would know me.

Refuge hath failed me, and there is none that careth for my soul.

I have cried unto thee, O Lord; I have said:—Thou art my hope, my portion art thou in the land of the living.

Attend unto mine entreaty, for I am humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from those that persecute me, for they are mightier than I.

For x Stichoi.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may confess to thy Name.

For me shall the righteous wait, until thou recompense me.

For viii Stichoi.

Ps. 129. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hearken to my voice.

Let thine ears be attentive unto the voice of mine entreaty.

For vi Stichoi.

If iniquities thou wilt be extreme to mark, O Lord, Lord, who shall endure? for with thee there is propitiation.

Because of thy Name have I waited for thee, O Lord: my soul hath waited upon thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

For iv Stichoi.

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

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption: and he himself shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Ps. 116. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; laud him, all ye peoples.

For mighty is his mercy waxed toward us, and the truth of the Lord abideth for ever.

On Sabbaths there are divided off ten Stichoi, beginning at, Bring my soul out of prison; and therewith are sung seven Stichera of the Resurrection, out of the Oktoechos, and three Prosomoia of the concurring Saint: Glory … Both now … the 1st Theotokion of the Tone.

And when they sing, Glory … Both now … the Deacon taking the Censer, cometh out, together with the Priest, through the north part, preceded by lamps; and they go, and stand over against the holy Doors.

And the Deacon having bent down and said in a low voice, Let us beseech the Lord, the Priest saith this Prayer secretly.

Prayer of the Entrance.

At evening, and morning, and noon-day, we praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks to thee, and beseech thee, O Master of all, Lord, lover of man:—Direct our Prayer, as incense before thee; and incline not our hearts unto words, or unto thoughts of wickedness, but deliver us from all those that hunt after our souls; for unto thee, O Lord, Lord, are our eyes, and in thee have we hoped; put us not to shame, O our God. For to thee becometh all glory, honour, and adoration, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

And after the Prayer, the Deacon saith:

Bless, Master, the holy Entrance.

And the Priest blesseth toward the East, saying:

Blessed is the Entrance of thy Saints, always: now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Then, the last Troparion being ended, the Deacon forming a Cross with the Censer, saith aloud:

Wisdom! upright!

And there is sung:

O gladsome light of the holy glory of the immortal Father, who is heavenly, Holy, Blessed, O Jesu Christ, having come unto the going down of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we hymn Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is that at all times thou shouldest be hymned with auspicious voices, O Son of God, who givest life; wherefore the world glorifieth thee.

And they enter the Bema, both Priest and Deacon.

And the Deacon censeth the holy Table.

And after the Entrance, the appointed Monk, making the usual obeisance to the Prelate, singeth the Prokeimenon of the day, consisting, of two Stichoi, the Deacon first saying:

The Evening Prokeimenon.

But if it be the Evening of the Sabbath, he saith the following to the 2nd plagal Tone.

The Lord is become king; he hath put on comeliness.

Stichos. The Lord hath put on power, and girded himself about.

Stichos. For indeed he hath established the universe, which shall not be shaken.

And the Priest, having turned to the west, standeth, with his hands folded, waiting the end of the Prokeimenon; then he maketh an obeisance, and goeth to his place.

After the Prokeimenon (unless there are Lessons), straightway the Deacon saith (or, in his absence, the Priest):

Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole understanding let us say.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we beseech thee, hearken, and have mercy.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy: we beseech thee, hearken, and have mercy.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for pious and Orthodox Christians.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for our Archbishop N.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for our Brethren, the Priests, Hiero-Monks, Hiero-Deacons, and Monks, and all our Brotherhood in Christ.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for the blessed and evermemorable Founders of this holy Abode (or, of this holy House); and for all our heretofore deceased fathers, and brethren, that are piously lying here, and elsewhere, Orthodox believers.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, the Brethren of this holy Abode (or, of this holy House).

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for those that bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable Church, that labour, that sing; and for the people standing around, who are expecting the great and rich mercy that is from thee.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Exclamation by the Priest.

For a merciful God and lover of man art thou, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

The People (or the Prelate):

Vouchsafe, O Lord, that this evening, we may be kept without sin.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and praised and glorified is thy Name unto the ages. Amen.

May thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thine ordinances.

Blessed art thou, O Master, make me to understand thine ordinances.

Blessed art thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by thine ordinances.

O Lord, thy mercy is for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands.

To thee becometh praise, to thee becometh a hymn, to thee becometh glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Then the Deacon saith:

Let us complete our evening entreaty to the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Succour us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

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

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

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

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

Forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

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

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

That the remaining time of our life may be spent in peace and penitence, let us ask of the Lord.

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

A Christian end to our life, painless, without shame, peaceful, and a good defence at the fearful Tribunal of Christ, let us ask.

The Choir: Grant, O Lord.

Of our All-holy, undefiled, exceedingly blessed, glorious Lady, Theotokos, and ever-virgin, Mary, with all the Saints, making mention, ourselves and one another, and all our life, let us commend to Christ the God.

The Choir: To thee, O Lord.

The Priest aloud:

For a good God and lover of man art thou, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

The Priest: Peace to all (blessing).

The Choir: And to thy spirit.

The Deacon: Let us bow down our heads to the Lord.

The Choir: To thee, O Lord.

Prayer of the Bowing down of the head, which the Priest saith secretly.

O Lord our God, who didst bow the heavens, and come down for the salvation of the race of men, look upon thy servants, and upon thine inheritance. For to thee the fearful Judge, and lover of man, have thy servants bowed down their heads, and subjected their necks; not awaiting the help which is of men, but abiding thy mercy, and waiting for thy salvation; whom keep at all times, especially during the present evening, and the approaching night, from every enemy, from all adverse power of the devil, from vain thoughts, and wicked imaginations.

Exclamation.

Be the might of thy Kingdom blessed, and glorified, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

And then (unless there is a Litê) there are sung the Aposticha of the day with their Stichoi:—on Sabbaths, those of the Resurrection, out of the Oktoechos, with these Stichoi.

I. Stichos. The Lord is become king; he hath put on comeliness. The Lord hath put on power, and girded himself about.

II. Stichos. For indeed he hath established the universe, which shall not be shaken.

III. Stichos. To thy house becometh holiness, O Lord, unto length of days.

Glory … Both now … the Theotokion of the Tone.

And after the conclusion of the Aposticha, we say the Ode of Symeon the Receiver of God.

Luke 2:29–32. Now dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Master, according to thy word, in peace: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light unto the revelation of the nations, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Then:

The Trisagion. Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. Thrice.

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

O All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, be gracious to our sins. O Master, forgive us our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Glory to the Father (to the end).

Our Father that art in the heavens, hallowed be thy Name; thy Kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, also on the earth: give us to-day our bread of subsistence; and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Priest:

For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

And there is sung the Apolytikion of the day:—on Sabbaths, that of the Resurrection, out of the Oktoechos, Glory … Both now … the Theotokion of the Tone.

Then the Deacon saith aloud:

Wisdom!

The Choir: Bless, Master.

The Priest:

The ‘Existing’ is blessed, even Christ our God, always: now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

The Prelate:

May the Lord God stablish the holy and blameless Faith of pious and Orthodox Christians, together with this holy Church, and this City, unto ages of ages.

The Choir: Amen.

The Priest: O exceedingly holy Theotokos, save us.

The Choir:

More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption barest God the Word, verily the Theotokos, thee we magnify.

And Dismission is made by the Priest, thus:

Glory to thee, O Christ the God, our hope, glory to thee.

The People:

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

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

The Deacon: Master, bless.

The Priest:

Christ our true God, at the intercessions of his all-undefiled, and all-blameless holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protections of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplications of the honourable, glorious, Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-famous Apostles; of the holy, glorious and rightvictorious Martyrs; of our Pure and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joakeim and Anna; of Saint N., whose memory also we celebrate, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us, and save us, since he is good and loveth man.

Then:

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

The Choir: Amen.

But if there is an Artoklasia, after the Exclamation: Be the might, we sing the Idiomela of the Saint of the day, making Litany in the Narthex, the Priest and the Deacon going first with lamps, and a censer: Glory … of the Saint; Both now … Theotokion.

And after these things, the Deacon saith, if present, the following; but if not, the Priest:

Save thy people, O God, and bless thine inheritance, visit thy world in mercy and compassions; exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us thy rich mercies: at the intercessions of our all-undefiled Lady, Theotokos, and ever-virgin, Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protections of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the Supplications of the honourable, glorious, Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-famous Apostles; of our Fathers among the Saints, great Hierarchs, and Œcumenical Doctors, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our Father among the Saints Nicolas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonder-worker; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our Pure and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joakeim and Anna; of Saint (of the Abode), and of all thy Saints; we supplicate thee, O very merciful Lord, hearken to us, sinners, that beseech thee, and have mercy on us.

The first Choir: Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for our most pious and God-kept Kings; their might, victory, endurance, health, and salvation; and that the Lord our God would abundantly assist them, prosper them in all things, and subdue beneath their feet every enemy and foe.

The second Choir: Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Again, we beseech for our Archbishop (or, Bishop) N., and all our Brotherhood in Christ; and for every Christian soul that is afflicted and weary, needing God’s mercy and assistance; the protection of this holy Abode (or, of this City), and of those that dwell therein; the peace and settlement of the whole world; the good estate of the holy Churches of God; the salvation and assistance of such as with diligence and fear of God do labour and minister, our Fathers, and Brethren; for those that are absent, and such as are abroad; the healing of those that lie in sickness; for the repose, relaxation, blessed memory, and remission of the sins of all our heretofore piously departed Fathers, and Brethren, that are lying here, and elsewhere, Orthodox believers; for the deliverance of captives; and for our Brethren that are engaged in these ministrations, and all that minister, and have ministered in this holy Abode (or, in this all-venerable Temple): let us say.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

After this he maketh mention of such as he pleaseth, living and dead.

Then:

Again, we beseech for the protection of this holy Abode (or, of this City), and of every city and country, from plague, famine, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, incursion of foreigners, and civil war; that our good God and lover of man, would be propitious, gracious, and readily reconciled; that he would turn away all his wrath that is aroused against us, and deliver us from his impending righteous threatening, and have mercy on us.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Forty times.

Again, we beseech that the Lord our God would also hearken to the voice of the entreaty of us, sinners, and have mercy on us.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

The Priest:

Hearken to us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those that are on the sea afar off; and be propitious, be propitious, O Master, to our sins, and have mercy on us. For a merciful God and lover of man art thou, and to thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

The Priest: Peace to all (blessing).

The Choir: And to thy spirit.

The Deacon: Let us bow down our heads to the Lord.

The Choir: To thee, O Lord.

And all bowing down their heads, and bending upon the ground, the Priest prayeth aloud:

O Master, very merciful Lord Jesu Christ, our God, at the intercessions of our all-undefiled Lady, Theotokos, and ever-virgin, Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protections of the honourable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplications of the honourable, glorious, Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-famous Apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our Pure and God-bearing Fathers; of our Fathers among the Saints, great Hierarchs and (Ecumenical Doctors, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of our Father among the Saints Nicolas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonder-worker; of the holy, glorious Great-martyr George, the Trophy-bearer; of Saint N., whose memory also we celebrate; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joakeim and Anna, and of all thy Saints: make our entreaty acceptable; grant us the remission of our stumblings; shelter us with the shelter of thy wings; chase away from us every enemy and foe; keep our life in peace: O Lord, have mercy on us, and on thy world, and save our souls, since thou art good and lovest man.

The Choir: Amen.

Then we begin the Aposticha, and as we sing them, we enter into the Nave, singing therewith their proper Stichoi also: Glory … Both now … Theotokion.

Then, Now dost thou dismiss, and the Trisagion.

And after the, Our Father, the Priest saith aloud: For thine is the Kingdom; and we say the Apolykition of the day, and the Theotokion; or instead of these, the Apolytikion:

Theotokos, Virgin,—Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls. Thrice.

Now the Kellarites setteth forth on the Analogion five loaves such as we eat at Table; likewise, also, a pot, full of the best wine, and another of oil.

And the Deacon, as the Apolytikion is being sung, censeth the five Loaves all round in the form of a cross; then with the Priest he standeth toward the east, before the Loaves, and when the Apolytikion is ended, saith aloud:

Let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And the Priest, taking into his hands one of the Loaves, and making thereon the sign of the Cross, prayeth this Prayer aloud.

O Lord Jesu Christ, our God, who didst bless the five Loaves in the desert, and satisfy therewith five thousand men; do thyself bless these Loaves also, the wheat, the wine, and the oil; and multiply them in this holy Abode (or, in this City), and unto all thy world; and the faithful servants of thine that partake of them, hallow thou. For thou art he that blesseth, and halloweth, and nourisheth all things, O Christ our God, and to thee we send up glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine All-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

And we say the 33rd Psalm:

I will bless the Lord at all times, as far as, shall not lack any good (See at the end).

And the Priest goeth, and standeth before the holy Doors, looking toward the west.

After the conclusion of the Psalm, the Deacon saith:

Let us beseech the Lord.

The Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And the Priest prayeth, saying:

The blessing of the Lord, and his mercy come upon you, by his own divine grace and love toward man, always: now, and ever, and unto the ages of the ages.

The Choir: Amen.

And Dismission is made.

If it is a day whereon in the Orthros there is to be sung, The Lord is God, after, O gladsome light, there are sung these Prokeimena.

On the Lord’s-day. 4th plagal Tone.

Behold now bless the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord.

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

On the Second-day. 4th Tone.

The Lord will hearken to me, when I cry unto him.

Stichos. When I called upon thee, thou didst hearken to me, O God of my righteousness.

On the Third-day. 1st Tone.

Thy mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.

Stichos. The Lord tendeth me as a shepherd, and I shall lack nothing.

On the Fourth-day. 1st plagal Tone.

O God, in thy Name save me; and in thy power shalt thou judge me.

Stichos. O God, hearken to my prayer.

On the Fifth-day. 2nd plagal Tone.

My help is from the Lord, who hath made the heaven and the earth.

Stichos. I have lifted up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence shall come my help.

On the Paraskevê. Grave Tone.

O God, thou art my upholder, thy mercy shall prevent me.

Stichos. Deliver me from mine enemies, O God.

But if it is a day whereon is to be sung, Alleluia (except during the Great Quadragesima), on the Lord’s-day, and the Paraskevê, there is always sung the Prokeimenon of the day, to wit: Behold now bless the Lord, and: O God, thou art my upholder; but on the remaining days, the following.

On the Second-day: Alleluia, thrice, to the 2nd plagal Tone.

Stichos. O Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not.

Stichos. And unto the ages of the ages.

On the Third-day, and the Fifth-day: Alleluia, thrice.

Stichos. Exalt ye the Lord our God.

Stichos. And unto the ages of the ages.

On the Fourth-day: Alleluia, thrice.

Stichos. Into all the world hath their sound gone out.

Stichos. And unto the ages of the ages.

(But in the Great Quadragesima, on the Lord’s-day, in the evening, there are sung what are called the Great Prokeimena, which will be found in the Triodion; and on the remaining days, the Prokeimena of the daily Lessons.)

Daily, unless there occur a Feast, in the Aposticha there are said these Stichoi.

i Stichos. Unto thee have I lifted up mine eyes, who dwellest in the heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are upon the hands of their lords, as the eyes of a hand-maid are upon the hands of her lady, so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until he have mercy on us.

ii Stichos. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: for exceedingly are we filled with contempt, exceedingly is our soul filled: the reproach is to the wealthy, and the contempt to the proud.

Glory.… Both now.…

If it is a day whereon is to be sung, Alleluia, after the Trisagion, we say these Troparia, making withal a Reverence at each one of them, except the last.

1st plagal Tone.

Theotokos, Virgin,—Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.

O Baptizer of Christ, of us all be mindful, that we may be delivered from our iniquities; for to thee is given the grace to intercede for us.

Glory …

Supplicate for us, ye holy Apostles, and all Saints, that we may be delivered from perils and afflictions: for ye as fervent patrons with the Saviour do we possess.

Both now …

Beneath thy tenderness of heart do we take refuge, O Theotokos: our supplications despise thou not in our necessity, but from our perils deliver us, O only chaste, only blessed.

Then: Lord, have mercy. Forty times.

Glory.… Both now.…

More honourable than the Cherubim …

In the Name of the Lord bless, Father.

The Priest: The ‘Existing’ is blessed, even Christ …

And we pray for the stablishing of the Kings, saying.

O heavenly King, our faithful Kings, do thou stablish; the Faith, do thou confirm, the nations do thou appease; to the world do thou give peace; this holy Abode (or, this City), do thou keep right well; our heretofore departed fathers and brethren, do thou order in the tabernacles of the righteous; and us that are in penitence and confession, do thou receive, since thou art good and lovest man.

And we make three Great Reverences, saying secretly, at each Reverence, one Stichos of the following Prayer of Saint Ephraim.

O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, of meddling, of ambition, and of vainspeaking, give thou me not.

But a spirit of soberness, of humblemindedness, of patience, and of love, do thou bestow upon me, thy servant.

Yea, O Lord, King, grant unto me that I may see mine own stumblings, and not condemn my brother: for blessed art thou unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

And Dismission is made.

But if it is the Great Quadragesima, we make, also, twelve other Little Reverences, and then another Great Reverence, saying again the last verse of the above Prayer.

Then, the Trisagion. O All-holy Trinity. Our Father. For thine is. Lord, have mercy, twelve times, and this Prayer.

O All-holy Trinity, the consubstantial might, the indivisible kingdom, the cause of all good things, be now gracious unto me also, a sinner: confirm, instruct my heart, and take away all my profanity; enlighten mine understanding, that I may continually glorify, hymn, adore, and say: One Holy, one Lord Jesus Christ, unto the glory of God the Father. Amen.

And after it:

Be the Name of the Lord blessed, from henceforth, and for ever. Thrice; and three Reverences.

Glory … Both now …

Ps. 33. I will bless the Lord at all times, continually shall his praise be in my mouth.

In the Lord shall my soul glory: let the meek hear, and rejoice.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol his Name together.

I have sought after the Lord, and he hath hearkened to me; yea out of all mine afflictions hath he delivered me.

Draw near unto him, and be ye enlightened, and your faces shall in nowise be ashamed.

This poor man hath cried, and the Lord hath hearkened to him; yea out of all his afflictions hath he saved him.

There shall an Angel of the Lord encamp round about those that fear him, and shall deliver them.

O taste and see, that the Lord is bounteous: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

O fear the Lord, all ye his saints, for there is no want to those that fear him.

The rich have become poor, and have suffered hunger: but those that seek after the Lord shall not lack any good.

Come, ye children, hearken unto me; the fear of the Lord will I teach you.

Who is the man that desireth life, loving to see good days?

Withhold thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile.

Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and persue it.

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are unto their entreaty.

But the face of the Lord is upon those that do evil, to cut off from the earth their memorial.

The righteous have cried, and the Lord hath hearkened to them; yea out of all their afflictions hath he delivered them.

Nigh is the Lord to those that are contrite of heart; and the lowly in spirit, will he save.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, yet out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken.

The death of sinners is evil, and those that hate the righteous shall offend.

The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, and in nowise shall any offend that hope in him.

Ps. 144. I will extol thee, O my God, my King, and will bless thy Name for ever, yea for ever, and ever.

Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy Name for ever, yea for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised, and of his greatness there is no end.

Generation and generation shall praise thy works, and thy power declare.

Of the majesty of the glory of thy holiness shall they talk, and of thy wonders tell.

Yea of the might of thy terrible acts shall they speak, and of thy greatness tell.

The memory of the abundance of thy bounty shall they utter, and in thy righteousness shall they exult.

Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy.

Bounteous is the Lord to all, and his compassions are over all his works.

Let all thy works confess to thee, O Lord, and thy pure ones bless thee.

Of the glory of thy kingdom shall they speak, and of thy glory talk.

That they may make known to the children of men thy power, and the glory of the majesty of thy kingdom.

Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages, and thy dominion is in every generation and generation.

Faithful is the Lord in all his words, and upright in all his works.

The Lord supporteth all that are falling, and setteth up all that are cast down.

The eyes of all hope in thee, and thou givest them their food in due season.

Thou openest thy hand, and fillest every living thing with favour.

Righteous is the Lord in all his ways, and upright in all his works.

Nigh is the Lord to all those that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

The desire of those that fear him will he perform, and to their entreaty will he hearken, and will save them.

The Lord keepeth all those that love him, but all sinners will he utterly destroy.

The praise of the Lord shall my mouth speak; and let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever, yea for ever and ever.

Glory … Both now …

And after this full Dismission is made.