Prayers

(An abbreviated Orthros Service for Retreats & Youth Gatherings.)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always both now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen

Priest: Glory to You, Christ our God, our hope, Glory to You!
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from all impurity and save our souls, O Good One.

The Trisagion Prayers

People: Amen
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen

Prayers to the Holy Trinity

Having risen from sleep, we worship You, blessed God, and sing to You, mighty Lord, the angelic hymn: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Having awakened me from sleep, Lord, enlighten my mind and heart. Open my lips to praise You Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on me.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Suddenly the Judge will come and the deeds of all will be revealed. Therefore, early in the morning let us cry out in awe: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on us.

The Great Litany

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace of the whole world, the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Archbishop _______, our Bishop _______, the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our country, the president, and all those in public service, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Youth Program, all those who participate and help and for their families, that the Holy Spirit may protect and strengthen their faith, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For travelers by sea, land and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.

Priest: (In a low voice)
We give You thanks, Lord our God, for raising us from our bed and for putting words of praise into our mouths, that we may worship and invoke Your holy Name. We are in need of Your mercies, which You have always provided for our life. Now, too, send forth Your help to those who stand in the presence of Your holy glory, waiting for Your rich mercy. Grant that they may worship You always with awe and love; praising, singing, and glorifying Your inexpressible goodness.
Priest: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Theos Kyrios
Psalm 117(118)

People: Amen. God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

All nations surround me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Priest: Again in Peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People:To You, O Lord.

Priest:For Yours is the dominion, the kingdom, the power, and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

Priest: Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos the Mother of light!

People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

For he who is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name; and his mercy is on them who fear him from generation to generation.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

He has pulled down the mighty from their throwns and raised up those who were low; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Doxology

People: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among all. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory. Lord, King, heavenly God, Father almighty; Lord, the Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Lord, God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For You only are holy, You only are the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Each day I will bless You and praise Your name forever. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul for I have sinned against You. Lord, in You have I taken refuge. Teach me Your will, for You are my God. For in You is the source of life, and in Your light we shall see light. Extend Your mercy to those who know You. Grant, Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed are You, Lord, God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.
Lord, let Your mercy come upon us, for we have trusted in You. Blessed are You, Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Holy One, enlighten me with Your commandments. Lord, Your love endures forever; do not turn away from the work of Your hands. To You belong praise, song, and glory, to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Epistle

Priest: Let us be attentive.
(The Reader chants the verses from the Psalms called the prokeimenon.)
Priest: Wisdom.
Reader: The reading is from ________
(the name of the book of the New Testament from which the Epistle reading is taken).
Priest: Let us be attentive.
(The Reader reads the Epistle reading for the current day.)
Priest: Peace be with you.
People: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel

Priest: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
People: And with Your spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to (Name). Let us be attentive.
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
(The priests reads the Gospel reading for the current day.)
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

The Dismissal

Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; our holy and God-bearing Fathers; Saint (Saint of the Day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.

(An abbreviated Vespers Service for retreats & Youth Gatherings.)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

Prayer for the Acceptance of God’s Will

Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You alone know my true needs. You love me more than I know how to love. Help me to see clearly my real needs which I do not see. I open my heart to You. Visit and help me, for Your Great Mercy’s sake. Examine and reveal to me my faults and sins. I put all my trust in You. I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will. Teach me how to pray. Pray in me. Amen.

The Evening Thanksgiving

People: O Joyful Light! Holy Glory of the immortal Father, the heavenly, holy, and blessed One! O Jesus Christ! Now that we have reached the setting of the sun and have seen the evening light, we sing to God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to praise You with glad voices, Son of God, the Giver of life. Behold, the universe sings Your glory!

The Evening Prayer

Grant, Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are You O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever. Amen. Lord, let Your mercy come upon us, O Lord, for we have trusted in You. Blessed are You O Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You O Master, make me to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your commandments. Lord, Your love endures forever; Do not turn away from the work of Your hands. To You belong praise, song; and glory, to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Petitions

Priest: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That the whole evening may be holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For our Youth Program, all those who participate and help and for their families, that the Holy Spirit may protect and strengthen their faith, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For the completion of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgement seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You are a good and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages
People: Amen.

Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And with Your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: (In a low voice)
Lord our God Who bent the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance. Your servants have bowed their heads and bent their necks before You, the awesome and merciful judge. It is not from human beings that they expect help, but from You they hope for mercy and salvation. Protect them at all times, both during this evening and throughout the coming night from every enemy, from every assault of the powers of hell, from vain deliberations, and from evil thoughts.

Priest: Blessed and glorified is the power of Your Kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The Prayer of St. Symeon

Priest: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

The Trisagion Prayers

People: Amen
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

The Dismissal

Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; our holy and God-bearing Fathers; Saint (Saint of the Day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.

Almighty God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, come to my help and deliver me from this difficulty that besets me. I believe Lord, that all trials of life are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from me fear, anxiety and distress. Help me to face and endure my difficulty with faith, courage and wisdom. Grant that this trial may bring me closer to You for You are my rock and refuge, my comfort and hope, my delight and joy. I trust in Your love and compassion. Blessed is Your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

O God, our help in time of need, Who are just and merciful, and Who inclines to the supplications of His people. Look down upon me and have mercy on me and deliver me from the trouble that now besets me. Deal with us not according to our iniquities, but according to Your manifold mercies, for we are the works of Your hands, and You know our weaknesses. I pray to you to grant me Your divine helping grace, and endow me with patience and strength to endure my hardships with complete submission to Your Will. Only You know our misery and sufferings, and to You, our only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort, trusting in Your infinite love and compassion, that in due time, when You know best, You will deliver me from this trouble, and turn my distress into comfort. We then shall rejoice in Your mercy, and exalt and praise Your Holy Name, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

Almighty God, Who delivered Your people from the bondage of the adversary, and through Your Son cast down Satan like lightning, deliver me also from every influence of unclean spirits. Command Satan to depart far from me by the power of Your only begotten Son. Rescue me from demonic imaginings and darkness. Fill me with the light of the Holy Spirit that I may be guarded against all snares of crafty demons. Grant that an angel will always go before me and lead me to the path of righteousness all the days of my life, to the honor of Your glorious Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your great mercy You prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified You, and You taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Lord, I pray that You forgive those who treat me unjustly and speak out against me, and that You bless them and guide them according to Your will. Take away any bitterness I may have in my heart against them. Lord, may Your forgiveness, goodness and love be revealed in all of us, to Your praise and glory. Amen.

Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.

Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank Your divine majesty for Your loving kindness and tender mercies, that You have heard my humble prayer, and graciously granted me deliverance from my trouble and misery. I pray to you to continue granting Your helping grace, that I may lead a life pleasing to You, that I may continually offer to You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, my God, You have said, “Apart from me You can do nothing.” In faith I embrace Your words, Lord, and I entreat Your goodness. Help me to carry out the work I am about to begin, and to bring it to completion. To You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, who knows that we can do nothing right without Your guidance and help; direct me by Your wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task and, whatever I do according to Your divine will, so that it may be beneficial to me and others and to the glory of Your holy Name. Amen.

My Lord and Savior, You became man and labored with Your hands until the time of Your ministry. Bless me as I begin this work. Help me to bring it to completion. Lord, enlighten my mind and strengthen my body, that I may accomplish my task according to Your will. Guide me to bring about works of goodness to Your service and glory. Amen.

Thank You, Lord, for Your strength and guidance in my work. You are the fulfillment of all good things. Fill also my soul with joy and gladness, that I may praise You always. Amen.

O Lord, You who steadied the hand of Peter as he began to sink on the stormy sea, if you are with me, no one is against me. Grant to me the shield of faith and the mighty armor of the Holy Spirit to protect me and guide me to do Your will. The future I put into Your hands, O Lord, and I follow You to a life in Christ. Amen