The Midnight Office
(For Weekdays)
As a Reader Service
See also the Midnight Office for Saturday, for
Sunday,
And also the text of the
Midnight office for use with a priest.
Note: The translation used is primarily that of
Fr. Lawrence of Jordanville. The order
of service is based primarily on the Reader Service Typikon by Bishop Daniel
(the Old Rite Bishop of the ROCA) and translated by Fr. George Lardas. In the Jordanville Horologion, the prayers
found in the Morning prayers in the Russian Prayer book are inserted at two
points, but this is not found in other sources. Those who wish to follow the Jordanville practice are referred to
the Jordanville Horologion text, which is
available online also. What is
presented here is in accordance with the order found in the standard Slavonic
Horologion, which does not have these morning prayers at the points at which
they are found in the Jordanville Horologion, but does have the two prayers
found after the prayer “O Master God…”
Senior Reader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our
God, have mercy on us.
Reader:
Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art
everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of
life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls,
O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot
out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Senior
Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy
on us.
Reader:
Amen. Lord, Have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ
our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ
Himself, our King and God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great
mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my
transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only
have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified
in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in
iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved
truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto
me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt
wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy
and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O
God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence,
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy
ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from
blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in
Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare
Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with
whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a
broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do
good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be
builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with
oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine
altar.
The Seventeenth Kathisma
Psalm 118
Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the
Lord. Blessed are they that search out
His testimonies; with their whole heart shall they seek after Him. For they that work iniquity have not walked
in His ways. Thou hast enjoined Thy
commandments, that we should keep them most diligently. Would that my ways were directed to keep Thy
statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed,
when I look on all Thy commandments. I
will confess Thee with uprightness of heart, when I have learned the judgments
of Thy righteousness. I will keep thy
statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? By keeping Thy
words. With my whole heart have I
sought after Thee, cast me not away from Thy commandments. In my heart have I hid Thy sayings that I
might not sin against Thee. Blessed art
Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Thy mouth. In the way of Thy testimonies have I found
delight, as much as in all riches. On
Thy commandments will I ponder, and I will understand Thy ways. On Thy statutes will I meditate; I will not
forget Thy words. Give reward unto Thy
servant, quicken me and I will keep Thy words.
O unveil mine eyes, and I shall perceive wondrous things out of Thy
law. I am a sojourner on the earth,
hide not from me Thy commandments. My
soul hath longed to desire Thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud; cursed are they
that decline from Thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt, for after Thy testimonies have I
sought. For princes sat and they spake
against me, but Thy servant pondered on Thy statutes. For Thy testimonies are my meditation, and Thy statutes are my
counselors. My soul hath cleaved unto
the earth; quicken me according to Thy word.
My ways have I declared, and Thou hast heard me; teach me Thy
statutes. Make me to understand the way
of Thy statutes, and I will ponder on Thy wondrous works. My soul hath slumbered from despondency,
strengthen me with Thy words. Remove
from me the way of unrighteousness, and with Thy law have mercy on me. I have chosen the way of truth, and Thy
judgments have I not forgotten. I have
cleaved to Thy testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame. The way of Thy commandments have I run, when
Thou didst enlarge my heart. Set before
me for a law, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I will seek after it
continually. Give me understanding, and
I will search out Thy law, and I will keep it with my whole heart. Guide me in the path of Thy commandments,
for I have desired it. Incline my heart
unto Thy testimonies and not unto covetousness. Turn away mine eyes that I may not see vanity, quicken Thou me in
Thy way. Establish for Thy servant
Thine oracle unto fear of Thee. Remove
my reproach which I have feared, for Thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after Thy
commandments; in Thy righteousness quicken me.
Let Thy mercy come also upon me, O Lord, even Thy salvation according to
Thy word. So shall I give an answer to
them that reproach me, for I have hoped in Thy words. And take not utterly out of my mouth the word of truth, for in
Thy judgments have I hoped. So shall I
keep Thy law continually, for ever, and unto the ages of ages. And I walked in spaciousness, for after Thy
commandments have I sought. And I spake
of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed. And I meditated on Thy commandments which I
have greatly loved. And I lifted up my
hands to Thy commandments which I have loved, and I pondered on Thy
statutes. Remember Thy words to Thy
servant, wherein Thou hast made me to hope.
This hath comforted me in my humiliation, for Thine oracle hath quickened
me. The proud have transgressed
exceedingly, but from Thy law have I not declined. I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, and was comforted. Despondency took hold upon me because of the
sinners who forsake Thy law. Thy
statutes were my songs in the place of my sojourning. I remembered Thy name in the night, O Lord, and I kept Thy
law. This hath happened unto me because
I sought after Thy statutes. Thou art
my portion, O Lord; I said that I would keep Thy law. I entreated Thy countenance with my whole heart: Have mercy on me
according to Thy word. I have thought
on Thy ways, and I have turned my feet back to Thy testimonies. I made ready, and I was not troubled, that I
might keep Thy commandments. The cords
of sinners have entangled me, but Thy law have I not forgotten. At midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee
for the judgments of Thy righteousness.
I am a partaker with all them that fear Thee, and with them that keep
Thy commandments. The earth, O Lord, is
full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
Thou hast dealt graciously with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy
word. Goodness and discipline and
knowledge teach Thou me, for in Thy commandments have I believed. Before I was humbled, I transgressed;
therefore Thy saying have I kept. Thou
art good, O Lord, and in Thy goodness teach me Thy statutes. Multiplied against me hath been the
unrighteousness of the proud; but as for me, with my whole heart will I search
out Thy commandments. Curdled like milk
is their heart; but as for me, in Thy law have I meditated. It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me,
that I might learn Thy statutes. The
law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Stasis
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding and I
will learn Thy commandments. They that
fear Thee shall see me and be glad, for on Thy words have I set my hope. I have known, O Lord, that Thy judgments are
righteousness, and with truth hast Thou humbled me. Let now Thy mercy be my comfort, according to Thy saying unto Thy
servant. Let Thy compassions come upon
me and I shall live, for Thy law is my meditation. Let the proud be put to shame, for unjustly have they transgressed
against me; but as for me, I will ponder on Thy commandments. Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and
those that know Thy testimonies. Let my
heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame. My soul fainteth for Thy salvation; on Thy
words have I set my hope. Mine eyes are
grown dim with waiting for Thine oracle; they say: When wilt Thou comfort
me? For I am become like a wine-skin in
the frost; yet Thy statutes have I not forgotten. How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute
judgment for me on them that persecute me?
Transgressors have told me fables, but they are not like Thy law, O
Lord. All Thy commandments are truth. Without
a cause have men persecuted me; do Thou help me. They well nigh made an end of me on the earth; but as for me, I
forsook not Thy commandments. According
to Thy mercy quicken me, and I will keep the testimonies of Thy mouth. For ever, O Lord, Thy word abideth in
heaven. Unto generation and generation
is Thy truth; Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth. By Thine ordinance doth the day abide, for
all things are Thy servants. If Thy law
had not been my meditation, then should I have perished in my humiliation. I will never forget Thy statutes, for in them
hast Thou quickened me.
Middle
I am Thine, save me; for after Thy statutes have I sought. Sinners have waited for me to destroy me;
but Thy testimonies have I understood.
Of all perfection have I seen the outcome; exceeding spacious is Thy
commandment. O how I have loved Thy
law, O Lord! the whole day long it is my meditation. Above mine enemies hast Thou made me wise in Thy commandment, for
it is mine for ever. Above all that
teach me have I gained understanding, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. Above mine elders have I received
understanding, for after Thy
commandments have I sought. From
every way that is evil have I restrained my feet that I might keep Thy
words. From Thy judgments have I not
declined, for Thou hast set a law for me.
How sweet to my palate are Thy sayings! more sweet than honey to my
mouth. From Thy commandments have I
gained understanding; therefore have I hated every way of unrighteousness. Thy law is a lamp unto my feet and a light
unto my paths. I have sworn and
resolved that I will keep the judgments of Thy righteousness. I was humbled exceedingly; O Lord, quicken
me according to Thy word. The free-will
offerings of my mouth be Thou now pleased to receive, O Lord, and teach me Thy
judgments. My soul is in Thy hands
continually, and Thy law have I not forgotten.
Sinners have set a snare for me, yet from Thy commandment have I not
strayed. I have inherited Thy
testimonies for ever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Thy
statutes for ever for a recompense.
Transgressors have I hated, but Thy law have I loved. My helper and my protector art Thou; on Thy
words have I set my hope. Depart from
me, ye evil-doers, and I will search out the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to Thy saying and
quicken me, and turn me not away in shame from mine expectation. Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will
meditate on Thy statutes continually. Thou
hast set at nought all that depart from Thy statutes, for unrighteous is their
inward thought. I have reckoned as
transgressors all the sinners of the earth, therefore have I loved Thy
testimonies. Nail down my flesh with
the fear of Thee, for of Thy judgments am I afraid. I have wrought judgment and righteousness; O give me not up to
them that wrong me. Receive Thy servant
unto good, let not the proud falsely accuse me. Mine eyes have failed with waiting for Thy salvation, and for the
word of Thy righteousness. Deal with
Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant; give me understanding, and
I shall know Thy testimonies. It is
time for the Lord to act; for they have dispersed Thy law. Therefore have I loved Thy commandments more
than gold and topaz. Therefore I
directed myself according to all Thy commandments; every way that is
unrighteous have I hated. Wonderful are
Thy testimonies; therefore hath my soul searched them out. The unfolding of Thy words will give light
and understanding unto babes. I opened
my mouth and drew in my breath, for I longed for Thy commandments.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Third Stasis
Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them
that love Thy name. My steps do Thou
direct according to Thy saying, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the false accusation of men,
and I will keep Thy commandments. Make
Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes. Mine eyes have poured forth streams of
waters, because I kept not Thy law.
Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments. Thou hast ordained as Thy testimonies
exceeding righteousness and truth. My
zeal for Thee hath made me to pine away, because mine enemies have forgotten
Thy words. Thine oracle is tried with
fire to the uttermost, and Thy servant hath loved it. I am young and accounted as nothing, yet Thy statutes have I not
forgotten. Thy righteousness is an
everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth. Tribulations and necessities have found me, Thy commandments are
my meditation. Thy testimonies are
righteousness for ever; give me understanding and I shall live. I have cried with my whole heart; hear me, O
Lord, and I will seek after Thy statutes.
I have cried unto Thee; save me, and I will keep Thy testimonies. I arose in the dead of night and I cried; on
Thy words have I set my hope. Mine eyes
woke before the morning that I might meditate on Thy sayings. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy
mercy; according to Thy judgment, quicken me.
They have drawn nigh that lawlessly persecute me, but from Thy law are
they far removed. Near art Thou, O
Lord, and all Thy ways are truth. From the beginning I have known from Thy
testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever. Behold my humiliation and rescue me, for Thy law have I not
forgotten. Judge my cause and redeem
me; for Thy word's sake quicken me. Far
from sinners is salvation, for they have not sought after Thy statutes. Thy compassions are many, O Lord; according
to Thy judgment quicken me. Many are
they that persecute me and afflict me; from Thy testimonies have I not
declined. I beheld men acting foolishly
and I pined away, because they kept not Thy sayings. Behold, how I have loved Thy commandments; O Lord, in Thy mercy,
quicken me. The beginning of Thy words
is truth, and all the judgments of Thy righteousness endure for ever. Princes have persecuted me without a cause,
and because of Thy words my heart hath been afraid. I will rejoice in Thy sayings as one that findeth great spoil. Unrighteousness have I hated and abhorred,
but Thy law have I loved. Seven times a
day have I praised Thee for the judgments of Thy righteousness. Much peace have they that love Thy law, and
for them there is no stumbling-block. I
awaited Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy commandments have I loved. My soul hath kept Thy testimonies and hath
loved them exceedingly. I have kept Thy
commandments and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord. Let my supplication draw nigh before Thee, O
Lord; according to Thine oracle give me understanding. Let my petition come before Thee, O Lord;
according to Thine oracle deliver me.
My lips shall pour forth a hymn when Thou hast taught me Thy
statutes. My tongue shall speak of Thy
sayings, for all Thy commandments are righteousness. Let Thy hand be for saving me, for I have chosen Thy
commandments. I have longed for Thy
salvation, O Lord, and Thy law is my meditation. My soul shall live and shall praise Thee, and Thy judgments will
help me. I have gone astray like a
sheep that is lost; O seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy
commandments.
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and
unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Symbol of
Faith
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all
ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence
with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our
salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and
the Virgin Mary, and became man; And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried; And arose again on the third day according to the
Scriptures; And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the
Father; And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the
dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the
Giver of life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son
together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. In One, Holy,
Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of
sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the age to come.
Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot
out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Senior
Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy
on us.
Reader:
Amen.
Tone 8: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh at midnight,
and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching; but unworthy is he
whom He shall find heedless. Beware,
therefore, O my soul, lest thou be weighed down with sleep; lest thou be given
up to death, and be shut out from the kingdom.
But rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God, through the
Theotokos have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Meditating on that terrible day, O my soul, watch,
keeping thy lamp alight and filled with oil; for thou knowest not when unto
thee shall come the voice saying: Behold the Bridegroom! Beware, therefore, my soul, lest thou fall
into slumber and be left outside, knocking, as were the five virgins; but
wakefully watch, that thou mayest come to meet Christ with good oil, and He
shall bestow upon thee the divine chamber of His glory.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Thee, the unassailable wall, confirmation of
salvation, O Virgin Theotokos, do we supplicate, to destroy the counsels of the
enemies, to change the sorrows of thy people into joy, to protect thy city, to
ensure victory for pious rulers, and to pray for the peace of the world; for
thou, O Theotokos, art our hope.
Lord, have mercy. Forty times. And the Prayer of the Hours:
Thou Who at all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth, art
worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who art long-suffering, plenteous in
mercy, most compassionate, Who lovest the righteous and hast mercy on sinners;
Who callest all men to salvation through the promise of good things to come:
Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Thy
commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts,
purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Thy holy angels, that,
guarded and guided by their array, we may attain to the unity of the faith and
to the knowledge of Thine unapproachable glory: For blessed art Thou unto the
ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare
more glorious than the Seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the
Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Senior Reader:
Through
the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Reader:
Amen.
If it is Great Lent, or the first day of the
Apostles’ Fast, or of the Nativity Fast (if it falls on a weekday), we say the
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian, dividing it into three parts with
prostrations, then the twelve reverences in which we say each time “O God,
cleanse me a sinner” and then the entire prayer with a prostration.
Then
this prayer:
O Master God, the Father Almighty, O Lord, the
Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and O Holy Spirit, one Godhead, one Power:
Have mercy on me a sinner, and by the judgments which Thou knowest, save me,
Thine unworthy servant; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
It should be known that the following
two prayers are said from September 22nd until Palm Sunday:
O Lord Almighty,
God of hosts and of all flesh, Who dwellest on high and lookest down on things
that are lowly, Who searchest the heart and innermost being, and clearly
foreknowest the secrets of men; O unoriginate and everlasting Light, with Whom
is no variableness, neither shadow of turning: Do Thou, O Immortal King,
receive our supplications which we, daring because of the multitude of Thy
compassions, offer Thee at the present time from defiled lips; and forgive us
our sins, in deed, word, and thought, whether committed by us knowingly or in
ignorance, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant us to pass through the whole night
of this present life with watchful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the
coming of the bright and appointed day of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord and
God and Savior, Jesus Christ, whereon the Judge of all shall come with glory to
reward each according to his deeds. May
we not be found fallen and idle, but watching, and upright in activity, ready
to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is
the ceaseless sound of those that keep festival, and the unspeakable delight of
those that behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the
true Light that enlightenest and sanctifiest all, and all creation doth hymn
Thee unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We
bless Thee, O Most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever doest with us things
both great and inscrutable, both glorious and awesome, of which there is no
measure; Who grantest to us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and relaxation
from the labors of our much-toiling flesh. We thank Thee that Thou hast not
destroyed us with our iniquities, but hast shown Thy loving-kindness to man as
usual, and while we were lying in despair upon our beds, Thou hast raised us up
that we might glorify Thy dominion.
Wherefore, we implore Thy boundless goodness: Enlighten the eyes of our
understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our
mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able steadily to hymn and
confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the unoriginate Father,
with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating
Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ
our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ
Himself, our King and God.
Psalm 120
I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my
help. My help cometh from the Lord, Who
hath made heaven and the earth. Give
not thy foot unto moving, and may He not slumber that keepeth thee. Behold, He shall not slumber nor shall He sleep,
He that keepeth Israel. The Lord shall
keep thee; the Lord is thy shelter at thy right hand. The sun shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall keep thee from all evil, the
Lord shall guard thy soul. The Lord
shall keep thy coming in and thy going out, from henceforth and for evermore.
Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in
the courts of the house of our God, in the nights lift up your hands unto the
holies, and bless the Lord. The Lord
bless thee out of Zion, He that made heaven and the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot
out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Senior
Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy
on us.
Reader:
Amen. And these troparia:
Tone
2: Remember, O Lord, for Thou art
good, Thy servants and forgive them whatsoever sins they have committed in
life; for none is sinless but Thee Who art able to give repose unto them that
are departed.
O
Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom dost provide all things out of love for
mankind, and grantest unto all that which is profitable, O only Creator: Grant
rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants; for in Thee have they placed their
hope, O our Creator and Fashioner and God.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Kontakion: With the
saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is
neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: In all generations we call thee blessed, O
Virgin Theotokos, for in thee the uncontainable Christ our God was pleased to
be contained. Blessed are we also,
having thee as mediatress; for day and night pleadest thou for us, and the
scepters of kingdoms are strengthened by thine intercessions. Wherefore in hymns we cry unto thee:
Rejoice! O thou who art full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Lord, have mercy. Twelve
times. And this Prayer:
Remember, O Lord, our
fathers and brethren who fell asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life
eternal, and all those who ended this life in piety and faith, and pardon them
every transgression which they have willingly or unwillingly, in word or deed
or thought committed, and settle them in a place of light, a place of
refreshment, a place of repose, wherefrom every sickness, sorrow and sighing
are banished, and wherein from eternity the light of Thy countenance shineth
and gladdeneth all Thy saints. Grant unto them and unto us Thy kingdom, and
participation in Thine ineffable blessings, and the enjoyment of Thine endless
and blessed life. For Thou art the life, and the resurrection, and the repose
of Thy departed servants, O Christ our God, and to Thee we send up glory, with
Thine unoriginate Father, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most
glorious, Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, present our prayer to thy Son and
our God, that through thee, He may save our souls.
My
hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: O
Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord,
have mercy. (Thrice)
O
Lord, bless.
Senior Reader (Facing the
East, rather than facing the people): O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of
God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our holy and
God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou
art good and the Lover of mankind.
Choir: Amen.
Senior
Reader: Remit,
pardon, forgive, O God, our offenses, both voluntary and involuntary, in deed
and word, in knowledge and ignorance, by day and by night, in mind and thought;
forgive us all things, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.
Choir: Amen.
Senior
Reader: O Lord, Lover of
mankind, forgive them that hate and wrong us.
Do good to them that do good.
Grant our brethren and kindred their saving petitions and life eternal;
visit the infirm and grant them healing.
Guide those at sea. Journey with
them that travel. Help Orthodox
Christians to struggle. To them that
serve and are kind to us grant remissions of sins. On them that have charged us, the unworthy, to pray for them,
have mercy according to Thy great mercy.
Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren departed before us, and grant
them rest where the light of Thy countenance shall visit them. Remember, O Lord, our brethren in captivity,
and deliver them from every misfortune.
Remember, O Lord, those that bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy
churches, and grant them their saving petitions and life eternal. Remember also, O Lord, us Thy lowly and
sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy
knowledge, and guide us in the way of Thy commandments; through the
intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of
all Thy saints, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
(Thrice)
Senior Reader: Through the prayers of our
holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Choir: Amen.
THE END
OF THE MIDNIGHT OFFICE
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