The All-Night Vigil as a Reader Service

The All-Night Vigil

As a Reader Service

See also the services of Vespers, Matins, and First Hour when served separately

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.

Vespers

Senior Reader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Reader: Amen.

Senior Reader:

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.

Choir: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art Thou, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly.

Refrain: Blessed art Thou, O Lord.

Confession and majesty hast Thou put on.

Refrain: Blessed art Thou, O Lord.

Upon the mountains shall the waters stand.

Refrain: Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord.

Between the mountains will the waters run.

Refrain: Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord.

In wisdom hast Thou made them all, hast Thou made them all.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who hast made them all, Who hast made them all.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Twelve Times

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

Choir: Amen.

If it is a Sunday vigil (Saturday evening), we sing the first stasis of the first kathisma and the other two stases are read. If a feast of vigil rank coincides with the Sunday vigil, we still follow the normal Sunday order. However, according to current Russian parish practice, only the selected verses are sung on Saturday evenings. When a feast falls on other days of the week, usually, only the select verses of “Blessed is the man…” are sung.

Choir: Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly shall perish. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are all that have put their trust in Him. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice

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

Choir: Amen.

And immediately we sing “Lord, I have cried” in the tone of the first appointed sticheron.

Reader: In the ___ Tone: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me.

Choir: Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me. * Hearken unto me, O Lord. * Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; * attend to the voice of my supplication, * when I cry unto Thee. * Hearken unto me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth * as incense before Thee, * the lifting up of my hands * as an evening sacrifice. * Hearken unto me, O Lord.

And the rest of the verses are read (they can be sung at a vigil) down to the beginning of the stichoi, i.e. the point at which the stichera are inserted.

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

Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make excuse with excuses in sins.

With men that work iniquity; and I will not join with their chosen.

The righteous man will chasten me with mercy and reprove me; as for the oil of the sinner, let it not anoint my head.

For yet more is my prayer in the presence of their pleasures; swallowed up near by the rock have their judges been.

They shall hear my words, for they be sweetened; as a clod of earth is broken upon the earth, so have their bones been scattered nigh unto hades.

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

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

The sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone until I pass by.

With my voice unto the Lord have I cried, with my voice unto the Lord have I made supplication.

I will pour out before Him my supplication, mine affliction before Him will I declare.

When my spirit was fainting within me, then Thou knewest my paths.

In this way wherein I have walked they hid for me a snare.

I looked upon my right hand, and beheld, and there was none that did know me.

Flight hath failed me, and there is none that watcheth out for my soul.

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

Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low.

Deliver me from them that persecute me, for they are stronger than I.

If there are 10 stichera (Saturday evenings and Liturgies of the Presanctified):

Reader: (10) Bring my soul out of prison: Choir: that I may confess Thy name. And then is sung the first stichera, and likewise are sung the rest of the stichoi.

(9) The righteous shall wait patiently for me * until Thou shalt reward me.

If there are 8 stichera (services of vigil or polyeleos rank):

(8) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; * O Lord, hear my voice.

(7) Let Thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.

If there are 6 stichera (all services of doxology rank, and all simple services, i.e., 6 stichera from the Menaion, or 3 from the Octoechos and 3 from the Menaion):

(6) If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? * For with Thee there is forgiveness.

(5) For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath patiently waited for Thy word, * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

If there are 4 stichera (only at Small Vespers):

(4) From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch * let Israel hope in the Lord.

(3) For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; * and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

(2) O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise Him, all ye peoples.

(1) For He hath made His mercy to prevail over us, * and the truth of the Lord abideth forever.

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

Sticheron (Doxasticon) from the Menaion, if there is one. If there is a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: “Glory… Both now…” and the Theotokion of the feast.

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

And we then sing the Dogmatic Theotokion of the tone, or as appointed in the Menaion.

Senior Reader: O Gladsome Light.

Choir: O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be praised with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee.

Reader: The Prokimenon in the ___Tone.

THE DAILY PROKIMENA

On Saturday evening, the Sixth Tone:

The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty.

Stichos 1: The Lord is clothed with strength and He hath girt Himself.

Stichos 2: For He established the world which shall not be shaken.

Stichos 3: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

On Sunday evening, the Eighth Tone:

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

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

On Monday evening, the Fourth Tone:

The Lord will hearken unto me when I cry unto Him.

Stichos: When I called upon Thee, O God of my righteousness, Thou didst hearken unto me.

On Tuesday evening, the First Tone:

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

Stichos: The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want. In a place of green pasture, there hath He made me to dwell.

On Wednesday evening, the Fifth Tone:

O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me.

Stichos: O God, hearken unto my prayer, give ear unto the words of my mouth.

On Thursday evening, the Sixth Tone:

My help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and the earth.

Stichos: I have lifted up mine eyes to the Mountains, from whence cometh my help.

On Friday evening, the Seventh Tone:

O God, my helper art Thou, and Thy mercy shall go before me.

Stichos: Rescue me from mine enemies, O God, and from them that rise up against me redeem me.

If there are Scriptural readings appointed for a feast:

Reader: The Reading is from___________.

Then, after the reading (or after the Prokimenon, if there is no reading):

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Forty Times

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

Choir: Amen.

Reader: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, give me understanding of Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.

O Lord, Thy mercy endureth forever; disdain not the work of Thy hands. To Thee is due praise, to Thee is due a song, to Thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Twelve Times

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

Choir: Amen.

[If there is a Litia: sing the stichera for the Litia as appointed; Instead of “O Lord, save Thy people…” “Lord, have mercy.” Forty times, Thirty times, and Fifty times, “Glory… Both now…” and then the Aposticha]

Then we sing the Aposticha. If it is a Saturday evening, we sing the Aposticha of the Resurrection, with these stichoi:

Stichos 1: The Lord is King, * He is clothed with majesty.

Stichos 2: For He established the world * which shall not be shaken.

Stichos 3: Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, * unto length of days.

If there is a polyeleos (other than Saturday evening), we sing the Aposticha of the saint from the Menaion, with its stichoi. If the service is a great feast of the Lord, we sing the Aposticha appointed for the feast with its stichoi, no matter what day it falls on.

Then, after the Aposticha, the prayer of St. Symeon:

Reader [or the Choir]: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Reader: 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.

Choir: Amen. Then we sing the Dismissal Troparion (or Troparia). If it is a regular Sunday Vigil, we sing “O Theotokos and Virgin…” thrice. If it is one of the twelve feasts, we sing the dismissal troparion thrice. If it is some other vigil, and it is not a Sunday, we sing the dismissal troparion of the saint twice, and “O Theotokos and Virgin…” once. If it is a Sunday coinciding with some other feast, we sing “O Theotokos and Virgin” twice, and the dismissal troparion of the Saint once.

Tone 4: O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, O Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.

Choir: Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and for evermore. Thrice.

And the first ten verses of the 33^rd Psalm are sung:

Choir: I will bless the Lord at all times, * His praise shall continually be in my mouth. *In the Lord shall my soul be praised; * let the meek hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, * and let us exalt His name together. * I sought the Lord, and He heard me, * and delivered me from all my tribulations.

Come unto Him, and be enlightened, * and your faces shall not be ashamed. * This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, * and saved him out of all his tribulations.

The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear Him, * and will deliver them. * O taste and see that the Lord is good; * blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.

O fear the Lord, all ye His saints; * for there is no want to them that fear Him. * Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry; * but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.

Senior Reader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Choir: Amen.

Matins

The Six Psalms

We begin Matins with the Six Psalms, listening in silence and with compunction (standing, with no moving about). And the reader, with reverence and fear of God, says:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. Thrice. (With the sign of the Cross and a bow from the waist each time.)

O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. Twice.

Psalm 3

O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken. Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.

I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.

Psalm 37

O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of my sins. For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me. My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the face of my folly. I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until the end; all the day long I went with downcast face. For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have roared from the groaning of my heart. O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and my neighbors drew nigh over against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar off. And they that sought after my soul used violence; and they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and craftinesses all the day long did they meditate. But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath in his mouth no reproofs. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake boastful words against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed concerning my sin. But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied. They that render me evil for good slandered me, because I pursued goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.

Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory. For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips of rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me. But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be. But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things.

At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice, with the sign of the Cross, but without bows.

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.

Psalm 87

O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication. For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death. Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me. Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee? Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction? Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten? But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee. Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me? A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress. Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me. They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together. Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbor, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.

O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication.

Psalm 102

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine infirmities, Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion, Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle's. The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged. He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be wroth. Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth. For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them. The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 142

O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant. Twice.

Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice, with the sign of the Cross and a bow each time.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. x12

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

Choir: Amen.

Choir: [in the tone of the first troparion] God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. This is sung after each stichos.

Reader: Stichos 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

Stichos 2: Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.

Stichos 3: I shall not die, but live, and I shall tell of the works of the Lord.

Stichos 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

For the order of the Troparia that are sung after God is the Lord, consult the Order of Divine Services, or the Rubrics Page of the Orthodox Liturgical Text and Resources web site.

The Sunday (Resurrectional) Troparia of the Eight Tones:

Tone 1: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,* And the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body,* Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, * granting life unto the world. * Wherefore, the Hosts of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Life-giver: * Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. * Glory to Thy kingdom. * Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind.

Tone 2:  When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, * then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. * And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, * all the Hosts of the heavens cried out: * O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Tone 3:  Let the heavens be glad; let earthly things rejoice; * for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm. * He hath trampled down death by death; * the first-born of the dead hath He become. *  From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us * and Hath granted to the world great mercy.

Tone 4: Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the angel, * and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, * the women disciples of the Lord spake to the apostles exultantly: * Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, * granting to the world great mercy.

Tone 5:  Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word * Who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, * and Who was born of the Virgin for our salvation; * for He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh * and to endure death, * and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Tone 6. Angelic hosts were above Thy tomb, * and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate body. * Thou didst despoil hades and wast not tempted by it. * Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. * O Thou Who didst rise from the dead, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Tone 7. Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, * Thou didst open paradise to the thief. * Thou didst change the lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, * and Thou didst command Thine Apostles to proclaim * that Thou didst arise, O Christ God, * and grantest to the world great mercy.

Tone 8: From on high didst Thou descend, O compassionate One; * to burial of three days hast Thou submitted * that Thou mightest free us from our passions. * O our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Then:

THE FIRST KATHISMA

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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

The first appointed kathisma from the Psalter is read. On Sundays it is always the Second Kathisma.

The first and second stasis are concluded as follows:

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

Choir: Both now and ever, and unto the 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.

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

And then the next stasis is read. The final stasis is concluded as follows:

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

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

Choir: Amen.

Then the Sessional Hymns of the tone or of the feast are sung (or read). Then:

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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

THE SECOND KATHISMA

The second appointed kathisma is read. On Sundays it is always the Third Kathisma.

The first and second stasis are concluded as follows:

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

Choir: Both now and ever, and unto the 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.

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

And then the next stasis is read.

The final stasis is concluded as follows:

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

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

Choir: Amen.

Then the Sessional Hymns of the tone or of the feast are sung (or read).

Then we sing the Polyeleos (Psalm 134 and 135), but usually only the following four verses (the first and last verses of each psalm), on all Sundays from September 21 until December 20 and from January 14 through Cheese-Fare Sunday. Beginning on the First Sunday of Great Lentil until the Sunday after September 21, there is no Polyeleos on Sundays, except for Palm Sunday and Pentecost, unless appointed by the Menaion, and we sing (or read) “The Blameless,” i.e. Psalm 118 [119 in non-Orthodox translations], followed by the Evlogitaria. In some Russian parish, it is the practice to always sing the Polyeleos on Sunday. More commonly, however, if a Polyeleos is not appointed neither the Polyeleos nor Psalm 118 are sung, instead the Evlogitaria are sung alone.

THE POLYELEOS

(Select verses):

Choir: Praise ye the name of the Lord; O ye servants, praise the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is the Lord out of Zion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven; for His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

[On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Meat-Fare, and Cheese-Fare Sundays, after the Polyeleos we sing Psalm 136: “By the rivers of Babylon…”]

Then, in Slavic practice, the Megalynarion of the feast is sung, if there is one, with the selected psalm verses. However, if it is a Sunday, the Megalynarion is usually sung only once (in general parish practice), without psalm verses, unless it is a Great feast of the Lord.

THE EVLOGITARIA (On Sundays)

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.

The assembly of angels was amazed, * beholding Thee numbered among the dead; * yet, O Savior, * destroying the stronghold of death, * and with Thyself raising up Adam, * and freeing all from hades.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.

Why mingle ye myrrh with tears of pity, * O ye women disciples? * Thus the radiant angel within the tomb * addressed the myrrh-bearing women; * behold the tomb and understand, * for the Savior is risen from the tomb.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.

Very early * the myrrh-bearing women hastened * unto Thy tomb, lamenting, * but the angel stood before them and said: * the time for lamentation is passed, weep not, * but tell of the Resurrection to the apostles.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, * teach me Thy statutes.

The myrrh-bearing women, * with myrrh came to Thy tomb, O Savior, bewailing, * but the angel addressed them, saying: * Why number ye the living among the dead, * for as God * He is risen from the tomb.

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

Let us worship the Father, * and His Son, and the Holy Spirit, * the Holy Trinity, * one in essence, * crying with the Seraphim: * Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord.

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

In bringing forth the Giver of life, * thou hast delivered Adam from sin, O Virgin, * and hast brought joy to Eve * instead of sorrow; * and those fallen from life * have thereunto been restored, * by Him Who of thee was incarnate, God and man.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice

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

Choir: Amen.

If it is Sunday, the Hypakoe is read (if feast of the Theotokos or of saints fall on Sunday, their sessional hymns are read after the Hypakoe. Feast of the Lord which fall on Sunday replace the Octoechos entirely).

Then, on Sundays the Hymns of Ascents of the tone are sung. On feasts of the Lord and at vigils on other days only the first antiphon of the 4^th tone is sung, as follows:

Choir: From my youth * do many passions war against me; * but do Thou Thyself defend * and save me, O my Savior.

Ye haters of Zion * shall be shamed by the Lord; * for like grass, by the fire * shall ye be withered.

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

In the Holy Spirit, * every soul is quickened, * and, through cleansing, is exalted * and made radiant by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.

Reader: The Prokimenon in the ___ Tone:

And he reads the Prokimenon of the Sunday tone, or of the feast. The choir sings it; he then reads the stichos; the choir repeats the Prokimenon; he then reads the first half of the Prokimenon (down to the asterisk), and the choir sings the remaining portion.

The Prokimena for Sunday Matins:

Tone 1: Now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will establish them in salvation, * I will be manifest therein.

Stichos: The words of the Lord are pure words.

Tone 2: Arouse Thyself, O Lord my God, in the commandment which Thou hast enjoined, * and a congregation of peoples shall surround Thee.

Stichos: O Lord my God, in Thee have I put my hope; save me.

Tone 3: Say among the nations that the Lord is king; * for He hath established the world which shall not be shaken.

Stichos: O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth.

Tone 4: Arise, O Lord, help us, * and redeem us for Thy name’s sake.

Stichos: O God, with our ears have we heard, for our fathers have told us.

Tone 5: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hands be lifted high; * for Thou shalt be king forever.

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

Tone 6: O Lord, stir up Thy might * and come to save us.

Stichos: O Shepherd of Israel, attend, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.

Tone 7: Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; * forget not Thy paupers to the end.

Stichos: I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of all Thy wonders.

Tone 8: The Lord shall be king unto eternity; * thy God, O Zion, unto generation and generation.

Stichos: Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord in my life.

Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Choir: Amen.

Reader: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Choir: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Reader: Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Choir: Let every breath praise the Lord.

Reader: Let every breath.

Choir: Praise the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Senior Reader: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint _____.

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Then the Senior reader reads the appointed Gospel, in a normal tone of voice, facing the altar. At the conclusion of the reading:

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

And on Sundays (except Palm Sunday and Pentecost), and on Ascension, and on the Exaltation of the Cross, and on any weekday or Saturday vigil of the Paschal period, once (but on Thomas Sunday and the rest of the Sundays of the Paschal period through the Sunday of the Blind Man, thrice):

Choir: Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, * let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, * the only sinless One. * We venerate Thy Cross, O Christ, * and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify. * For Thou art our God, * and we know none other beside Thee; * we call upon Thy name. * O come, all ye faithful, * let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection, * for, behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. * Ever blessing the Lord, * we hymn His Resurrection; * for, having endured crucifixion, * He hath destroyed death by death.

Reader: 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.

If it is a feast of the Lord or The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, with special stichera, they are sung here. Otherwise, on Sundays and other vigils we sing in the 6^th Tone:

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

Through the prayers of the apostles (or the Theotokos, on her feasts, or Saint N., if it is not a Sunday vigil), O Merciful One, * blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

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

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, * O Merciful One, * blot out the multitude of our transgressions.

Have mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy great mercy; * and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, * blot out my transgressions.

And if there is a festal sticheron appointed at this place (for feasts of the Lord and the Theotokos, on any day, including Sundays; for saints, on weekdays only), it is sung. Otherwise, on Sundays outside the Lenten cycle we sing:

Jesus having risen from the grave, * as He foretold, * hath given us life eternal, * and great mercy.

But beginning with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and continuing through the 5^th Sunday of Lent, immediately after the 50^th Psalm we sing, instead of the preceding verses, the following:

Tone 8: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The doors of repentance do Thou open to me, O Giver of life, * for my spirit waketh at dawn toward Thy holy temple, * bearing a temple of the body all defiled. * But in Thy compassion cleanse it * by the loving-kindness of Thy mercy.

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

Theotokion: Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos, * for I have defiled my soul with shameful sins, * and have wasted all my life in slothfulness, * but by thine intercessions * deliver me from all uncleanness.

Tone 6: Have mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy great mercy; * and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, * blot out my transgressions.

When I think of the multitude of evil things I have done, * I, a wretched one, * I tremble at the fearful day of judgment; * but trusting in the mercy of Thy loving-kindness, * like David do I cry unto Thee: * Have mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy great mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Twelve Times.

Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Choir: Amen.

Then we begin the canon. After the 3^rdand 6^thodes:

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice

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

Choir: Amen.

After the 8^th Ode of the canon, we sing:

Choir: We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him unto all ages. And then the appointed katavasia.

And we sing the Song of the Most Holy Theotokos (the Magnificat) (on great feasts special megalynaria are sung instead of the Magnificat):

Choir: My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

And after each verse, the refrain: 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.

For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; * for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Refrain.

For the Mighty One hath done great things to me, * and holy is His name; * and His mercy is on them that fear Him * unto generation and generation. Refrain.

He hath showed strength with His arm, * and He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. Refrain.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and exalted them of low degree; * He hath filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich He hath sent empty away. Refrain.

He hath holpen His servant Israel * in remembrance of His mercy, * as He spake to our fathers, * to Abraham and his seed forever. Refrain.

After the 9^th ode:

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice

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

Choir: Amen.

Then, if it is Sunday (but not on Pascha, Pentecost, or any Sunday coinciding with Transfiguration or the Exaltation of the Cross):

Reader: Holy is the Lord our God.

Choir: Holy is the Lord our God.

Reader: For holy is the Lord our God.

Choir: Holy is the Lord our God.

Reader: Above all peoples is our God.

Choir: Holy is the Lord our God.

After this, the Exapostilaria of the Resurrection and / or the feast.

The Lauds (the Praises) in the tone of the first appointed sticheron:

Choir: Let every breath praise the Lord. * Praise the Lord from the heavens, * praise Him in the highest. * To Thee is due praise, O God.

Praise Him, all ye His angels; * praise Him, all ye His hosts. * To Thee is due praise, O God.

Then, straight chant on one note, as on “do,” going up one step on the next-to-the-last word(s) or syllable(s) and back down again on the last stressed word(s) or syllable(s). The word(s) or syllable(s) which should be raised one note are in boldface type. Also, the verses may be read down to the last verse before the first sticheron is sung.

Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him all ye stars and light.

Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heav-ens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He spake, and they came to be; He commanded, and they were cre-at-ed.

He established them for ever, yea, for ever and ever; He hath set an ordinance, and it shall not pass a-way.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye a-byss-es.

Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which per-form His word.

The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all ce-dars.

The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and wing-ed birds.

Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all the judges of the earth.

Young men and virgins, elders with the younger; let them praise the name of the Lord, for exalted is the name of Him a-lone.

His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall exalt the horn of His peo-ple.

This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of Israel, and for the people that draw nigh unto Him.

Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints.

Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons of Zion re-joice in their King.

Let them praise His name in the dance; with the timbrel and the psaltery let them chant unto Him.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He shall exalt the meek with sal-va-tion.

The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall re-joice upon their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords shall be in their hands.

To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments among the peo-ples.

To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of i-ron.

If there are 6 (or 8) stichera appointed, they are sung after the following verse, otherwise it is read or sung as the above verses down to the place were we would begin when 4 stichera are appointed:

Reader: To do among them the judgment that is written.

Choir: This glory shall be to all His saints. And then the first sticheron is sung.

Praise ye God in His saints, * praise Him in the firmament of His power. Sticheron.

If there are 4 stichera appointed, they begin after the following verse:

Praise Him for His mighty acts, * praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness. Sticheron.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, * praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Sticheron.

Praise Him with timbrel and dance, * praise him with strings and flute. Sticheron.

Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation. * Let every breath praise the Lord. Sticheron.

On Sundays, when there is always a minimum of 8 stichera appointed (unless it is a great feast of the Lord) these two stichoi are added (when all the stichera are from the Octoechos, otherwise we use two psalm verses for saint or feast of the day, usually taken from the verses at the aposticha in the menaion):

Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hands be lifted high; * forget not Thy paupers to the end. Sticheron.

I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, * I will tell of all Thy wonders. Sticheron.

Reader: Glory in the ___ Tone.

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

If it is a Sunday, the Gospel sticheron is sung, unless there is a Doxasticon from the Menaion, the Triodion, or the Pentecostarion.

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

Theotokion, Tone 2: Most blessed art Thou, O Virgin Theotokos, * for through Him Who became incarnate of Thee is hades led captive, * Adam recalled, the curse annulled, Eve set free, * death slain, and we are given life. * Wherefore, we cry aloud in praise: * Blessed is Christ God Who hast been so pleased, glory to Thee.

Note: In Greek practice, the choir always sings the first line of the Great Doxology. I am placing that in brackets, and those who would prefer the choir not sing it can simply omit it entirely:

The Great Doxology

[Glory to Thee Who hast shown forth the light.] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and O Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy on us; Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Thrice

Lord, thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.

O Lord, unto Thee have I fled for refuge, teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For in Thee is the fountain of life, in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know Thee.

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. Holy Immortal have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us.

If it is a Sunday and a feast of the Lord coincides with it, we sing the troparion of the feast. If it is a vigil on any other day of the week, we sing the troparion of the feast. But if it is a regular Sunday, even if it is a feast of the Theotokos or of a saint, we sing one of the following troparia.

If it is a 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, or 7^th Tone Sunday, we sing:

Tone 1: Today is salvation come unto the world; * let us sing praises to Him that arose from the tome, * and is the Author of our life. * For, having destroyed death by death, * He hath given us the victory and great mercy.

If is a 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, or 8^th Tone Sunday, we sing:

Tone 2: Having risen from the tomb, and having burst the bonds of hades, * Thou hast destroyed the sentence of death, O Lord, * delivering all from the snares of the enemy. * Manifesting Thyself to Thine apostles, Thou didst send them forth to preach; * and through them hast granted Thy peace to the world, * O Thou Who alone art plenteous in mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Forty Times

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

Choir: Amen.

The Reader Service Typikon calls for saying “Lord, have mercy” twelve more times, followed by “Glory… Both now…” in place of the second litany which would be done were a priest serving. This seems a bit tedious to do back to back, but those who wish to follow this rubric may do so.

Choir: Establish, O God, the holy Orthodox Faith of Orthodox Christians unto the ages of ages.

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.

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):

If it be Sunday: Thou that didst rise from the dead, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, of _____ (The Patron of the Temple ), of _____ (saints of the day), and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.

If not: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, of _____ (The Patron of the Temple ), of _____ (saints of the day), and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.

Choir: Amen.

The Orthodox episcopate of the Church of Russia; * our Lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, * and our Lord the Most Reverend Archbishop (or Bishop) N.; * the brotherhood of this holy temple (or monastery), and all Orthodox Christians: * preserve, O Lord, for many years.

And the First Hour is read:

The First Hour

Reader: 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 5

Unto my words give ear, O Lord, hear my cry. Attend unto the voice of my supplication, O my King and my God; for unto Thee will I pray, O Lord. In the morning shalt Thou hear my voice. In the morning shall I stand before Thee, and Thou shalt look upon me; for not a God that wiliest iniquity art Thou. He that worketh evil shall not dwell near Thee nor shall transgressors abide before Thine eyes. Thou hast hated all them that work iniquity; Thou shalt destroy all them that speak a lie. A man that is bloody and deceitful shall the Lord abhor. But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy shall I go into Thy house; I shall worship toward Thy holy temple in fear of Thee. O Lord, guide me in the way of Thy righteousness; because of mine enemies, make straight my way before Thee, For in their mouth there is no truth; their heart is vain. Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues have they spoken deceitfully; judge them, O God. Let them fall down on account of their own devisings; according to the multitude of their ungodliness, cast them out, for they have embittered Thee, O Lord. And let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall rejoice, and Thou shalt dwell among them. And all shall glory in Thee that love Thy name, for Thou shalt bless the righteous. O Lord, as with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast Thou crowned us.

Psalm 89

Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation. Before the mountains came to be and the earth was formed and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting art Thou. Turn not man away unto lowliness; yea, Thou hast said: Turn back ye sons of men. For a thousand years in Thine eyes, O Lord, are but as yesterday that is past, and as a watch in the night. Things of no account shall their years be; in the morning like grass shall man pass away. In the morning shall he bloom and pass away. In the evening shall he fall and grow withered and dry. For we have fainted away in Thy wrath, and in Thine anger have we been troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before us; our lifespan is in the light of Thy countenance. For all our days are faded away, and in Thy wrath are we fainted away; our years have, like a spider, spun out their tale. As for the days of our years, in their span, they be threescore years and ten. And if we be in strength, mayhap fourscore years; and what is more than these is toil and travail. For mildness is come upon us, and we shall be chastened. Who knoweth the might of Thy wrath? And out of fear of Thee, who can recount Thine anger? So make Thy right hand known to me, and to them that in their heart are instructed in wisdom. Return, O Lord; how long? And be Thou entreated concerning Thy servants. We were filled in the morning with Thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils. And look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the works of our hands do Thou guide aright.

Psalm 100

Of mercy and judgment will I sing to Thee, O Lord; I will chant and have understanding in a blameless path. When wilt Thou come unto me? I have walked in the innocence of my heart in the midst of my house. I have no unlawful thing before mine eyes; the workers of transgressions I have hated. A crooked heart hath not cleaved unto me; as for the wicked man who turned from me, I knew him not. Him that privily talked against his neighbor did I drive away from me. With him whose eye was proud and his heart insatiate, I did not eat. Mine eyes were upon the faithful of the land, that they might sit with me; the man that walked in the blameless path, he ministered unto me. The proud doer dwelt not in the midst of my house; the speaker of unjust things prospered not before mine eyes. In the morning I slew all the sinners of the land, utterly to destroy out of the city of the Lord all them that work iniquity.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

If there be two troparia, we say the first one here. If not, we continue:

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And we say the second troparion, if any, or the only troparion. Then:

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

Theotokion: What shall we call thee, O thou who art full of grace? Heaven, for from thee hast dawned forth the Sun of Righteousness. Paradise, for from thee bath blossomed forth the flower of immortality. Virgin, for thou hast remained incorrupt. Pure Mother, for thou hast held in thy holy embrace the Son, the God of all. Do thou entreat Him to save our souls.

My steps do Thou direct according to thy saying, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the false accusations of men, and I will keep Thy commandments. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes.

Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, that I may hymn Thy glory and Thy majesty all the day long.

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.

Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Reader: Amen. And we read the appointed Kontakion. If there be two kontakia, we read the one that was chanted after the 3^rd Ode of the canons at Matins. Then:

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. Then the Prayer of the First Hour:

Reader: O Christ, the True Light, Who enlightenest and sanctifiest every man that cometh into the world: Let the Light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may see the Unapproachable Light, and guide our steps in the doing of Thy commandments, through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, and of all Thy saints. Amen.

Choir: Tone 8: To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as Thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be do Thou deliver us, that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded!

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):

If it be Sunday: Thou that didst rise from the dead, 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.

If not: 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. Lord, have mercy. Thrice

The End of the All-Night Vigil

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