The Midnight Office
(For Weekdays)
As a Reader Service
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.
All the psalms are from The Psalter According to the Seventy, © Copyright Holy
Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. Some other
material, such as prayers and hymns, are also Copyright HTM, used by
permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced,
beyond printing out a single copy for personal non-commercial use, without the
prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery. 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. 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 o.s. 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.
Psalm 133
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