The Psalms are taken from the Psalter according to the seventy, Translated from the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament by the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston, Massachusetts; most of the text has been appropriated from works by Rassaphor-monk Laurence of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, whose excellent translations from the Slavonic Texts into English should be better known in the Church Abroad; other parts of the text comes from a prayer book bublished by the Fathers at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville; Mother Mary from the Orthodox Monastery of the Veil of Our Lady in Bussy-en-Othe, France has provided the translation of the octoechos used in this edition.

(An excerpted from "The Typicon of the Orthodox Church’s Divine Services: The Orthodox Christian and the Church Situation Today.")

Archbishop Averky of Holy Trinity Monastery at Jordanville, New York, makes some remarks in a report concerning the "Internal Mission" of the Church which was approved by the whole Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Outside of Russia in 1962:

"It is extremely important for the success of the Internal Mission to attract, as far as possible, all the faithful into one or another kind of active participation in the Divine services, so that they might not feel themselves merely idle spectators or auditors who come to Church as to a theater just in order to hear the beautiful singing of the choir which performs, as often happens now, totally unchurchly, bravura, theatrical compositions. It is absolutely necessary to re-establish the ancient custom, which is indeed demanded by the Typicon itself, of the singing of the whole people at Divine services… It is a shame to the Orthodox faithful not to know its own wondrous, incomparable Orthodox Divine services, and therefore it is the duty of the pastor to make his flock acquainted with the Divine services, which may be accomplished most easily of all by way of attracting the faithful into practical participation."

Further, in the same article Archbishop Averky dispels the popular misconception that Orthodox Christians are not allowed to perform any church services without a priest, and that therefore the believing people become quite helpless and are unable to pray when they find themselves without a priest. He writes, on the same page of this article:

"According to our Typicon, all the Divine services of the daily cycle — apart, needless to say, from the Divine Liturgy and other Church sacraments — may be performed also by persons not ordained to priestly rank. This has been widely done in the practice of prayer by all monasteries, sketes, and desert-dwellers in whose midst there are no monks clothed in the rank of priest. And up until the most recent time this was to be seen also, for example, in Carpatho-Russia, which was outstanding for the high level of piety of its people, where in case of the illness or absence of the priest, the faithful themselves, without a priest, read and sang the Nocturnes, and Matins, and the Hours, and Vespers, and Compline, and in place of the Divine Liturgy, the Typica.

"In no way can one find anything whatever reprehensible in this, for the texts themselves of our Divine services have foreseen such a possibility, for example, in such a rubric which is often encountered in them: ‘If a priest is present, he says: Blessed is our God… If not, then say with feeling: By the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.’ And further there follows the whole order of the Divine services in its entirety, except of course, for the ectenes and the priestly responses. The longer extenes are replaced by the reading of ‘Lord, have mercy’ twelve times, and Little Ectene by the reading of ‘Lord, have mercy’ three times.

"Public prayer, as none other, firmly unites the faithful. And so, in all those parishes where there is no permanent priest, it is absolutely necessary not merely to permit, but indeed to recommend to the faithful that they come together on Sundays and feast days in church or even in homes, where there is no church, in order to perform together such public prayer according to the established order of Divine services."

This normal church practice, which like so much else that belongs to the best Orthodox Church tradition, has become so rare today as to seem rather a novelty, is nonetheless being practiced now in several parishes of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, as well as in some private homes. This practice can and should be greatly increased among the faithful, whether it is a question of a parish that has lost its priest or is to small to support one, of a small group of believers far from the nearest church which has not yet formed a parish, or a single family which is unable to attend church on every Sunday and feast day.

Indeed, this practice in many places has become the only answer to the problem of keeping alive the tradition of the Church’s Divine services….

The way of conducting such services should preferably be learned from those who already practice it in accordance with both the written and oral tradition of the Church. But even in the absence of such guidance, an Orthodox layman, when he is unable to attend church services, can derive much benefit from simply reading through some of the simpler services, much as he already reads Morning and Evening Prayers. Thus, he can read any of the Hours (First, Third, and Sixth Hours in the morning, Ninth Hour in the afternoon), which have no changeable parts except for the Troparion and Kontakion; he can simply read through the stichera of the great feasts on the appropriate day; or he can read the Psalms appointed for a given day….

Reader: O Heavenly King, O 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 impurities, 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 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. 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 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.

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 Thou shalt hear my voice. In the morning shall I stand before Thee, and Thou shalt look upon me; for not a God that willest 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 sepulchre, 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 ever 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.

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 Thou art. 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 Thee: our life-span 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.

Of mercy and judgment will I sing unto 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 seeker 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.

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

Lord, have mercy (Thrice).

Here we say the first troparion, if there be two. If not: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion of the Resurrection, or of the Feast, then: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

And the Theotokion of the First Hour:

What shall we call thee, O thou that art full of grace? Heaven: for thou hast dawned forth the Sun of Righteousness. Paradise: for thou hast 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 accusation 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, O Lord, 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.

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 sand lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

Then: Lord, have mercy (40 Times).

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 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 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, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

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).

Bless, O Lord.

Hearken, O Lord, unto my righteousness, attend unto my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which cometh not from deceitful lips. From before Thy face let my judgment come forth, let mine eyes behold uprightness. Thou hast proved my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night, Thou hast tried me by fire, and unrighteousness was not found in me. That my mouth might not speak of the works of men, for the sake of the words of Thy lips have I kept the ways that are hard. Set my footsteps in Thy paths, that my steps may not be shaken. I have cried for Thou hast hearkened unto me, O God. Incline Thine ear unto me, and hearken unto my words. Let Thy mercies be made wonderful, O Thou that savest them that hope in Thee. From them that have resisted Thy right hand, keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye. In the shelter of Thy wings wilt Thou shelter me, from the face of the ungodly which have oppressed me. Mine enemies have surrounded my soul, they have enclosed themselves with their own fat, their mouth hath spoken pride. They that cast me out have now encircled me, they have set their eyes to look askance on the earth. They have taken me as might a lion ready for his prey, and as a lion's whelp that dwelieth in hiding. Arise, O Lord, overtake them and trip their heels; deliver my soul from ungodly men, Thy sword from the enemies of Thy hand. O Lord, from Thy few do Thou separate them from the earth in their life; yea, with Thy hidden treasures hath their belly been filled. They have satisfied themselves with swine and have left the remnants to their babes. But as for me, in righteousness shall I appear before Thy face; I shall be filled when Thy glory is made manifest to me.

Unto thee, O lord, have I lifted up my soul. O my God, in Thee have I trusted; let me never be put to shame, nor let mine enemies laugh me to scorn. Yea, let none that wait on Thee be put to shame (let them be ashamed which are lawless without a cause. Make Thy ways, O Lord, known unto me and teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art God my Savior; for on Thee have I waited all the day long. Remember Thy compassions, O Lord, and Thy mercies, for they are from everlasting. The sins of my youth and mine ignorance remember not; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me, for the sake of Thy goodness, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He set a law for them that sin in the way. He will guide the meek in judgment, He will teach the meek His ways. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto them that seek after His covenant and His testimonies. For the sake of Thy name, O Lord, be gracious unto my sin; for it is great. Who is the man that feareth the Lord? He will set him a law in the way which He hath chosen. His soul shall dwell among good things, and his seed shall inherit the earth. The Lord is the strength of them that fear Him, and His covenant shall be manifested unto them. Mine eyes I are ever toward the Lord, for He it is that will draw my feet out of the snare. Look upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am one only-begotten and poor. The afflictions of my heart are multiplied; bring me out from my necessities. Behold my lowliness and my toil, and forgive all my sins. Look upon mine enemies, for they are multiplied, and with an unjust hatred have they halted me. Keep my soul and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I have hoped in Thee. The innocent and the upright have cleaved unto me, for I waited on Thee, O Lord. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his afflictions.

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 mine 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 Sion and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shall Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

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).

Here we say the first troparion, if there be two. If not: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion of the Resurrection, or of the Feast, then: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

And the Theotokion of the Third Hour:

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine that hath blossomed forth for us the Fruit of Life. Thee do we supplicates Intercede, O Lady, together with the holy apostles, that our souls find mercy.

Blessed is the Lord God, blessed is the Lord day by day; the God of our salvation shall prosper us along the way; our God is the God of salvation.

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. Amen.

Lord, have mercy (40 Times).

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 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 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, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Bless, O Lord. Amen.

O Sovereign God, the Father Almighty, O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Thou, 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.

O God, in thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me. O God, hearken unto my prayer, give ear unto the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and mighty men have sought after my soul and have not set God before themselves. For behold, God helpeth me, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. He will bring evils upon mine enemies. Utterly destroy them by Thy truth. Willingly shall I sacrifice unto Thee; I will confess Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For out of every affliction hast Thou delivered me, and mine eye hath looked down upon mine enemies.

Give ear, O God, unto my prayer, and disdain not my supplication; attend unto me, and hear me. I was grieved in my meditation, and I was troubled at the voice of the enemy and at the oppression of the sinner; because they have turned iniquity upon me, and with wrath were they angry against me. My heart is troubled within me, and the terror of death is fallen upon me. Fear and trembling are come upon me, and darkness hath covered me. And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove? And I will fly, and be at rest. Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. I waited for God that saveth me from faint-heartedness and from tempest. Plunge them into the depths, O Lord, and divide their tongues, for I have seen iniquity and gainsaying in the city. Day and night they go round about her upon her walls; iniquity and toil and unrighteousness are in the midst of her. And usury and deceit have not departed from her streets. For if mine enemy had reviled me, I might have endured it. And if he that hateth me had spoken boastful words against me, I might have hid myself from him. But thou it was, O man of like soul with me, my guide and my familiar friend, thou who together with me didst sweeten my repasts; in the house of God I walked with thee in oneness of mind. Let death come upon such ones, and let them go down alive into hades. For wickedness is in their dwellings, and in the midst of them. As for me, unto God have I cried, and the Lord hearkened unto me. Evening, morning, and noonday will I tell of it and will declare it, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from them that draw nigh unto me, for they among many were with me. God will hear, and He will humble them, He that is before the ages. For to them there is no requital, because they have not feared God; He hath stretched forth His hand in retribution. They have defiled His covenant; they were scattered by the wrath of His countenance, and their hearts have convened. Their words were smoother than oil, and yet they are darts. Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He will nourish thee; He will never permit the righteous to be shaken. But Thou, O God, shall bring those men down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but as for me, O Lord, I will hope in Thee.

He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him, For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shall thou have hope. With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror of night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come nigh. Only with thine eyes shall thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners. For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge; no evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Upon the asp and basilisk shall thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon. For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.

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).

Here we say the first troparion, if there be two. If not: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion of the Resurrection, or of the Feast, then: Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion of the Sixth Hours:

Seeing that we have no boldness on account of our many sins, do thou beseech Him that was born of thee, O Virgin Theotokos; for the supplication of a mother availeth much to win the Master's favor.

Disdain not the prayers of sinners, O all-pure one for merciful and mighty to save is He, Who deigned also to suffer for our sake.

Let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord for we are become exceedingly poor. Help us, O God our Savior, for the sake of the glory of Thy name; O Lord, deliver us and be gracious unto our sins for Thy name's sake.

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. Amen.

Lord, have mercy (40 Times).

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 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 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.

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, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Bless, O Lord. Amen

O God and Lord of hosts, and Maker of all creation. Who by the tender compassion of Thy mercy which transcendeth comprehension, didst send down Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race, and by His precious cross didst tear asunder the handwriting of our sins, and thereby didst triumph over the principalities and powers of darkness. Do Thou Thyself, O Master, Lover of mankind, accept also from us sinners these prayers of thanksgiving and entreaty, and deliver us from every destructive and dark transgression, and from all enemies, both visible and invisible, that seek to do us evil. Nail down our flesh with the fear of Thee, and incline not our hearts unto words or thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls with longing for Thee, so that ever looking to Thee, and being guided by Thy light as we behold Thee, the Unapproachable and Everlasting Light, we may send up unceasing praise and thanksgiving unto Thee, 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.

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

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

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in the heavens.

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 ye blossoms of the spiritual meadow of Russia, who have wondrously flowered in the years of fierce persecutions, numberless new martyrs and confessors: royal passion-bearers, hierarchs, and pastors, monastics and laymen, men, women, and children, who in patience have brought forth good fruit unto Christ. Entreat Him as the One Who planted you to deliver His people from godless and evil people, and that the Church of Russia be made firm by your blood and sufferings, unto the salvation of our souls.

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, O mediation unto the Creator unfailing, disdain not the suppliant voices of sinners; but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us.

Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us.

The Reader reads the Prokeimeon in the proper Tone for the given Sunday. These are found at the end of this publication.

The Epistle of the day.

The heavenly choir praiseth Thee and saith: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

Come unto Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be ashamed.

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

The choir of holy angels and archangels, with all the heavenly hosts, praiseth Thee and saith: Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

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

That we may receive the King of all who cometh invisibly upborne by the angelic hosts. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Orthodox Bishops, the Priests and Deacons, and all who serve in the Church and whom Thou hast ordained to feed Thy spiritual flock; and by their prayers, have mercy on us sinners.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our parish priest(s); with all his (their) brethren in Christ, and by their prayers have mercy on us, wretches that we are.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our spiritual fathers and by their prayers forgive us our sins.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all workers in our parish, our brethren and sisters, and all Christians.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our parents, our brothers and sisters, and all of our relatives, and the neighbors of our families, and our friends. And grant the Thy worldly and spiritual goods.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy according to the multitude of Thy bounties, on all priests, monks, and nuns, and on all living in virginity, devotion, and fasting, in monasteries, in deserts, in caves, on mountains, on pillars, in hermitages, in the clefts of rocks, and right faith in every place of Thy dominion, and devoutly serving Thee, and praying to Thee. Lighten their burden, console them in their afflictions, and grant them strength, power, and perseverance in their struggle, and by their prayers grant us remission of our sins.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old, and the young, the poor and destitute, the orphans and widows, the leper colonies, epileptics and spastics, and all those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation, captives and exiles in mines, prisons, reformatories, psychiatric hospitals, and especially on those of Thy servants suffering persecution for Thy sake and for the Orthodox Faith from godless peoples, apostates, and heretics. Visit, strengthen, comfort, and heal them, and by Thy power quickly grant them relief, freedom, and deliverance.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors, who have mercy on us and feed us, and us of anxiety by giving us those things in which we stand of need, and entrust us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them; and give them Thy grace, and grant them all their requests which lead to salvation, and the attainment of eternal joy.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all in our parish, and on all Orthodox Christians who are messengers and missionaries in Thy service, and are travelling.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom each of us hast offended or scandalized by our madness or inadvertence, and whom we have turned from the way of salvation, and whom we have led into evil and harmful deeds. By Thy divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend us, and do us harm, and let them not perish through us sinners.

Illumine with the light of grace all apostates from the Orthodox Faith, and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and draw them to Thyself, and unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church.

Remember, O Lord, those who have departed from this life, Orthodox kings and queens, princes and princesses, Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and those who have served Thee in the Monastic State, and the departed founders of this church and grant them rest with the Saints in Thy eternal dwellings.

Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants who have departed in sleep, our parents and all of our relatives according to the flesh; forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary; grant them the kingdom and a part in Thy eternal joys, and the delight of Thy blessed and everlasting life. Amen.

Lord, have mercy (Twelve Times).

Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and for evermore. (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.

Thou didst rise as God from the tomb with glory and with Thyself didst raise the world, and the nature of men sings to Thee as God, and death has vanished, and Adam dances for joy, O Lord, and Eve, now freed from her fetters rejoices, crying: Thou, O Christ, art He Who givest to all resurrection.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee. Stichos: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Alleluia: O God Who givest avengement unto me and hast subdued peoples under me. Stichos: It is He that magnifieth the salvation of His king and worketh mercy for His anointed, for David and for his seed unto eternity.

Through food, the enemy led Adam out of Paradise; and through the Cross Christ led the thief back into it crying: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

I venerate Thy sufferings and glorify Thy resurrection. With Adam and with the thief I raise a shining cry to Thee: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

Without sin, hast Thou been crucified, and of Thine own will hast Thou been laid in the tomb. But Thou as God hast risen raising Adam with Thyself, crying: Remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

On the third day, O Christ our God, Thou hast raised from the tomb the temple of Thy "body raising with Thyself Adam and those descending from him, crying: Remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

The women bearing myrrh came early in the morning lamenting to Thy tomb, O Christ our God, and they found there an angel in shining white seated and crying; What do ye seek? Christ is risen, weep no more.

O Lord, Thine apostles as Thou hast ordered them were beside Thee on the mountain and seeing Thee. O Savior, they worshipped and Thou hast sent them forth to teach and to baptize the nations.

Thou didst rise from the tomb, all-powerful Savior, and seeing the miracle, hell was terrified, and the dead rose, whilst creation at the sight of it rejoices with Thee, and Adam exults, and the world, O my Savior, ever sings to Thee.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation. Stichos: With chastisement hath the Lord chastened men but He hath not given me over unto death. Alleluia: The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Stichos: O Lord, save the king, and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee.

We offer Thee the voice of the thief and cry aloud to Thee; Remember us, O Savior in Thy kingdom.

We bring Thee the cross for the forgiveness of offences. For us hast Thou accepted it, O lover of mankind.

We venerate, O Master, Thy tomb and Thy rising, through which Thou hast delivered the world from corruption, O lover of mankind.

By Thy death, O Lord, death has been swallowed up, and by Thy resurrection, Savior, has the world been saved.

Those sleeping in darkness have seen Thee, the light, and they have risen out of the nethermost parts of hell, O Christ.

Risen from the tomb Thou hast met the women bearing myrrh and told the disciples to proclaim Thy rising.

Thou didst rise today from the grave, O merciful one, and hast led us out of the gates of death. Today Adam dances for joy and Eve rejoices, and with them the prophets and patriarchs unceasingly sing of the divine triumph of Thy power.

O chant unto our God, chant ye; chant unto our king, chant ye. Stichos: Clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God with a voice of rejoicing. Alleluia: In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame in the age to come. Stichos: Be Thou unto me a God to defend me and a house of refuge to save me.

O Christ, Thou hast cast out of Paradise Adam, the forefather, who had set aside Thy commandment. And in Thy compassion, Thou hast made to dwell therein the thief confessing Thee upon the cross and crying; Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom.

O giver of life and lord, Thou hast condemned us having sinned to the curse of death. And suffering in Thy sinless body Thou hast made mortal men live crying: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

O Lord, risen from the dead, Thou hast raised us from passions by Thy resurrection. And Thou hast destroyed all the might of death. Therefore we cry with faith to Thee: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

By Thy three days' burial hast Thou, making them live, raised those lying dead in hell. And Thou as good hast poured forth incorruption upon us who at all times cry with faith; Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

Risen from the tomb, Thou hast first appeared to the women bearing myrrh and hast cried: Rejoice! and through them Thou dost make known Thy rising to Thy friends, O Christ; Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

On the mountain, Moses, holding his arms outspread prefigured the cross and defeated Amalek. And we having received it with faith as a strong weapon against devils all cry: Re-member us in Thy kingdom.

My Savior and deliverer from the grave, as God, raised the earth-born from their chains, and shattered the gates of hell; and He rose as Lord on the third day.

How magnified are Thy works, O Lord. In wisdom hast Thou made them all. Stichos: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Alleluia: Bend Thy bow, and proceed prosperously, and be king, because of truth and meekness and righteousness. Stichos: Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity.

Through a tree, Adam was deprived of his home in Paradise; while through the wood of the cross, the thief went there to dwell. For the one by tasting set aside the commandment of the Maker, while the other, crucified with Him, confessed the hidden God crying aloud: Remember me in Thy kingdom.

Lifted upon the cross, Thou, O Lord, as God, hath both destroyed the power of death and blotted out the handwriting against us. Do Thou Who alone lovest mankind, grant us the repentance of the thief as we serve Thee with faith, O Christ our God, and cry to Thee: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

Crucified and rising from the tomb in power on the third day, with Thyself hast Thou, only Immortal, raised Adam, the first-formed man. Make me also worthy, O Lord, to turn to repentance with my whole heart and with warm faith ever to cry to Thee: Remember me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom.

Thou hast torn to pieces on the cross, the handwriting against, us and counted among the dead, Thou hast bound yonder tyrant, delivering all from the bonds of hell by Thy resurrection. Through it we have been enlightened and cry aloud to Thee, Lord who lovest mankind: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

For our sake He Who is without passion, became a suffering man and nailed upon the cross of His own will, He raised us with Himself. Therefore with the cross we glorify the passion and the resurrection through which we have both been made anew and through which we have been saved, crying: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

Let us entreat with faith Him rising from the dead despoiling the power of hell, Who was seen by the women bearing myrrh and said to the: Rejoice! for our souls always to be delivered from corruption, crying at all times to Him with the gracious voice of the thief: Remember us also in Thy kingdom.

Thou didst descend into hell, my Savior, and having shattered its gates, as all powerful, Thou didst raise the dead with Thyself, as creator, and didst deliver Adam from the curse, O lover of men. Therefore, we all cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord.

Thou, O Lord, shall keep us and shall preserve us from this generation and for evermore. Stichos: Save me, O Lord, for a righteous man there is no more. Alleluia: Of Thy mercies, O Lord, will I sing for ever. Unto generation and generation will I declare Thy truth with my mouth. Stichos: For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever. In the heavens shall Thy truth be established.

The thief on the cross believing Thee to be God confessed Thee earnestly from his heart, crying aloud: O Lord, remember me in Thy kingdom.

Let us with one accord praise as Savior and creator Him Who made life flower for our kind by the wood of the cross and Who withered the curse coming from the tree.

By Thy death, O Christ, Thou hast destroyed the might of death and hast raised with Thyself those dead from the ages praising Thee as our true God and Savior.

The holy women having come to the tomb, O Christ, sought to anoint Thee, giver of life, with myrrh, and an angel appeared to them crying aloud: The Lord is risen.

Thou hast been crucified, O Christ, between two condemned thieves and one of them blaspheming Thee was rightly sentenced, while the other, confessing Thee, went to dwell in Paradise.

The holy women coming to the choir of the apostles lifted their voices crying; Christ is risen; Worship ye Him as master and creator.

Having raised all the dead from the valleys of darkness by His life-giving hand, Christ our God granted resurrection to the human dough. For He is the Savior of all, the resurrection and life and God of all.

Save, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Stichos: Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry; O my God, be not silent unto me. Alleluia: He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. Stichos: He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him.

Remember me, my God and Savior, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom and save me as Thou alone lovest mankind.

Through the wood of the cross Thou hast saved again Adam who was beguiled by the tree and the thief as he cried aloud: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

O giver of life, having broken the gates and chains of hell; Thou, Savior, hast made all men rise crying aloud: Glory to Thy resurrection.

Do Thou Who hast by Thy burial and Thy resurrection despoiled death, and filled all things with joy, remember me as Thou art compassionate.

When the women bearing myrrh came to the tomb they heard an angel crying; Christ is risen, filling the whole world with light.

Let us all praise with one accord Christ nailed to the wood of the cross thus delivering the world from error.

No longer can the dominion of death hold mortals, for Christ hath come down and hath shattered and broken its power. Hell is bound, and the prophets rejoice with one voice, saying: The Savior has appeared to those who have faith, Come out, ye faithful, for the Resurrection.

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Stichos: Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams. Alleluia: It is good to give praise unto the Lord, and to chant unto Thy name, O Most High. Stichos: To proclaim in the morning Thy mercy, and Thy truth by night.

Fair to look upon and good for food was the fruit that killed me; while Christ is the tree of life. Eating thereof, I die not but cry aloud with the thief; Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

Lifted upon the cross, Thou Who art compassionate, hast blotted out the handwriting of Adam's sin in days of old, and Thou hast saved from error all the whole line of mortal men. Therefore we sing Thy praises, O benefactor and Lord.

Thou hast nailed our sins upon the cross, O Christ Who art compassionate, and by Thy death hast Thou put death to death, raising the dead from the dead. Therefore we venerate Thy holy Resurrection.

The serpent once emptied his poison into the ears of Eve; while Christ on the wood of the cross poured the sweetness of life into the world. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

In the tomb wast Thou laid as mortal, O Christ, the life of all and Thou hast burst asunder the chains of hell and risen the third day in glory as mighty. Thou hast enlightened all. Glory to Thy rising.

The Lord rose from the dead on the third day and gave His own peace to the disciples. And He blessed them and sent them forth saying: Lead ye all men into My kingdom.

Having risen from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam, and Eve dances with joy at Thy resurrection. And all the ends of the earth keep festival at Thy rising from the dead. O most merciful One.

Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God. Stichos: In Judea is God known, His name is great in Israel. Alleluia: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, let us shout with jubilation unto God our Savior. Stichos: Let us come before His countenance with thanksgiving, and with psalms let us shout in jubilation unto Him.

Remember us, O Christ, Savior of the world, as Thou hast remembered the thief upon the cross. And make us all worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom, O Thou Who alone art compassionate.

Hearken, O Adam, and rejoice with Eve, for He Who formerly stripped you both and took thee captive through beguilement, is laid low by the cross of Christ.

Our Savior, having been nailed by Thine own will upon the tree, Thou hast destroyed the curse of the tree that lay on Adam and as Thou art compassionate, Thou hast given those in Thine image a dwelling place in Paradise.

Today Christ is risen from the tomb giving all the faithful incorruption and He gives back joy to the women bearing myrrh: After the Passion, the Resurrection!

Rejoice O ye wise women bearing myrrh, first to see the Resurrection of Christ, and Who announced to the apostles the good tidings thereof, that is, the restoration of the whole world.

Ye apostles appearing as friends of Christ having the same throne as His in glory intercede as His disciples for us to stand before Him with boldness.

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