Vespers

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+Blessed is our God, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Trisagion Prayers

Priest: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Im-mor-tal * have mer-cy on us.

Cantor: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Im-mor-tal * have mer-cy on us.

Priest: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Im-mor-tal * have mer-cy on us.

Cantor: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi-rit. * Now and ever and to the ages of a-ges. Amen.

Priest: O All-Holy Trinity have mercy upon us, Lord, cleanse us from our sins, Master, pardon our trans-gres-sions! * O Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Cantor: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. * Lord, have mer-cy.

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi-rit. * Now and ever and to the ages of a-ges. Amen.

All: 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 temp-ta-tion, * but deliver us from the e-vil one.

Priest: 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 to the ages of ages.

Cantor: Lord, have mercy. six times

Priest: Lord, have mercy. six times

Cantor: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi-rit. * Now and ever and to the ages of a-ges. Amen.

Priest: Come, let us worship God our King. * Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.

All: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, * our King and our God.

As the cantors chant Psalm 103, the Deacon enters the Sanctuary through the South door and the appointed presbyter comes out of the Sanctuary through the North door and, standing before the Holy Doors with head uncovered, he prays the Vesperal Prayers.)

Great Litany

Kathisma-Psalms

Lord, I Call

The Holy Doors are opened, the Deacon asks the Priest to bless the censer, they both kiss the Altar Table, and preceded by the Acolytes, passing by the High Place, they proceed out of the Sanctuary through the North door, and go to the solea in front of the Holy Doors.

Entrance

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You: O Master of all, O Lord, the Lover of mankind, let our prayer arise in Your sight as incense, and incline not our hearts to words or thoughts of evil, but rescue us from all who seek after our souls. For our eyes are toward You, O Lord: Lord, in You we put our hope. Put us not to shame, O our God. For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Amen.

Deacon points to the Holy Doors with his Orarion in his right hand, he says quietly:

Deacon: Amen. Bless, Master, the holy entrance.

Priest: Blessed is the entrance of Your Saints always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand aright.

Joyful light

The Prokeimena and Readings

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Priest: +Peace be to you all.

Deacon: Wisdom.

Count Us worthy

Cantor: Count us worthy, O Lord, of passing this evening without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our Fathers; may Your Name be praised and glorified to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope in You. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your Commandments.

Blessed are You, O Master, grant me understanding of Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me by Your precepts.

O Lord, Your mercy endures to the ages; despise not the work of Your Hands.

Indeed, it is fitting to praise You and sing hymns to You.

It is fitting to glorify You: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Evening Litany

Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and preserve us, God, by Your grace.

Deacon: That this whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: Forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: All that is good and beneficial to our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: That we may live out our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: A Christian end to our life – painless, blameless and peaceful – and a good defense before the Dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.

Deacon: Remembering our Most-Holy, Most-Pure, Most-Blessed and Glorious Lady, the Birth-Giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life, to Christ our God.

Priest: For You are a Good and Loving God and to You we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Priest: Peace be to you all.

Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.

Priest: Lord our God, You bowed the heavens and came down for the salvation of the human race; look upon Your servants and Your inheritance, for to You, the Awesome and Ever-Loving Judge, have Your servants bowed their heads and inclined their necks, awaiting not help from mortals, but entreating Your mercy and looking confidently for Your salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every enemy, from all adverse powers of the devil, from vain thoughts and from evil fantasies.

May the Majesty of Your Kingdom be blessed and glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

Aposticha

St. Simeon's Canticle