 |
Jacob’s Ladder
His vision of the ladder
Genesis 28:10-22
(King James Version)
The Lord's Prayer
Our
Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent Monastery
of St Catherine Sinai 12th century
Occasional Prayers - Orthodox Prayers and Creeds
The Jesus Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy upon me, a sinner.
The Creed
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and
invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of
God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of
Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one
essence with the Father, through whom all things were
made.
For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and
became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He
suffered and was buried.
On the third day He rose according to the Scripture.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
the the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the
dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who
proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and
the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I expect the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the age to come. Amen.
Communion Prayers
(The Communion Prayers are recited before receiving the holy
Mysteries)
believe
and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son
of the living God, who came into the world to save
sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this
is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your
precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon
me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and
involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown.
And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your
pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life
eternal. Amen.
How shall I, who am
unworthy, enter in to the splendor of Your saints? If I
dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will
accuse me, since it is not wedding garment; and being
bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love,
Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.
Loving Master, Lord
Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my
condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the
cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the
pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me
to cling to God and to place in Him he hope of my
salvation.
Receive me today, Son of
God, as partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not
reveal Your mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give
You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
You:
Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.
Prayers to the Son of God
Rejoice Mary, Mother of
God, Virgin, 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. Meet it is in
truth, to glorify thee, O Birth-giver of God, ever
blessed, and all undefiled, the Mother of our God. More
honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more
glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without stain didst
bear God the word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify
thee.
O gracious Mother of the
gracious God, O most pure and blessed Mary, the Mother of
God, pour the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my
impassionate soul, and with thine intercessions set me
unto good deeds, that I may pass the rest of my life
without blemish and, with thine aid, attain heaven. O Son
of God, the only one who art pure and blessed. O Son of
the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls: being delivered
from evil, as thy servants, O Son of God, we offer unto
thee the hymns of thanks and victory; but as thou hast
power invincible, deliver us from all calamity, that we
may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O Jesus Christ!
O virgin, spotless,
undefiled, unstained, all-chaste and Pure Lady, Bride of
God, who by the glorious birth-giving hast united God the
Word with Man and linked our fallen nature with Heavenly
Things; who art the hope of the hopeless, the helper of
the oppressed, the ready protection of those who haste
unto thee, and the refuge of Christians; despise me not,
who am defiled and sinful, who by my wicked thoughts,
words and deeds, have become an unworthy servant, and by
my slothfulness have turned into a slave to evil
affections. O Son of the God of Love, have mercy and
compassion upon me, a sinner and a prodigal. Accept this
prayer which is offered to thee from my impure lips; and
putting forward thy maternal influence with thy Son, my
Lord and Master, beseech Him to open unto me the loving
kindness of His grace; beseech Him to overlook my
countless transgressions, to give me true repentance and
to make me to be a zealous doer of His commandments. And
thou, being gracious and compassionate and tender-hearted,
be thou ever present with me in this life as my defender
and helper, so that I may turn aside the assault of my
enemies, and guide me into salvation; help my poor soul at
the hour of my death, and drive far from it all the dark
forms of the evil ones. And in the dreadful Judgment Day,
deliver me from everlasting punishment, and present me as
an inheritor of the ineffable glory of the son, our God.
O may I obtain this,
most-holy Lady and Birth-giver of God, through Holy
Life-Giving Spirit, by the grace and exceeding great love
of thine Only-Begotten son, my Lord and God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, to Whom is due, with the eternal Father and
the All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, all honor and
glory and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
O most glorious
Christ our God, accept our prayers and present to our God,
that He may, for thy sake, enlighten and save our souls.
Prayer before the Icon of the Theotokos
Forasmuch as thou art a well-spring of
tenderness, 0 Theotokos, make us worthy of compassion;
Look upon a sinful people; Man-ifest thy power as ever,
for hoping on thee we cry aloud unto thee: Hail I as once
did Gabriel, Chief Captain of the Bodiless Powers.
Hymn to the Theotokos
(From the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
It is truly meet to bless thee, 0
Theotokos, who art ever blessed and all-blameless, and the
mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and
more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who
without stain barest God the Word, and art truly
Theoto-kos: we magnify thee.
A Brief Confession before One's
Spiritual Father
(From the Full Confession of
St. Demetrius of Rostov)
I confess to
the Lord my God and before thee, venerable father, all my
countless sins, committed by me unto this very day and
hour, in deed, word and thought. I sin daily and hourly by
mine ingratitude toward God for His great and countless
blessings and benevolent providence over me, a sinner.
I have sinned through: idle
talking, judging others, stubbornness, pride,
hard-heartedness, envy, anger, slander, inattention,
negligence concerning my salvation, carelessness,
indifference, impertinence, irritability, despondency,
rendering evil for evil, bitterness, disobedience,
complaining, self-justification, contradicting others,
self-will, being reproachful, gossiping, lying,
light-mindedness, tempting others, self-love, ambition,
gourmandizing, eating and drinking to excess, vanity,
laziness, entertaining unclean thoughts, acquisitiveness,
impure glances, absence from divine services because of
laziness and carelessness, absent-mindedness at prayer
both in church and at home; I have sinned in deed, word
thought; in sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and the
rest of my mental and physical senses; of all my sins I
repent and beg forgiveness.
(Here one should mention
specifically any other sins which may be burdening the
soul.)
I also
repent and ask forgiveness for all those sins that I have
not confessed because of their multitude and my
forgetfulness.
Forgive and absolve me, venerable father, and bless me to
commune of the holy and life-creating Mysteries of Christ
unto the remission of sins and life everlasting.
Prayer of Repentance
Lord our
God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I
have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and
deed; in body and soul alike. I am heartily sorry that I
have ever offended thee, and I sincerely repent; with
tears I humbly pray thee, O Lord: of thy mercy forgive me
all my past transgressions and absolve me from them. I
firmly resolve, with the help of Thy Grace, to amend my
way of life and to sin no more; that I may walk in the way
of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Morning Prayers
Thou hast raised me from bed and sleep,
O Lord; enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips,
that I may praise Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy
art Thou, O God. For the sake of the Mother of God, have
mercy upon us.
O Christ, the True Light, Who illuminest and sanctifiest
every human being coming into the world: let the light of
Thy countenance be turned upon us, that in it we may
behold the unapproachable Light. guide our footsteps
toward working according to Thy commandments, through the
intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, and of all the
saints. Amen.
To Thee, O Master Who lovest mankind, I hasten on rising
from sleep; by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works, and I
pray unto Thee: help me at all times, and in all things;
deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from
the pursuit of the devil; save me and lead me into Thine
eternal Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, Provider and
Bestower of every good; wherefore all my hope is in Thee,
and to Thee I ascribe glory, now and ever, and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
We bless Thee, O God in the highest and Lord of mercies,
Who ever workest great and mysterious deeds for us,
glorious, wonderful and countless, Who providest us with
sleep as a rest from our infirmities, and as a repose for
our bodies tired by labor. We thank Thee that Thou hast
not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in Thy love
toward mankind, Thou hast raised us up that we might
glorify Thy Majesty. We entreat Thine infinite goodness,
enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our
minds from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouths
and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unceasingly
sing and confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by
all, the eternal Father, the Only- Begotten Son, and the
All-Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Grant unto me, my Lord, that with peace in mind I may face
all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me grace to
surrender myself completely to Thy holy will. Instruct and
prepare me in all things for every hour of this day.
Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou
teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction
that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will. Govern Thou
my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things
unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down
from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonable
toward every member of my family and all other human
beings, that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to
anyone. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the
fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing
events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to
believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.
Amen.
Midday Prayers
First say the TRISAGION PRAYERS, then
the following Prayer:
O Christ our God, who at this hour didst stretch out thy
loving arms upon the Cross that all men might be gathered
unto thee, help us and save us who cry out unto thee:
Glory to thee, 0 Lord.
Then add your private devotions and
inter-cessions, and conclude with this prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy
Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and
save us. Amen.
A Prayer for Forgiveness
O Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned, whether
in word or deed or thought, forgive me all, for thou art
good and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed
sleep, and deliver me from all influence and temptation of
the evil one. Raise me up again in proper time that I may
glorify thee; for Thou art blessed: with thine
Only-begotten Son and thine All-holy Spirit: now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Then say THE CREED, and the follow-ing
Prayer:
O Christ our God, who at all times and
iii every hour, in heaven and on earth, art wor-shipped
and glorified; who art long-suffering, merciful and
compassionate; who lovest the just and showest mercy upon
the sinner; who callest all to salvation through the
prom-ise of blessings to come; 0 Lord, in this hour
receive our supplications, and direct our lives according
to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, hallow our
bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver
us from all tribu-lation, evil and distress. Encompass us
with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we
may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge
of thine unapproachable glory, for Thou art blessed unto
ages of ages. Amen.
Then add your private devotions and
inter-cessions, and conclude with this prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ
our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
As you lie down to sleep, say:
good will thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the
flesh, that thou mightest deliver from bondage to the
enemy those whom thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry
aloud unto thee: thou hast filled all things with joy, 0
our Saviour, for thou didst come to save the world.
Evening Prayers
And now as we lay down to sleep, O Master, grant us
repose both of body and of soul, and keep us from the dark
passions of the night. Subdue Thou the assaults of
passions. Quench the fiery darts of the Wicked One which
are thrown insidiously at us; calm the commotions of our
flesh and put away all thoughts about worldly and material
things as we go to sleep. Grant us, O god, a watchful
mind, chaste thoughts, a sober heart, and a gentle sleep,
free from all the fantasies of Satan. And raise us up
again at the hour of prayer, established in Thy
commandments and holding steadfast within ourselves the
remembrance of Thy judgments. Give us the words of Thy
glorification all night long, that we may praise, bless,
and glorify Thy most honorable and magnificent name, O
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
O eternal God! Ruler of all creation! Who hast
vouchsafed that I should live even down to the present
hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day by deed,
word or thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all
corporal and spiritual stain. And grant, O Lord, that I
may during this night have a peaceful sleep, so that on
rising from my humble bed, I should continue to praise Thy
holy Name though out all the days of my life, and that I
be victorious over all the physical and spiritual enemies
battling against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain
thoughts that defile me, and from evil desires. For Thine
is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord our God, however I have sinned this day in
word, deed or thought, forgive me, for Thou art gracious
and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed
sleep. Send me Thy guardian angel to shield me and protect
me from every evil; for Thou art the Guardian of our souls
and bodies, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, Jesus Christ, my God, I
commend my spirit. Bless me, save me and grant unto me
everlasting life. Amen.
Prayer before commencing any task
Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain -of wisdom
and Tower of strength, who
Knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and
help; assist rue, I pray thee, and direct me to divine
wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and
whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and
dili-gently, according to thy will, so that it may be
profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy
Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers at mealtime
Before Breakfast
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy
on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon
our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto
ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God,
bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art
holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
|
After Breakfast
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more
glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without
defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true
Theotokos, we magnify you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
God is with us, through His Grace and love for
mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
|
Before Lunch
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy
servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
|
After Lunch
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast
satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts. Deprive us not
of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy
disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us
and save us!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us and fed
us from His rich gifts, through His Grace and love for
mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
|
Before Supper
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those
who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall
live forever!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy
servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
|
After Supper
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Your womb became a Heavenly Table, bearing the
Heavenly Bread - Christ our God. Whoever eats of Him
shall not die, O Birth-giver of God, according to the
word of the Nourisher of all.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more
glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without
defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true
Theotokos, we magnify you.
Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in
the works of Thy hands shall we rejoice. Lift up the
Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! Thou hast
put joy in my heart. With the fruit of wheat, wine and
oil have we been satisfied. In
peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou alone,
O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
God is with us, through His Grace and love for
mankind, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
|
Prayers of Thanksgiving
O Lord my Savior and my Master, I,
Thine unprofitable servant, with fear and trembling give
thanks unto Thy loving goodness for all Thy benefits which
Thou hast poured so abundantly upon me, Thy servant. I
fall down in adoration before Thee and offer Thee, O god,
my praises; with fervor I cry to Thee: O God, deliver me
henceforth from all adversities and mercifully fulfill in
me such of my desires as may be expedient for me. Hear me,
I entreat Thee, and have mercy, for Thou art the Hope of
all the ends of the earth, and unto Thee, with the Father,
and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory, now and ever, and
unto ages of ages. Amen.
I praise Thee, O God of our Fathers, I
hymn Thee, I bless Thee, I give thanks unto thee for Thy
great and tender mercy. To Thee I flee, O merciful and
mighty God. Shine into my heart with the True Sun of Thy
righteousness. Enlighten my mind and keep all my senses,
that henceforth I may walk uprightly and keep Thy
commandments, and may finally attain unto eternal life,
even to Thee, Who art the source of life, and be admitted
to the glorious fruition of Thy inaccessible Light. For
Thou art my
God, and unto Thee, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be
ascribed glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the Single persons
O Blessed Lord, who hast set up for us an example of
ideal purity, strengthen me, I be-seech thee, when
temptation besets me, and when strong passions seek to
overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and
innocent in thought, ward, and deed, doing such things
only as are well-pleasing unto thee; grant me growth in
wisdom and under-standing, that I may serve thee in
holiness all the days of my life: through the
intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother and of all
thy Saints, especially my patron Saint N. Amen.
Prayer of the Married
My bountiful God, I beseech Thee,
listen to my humble prayer, that I may ever feel that the
married state is holy and that I must keep it holy. Grant
Thy grace that I may never sin against the faithfulness
and love of this marriage. Foster between us the spirit of
understanding and of peace, that no strife, quarrel or
misunderstanding, may arise between us. Grant us health
and our daily bread, whereby we may serve Thee more.
Amen.
Prayer for Parents
O merciful Lord God, Thou hast
commanded and enjoined me to honor my father and mother,
and Thou Thyself hast shown even until death humble
obedience to Thy Father. From the depth of my soul I
fervently beseech Thee, O gracious Jesus Christ, my God,
hear my prayer and have mercy upon my parents, who have
given birth to me and are bringing me up in Thy grace and
love. Protect them from all evil, harm and sickness; grant
them health, and mercifully pour forth Thy bountiful
blessings upon them. Bless their efforts and deeds; have
mercy on them according to Thy great mercy, that
faithfully serving Thee, through them I also may be worthy
to praise and serve Thee. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, bless my
father and mother, my guardians, and those who are in
authority over me, for their love and tender care for me,
and the benefits I receive at their hands. Help me, I pray
Thee, to be respectful and obedient to them in all matters
according to Thy will; and give me Thy grace to perform
all my duties carefully and faithfully, to avoid
undesirable company and influence, and resist all
temptation that may come my way; that I may live a sober,
righteous and
godly life, ever praising Thee and glorifying Thy Holy
Name. Amen.
Prayer of Parents for
their Children
O God, our heavenly Father, Who lovest
mankind, and art most merciful and compassionate, have
mercy upon our children, Thy servants, (their names), for
whom I humbly pray Thee, and commend them to Thy gracious
protection. Be Thou, O God, their guide and guardian in
all their endeavors; lead them in the path of Thy truth,
and draw them near to Thee, that they may lead a godly and
righteous life in Thy love and fear; doing Thy will in all
matters. Give them grace that they may be temperate,
industrious, diligent, devout and charitable. Defend them
against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom
and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of
this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, for
the merits of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the
intercessions of His Holy Mother, and Thy blessed saints.
Amen.
Prayer for the Living
O Lord Jesus
Christ, our God, in Thy mercies and loving kindness Thou
regardest the humble prayers of all who call upon Thee
with their whole heart; incline Thine ear and hear now my
prayer, offered to Thee in humility:
Be Mindful, O Lord, of Thy Holy,
Universal and Apostolic Church; confirm and strengthen
her, increase her and keep her in peace, and preserve her
unconquerable forever.
Be mindful, O Lord, of our bishop,
(your bishop's name), and of every bishop of the Orthodox
Church; the priests and deacons, and all the clergy of the
Church, which Thou hast established to feed the flock of
Thy word;
and by their prayers have mercy upon me and save me, a
sinner.
Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil
authorities, of our armed forces, of this city in which we
reside, and of every city and the countryside; grant them
peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a
calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.
Be mindful, O Lord, of my parents,
(their names), of my brothers and sisters, (their names),
of relatives, (their names), and of my friends, (their
names); grant that they may have mercy, life, peace,
health, salvation and visitation, pardon and remission of
their sins; that they may ever praise and glorify Thy Holy
Name.
Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel
by land, by sea, and by air; of the old and young, the
sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, the afflicted, the
captives, the needy and the poor; and upon them all send
forth Thy mercies,
for Thou art the Giver of all good things.
Be mindful, O Lord, of me, Thy humble servant; grant me
Thy grace, that I may be diligent and faithful, avoiding
evil company and influence, resisting temptation; that I
may lead a godly and righteous life, blameless and
peaceful, ever serving Thee; that I may be accounted
worthy of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Prayer before a journey
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living
way, be thou, 0 Master, my companion, guide and guardian
during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger,
misfortune and temptation; that being so defended by Thy
divine power, I may have a peaceful and suc-cessful
journey and arrive safely at my des-tination. For in thee
I put my trust and hope, and to thee, together with thy
Eternal Father, and the All-holy Spirit, I ascribe all
praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Prayer in time of trouble
O God, our help and assistance, who art just and
merciful, and who heareth the sup-plications of thy
people; look down upon me. a miserable sinner, have mercy
upon me, and deliver me from this trouble that besets me,
for which, I know, I am deservedly suffering. I
acknowledge and believe, 0 Lord, that all trials of this
life are given by Thee for our chastise-ment, when we
drift away from thee, and disobey thy commandments; deal
not with me after my sins, but according to thy bountiful
mercies, for I am the work of Thy hands, and thou knowest
my weakness. Grant me, I be-seech thee, thy divine helping
grace, and endow me with patience and strength to en-dure
my tribulations with complete submission to Thy Will. Thou
knowest my misery and suffering and to Thee, my only hope
and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort; trusting to
thine infinite love and compassion, that in due time, when
thou knowest best, thou wilt deliver me from this trouble,
and turn my distress into comfort, when I shall rejoice in
thy mercy, and exalt and praise thy Holy Name, 0 Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Thanksgiving after
deliverance from trouble
Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and
heartily thank thy divine majesty for thy loving kindness
and tender mercies, that thou hast heard my humble prayer,
and graciously vouchsafed to deliver me from my trouble
and misery. Grant me, I beeseech thee, thy helping grace,
that I may obediently walk in thy holy commandments, and
lead a sober, righteous and godly life, ever remembering
thy mercies, and the blessings thou hast undeservedly
bestowed upon me, that I may continually offer to thee the
sacrifice of praise and thanks-giving, 0 Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of a sick
person
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Physician of souls
and bodies, who didst become man and suffer death on the
Cross for our sal-vation, and through thy tender love and
cottl-passion didst heal all manner of sickness and
affliction; do thou 0 Lord, visit me in my suffering, and
grant me grace and strength to bear this sickness with
which I am afflicted, with Christian patience and
submission to thy will, trusting in thy loving kindness
and tender mercy. Bless, I pray thee, the means used for
my recovery, and those who administer them. I know 0 Lord,
that I justly deserve any punishment thou mayest inflict
upon me for have so often offended thee and sinned against
thee, in thought, word and deed. Therefore, I humbly pray
thee, look upon my weakness, and deal not with me alter my
sins, but according to the multitude of thy mercies. Have
com-passion on me, and let mercy and justice meet; and
deliver me from this sickness and suffer-ing I am
undergoing. Grant that my sickness may be the means of my
true repentance and amendment of my life according to thy
will, that I may spend the rest of my days in thy love and
fear: that my soul, being helped by thy grace and
sanctified by thy Holy Mysteries, may be prepared for its
passage to the Eter-nal Life, and there, in the company of
thy blessed Saints, may praise and glorify thee with thy
Eternal Father and Life-giving Spirit. Amen.
Thanksgiving after
recovery from sickness
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Source of life and
Fountain of all good things, I bless thy Holy Name, and
offer to thee most hearty thanks for having delivered me
from my sickness and restored me to health. Grant me thy
continuing grace, I pray thee, that I may keep my good
resolutions and correct the errors of my past life, and
improve in virtue, and live a new life in dutiful fear of
thee, doing thy will in all things, and devoting this new
life which thou hast given me to thy service : that thus
living for thee, I may be
found ready when it pleaseth thee to call me to thee, 0
heavenly Father, to whom with thine Only-begotten Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ, and thine all-holy and Life-giving
Spirit, is due all honor, praise, glory, and thanksgiving:
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the sick
O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and
bodies, who hast sent thine Only-begotten Son our Lord
Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments and deliver us from
death: do thou visit and heal thy servant N., granting him
release from pain and restoration to health and vigor,
that he may give thanks unto thee and bless thy holy Name,
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the dead
Into thy hands, 0 Lord, I commend the souls of thy
servants NN., and beseech thee to grant them rest in the
place of thy rest, where all thy blessed Saints repose,
and where the light of thy countenance shineth forever.
And I beseech thee also to grant that our present lives
may be godly, sober, and blame-less, that, we too may be
made worthy to enter into thy heavenly Kingdom with those
we love but see no Ion~r: for thou art the Resurrection,
and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servants, 0
Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A General
Intercession
0 Lord Jesus Christ our God, who in thy mercy and
loving-kindness dost regard the prayers of all who call
upon thee with their whole heart, incline thine ear and
hear my prayer, now humbly offered unto thee:
Be mindful, 0 Lord, of thy Holy Orthodox Catholic and
Apostolic Church; confirm and strengthen it, increase it
and keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable
forever;
Be mindful, 0 Lord, of our Archbishop N.. and of every
Bishop of the Orthodox of Priests and Deacons and all the
Clergy ol thy Church, which thou hast established to feed
the flock of the Word; and by their prayers have mercy
upon me and save me, a sinner.
Be mindful,O Lord, of all civil Authorities, of our Armed
Forces, of this city in which we dwell, and of every city
and land; grant us peaceful times, that we may lead a calm
and tranquil life in all godliness and sanctity.
Be mindful, O Lord, of my parents, my bro-thers and
sisters, my relatives and friends, and all who are near
and dear to me, (name those whom you wish to remember),
and grant them mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and
visita-tion, and pardon and remission of sins; that they
may evermore praise and glorify thy holy Name.
Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, and sea,
and air; of the young and the old; orphans and widows; the
sick and the suffering, the sorrowing and the afflicted,
all captives, and the needy poor; upon them all send forth
thy mercies, for thou art the Giver of all good things.
Be mindful, O Lord, of me, thy humble servant; grant me
thy grace, that I may be diligent and faithful; that I may
avoid evil company and influence, and resist all
tempta-tion; that I may lead a godly and righteous life,
blameless and peaceful, ever serving thee, that I may be
accounted worthy at the last to enter into the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who have fallen asleep in
the hope of resurrection unto life eternal, especially N.,
NN.; pardon all their transgressions both voluntary and
invol-untary, whether in word, or deed, or thought.
Shelter them in a place of brightness, a place of verdure,
a place of repose, whence all sick-ness, sorrow and
sighing have fled away, and where the sight of thy
countenance rejoiceth all thy Saints from all the ages.
Grant them thy heavenly Kingdom, and a portion in thine
ineffable and eternal blessings, and the enjoy-ment of
thine unending Life.
Hear my prayer,O Lord, for thou art merciful and
compassionate, and lovest man-kind, and to thee are due
all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
Troparia to the Holy
Trinity
Having arisen from sleep, we fall down before thee, 0
Blessed One, and sing to thee, O Mighty One, the Angelic
Hymn: Holy, holy, holy art thou, 0 God. Through the
Theotokos have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit:
From my bed and sleep Thou hast raised me: 0 Lord,
enlighten my mind and my heart, and open my lips that I
may praise thee, 0 Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy art
thou, 0 God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, Amen.
Suddenly the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall
be revealed: but with feat we cry out in the middle of the
night: Holy. holy, holy art thou, 0 God. Through the
Theotokos have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
A Prayer to the Holy
Trinity
Arising from sleep I thank thee, 0 holy Trinity,
because of the abundance of thy good-ness and
long-suffering thou wast not wroth with me, slothful and
sinful as I am; neither hast thou destroyed me in my
transgressions: but in thy compassion raised me up, as I
lay in despair; that at dawn I might sing the glories of
thy Majesty. Do thou now enlighten the eyes of my
understanding, open my mouth to receive thy words, teach
me thy command-ments, help me to do thy will, confessing
Thee from my heart, singing and praising thine All-holy
Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St.
Basil the Great
We bless thee, O God most high and Lord of mercies,
who ever workest great and mysterious deeds for us,
glorious, wonderful, and numberless; who providest us with
sleep as a rest from our infirmities and as a repose for
our bodies tired by labor. We thank thee that thou hast
not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in thy love
toward man-kind thou hast raised us up, as we lay in
despair, that we may glorify thy Majesty. We entreat thine
infinite goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding
and raise up our minds front the heavy sleep of indolence;
open our mouths and fill them with thy praise, that we may
unceasingly sing and con-fess thee, who art God glorified
in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only-Begotten
Son, and the all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now
and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Here may be added your own private de-votions and
intercessions, using your own words or the �Occasional
Prayers� printed in this book. When you have finished,
conclude with this Prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus
Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
Prayer to your
Patron Saint
Pray unto God for me, 0 Holy Saint (Name),
well-pleasing to God: for I turn unto thee, who art the
speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
Prayer to your Guardian Angel
O Angel of Christ, holy guardian and
pro-tector of my soul and body, forgive me every-thing
wherein I have offended thee every day of my life, and
protect me from all influence and temptation of the evil
one. May I never-more anger God by any sin. Pray for me to
the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the
All-holy Trinity, and of the Most Blessed Theotokos, and
of all the Saints. Amen.
Psalm 50
Have mercy upon me, OGod, according to
thy great mercy: according to the multitude of thy tender
mercies blot out mine iniquity. Wash me throughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge mine
iniquity: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only
have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that thou
mightest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou
art judged. For behold, I was shapen in iniquity: and in sin
did my mother conceive me. For behold, thou hast loved
truth: the unclear and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast
made clear to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I
shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness: the
bones which thou hast broken shall rejoice. Turn away thy
face from my sins, and blot out all my 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 steady me with a guiding spirit. Then will I teach
trans-gressors thy ways: and the impious shall be converted
unto thee. Deliver me from blood -guiltiness, 0 God, thou
God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy
righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall
declare thy praise. For hadst thou desired sacrifice, I
would have given it thee: thou delightest not in burnt
offerings. Sacri-fices to God are a contrite spirit: a
contrite and humble heart,O God, thou wilt not despise .Do
good, O Lord, in thy good will unto Zion at the walls of
Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou be pleased with
the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt offering and
whole burnt offerings: then shall they offer bullocks upon
thine altar.
Spiritual helps:
The Commandments of God
1. I am the Lord
thy God;
thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
10. Thou shalt not covet. |
|
The Seven
Grievous Sins
|
The Seven
Capital Virtues
|
|
1. Pride
2. Greed
3. Lust
4. Anger
5. Gluttonny
6. Envy
7. Sloth |
1. Humility
2. Liberality
3. Chastitiy
4. Mildnes
5. Temperance
6. Happiness
7. Diligence |
|
Nine ways of
participating in another's sin
|
The Chief aids
to Penitence
|
|
1. By counsel
2. By command
3. By consent
4. By provocation.
5. By praise or flattery.
6. By concealment.
7. By partaking.
8. By silence.
9. By defense of the sin committed. |
1. Prayer.
2. Fasting.
3. Performance of the spiritual
and corporal works of mercy. |
The Chief spiritual
works of mercy |
The Chief corporal
works of mercy |
1. To admonish sinners.
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful.
4. To comfort the sorrowful.
5. To suffer wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive injuries.
7. To pray for the living and the dead. |
1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To ransom captives.
5. To shelter the homeless.
6. To visit the sick.
7. To bury the dead. |
The Gifts of
the Holy Spirit |
The Fruits of
the Holy Spirit |
1.
Wisdom.
2. Understanding.
3. Counsel.
4. Fortitude.
5. Knowledge.
6. Piety.
7. Fear of God. |
1. Love.
2. Joy
3. Peace.
4. Patience.
5. Kindness.
6. Goodness.
7. Long-suffering.
8. Mildness.
9. Fidelity.
10. Modesty.
11. Continence.
12. Chastity. |
The Theological
Virtues
1. Faith.
2. Hope.
3. Charity.
Fasts prescribed by the Church
1. Wednesday and Friday
Every Wednesday and Friday is to be ob-served with fasting
unless some important Feast takes precedence over the fast.
(See exceptions nosed below.)
The Fast on Wednesday is in memory of the betrayal of the
Lord, and the Fast on Friday in remembrance of His Passion
and Death upon the Cross.
2.
Special Fast Days.
August 29. The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.
September 14. The Elevation of the Holy Cross.
January 5. The Eve of the Epiphany.
3.
Lent, the Great Fast.
Lent begins forty days before Palm Sunday, on the Monday
after Cheese-Fare Sunday, and lasts until the evening
preceding Palm Sunday. Holy Week is a special Fast in honor
of our Lord�s Passion, and lasts from the even-ing of Palm
Sunday through Holy Saturday.
4.
The Fast of the Holy Apostles.
The
Fast of the Holy Apostles begins on the Monday after All
Saints� Sunday (the Sunday next after Pentecost) and lasts
until June 29, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and
Paul. This Fast varies in length according to the date of
Easter.
5.
The Fast of the
Theotokos.
The Fast which precedes the Feast of the Falling-asleep of
the All-holy Theotokos begin~ on August 1 and lasts until
the day of the Feast, August 15.
6.
The Fast before
Christmas.
The Fast before Christmas begins on Nov-ember 15 and lasts
until the day of the Feast of the Nativity, December 25.
7.
Periods when fasting is forbidden.
The Church forbids fasting during the fol-lowing periods:
From December 25 to January 5.
The week following the Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican.
The week following Meat-fare Sunday (abstinence from
flesh-meat is required during this week, but no fasting).
The week following Easter.
The week following Pentecost.
All Saturdays, excepting Holy Saturday.
|
 |