"It is the custom to pray the Prostration (Sagda) prayers on the ninth hour (3pm) of Pentecost Sunday although the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles on the third hour (Acts 2:15).
In the Old Testament, God had commanded His people to celebrate the Passover annually at sunset, the same time they had left Egypt (Deut 16:6). Also fifty days after the Passover, on the feast of Pentecost, God gave Moses the Law. Therefore, the Church has arranged to pray the Prostration prayers at the ninth hour to point to the Lord Jesus Christ our Passover who was slain at this same time (Mt 27:50).
The Church fathers arranged these prayers into three parts based on the name of the Holy Trinity. The first and second prostration prayers take place in the second section of the church. The third prostration prayer is prayed in the first section close to the altar for when the believers use the trisagion they resemble the heavenly saying "Holy, Holy, Holy..." (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8).
This manner of prayers is biblically based. For just like when Jacob sought his brother Esau's mercy as he was coming back from his uncle Laban; he prepared great gifts of goats, rams, camels and donkeys; and arranged his people into three groups to get the acceptance of Esau. "And he commanded the first one, saying, 'When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?' "then you shall say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.'' So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; "and also say, 'Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.' For he said, 'I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.' So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp" (Gen 32:17-21).
Thus the church has followed the path of those men of God in doing repeated offerings of many prayers, litanies and incense on behalf of her children; asking for His goodness and mercy in order to find favor before God."
Outline of the Service
(Source: St Mary Houston, http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/content/docs/church-services-prostration-prayer )
First Prostration Service outline:
Second Prostration Service outline:
Third Prostration Service outline:
(*The congregation now moves to the front of the church as usual)
Another Outline of the Sagda Prayer
(from http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/1086 )
The First Sagda
(Prayed in the festive tune)
The Second Sagda
(Prayed in the annual tune)
The Third Sagda
(Prayed in the annual tune)
Text of the Service of Prostration (el-Sagda) for Pentecost
(Adapted from St Mark Parish, NJ , SUSCopts Coptic Reader App and St Mary Parish, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada )
Agpeya (Horologion) is prayed: 6th, 9th, 11th and Compline hours (and Veil in the monasteries)
The Praise (Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Psalm 116 (Chanted in tune, Niethnos tero)
Glory be to our God. All you nations praise the Lord. Let all people praise Him. For His mercy is established on us and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the age of all ages, Amen, Alleluia Alleluia.
The Fourth Canticle
Praise the Lord from the heavens Alleluia .Praise Him in the heights.
Praise Him all His angels Alleluia. Praise Him all His hosts.
Praise Him sun and moon Alleluia. Praise Him all you stars of light.
Praise Him you heavens of heavens Alleluia. And you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord Alleluia. For He commanded and they were created.
He has ordered and they were created Alleluia. He has established them forever and ever.
He has made a decree which shall not pass away Alleluia. Praise the Lord from the earth.
You great sea creatures and all the depths Alleluia. Fire and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind fulfilling His word.
Mountains and all hills Alleluia. Fruitful trees and all cedars.
Beasts and all cattle Alleluia. Creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all people Alleluia. Princes and all judges of the earth.
Both young men and maidens Alleluia. Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord Alleluia. For His name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and heaven Alleluia. And He has exalted the horn of His people.
The praise of all His saints Alleluia. The children of Israel, a people near unto Him.
(Psalm 149)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Sing to the Lord a new song Alleluia. And His praise in the congregation of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker Alleluia. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name in a chorus Alleluia. Let them sing praises unto Him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people Alleluia. He will raise the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory Alleluia. Let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth Alleluia. And a two edged sword in their hands.
To execute vengeance on the nations Alleluia. And punishments on the people.
To bind their kings with chains Alleluia. And their nobles with fetters of iron.
To execute on them the written judgment Alleluia. This honor have all His saints.
(Psalm 150)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God in all His saints Alleluia.
Praise Him in the firmament of His power Alleluia.
Praise Him for His mighty acts Alleluia.
Praise Him according to the multitudes of His greatness Alleluia.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet Alleluia.
Praise Him with psaltery and harp Alleluia.
Praise Him with timbrel and chorus Alleluia.
Praise Him with strings and organs Alleluia.
Praise Him with pleasant sounding cymbals Alleluia.
Praise Him upon the cymbals of joy Alleluia.
Let every thing that has breath praise the name of the Lord our God Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Alleluia.
Now and forever and unto the age of all ages Amen Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to You, O our God Alleluia.
Alleluia,Alleluia. Glory be to our God Alleluia.
Psali Adam for the Prostration (Pentecost Psali)
I praise You O Lord, for Your mercy and peace, because You are the Savior, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All my understanding, utters Your wonders, because You have performed salvation, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ The human beings, praise Your resurrection, and Your ascension to heavens, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ David the king of Jerusalem, said that He, rode on the Cherubim, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Praise the Lord, O dominions, principalities and thrones, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Truly He ascended, to the heavens, and led captivity captive, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ We also praise You, and bless You, and worship You, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Rejoice to the Lord, the true and merciful God, because He ascended to the heaven, the Spirit the Paraclete.
John the Theologian, said in his Gospel, "I saw Christ, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Also Peter, taught us from his mouth, that He ascended to the heavens, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Luke the Physician, wrote in the Book of Acts, this is Jesus, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Mark the Beholder of God, likewise said, He sat at the right hand of His Father, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All the heavenly powers, knelt and worshiped Him, All the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Blessed are You O King, in Your creation, to whom is due dominion and victory, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Glory and thanksgiving, are due to You O true One, because You sent Your grace, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ The Spirit the Paraclete, descended as tongues of fire, in the upper room of Zion, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All nations and all tongues, exist through, the power of the Trinity, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Listen to what Joel, the Prophet said, about this blessed day, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ "At the end of the days, I will send My Spirit, on every flesh," the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ We send You every blessing, and every praise, with David the Prophet, the Spirit the Paraclete.
God who is sitting on the Cherubim, appeared before Ephraim, and Benjamin and Mannasah, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Holy holy holy, are You O heavenly King, with Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Come O Savior of the world, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Have compassion upon me, O only-begotten Son, because I have sinned against You, the Spirit the Paraclete.
And whenever we, gather for prayer, let us bless the name, of my Lord Jesus.
We bless You, O my Lord Jesus, deliver us through Your name, for we have hope in You.
That we may praise You, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Glory be to the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto, the age of all ages Amen.
The Adam Psali for the Lord Jesus before the Sunday Theotokia
I sought after You, from the depths of my heart, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Loosen for me, all the bonds of sin, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Be a help to me, so that You may save me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ May Your goodness, come speedily to me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Overshadow me, with the shadow of Your wings, my Lord Jesus, help me.
In six days You have made, all the creation, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Seven times everyday, I will praise Your name, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All the creation, glorifies Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Yours is the lordship, and the authority, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Make haste O my God, so that You may save me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Every knee, bows down before You, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All the diverse tongues, together bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Turn away Your face, from all of my sins, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Blot out O God, all my iniquities, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ You know my thoughts, and You search my reins, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Create in me, a clean heart, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Your Holy Spirit, do not take away from me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Incline Your ears, make haste and hear me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Set before me a law, in the way of Your justice, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Your kingdom O my God, is an eternal kingdom, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
You are the Son of God, I believe in You, my Lord Jesus, help me.
You who carries the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Forgive me the multitude, of my transgressions, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All of the souls, together bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Have patience with me, do not hasten to destroy me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Early in the morning, I will rise and bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Your yoke is sweet, and Your burden is light, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ In the accepted time, hear me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
O how beloved, is Your holy name, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Disperse away from me, all of the devils, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Sow within me, the seed of Your righteousness, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Grant us Your true peace, and forgive us our sins, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Conclusion of the Adam Psali
And whenever we, gather for prayer, let us bless the name, of my Lord Jesus.
+ We bless You, O my Lord Jesus, deliver us through Your name, for we have hope in You.
That we may praise You, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have (risen/come) and saved us.
+ Glory be to the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto, the age of all ages Amen.
[The Full Sunday Theotokeias to be done]
The Sunday Theotokia
The First Part:
You are called righteous, O blessed one, among women, the Second tabernacle.
+ Which is called, the holy of holies, wherein are the tablets, of the covenant.
Whereupon is, the ten commandments, these which are written, by the finger of God.
+ They have directed us, to the Iota, the name of salvation, of Jesus Christ.
Who was incarnate, of you without change, and became the Mediator, of a new covenant.
+ Through the shedding, of His holy Blood, He purified the faithful, to be a justified people.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
Who can speak of, the honor of the tabernacle, which Moses had made, on Mount Sinai.
+ He made it with glory, as commanded by the Lord, according to the patterns, shown unto him.
Therein Aaron, and his sons served, the example of the highest, in the shadow of the heavenly ones.
+ They likened it to you, O Virgin Mary, the true tabernacle, wherein dwelt God.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Second Part:
+ The ark overlaid, roundabout with gold, that was made, with wood that would not decay.
It foretold the sign, of God the Word, who became man, without separation.
+ One nature out of two, a holy divinity, coessential with the Father, and incorruptible.
A holy humanity, begotten without seed, co-essential with us, according to the Economy.
+ This which He has taken, from you O undefiled, He made one with Him, as a hypostasis.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
All the soulstogether, of the children of Israel, brought offering unto, the tabernacle of the Lord.
+ Gold and silver, and precious stone, purple and scarlet, and fine linen.
And they made an ark, of wood that would not decay, overlaid with gold, within and without.
+ You too O Mary, are clothed with the glory, of the divinity, within and without.
For you have brought, unto God your Son, many people, through your purity.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Third Part:
The mercy seat, was overshadowed by, the forged Cherubim, from all sides.
+ Was a symbol of God the Word, who was incarnate, of you without change, O undefiled.
He became the purification, of our sins, and the forgiveness, of our iniquities.
+ Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
+ The two golden Cherubim, continually covered, with their wings, the mercy seat.
Overshadowing, the place of the holy, of the holies, in the second tabernacle.
+ You too O Mary, thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, overshadow you.
Praising their Creator, who was in your womb, and took our likeness, without sin or alteration.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Fourth Part:
You are the pot, made of pure gold, wherein was hidden, the true Manna.
+ The Bread of life, which came down from heaven, and gave life, unto the world.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
It befits you, to be called, the golden pot, where the manna was hidden.
+ For that was kept, in the tabernacle, as a testimony, to the children of Israel.
Of the good things, that the Lord God, did unto them, in the wilderness of Sinai.
+ You too O Mary, have carried in your womb, the rational Manna, that came from the Father.
You bore Him without blemish, He gave unto us, His honored Body and Blood, and we lived forever.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Fifth Part:
You are the lampstand, made of pure gold, carrying, the ever-burning Lamp.
+ That is the unapproachable, Light of the world, that proceeds from, the unapproachable Light.
The true God, out of true God, who was incarnate, of you without change.
+ By His appearing, He gave light to us, we who sit in the darkness, and in the shadow of death.
And He guided our feet, in the path of peace, through the communion, of His holy sacraments.
+ Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
+ All the ranks on high, cannot resemble you, O golden lampstand, that carries the true Light.
That was made of, pure and elect gold, and was placed in, the tabernacle.
+ That was made, by the hands of men, who brought oil for its lamps, by day and by night.
He who dwells in your womb, O Virgin Mary, gives light to every man, who comes into the world.
+ For He whom you have born, is the Sun of Righteousness, and He has healed us, of all our sins.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Sixth Part:
+ You are the censer, made of pure gold, carrying the blessed, and live coal.
That is taken, from the altar, to purge the sins, and take away the iniquities.
+ Which is God the Word, who took flesh from you, and offered Himself as incense, to God His Father.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
Wherefore truly, I do not err, whenever I call you, the golden censer.
+ For therein, is offered, the choice incense, before the Holies.
Wherein God takes away, the sins of the people, through the burnt offerings, and the aroma of incense.
+ You too O Mary, have carried in your womb, the invisible, Word of the Father.
He who offered Himself, as an acceptable sacrifice, upon the Cross, for the salvation of our race.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The 7th Part of Sunday Theotokia (Shere Ne Maria)
Hail to you Mary, the beautiful dove, who gave birth to, God the Word.
+ You are the flower, of incense, that has blossomed, from the root of Jesse.
The rod of Aaron, which blossomed, without planting or watering, resembles you.
+ O who gave birth to Christ, our true God, without the seed of man, and remained a virgin.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
You are called righteous, O Saint Mary, the second tabernacle, belonging to the holies.
+ Wherein is placed, the rod of Aaron, and the holy flower, of incense.
You are clothed with purity, within and without, O pure tabernacle, the dwelling of the righteous.
+ The hosts of the high standings, and the chorus of the just, glorify you, and your blessedness.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Eighth Part:
+ Seven times every day, I will praise Your name, with all my heart, O God of everyone.
I remembered Your name, and I was comforted, O King of the ages, and God of all gods.
+ Jesus Christ our true God, who has come, for our salvation, was incarnate.
He was incarnate, of the Holy Spirit, and of Mary, the pure bride.
+ And changed our sorrow, and all our troubles, to joy for our hearts, and total rejoicing.
Let us worship Him, and sing about His Mother, the Virgin Mary, the beautiful dove.
+ And let us all proclaim, with a voice of joy, saying hail to you Mary, the Mother of Emmanuel.
Hail to you Mary, the salvation of our father Adam,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Refuge,
Hail to you Mary, the rejoicing of Eve,
Hail to you Mary, the joy of all generations.
+ Hail to you Mary, the joy of the righteous Abel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the true Virgin,
+ Hail to you Mary, the salvation of Noah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the chaste and undefiled.
Hail to you Mary, the grace of Abraham,
Hail to you Mary, the unfading crown,
Hail to you Mary, the redemption of St. Isaac,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
+ Hail to you Mary, the rejoicing of Jacob,
+ Hail to you Mary, myriads of myriads,
+ Hail to you Mary, the pride of Judah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Master.
Hail to you Mary, the preaching of Moses,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Master,
Hail to you Mary, the honor of Samuel,
Hail to you Mary, the pride of Israel.
+ Hail to you Mary, the steadfastness of Job the righteous,
+ Hail to you Mary, the precious stone,
+ Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Beloved,
+ Hail to you Mary, the daughter of king David.
Hail to you Mary, the friend of Solomon,
Hail to you Mary, the exaltation of the just,
Hail to you Mary, the redemption of Isaiah,
Hail to you Mary, the healing of Jeremiah.
+ Hail to you Mary, the knowledge of Ezekiel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the grace of Daniel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the power of Elijah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the grace of Elisha.
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of God,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ,
Hail to you Mary, the beautiful dove,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Son of God.
+ Hail to you Mary, who was witnessed by, all the prophets, and they said.
+ Behold God the Word, took flesh from you, in an undescribable, unity.
You are truly exalted, more than the rod, of Aaron, O full of grace.
What is the rod, but Mary, for it is the symbol, of her virginity.
+ She conceived and gave birth, without a man, to the Son of the Highest, the Word Himself.
+ Through her prayers, and intercessions, O Lord open unto us, the gates of the Church.
I entreat you, O Mother of God, keep the gates of the church, open to the faithful.
Let us ask her, to intercede for us, before her Beloved, that He may forgive us.
The Ninth Part:
+ You are called, O Virgin Mary, the holy flower, of the incense.
Which came out, and blossomed, from the roots of the patriarchs, and the prophets.
+ Like the rod, of Aaron the priest, which blossomed, and brought forth fruit.
For you gave birth to the Word, without the seed of man, and your virginity, was not corrupted.
+ Wherefore we magnify you, as the Mother of God, ask your Son, to forgive us.
The 10th Part of the Sunday Theotokia
You are more worthy, than all of the saints, to ask on our behalf, O full of grace.
+ You are exalted, more than the patriarchs, and honored more, than the prophets.
And you have a seeking, more special, than the Cherubim, and the Seraphim.
+ For you are truly, the pride of our race, and the intercessor, of our souls.
Intercede for us, before our Savior, that He may keep us firm, in the upright faith.
+ That He may grant us, the forgiveness of our sins, in order to win mercy, through your intercessions.
The Eleventh Part:
All the high names, of the incorporeal, thousands of angels, and archangels.
+ They did not attain, your high blessedness, O who is clothed in, the glory of the Lord of hosts.
You are more brighter, than the sun, and more sparkling, than the Cherubim.
+ And the Seraphim, with the six wings, which are joyfully, hovering over you.
The Twelfth Part:
Your glory O Mary, is higher than the heaven, you are more honored than the earth, and its inhabitants.
+ For you are truly, the real path, leading up, to the heavens.
You are clothed, with joy and gladness, and girdled with power, O daughter of Zion.
+ O who was clothed, with the garments of the heavenly, so that you covered Adam, with the garments of grace.
And restored him again, to the Paradise, the rejoicing place, and dwelling of the righteous.
The Thirteenth Part:
+ A true tabernacle, is Mary the Virgin, placed in its midst, the true testimonies.
The undefiled ark, overlaid roundabout with gold, and the mercy seat, of the Cherubim.
+ The golden vessel, where the manna was hidden, behold the Word of the Father, came and took flesh from you.
The golden lampstand, carrying the true Light, who is the unapproachable, Light of the world.
+ The golden censer, carrying the live coal, and the chosen incense, with a rich aroma.
The rod of Aaron, that blossomed, and the holy flower, of the incense.
+ All these together, direct us to, the miraculous Birth, O Virgin Mary.
The Fourteenth Part:
You decorated our souls, O Moses the prophet, by the honor of the tabernacle, which you have adorned.
+ The first tabernacle, which Moses had made, was the place of the forgiveness, for the children of Israel.
He made it with glory, as commanded by the Lord, and according to the patterns, shown unto him.
+ There was an ark, in the tabernacle, overlaid with gold, from within and without.
There was a mercy seat, in the tabernacle, and the golden Cherubim, overshadowed it.
+ There was a golden pot, in the tabernacle, and a measure of the manna, was hidden in it.
There was a golden lampstand, in the tabernacle, and the seven lamps, shone upon it.
+ There was a golden censer, in the tabernacle, and the chosen aloe, was in its midst.
There was a flower of incense, in the tabernacle, inhaled by all, the house of Israel.
+ There was the rod of Aaron, in the tabernacle, this which has blossomed, without planting or watering.
There was a golden table, in the tabernacle, and the oblation bread, was placed upon it.
+ There was a high priest, in the tabernacle, offering sacrifices, on account of the peoples sins.
When the Pantocrator, smelled the aroma, He lifted up the sins, of the people.
+ Through Mary, the daughter of Joachim, we learned of the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sin.
The Fifteenth Part:
Who can speak of, the honor of the tabernacle, which was decorated, by the prophet.
+ When the chosen scholars, of the holy books, saw it, they were greatly amazed.
They thought, with their bright minds, and explained it, through the holy books.
+ They called Mary, the daughter of Joachim, the true tabernacle, of the Lord of hosts.
They likened the ark, to the Virgin, and its chosen gold, to her purity.
+ They likened the mercy seat, to the Virgin, and the Cherubim of glory, overshadowing her.
They likened the golden pot, to the Virgin, and the measure of the manna, to our Savior.
+ They likened the golden candlestand, to the Church, and the seven lamps, to its seven orders.
They likened the golden censer, to the Virgin, and its aloes, to Emmanuel.
+ They likened the flower of incense, to Mary the Queen, and the chosen incense, to her virginity.
They likened the rod of Aaron, to the wood of the Cross, which my Lord was crucified upon, in order to save us.
+ They likened the golden table, to the altar, and the oblation bread, to the Body of the Lord.
They likened the high priest, to our Savior, the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sins.
+ He who offered Himself, as an acceptable sacrifice, upon the Cross, for the salvation of our race.
His good Father, smelled Him, in the evening, on Golgotha.
+ He opened the gate, of Paradise, and restored Adam again, to his authority.
Through Mary, the daughter of Joachim, we learned of the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sins.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Sixteenth Part:
Who is likened unto You, O Lord among the gods, You are the true God, the Performer of miracles.
+ You revealed Your power, to the people, and You saved Your people, with Your arm.
You descended into Hades, and brought up, those who were captives, in that place.
+ And granted us again, the freedom, as a good God, for You have risen and saved us.
The Seventeenth Part:
Christ our God, has risen from the dead, He is the first-fruit, of those who departed.
+ He appeared to Mary, Magdalene, and spoke to her, and likewise said.
"Tell My brethren, to proceed, to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
+ So Mary came forth, to the Disciples, and told them she had seen the Lord, and that He told her so.
The Eighteenth Part:
Truly indeed, it was good caring, of the Saint Mary, Magdalene.
+ She came to the grave, on one of the Sabbath days, seeking earnestly, the Resurrection of the Lord.
She saw the angel, sitting on the stone,proclaiming and saying, "He is risen He is not here."
+ Wherefore we glorify Him, proclaiming and saying, "Blessed are You O my Lord Jesus, for You have risen and saved us."
The Conclusion of the Adam Theotokias
Your mercies O my God, are countless, and exceedingly plenteous, are Your compassion.
+ All the rain drops, are counted by You, and the sand of the sea, is before Your eyes.
How much more are, the sins of my soul, manifest before You, O my Lord.
+ The sins that I have committed, do not remember my Lord, and do not count, my iniquities.
For You have chosen the publican, and the adulteress You have saved, and the right-hand thief, my Lord You have remembered.
+ And me too, the sinner, teach me O my Master, to offer repentance.
For You do not desire, the death of a sinner, but rather that he returns, and that his soul may live.
+ Restore us O God, to Your salvation, and deal with us, according to Your goodness.
For You are good, and merciful, let Your compassion, speedily come to us.
+ Have compassion upon us all, O Lord God our Savior, and have mercy upon us, according to Your great mercy.
Remember those, O Christ our Master, be among us, and proclaim and say.
+ “My peace I, give to you, the peace of My Father, I leave with you.”
O King of peace, grant us Your peace, render unto us Your peace, and forgive us our sins.
+ Disperse the enemies, of the Church, and fortify her that she, may not be shaken forever.
Emmanuel our God, is now in our midst, with the glory of His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
+ May He bless us all, and purify our hearts, and heal the sicknesses, of our souls and bodies.
We worship You O Christ, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have (risen/come) and saved us.
The First Prostration
(Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals for Pentecost
Christ our God, has risen from the dead, He ascended to heaven, and sent the Comforter.
Hail to His Ascension, when He ascended to heaven, He sent the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.
The Spirit of Comfort, which came down from heaven, laid on each one of them, and they spoke in many tongues.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, in one hypostasis, we worship and glorify Him.
O King of peace, grant us Your peace, render unto us Your peace, and forgive us our sins.
Disperse the enemies, of the Church, and fortify her, that she may not be shaken forever.
Emmanuel our God, is now in our midst, with the glory of His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
May He bless us all, and purify our hearts, and heal the sicknesses, of our souls and bodies.
We worship You O Christ, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 5: 23-33, 6: 1-3)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 5: 23-33, 6: 1-3)
"These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, With a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. "So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. And you said: 'Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, And we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.' Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!Go and say to them, "Return to your tents." But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land, Which I am giving them to possess.' Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess. "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you--'a land flowing with milk and honey.
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(1 Cor. 12:28-31, 13:1-12)
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, After that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, But have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge,it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Festive Tune) (From Feast of Ascension to Feast of Pentecost the following is chanted)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen from the dead and ascended into the heavens, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen from the dead and ascended into the heavens, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. John the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint John. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 97: 7, 8,1)
Priest or Reader: Worship Him, all you His angels. Zion heard and rejoiced. The Lord reigns, let the earth exalt, let many islands rejoice. Alleluia
Psalm Response by the People: Alleluia, Alleluia. Christ is risen from the dead and has ascended into the heavens, and is seated at the right hand of His Father. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 17: 1-26)
Priest or Reader: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, The only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. "I do not pray for these alone, But also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, And have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; And these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
All: Glory be to God forever.
Adam Exposition
Deacon (or Reader): The Apostles preached the teaching of the Holy Gospel, not by writing the Book but by the efficacy of being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The indication of that was: they spoke in the different languages with tongues of fire. But the Jews who remained in their iniquities, disdained them, saying that they were drunk. The Jews unknowingly uttered the truth with their own mouths, because the grace of the Holy Spirit is the new wine which filled the Apostles and made them speak with all purity in tongues of fire. Through their prayers, purify us also, O Master, from the evil of the old self. And make us worthy of the fellowship of Your Holy Spirit, O Lover of mankind. Through the prayers of our fathers the Apostles, O Lord, forgive us our sins.
The Gospel Response
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. He ascended to the heaven, of heavens towards the east, to send us the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth. This is He who is worthy of glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever. For blessed be the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the perfect Trinity, we worship Him and glorify Him.
The Litanies
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Sick
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember Lord, the sick among Your people.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and our brethren who are sick with any sickness, whether in this place or in any place, that Christ our God may grant us, with them, health and healing, and forgive us our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
You have visited them with mercies and compassion, heal them. Take away from them and from us, all sickness and all disease; the spirit of sickness chase away. Those who have long lain in sickness raise up and comfort. Those who are afflicted by unclean spirits, set them all free. Those who are in prisons or dungeons,those who are in exile or captivity, and those who are held in bitter bondage, O Lord, set them all free and have mercy upon them. For You are He who loosens the bound and uplifts the fallen; the hope of those who are have no hope and the help of those who have no helper;the comfort of the fainthearted; the harbor of those in the storm. All souls that are distressed or bound, grant them mercy, O Lord; grant them rest, grant them refreshment, grant them grace, grant them help, grant them salvation, grant them the forgiveness of their sins and their iniquities. As for us also, O Lord, the maladies of our souls, heal; and those of our bodies too, do cure. O You, the true Physician of our souls and our bodies, the Bishop of all flesh, visit us with Your salvation.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Travelers
Priest: We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, our fathers and our brethren who are traveling.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and our brethren who are traveling, or those who intend to travel anywhere, that God may straighten all their ways, whether by sea, rivers, lakes, roads, air, or those who are traveling by any other means, that Christ our God may bring them back to their own homes in peace, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: And those who intend to travel anywhere, straighten all their ways, whether by sea, rivers, lakes, roads, [air] or those who are traveling by any other means, everyone anywhere. Lead them into a haven of calm, a haven of safety. Graciously accompany them in their departure and be their companion in their travel. Bring them back to their own, rejoicing with joy and safe in security. In work, be a partner with Your servants in every good deed. As for us, O Lord, keep our sojourn in this life without harm, without storm, and undisturbed to the end.
People: Lord have mercy.
Litany of the Waters, Plants and Fruits
Priest:
Graciously accord, O Lord to bless the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs, and the plants of the field this year.
Deacon:
Pray for the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the rising of the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs, and the plants of the field, that Christ our God may bless them, have compassion on His creation which His Hands have made, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Raise them to their measure according to Your grace. Give joy to the face of the earth. May its furrows be abundantly watered and its fruits be plentiful. Prepare it for sowing and harvesting. Manage our lives as deemed fit. Bless the crown of the year with Your goodness for the sake of the poor of Your people,the widow, the orphan, the traveler, The stranger, and for the sake of us all who entreat You and seek Your Holy Name. For the eyes of everyone wait upon You, for You give them their food in due season. Deal with us according to Your goodness, O You who give food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness that we too, having sufficiency in every thing always, may abound in every good deed.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Place
Priest:
Remember, O Lord, the salvation of this, Your holy place, and every place, and every monastery of our orthodox fathers.
Deacon:
Pray for the salvation of the world and of this city of ours and of all cities, districts, islands, and monasteries.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
And every city and every region, and the villages and all their adornments. And save us all from famine, plagues, earthquakes, drawings, fire, The captivity of the barbarians, the sword of the stranger, and the rising up of heretics.
Deacon:
Worship God in fear and trembling.
The First Prostration Prayer
O Lord, who is without blemish, the Undefiled, the Eternal, the Invisible and the Incomprehensible, the Unchangeable and the Omnipresent, who is not evil or spiteful, who alone is immortal, dwelling in incomprehensible light, who created heaven, Earth and sea and every creature therein, who gives all people their request before they ask Him. We pray to you, O our king, the Lover of mankind, God the Father of our lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, who for our sake and for the sake of our salvation descended from heaven and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of St. Mary the Virgin the Mother of God. O Lord, who taught us first through Your words and then by granting us Your salvation which You performed with your sacred sufferings. Grant us we who are humiliated by our sins and are unworthy to be your servants‘ to raise our prayers to you, and bow down our heads and our knees before you for our sins and for the unawareness of your people. You are the Lover of mankind and the most merciful. Listen to us on this Day on which we call upon you; this Day of Pentecost on which we call upon you, this Day of Pentecost on which our Lord Jesus Christ, who after His ascension into the heavens and His sitting at the right hand of His Father, sent His Holy Spirit upon His holy disciples. The Holy Spirit descended on each one of them and they were all filled with the Infinite grace and spoke in different tongues and prophesied of your greatness, O God. Now also, O Master, listen to us. We, being humiliated by our sins and cast down under condemnation, supplicate to you to free our captive souls by your great compassion. We supplicate to you to accept us, we who are bowing down before you, crying out to you and saying we have sinned against you. You are our God since we were in our mothers‘ wombs. Our days have passed by in vain and we have been naked of Your help and are unable to give a reply for our deeds, but we trust in your lovingkindness and cry out to you, saying: Do not remember the sins of our youth and the time of our ignorance. Cleanse us, O Lord, from our hidden impurities. Look at our humbleness and save us and forgive us our sins. Do not abandon us in our old age. Do not leave us if we deviate but grant us repentance before we return to dust. Look upon us with your grace. Measure our sins with your compassion. Place the multitude of our repentance in the depth of your compassion. Look down, O Lord, from your high holy place upon your people; these who bow down their heads waiting for the multitude of your great mercies. Visit us with your goodness. Save us from the tyranny of Satan. Strengthen our lives by your pure power and your honorable Law.Appoint one of your honest guardian angels to guard your people. Enter us all into your kingdom. Grant forgiveness to your people who put their trust in you and forgive us also our sins.Cleanse us all by the good power of your Holy Spirit. Untie us from the bondage of Satan. Truly blessed are you, O Lord, our king, the Almighty who enlightens the day with the light of the sun and the night with the rays of the fiery stars, who made us worthy to see the length of the day and to approach the beginning of the night. Listen to our supplication together with the supplication of all your people and forgive us our sins which we have committed knowingly and unknowingly. Accept our evening praises. Send the multitude of your mercies and compassion upon your inheritance. May we be encircled by pure angels to guard us with the weapons of righteousness. May we be encompassed with your justice. Preserve us with your power. Save us from-every affliction and from every conspiracy of the enemy. Grant us to complete this evening and this coming night with all purity and in peace and justice. May we be without sin, or doubt or fear all the days of our lives, through the prayers of the mother of God, St. Mary the Virgin, and all the saints who pleased you ever since the beginning, (inadiable) through the grace, compassion and love of mankind of your only begotten son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the gift of your Holy spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen
The Second Prostration
(Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals (Adam)
O come, let us worship, the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
We the Christian people, for He is our, true God.
We have hope, in Saint Mary, that God will have mercy upon us, through her intercessions.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to John the great forefunner, Hail to the priest, the kinsman of Emmanuel.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Blessed are you indeed, our father the righteous Saint, Abba Abraam the Bishop, the lover of Christ.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins.
That we may praise You, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 6 : 17-25)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 6 : 17-25)
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken. "When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?' Then you shall say to your son: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.'
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(1 Cor. 13:13, 14:1-17)
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, By prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, How will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Annual Tune)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. Luke the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 115: 12-13)
Priest or Reader: The Lord has remembered us, and blessed us; He has blessed the house of Israel, He has blessed the house of Aaron. He has blessed them that fear the Lord, both small and great.. Alleluia
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 17: 1-26)
Priest or Reader: Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?― So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, That all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." And He led them out as far as Bethany, And He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
All: Glory be to God forever.
Watos Exposition
In the Old Testament, God had commanded His people to celebrate the Passover annually at sunset, the same time they had left Egypt (Deut 16:6). Also fifty days after the Passover, on the feast of Pentecost, God gave Moses the Law. Therefore, the Church has arranged to pray the Prostration prayers at the ninth hour to point to the Lord Jesus Christ our Passover who was slain at this same time (Mt 27:50).
The Church fathers arranged these prayers into three parts based on the name of the Holy Trinity. The first and second prostration prayers take place in the second section of the church. The third prostration prayer is prayed in the first section close to the altar for when the believers use the trisagion they resemble the heavenly saying "Holy, Holy, Holy..." (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8).
This manner of prayers is biblically based. For just like when Jacob sought his brother Esau's mercy as he was coming back from his uncle Laban; he prepared great gifts of goats, rams, camels and donkeys; and arranged his people into three groups to get the acceptance of Esau. "And he commanded the first one, saying, 'When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?' "then you shall say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.'' So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; "and also say, 'Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.' For he said, 'I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.' So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp" (Gen 32:17-21).
Thus the church has followed the path of those men of God in doing repeated offerings of many prayers, litanies and incense on behalf of her children; asking for His goodness and mercy in order to find favor before God."
+ HG Bishop Youssef, SUS Diocese, http://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php?qid=894&catid=309
Outline of the Service
(Source: St Mary Houston, http://www.saintmaryhouston.org/content/docs/church-services-prostration-prayer )
First Prostration Service outline:
- Agpeya prayers 6th, 9th, 11th and compline hours (and Veil in the monasteries)
- Psalm 116 chanted in tune (Niethnos tero)
- Praises (fourth hoos)
- Pentecostal Psali
- The Sunday psali for the lord Jesus
- Sunday Theotokia
- Gospel of St. Luke 2:29-32 (just as in midnight praises).
- Prayer of Thanksgiving and
- verses of the Cymbals:
- Psalm 50
- Deutrenomy 5:23-33, 6:1-3 is read.
- Pauline Epistle: 1 Cor 12:28-31, 13:1-12 ( receiving the gifts of the Spirit and the more excellent way which is Love).
- The Hymn of the Trisagion (holy God, holy might, holy immortal)
- Holy Gospel (John Ch.17)
- Commentary
- Response to the Gospel Reading
- Prayer for the sick
- Prayer for the travelers
- Prayer of the air of the heaven, seeds, herbs
- This place and all places, churches, monastaries
- Everyone prostrates; priest prays inaudibly –this ends the first section or “First Prostration"
Second Prostration Service outline:
- Second Prostration” starts the same way, except without the agepeya prayers but with the prayer of Thanksgiving.
- Putting one handful of incense in the censer, the priest asks for the repose of those who departed.
- **During this prayer also, everyone is still standing in the second part of the church (not near the altar).
- Reading form Deut 6:17-25
- Pauline epistle (I Cor 13:13, 14:1-7)
- Hymn of the Trisagion again
- Gospel; Luke; 24:36-53
- Then the priest prays:
- 1. Prayer for the king,
- 2. Prayer for the departed,
- 3. Prayer for the oblations (oil, incense, coverings, reading books, altar vessls and prayers/service offered)
- 4. Prayer for the catechumnes.
- Everyone does a prostration and priest has a second prayer that he prays inaudibly asking for the Holy spirit to descend. An excerpt: “I ask you to open my lips, I the sinner. Teach me how to supplicate to You for all our needs because You alone know the multitude of my sins. But Your lovingkindness overcomes my unawareness. For behold I stand in fear before the multitude of Your mercies and cast myself beneath them……Send the Spirit of Your wisdom upon my thoughts and give my ignorance understanding from Your Holy Spirit. May your fearful Spirit overshadow my works. May you renew Your upright Spirit within me. May your mighty Spirit straighten my thoughts and prevent them from perversion. May Your Good Spirit direct me to the right path that I may be worthy to do Your commandments and remember at all times Your coming to judge everyone according to their deeds.,,,”
Third Prostration Service outline:
(*The congregation now moves to the front of the church as usual)
- Prayer of Thanksgiving
- Raising of incense
- Psalm 50
- Deut 16:1-18
- Pauline Epistle (1 Cor 14:18-40)
- Hymn of the Holy Spirit’s descent (sung at weddings, and on Pentecost) Pi Epneva imparakleeton…
- Hymn of the Trisagion
- Prayer of the Gospel
- Commentary: excerpt: “O Holy Spirit the Comforter, who descended on the Apostles, kindle fire in our minds an d hearts with Your mighty power and guide our souls to the knowledge of Your statutes that we may utter words of prayer befitting our God.”
- Gospel response; “The soul of the Samaritan woman who found the Living water blesses You because in You is the fountain of the Living water.”
- Prayer for Peace, Prayer for the fathers, Prayer for those who asked us to remember them
- Graciously accord o Lord…
- The Trisagion
- Doxologies
- Creed
- As in regular vespers priest prays “God, have mercy upon us, settle Your mercy upon us, Have compassion upon us” holding the cross with the three lighted candles in his right hand facing each direction.
- The final prostration and the priest’s inaudible prayer
Another Outline of the Sagda Prayer
(from http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/view/1086 )
The First Sagda
(Prayed in the festive tune)
- Praises:
- Ni-ethnos teroo (Psalm 116).
- Fourth Hoos.
- Special Psali Adam for Sagda.
- The Sunday Psali (Aikoti, I sought after You).
- Lee-bon.
- The Full Sunday Theotokeia.
- Conclusion of Theotokeias.
- The Priest starts normaly and prays the Thanksgiving Prayer.
- The Verses of the Cymbals. (Pantecost rite-festive)
- Psalm 50 (51).
- The Prophecy (Deut. 5: 23-33, 6: 1-3).
- Tenoo-osht and than the Pauline Epistle (I Cor. 12:28-31, 13:1-12).
- The Trisagion, the Litany of the Gospel and the Gospel are prayed.
- Adam Exposition is said and than the Gospel response.
- The litanies of the Sick, the Travelers, the Waters; Plants; Fruits, and the Place are prayed.
- Than the people bow down and the Priest prays the litany.
The Second Sagda
(Prayed in the annual tune)
- The Priest starts normally and prays the Thanksgiving Prayer.
- The Verses of the Cymbals. (Adam)
- Psalm 50 (51).
- The Prophecy (Deut. 6 : 17-25).
- Tenoo-osht and than the Pauline Epistle (I Cor. 13:13, 14:1-17).
- The Trisagion, the Litany of the Gospel and the Gospel are prayed.
- Watos Exposition is said and than the Gospel response.
- The Litanies of the Leader (King), the Departed, the Oblations, and the Catechumens are prayed.
- Than the people bow down and the Priest prays the litany.
The Third Sagda
(Prayed in the annual tune)
- The Preist starts normaly and prays the Thanksgiving Prayer.
- The Verses of the Cymbals. (Watos)
- Psalm 50 (51).
- The Prophecy (Deut. 16 : 1-18).
- Tenoo-osht and than the Pauline Epistle (I Cor. 14:18-40 ).
- The Hymn of the Holy Spirit is chanted (Pi-epnevma).
- The Trisagion, the Litany of the Gospel and the Gospel are prayed.
- Watos Exposition is said and than the Gospel response.
- The Litanies of the Peace, the Fathers, and of those who asked us are prayed.
- Graciously O Lord and the Trisagion are said.
- The intro to the doxologies and the doxologies are chanted.
- Than the intro to the Creed, the Creed, and Efnouti nai nan are said.
- Than the people bow down and the Priest prayes the litany.
- "Our Father..." than the three absolutions are prayed.
- Than the Concluding Canon is chanted and than the priest blesses the people to leave.
Video of the Prayers
Text of the Service of Prostration (el-Sagda) for Pentecost
(Adapted from St Mark Parish, NJ , SUSCopts Coptic Reader App and St Mary Parish, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada )
Agpeya (Horologion) is prayed: 6th, 9th, 11th and Compline hours (and Veil in the monasteries)
The Praise (Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Psalm 116 (Chanted in tune, Niethnos tero)
Glory be to our God. All you nations praise the Lord. Let all people praise Him. For His mercy is established on us and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the age of all ages, Amen, Alleluia Alleluia.
The Fourth Canticle
Praise the Lord from the heavens Alleluia .Praise Him in the heights.
Praise Him all His angels Alleluia. Praise Him all His hosts.
Praise Him sun and moon Alleluia. Praise Him all you stars of light.
Praise Him you heavens of heavens Alleluia. And you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord Alleluia. For He commanded and they were created.
He has ordered and they were created Alleluia. He has established them forever and ever.
He has made a decree which shall not pass away Alleluia. Praise the Lord from the earth.
You great sea creatures and all the depths Alleluia. Fire and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind fulfilling His word.
Mountains and all hills Alleluia. Fruitful trees and all cedars.
Beasts and all cattle Alleluia. Creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all people Alleluia. Princes and all judges of the earth.
Both young men and maidens Alleluia. Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord Alleluia. For His name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and heaven Alleluia. And He has exalted the horn of His people.
The praise of all His saints Alleluia. The children of Israel, a people near unto Him.
(Psalm 149)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Sing to the Lord a new song Alleluia. And His praise in the congregation of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker Alleluia. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name in a chorus Alleluia. Let them sing praises unto Him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people Alleluia. He will raise the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory Alleluia. Let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth Alleluia. And a two edged sword in their hands.
To execute vengeance on the nations Alleluia. And punishments on the people.
To bind their kings with chains Alleluia. And their nobles with fetters of iron.
To execute on them the written judgment Alleluia. This honor have all His saints.
(Psalm 150)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God in all His saints Alleluia.
Praise Him in the firmament of His power Alleluia.
Praise Him for His mighty acts Alleluia.
Praise Him according to the multitudes of His greatness Alleluia.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet Alleluia.
Praise Him with psaltery and harp Alleluia.
Praise Him with timbrel and chorus Alleluia.
Praise Him with strings and organs Alleluia.
Praise Him with pleasant sounding cymbals Alleluia.
Praise Him upon the cymbals of joy Alleluia.
Let every thing that has breath praise the name of the Lord our God Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Alleluia.
Now and forever and unto the age of all ages Amen Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to You, O our God Alleluia.
Alleluia,Alleluia. Glory be to our God Alleluia.
Psali Adam for the Prostration (Pentecost Psali)
I praise You O Lord, for Your mercy and peace, because You are the Savior, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All my understanding, utters Your wonders, because You have performed salvation, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ The human beings, praise Your resurrection, and Your ascension to heavens, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ David the king of Jerusalem, said that He, rode on the Cherubim, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Praise the Lord, O dominions, principalities and thrones, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Truly He ascended, to the heavens, and led captivity captive, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ We also praise You, and bless You, and worship You, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Rejoice to the Lord, the true and merciful God, because He ascended to the heaven, the Spirit the Paraclete.
John the Theologian, said in his Gospel, "I saw Christ, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Also Peter, taught us from his mouth, that He ascended to the heavens, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Luke the Physician, wrote in the Book of Acts, this is Jesus, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Mark the Beholder of God, likewise said, He sat at the right hand of His Father, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All the heavenly powers, knelt and worshiped Him, All the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Blessed are You O King, in Your creation, to whom is due dominion and victory, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Glory and thanksgiving, are due to You O true One, because You sent Your grace, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ The Spirit the Paraclete, descended as tongues of fire, in the upper room of Zion, the Spirit the Paraclete.
All nations and all tongues, exist through, the power of the Trinity, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Listen to what Joel, the Prophet said, about this blessed day, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ "At the end of the days, I will send My Spirit, on every flesh," the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ We send You every blessing, and every praise, with David the Prophet, the Spirit the Paraclete.
God who is sitting on the Cherubim, appeared before Ephraim, and Benjamin and Mannasah, the Spirit the Paraclete.
Holy holy holy, are You O heavenly King, with Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Come O Savior of the world, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, the Spirit the Paraclete.
+ Have compassion upon me, O only-begotten Son, because I have sinned against You, the Spirit the Paraclete.
And whenever we, gather for prayer, let us bless the name, of my Lord Jesus.
We bless You, O my Lord Jesus, deliver us through Your name, for we have hope in You.
That we may praise You, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Glory be to the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto, the age of all ages Amen.
The Adam Psali for the Lord Jesus before the Sunday Theotokia
I sought after You, from the depths of my heart, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Loosen for me, all the bonds of sin, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Be a help to me, so that You may save me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ May Your goodness, come speedily to me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Overshadow me, with the shadow of Your wings, my Lord Jesus, help me.
In six days You have made, all the creation, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Seven times everyday, I will praise Your name, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All the creation, glorifies Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Yours is the lordship, and the authority, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Make haste O my God, so that You may save me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Every knee, bows down before You, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All the diverse tongues, together bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Turn away Your face, from all of my sins, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Blot out O God, all my iniquities, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ You know my thoughts, and You search my reins, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Create in me, a clean heart, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Your Holy Spirit, do not take away from me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Incline Your ears, make haste and hear me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Set before me a law, in the way of Your justice, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Your kingdom O my God, is an eternal kingdom, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
You are the Son of God, I believe in You, my Lord Jesus, help me.
You who carries the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Forgive me the multitude, of my transgressions, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ All of the souls, together bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Have patience with me, do not hasten to destroy me, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Early in the morning, I will rise and bless Your name, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Your yoke is sweet, and Your burden is light, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ In the accepted time, hear me, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
O how beloved, is Your holy name, my Lord Jesus, help me.
Disperse away from me, all of the devils, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
+ Sow within me, the seed of Your righteousness, my Lord Jesus, help me.
+ Grant us Your true peace, and forgive us our sins, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Conclusion of the Adam Psali
And whenever we, gather for prayer, let us bless the name, of my Lord Jesus.
+ We bless You, O my Lord Jesus, deliver us through Your name, for we have hope in You.
That we may praise You, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have (risen/come) and saved us.
+ Glory be to the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto, the age of all ages Amen.
[The Full Sunday Theotokeias to be done]
The Sunday Theotokia
The First Part:
You are called righteous, O blessed one, among women, the Second tabernacle.
+ Which is called, the holy of holies, wherein are the tablets, of the covenant.
Whereupon is, the ten commandments, these which are written, by the finger of God.
+ They have directed us, to the Iota, the name of salvation, of Jesus Christ.
Who was incarnate, of you without change, and became the Mediator, of a new covenant.
+ Through the shedding, of His holy Blood, He purified the faithful, to be a justified people.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
Who can speak of, the honor of the tabernacle, which Moses had made, on Mount Sinai.
+ He made it with glory, as commanded by the Lord, according to the patterns, shown unto him.
Therein Aaron, and his sons served, the example of the highest, in the shadow of the heavenly ones.
+ They likened it to you, O Virgin Mary, the true tabernacle, wherein dwelt God.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Second Part:
+ The ark overlaid, roundabout with gold, that was made, with wood that would not decay.
It foretold the sign, of God the Word, who became man, without separation.
+ One nature out of two, a holy divinity, coessential with the Father, and incorruptible.
A holy humanity, begotten without seed, co-essential with us, according to the Economy.
+ This which He has taken, from you O undefiled, He made one with Him, as a hypostasis.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
All the soulstogether, of the children of Israel, brought offering unto, the tabernacle of the Lord.
+ Gold and silver, and precious stone, purple and scarlet, and fine linen.
And they made an ark, of wood that would not decay, overlaid with gold, within and without.
+ You too O Mary, are clothed with the glory, of the divinity, within and without.
For you have brought, unto God your Son, many people, through your purity.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Third Part:
The mercy seat, was overshadowed by, the forged Cherubim, from all sides.
+ Was a symbol of God the Word, who was incarnate, of you without change, O undefiled.
He became the purification, of our sins, and the forgiveness, of our iniquities.
+ Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
+ The two golden Cherubim, continually covered, with their wings, the mercy seat.
Overshadowing, the place of the holy, of the holies, in the second tabernacle.
+ You too O Mary, thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, overshadow you.
Praising their Creator, who was in your womb, and took our likeness, without sin or alteration.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Fourth Part:
You are the pot, made of pure gold, wherein was hidden, the true Manna.
+ The Bread of life, which came down from heaven, and gave life, unto the world.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
It befits you, to be called, the golden pot, where the manna was hidden.
+ For that was kept, in the tabernacle, as a testimony, to the children of Israel.
Of the good things, that the Lord God, did unto them, in the wilderness of Sinai.
+ You too O Mary, have carried in your womb, the rational Manna, that came from the Father.
You bore Him without blemish, He gave unto us, His honored Body and Blood, and we lived forever.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Fifth Part:
You are the lampstand, made of pure gold, carrying, the ever-burning Lamp.
+ That is the unapproachable, Light of the world, that proceeds from, the unapproachable Light.
The true God, out of true God, who was incarnate, of you without change.
+ By His appearing, He gave light to us, we who sit in the darkness, and in the shadow of death.
And He guided our feet, in the path of peace, through the communion, of His holy sacraments.
+ Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
+ All the ranks on high, cannot resemble you, O golden lampstand, that carries the true Light.
That was made of, pure and elect gold, and was placed in, the tabernacle.
+ That was made, by the hands of men, who brought oil for its lamps, by day and by night.
He who dwells in your womb, O Virgin Mary, gives light to every man, who comes into the world.
+ For He whom you have born, is the Sun of Righteousness, and He has healed us, of all our sins.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Sixth Part:
+ You are the censer, made of pure gold, carrying the blessed, and live coal.
That is taken, from the altar, to purge the sins, and take away the iniquities.
+ Which is God the Word, who took flesh from you, and offered Himself as incense, to God His Father.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
Wherefore truly, I do not err, whenever I call you, the golden censer.
+ For therein, is offered, the choice incense, before the Holies.
Wherein God takes away, the sins of the people, through the burnt offerings, and the aroma of incense.
+ You too O Mary, have carried in your womb, the invisible, Word of the Father.
He who offered Himself, as an acceptable sacrifice, upon the Cross, for the salvation of our race.
+ Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
+ We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The 7th Part of Sunday Theotokia (Shere Ne Maria)
Hail to you Mary, the beautiful dove, who gave birth to, God the Word.
+ You are the flower, of incense, that has blossomed, from the root of Jesse.
The rod of Aaron, which blossomed, without planting or watering, resembles you.
+ O who gave birth to Christ, our true God, without the seed of man, and remained a virgin.
Wherefore everyone, magnifies you, O my Lady the Mother of God, the ever-holy.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
You are called righteous, O Saint Mary, the second tabernacle, belonging to the holies.
+ Wherein is placed, the rod of Aaron, and the holy flower, of incense.
You are clothed with purity, within and without, O pure tabernacle, the dwelling of the righteous.
+ The hosts of the high standings, and the chorus of the just, glorify you, and your blessedness.
Wherefore we, magnify you befittingly, with prophetic, hymnology.
+ For they spoke of you, with great honor, O holy city, of the great King.
We entreat and pray, that we may win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Eighth Part:
+ Seven times every day, I will praise Your name, with all my heart, O God of everyone.
I remembered Your name, and I was comforted, O King of the ages, and God of all gods.
+ Jesus Christ our true God, who has come, for our salvation, was incarnate.
He was incarnate, of the Holy Spirit, and of Mary, the pure bride.
+ And changed our sorrow, and all our troubles, to joy for our hearts, and total rejoicing.
Let us worship Him, and sing about His Mother, the Virgin Mary, the beautiful dove.
+ And let us all proclaim, with a voice of joy, saying hail to you Mary, the Mother of Emmanuel.
Hail to you Mary, the salvation of our father Adam,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Refuge,
Hail to you Mary, the rejoicing of Eve,
Hail to you Mary, the joy of all generations.
+ Hail to you Mary, the joy of the righteous Abel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the true Virgin,
+ Hail to you Mary, the salvation of Noah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the chaste and undefiled.
Hail to you Mary, the grace of Abraham,
Hail to you Mary, the unfading crown,
Hail to you Mary, the redemption of St. Isaac,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
+ Hail to you Mary, the rejoicing of Jacob,
+ Hail to you Mary, myriads of myriads,
+ Hail to you Mary, the pride of Judah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Master.
Hail to you Mary, the preaching of Moses,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Master,
Hail to you Mary, the honor of Samuel,
Hail to you Mary, the pride of Israel.
+ Hail to you Mary, the steadfastness of Job the righteous,
+ Hail to you Mary, the precious stone,
+ Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Beloved,
+ Hail to you Mary, the daughter of king David.
Hail to you Mary, the friend of Solomon,
Hail to you Mary, the exaltation of the just,
Hail to you Mary, the redemption of Isaiah,
Hail to you Mary, the healing of Jeremiah.
+ Hail to you Mary, the knowledge of Ezekiel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the grace of Daniel,
+ Hail to you Mary, the power of Elijah,
+ Hail to you Mary, the grace of Elisha.
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of God,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ,
Hail to you Mary, the beautiful dove,
Hail to you Mary, the Mother of the Son of God.
+ Hail to you Mary, who was witnessed by, all the prophets, and they said.
+ Behold God the Word, took flesh from you, in an undescribable, unity.
You are truly exalted, more than the rod, of Aaron, O full of grace.
What is the rod, but Mary, for it is the symbol, of her virginity.
+ She conceived and gave birth, without a man, to the Son of the Highest, the Word Himself.
+ Through her prayers, and intercessions, O Lord open unto us, the gates of the Church.
I entreat you, O Mother of God, keep the gates of the church, open to the faithful.
Let us ask her, to intercede for us, before her Beloved, that He may forgive us.
The Ninth Part:
+ You are called, O Virgin Mary, the holy flower, of the incense.
Which came out, and blossomed, from the roots of the patriarchs, and the prophets.
+ Like the rod, of Aaron the priest, which blossomed, and brought forth fruit.
For you gave birth to the Word, without the seed of man, and your virginity, was not corrupted.
+ Wherefore we magnify you, as the Mother of God, ask your Son, to forgive us.
The 10th Part of the Sunday Theotokia
You are more worthy, than all of the saints, to ask on our behalf, O full of grace.
+ You are exalted, more than the patriarchs, and honored more, than the prophets.
And you have a seeking, more special, than the Cherubim, and the Seraphim.
+ For you are truly, the pride of our race, and the intercessor, of our souls.
Intercede for us, before our Savior, that He may keep us firm, in the upright faith.
+ That He may grant us, the forgiveness of our sins, in order to win mercy, through your intercessions.
The Eleventh Part:
All the high names, of the incorporeal, thousands of angels, and archangels.
+ They did not attain, your high blessedness, O who is clothed in, the glory of the Lord of hosts.
You are more brighter, than the sun, and more sparkling, than the Cherubim.
+ And the Seraphim, with the six wings, which are joyfully, hovering over you.
The Twelfth Part:
Your glory O Mary, is higher than the heaven, you are more honored than the earth, and its inhabitants.
+ For you are truly, the real path, leading up, to the heavens.
You are clothed, with joy and gladness, and girdled with power, O daughter of Zion.
+ O who was clothed, with the garments of the heavenly, so that you covered Adam, with the garments of grace.
And restored him again, to the Paradise, the rejoicing place, and dwelling of the righteous.
The Thirteenth Part:
+ A true tabernacle, is Mary the Virgin, placed in its midst, the true testimonies.
The undefiled ark, overlaid roundabout with gold, and the mercy seat, of the Cherubim.
+ The golden vessel, where the manna was hidden, behold the Word of the Father, came and took flesh from you.
The golden lampstand, carrying the true Light, who is the unapproachable, Light of the world.
+ The golden censer, carrying the live coal, and the chosen incense, with a rich aroma.
The rod of Aaron, that blossomed, and the holy flower, of the incense.
+ All these together, direct us to, the miraculous Birth, O Virgin Mary.
The Fourteenth Part:
You decorated our souls, O Moses the prophet, by the honor of the tabernacle, which you have adorned.
+ The first tabernacle, which Moses had made, was the place of the forgiveness, for the children of Israel.
He made it with glory, as commanded by the Lord, and according to the patterns, shown unto him.
+ There was an ark, in the tabernacle, overlaid with gold, from within and without.
There was a mercy seat, in the tabernacle, and the golden Cherubim, overshadowed it.
+ There was a golden pot, in the tabernacle, and a measure of the manna, was hidden in it.
There was a golden lampstand, in the tabernacle, and the seven lamps, shone upon it.
+ There was a golden censer, in the tabernacle, and the chosen aloe, was in its midst.
There was a flower of incense, in the tabernacle, inhaled by all, the house of Israel.
+ There was the rod of Aaron, in the tabernacle, this which has blossomed, without planting or watering.
There was a golden table, in the tabernacle, and the oblation bread, was placed upon it.
+ There was a high priest, in the tabernacle, offering sacrifices, on account of the peoples sins.
When the Pantocrator, smelled the aroma, He lifted up the sins, of the people.
+ Through Mary, the daughter of Joachim, we learned of the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sin.
The Fifteenth Part:
Who can speak of, the honor of the tabernacle, which was decorated, by the prophet.
+ When the chosen scholars, of the holy books, saw it, they were greatly amazed.
They thought, with their bright minds, and explained it, through the holy books.
+ They called Mary, the daughter of Joachim, the true tabernacle, of the Lord of hosts.
They likened the ark, to the Virgin, and its chosen gold, to her purity.
+ They likened the mercy seat, to the Virgin, and the Cherubim of glory, overshadowing her.
They likened the golden pot, to the Virgin, and the measure of the manna, to our Savior.
+ They likened the golden candlestand, to the Church, and the seven lamps, to its seven orders.
They likened the golden censer, to the Virgin, and its aloes, to Emmanuel.
+ They likened the flower of incense, to Mary the Queen, and the chosen incense, to her virginity.
They likened the rod of Aaron, to the wood of the Cross, which my Lord was crucified upon, in order to save us.
+ They likened the golden table, to the altar, and the oblation bread, to the Body of the Lord.
They likened the high priest, to our Savior, the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sins.
+ He who offered Himself, as an acceptable sacrifice, upon the Cross, for the salvation of our race.
His good Father, smelled Him, in the evening, on Golgotha.
+ He opened the gate, of Paradise, and restored Adam again, to his authority.
Through Mary, the daughter of Joachim, we learned of the true Sacrifice, for the forgiveness of sins.
+ And we too, hope to win mercy, through your intercessions, with the Lover of Mankind.
The Sixteenth Part:
Who is likened unto You, O Lord among the gods, You are the true God, the Performer of miracles.
+ You revealed Your power, to the people, and You saved Your people, with Your arm.
You descended into Hades, and brought up, those who were captives, in that place.
+ And granted us again, the freedom, as a good God, for You have risen and saved us.
The Seventeenth Part:
Christ our God, has risen from the dead, He is the first-fruit, of those who departed.
+ He appeared to Mary, Magdalene, and spoke to her, and likewise said.
"Tell My brethren, to proceed, to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
+ So Mary came forth, to the Disciples, and told them she had seen the Lord, and that He told her so.
The Eighteenth Part:
Truly indeed, it was good caring, of the Saint Mary, Magdalene.
+ She came to the grave, on one of the Sabbath days, seeking earnestly, the Resurrection of the Lord.
She saw the angel, sitting on the stone,proclaiming and saying, "He is risen He is not here."
+ Wherefore we glorify Him, proclaiming and saying, "Blessed are You O my Lord Jesus, for You have risen and saved us."
The Conclusion of the Adam Theotokias
Your mercies O my God, are countless, and exceedingly plenteous, are Your compassion.
+ All the rain drops, are counted by You, and the sand of the sea, is before Your eyes.
How much more are, the sins of my soul, manifest before You, O my Lord.
+ The sins that I have committed, do not remember my Lord, and do not count, my iniquities.
For You have chosen the publican, and the adulteress You have saved, and the right-hand thief, my Lord You have remembered.
+ And me too, the sinner, teach me O my Master, to offer repentance.
For You do not desire, the death of a sinner, but rather that he returns, and that his soul may live.
+ Restore us O God, to Your salvation, and deal with us, according to Your goodness.
For You are good, and merciful, let Your compassion, speedily come to us.
+ Have compassion upon us all, O Lord God our Savior, and have mercy upon us, according to Your great mercy.
Remember those, O Christ our Master, be among us, and proclaim and say.
+ “My peace I, give to you, the peace of My Father, I leave with you.”
O King of peace, grant us Your peace, render unto us Your peace, and forgive us our sins.
+ Disperse the enemies, of the Church, and fortify her that she, may not be shaken forever.
Emmanuel our God, is now in our midst, with the glory of His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
+ May He bless us all, and purify our hearts, and heal the sicknesses, of our souls and bodies.
We worship You O Christ, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have (risen/come) and saved us.
The First Prostration
(Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals for Pentecost
Christ our God, has risen from the dead, He ascended to heaven, and sent the Comforter.
Hail to His Ascension, when He ascended to heaven, He sent the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.
The Spirit of Comfort, which came down from heaven, laid on each one of them, and they spoke in many tongues.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, in one hypostasis, we worship and glorify Him.
O King of peace, grant us Your peace, render unto us Your peace, and forgive us our sins.
Disperse the enemies, of the Church, and fortify her, that she may not be shaken forever.
Emmanuel our God, is now in our midst, with the glory of His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
May He bless us all, and purify our hearts, and heal the sicknesses, of our souls and bodies.
We worship You O Christ, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 5: 23-33, 6: 1-3)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 5: 23-33, 6: 1-3)
"These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, With a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. "So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. And you said: 'Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, And we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.' Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: 'I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!Go and say to them, "Return to your tents." But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land, Which I am giving them to possess.' Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess. "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you--'a land flowing with milk and honey.
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(1 Cor. 12:28-31, 13:1-12)
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, After that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, But have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge,it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Festive Tune) (From Feast of Ascension to Feast of Pentecost the following is chanted)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen from the dead and ascended into the heavens, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen from the dead and ascended into the heavens, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Risen 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. John the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint John. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 97: 7, 8,1)
Priest or Reader: Worship Him, all you His angels. Zion heard and rejoiced. The Lord reigns, let the earth exalt, let many islands rejoice. Alleluia
Psalm Response by the People: Alleluia, Alleluia. Christ is risen from the dead and has ascended into the heavens, and is seated at the right hand of His Father. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 17: 1-26)
Priest or Reader: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, The only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. "I do not pray for these alone, But also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, And have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; And these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
All: Glory be to God forever.
Adam Exposition
Deacon (or Reader): The Apostles preached the teaching of the Holy Gospel, not by writing the Book but by the efficacy of being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The indication of that was: they spoke in the different languages with tongues of fire. But the Jews who remained in their iniquities, disdained them, saying that they were drunk. The Jews unknowingly uttered the truth with their own mouths, because the grace of the Holy Spirit is the new wine which filled the Apostles and made them speak with all purity in tongues of fire. Through their prayers, purify us also, O Master, from the evil of the old self. And make us worthy of the fellowship of Your Holy Spirit, O Lover of mankind. Through the prayers of our fathers the Apostles, O Lord, forgive us our sins.
The Gospel Response
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. He ascended to the heaven, of heavens towards the east, to send us the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth. This is He who is worthy of glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever. For blessed be the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the perfect Trinity, we worship Him and glorify Him.
The Litanies
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Sick
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember Lord, the sick among Your people.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and our brethren who are sick with any sickness, whether in this place or in any place, that Christ our God may grant us, with them, health and healing, and forgive us our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
You have visited them with mercies and compassion, heal them. Take away from them and from us, all sickness and all disease; the spirit of sickness chase away. Those who have long lain in sickness raise up and comfort. Those who are afflicted by unclean spirits, set them all free. Those who are in prisons or dungeons,those who are in exile or captivity, and those who are held in bitter bondage, O Lord, set them all free and have mercy upon them. For You are He who loosens the bound and uplifts the fallen; the hope of those who are have no hope and the help of those who have no helper;the comfort of the fainthearted; the harbor of those in the storm. All souls that are distressed or bound, grant them mercy, O Lord; grant them rest, grant them refreshment, grant them grace, grant them help, grant them salvation, grant them the forgiveness of their sins and their iniquities. As for us also, O Lord, the maladies of our souls, heal; and those of our bodies too, do cure. O You, the true Physician of our souls and our bodies, the Bishop of all flesh, visit us with Your salvation.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Travelers
Priest: We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, our fathers and our brethren who are traveling.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and our brethren who are traveling, or those who intend to travel anywhere, that God may straighten all their ways, whether by sea, rivers, lakes, roads, air, or those who are traveling by any other means, that Christ our God may bring them back to their own homes in peace, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: And those who intend to travel anywhere, straighten all their ways, whether by sea, rivers, lakes, roads, [air] or those who are traveling by any other means, everyone anywhere. Lead them into a haven of calm, a haven of safety. Graciously accompany them in their departure and be their companion in their travel. Bring them back to their own, rejoicing with joy and safe in security. In work, be a partner with Your servants in every good deed. As for us, O Lord, keep our sojourn in this life without harm, without storm, and undisturbed to the end.
People: Lord have mercy.
Litany of the Waters, Plants and Fruits
Priest:
Graciously accord, O Lord to bless the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs, and the plants of the field this year.
Deacon:
Pray for the air of heaven, the fruits of the earth, the rising of the waters of the rivers, the seeds, the herbs, and the plants of the field, that Christ our God may bless them, have compassion on His creation which His Hands have made, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Raise them to their measure according to Your grace. Give joy to the face of the earth. May its furrows be abundantly watered and its fruits be plentiful. Prepare it for sowing and harvesting. Manage our lives as deemed fit. Bless the crown of the year with Your goodness for the sake of the poor of Your people,the widow, the orphan, the traveler, The stranger, and for the sake of us all who entreat You and seek Your Holy Name. For the eyes of everyone wait upon You, for You give them their food in due season. Deal with us according to Your goodness, O You who give food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness that we too, having sufficiency in every thing always, may abound in every good deed.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Place
Priest:
Remember, O Lord, the salvation of this, Your holy place, and every place, and every monastery of our orthodox fathers.
Deacon:
Pray for the salvation of the world and of this city of ours and of all cities, districts, islands, and monasteries.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
And every city and every region, and the villages and all their adornments. And save us all from famine, plagues, earthquakes, drawings, fire, The captivity of the barbarians, the sword of the stranger, and the rising up of heretics.
Deacon:
Worship God in fear and trembling.
The First Prostration Prayer
O Lord, who is without blemish, the Undefiled, the Eternal, the Invisible and the Incomprehensible, the Unchangeable and the Omnipresent, who is not evil or spiteful, who alone is immortal, dwelling in incomprehensible light, who created heaven, Earth and sea and every creature therein, who gives all people their request before they ask Him. We pray to you, O our king, the Lover of mankind, God the Father of our lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, who for our sake and for the sake of our salvation descended from heaven and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of St. Mary the Virgin the Mother of God. O Lord, who taught us first through Your words and then by granting us Your salvation which You performed with your sacred sufferings. Grant us we who are humiliated by our sins and are unworthy to be your servants‘ to raise our prayers to you, and bow down our heads and our knees before you for our sins and for the unawareness of your people. You are the Lover of mankind and the most merciful. Listen to us on this Day on which we call upon you; this Day of Pentecost on which we call upon you, this Day of Pentecost on which our Lord Jesus Christ, who after His ascension into the heavens and His sitting at the right hand of His Father, sent His Holy Spirit upon His holy disciples. The Holy Spirit descended on each one of them and they were all filled with the Infinite grace and spoke in different tongues and prophesied of your greatness, O God. Now also, O Master, listen to us. We, being humiliated by our sins and cast down under condemnation, supplicate to you to free our captive souls by your great compassion. We supplicate to you to accept us, we who are bowing down before you, crying out to you and saying we have sinned against you. You are our God since we were in our mothers‘ wombs. Our days have passed by in vain and we have been naked of Your help and are unable to give a reply for our deeds, but we trust in your lovingkindness and cry out to you, saying: Do not remember the sins of our youth and the time of our ignorance. Cleanse us, O Lord, from our hidden impurities. Look at our humbleness and save us and forgive us our sins. Do not abandon us in our old age. Do not leave us if we deviate but grant us repentance before we return to dust. Look upon us with your grace. Measure our sins with your compassion. Place the multitude of our repentance in the depth of your compassion. Look down, O Lord, from your high holy place upon your people; these who bow down their heads waiting for the multitude of your great mercies. Visit us with your goodness. Save us from the tyranny of Satan. Strengthen our lives by your pure power and your honorable Law.Appoint one of your honest guardian angels to guard your people. Enter us all into your kingdom. Grant forgiveness to your people who put their trust in you and forgive us also our sins.Cleanse us all by the good power of your Holy Spirit. Untie us from the bondage of Satan. Truly blessed are you, O Lord, our king, the Almighty who enlightens the day with the light of the sun and the night with the rays of the fiery stars, who made us worthy to see the length of the day and to approach the beginning of the night. Listen to our supplication together with the supplication of all your people and forgive us our sins which we have committed knowingly and unknowingly. Accept our evening praises. Send the multitude of your mercies and compassion upon your inheritance. May we be encircled by pure angels to guard us with the weapons of righteousness. May we be encompassed with your justice. Preserve us with your power. Save us from-every affliction and from every conspiracy of the enemy. Grant us to complete this evening and this coming night with all purity and in peace and justice. May we be without sin, or doubt or fear all the days of our lives, through the prayers of the mother of God, St. Mary the Virgin, and all the saints who pleased you ever since the beginning, (inadiable) through the grace, compassion and love of mankind of your only begotten son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the gift of your Holy spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen
The Second Prostration
(Prayed in the Joyful Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals (Adam)
O come, let us worship, the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
We the Christian people, for He is our, true God.
We have hope, in Saint Mary, that God will have mercy upon us, through her intercessions.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to John the great forefunner, Hail to the priest, the kinsman of Emmanuel.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Blessed are you indeed, our father the righteous Saint, Abba Abraam the Bishop, the lover of Christ.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins.
That we may praise You, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 6 : 17-25)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 6 : 17-25)
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken. "When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?' Then you shall say to your son: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.'
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(1 Cor. 13:13, 14:1-17)
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, By prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, How will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Annual Tune)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. Luke the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 115: 12-13)
Priest or Reader: The Lord has remembered us, and blessed us; He has blessed the house of Israel, He has blessed the house of Aaron. He has blessed them that fear the Lord, both small and great.. Alleluia
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 17: 1-26)
Priest or Reader: Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?― So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, That all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." And He led them out as far as Bethany, And He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
All: Glory be to God forever.
Watos Exposition
Deacon (or Reader): The twelve Apostles were in Jerusalem waiting for the power which the Lord would send them. It happened that on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit the comforter descended on the Apostles and they spoke in the languages of the heavenly inhabitants and with the voice of angels professing Christ and the glory of His resurrection. So the Holy Spirit the Comforter, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father descended on the Apostles and they performed great miracles and powers amidst the people, witnessing to them with great proofs that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead. Praise be to God forever.
The Gospel Response
The Lord came to Bethany, with His holy disciples, He raised His hands and blessed them, and ascended to the heavens. Let us worship our Savior, the Good One and Lover of Mankind, for He had compassion on us and has come and saved us. Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the perfect Trinity. We worship Him and glorify Him.
The Litanies
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Leader (King)
Priest: The leader [king] of our land, Your servant.
Deacon:
Pray that Christ our God may grant us mercy and compassion before the mighty sovereigns, and soften their hearts towards us for that which is good at all times, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Keep him in peace, truth, and strength. Subject under him all the barbarians, the nations that desire war against all our fertile [lands]. Speak to his heart concerning She peace of Your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Grant to him that he may think peaceably towards us and towards I Your holy name that we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life, and may be found in all godliness and all chastity in You.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany for the Departed
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep, our fathers and our brethren.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ since the beginning; our holy fathers, the archbishops, our fathers the bishops, our fathers the hegumens, our fathers the priests, our brethren the deacons, our fathers the monks, and our fathers the laymen, and for the full repose of Christians. That Christ our God may repose all their souls in the paradise of joy, and we too, accord mercy unto us, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sustain them in a green pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy. The place out of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away, in the light of Your saints. Raise up their bodies also, on the Day which You have appointed, according to Your true promises, which are without lie. Grant them the good things of Your promises, that which an eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither have come upon the heart of man; the things which You, O God, have prepared for those who love Your holy name. For there is no death for Your servants, but a departure. Even if any negligence or heedlessness has overtaken them as men, since they were clothed in flesh and dwelt in this world. O God, as the Good One and Lover of Mankind, graciously accord, O Lord—Your servants, the Orthodox Christians who are in the whole world, from sunrise to sunset and from north to south. Each one according to his name and each one according to her name, O Lord repose and forgive them. For no one is pure and without blemish even though his life on earth be a single day. As for those, O Lord, whose souls You have taken, repose them, and may they be worthy of the kingdom of the heavens. As for us all, grant us our Christian perfection that would be pleasing to You, and give them and us a share and an inheritance with all Your saints.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Oblations
Priest: We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the sacrifices, the oblations and the thanksgivings of those who have offered to the honor and glory to Your holy name.
Deacon:
Pray for those who care for the sacrifices, offerings, first-fruits, oil, incense, coverings, reading books, and altar vessels, that Christ our God may reward them in the heavenly Jerusalem, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Receive them upon Your holy, rational altar of heaven as a sweet savor of incense before Your greatness in the heavens, through the service of Your holy angels and archangels. And as You have received the gifts of the righteous Abel, the sacrifice of our father Abraham, and the two mites of the widow, so also receive the thanks of Your servants, those in abundance or those in scarcity, hidden or manifest. Those who desire to offer to You but have none, and those who have offered these gifts to You this very day. Give them the incorruptible instead of the corruptible, the heavenly instead of the earthly, and the eternal instead of the temporal. Their houses and their stores, fill them with every good thing. Surround them, O Lord, by the power of Your holy angels and archangels. And as they remembered Your holy name on earth, remember them also, O Lord, in Your kingdom, and in this age too, leave them not behind.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Catechumens
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O lover of mankind, for the catechumens, of Your people have mercy upon them.
Deacon:
Pray for the catechumens of our people so that Christ our Lord may make them worthy of the Holy baptism and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Confirm their faith in You; uproot all traces of idolatry from their hearts. Your law, Your fear, Your commandments, Your truths and Your Holy precepts, establish in their hearts. Grant that they may know the steadfastness of the preaching they have received. And in the set time, may they be worthy of the washing of the new birth for the remission of their sins; as You prepare them to be a temple of Your Holy Spirit.
Deacon:
Worship God in fear and trembling.
The Second Prostration Prayer:
O Lord our God, who gave peace to people and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit in their different ages, make us also worthy to be counted among your inheritance. May you send us your Holy Spirit whom you sent upon your disciples and Apostles on this Day of Pentecost, who appeared in their mouths and on their lips as tongues of fire. Through your Apostles we accepted the knowledge of your Divinity when we heard it with our ears, each of us according to his language, And we were filled with the light of the fire of your Holy Spirit. We were saved from the perversion of darkness when we were united with the various fiery tongues, and were filled with your great goodness. When your called us to your faith, we believed and spoke of the glory of your Divinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One Godhead and One Dominion. We were enlightened through you because you are the Light of the Father, and the Character of His Essence and Nature, the Unchangeable and the Fountain of wisdom. I ask you to open my lips, I the sinner. Teach me how to supplicate to you for all our needs because you alone know the multitude of my sins. But your lovingkindness overcomes my unawareness. For behold, I stand in fear before the multitude of your mercies and cast myself beneath them. Design my life, O Designer of all creation with your unutterable power and wisdom. O Harbor of peace for those who are suffering in the storm, show us the way in which we should walk. Send the Spirit of your wisdom upon my thoughts and give my ignorance understanding from Your Holy Spirit. May your fearful Spirit overshadow my works. May you renew your upright Spirit within me.May your mighty Spirit straighten my thoughts and prevent them from perversion. May your Good Spirit direct me to the right path, That I may be worthy to do your commandments and remember at all times your coming to judge everyone according to their deeds. Do not reject me, I who am defiled by the uncleanness and the wounds of this world. But strengthen me that I may find mercy before you. You said ―Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." Upon your words, I the sinner ask of your Divinity that you may grant me what you have promised me for my salvation. Yes, O Lord, Maker of all good, who is rich and gracious, you who give us more than we ask, you are merciful and without sin, look to your people who are kneeling down bowing before you.O Compassionate, forgive their sins. Hear them from your holy heaven. Sanctify them with your might saving hand. Cover them with the shadow of your wings. Do not forsake the work of your hands. If they have sinned against you, forgive them their trespasses. Accept their supplications because their knees are bent in worship before you. Stretch out your hands towards them and support them. Accept our prayers and their prayers as an accepted incense before you. O good Lord who saved us from every evil arrow that flies by day, save us from every danger at night. Accept our evening sacrifice, which is the raising up of our hands.Grant us to pass the night. Untempted by the evil one and save us from every anxiety and every fear of Satan. Grant solemnity to our souls and grant us awareness to stand with attentive minds before your fearful Throne. Nail your fear into our flesh. Mortify our earthly senses.May we be enlightened in the solitude of the night by the knowledge of your commandments. Take away from us all vain fantasies and all the painful lusts. Awaken us at the time of prayer. Give us adherence to your faith and growth in your commandments because you are our God. We send up to you glory, honor and worship with your Good Father and the Holy Spirit the Life-giver, now and always and until the end of ages. Amen.
The Third Prostration
(Prayed in the Annual Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals (Watos)
We worship the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the holy and co-essential, Trinity.
Hail to the Church, the house of the angels, hail to the Virgin, who gave birth to our Savior.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to John the great forefunner, Hail to the priest, the kinsman of Emmanuel.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Blessed are you indeed, our father the righteous Saint, Abba Abraam the Bishop, the lover of Christ.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins.
That we may praise You, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 16 : 1-18)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 16 : 1-18)
"Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Therefore you shall sacrifice the Passover to the Lord your God, from the flock and the herd, in the place where the Lord chooses to put His name. You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day, In which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning. You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which the Lord your God gives you; But at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt. And you shall roast and eat it in the place which the Lord your God chooses, and in the morning you shall turn and go to your tents. Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly to the Lord your God. You shall do no work on it. "You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God, With the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the Lord your God blesses you. You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, At the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. "You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, You and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(I Cor. 14:18-40)
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues,and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, Will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, Each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, As in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Holy Spirit (Pi-epnevma)
The Spirit of Comfort, came down upon the Apostles on the feast of Pentecost, and they spoke in many tongues.
It came to pass when, the days of Pentecost were completed, that all twelve Apostles, were gathered together.
Paralex:
The Spirit of Comfort, came down from heaven, resting upon each one, and they spoke in many tongues.
A great fear occurred, a voice from heaven, filled the place where, Christ’s Disciples were gathered.
They appeared to them, like tongues of fire, and separated upon each one, of the honorable Disciples.
The Holy Spirit, filled the twelve Disciples, and they spoke in many tongues, by the command of the Holy Spirit.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Annual Tune)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. John the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint John. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 65:2, 71:9)
Priest or Reader: Let all the earth worship You, and sing to You; let them sing to Your name.
And all kings shall worship Him; all the Gentiles shall serve Him. Alleluia
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 4: 1-24)
Priest or Reader: Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
All: Glory be to God forever.
Watos Exposition
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Leader (King)
Priest: The leader [king] of our land, Your servant.
Deacon:
Pray that Christ our God may grant us mercy and compassion before the mighty sovereigns, and soften their hearts towards us for that which is good at all times, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Keep him in peace, truth, and strength. Subject under him all the barbarians, the nations that desire war against all our fertile [lands]. Speak to his heart concerning She peace of Your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Grant to him that he may think peaceably towards us and towards I Your holy name that we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life, and may be found in all godliness and all chastity in You.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany for the Departed
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep, our fathers and our brethren.
Deacon:
Pray for our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep and reposed in the faith of Christ since the beginning; our holy fathers, the archbishops, our fathers the bishops, our fathers the hegumens, our fathers the priests, our brethren the deacons, our fathers the monks, and our fathers the laymen, and for the full repose of Christians. That Christ our God may repose all their souls in the paradise of joy, and we too, accord mercy unto us, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Graciously, O Lord, repose all their souls in the bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sustain them in a green pasture, by the water of rest in the paradise of joy. The place out of which grief, sorrow and groaning have fled away, in the light of Your saints. Raise up their bodies also, on the Day which You have appointed, according to Your true promises, which are without lie. Grant them the good things of Your promises, that which an eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither have come upon the heart of man; the things which You, O God, have prepared for those who love Your holy name. For there is no death for Your servants, but a departure. Even if any negligence or heedlessness has overtaken them as men, since they were clothed in flesh and dwelt in this world. O God, as the Good One and Lover of Mankind, graciously accord, O Lord—Your servants, the Orthodox Christians who are in the whole world, from sunrise to sunset and from north to south. Each one according to his name and each one according to her name, O Lord repose and forgive them. For no one is pure and without blemish even though his life on earth be a single day. As for those, O Lord, whose souls You have taken, repose them, and may they be worthy of the kingdom of the heavens. As for us all, grant us our Christian perfection that would be pleasing to You, and give them and us a share and an inheritance with all Your saints.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Oblations
Priest: We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the sacrifices, the oblations and the thanksgivings of those who have offered to the honor and glory to Your holy name.
Deacon:
Pray for those who care for the sacrifices, offerings, first-fruits, oil, incense, coverings, reading books, and altar vessels, that Christ our God may reward them in the heavenly Jerusalem, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Receive them upon Your holy, rational altar of heaven as a sweet savor of incense before Your greatness in the heavens, through the service of Your holy angels and archangels. And as You have received the gifts of the righteous Abel, the sacrifice of our father Abraham, and the two mites of the widow, so also receive the thanks of Your servants, those in abundance or those in scarcity, hidden or manifest. Those who desire to offer to You but have none, and those who have offered these gifts to You this very day. Give them the incorruptible instead of the corruptible, the heavenly instead of the earthly, and the eternal instead of the temporal. Their houses and their stores, fill them with every good thing. Surround them, O Lord, by the power of Your holy angels and archangels. And as they remembered Your holy name on earth, remember them also, O Lord, in Your kingdom, and in this age too, leave them not behind.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Catechumens
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O lover of mankind, for the catechumens, of Your people have mercy upon them.
Deacon:
Pray for the catechumens of our people so that Christ our Lord may make them worthy of the Holy baptism and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Confirm their faith in You; uproot all traces of idolatry from their hearts. Your law, Your fear, Your commandments, Your truths and Your Holy precepts, establish in their hearts. Grant that they may know the steadfastness of the preaching they have received. And in the set time, may they be worthy of the washing of the new birth for the remission of their sins; as You prepare them to be a temple of Your Holy Spirit.
Deacon:
Worship God in fear and trembling.
The Second Prostration Prayer:
O Lord our God, who gave peace to people and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit in their different ages, make us also worthy to be counted among your inheritance. May you send us your Holy Spirit whom you sent upon your disciples and Apostles on this Day of Pentecost, who appeared in their mouths and on their lips as tongues of fire. Through your Apostles we accepted the knowledge of your Divinity when we heard it with our ears, each of us according to his language, And we were filled with the light of the fire of your Holy Spirit. We were saved from the perversion of darkness when we were united with the various fiery tongues, and were filled with your great goodness. When your called us to your faith, we believed and spoke of the glory of your Divinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One Godhead and One Dominion. We were enlightened through you because you are the Light of the Father, and the Character of His Essence and Nature, the Unchangeable and the Fountain of wisdom. I ask you to open my lips, I the sinner. Teach me how to supplicate to you for all our needs because you alone know the multitude of my sins. But your lovingkindness overcomes my unawareness. For behold, I stand in fear before the multitude of your mercies and cast myself beneath them. Design my life, O Designer of all creation with your unutterable power and wisdom. O Harbor of peace for those who are suffering in the storm, show us the way in which we should walk. Send the Spirit of your wisdom upon my thoughts and give my ignorance understanding from Your Holy Spirit. May your fearful Spirit overshadow my works. May you renew your upright Spirit within me.May your mighty Spirit straighten my thoughts and prevent them from perversion. May your Good Spirit direct me to the right path, That I may be worthy to do your commandments and remember at all times your coming to judge everyone according to their deeds. Do not reject me, I who am defiled by the uncleanness and the wounds of this world. But strengthen me that I may find mercy before you. You said ―Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." Upon your words, I the sinner ask of your Divinity that you may grant me what you have promised me for my salvation. Yes, O Lord, Maker of all good, who is rich and gracious, you who give us more than we ask, you are merciful and without sin, look to your people who are kneeling down bowing before you.O Compassionate, forgive their sins. Hear them from your holy heaven. Sanctify them with your might saving hand. Cover them with the shadow of your wings. Do not forsake the work of your hands. If they have sinned against you, forgive them their trespasses. Accept their supplications because their knees are bent in worship before you. Stretch out your hands towards them and support them. Accept our prayers and their prayers as an accepted incense before you. O good Lord who saved us from every evil arrow that flies by day, save us from every danger at night. Accept our evening sacrifice, which is the raising up of our hands.Grant us to pass the night. Untempted by the evil one and save us from every anxiety and every fear of Satan. Grant solemnity to our souls and grant us awareness to stand with attentive minds before your fearful Throne. Nail your fear into our flesh. Mortify our earthly senses.May we be enlightened in the solitude of the night by the knowledge of your commandments. Take away from us all vain fantasies and all the painful lusts. Awaken us at the time of prayer. Give us adherence to your faith and growth in your commandments because you are our God. We send up to you glory, honor and worship with your Good Father and the Holy Spirit the Life-giver, now and always and until the end of ages. Amen.
The Third Prostration
(Prayed in the Annual Tune)
Priest:
Have mercy on us, O God, the Father, the Pantocrator. All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, God of the powers be with us, for there is no helper in our tribulations and afflictions but You.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All:
Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
People:
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Priest:
Pray
Deacon:
Stand up for prayer.
Priest (The priest bows his head toward his fellow priests, and, while turning toward the West, he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand and says):
Peace be with you all.
People:
And with your spirit.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Beneficent and Merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. For He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Himself, spared us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.
Deacon:
Let us Pray
People:
Lord have mercy.
Priest:
O Master, Lord; God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior 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 have brought us to this hour.
Deacon:
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, help us and accept the supplications and Prayers of His saints for that which is good on our behalf at all times and forgive us our sins.
(The following is also added in the presence of the Pope, a metropolitan or a bishop):
and to keep the life and standing of our honored father, the high priest, Pope Abba (...), and his partner in the liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
(Or this longer response):
Pray that God may have mercy and compassion on us, hear us, and sustain us, disperse all temptations for us, and preserve our faith.
Through the supplications and prayers of our father, the triple-blessed, the honorable father of fathers, shepherd of shepherds, the highest of high priests, the true pastor after the priesthood of Melchizedek and Aaron, the successor of the Apostle Mark, the Pope and Patriarch of the great city of Alexandria and its different countries, the beloved of Christ, the Holy Patriarch Papa Abba (...)
And his partner in the Liturgy our Holy Father the Bishop Abba (...).
May Jesus Christ, the true Lamb and the Good Shepherd, confirm him (them) on his (their) throne for many years and peaceful times.
And subdue all of his (their) enemies under his (their) feet speedily. And grant him (them) a pleasant and peaceful time.
May the Lord accept the prayers and supplications of His Saints, for that which is good, on our behalf, at all times. And make us worthy to partake of His Holy and blessed mysteries for the remission of our sins.
People:
Lord have mercy
Priest:
Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, grant us to complete this Holy night and all the days of our life, in all peace with Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the council of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us. And from all Your people, and from this church, and from this, Your holy place. But those things, which are good and profitable do provide for us, for it is You who has given us the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy. (Inaudible) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
The Verses of the Cymbals (Watos)
We worship the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the holy and co-essential, Trinity.
Hail to the Church, the house of the angels, hail to the Virgin, who gave birth to our Savior.
Hail to you, O Mary, the fair dove, who brought forth unto us God the Logos.
Hail to you, O Mary; a holy hail. Hail to you, O Mary, the Mother of the Holy.
Hail to Michael, the great archangel, Hail to Gabriel, the Announcer.
Hail to the Cherubim, Hail to the Seraphim, Hail to all the heavenly orders.
Hail to John the great forefunner, Hail to the priest, the kinsman of Emmanuel.
Hail to my masters and fathers the apostles, Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hail to you, O martyr, Hail to the evangelist, Hail to the apostle Mark the beholder of God.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: my master, Prince George.
Hail to you, O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: abba Mina of Vaiat.
Hail to you,O martyr: Hail to the courageous hero: Hail to the fighter: Philopateer Mercurius.
Hail to our father Abba Shenute the Archimandrite and Abba Besa his disciple and their children the monks.
Blessed are you indeed, our father the righteous Saint, Abba Abraam the Bishop, the lover of Christ.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins.
That we may praise You, with Your Good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight--That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God shall not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, offering, and burnt sacrifices: then they shall offer calves upon Your altar. ALLELUIA.
People:
Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
The Prophecy (Deut. 16 : 1-18)
Reader: A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy to Moses the Prophet, may his blessings be with us all. Amen.
(Deut. 16 : 1-18)
"Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Therefore you shall sacrifice the Passover to the Lord your God, from the flock and the herd, in the place where the Lord chooses to put His name. You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day, In which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning. You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which the Lord your God gives you; But at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt. And you shall roast and eat it in the place which the Lord your God chooses, and in the morning you shall turn and go to your tents. Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly to the Lord your God. You shall do no work on it. "You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God, With the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the Lord your God blesses you. You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, At the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. "You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, You and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Reader: Glory be to the Holy Trinity, our God forever and ever. Amen.
People:
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, for You have risen and saved us. Have mercy on us.
The Pauline
Reader: Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God. A chapter from the Epistle of our teacher St. Paul to the Corinthians. May his blessing be upon us. Amen.
(I Cor. 14:18-40)
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues,and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, Will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, Each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, As in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
Reader: The Grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.
The Hymn of the Holy Spirit (Pi-epnevma)
The Spirit of Comfort, came down upon the Apostles on the feast of Pentecost, and they spoke in many tongues.
It came to pass when, the days of Pentecost were completed, that all twelve Apostles, were gathered together.
Paralex:
The Spirit of Comfort, came down from heaven, resting upon each one, and they spoke in many tongues.
A great fear occurred, a voice from heaven, filled the place where, Christ’s Disciples were gathered.
They appeared to them, like tongues of fire, and separated upon each one, of the honorable Disciples.
The Holy Spirit, filled the twelve Disciples, and they spoke in many tongues, by the command of the Holy Spirit.
The Hymn of the Trisagion (Chanted in the Annual Tune)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 unto the ages of the ages.Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
The Litany of the Gospel
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest:
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who said to His saintly disciples, and honored apostles,
―Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. May we be worthy to hear and act according to Your Holy Gospel through the prayers of Your saints.
Deacon: Pray for the Holy Gospel.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Remember also, O our Master, all those who have asked us to remember them in our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God. Those who already fallen asleep, repose them. Those who are sick, heal them. For You are the Life of us all, the Salvation of us all, the Hope of us all, the Healing of us all, and the Resurrection of us all. (Inaudible) and to You we send up the glory, the honor, and the worship, with Your good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.
People: Alleluia.
Deacon: Stand with the fear of God. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord of power. Bless, O Lord, the reading of the Holy, Gospel according to St. John the evangelist.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
The Gospel
Priest, or Reader: Stand up in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel. A chapter reading from the Gospel according to Saint John. May his blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet and the King. May his blessings be with us all. Amen
Psalm
(Psalms 65:2, 71:9)
Priest or Reader: Let all the earth worship You, and sing to You; let them sing to Your name.
And all kings shall worship Him; all the Gentiles shall serve Him. Alleluia
Priest or Reader: Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord, God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to whom is the Glory Forever. And Ever. Amen.
(John 4: 1-24)
Priest or Reader: Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
All: Glory be to God forever.
Watos Exposition
Deacon (or Reader): God the Father is Spirit and those who worship Him ought to worship in spirit and truth. Moses declared to us the mystery of the One Godhead of the Holy Trinity, the Three Persons. He said: ―Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. There is no other God but Him. You shall not go after other gods. ―And those who were listening to those words could not bear to hear the mystery of the Divinity. For the sake of the Only begotten Son who is in the bosom of His Father, and who was Incarnate and taught us the depth of His Divinity, the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father descended on the pure Apostles and appeared in the form of tongues of fire. Therefore, we supplicate and cry out, saying: ―O Holy Spirit the Paraclete, who descended on the Apostles, kindle fire in our minds and hearts with your might power and guide our souls to the knowledge of Your statutes that we may utter words of prayer befitting our God. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the consubstantial Holy Trinity, One God, now and always and until the end of ages. Amen.
The Gospel Response
The soul of the Samaritan woman, who found the Living water, blesses you because in you is the fountain of the Living water. Let us worship our Savior, the Good One and Lover of Mankind, for He had compassion on us and has come and saved us. Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the perfect Trinity. We worship Him and glorify Him.
The Litanies
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Peace
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Orthodox Church.
Deacon:
Pray for the peace of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Orthodox Church of God.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: that which exists from one end of the world to the other. All peoples and all flocks, bless. The heavenly peace, send down into all our hearts; even the peace of this life, graciously grant to us. The leader [king], the armies, the chiefs, the counselors, the multitudes, our neighbors, our coming in and our going out, adorn them with all peace. O King of Peace, grant us Your peace; for You have given us all things. Acquire us to Yourself, O God our Savior, for we know none other but You. Your Holy name we utter. May our souls live by Your Holy Spirit, and let not the death of sin have dominion over us, we Your servants, nor over all Your people.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Fathers
Priest: Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, Remember, O Lord, our honored patriarch and father, the high priest, Abba (...), and his spiritual brethren: the Patriarch of Antioch Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Etritrea Abouna (...) [If a bishop or metropolitan is present, he adds] and his partner in the apostolic liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
Deacon: Pray for our high Priest, Papa Abba (...), Pope and Patriarch and archbishop of the great city of Alexandria; And his partners in the liturgy, the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Eritrea, Abouna (...), [If a bishop or metropolitan is present, he adds] and his partner in the apostolic liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...),
and for all our Orthodox bishops.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: In keeping keep them for us for many years and peaceful times. fulfilling that holy high priesthood with which You have entrusted him from Yourself, according to Your holy and blessed will, rightly dividing the word of truth, shepherding Your people in purity and righteousness, and all the orthodox bishops, hegumens, priests, and deacons, and all the fullness of Your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Grant them and us peace and safety in every place. Their prayers which they offer on our behalf, and on behalf of all Your people, as well as ours on their behalf, receive upon Your holy, rational Altar of heaven, as a sweet savor of incense. All their enemies, visible and invisible, trample and humiliate under their feet speedily. As for them, keep them in peace and righteousness in Your holy Church.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany for Those who Asked Us
Priest:
Remember, O Lord, all those who have bidden us to remember them.
Deacon:
Pray for those who have bidden us to remember them in our supplications and prayers, each one according to his name, that Christ our God may remember them in goodness at all times, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
In our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God, at this time of this Holy Liturgy, those whom we remember at all times, those in the memory of each one of us. And their memorial which has now taken place, may it be for them like a steadfast fortress, overcoming every harm of the demons and the counsel of wicked men.
The Litany of the Assemblies
Priest: Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember,O Lord, our assemblies. Bless them.
Deacon:
Pray for this holy church and for our assemblies.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Grant that they may be to us without obstacle or hindrance, that we may hold them according to Your Holy and blessed will: houses of prayer, houses of purity, houses of blessing. Grant them to us, O Lord, and Your servants who shall come after us, forever. The worship of idols, utterly uproot from the world. Satan and all his evil powers, trample and humiliate, under our feet speedily. All offenses and their instigators, abolish. May all dissensions of corrupt heresies cease. The enemies of Your Holy Church, O Lord, as at all times, now also humiliate. Strip their vanity, show them their weakness speedily. Bring to naught their envy, their intrigues, their madness, their wickedness, and their slander, which they commit against us. O Lord, bring them all to no avail. Disperse their counsel, O God, who dispersed the counsel of Ahithophel.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Arise, O Lord God, let all Your enemies be scattered, and let all who hate Your holy name flee before Your face. But let Your people be in blessing,thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand doing Your Will.
[The priest turns to the East and censes three times, saying inaudibly: through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.]
Graciously O Lord
All: Graciously accord, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers, and exceedingly blessed, and glorified be Your name forever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according to our hope in You; for the eyes of everyone wait upon You, for You give them their food in due season. Hear us, O God, our Savior, the hope of all the regions of the earth. And You, O Lord, keep us safe from this generation and forever. Amen.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Lord; make me to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Lord; enlighten me with Your righteousness. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Despise not, O Lord, the works of Your hands. You have been my refuge from generation to generation.
I said, O Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul; for I have sinned against You. Lord, I have fled unto You, save me, and teach me to do Your will, for You are my God, and with You is the fountain of life. In Your light shall we see light.
Let Your mercy come unto those who know You, and Your righteousness unto the upright in 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 forever and ever. Amen.
It is good to confess unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High; to show forth Your mercy every morning, and Your righteousness every night.
The Trisagion
All: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, forgive us our sins. O Lord, forgive us our iniquities. O Lord, forgive us our trespasses.
O Lord, visit the sick of Your people, heal them for the sake of Your holy name. Our fathers and brothers who have slept, O Lord, repose their souls.
O You Who are without sin, Lord have mercy on us. O You Who are without sin, Lord help us and receive our supplications. For Yours is the glory, the dominion, and triple holiness. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. Amen.
Priest: Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Doxologies
Introduction to the Doxologies
In Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen Alleluia.
Hail to you we ask you, O saint full of glory, the ever-Virgin, Mother of God Mother of Christ.
+ Lift our prayers, to your beloved Son, that He may forgive us our sins.
Hail to her who gave birth, to the true Light, Christ our God, the saintly Virgin.
+ Ask the Lord on our behalf, to have mercy upon our souls, and that He may forgive us our sins.
O Virgin Mary, the holy Mother of God, the trusted advocate, of the human race.
+ Intercede on our behalf, before Christ to whom you gave birth, that He may grant us, the forgiveness of our sins.
Hail to you O Virgin, the very and true queen, hail to the pride of our race, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
+ We ask you to remember us, O our trusted advocate, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.
Other Doxologies are prayed including the Doxology of the Patriarch.
Conclusion of Doxologies
Be a watch over us, from the highest where you are, O Lady of us all the Mother of God, the Ever-virgin.
+ Ask of Him whom you have born, our good Savior, to take away our troubles, and grant us His peace.
Hail to you O Virgin, the very and true gueen, hail to the pride of our race, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
+ We ask you to remember us, O our trusted advocate, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.
Priest: Pray.
Deacon: Stand up for prayer.
Priest: Peace be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Litany of the Peace
Priest:
Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Orthodox Church.
Deacon:
Pray for the peace of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Orthodox Church of God.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: that which exists from one end of the world to the other. All peoples and all flocks, bless. The heavenly peace, send down into all our hearts; even the peace of this life, graciously grant to us. The leader [king], the armies, the chiefs, the counselors, the multitudes, our neighbors, our coming in and our going out, adorn them with all peace. O King of Peace, grant us Your peace; for You have given us all things. Acquire us to Yourself, O God our Savior, for we know none other but You. Your Holy name we utter. May our souls live by Your Holy Spirit, and let not the death of sin have dominion over us, we Your servants, nor over all Your people.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany of the Fathers
Priest: Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, Remember, O Lord, our honored patriarch and father, the high priest, Abba (...), and his spiritual brethren: the Patriarch of Antioch Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Etritrea Abouna (...) [If a bishop or metropolitan is present, he adds] and his partner in the apostolic liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...)
Deacon: Pray for our high Priest, Papa Abba (...), Pope and Patriarch and archbishop of the great city of Alexandria; And his partners in the liturgy, the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius (...), and the Patriarch of Eritrea, Abouna (...), [If a bishop or metropolitan is present, he adds] and his partner in the apostolic liturgy, our father the bishop (metropolitan), Abba (...),
and for all our Orthodox bishops.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest: In keeping keep them for us for many years and peaceful times. fulfilling that holy high priesthood with which You have entrusted him from Yourself, according to Your holy and blessed will, rightly dividing the word of truth, shepherding Your people in purity and righteousness, and all the orthodox bishops, hegumens, priests, and deacons, and all the fullness of Your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Grant them and us peace and safety in every place. Their prayers which they offer on our behalf, and on behalf of all Your people, as well as ours on their behalf, receive upon Your holy, rational Altar of heaven, as a sweet savor of incense. All their enemies, visible and invisible, trample and humiliate under their feet speedily. As for them, keep them in peace and righteousness in Your holy Church.
People: Lord have mercy.
The Litany for Those who Asked Us
Priest:
Remember, O Lord, all those who have bidden us to remember them.
Deacon:
Pray for those who have bidden us to remember them in our supplications and prayers, each one according to his name, that Christ our God may remember them in goodness at all times, and forgive us our sins.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
In our prayers and supplications which we offer up unto You, O Lord our God, at this time of this Holy Liturgy, those whom we remember at all times, those in the memory of each one of us. And their memorial which has now taken place, may it be for them like a steadfast fortress, overcoming every harm of the demons and the counsel of wicked men.
The Litany of the Assemblies
Priest: Again, let us ask God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, remember,O Lord, our assemblies. Bless them.
Deacon:
Pray for this holy church and for our assemblies.
People: Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Grant that they may be to us without obstacle or hindrance, that we may hold them according to Your Holy and blessed will: houses of prayer, houses of purity, houses of blessing. Grant them to us, O Lord, and Your servants who shall come after us, forever. The worship of idols, utterly uproot from the world. Satan and all his evil powers, trample and humiliate, under our feet speedily. All offenses and their instigators, abolish. May all dissensions of corrupt heresies cease. The enemies of Your Holy Church, O Lord, as at all times, now also humiliate. Strip their vanity, show them their weakness speedily. Bring to naught their envy, their intrigues, their madness, their wickedness, and their slander, which they commit against us. O Lord, bring them all to no avail. Disperse their counsel, O God, who dispersed the counsel of Ahithophel.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Priest:
Arise, O Lord God, let all Your enemies be scattered, and let all who hate Your holy name flee before Your face. But let Your people be in blessing,thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand doing Your Will.
[The priest turns to the East and censes three times, saying inaudibly: through the grace, compassion, and love of mankind of Your only begotton Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence wit You, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen.]
Graciously O Lord
All: Graciously accord, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers, and exceedingly blessed, and glorified be Your name forever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according to our hope in You; for the eyes of everyone wait upon You, for You give them their food in due season. Hear us, O God, our Savior, the hope of all the regions of the earth. And You, O Lord, keep us safe from this generation and forever. Amen.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Lord; make me to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Lord; enlighten me with Your righteousness. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Despise not, O Lord, the works of Your hands. You have been my refuge from generation to generation.
I said, O Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul; for I have sinned against You. Lord, I have fled unto You, save me, and teach me to do Your will, for You are my God, and with You is the fountain of life. In Your light shall we see light.
Let Your mercy come unto those who know You, and Your righteousness unto the upright in 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 forever and ever. Amen.
It is good to confess unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High; to show forth Your mercy every morning, and Your righteousness every night.
The Trisagion
All: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified 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 forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, forgive us our sins. O Lord, forgive us our iniquities. O Lord, forgive us our trespasses.
O Lord, visit the sick of Your people, heal them for the sake of Your holy name. Our fathers and brothers who have slept, O Lord, repose their souls.
O You Who are without sin, Lord have mercy on us. O You Who are without sin, Lord help us and receive our supplications. For Yours is the glory, the dominion, and triple holiness. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless. Amen.
Priest: Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Doxologies
Introduction to the Doxologies
In Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen Alleluia.
Hail to you we ask you, O saint full of glory, the ever-Virgin, Mother of God Mother of Christ.
+ Lift our prayers, to your beloved Son, that He may forgive us our sins.
Hail to her who gave birth, to the true Light, Christ our God, the saintly Virgin.
+ Ask the Lord on our behalf, to have mercy upon our souls, and that He may forgive us our sins.
O Virgin Mary, the holy Mother of God, the trusted advocate, of the human race.
+ Intercede on our behalf, before Christ to whom you gave birth, that He may grant us, the forgiveness of our sins.
Hail to you O Virgin, the very and true queen, hail to the pride of our race, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
+ We ask you to remember us, O our trusted advocate, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.
Other Doxologies are prayed including the Doxology of the Patriarch.
Conclusion of Doxologies
Be a watch over us, from the highest where you are, O Lady of us all the Mother of God, the Ever-virgin.
+ Ask of Him whom you have born, our good Savior, to take away our troubles, and grant us His peace.
Hail to you O Virgin, the very and true gueen, hail to the pride of our race, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
+ We ask you to remember us, O our trusted advocate, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins.
Introduction to the Creed
We exalt you, the Mother of the true Light. We glorify you, O Saint, the Theotokos, for you brought forth unto us the Savior 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 firmness 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. Amen.
The Orthodox Creed
We believe in one God, God the Father, the Almighty, Who created heaven and earth, and all things, seen and unseen.
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 created, of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us, men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnated of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into the heavens; and sat at the right hand of His Father, and also He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom has no end.
Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who, with the Father and the Son, is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke in the prophets. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the coming age. Amen.
The priest takes from the deacon the cross, upon which are three candles, and signs the congregation saying:
O God, have mercy upon us, settle mercy upon us, have compassion upon us-
People: Amen.
Priest: hear us-
People: Amen
Priest: Bless us, keep us, and help us-
People: Amen.
Priest: Take away Your anger from us, visit us with Your salvation, and forgive us our sins.
Kyrie Eleyson is chanted three times in the great tune
People:
Amen. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Deacon:
Worship God in fear and trembling.
[Congregation bows]
The Third Prostration Prayer:
O Lord, the ever overflowing Fountain, the Giver of light, the Bestower of life, the creative Power of the Father, You completed the design through your goodness for the sake of man‘s salvation. O Christ our God, You untied the bondages of death,crushed the bolts of Hades and trod upon all the evil spirits. You ascended Yourself by your own will as a faultless Lamb to the cross and handed Yourself over to save us from sin. You granted us eternal life by Your Divine wisdom and Your power. You captured Satan and his evil spirits, bound him in Your net and tied him with the bondages of the outer darkness by Your unshakable power. O true Son of God, who hears those who suffer temptations, You gave light to those who were sitting in the darkness and the shadow of death. O Lord, to whom the infinite glory is ascribed, Hear us when we call upon you and repose the souls of your servants who have slept. Our relatives, fathers and brothers and all those who died in the Orthodox faith, those whom we recall and those whom we do not recall. To you belongs the dominion. Every thing is under the power of Your mighty hand. O Lord God, have compassion, According to the multitude of Your mercies, on Your servants the living and the dead. O Creator of all, You created human beings from nothing andYou also dissolve and transform them to the place You have prepared for them. You give existence to man and he lives and You bring death upon him with Your dominion. You overcame the sting of death that it may not have power over the believers nor on those who look forward to the resurrection of the dead. On this great Day of Pentecost, on which you poured out Your Spirit upon us as tongues of fire,You taught us the fullness of the mystery of the Holy Trinity who are equal, unseparable and unchangeable. You gave to Your Apostles divided tongues of fire and You made them preachers of the faith and of Your Divine words which You taught them. We supplicate to You to accept our prayers on this sacred Day. Grant perfection to us and repose to those who commended their souls into Your hands. Hear us, Your humble servants. We ask You to repose the souls of the Orthodox Christians who departed this world. Give them rest in the peaceful place which is void of affliction, groaning and pain.May their souls abide in the shadow of light. Make them worthy of peaceful rest and of forgiveness of sins praise You and thank You and offer You these prayers and these sacrifices for the sake of our souls. O Great and Eternal, the Holy and the Lover of mankind, who made us worthy to stand at this hour before Your unapproachable glory to praise You and bless Your miraculous signs, Forgive us, we the unworthy servants. Give grace to those who offer to You without seeing you and to those who praise you in their hearts with the hymn of the Trisagion giving You thanks for the great blessing You have performed with us and which You perform at all times. Be mindful, O Lord, of us who are weak and do not perish us for our iniquities but grant us your great mercies.Take away from us the darkness of sin so that we may walk in the day and be clothed with the weapons of light to complete our days without stumbling and do every deed according to the pleasure of the true Blessed, the Lover of mankind, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and until the end of ages. Amen.
This continuation of the prayer is found in another manuscript (Oswald H. E. Burmester: The office of Genuflection, Le Muséon 47, 1934):
Priest: Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: Before You, O Lord.
Deacon: Let us attend in the fear of God.
Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest Prays the Absolution to the Son: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son and Logos of God the Father, who has broken every bond of our sin through His saving, life-giving sufferings; who breathed into the face of His saintly disciples and holy apostles, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now also, O our Master, You have given grace through Your holy apostles to those who for a time labor in the priesthood in Your holy Church to forgive sin upon the earth and to bind and to loose every bond of inquity. Now also we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, for Your servants
[Priest makes the sign of the cross two times on the people saying:]
my fathers and my brethren
[and on himself saying:]
and my weakness,
those who bow their heads before Your holy glory. Dispense to us Your mercy and loose every bond of our sins, and if we have committed any sin against You knowingly or unknowingly, or through anguish of heart, whether in deed or in word or from faint-heartedness, O Master who knows the weakness of men as the Good One and Lover of Mankind, O God, grant us the forgiveness of our sins,
[He makes the sing of the cross on himself again]
bless us,
[on the clergy]
purify us, absolve us,
[and on the congregation]
And all Your people.
[He also remembers those whom he wishes to remember then continues saying:]
Fill us with Your fear and straighten us for Your holy good will, For You are our God, and the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Your Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
[After this the priest places the cross upon the Gospel and kisses both. Then the men, followed by the women, approach to receive their blessing in like manner, during which they all chant the appropriate closing hymn.]
People: Amen, Kyrie Eleyson (x3)
Concluding Hymn
Amen. Alleluia.
The Spirit, the Paraclete that came down from the heaven appeared on the apostles on Pantecost. Filled them of all knowledge and wisdom through His power.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Now and forever, and unto the age of all ages. Amen
We cry out saying O Our Lord Jesus Christ who ascended into the heaven and sat at the right hand of His Father. And sent us the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth.
Save us and have mercy on us: Lord have mercy: Lord have mercy: Lord bless: Amen: Bless me: Bless me: Behold, the repentance: Forgive me: Say the blessing.
Priest: O Christ our God
People: Amen. So be it.
Priest: O King of Peace, give us Your peace, establish for us Your peace, and forgive us our sins. For Yours is the power, the glory, the blessing, and the might, forever. Amen.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Priest:
And now may the love of God the Father; the grace of the only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ; and the communion and gift of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Go in peace. The peace of the Lord be with you all.
People: And with Your spirit.
[Thus concludes the service of Prostration]
Worship God in fear and trembling.
[Congregation bows]
The Third Prostration Prayer:
O Lord, the ever overflowing Fountain, the Giver of light, the Bestower of life, the creative Power of the Father, You completed the design through your goodness for the sake of man‘s salvation. O Christ our God, You untied the bondages of death,crushed the bolts of Hades and trod upon all the evil spirits. You ascended Yourself by your own will as a faultless Lamb to the cross and handed Yourself over to save us from sin. You granted us eternal life by Your Divine wisdom and Your power. You captured Satan and his evil spirits, bound him in Your net and tied him with the bondages of the outer darkness by Your unshakable power. O true Son of God, who hears those who suffer temptations, You gave light to those who were sitting in the darkness and the shadow of death. O Lord, to whom the infinite glory is ascribed, Hear us when we call upon you and repose the souls of your servants who have slept. Our relatives, fathers and brothers and all those who died in the Orthodox faith, those whom we recall and those whom we do not recall. To you belongs the dominion. Every thing is under the power of Your mighty hand. O Lord God, have compassion, According to the multitude of Your mercies, on Your servants the living and the dead. O Creator of all, You created human beings from nothing andYou also dissolve and transform them to the place You have prepared for them. You give existence to man and he lives and You bring death upon him with Your dominion. You overcame the sting of death that it may not have power over the believers nor on those who look forward to the resurrection of the dead. On this great Day of Pentecost, on which you poured out Your Spirit upon us as tongues of fire,You taught us the fullness of the mystery of the Holy Trinity who are equal, unseparable and unchangeable. You gave to Your Apostles divided tongues of fire and You made them preachers of the faith and of Your Divine words which You taught them. We supplicate to You to accept our prayers on this sacred Day. Grant perfection to us and repose to those who commended their souls into Your hands. Hear us, Your humble servants. We ask You to repose the souls of the Orthodox Christians who departed this world. Give them rest in the peaceful place which is void of affliction, groaning and pain.May their souls abide in the shadow of light. Make them worthy of peaceful rest and of forgiveness of sins praise You and thank You and offer You these prayers and these sacrifices for the sake of our souls. O Great and Eternal, the Holy and the Lover of mankind, who made us worthy to stand at this hour before Your unapproachable glory to praise You and bless Your miraculous signs, Forgive us, we the unworthy servants. Give grace to those who offer to You without seeing you and to those who praise you in their hearts with the hymn of the Trisagion giving You thanks for the great blessing You have performed with us and which You perform at all times. Be mindful, O Lord, of us who are weak and do not perish us for our iniquities but grant us your great mercies.Take away from us the darkness of sin so that we may walk in the day and be clothed with the weapons of light to complete our days without stumbling and do every deed according to the pleasure of the true Blessed, the Lover of mankind, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and until the end of ages. Amen.
This continuation of the prayer is found in another manuscript (Oswald H. E. Burmester: The office of Genuflection, Le Muséon 47, 1934):
Thou Master, in truth, art the Great Mystery, and the Creator of all, the Solver of Thy transient created things, and Who afterwards gatherest them together, Who art their rest unto the ages. Thee we serve and confess Thy grace in all things, in our entry into this world and in our exit from it; Who hast proclaimed unto us the hope of the Resurrection and life incorruptible which through Thine infallible assurance shall be ours at Thy Second Coming.
For Thou art the Firstfruit of our resurrection, and the True and Compassionate Judge Who doth not receive gifts, the Master, the Lord and the Giver of recompense, Who didst have fellowship with us in taking a body and blood, and through extreme condescension didst willingly endure the temptation of our sufferings, (for Thou art) compassionate and of innumerable mercies, and Thou didst endure temptation in Thy sufferings, and became for us who are in temptations a ready Helper, (and) on account of all this (Thou hast led us) to Thine own Passionlessness.
Receive, Master, our supplication and our prayer, and give rest to all the souls of those who have gone to rest with the hope of the Resurrection and Life eternal, (our) fathers, and mothers, and brothers, and sisters, and to all who are of Thy people; set their souls and their names in the Book of Life, in the Bosom of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the region of the living, in the Kingdom of the heavens, in the Paradise of joy; bring them all to Thine holy dwelling through Thy shining Angels, and raise up our flesh on the day which Thou hast appointed according to Thine holy and faithful promise.
There is no death, O Lord, unto us Thy servants when we go forth from the body and come to Thee (our) God, but a passing from pain to gladness and goodness and rest and rejoicing. And though we have sinned against Thee, forgive us and be gracious unto us and unto them, for none is free from blemish before Thee, even though his life be but for one day upon earth, except Thee alone, O our Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst manifest Thyself sinless upon earth (and) by Whom we all hope to find mercy and forgiveness of sins. Do Thou, therefore, as a Good and Compassionate God forgive us and them also and remit and pardon our transgressions, the mortal and forgivable, the known and unknown, the manifest and hidden, those in deed and in word and in thought, and those (committed) in all our conversations and our emotions.
And to those who have gone before to rest, give freedom and repose; bless us who now remain and grant to us and to all Thy people a good and peaceful end; open the gates of Thy mercy and clemency at Thine awful Second Coming, and make us worthy for Thy Kingdom. For Thou art the rest of our souls and bodies, and we offer unto Thee praise with the Father (Who is) without beginning and Who is timeless with the Holy Spirit the Co-Essential, the Good One (and) the Possessor of power (and) the Giver of Life, now and at all times and unto the age of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Priest: Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
People: Before You, O Lord.
Deacon: Let us attend in the fear of God.
Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest Prays the Absolution to the Son: O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son and Logos of God the Father, who has broken every bond of our sin through His saving, life-giving sufferings; who breathed into the face of His saintly disciples and holy apostles, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now also, O our Master, You have given grace through Your holy apostles to those who for a time labor in the priesthood in Your holy Church to forgive sin upon the earth and to bind and to loose every bond of inquity. Now also we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind, for Your servants
[Priest makes the sign of the cross two times on the people saying:]
my fathers and my brethren
[and on himself saying:]
and my weakness,
those who bow their heads before Your holy glory. Dispense to us Your mercy and loose every bond of our sins, and if we have committed any sin against You knowingly or unknowingly, or through anguish of heart, whether in deed or in word or from faint-heartedness, O Master who knows the weakness of men as the Good One and Lover of Mankind, O God, grant us the forgiveness of our sins,
[He makes the sing of the cross on himself again]
bless us,
[on the clergy]
purify us, absolve us,
[and on the congregation]
And all Your people.
[He also remembers those whom he wishes to remember then continues saying:]
Fill us with Your fear and straighten us for Your holy good will, For You are our God, and the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the worship are due unto You, with Your Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages. Amen.
[After this the priest places the cross upon the Gospel and kisses both. Then the men, followed by the women, approach to receive their blessing in like manner, during which they all chant the appropriate closing hymn.]
People: Amen, Kyrie Eleyson (x3)
Concluding Hymn
Amen. Alleluia.
The Spirit, the Paraclete that came down from the heaven appeared on the apostles on Pantecost. Filled them of all knowledge and wisdom through His power.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Now and forever, and unto the age of all ages. Amen
We cry out saying O Our Lord Jesus Christ who ascended into the heaven and sat at the right hand of His Father. And sent us the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth.
Save us and have mercy on us: Lord have mercy: Lord have mercy: Lord bless: Amen: Bless me: Bless me: Behold, the repentance: Forgive me: Say the blessing.
Priest: O Christ our God
People: Amen. So be it.
Priest: O King of Peace, give us Your peace, establish for us Your peace, and forgive us our sins. For Yours is the power, the glory, the blessing, and the might, forever. Amen.
Make us worthy to pray thankfully:
All: Our Father Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, in Christ Jesus our Lord. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Priest:
And now may the love of God the Father; the grace of the only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ; and the communion and gift of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Go in peace. The peace of the Lord be with you all.
People: And with Your spirit.
[Thus concludes the service of Prostration]
