Morning Prayers
Having risen from sleep, before all else stand reverently as if before God Who seeth all things. Having made the sign of the cross, say:
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then wait a little, until your feelings are calm and your thoughts have left all earthly things, and then make three bows, saying:
The Prayer of the Publican
God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Prayers of Introduction
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy Most-Pure Mother and of all the Saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, O Comforter, O Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places and fillest all things, Treasure of Blessings and giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us from all impurity and save our souls, O Good One.
(Between Easter and Ascension Day the above prayer, ‘O Heavenly King’, is replaced by, ‘Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the graves bestowing life’. Moreover, between Ascension and Pentecost the Prayers of Introduction begin from ‘Holy God’) .
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse our sins; O Master, forgive our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Which 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 them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Hymns to the Trinity
Arising from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Good One, and sing to Thee the angelic hymn, O Mighty One: holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God, by the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
O Lord, Thou hast aroused me from bed and from sleep, enlighten my mind and my heart, and open my lips, that I may sing of Thee, O Holy Trinity: holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God, by the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the judge will come, and the deeds of all will be revealed, but with fear we cry out at midnight: holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God, by the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
Arising from sleep, I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, that for the sake of Thy great goodness and longsuffering, Thou hast not been angered against me, slothful and sinful, neither hast Thou destroyed me with my iniquities, but Thou hast shown Thy customary love for mankind, and hast raised me up as I lay in heedlessness, that I might sing my morning hymn and glorify Thy might. Do Thou now enlighten the eyes of my thought, open my lips to learn Thy words and make me to understand Thy commandments, and to do Thy will, to sing of Thee in the confession of my heart, and to hymn Thine All-holy Name, of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ himself, our King and God.
Here may be read the daily Epistle and Gospel.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, after Thy great mercy and according to the multitude of Thy bounties cleanse my iniquity. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin: for I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done evil before Thee: that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying and clear when Thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sins hath my mother born me. But lo, Thou hast loved truth and shown me the unknown and secret things of Thy wisdom. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones may rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make 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. O give me the joy of Thy salvation again and stablish me with Thy free spirit. Then shall I teach Thy ways unto the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show Thy praise. For Thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it Thee: but Thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart God shalt not despise. O Lord, be favourable and gracious unto Sion, build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt offerings and oblations, then shall they offer young bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Creed
I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, Who was begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten, not Made, of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
Who was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.
And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures.
And He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets.
And in One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the age to come. Amen.
Prayers of St Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have done nothing good before Thee. Deliver me from the evil one and may Thy will be in me: may I open my unworthy lips uncondemned and praise Thy Holy name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rising from sleep I offer to Thee, O Saviour, a midnight hymn and falling down I cry unto Thee: give me not over to slumber in sinful death, but show mercy to me, O Thou who of Thine own will wast crucified, hasten to arouse me as I lie in sloth and save me by prayer and intercession: after the sleep of night make the day to shine forth on me without sin, O Christ God, and save me. Amen.
To Thee, O Master that lovest mankind, I hasten on rising from sleep, by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works. I pray Thee: help me at all times and in all things and deliver me from every evil thing of this world and suggestion of the devil, and save me and lead me into Thy eternal Kingdom. For thou art my Creator and the Provider and Giver of every good, in Thee is all my hope and to Thee I send up glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, Who of Thy plentiful goodness and Thy great bounties hast granted that I Thy servant should pass through the time past of this night without assault from any evil of the Enemy: Do Thou, O Master, Maker of all things, vouchsafe me to do Thy will in Thy true light and with enlightened heart, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St Basil the Great
O Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, that dwellest in the highest and carest for the humble, that searchest the inner parts and the heart and clearly discernest the hidden things of men, Ever-existing Light from Eternity, with Whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning: Do Thou, O King Immortal, accept our prayers which we, hoping in the multitude of Thy mercies, offer to Thee at this present time from our soiled lips, pardon us our transgressions which we have committed, knowingly or unknowingly, in word and thought and deed: and cleanse us from every stain of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass through all the night of this present life with watchful heart and sober thought, awaiting the coming of the bright and manifest day of Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, in which the Judge of all men shall come with glory, when to each shall be given the reward of his deeds: may we not fall away into sloth, but take heart and, roused to action, may we be found ready and enter together into the joy and Divine bridal chamber of His glory, where the voice of those that feast is never silent and the sweetness of those that behold the inexpressible beauty of Thy countenance is beyond all words, for Thou art the true Light that enlighteneth and halloweth all things, and Thee doth every creature hymn unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to your Guardian Angel
O holy angel, standing by my wretched soul and passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor depart from me for my lack of restraint: grant not a place to the evil demon to take possession of me by the force of this mortal body: strengthen my weak and feeble hand, and set me on the path of salvation. Yea, holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended thee all the days of my life, and if I have sinned this past night; protect me during the present day, and preserve me from every temptation of the Enemy: may I not anger God by any sin: pray for me to the Lord, that He may establish me in His fear, and show me a servant worthy of his goodness. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God
O my Most Holy Sovereign Lady Mother of God, by Thy holy and all-powerful prayers drive away from me, thy humble and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, lack of understanding, carelessness and all unclean, evil and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind: quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from the many cruel recollections and undertakings, and free me from all evil deeds: for Thou art blessed by all generations and Thy most honourable name is glorified unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to your Patron-Saint
Pray to God for me, holy N, who art pleasing to God, for I eagerly betake myself to thee, who art the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
Hymn of the Most Holy Mother of God
Rejoice, O Mother of God and Maiden, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with Thee, blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, for Thou hast given birth to the Saviour of our souls.
Troparion of the Holy Cross and Prayer for your native land
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting victories to Orthodox Christians over their enemies, and by Thy Cross preserve Thy commonwealth.
For the Living
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Thy mercies and bounties which are from everlasting, for the sake of which Thou didst become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in Thee: Thou rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, and regardest the humble prayers of all who call upon Thee with their whole heart: incline Thine ear and hearken to the humble entreaty of me, Thine unprofitable servant, who offer it as a sweet-smelling spiritual fragrance for all Thy people. And first of all remember Thy Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which Thou hast purchased with Thy precious blood; confirm it and strengthen it, enlarge it and multiply it, keep it in peace and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell for ever: calm the divisions of the churches, quench the ragings of the heathen, and speedily destroy and root out the risings of heresies, and bring them to naught by the power of Thy Holy Spirit. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on our land, its rulers and all those in seats of authority, and the Orthodox Christians that dwell herein. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on the most holy Orthodox Patriarchs, the most Reverend Metropolitans, Orthodox Archbishops and Bishops, and all the priestly and monastic order and all the clergy of the Church, which Thou hast established to feed the flock of Thy Word, and by their prayers have mercy on me and save me, a sinner. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on my spiritual father, N, and by his holy prayers forgive me my transgressions. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on my parents, N. and N, my brothers and sisters, my kinsmen after the flesh, and all those near to me and my friends, and grant them Thy good things, both here and hereafter. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor, the orphans and the widows, and all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement, more especially have mercy on Thy servants that are persecuted for Thy sake and for the sake of the Orthodox Faith, by heathen nations, by apostates and heretics: remember them, visit, strengthen, and comfort them, and make haste to grant them by Thy power relief, freedom and deliverance. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on all who are sent on duty, all who travel, our fathers and brothers and sisters, and on all Orthodox Christians. Bow.
O Lord, save and have mercy on those that hate and affront me and do me mischief, and let them not perish through me, a sinner. Bow.
Those that have departed from the Orthodox Faith, dazzled by destroying heresies, do Thou enlighten by the light of Thy understanding and unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church.
Commemoration of the Departed
O Lord, remember those that have departed this life, Orthodox kings and queens, faithful princes and princesses, most holy Patriarchs, most reverend Metropolitans, Orthodox Archbishops and Bishops, and all who served Thee in the priesthood and clergy of the Church, and in the monastic order, and grant them rest with Thy saints in Thine eternal habitations. Bow.
O Lord, remember the souls of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, my parents, N. and N., and all my kinsmen after the flesh: and forgive them all their transgressions voluntary and involuntary, granting them the Kingdom and the partaking of Thy eternal good things and the delight of Thine unending and blessed life. Bow.
O Lord, remember all who have fallen asleep in hope of the resurrection and eternal life, our fathers and brethren, and sisters, Orthodox Christians, who rest here and in all the world; and set them with Thy saints, where shineth the light of Thy countenance, and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and Thou lovest mankind. Amen. Bow.
O Lord, grant to all that have gone before us in faith and hope of the resurrection, our fathers and brethren and sisters, pardon of sins, and grant them eternal memory. (Three times)
Conclusion of the Prayers
It is truly meet to bless Thee, Who didst bring forth God, ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, Who without defilement didst bear the God the Word, Thee, very Mother of God, we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
O Lord, give the blessing. And the Dismissal
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, of Saint N, (the name of the Patron Saint), of Saints NN (the saints of the day) and of all Thy Saints, of our holy and God-bearing fathers and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art a merciful God and Thou lovest mankind. Amen.
